When I first started machine quilting back in 2004, I looked all over for a mathematical way to figure out borders. Something that would work all the time on every border. Unfortunately, I could not find one. I thought I would share with you how I figure out an undulating spine that goes around the entire quilt. I have found that it is best to mark these before you load the machine on the frame.
You can use this spine for ferns, flowers, feathers… really any thing or maybe just to divide up your border or space to do different fills on either side. I’d love to know how you measure and mark your borders. Leave it in the comments below!
Once you load your quilt, you may think that’s all that is needed to keep your quilt top square, however that may not be the case. When you quilt and depending on how heavy you quilt…. the top can pull in on the sides… this is why we have those side clamps!
My fabulous student, Janis, gave me and the other members of Quilter’s Groove® Tribe her secret and I thought I would pass it along to you.
This is a piece of bungee cord that I got on Amazon. My frame is 12′ so I bought the 25 yards. The little pink things, these are cord locks. I line these up with the seams in the quilt as well as the outer edges so that every time I advance the quilt, I can make adjustments if my quilt has shifted.
At first I tried to just tie the cord to the end of my machine but when I advanced the quilt it would drag. So off to Lowes to try and figure out what to do. I have a BERNINA Q20 on a frame and this is how I attached it.
Bought two of these, they were around $2 a piece.
I pulled back the black piece on the end of my machine and slipped the nut through while it was attached to the bolt. I then tightened it all up. Once I found what I needed, it was a very simple process.
Let me know in the comments how you keep your quilts square!!
I missed my FB live last week as I was on a much needed vacation to South Carolina! For the most part, I completely unplugged from work is a first in a while. It felt great to sit in the sun, play some golf and get to know my significant others family! Took a beautiful walk along the inter-coastal waterway.
Back at work this week…. who doesn’t love feathers??? I know, it isn’t me but there are some who don’t. I have had many requests for another video on how to do the Jelly Feather Fill, I did not want to disappoint! So here ya go!! Enjoy!
I haven’t turned my machine on in a couple weeks and I am getting ready to load one of my UFO’s.
Summer Blossoms by Studio 180
Can’t wait to get started on it. So I have my quilting plan and it involves some continuous curves. I realized its been awhile since I’ve done CC so I thought I better practice. Since I needed to practice… I thought maybe I wasn’t the only one. LOL.
Here is a quick video… If I want precision… I will use a ruler to do these simple CC but in a busy fabric… it’s all freehand!
I feel like I have been starting all my blog posts with…. it’s been a while. I promise I will try harder to not let that happen!
Here’s what I’ve been up to!
The past 6 months I have been feverishly working on a comprehensive online course! And guess what??? It is finally done.
I had 32 fabulous students help me create this class and their input was invaluable! To all of you…. my biggest thank you!
The nerve wracking thing about creating the class is that as the students were hard at work on one week… I was working really hard on the following week. So I was only a week ahead of them. But I will tell you… if I had waited and created all the content before getting my beta group… the class would likely still be in my head. The process was very fluid which meant that if the students gave me feedback on providing more explanation… it was easily done.
This class took me out of my comfort zone which is something that I tell my students all the time. One of the aspects that I loved most about the class were the Zoom meetings. It was so great to see all of the faces and have productive Q & A’s! We became a little family. The students were super engaging on the private FB page. It was wonderful to see them supporting each other.
The great news is the lesson are prerecorded so you can learn when it is convenient for you! And the best.. you have lifetime access to the class.
Enrollment is now open, however, it is only open til March 28. As the first lesson is available March 29 and a new lesson will be available each week. If you sign up before Mar 22, you will receive the Perfect Plumes class as a bonus!
For all the details… click here! Don’t miss out, this is the only time the class will be at this price!
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions
Well, it has taken 6 months…. and I have been down and out for the past week with fever, headache, stomachache and nausea. I am feeling better , not 100%, but better is good. I am currently awaiting the results of my Covid test and praying that it is negative. So for those of you that pray…. say a prayer. Meanwhile… business needs to go on even though it was halted this week. Those that placed orders this week… bear with me… I’m hoping to get them out this week.
So… in trying to keep things light…. I thought I would run a Covid sale! 19% off everything except my online classes. no code necessary. Sale will run til Monday Sept 7th. Not good on previous orders.
With that being said…. please be patient as most likely orders will NOT go out til after labor day! So please be patient. Also, make sure you check you spam folder for order info and/or shipping information.
3 DESIGN RETREAT coming up! Don’t miss out! Look at what Moria worked on and accomplished in the retreat! She knocked it out of the park! Sign up today!
See what a past virtual student has to say!
Lisa provided direct instruction with this online class. I was able to benefit from her expertise and implement her techniques in my quilt. She also gives her students the freedom to create their own individual designs. Lisa afforded me the opportunity to challenge myself and finally work up the courage to complete an intense design. Thank you so much and I look forward to accessing her expertise in the future. Jennifer
Namaste everyone! I’ll let you know when my test comes back.
I am adding virtual classes to my calendar! So make sure you check it out! Next one is a 3 day feather bootcamp. If you have ever wanted to learn how to execute feathers… this is the perfect class for you!
We will spend 3 days together from 10am – 2 pm EST drawing and stitching out various kinds of feathers. This is the perfect class for a beginner! Save your spot today!
The first 3 day design retreat was such a success that we’ve added another! Sept 8, 9 and 10! Check out what one of the students accomplished in the first class!
This is Jennifer’s finished top! She totally nailed it!
Did you know that I have added quilt coaching, Individual Insight, to my site? You might be thinking what is quilt coaching. Well, it is private one on one virtual sessions with me! Whatever you want to learn…. just ask away. There are different packages to choose from so one will surely fit your needs. Click here for the details.
I am so excited that I can barely contain my excitement! The past few months have been challenging to say the least. We are all in a similar boat… our quilt shows have been cancelled which means that all of those classes that we all signed up for just went POOF! So what’s a quilter to do… we turn to our online options. Sometimes these are good and other times not so good. I have the perfect solution!
Private quilt coaching… you are in your studio, I am in mine and we come up with a game plan specific for you based on your own skill level. So if you have a special project that has been lying around for a while because you don’t know what to quilt on it…. this is perfect for you! Or maybe you just bought a longarm and are a little afraid and don’t know where to start. This is perfect for you! Maybe there are numerous things you want to work on or learn… again… everything is tailored to you. It doesn’t get any better then this!
What’s even better is that the first 5 people to respond…. get a free 1/2 hour coaching session! Limited spots so don’t delay!
So I realize that it’s been a while! I apologize. I have started to accept customer quilts again, it’s difficult to try and get it all done but I’m trying!
I have had this new Rulers for Rookies 2 Kit in the works for quite a while now. I can say as of today…. it is done! I had so much fun designing this panel! It comes with 5 different rulers. ProCircle 7, ProEcho 12, ProPebble 3/4 – 1.75, Pro and my favorite…. the ProLine 8!
There is also a class to go along with this kit, both domestic and longarm! The class is only $10 and helps to pay for the site that it is on.
This weekend! 15% off the Rulers for Rookies 2: The Next Step Kit!
I recently posted a picture of my last show quilt, Oh My Bleeding Heart, and said that this was the quilt that broke me. I do believe this to still be true.
I have decided to embark on a new quilt journey and invite you all to come along for the ride. My BFF Barb Persing is going to be my guide as this will be completely new territory for me. I am excited as this is going to take me far outside of my box. I tell my students all the time to stretch themselves creatively and this will surely do that for me.
I am not certain of the format or where I will be posting most of the journey…. I wish I were that organized. There will be blog posts, Instagram stories (so make sure you follow me @lisahcalle) and Facebook posts. I will try and find the way that fits best but can’t make any promises.
So Here is the next project….. a pictorial…. should be an interesting journey. Wish me luck people!!
Lisa H Calle's Blog 