Great Quilting Tutorials

Martingale, aka That Patchwork Place, is one of the biggest publishers of quilting books.  They have a great blog called Stitch This!. They have scanned their authors' books and have put together a great list of quilt tutorials for basic techniques, including how to make bias tape, piece a quilt back,  sewing mitered corners and tying a quilter's knot.  I am so happy to be included with my tutorial on tips for a quick quilt label, using your printer,some scrap fabric and maybe a photo of your inspiration!

 

 To see all of the tutorials go to their blog, Stitch This!

 To see my tutorial on how to make a quilt label (which we know we should always do!), click HERE.

 

Happy Stitching!

 

 

Color vs Value Give-Away

COLOR     VS     VALUE

Original

Do-over

I have received a bunch of e-mails  and comments about my stitchery coffee cups.  I have often struggled with contrast and lots of you told me you have the same issue. It brought back a memory of a saying that another quilter told me once.  I don't remember who it was and I don't think she invented it, but this is the saying:

"Value does all the work, but color gets the credit."

 Lots of you also gave me suggestions about how to avoid the low contrast - can't see the difference problem.  And it is all about value.

Other then using a design wall, one of the most popular suggestions was the use of a red tinted viewer. I checked around and the one that is the most commercially available is the Ruby Beholder. It was \made for value comparison.

It's made of plastic and That Patchwork Place markets and sells it.  You can find it here:

Ruby Beholder

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it is sold by my publisher, so I thought I would ask them for 1 to give away.





Do-Over

        

Original





Now this is what happened when I used this gadget with my blocks.  The value of the threads in my original block was just too similar to the background fabric.  In the Do-over block, the values are different enough that  most of the thread shows up.

I'd like to share this tool.  You'll have fun with it. It will minimize those value mistakes.  Become a follower, if you are not one already, and leave a comment letting me know either your solution to value or how you would use the Ruby Beholder.  I'll pick a winner on Monday, July 16th.

 (Make sure there is an e-mail address in your comment and you are not  no-reply blogger.)

And if you missed the free pattern for the coffee cup, click HERE.

Give Thanks - Calendar Giveaway

Let's share.
That Patchwork Place sends me books to review and then I get to give them away.  I could keep them, but my shelves are running out of space and I just enjoy sharing.  These two 2011 quilt calendars are just beautiful.  One features award winning quilts from the International Quilt Association.  The other features 12 traditional style quilts with instructions.

There will be 2 winners, chosen on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25th, at 7AM EST.
To enter:

• *Leave a comment
• *Become a Follower (or let me know that you are already a follower)
• *Put my giveaway on your blog

 
Receive one entry for each action.  Make sure your e-mail address is available somewhere either in your comment or on your profile.

Good luck everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!