Tidbit Tuesday #12

This is a tip brought to you from experience. 

This is a REALLY great tip, especially when you are using your very last piece of that one fabric you love and you're not sure if you can get anymore. 

Ready? 

Measure TWICE, and then once more. Then recheck your pattern to make sure you have the right measurements. Once you've confirmed, check two more times, then you're ok to cut. 

I know that sounds like over kill, and if you are using fabric you have tons of, you won't have to worry as much but when you only have one little piece left and you only have one chance to get it right....I highly recommend the steps above. :)

I've been getting in a few more blocks for my quilt for Fresh Modern Bee!! 

This lovely block came in the mail to me from Janice of Sew Girly! Love the flying geese and that little stinker of a renegade goose..! ;) Thank you Janice!!

Next up is this amazing block from Shelley at Elsie's Girl. I just love that pinwheel in the center! Thank you Shelley, for such a wonderful block!

This photo with this block just makes me grin from ear to ear! I received this block (sadly I could not convince her to send the wee one with it..hee hee) from Tammy at Karamat Designs! Isn't it wonderful!!?? I love it! Thank you Tammy!!

There are 15 of us in our Fresh Modern Bee and my quilt will consist of 16 blocks that are 16" finished so I needed to make one as part of the group, and will need to make one more to get to 16. Here is my first block. I really liked how it turned out! Even more so because my daughter helped me choose the placement of the fabrics. :)

Ok, here is where my begging comes in. Please, oh, please send me your tips. I'm not sure I have many more up my sleeve...lol! Email me HERE with your tips.  Please! ;)

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #11

Soooooo.....it's tidbit Tuesday!!

One of the questions new quilters ask, and sometimes experienced quilters is...Do you pre-wash your fabrics?

This is a really difficult question because I think it's a personal decision on what works best for you.

Personally, I do not wash my fabrics. I don't for two reasons. 

     1.  My favourite part of a quilt is how it scrunches up after you wash it for the first time. If you pre-wash your fabrics, this is not as prevalent. It's less smooshed up. 

      2.  I buy all my fabric from quilt shoppes, whether it be a brick and mortar or an on line shoppe, so I know it's a really good quality fabric. I've never had an issue with bleeding. That doesn't mean I won't, but I'm confident enough not to worry about it.

I guess you could say I am a fabric snob. I used to (a looooong time ago) buy fabric from JoAnn Fabrics or Hobby Lobby, but after bad experiences, I just can't bring myself to use it anymore. Unless it's Kona. They do sell that which makes me happy! :) 

I also do not wash OR soak my batting. My favourite is Warm and Natural, which I do get at JoAnn's. I prefer it as it is easy to quilt with and it doesn't leave much lint. 

I guess I kind of got away from my tip..lol! 

If you do happen to wash your fabric first, to help prevent the fabric from fraying horribly in the wash, take a pinking scissors or a rotary cutter with a pinking blade in it, and trim your edges, selvage to selvage. Works great! 

In addition, add a DRY towel to the dryer with your fabric when drying. This will help prevent all the twisting and scrunching which causes wrinkles. Yuk! 

*****

In other news...I'm starting to get my blocks in the mail for the Fresh Modern Bee that I am in!! Sooooo excited here!! I asked the ladies, and gent (Hi Charlie!) to make me a 16" finished block using only half square triangles (or the like) and lookie what I've gotten already!

This fabulous block is from AllieKatMom! Thanks Amy!!! Love this block sooo much!

Melissa sent this block to me! Isn't it fabulous!!?? I surely think so!!  Thanks Melissa!!!

This one came from BlueElephantStitches! Look at all those geese!!!! Love Love! Thanks Jolene!!!

Speaking of Jolene at Happy Modern Quilts, she posted a quilt on her blog yesterday. I want it. I want it like I want chocolate ice cream. That means really bad! LOL! Of course I can't have that one...but I DO want to make my own!! She made it when she was 19!! Holy Smokes Charlie Brown! Isn't it a beauty!? I've asked her if she had a pattern but if she doens't, I can be sure that I will make one of my own! :D Stay tuned....

I can't stop looking at it! :) 

Remember, if you have a tip, email it to me! I'm gonna need some help here soon....LOL! 

Much Love!!!