Rulers Rule

Ready for some ruler rules??? Well, my words of wisdom really fall short of rules. Basically, I think your favorite and best ruler is the one you are used to! Sounds like a cop-out I know, but it is true. Some how we seem to like best whatever it is we know.

BUT, here are some general comments on the rulers I use lots and lots.

*6" x 24" (or 6 1/2" x 24 1/2") is a BASIC. You need it to cut from the fold to the selvage when you use yardage.

*9 1/2" square or a 12 1/2" square is a BASIC. They are used to square finished blocks and since most quilt blocks fall between 6" and 12" square, these two cover most needs. You can get square rulers in almost any size and can buy one to fit any block size imaginable but either of these will do you to start.

* 6 1/2" x 18" (or anything approaching that size) is NICE TO HAVE. A shorter ruler is great on fat quarters and smaller cuts. You don't have to fight lots of extra ruler length just to make a short cut.

* 16 1/2" square (or larger) is NICE TO HAVE. This giant one is great for squaring the finished quilt top but you can use the smaller squares too.

Other rulers come in millions of shapes and sizes...some you need for special cuts (flying geese, tri-recs, circles, etc) but they can be bought for a specific quilt rather than general use.

Ruler colors vary and my rule of thumb is to ask what works best with your eyes. Not the COLOR of your eyes!!!! How well you eyes see!!!

As I grow older (Oh no! not the 'as I grow older' excuse) I seem to have a harder time with the yellow or green lined rulers, but I did use them for years and years. Now I tend toward the black line rulers and if I need to mark a certain line I use the colored transparent tapes.

Sorry, no pearls of wisdom here, not even very funny stuff. If you're a beginner , though, I think this will help you.

This is a great place for me to take a survey. Comment on the ruler YOU like best. We may find we have an interesting piece to submit to Quilters Home. I promise to use you name (or alias) if we do get published.

Yellow Brick Road Quilt

Yellow Brick Road is one of my favorite quilt patterns. The designer is Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs. She combines clear written directions, great diagrams AND the correct yardage amounts!! Those of us who look at the pictures first can always find clarification from the written parts and those of you who always read first can do the same from the drawings. Who could ask for anything more?......(sounds like a great song title!).

I have taught this quilt to beginning quilters many, many times, suggested it to others at the shop (http://www.thecalicohorse.com/) many, many times and made it myself in a variety of ways, many, many times. In fact, I should probably contact Terry Atkinson and ask for a commission.....anything to earn fabric money!!

Anyway, just a few more comments before I actually give you the fabric requirements (for those of you taking my class or if you just want to check your stash for possible quilts).
* It is great for beginners, requiring you know only basic skills.
* It looks more complicated than it really is!!!!
* It shows off the fabrics, letting you choose any theme or style.
* It is great for 'fussy cutting' and inserting alternate blocks.
*Once you have made it a couple of times, you can HONESTLY make a lap quilt in a weekend! WOW!

Now, the quilt information:

YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road by Atkinson Designs

Materials: Lap size (See pattern for baby, twin,queen,king)

12 fat quarters for center of quilt

2 yards for outer border and binding

3 1/2 yards for backing

1 3/4 yards for batting (from a 90" wide roll)

or

1 twin packaged batting

Tools:

Sewing machine (with new needle)

Thread and full bobbin

1/4" foot for your machine

Rotary cutter (45mm or 60mm, any style)

Rulers, 6 1/2" x 24" and a 9 1/2" square (or larger)

Cutting mat (for home, not for class)

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, straight pins, ripper, etc.)

Fabric preparation:

Today's quality quilting fabrics rarely shrink or have a problem with color fading or bleeding. You can confidently use the fabric right from the bolt.

Some quilters prefer to wash, dry and iron their fabric anyway. Washing removes the sizing and changes the way the fabric feels. Pre-washing does not affect the quality or workability of the fabric.

Flannels and homespun fabrics are the exception. These are loosely woven and will shrink a little. You should pre-wash and dry them. This is especially true if you are mixing them with regular quilting fabric. Not pre-washing them could cause different parts of your quilt to shrink or distort when the finished quilt is washed.

THERE!!! all the stuff and info needed for one of my favorite quilts. Even if you don't take a class with me, I guarantee you will love the results when you make it on your own! I'd like to stay and chat, but I have to go make a Winnie-the-Pooh Yellow Brick Road for my niece's new baby boy AND I only have two days before the shower!!!

Great new-ish Quilt Magazine

Thanks for the warm welcome from all you bloggers! It was a great surprise to find your comments so quickly. As you can tell I'm a quilter, quilter, quilter.....and as such want to share some tips, discoveries, new quilts and all the rest.... with as much humor as possible.



HUMOR! Have you seen the new-ish quilt magazine, Quilter's Home?? I got a copy at B&N and laughed my way through it. Now I am a charter subscriber with all the perks that entails (don't know if there are any...just thought it sounded good)!

Mark Lapinski is the editor and if there is anyone who thinks just this side of normal, Mark is the guy.



The magazine has quilts, of course, patterns, of course and the wildest range imaginable of everything else. A taste-test of chocolates, got it! High School pictures of well known quilters, got it! Paint and accessories to coordinate with the latest fabrics, got it. Weird sense of humor and tongue-in-cheek writing style, got it! AND he always puts a picture of himself on the cover!!!



Check it out...laugh out loud...try the drink of the month... and, NO!, I'm not being paid to say any of this. Can't wait to hear your take on this magazine.

A seam ripper named Jack

As quilters we all seam (oops, seem) to find ourselves facing that dreaded event: picking out, reverse quilting, un-sewing or ripping out the work we have just tried to do. Whatever the reason for undoing our work, we have to do it sometimes, and my comment on that topic is DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!!

Buy yourself several (as in 5 0r 6) long-handled, comfortable seam rippers.

There are several reasons for this recommendation.

A long handled ripper is easier to use. Your fingers/hands don't cramp and a ripper with a rounded or ball end fits comfortably in the palm of your hand (I like the red and white ergonomic rippers by Fons and Porter....OK, OK ....$o find a coupon or watch for a $ale).

Having several rippers means that they are all fairly sharp since you haven't dulled one by overuse. If you find one is dull and won't cut easily, Throw It Away! This tool uses the small muscles in your hand, and should not provide a major muscle workout.

Placing rippers in a variety of locations means you can find them easily and that they are available when needed. Try the side of your sewing machine, the ironing board, by the chair you sit in, in a workbasket or box and, my favorite, in front of the TV. The less time you spend searching, the quicker the job is done, the lower the frustration factor (as if it isn't high already) and you are back making forward progress on your project.

Finally, no matter how many rippers you have, they can all be named Jack, as in Jack the Ripper (Thank you Lisa Boyer!) The more seam rippers you have means the less time you will spend screaming "Jack!.....Jack!" as you search for your one and only (and the less time you will spend explaining to your family what, why or who "Jack" is).