domestic machine quilting

[LadyRags]

Hi... I got a great new book... FOOL PROOF MACHINE QUILTING BY MARY MASTUTO ... this week. I read it cover to cover and it had some interesting ideas in it. I have used several of the techniques on my GS baby quilt.

She suggest using CONTACT PAPER templatets ( She cut them out like you would for snowflakes but very simplist designs. By layering them over each other the designs were prettier and more complex ) on the blocks and stitch around it using your walker foot. It was easier then I thought it was going to be. I loved it. I really liked the look because it was reminescent of some of the old fashion antique quilts I love. I also like the idea of making my GS quilts from start to finish. ... all by myself.

[Redsaltbox]

That sounds interesting.

[knitnoid]

So, my idea wasn't as crazy as I thought. When I was quilting my Egg Money quilt, I alternated circles and squares in the sashing. To get them the correct size, I used my word processing software to create the circle and squares and then printed them onto labels. I was pleased with the results.

[piecemaker1]

LadyRags, Is this a new book? I don't think I have heard about this one. I am all for finding ways to improve my machine quilting (which really lacks at this point). Where did you find a copy of this book?

[LadyRags]

I googled the book on line using the Title (FOOL PROOF MACHINE QUILTING) and author and found it through a discount quilt-bookstore for $12. ( regular $20 plus) I think Connecting threads had the book at their store. I originally saw a demonstration of her technique on THE QUILT SHOW SEASON TWO DVD. The book gave a lot more information about the technique.

Mary Mashuta talks about making templates using contact paper folding them as if making snowflakes... very simple easy curved designs... you then quilt around the template using your walking foot... there is a lot of pivoting.... to do the quilting.

She also talks about other methods and techniques in the book... I think it was well worth my $12 bucks.

I am currently quilting my GS baby quilt. The pattern is CARD TRICK. I made multiple templates in the shape of my hand... I then sewed around them using a thick (40 WEIGHT) quilting thread. I started using the walking foot and then switched to my free motion foot ( I used a embroidery hoop.) I sewed very slowly around the pattern.

I am very pleased with the results so far. This was different from what Mary talked about in the book ( i.e. using the walking foot) but I like the multiple templates... Contact paper templates can be reused..... Using the templates for free motion was great way to mark the quilt and got the job done with less pivoting. Now that I have the idea I plan to push it to the limit and experiment with different ways of doing the same task.

My next plan is to make templates of card suites... ie diamonds, spades, clubs and hearts and quilt those in the open areas of the quilt..... Not sure what I plan to do in the border yet.


HOPE THIS HELPS.

ANNA

[piecemaker1]

Thanks Anna,
I checked Connecting Threads and they have it listed for release on 12/29. Years ago when I took my first quilting class, we made templates out of wax paper. But that was in the days of hand quilting, so it will be interesting to see if this technique is similar to that.

[WeeOne]

I checked Amazon....book came out Sept. 2008. They have it for $14.25. I'm buying myself a Christmas present! Thanks for posting this.
Lyn