How to Buy Cotton Quilting Fabric Part I

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How to Buy Cotton Quilting Fabric – Part I
Author: Penny Halgren
Buying quilting fabric seems like it should be pretty simple. And, frankly, when I began quilting it was simple. At least I made it that way. I wandered through the fabric store and found fabric I liked – the pattern, the color, the design. But generally, I bought fabric just because I liked it.

As a result, my quilting fabric stash included all types of fabrics – polyesters, cotton/polyesters, rayons, and some wools. After a few quilting experiences (some of which were pretty bad), I learned the advantages of different fabrics. Now I look at a few different things when I consider fabrics to buy.

Generally I prefer natural fibers. It's probably a sense of connecting to quilters of yesteryear. Or it may be that a comment made to me years ago about "wrapping a baby in plastic (polyester)" just stuck with me – in a negative sense.

While I prefer natural fibers, I have made some fun quilts that include lame, and an occasional polyester or poly/cotton blend, because it offered some design benefit that I couldn't find in cotton – like a sports logo.

This is one of a series of articles about different types of fabric quilters use in their quilts. For simplicity, I will focus on the natural fibers cotton, wool and silk. I have used them all (although not in the same quilt). So you will get my firsthand experience and observations. Personal opinion as it is.

Since you can go online and find plenty of articles and websites that describe the fascinating way fabric is made and dyed, I'll let them do the describing about that, and I will focus just on what quilters want to know – how will it be working with that type of fabric?

Since 100% cotton fabric is clearly the most popular quilting fabric, let's start there.

There are several specific reasons quilters prefer 100% cotton:

• Cotton is easy to work with. After you sew a seam, you can easily finger press your seam allowances in the direction you want them to go. (That means that your fabric will stay put without pressing it every step along the way.)

• Cotton sticks together while you sew your pieces. Polyester tends to slip and slide, requiring pinning or basting, lest your patches end up being sewn cockeyed.

• Cotton has a little "give" to it that synthetics don't have. This allows you to pull and tug a bit (as well as bunch it up a little) in order to get the seams to match and make your corners square.

• Cotton breathes. Whether you are making a baby quilt or a bed quilt, 100% cotton fabric will allow air to circulate while capturing the warmth. How this works is just a mystery to me, but it seems to be true.

• Cotton absorbs the dyes better. Maybe it's just me, but I think that the colors are more vibrant and the patterns have more depth.

• Cotton is durable. It has stood the test of time and constant use.

• Cotton can be torn (or ripped). Although this can be a benefit or a drawback, it means that you will be able to determine exactly how the fibers line up. You will be able to "square up" the edge just torn, since it will not rip across the threads.

Part II explores the types of 100% cotton fabric, and some of the considerations as you purchase and use these fabrics in your quilts.

Happy Quilting!

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Penny Halgren www.how-to-quilt.com Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts

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Have you tried beds like the new style waterbeds

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Have you tried beds like the new style waterbeds?
Author: Hazel Prechtel
Waterbeds are a very popular bedroom option because they provide such a gorgeous sleep and total rest for the entire slumber. Waterbeds are a revolution in sleeping because as soon as you lie on a waterbed you will notice a big difference from your normal bed. A waterbed feels a lot different from your traditional inner spring mattress style bed.

In any event though, the waterbeds of today are not the wavy, sea sick style waterbeds that you might perceive them as. Waterbeds have changed for the better and are now a very popular bedding option. Today's waterbed is totally comfortable and completely shapes your body - structure and size - so that you get the optimum slumber. When you lie on a new modern day waterbed you will find it to be so comfortable that you will not want to move. It quite simply is far more luxurious than a standard inner spring bed.

With the recent manufacture of "wave less" waterbeds in the bedding industry, people who take the bold step of purchasing a waterbed are now receiving a far improved level of sleep allowing them to have more energy and improved health on a daily basis. Bedding manufacturers have responded to the changing demands of consumers and their feedback has changed bedding options forever. Nights of tossing and turning are long gone. You should note that when you own a waterbed there is some maintenance that is required. However, once you have had a good nights sleep in the waterbed, you won't give the maintenance a second thought.

There are a wide variety of parts and supplies that you can find over the Internet for your waterbed. When buying them over the Internet you can also generally find them at better then retail prices. Bedding stores online offer items such as waterbed heaters, drain fill kits, frames and headboards. Many of the parts and supplies that are available from online bedding supply stores can also be very useful to you, especially if you intend to install and maintain the waterbed yourself without professional assistance. But apart from the maintenance perspective you can also have fun decorating your waterbed to match in with you bedroom decor. You can purchase any number of quilts, throw cushions and towels from these specialty bedding suppliers.

If you take care of your waterbed and conduct regular maintenance on it then your waterbed will be able to serve you for many years to come. The waterbed parts and supplies that you can purchase will assist you in doing this - ensuring years of sound sleeping.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Hazel Prechtel writes for Fox Beds which is a premier source of information about Beds. For more information, go to: foxbeds.com

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Hand Quilting

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Hand Quilting
Author: Penny Halgren
Now that you have all of the tools you need – quilting thread, thimble, quilt hoop or frame, and – most importantly – the quilt – you are ready to begin.

Thread your needle with a strand of thread about 20-24 inches long. Usually it works best to thread the needle just as the thread comes off of the spool. Tie a small knot in the end of the strand – just a single thread (not a double thread as you would use to sew a button).

Next step is to decide where you will start your quilting stitches. Once you have figured that out, bury your needle about 1" away from where you would like to start. Feed the needle between the layers of the quilt and bring the point of the needle up where you want to begin quilting. (The goal here is to bury your knot inside the layers of the quilt.) Pull the needle all the way through the quilt top, then give a gentle tug. The knot should slide right through into the center of the quilt. If it doesn't, just play with it. Sometimes I tug on the thread with my fingers while securing the fabric with my needle. If your knot is small enough, it will go through the weave of the fabric.

Check the end of the thread past the knot. If it is still sticking up through the quilt tip, you may need to work it into the layers of the quilt. That can be done with your needle. Gently poke your needle through the quilt top, just above the thread. (I know you can't see this, since it is covered by the fabric, but you can get a sense of where the thread is.) Then slide your needle parallel to the fabric toward the tail end of the thread. This should pull the tail into the layers. If the tail of the thread is extra long, you may wish to trim it slightly. Be sure you have enough extra thread on the tail past the knot so your knot will be secure.

Once you have your knot safely tucked inside your quilt layers, you are ready to begin quilting. Wearing a thimble on the finger you will use to push the thread into the quilt will save that finger. So, using your "thimbled" finger, push the threaded needle into the layers of the quilt until it comes through to the other side. Use a finger on your other hand under the quilt to feel when the needle has come through.

Use the finger underneath the quilt to guide the needle and thread back up through the layers to the top of the quilt. Your thumb on the hand on the top of the quilt can be helpful as well. Poke the needle up through the layers in a line where you quilting pattern is (you could be quilting 'in the ditch' or have designed a fabulous decoration for your quilting pattern).

Beginners may want to make one stitch at a time. With practice, you will be able to make 3-4 stitches before you pull the needle through all layers of the fabric and tighten the thread. The thread needs to be tight, but not so tight that it puckers the quilt.

Continue this "rocking" motion of quilting along your quilting design until your thread is only about 6" long. Now it is time to knot the thread and cut it off. Wrap your thread once completely around the needle. Then carefully poke the needle into the quilt top (between the layers) just as if you were making the next stitch. (Some folks make this final stitch on the back of their quilt since it will not have the same "tautness" as the other quilting stitches.) Bring the needle up through the quilt top about 1" away from the last stitch, and gently pull the knot through the quilt top.

Clip the end of thread, and, if necessary, pull the short end of the thread between the layers of the quilt as you did when you began your quilting stitches.

Thread another needle, and begin again. I generally use a quilting hoop, and when I have a hoop-full of quilting, I move the hoop and begin again. I also usually start in the center of the quilt and work out to the sides. Before you know it, your quilt will be complete.

Hand quilting is something easy to do when watching TV. (Even if you don't like sports, you can sit and quilt and pretend to watch the game!) It's also a great activity for long car trips – if someone else is driving – waiting in the doctor's office, or in the car for your kids, or while your kids are practicing dancing, Little League, or a variety of other things. You get the idea – it's portable, productive, and fun!

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren

©2005, Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 24 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information and resources about quilting, visit us at: www.How-to-Quilt.com - Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com - Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts

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Hand Made Quilts

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Hand Made Quilts
Author: jdresse
Quilts are probably the one thing that can stir some fond memories in just about every person in the world. This is because of the feeling that we all get when we are wrapped up in a quilt with the ones we love, the feeling of warmth and comfort that only comes from being inside a handmade quilt. Most of the time these quilts are passed down to us and that is a testament to the quality of the quilt and the person who made it. In the days past people believed that everything should be quality but sadly this does not extend to this day and age. More and more you are seeing sorry substitutes for the quality craftsmanship that once was all in the name of making a few extra dollars per sale while not having to spend barely anything to make the product. This is sad but all too true when you think about it. The quilts that are being produced under this mass market mentality are nothing compared to the finest hand made quilts. What does make one happy is the fact that there are still some places where you can find that kind of quality and what is much better is the fact that you will actually pay less then the department store wants for them. This may in fact seem a little strange but it is true nonetheless. So it is still possible to find these quilts and the people who make them are all too happy to provide you with a top of the line, high quality quilt that will serve to make some lasting memories for all those who climb under it.

The quilts that you will find by these high quality craftsmen are some of the finest that can be found any where in the world. They are also able to make a much nicer looking item because they take the time to insure that everything is as it should be and nothing is ever left out. This is the kind of dedication that you found in the old days and it has carried over to the present in some people who know that when you make quality you can sell quality. That is the foundation for good business.

Look for these fine quilts and you will see that they are the finest and the most sought after anywhere. The styles and colors will be a perfect match no matter what the décor and you can rest assured that it will stand up under the harshest of conditions.

Some very original tropical hand made quilts can be found at http://www.art-ickles.com, which sells unique handicrafts brightly colored with tropical themes. The baby bedding quilts, bumper pads, pillow covers shown in this website are of top quality, 100% hand made with the best American fabrics.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Magalie Noel Dresse is the Webmaster of www.home-00.info , and informative site on home decor, improvement and of www.art-ickles.com .

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