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Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Quilt Cam Time! Kitting up Spool Blocks!


If I don't have SOMETHING by my machine to use as Leaders & Enders --- they don't happen!

I am going to be hanging around the cutting table kitting up some spool blocks for this year's leader/ender challenge. Not sure how many I can kit up in an hour but my 1.5" strips are ready and waiting and I'm ready to tackle it.

I'm going to leave the QuiltCam up for about an hour or so----

*Note* If it says OFFLINE below -- you missed it! It's live streaming, not a recording, so you can't play it back like re-runs, you'll just have to join us next time!

Wanna join me?

Click Below!

Live Video app for Facebook by Ustream

91 comments:

  1. I LOVE the quilt cam! Just wanted to tell you that your Nearly Insane is fantastic, and better yet, it is DONE! You've inspired me to think about finishing mine!

    Did you bind it, and what color was the binding? I LOVE those yellow borders.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I put on a blue binding -- all that is waiting is the hand stitching part!

      Delete
  2. Yey...you're here and now I can work with my needle and thread!

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  3. Bonnie, I love the staircase at the restaurant where you ate lunch in Bali. Soooo beautiful!

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  4. Not having enough time. Work gets in the way lol.. Liz in SC

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  5. I get hung up on the quilting -- what to quilt and whether my skills are good enough to do what I want. I don't want to mess them up. Although I have learned that washing hides a lot of imperfections.

    How long is your shortest 1 1/2" wide strip in your strip bin and when do you chop it into bricks and/or blocks?

    Pam in KC

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    Replies
    1. I like my 1.5" strips to be at least 6" long...or longer. Anything shorter than that I cut into squares or bricks.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous8:24 PM EDT

    Hi Bonnie! Just wanted to tell you that my sister, Candice and I, will be joining you next August on the Alaskan cruise!! Should be a ton of fun. We enjoyed the cruise last year with you in the Caribbean.

    Debby in CT

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  7. I just spend 1 hour cutting spools. I have about 30 sets.
    I worked on Orca Bay while you were gone. I am up to the panels. Go tired so I tried to do a spool.. 1st 3 fine. After picking the 4th one apart 3 x I am done sewing for the night!
    Happy you are back
    Aileen in Florida.

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  8. The blue binding was the right choice. Love your Nearly Insane quilt.

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  9. Anonymous8:35 PM EDT

    What will you do with the little extra square that you are saving? Thank you, Kim

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    Replies
    1. The little left over 1 1/2" squares will be used as other leaders and enders, for 4 patches, 9 patches, block corners or centers or cornerstones in sashing. There are a ton of places they can go!

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  10. WOW! I was finally lucky enough to find your live cam working! Your energy is amazing. I marvel at the variety of scraps you have. Do you most often buy fat quarters or yardage? How do you collect such a variety???

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    Replies
    1. I like a lot of variety, so small pieces are always at hand. I do buy yardage, but remember I've been collecting fabric for over 30 years. It takes time to build a workable stash :)

      Delete
  11. Just joining in from sunny Florida, can't stay up late on a school night, but there is time for one midget block.

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  12. I'm just now tuning in.....why do you have to have a minimum of 9"for the spool block? Are you cutting backgrounds? I'm also cutting, squaring up blocks in prep for quilt retreat. Carol in TX
    oops you are answering and I need to go look at the info on blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually need 9.5" for the spool block. 3.5" center, and 4 1.5" squares all cut from a 1.5" strip...it equals 9.5" of strip.

      Delete
  13. I just made a little "mini" with 14 2" spool blocks used as an 'accent'(I'll admit, I foundation pieced them) - it's a surprise gift for an incredible quilter - once she gets it, I'll have to share a picture on your FB Quiltville wall. I was working from a bag of scraps meant to stuff dog pillows...I made the whole mini from the scrap bag.

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  14. Bonnie, I made a bunch of spool kits while you were traveling. Just started leaders and Enders lately! Just love it. May use them for placemats for meals on wheel project that my quilt guild does every year for Thanksgiving. Faith in Maine

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  15. I'm coloring my hexie quilt design while you are cutting.Always wanted to do one and bought fabric but never started, Now after listening how you got everybody started on your trip I decided it was time to start. Thanks for the push!

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  16. Hi Bonnie,

    While you were away I (a) got all of my 4patches done for my purple Blue Ridge Beauty (b)GOT A FEATHERWEIGHT! My first. She arrived today from Santa Rosa California. Needs a little love in the form of a new belt and some wiring. It's a 1939. Had fun with my boys today looking at the events of 1939 trying to come up with a name. Nothing struck us yet but inspiration will happen! She is in great shape. A good cleaning and some love and I'll be in business.

    Welcome home!

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  17. Bonnie, Just wanted to comment of generosity of the Quilting community. You mentioned before your trip about using a treadle machine and that Di in Tn had helped you. It got me thinking that I had a treadle that was used by my son as an end table when he was going to UT Knoxville. I contacted Di, she told me what model Singer I had, sent me a manual, a belt and now I am going to town. Of course it takes me about two inches to get it going forward so can't sew any to small but once I get it going it is so relaxing. All because of you mentioning a fellow quilter, I am a sort of treadler.

    Charon (Sharon, spelled wrong)

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    Replies
    1. I have an old singer treadle that I bought at a yard sale 25 years ago. It didn't have a belt when I got it (but for $50, I couldn't complain) Would LOVE to get it running- where can I get a belt? Do they come in different sizes? How do I know what to get?

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    2. Maureen, I am such a novice that I am not sure about belt sizes but if you know the model number of your machine there are sewing machine parts web sites that have the belts. I was worried about putting it on, but it is really easy. Di in TN recommended www.treadleon.net, it is full of info on how to get started.

      Delete
    3. Look online, or call a local sewing machine store. They've always been helpful when I was working on my treadle. I have seen the belts online to order.

      Delete
    4. Charon and Katie- Thanks for your input. I'm definitely going to do some searching and get my baby up and running! Don't know that I'll do a lot of piecework on it, but it'll be fun to be able to use it!!

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    5. @Maureen: Try www.featherweight221.com - he has supplies for both featherweights and other older Singer machines. Great source and a fountain of information!

      Delete
  18. Are the pieces you're pitching too small for crumbs?

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  19. Anonymous8:45 PM EDT

    Have you sorted out the Bali scraps yet? That would be fun to watch you sort out!!

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  20. Loving this too! You prompted me Bonnie to give this video thing ago!

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  21. Anonymous8:49 PM EDT

    Hi, Bonnie - I save the last little bit of a strip that is unusable for anything else, and/or the beginning uneven strip from a yardage or a fat quarter - - - I put them into an old pillowcase or a pillowcase I've made from fabric I don't care about, and when the pillowcase is full, I stitch up the end and take it to the local animal shelter for them to use as a nice soft dog bed. They are so happy to get them! I'd love it if you'd share this with your friends on your quilt cam!! Nancy N. njnielsen@comcast.net

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  22. White Christmas is my "decorate the tree" movie. Love it!! Was singing along with you.

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  23. What surface are you cutting on? It seems to bend evy time you press down with the rotary cutter.

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  24. I'm working on orca bay. Better late than never to sew 700 triangles, right? Don't forget to jiggle the mouse!

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  25. Anonymous9:00 PM EDT

    Bonnie...any suggstions for quilting a "piano key" border? Suggestions would be appreciated!
    Christine
    cmf2357@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can treat it as if it is one fabric and quilt ANYTHING there...my least favorite is in the ditch. It's just not worth it!

      Delete
  26. Hi Bonnie! Renea and I signed up for your Alaska cruise next year, we had a ball last November! We're sending get-well wishes your way :o)

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    Replies
    1. YAY!! I can't wait! ALASKA is so breath-takingly beautiful!

      Delete
  27. I'm sorting my silk neckties in preparation for making a backing for my silk necktie top. Thanks for the motivation and the lessons, I'm learning so much!!!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:39 PM EDT

      I'm new to this site but make lots of things from ties. Would love to see picture of the tie top. Gwen

      Delete
  28. Hi Bonnie, I just got home from work to find the quilt cam happening. Yay! I am doing 'Bow-Dacious" right now (my first leader/ender quilt) and had a great time watching you put the binding on your Nearly Insane quilt last night, after which I put in 2 hours of hand quilting! Woot! Woot! Nice to spend some time with you after a long day. Mavis

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  29. Hey Bonnie! Last night I got the binding attached to my RRCB while you were doing your binding, and now I'm hand tacking it down while you're kitting. :) Thanks for the motivation. I'm so excited to be almost done with RRCB, which is one of my favorites already!
    Nan in KS

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  30. I love watching you from iIL, Usually I watch and fall asleep, but tonight I am sewing up my last leaders/ender project because I have about 15 of these crazy spools cut and I can't deal with another UFO so my scrappy Jacobs ladder has been promoted to sewing when the Jamestown landing get old. :)

    Have been hand quilting all summer, because if I watch tv with DH it cold in the livingroom so I crawl undere and were both happy

    Thanks for all you do Bonnie!

    Deb

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  31. Anonymous9:02 PM EDT

    Love the spool blocks Bonnie. What did you ever do with the bow tie blocks? I'm still using those for the leaders and enders but may have to throw in a spool now and then.

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  32. Anonymous9:03 PM EDT

    I still have that paisley in every color they made, some pieces more than a yard. Believe it or not, I bought more in light blue at JoAnn's about a year ago. LOL!
    Betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It "NEVER" leaves the the stash. Just when I think it's gone I find another piece!

      Delete
  33. So glad you're showing the cutting. Someday I hope to be that fast! I'm thinking about getting a fabric cutter. Do you think they would work well for cutting shirts into strips? Missed the quilt cam while you were in Bali but really enjoyed the quilt show. Any plans to make a quilt gallery so we can see what others do with your patterns?

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    Replies
    1. Too much work Polly. I show them on show and share days, but other than that, I don't have time to do a gallery.

      Delete
  34. Thanks for the hour of hand sewing idea. I'm finally making progress on a project I've been avoiding! Perfect while watching quilt cam!

    Kris from North East Crazy Quilters

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  35. Anonymous9:07 PM EDT

    Is your cutting table too high? Is that why your back hurts? Even though you're tall (or look it in your pictures) this cutting table looks like you're at the wrong height.

    just sayin'

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    Replies
    1. No. It's perfect height. It's counter height the way it should be. Just sayin'.

      Delete
  36. So, you've got your iPod on shuffle? Sounds like you like your music as scrappy as your quilts!

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  37. I talk to myself when I sew and when I don't sew. I tell everyone it's because I want some intelligent conversation!

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  38. Anonymous9:09 PM EDT

    My longarm quilter called yesterday, my bowtie quilt is now finished and ready for pick up. I can't wait to pick it up! Nancy from Kansas

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  39. Bonnie thanks so much for quiltcam time I am working on a hand project! Feels like sewing with friends!

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  40. What do you mean, "Talking to yourself"? At this moment you are talking to 307 people! Now, me, I talk to myself. And sometimes the cat.

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  41. I kitted up about 42 blocks so far. Of course I had to put one together to see how it would look!

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  42. I ended up with about 25 spools ....Guess I spent more time watching then I did cutting lol. Was great kitting with you Bonnie loved how you pair up fabric .made me more willing to just go with certain choices .

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  43. I started today working on doing an hour a day of hand sewing. I'm doing a small redwork project and when that is finished I'll move onto something else. I did 30 minutes while the boys were at the dentist and I'm up to almost another hour since tuning in to QuiltCam. Totally am addicted to QuiltCam.

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  44. I am happy a friend of mine recommended that I tune in to Quilt Cam. I have been quilting for many years and had to do a little internet search to find out with leaders and enders. It makes total sense I love to string piece and will keep this in mind for the future. Thanks,
    Laurie

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  45. I cut a bunch of spool kits while you were in Bali. Then proceeded to work on stuff which didn't lend itself to "power sewing". As a result I have 41 blocks done already! I think I only need 400 for what I am planning on doing.

    Pam in KC

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  46. So wonderful to see you back safe and sound after your exotic and thrilling trip to Bali! WOWSERS! That's a bunch of scraps, and can't wait to see what you do with them! I had hoped to have a quilt finish to welcome you back to the states. I even worked on it on the plane! Enjoying this evenings quilt cam!

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  47. Tamara Liddell9:33 PM EDT

    Thanks for letting us hang out with you. Have a sew happy rest of the night. See you on another night.

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  48. I'm tuning in late so may have missed this. How many times do you repeat a fabric for quilts like the spools or bowties? Do you have a limit? Thanks so much!

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    Replies
    1. I cut until that one strip is GONE. However long the strip is. In a quilt that has 400 blocks, if there are 5 or 6 the same, it isn't going to matter.

      Delete
  49. Hey, Bonnie! This was the first time I've managed to catch the quilt cam. FUN! Yet one more way that you give so generously to the quilt community. I don't expect to have the chance to join one of your classes in person any time in the forseeable future, so this was the next best thing. Looking forward to hopefully catching you in action again sometime soon.

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  50. Oops - looks like I missed you while typing. I only saw about 10 minutes, but it was FUN!!

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  51. Bonnie-

    Can you give the directions for the spool block, did not see the first part on the broadcast.

    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. You will find the directions and sizes to cut in this blog post: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/08/spoolin-around-leaderender-challenge.html

      Delete
  52. Anonymous9:38 PM EDT

    Always enjoy quilt cam time. One of these times myself and my laptop just may make it downstairs to my sewing room. Although I could work on my hexies, while I watch. I just thought of that.

    I'm not whining, I'm just asking :D...it never hurts to ask :D :D :D .... is there any chance you might share the color theme for this year's mystery? I vaguely remember clues of totally different and needing bright greens and borrowing from a friend.

    Again, I am just asking :D picture a big cheesey smile here :D

    Cindy
    frazzyus@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be giving the yardage requirements in October. You'll hear then :)

      Delete
  53. Did you get your Accuquilt back? Did you cut your strips with the Accuquilt or do you use a ruler for strips?

    I have a couple of bindings to sew on, does that qualify for hand sewing for the Simply Needle & Thread National Sewing month?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I picked up the Accuquilt this afternoon after my doctor's appt. If there are only a few strips to be cut, I'll do them with the rotary cutter and ruler, but if I have masses to cut, I'll use the Accuquilt.

      Of course hand sewing bindings counts toward the One Hour of Needle & Thread! ANY sewing qualifies for National Sewing month, but that's a different challenge.

      Delete
  54. Hi Bonnie -
    You're the coolest! Just wanted you to know.
    I think it's absolutely amazing that you give us "pro-bono" webinars!
    For "Anonymous" above: "REALLY?"
    -Just Sayin'

    -Terri

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    Replies
    1. PS: Midnight Flight is my leader ender...coming along bit by bit.

      Delete
  55. Anonymous9:41 PM EDT

    Hi Bonnie, while you kitted blocks, I've been sewing strips together including the same never-ending paisley that you were using tonight. Too funny. I have a question for you that others might wonder about as well. Every now and then, there is a break in the Ustream feed for commercials causing me to miss what you are saying. Is there a way to get around this? I sure am getting tired of political comercials.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ustream is free for us BECAUSE Of the commercials. I believe YOU can pay a fee from your end to make it so you don't hear them.

      I checked -- and for me to broadcast without commercials, it's $100 a month. I can't afford that....

      The ads are there so WE don't pay for the service.

      Delete
    2. Sue in Scottsdale, AZ11:07 PM EDT

      Hi Anonymous, I have ROKU and my husband found the code I needed to be able to bring in Ustream. There are NO commercials on ROKU and I now watch Bonnie on a 32 inch TV screen!

      Delete
    3. I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser with Adblock Plus added on. I never see those annoying ads everyone talks about. I've used Firefox for years and only occasionally see any ad or pop up at any site I visit. I highly recommend it over IE.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous3:23 PM EDT

      Thanks for the information. I'll try to do something about it before the next web cam. If not, at least I understand why it's necessary.

      Delete
  56. Bonnie hi ,my leaders. & enders is 1" finished Postage stamp. Use any scraps from applique & Ohio star. Put in other patterns, solids & plaids,stripes paring down my fabric of old & new.As I piece Ohio stars yields 20 or more 2 patches. Thank-you for tip ...

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  57. Anonymous9:47 PM EDT

    missed the begining...bonnie what are the directions for cutting the pieces...wouldlike to do spools for leaders and enders

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you can find them on the blog here: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/08/spoolin-around-leaderender-challenge.html

      Delete
  58. Leaving here early tomorrow to meander my way towards Aiken. Spent today paying bills, shopping, getting hubby ready to have "alone time". lol He's been asking for a week when I'm leaving , so to hell with it!~I"m OUT OF HERE tomorrow! Lol
    Will stop in Savannah, probably stay at TYPEEE Island,
    meander up.
    If I thought it were cooler in mts, I'd go on, but dont think so.
    anywhoooooo....
    please bring ALLL your books , as I want extra copies for gifts and NEED the one for the class.
    Got my rulers, FINALLY ( long story, after overnighing . today)
    sigh
    doesn't matter
    EVER JUST WANT TO HIT THE DANG ROAD?!!!
    I'm sure you know what I mean.
    See ya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking forward to meeting you at the Saturday workshop in Aiken.

      Delete
  59. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...I missed you AGAIN!!! I hate being in a different time zone! I just don't get back on the Net early enough to catch you. Guess I'll have to set an alarm to remind me!

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  60. Anonymous10:28 PM EDT

    I was inspired watching you make fun combinations of fabrics for your spools, so started cutting after you were done on your quilt cam. I thought it'd be fun to use sewing motif fabrics for the spools and backgrounds. I found more fabrics than I thought I had! They were here and there mixed in with the neutrals, black and white, etc. Fun! Thanks for all the great inspiration, Bonnie! Nancy njnielsen@comcast.net (no blog)

    ReplyDelete
  61. For my spools I'm using scraps that I got from a friend. They are newer fabrics. Very bright and colorful. But they were free and I think it will be fun to see the outcome. Thanks for the lessons. Your Web site is my number one go to. I just love it thank you! You are awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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