First, an important note regarding the links on these pages. Clicking on them will open new, separate windows. Be sure to close each one before clicking on the next. Too many open windows can cause your computer to slow down and some older computer systems to crash.

Featured Quilter - Marci Baker

Marci Baker is a quilter, internationally recognized quilt designer, writer, teacher, and the president of Alicia’s Attic, Inc., a quilter’s workshop in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was the featured teacher in The Quilting Professional, May 2003 issue.

Her talents, combined with her background in teaching and mathematics, have led her to develop fast piecing methods for making traditional quilt designs. Using Marci’s methods will make Tumbling Blocks, Six Pointed Stars, and Hexagonal quilt designs easier and more enjoyable to do.

Marci has always had an interest in math and knew right from third grade that she would major in it. She had planned on becoming a teacher, but needed to gain experience, so the first job she took was that of an engineer. Marci learned from her studies and her work experience on problem solving, both of which helped her to figure out and develop the unique methods she now uses and teaches.

Marci now concentrates on her Not Your Grandmother’s™ Quilts Series: Not Your Grandmother’s™ Tumbling Blocks, Not Your Grandmother’s™ Stars, Not Your Grandmother’s™ Flower Garden. She has also developed some wonderful quilting tools (featured below) which will help sewers and quilters learn just how easy quilting can be.

In 1984, she made her first quilt - a Dresden Plate pattern by Simplicity – and gave it to her mother. Soon afterwards, she found all of the quilts shops and guilds in her area and became involved in the wonderful world of quilting. After gaining experience as a quilter, she began teaching classes and developing her own techniques. In 2002 and 2003, Marci traveled to Rio de Janeiro to judge and teach at a quilt show. She enjoyed sharing her skills with  quilters in Brazil who were most welcoming and appreciative of her work.

Alex Anderson  of  Simply Quilts, invited Marci to demonstrate her special methods on her TV show. Be sure to watch for her in episode #839. Marci’s techniques have also been highlighted in Traditional Quiltworks Magazine, Issue #79.

Appearing on Simply Quilts was an exciting and interesting experience for Marci who shares a look behind the scenes with us. Her excitement began with receiving an email request to show how her techniques work. On the day of filming, she found the Simply Quilts crew very organized, but not too structured. Before each segment, Marci spent a few minutes walking through the steps with Alex. Alex used this time to figure out which questions would best lead them through the process and determine what made it unique.  Once that was done the segment was filmed and they moved on to the next one.  Alex then asked questions that would give her the information she needed to work on the next segment. Marci says that Alex made her feel very relaxed. Because the bright lights prevented Marci from seeing anything beyond the set, she felt as though it were just her and Alex.

After several years of teaching, Marci came across a project she had made in the mid 1970’s for her dolls - a quilt top pieced from swatches her mother had received from a mail-order clothing company. Marci remembers collecting the colorful fabrics and putting them together. Finding it helped her to realize that quilting has, and always will be, a part of who she is.

Looking back, Marci shares some humour and a story about her first quilt – the Dresden Plate pattern. She had heard that it was best to use cotton for her quilts, but the store she shopped at did not have the necessary ten, different, green fabrics, so she purchased some blends as well. She quickly learned why they should not be used. She did find some 100% cotton batting though and purchased the fluffy one. Her mother later asked what she had used because the quilt was so heavy. After years of contemplating that question, Marci has decided that the batting she chose was probably upholstery batting!

There is an interesting story behind Marci’s Flower Patch pattern - a foundation pieced quilt with different flowers. She did not want to go into the detail that some designers do by including 50 or more pattern pieces per flower. Her idea was to use the fewest lines possible to achieve a recognizable flower and to give quilters the option of adding more pieces should they wish to, thereby making a flower as unique as those found in nature. The flowers are free form and points are not meant to match, making them easy and delightful to work with.

Sign up for Marci's Fort Collins workshops by calling 1-888-348-6653. Check her schedule for workshops around the country and sign up for her newsletter.  Marci's enthusiasm for quilting will inspire your creativity!

Marci's Quilt Tools

Know Before You Sew™

Marci recently launched her new series - Know Before You Sew™. It consists of reference cards which provide the basic concepts of quilting, remove all of the frustrations, and make quilting fun and easy for everyone. Each one covers a specific topic and the series covers a wide range of quilting topics. Beginners will especially appreciate them.

The cards simplify the process of quilting and provide a step-by-step guide to solving many of the common problems quilters experience.

The first three cards have been published. - Card one includes instructions and the basics for foundation piecing. It removes the guesswork and eliminates fabric waste. Marci’s simple method, guarantees that you have fabric pieces (even with only ¼″ seam allowances) in the right place before you sew.

The rotary cutting card shows how to fold fabric a second time (for more control) and ensures a straight cut with no V or elbow in it.

The joining strips card shows how to sew two strips together for binding or borders and how to make them straight. Their clear diagrams illustrate methods of correcting common problems.

Cards for chain piecing, measuring and applying borders, mitered corners on binding, squaring up blocks and quilt tops, are being developed. Marci plans to have at least 20 cards in the series.

Each card is 8 ½ x 11 inches, is laminated, and has three hanging or binder holes. They are perfect to take to beginners classes and quilt guild meetings. Collect them all and you will have an excellent reference booklet.

Q-Tools Cutting Edge

Q-tools Cutting Edge is a wonderful addition to your rotary cutting tools which will make your rotary cutting accurate, twice as fast, and keep it consistent. It is a thick, vinyl strip that adheres to the underside of the ruler. When placed at the required measurement, it creates an edge or lip that stops the ruler at the right place on the fabric which will butt up against it. Using this tool means that you will not need to spend time lining up your ruler because you simply slide it to the fabric’s edge and cut. They are reusable and do not wear out. Because they cling so well, they can be stored right on each ruler you have. Each package contains 6  of them.

The image on the right is of just one of the strips which I scanned into my computer. These strips are one of my top favourite quilting tools. I greatly prefer them to markers placed on top of rulers and thoroughly enjoy using them. I appreciate the ease of accuracy they provide and the way they save time by making lining up fabric and ruler so quick and easy to do.

Q-Tools Corner Cut-60

This new tool allows the trimming of 60° points for the exact seam allowances used throughout the Not Your Grandmother’s™ Quilts Series of patterns. It will also come in handy for any other pattern using 60° angles.

 

 

 

Clear View Triangle

Marci also sells The Clear*View Triangle which is made by Sara Nephew and can be used for any design with 60 degree angled pieces. Sara has written several books that use it. Marci finds it an important ruler to add to our collections and explains that it is useful for many quilt patterns such as Bethany Reynolds’ Stack-n-Whack® designs, snowflake patterns, and three dimensional objects.

 

Prisms Pattern

Elaine Phillips pieced and quilted this lovely sampler using variations of our Prisms pattern. It is a versatile block which comes in a variety of looks and moods depending upon your choice of fabrics, colours, and positioning of the block. Elaine is one of the special people who test our quilt patterns. This was her first attempt at paper piecing and she says, "I found your instructions very easy to follow."

Book Reviews

Watercolor Quilts by Pat Magaret & Donna Slusser

If you have been wanting to create your own watercolor quilts, but did not know how, you will want this book. It has complete instructions on how to: build a fabric collection especially for these types of quilts, prepare your fabric, cut and sort your squares, use value and colour to create your own original designs, plan and create your quilt, frame it, back it, quilt it, sign it, show it off. It includes a gallery of quilts in full colour and instructions for making 6 easy patterns.

This book is a good one for beginners and the more experienced, and all skill levels in between, to add to your collection. Look for it at your local quilt shop or library.

Click on this link to learn more about Pat and Donna who are known as the Watercolour Quilt Ladies.

Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidered Landscapes - by Alison Holt

Alison shows us how to "paint" with thread, making landscapes, gardens, and even photographs. She uses just two stitches in various combinations - the straight and zigzag stitches. The book included step-by-step demonstrations and walks us through creating three scenes.

This is a good book for those with a basic sewing machine who wish to add embroidery to their quilts, clothing, and household decor.

*Remember to support your local libraries and quilt shops.

Questions and Answers

This month, I have a question and am hoping that you may have the answer. ☺

Q: Do you happen to know the source or the owner of this cute sewing mouse picture?

It was sent to me well over a year ago, and I have wanted to be able to use it for all that time, but cannot find where or how to obtain the permission to do so.

Send me an email if you have any information about the source for this or any others like it, please.  - Maria

Q: I want to order your Canadian Flag wall hanging pattern, but what I would really like is a large quilt pattern of the flag if you have it or can help me convert the pattern. - Jennie G

A: I am working on a Canadian Flag quilt pattern and if all goes well, will be able to present it next month.

Q: Do you know what standard quilt sizes are? - Melissa C.

A: There seems to be a difference of opinion on what the standard sizes are for quilts. I have seen different measurements given in a variety of quilting books. Here are some examples (in inches) of the variations taken from different sources:

Crib	50 x 53	36 x 50	27 x 50
Twin	75 x 94	71 x 101	64 x 99
Double	83 x 106	86 x 101	79 x 99
Queen	90 x 106	92 x 106	84 x 104
King	107 x 108	108 x 106	96 x 108

the best thing to do is to determine the size that would be best for your particular needs. Measure your mattress and add the drop length you want for each side and for the foot of the bed (if you do not have a footboard). Then decide on whether you will  be using pillow shams, or tucking your quilt under your pillows. Allow an extra 10 to 18 inches for the pillows, depending upon their thickness. Using pillow shams eliminates the need for a tuck allowance.
Do you have questions you would like answered in our newsletter? If so, email them to Maria  

Quilting Site
The World Wide Quilting Page  is a good site for quilting how-to's, especially for beginners and all quilters who would like to try a new or different technique. It includes lessons on machine quilting, hand quilting, appliqué, quilt care, foundation piecing, and much more.

 - Do you have a good quilt site you would like to see featured here? Send me the URL and a few sentences telling me why you like it.

Survey Question Results
In our last issue, I asked if you to vote on whether you prefer this newsletter be divided into two, separate pages for faster download times or left as one. The majority of you voted for one page, so one page it will remain. Special thanks to each of you who took the time to send in your vote.

Free Pattern Winner!

Congratulations to a.blackwell3@................ this month's winner of a free pattern. You may have your choice of any pattern on our site that is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Please send me your name and pattern choice and your pattern will be emailed to you.

Please note: Winners have until the next month's newsletter is published to claim their free pattern.

Newsletter Archives
A complete archive of previous newsletters is being prepared. Here is a partial list for our newest subscribers.

January-February 2004
December 2003
November 2003
September 2003

Humour 

No wonder the English language is so very difficult to learn. The wonder is how we manage to communicate at all!

We must polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

The farm was used to produce produce.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

The soldier decided to desert in the desert.

This was a good time to present the present

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

They were too close to the door to close it.

The buck does funny things when the does are present.

They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.

To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

After a number of injections my jaw got number.

Upon seeing the tear in my clothes I shed a tear.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

She could not live with a live mouse in the house.

It was just a minute prick and over in a minute.

His mistake was putting his left foot forward while putting.

We would probably read more Shakespeare if we understood what we read.

There was a bow tied in the ropes on the bow of the ship.

You should spring that on us next spring!

Thoughts 

Here are some thoughts for all of the people who do so much for others while thinking that their actions go unnoticed. Each of us - parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend - influences the children and adults around us:

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who have nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned that we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grew up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but that it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I needed to know to be a good and productive person when I grew up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

- author unknown

Errors?

Did you spot any errors in this newsletter - a misspelled word, a typo, a broken link, or any others? If so, please report it and I will correct it.