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I've been away from quilting for 3 years. I'm guessing there might be a new tool (or several) that I should take a look at. Please take a look around your quilting space next time and let me know what you recommend.

I'm specifically wondering about thread. I had started using Aurifil for my piecing which I really like. Any thing else I should consider before I need to rebuy?

Thanks for your help! Also, I'm jumping into the blogosphere. I have a HUGE pile of UFO's to sort out and came across Leah Day's UFO Sunday project at http://www.freemotionquilting....om/p/ufo-sunday.html this week. I love this idea and hope it will keep me moving ahead. Since she links to blogs I started my own at http://asimplelifequilts.blogspot.com/.

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Asimplelife: I just read your other post, I'm so glad to hear that you're recovering and returning to quilting (and the Forum). I took a peek at your new blog! Congratulations on starting one... it's great to upload bigger pictures and post more info about your projects.

asimplelife...Welcome back! Just keep on, keeping on! So glad to hear you're on the mend both in body and spirit. Quilting, or just sewing is the best medicine. Good Luck.
I too looked at your blog and want more to read.
nuquiltr

Thank you jessicasews and nuquiltr... I've got a lot to learn about blogging but I thought this was the perfect time to get started. There WILL be lots of projects being dusted off and plenty of pictures to share !

I'm going to say it - your blog will one the "new tools" and you're going to have a lot of fun with it! It's like having a notebook where you can log your progress and "FINISHED" projects. If you have questions about adding blog features, don't be shy to ask them here - lots of us have blogs and are happy to help.

I noticed how you've got your UFO's on hangars - that is how I have some of my fabrics stored... easy to go through!


New products: Have you checked out all the new quilt batting? Bamboo(50% bamboo and 50% organic cotton blend)

How could I forget this-

Zentangle on Fabric!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4fYk3RDdoY


Suzanne McNeill is also the designer of the 10-minute Block (which became a 'hot' topic here on the forum)

asimplelife- I just discovered Leah Day's FMQ tutorials and blog a month ago and got brave enough to quilt a 70"x 70" lap quilt in about 3 hours using my regular machine!

One thing I really love is 505 temporary adhesive spray to hold my quilt "sandwich" pieces together. I can sew something large without any pins that way and still move and adjust any wrinkles before I quilt them! It's available at JoAnn's (I've only found it on their on-line site though) and I usually see it for about half off! One can (even the smaller size) will do a few quilts!

I also LOVE shout color catchers!! I don't prewash my fabrics and so when I'm finished quilting and binding a quilt, I throw it in the washer with one color catcher sheet. The sheet comes out colored, but the quilt has no bleeding! I think it was KimStrut that had a link to a blog where they made color catchers DIY with fairly simple ingredients (and reuseable!)

If you click on my flickr link below, you can see the lap quilt I FMQ'd using Leah Day's FMQ Project instructions!

pat

Great blog Deb! So nice to see you back. I hope you continue to visit us here.

My favorite new tool is netflix, lol! I can usually find something to "watch" while I sew. I have noticed that entire episodes go by without me looking at the tv but it keeps me company.

Not really that new, but the Twister tool was quite a buzz here recently. I just bought it a fees weeks back.

quote:

Originally posted by asimplelife:
I'm specifically wondering about thread. I had started using Aurifil for my piecing which I really like. Any thing else I should consider before I need to rebuy?

I've changed to Presencia thread lately, I find it leaves less lint in my machine than the Aurifil. The Presencia is ever so slightly thinner as it's a 60wt 3-ply thread instead of the 50wt 2-ply Aurifil.

jessicasews - Hopefully I can replace the UFOs on hangers with yardage over time, that's a great idea! I'm so glad I had done this a long time ago because some are actually a UFO kit (LOL) with everything I need except batting on the hanger. It really helps keep the tops less wrinkled too I'm happy to report. Less pressing is always a good thing!

I watched the Zentangle video and am quite intrigued. My 1st thought was for crazy quilting but also can see using it for FMQ someday... once I get good at it.

gardenpat - Thank you for the encouragement re FMQ! I love the quilt you finished and it's good to know that the basting spray works on larger projects too. I'll pick up some color catchers for when I start having FINISHED projects to wash .

Brandyquilter - I've been a netflix user since day 1 since we live in a rural area. Our local convenience store's movie selection is teeny. Your post reminds of my beloved iPad which did not exist 3 years ago! I just love browsing the net at ease from anywhere.

missmommy - Your cat is adorable! I found a video on the Twister tool and really like how that works. A tool that makes a complicated quilt easy is a winner in my book.

cuiteanna - I'll give the Presencia a try. I enjoy making charm/nickel quilts and a thinner thread really helps me to make more accurate blocks using small pieces.

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