Nativity quilt #2 is finished, and the instructions are nearly done. Christmas week is not the best time for this task! However, I've already received some orders even though I've not decided the price.
I've a question. One person asked if the pattern could be sent digitally. I thought about that and wanted to try it. Since the pattern is about 30 x 60" my biggest concern is whether it could be printed full size from a .pdf file. Happily, it can. It takes about 20 letter-size sheets of paper. Each sheet has registration marks so they can be easily lined up to trace every pattern piece on fusible.
Staples will print the pattern that big, but if I mail paper patterns, it adds that printing to the cost, as well as the postage. (Printing a pattern that size is about $5 CD) This might be the best for those who don't want to print it out themselves, but more expensive in the total price.
The other drawback of digital is that I have less assurance about my copyright being honored. Once the file is out there, unscrupulous people could easily give it to others or re-sell it. I know that most quilters are honest folk, but it could happen.
Any thoughts and suggestions about digital patterns would be appreciated. If you don't want to make a public comment, email me privately. epm dot mail dot 444 at gmail dot com. Thanks for whatever advice offered!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
White Christmas
We are going to have a white Christmas. It is softly snowing, quiet and simply beautiful outside. I could have walked to the wildlife park and taken a few outstanding shots instead of these from my steps, but I'd rather be quilting.
Actually, I'm working on the Nativity pattern and found a way to make it digital so that anyone who wants it that way can save postage and pattern costs by printing it on their own printer using Adobe Reader. This is an exciting discovery. Getting the directions perfectly clear for making the quilt takes time though. I will also include directions on how to print it!
Actually, I'm working on the Nativity pattern and found a way to make it digital so that anyone who wants it that way can save postage and pattern costs by printing it on their own printer using Adobe Reader. This is an exciting discovery. Getting the directions perfectly clear for making the quilt takes time though. I will also include directions on how to print it!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
"You Shall Call His Name Jesus"
This 'sample' is finally finished, well almost...
The label is made, ready to sew in place. Everything else is done except writing out instructions for the pattern, and getting the pattern printed and into envelopes ready to mail. I've not set a price for the pattern, but have had a few orders from people who have not seen the quilt!
But it is only a week until Christmas and there are many other things to do. So for the next week, enjoy decorating, shopping, wrapping, singing, baking, visiting with family and friends, and all the delights of Christmas!
The label is made, ready to sew in place. Everything else is done except writing out instructions for the pattern, and getting the pattern printed and into envelopes ready to mail. I've not set a price for the pattern, but have had a few orders from people who have not seen the quilt!
But it is only a week until Christmas and there are many other things to do. So for the next week, enjoy decorating, shopping, wrapping, singing, baking, visiting with family and friends, and all the delights of Christmas!
Friday, December 4, 2015
Nativity 2, nearly finished!
This quilt is now sandwiched and quilted. The binding is ready to sew on, and I will likely do it front to back by machine and hand stitching on the back. It is a nice way to relax. The hanging sleeve is also ready to put on, again by hand and maybe during a hockey game on television.
At this angle, there is distortion... Mary's hand looks huge and Joseph's face looks too small. Not so!
These pieces are fused, but needed to be stitched. I was dreading it and didn't want to stuff it into my DM so loaded it on the longarm. I bought a few shades of Invisafil and am pleased with the results. It is like sewing with hair, and required 0 tension on the top. I also put it in the bobbin. I used a size 12 needle, against the strong warning of my Avante dealer who thought such a small needle would break. I had no problems with it, even through backing, batting, and a top with fused layers. That size still left 'holes' but not nearly as obvious as the size 14 needles.
My stitching isn't perfect, yet at a short distance, it is invisible. Had I spent more money, I might have been able to match the colors better, but it is really hard to tell which color works best on each fabric. Pale blue disappeared on blue, but black also disappeared on dark green. As the "Dear Jane" quilters say, finished is better than perfect.
I will be offering the pattern for this as soon as I get it written. I've come up with a way to do it with transparencies, so am now looking for a bargain in the ones used on copy machines.
At this angle, there is distortion... Mary's hand looks huge and Joseph's face looks too small. Not so!
These pieces are fused, but needed to be stitched. I was dreading it and didn't want to stuff it into my DM so loaded it on the longarm. I bought a few shades of Invisafil and am pleased with the results. It is like sewing with hair, and required 0 tension on the top. I also put it in the bobbin. I used a size 12 needle, against the strong warning of my Avante dealer who thought such a small needle would break. I had no problems with it, even through backing, batting, and a top with fused layers. That size still left 'holes' but not nearly as obvious as the size 14 needles.
My stitching isn't perfect, yet at a short distance, it is invisible. Had I spent more money, I might have been able to match the colors better, but it is really hard to tell which color works best on each fabric. Pale blue disappeared on blue, but black also disappeared on dark green. As the "Dear Jane" quilters say, finished is better than perfect.
I will be offering the pattern for this as soon as I get it written. I've come up with a way to do it with transparencies, so am now looking for a bargain in the ones used on copy machines.
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