It's true! I am moving to a bigger, new location. Tentative plans are to begin moving the weekend of March 4. The shop will be closed the following week and re-open on March 14 in the new location at 110 E. North St. in downtown Grayville that formerly housed Lovins' Pharmacy. I'm excited that the parking situation will be resolved (no more crossing the highway!) and that I will have more room to grow. I'm certainly NOT looking forward to the actual moving part, but I believe it will all be worth it in the end.
Because of the upcoming move, after today I will not be able to accept any more quilt tops for quilting until after the move. I have lots of things to get finished before Tri-State Quilters' Day (and before my husband starts dismantling the quilting frame!) I will be happy to take your name and number and call you as soon as things are back up and running.
I will still be vending at Tri-State Quilters' Day in Evansville on March 10. Lots of new kits and pre-cuts will be on display. I hope you've made plans to attend this event.
I will keep everyone posted on any news concerning the move, but I hope to see you before.
Anita
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Strip Tube Ruler
I thought I'd tell you a little bit about the Strip Tube Ruler since I discovered it was still unknown to some. It's been around for a little while and has been demonstrated at some local shows recently, so I mistakenly thought everyone was aware of it. I apologize!
This ruler, which is made by Cozy Quilts, is a very handy ruler for making half square triangles and diagonally pieced blocks. You can use it to make accurate half square triangle units from 1" to 9 1/2". And, because you line the ruler up on the seam line and not the edge of the fabric, you always have accurate HSTs even if you didn't sew a completely accurate 1/4" seam (no one ever has that problem, right?) No marking lines, no math, no tearing away paper, no trimming and no waste---how great is that? There are SO many options with this ruler. The book Strip Tubing shows numerous blocks and layouts and there are a number of great patterns available using the technique. The ruler, the book and several different patterns are in stock at the shop.
Rather than try to explain how to use the ruler, I've attached a link (at the bottom of this post) to a short video demonstration of the ruler. I will just add that I always spray and press my fabric "tube" with Best Press on both sides before I begin cutting. I have had no problems at all with the bias edges, however they should probably still be handled carefully.
Some of you may have made blocks like this in the past using a ruler with a right angle. I have, and I found this ruler to be SO much easier. (And why didn't I think to come up with a ruler like this???) I currently have a ruler with a semi-straight piece of tape across it and one with a line made by a Sharpie because I'm a make-do sort of gal. The Sharpie mark works great if all I ever want to make is 4" HSTs, but I think that permanent line would annoy me now if I wanted to make another size. The Strip Tube Ruler retails for $14.95 and I think it's one that is well worth it.
Below is a picture of the baby quilt I recently made using a jelly roll and the Strip Tube Ruler. The link to the video demonstration is below it. Happy Quilting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3k85E3lzfU
This ruler, which is made by Cozy Quilts, is a very handy ruler for making half square triangles and diagonally pieced blocks. You can use it to make accurate half square triangle units from 1" to 9 1/2". And, because you line the ruler up on the seam line and not the edge of the fabric, you always have accurate HSTs even if you didn't sew a completely accurate 1/4" seam (no one ever has that problem, right?) No marking lines, no math, no tearing away paper, no trimming and no waste---how great is that? There are SO many options with this ruler. The book Strip Tubing shows numerous blocks and layouts and there are a number of great patterns available using the technique. The ruler, the book and several different patterns are in stock at the shop.
Rather than try to explain how to use the ruler, I've attached a link (at the bottom of this post) to a short video demonstration of the ruler. I will just add that I always spray and press my fabric "tube" with Best Press on both sides before I begin cutting. I have had no problems at all with the bias edges, however they should probably still be handled carefully.
Some of you may have made blocks like this in the past using a ruler with a right angle. I have, and I found this ruler to be SO much easier. (And why didn't I think to come up with a ruler like this???) I currently have a ruler with a semi-straight piece of tape across it and one with a line made by a Sharpie because I'm a make-do sort of gal. The Sharpie mark works great if all I ever want to make is 4" HSTs, but I think that permanent line would annoy me now if I wanted to make another size. The Strip Tube Ruler retails for $14.95 and I think it's one that is well worth it.
Below is a picture of the baby quilt I recently made using a jelly roll and the Strip Tube Ruler. The link to the video demonstration is below it. Happy Quilting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3k85E3lzfU
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