The war in Afghanistan intensifies...Another American soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb...How many news reports play in our homes, cars, and businesses telling updates of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? How many times are they tuned out or off because the wars have raged for so long?
The realness of war was carefully rolled onto my longarm quilting machine as a tear rolled down my face. I had been asked to quilt a beautiful quilt made for the family of a soldier who was killed by a roadside bomb. After l listened to a family member share his life story with me and read newspaper articles about him, the task before me was ominous. How do you quilt a fallen hero's life on a quilt? He literally gave his life for me, for you, and for all Americans to keep us safe and free.
The quilting is done and the quilt is on its way home to his family. The warmth and love stitched into the quilt is a reflection of the warmth and love he had for his family, friends, and country. My sympathy and prayers for his family and friends run through the stitches. God bless you and keep you in His care.
NOTE: Quilters - Have you thought about stitching a quilt for Quilts of Valor? These quilts are given to our soldiers to comfort them. Please take time to visit their website at: www. qovf.org
How many of us know someone who has a baby, a baby on the way, or is thinking of having a baby? Let’s face it; the mention of a baby brings a smile to our face and heart. If you are a quilter, thoughts turn to stitching your love for the little one in a quilt. Questions arise. Is the baby quilt for a girl or boy? Size? Color? Theme of Quilt? How much time do I have to make the baby quilt? How will the quilt be used?
Wow, a lot of questions! Let’s address them one by one so you can make that perfect baby quilt. To start, do you know if the baby is or will be a boy or a girl? If you don’t, choose fabrics that can go either way. The color and theme of the baby quilt may be centered around the sex of the baby, if known, or the baby's nursery design. Other considerations are whether the baby quilt is made with bright or pastel colors; large prints or small, delicate prints; and cotton fabrics or flannel fabrics. Fabric selections can include novelty prints such as trucks; airplanes; animals; flowers; cartoon characters; baby items such as booties, bottles, etc.; and many more. Or, fabrics can be simple prints such as dots, plaids, swirls, stripes, and marbles. Most baby quilts are designed with some combination of different fabrics. Also, a simple techinque is to place a printed fabric panel in the center of the quilt and add borders to create a baby quilt of the desired size.
Next, consider how the baby quilt will be used. Is it a crib quilt, a wall hanging for the baby’s room, a baby quilt for on the floor, or a baby quilt to wrap the baby in for warmth? The use of the quilt will help determine the size of the quilt. For example, a crib quilt will be smaller than a floor quilt. A 40” x 40” up to 48” x 48” works well for a crib size quilt. A 48” x 60” baby quilt is nice for baby and toys on the floor as he/she begins to lift their head and roll about. A quilt to wrap the little one in will be square to swaddle the baby and similar in size to a crib quilt. Finally, a baby quilt to hang on the wall could be rectangular, with the quilt width the same size as the width of a baby crib.
Finally, decide how much time you have available to choose a pattern, find that perfect fabric, cut the quilt pieces, borders, binding, and prepare the backing. Also, will the quilt be quilted on your machine or with a longarm quilter? When the quilter is ready to start, our suggestion at SewReadyCreations.com is to write down the size you want to make, the theme and color of the material you want to choose, the pattern you have in mind, and how much time you have to make the baby quilt. These are critical planning steps. Taking this small step at the beginning helps the quilter focus. You can narrow down your options and make it easier to choose a pattern and fabric.
Now that you are ready, it’s time to head to the fabric store. Start by picking the pattern and deciding how much of each fabric you need to purchase. You should allow some time for these steps; and, remember to purchase a little extra fabric in case you make a mistake. Return home and cut, sew and quilt that beautiful baby quilt.
Often quilters are pressed for time, have difficulty matching fabric, or struggle with cutting the quilt pieces correctly. Exactly the reason Sew Ready Creations has provided an alternative product for quilters. 100% cut baby quilt kits are available from our company. View our wide selection of products at www.sewreadycreations.com. Our kits are complete with die cut pieces, borders, bindings, and backings. The kit instructions are written and visual using the actual fabric of the quilt. All fabric is 100% cotton quilting fabric from major manufacturers such as Moda, Windham, Benartex, Marcus Brothers, etc. And…we even offer longarm quilting at affordable prices to complete the little ones’ quilt.
Stitching a baby quilt is great fun for the quilter and a special gift of love for the baby from you. It will always provide loving memories and smiles!
A developing market niche in the quilting world is 100% die cut quilt kits. Although precut kits have been sold for a number of years, die cut kits take the cutting a step further. Precut kits provide the quilter larger pieces of fabric which need to be cut into smaller quilt pieces. 100% die cut kits provide all pieces, borders, and binding cut and ready to sew. When searching online or in stores for precut quilt kits, take note of which type of “precut” kit you are purchasing.
Precut kits with appropriate lengths of multiple fabrics have advantages and disadvantages. They do provide the quilter with a matched fabric selection for a particular pattern. The pattern may or may not be included with the kit. Also, the cutting process is easier because the pieces of fabric are smaller and easier to manipulate. However, cutting precision is dependent on the quilter’s abilities and the effectiveness of the pattern directions. If an error is made in cutting, the quilter may not have enough fabric in that particular color to correct the error. Precut kits are an advantage because they save the quilter time.
The newer, 100% die cut quilt kits also have advantages and disadvantages. First, the kits contain all the pieces, borders, backing and binding cut and ready to sew with detailed “visual” instructions. No more calculating where to make the next rotary cut and how to cut that triangle! Next, the die cutting process creates precision cut pieces which stitch together easily for that perfect block. The blocks fit together nicely for a quality stitched quilt project. Also, the 100% die cut kit saves the quilter time and money since the quilter does not have to be concerned about obtaining a pattern, locating and choosing fabrics, accounting for extra fabric, and cutting the pieces, borders, and bindings. This leaves more time and energy for the fun of piecing together the quilt project. However, the quilter’s selection is limited to the variety of kits available for purchase. Finally, if you use a long arm quilting service, they will certainly notice and appreciate your work. An accurately sewn quilt project leads to quality final quilting. In the end, it’s a winning situation. 100% die cut kits make high quality quilts, wall hangings, and table runners possible for all types of quilters.
Who should consider 100% die cut quilt and fabric kits? All quilters! Sometimes it’s fun to skip the cutting and start stitching. There are many great quilts, wall hangings, and table runners made each year by quilters using traditional methods. These creations inspire and encourage all of us in our great love of quilting. However, quilters are now learning about these newer style 100% die cut kits and understanding the advantages. Beginning quilters like them because it allows them to focus and learn how to stitch the quilt project. They feel successful immediately due to the quality of their die cut piecing. This inspires and propels them further with their quilting hobby. Experienced quilters find the time savings useful, still feel challenged, and appreciate the quality. 100% die cut kits are a gift to quilters who are physically unable to cut a quilt project. Finally, quilters who struggle matching fabrics for a pattern truly appreciate relieving their headache with a die cut quilt/fabric kit.
How do you choose a precut quilt or fabric kit? What should you be looking for? How do you know what you are getting in the kit? These are all great questions. First, look at the package for information about the name of the fabric line and manufacturer. Is the fabric 100% cotton quilting fabric? Then, verify the material in the kit is the same material as in the picture of the quilt project. Next, look at the contents list for the kit to ensure all the pieces for the quilt project are included in the kit. Does the kit include the borders? Binding? Backing? Make sure you know what you are paying for and won’t need more fabric to complete the project. Last, check the size of the project and colors to ensure it will be perfect for its intended purpose.
Now is a good time to consider a precut kit. Whether choosing an easy quilt kit or a challenging one, the 100% die cut kits are an exciting addition to the quilt world. They give quilters another choice for making their next beautiful quilt creation.
100% Pre Cut Quilt Kits & Longarm Quilting Services – Like Bread and Butter!
100% Pre Cut Quilt and Fabric kits are now offered to quilters by Sew Ready Creations. These are wonderfully designed kits for quilters that have 100% of the pieces precut including border and binding. Quilters have a great selection of baby quilts, lap quilts, queen quilts, king quilts, miniature quilts, wall hangings for the kitchen or living room, and table runners. All pieces are machine die cut. The die cut process ensures all pieces are precise, accurate, and easy to sew. Quilters save the time of choosing fabric and rotary cutting the quilt pieces. Every quilt kit comes with a set of visual instructions to “show” the quilter each step from beginning to end. Only 100% high quality cotton quilting fabrics from recognized fabric companies such as Moda, Windham, Benartex, Marcus Brothers, and Robert Kaufman, etc. are used in the kits. You can purchase the precut quilt and fabric kits at our web site www.sewreadycreations.com, or visit us at quilt shows and our home showcase. Sew Ready Creations is willing to travel around the Colorado region to do trunk shows for quilting groups or guilds. To learn about new products releases and special sales on the kits, quilters can sign up for our e-mail newsletter at www.sewreadycreations.com . Questions or want to order via phone? Just call at 1-888-MEQUILT (637-8458).
Sew Ready Creations is pleased to provide nationwide Longarm Quilting Services for all quilters. Our location is Longmont, Colorado which is 35 miles north of Denver. With our sister company, Border to Border Quilting, there are two state of the art Gammill/Statler computerized machines providing you a fast turnaround time for your special quilt. Pattern selection is comprehensive with 2000 different designs. Longarm Quilt Services include simple pantographs to custom quilting depending on what each quilter would like. Every quilt is treated special and unique. Many will become heirlooms and pass down to other generations to enjoy. Knowing this, our philosophy is to offer high quality services at fair prices to quilters. Prices start at 1.5 cents per square inch for a simple pantograph pattern and increase for custom designs. Batting and binding are additional services. For individual quilters, quilt groups, or quilt guilds local to Colorado, we encourage visits to see and experience the quality of our Longarm Quilting. Although local to Colorado, we have clients all over the United States. All shipments of finished quilts have tracking confirmation and insurance. We are always happy to talk to quilters about their needs and answer questions. A toll free number is offered to quilters. The phone number is 1-888-MEQUILT (637-8458). We know you will be pleased with the quality of our Longarm Quilting Services.
100% Pre Cut Quilt and Fabric kits and Longarm Quilting Services go together well. Just like bread and butter. Our quilt clients love having the choices and flexibility Sew Ready Creations offers. Come try us and let us help you.
