Followers? Did I Say Followers Giveaway?

Way back in March 2008 I started my blog, Just Let Me Quilt, to

have a place to keep track of the few-and-far-between sewing projects I created.

I had some loyal family members and friends who felt sorry for me so they

FOLLOWED ME.

I quickly learned that FOLLOWERS motivated me.

Being a FOLLOWER has never been a requirement to enter my 

usual BLOG HOP GIVEAWAYS.....

....BUT

it is a requirement to be a FOLLOWER if you want to enter my 

FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY.

Contest is over!

I am so grateful to the few people who want to come back 

to visit me and I know that if they are following me, 

they will know about this extra little giveaway via their 

email, blogger dashboard, or Google Reader. 

This giveaway is my way of saying,

"Thank You" for coming back.

All you have to do is:

Be a FOLLOWER (by email counts.)

(You can become one right now if you want to be a part of this giveaway.)

Leave one very short and sweet comment

(make sure you let me know if you follow by email since your

little picture won't show up in my Follower box.)

Only one entry per person.

The Follower's Giveaway will end on January 23rd at 6 p.m. PST

(comments left after that time won't count)

Make sure I have your email address or you can't win

I'll ship Internationally.

THE PRIZE?

7 Nancy Drew fat quarters

AND

A pair of spy sunglasses!

Oh, and in case you haven't already signed up

for the Nancy Drew Blog Hop, send me

an email to join the sleuthy fun.

Check out the other blog hops over at

SEW WE QUILT!

By Jove, I Think I've Got It!

Well...I've almost GOT IT...but, I'm really, really close to having it stick in my head...the stem stitch, that is. I'm on a roll outlining something using the hand embroidery stem stitches for the Hugs and Kisses blog hop and so far so good, not perfect, but good. You guys were awesome with all your hints and encouraging words!

The hints I've used the most today (and are working so far) at my attempt to do hand embroidering were:

• Hold the thread up and let it hang down to untwist.
• Keep the thread length short.
• Back the fabric with white flannel so the threads don't show.
• Use a good thread, size 12 (I used Prescencia Finca.)
• Use good needles.
• Check out videos/tutorials online. I found this one on YouTube to be helpful, too: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8wNJ-vypRg)

When I think I've really got this hand embroidery stuff down, I'll start working on a few cute embroidery projects I have sitting around just waiting for me to start adding thread to them.

PLUS, 

I found this really cool piece yesterday at The Clover Patch Quilt Store in Santa Clara, Utah. It was all alone (and old) and was just waiting for me to buy it. It's a Singer treadle machine design and since a Singer was the first sewing machine I ever had, this piece was definitely calling my name. It looks like it is actually meant to be machine stitched/embroidered, but I can only tackle one new process at a time and right now that is hand embroidering.

The little plastic bag it was in said:

LuRae's Creative Stitchery, "The Treadle Machine"

by Charlene Miller

I'm thinking positive and happy thoughts that I'll remember how to do the stem stitch (again) when I stop writing this post. Senior moments happen around my place all the time, so I never know what I'll remember (or forget.)

Blog Hops And Stuff

Dare to Dresden starts in just a few more days, so

I've been pretty busy getting ready. 

You all probably know this trick, but I ran across a

tutorial HERE about using foil to make the centers

for the Dresdens and thought it was pretty cool.

It really worked and was so easy!

Anna Marie Horner's instructions are really

clear on what to do, but here's a short version of how-to

use foil to create the center of your Dresden.

Lay the circle fabric face down on a piece of foil

making sure the piece is larger than the actual sized

circle you're planning to use.  Place a cardboard cut-out

of the actual sized circle that you need on top of the fabric.

Fold the foil in towards the center, going all

the way around.

It will look like this-- 

Iron all the way around the foil circle, pressing

down so it will crease the inside fabric. 

Turn it over and iron again 

Remove the foil and cardboard circle

(it will be hot so BE CAREFUL!)

You can reuse the foil several times before

it starts to tear and become unmanageable.

After the Dresden hop is over,

it is time for some Valentine fun!

With a short break, it will then be on to

It's All About Me!

 It is just so amazing that Amy Bradley is sharing

this adorable pattern for those of us hopping in

But, that's not all! There's still room

in the Nancy Drew hop so come on and join

in for a sleuthy good time!

New Blog Hop Alert!

Got a heart? Then come play with us! This one is easy.
Hugs & Kisses
Just make a Valentine something (out of fabric of course) and show it on your day. Can you do that?
Then come on and play with us! Jane's the one to contact for this hop....HERE.
Madame Samm's the one to see for details and giveaways. Go here to see how to sign-up.

Such A Pitiful Attempt At Embroidery

THANK YOU

for all the sweet answers to my embroidery/applique

questions. You guys are amazing!

It looks pretty pitiful and a 5-year old could have done better,

 but I gave it a go using some of the little hints you all shared with me.

It was just a straight stitch for lettering, nothing fancy,

but it makes me cringe just to look at it.

I'll be ripping it all out and going for smaller stitches,

per some really good advice I got. Or, I'll rip it out

and do some machine embroidery...or, whatever.

Anyway...here are some of the hints about embroidery

and applique that were so appreciated and really helped

(though it would have helped more just to have one

of you do the stitching for me):

Amy said: For embroidery, I was always taught to use three strands. I just use the standard DMC floss. As for appliqué, I have heated the appliqué back up and sometimes it comes off with ease and other times no so much.

Carrie said: If you go to the store/Joanns you will be able to find needles that say embroidery on the package. I use DMC mostly, cut a length about 15-18" long and then pull one thread out at a time. Then I put 2 strands back together to do my embroidery. I might use more depending on what I working on. If your thread starts to tangle up while embroidering hold up your piece in one hand and while the needle is threaded let it hang freely and it will untwist. Just make sure you have your hand under the needle so you don't lose it if it should come off the thread. I don't use the wax when embroidering. If you go to Joanns/craft store where they keep the floss you will find ways to store the thread. I wrap mine around little card board pieces made for storing thread. You could make your own. Just don't forget to write the number on the cardboard that is on the floss. Here is a great blog for embroidery. At the top of her blog you will see a tab for tutorials and tips. It is the best. http://www.needlenthread.com

Diane said: I used to use DMC floss (single strand) for embroidery until a pattern I had suggested 12 weight thread. I tried it and was sold. It is so much easier to work with. No problem with twisting. And I love many of the variegated colors. Easier to store spools than floss too. Only downside is initial cost but if you are planning on doing more embroidery it is well worth the investment. I have mostly Sulky but Aurifil also has 12 wt. My local quilt shops carry some of both. I have also ordered from http://www.uncommonthread.com. If you have a smart phone or an iPad there is a handy app on embroidery stitches. And it's free! I use it to remember stitches I don't use very often. Look for Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch Guide. (I looked it up...it is a great app!)

Lesley said: (she answered each question...sweet!): How do you prevent or minimize frayed edges (especially on little pieces) on fabric when you applique? I use a small blanket stitch to machine appliqué, but a friend of mine always uses the blind hem stitch.What machine stitch is the best for keeping those applique pieces on a quilt that will be washed frequently? Mmm, most of my projects end up on a wall and aren’t washed...it might help to use shorter stitches? Are wider/narrower stitches better than smaller/larger ones? I prefer shorter, more compact stitches. Do you use embroidery thread in your machine when you go around the edges of applique? I’ve never used embroidery thread in my sewing machine. When stitching around the edges, is there a clear-colored thread that is strong enough to last on a quilt? There is such a good variety of threads on the market...I used Coats and Clarke for years from Walmart, but now I use Aurifil, Wonderfil, and quilt shop quality thread. I usually prefer cotton but there are blends available. My quilt friend/expert, says to always match the thread colour to the piece that you are appliquéing to your background. When you embroidery, what size/type needle works best for you? I have bought every type and size out there...I always seem to have a hard time threading the needle. I use a lot of perle cotton # 8, # 12, and use floss that doesn’t have to be separated, like Aurifil and Presencia (Finca). Presently I have Richard Hemming and Son Large Eye Needles, Size 4, Fons and Porter Wool Applique Size 2, .John James Embroidery size3 , and DMC Embroidery needles # 5 . I just pick and choose what seems to work for the project I am doing. Someone also suggested Clover Sashico needles. What embroidery thread do you find tangles the least amount?(Mine gets tangled/knotted sometimes...okay, A LOT!) Mine always gets tangled too , but usually when the thread is too long...I have such a hard time threading the needles that I try to use long, long thread. Embroidery thread comes in so many strands...what's the easiest or best amount to use when doing simple embroidery stitches like words or outlines? I would probably use two strands, but most of what I use doesn’t have to be separated. Is it good to use a waxy substance to make the thread slide through the fabric easier? I use this when quilting...haven’t thought to use it with embroidery. Is there an easy way to store all those threads without ending up with a tangled mess? I usually use the balls so you can twist it around no problem. For either applique or embroidery, do you have a favorite website with tutorials? I adore Clover and Violet...they have embroidery tutorials that will show you everything, and they’ve had a few stitchalongs where you make a quilt with an embroidered centre.

Fawn said:  Don't use wax when embroidering. I prefer to use a size 24 or a size 26 when embroidering or cross-stitching (use size 26 on linen type fabrics). As far as the number of strands to use...it honestly depends. If the design is pretty basic, then you can probably go with a higher number of strands. It's pretty standard to do around 3 strands (out of the 6) for MOST projects. As far as organizing those remaining strands, you can get project cards, which have lines (for writing down embroidery thread colors/numbers/symbols) and hole punches which you can thread those strands through! I use them for every counted cross-stitch project I ever do. In order to minimize tangles...keep your thread lengths shorter (like carrie p. said 15-18 inches in length) and frequently let your needle and thread hang down to unwind/detangle before knots form. Should they form, don't pull them through, just take your time with the knot and use that embroidery needle; totally helps!

Daryl said: For hand embroidery stitches going around a fused applique motif, I use 2 strands of the 6 strand embroidery floss. Cut about an 18" piece and let it dangle as you separate the strands. You can also purchase size 12 perle cotton which is the same thickness as 2 strands of floss, but it doesn't need to be separated. Use an embroidery needle and I use a blanket (also called a buttonhole) stitch. You never use wax on embroidery thread. For machine embroidery around an applique motif that is fused, use a rayon or polyester thread made for machine embroidery and a machine embroidery needle too. I prefer the blanket stitch or a zigzag stitch for my machine work. Always test on a scrap first and test different widths an lengths to see which you like best. I have never had a problem laundering an applique piece that has been stitched by hand or machine. Of course this is just for fusible applique I am referring to. There are several methods of applique which include needle turn, using a fusible interfacing and sewing around your motif and then slitting the interfacing and turning it right side out and pressing in place, reversible applique, raw edge applique that you sew with invisible thread using a straight stitch sewing very close to the raw edge or you can also sew straight using a black thread, you can use glue to glue your raw edges under first and then sew them down, etc. I think you should practice a variety of applique styles both by hand and machine to see which you like best. It's good to practice with something that has both a concave and convex curve as well as a point. So try to applique around a heart and a crescent shape for practice. Hope this and your other answers help you. Practice is the key to get good and to find the applique method you prefer doing too.

Shirley said: This time I used the quilting basting spray to adhere my letters to my pillow, that way you can move it if it looks like crap. (I like using basting spray, so I love her comment.)

Madame Samm said: I only use presencia, it never tangles, and you don't have to separate the threads . I cut 18 approx..I never knot...finca perle 12 is the best for embroidery...Jane carries it.. I only use a size 9 needle for embroidery. I like to back my kona cottons with flannel..it hides the stitches and puffs your completed project.  Appliqué I only use wonder under, trace , iron, score and iron...on finished background. (I used flannel on the back of some machine applique that was on white fabric--it made a huge difference by not showing all those little threads.)

Tammy said: Aneela Hoey's book Little Stitches is great for beginners and has heaps of iron on transfers or you can choose to trace the pictures. She selects strands according to what she wants to emphasize so you might use just one strand for an outline but 6 if she is filling in. And the other thing is that she always has a 2nd hoop to practice a few stitches on and get a rhythm going alongside the main project. (I love this 2nd hoop idea to use for practice!)

The Word Winner Is...

MIKE

from Amateur Quilter!

Congratulations, Mike..enjoy!

In Your Words Blog Hop - Last Day!

It's been a fun ride seeing all the creative ideas
that came out of In Your Words. But it had to end
sometime and today is the last day--ENJOY!

JUST THE FACTS:

The Hostess: Linda at Buzzing and Bumbling

The Leader of the Blog Hops: Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt

They are both amazing and creative people so you know this is going to be a

blog hop to remember!

Today's blogs to check out:

Wednesday, January 16

My Collection of Things  (Jeni K.)

Quiltin' Jenny  (Jenny)

Shade Tree Quilting (Judy C.)

(Rosemary B.) at “that other blog”

Pat Sloan, The Voice of Quilting (Pat. S.)

Dachsies With Moxie  (Agnes B.)

Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)

Tomorrows Treasures Today  (Denise D.)

The German Mom  (Tina S.)

Christa Quilts (Christa W.)

Read, Quilt, Cook, Pray (Aletta D.)

Sew We Quilt  (Mdm. Samm)

Be sure to visit Sew We Quilt to see the daily favorites 

and get the scoop on her giveaways. 

AND check Madame Samm's Pinterest to see 

ALL the In Your Words creations. 

Ohhh....don't forget I have a giveaway going on

HERE!

Dare to Dresden will be up next!

You can still sign-up for Nancy Drew...just send me an email.

We have 69 sleuths who are sewing and getting ready

to share their mysterious creations. Come on...join in!

Applique, Embroidery, Etc. Questions

I'm new to this applique and embroidery thing, so....

How do you prevent or minimize frayed edges 

(especially on little pieces) on fabric when you applique?

What machine stitch is the best for keeping those applique 

pieces on a quilt that will be washed frequently?

Are wider/narrower stitches better than smaller/larger ones?

Do you use embroidery thread in your machine when you

go around the edges of applique?

What's the best way to remove the ironed-on adhesive paper

without totally destroying the piece?

When stitching around the edges, is there a clear-colored

thread that is strong enough to last on a quilt?

When you embroidery, what size/type needle works best for you?

What embroidery thread do you find tangles the least amount?

(Mine gets tangled/knotted sometimes...okay, A LOT!)

Embroidery thread comes in so many strands...what's

the easiest or best amount to use when doing 

simple embroidery stitches like words or outlines?

Is it good to use a waxy substance to make the

thread slide through the fabric easier?

Is there an easy way to store all those threads without

ending up with a tangled mess?

For either applique or embroidery, do

you have a favorite website with tutorials?

Am I the only one who doesn't know 

the answers to the above? 

(Do my questions even make sense?)

Update: I'll post the answers I've received 
with the questions in the next day or two.

P.S. Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you.

Google+ and Open ID don't allow me to see your

email address. If you don't hear from me, it's because

you don't have a way to get a response from me.

Dresden's Interrupted

The brown eyes from that Monkey Boy

got to me again. I was busy sewing all my Dresdens

when three of the four Monkey Boys came to visit

for the day. The six-year-old said he really, really

wanted a bathrobe and so did his big brother. 

So, of course....

off to the fabric store we sent so he could

pick out his own fabric (he likes camouflage.) 

He helped me lay out the fabric and cut out

the pattern pieces. I sewed them after they left.

The robes will have to wait to be finished until the

boys come back over so I can hem them to the right length.

The funniest thing was that after buying the fabric,

he asked me "when do you wear a bathrobe?" 

and "Do you sleep in it?"

I'm not sure he knows what a bathrobe is, 

but he really, really wanted it.

Gotta love it!

Blog Hop Alert!

HURRY! You don't want to miss your chance to sign-up for this one!
Check out Sew We Quilt for all the details.
Marlene at Stitchin By the Lake is the hostess for this one so email her if you want to play along...

Marlene's email

(mbushretired@gmail.com)

Dare To Not Dread Dresdens

I've started prepping for DARE TO DRESDEN...

have you?

I don't dread the Dresden anymore and actually love making them.

(Okay, so I've only made one and it was turned into a turkey,

but they aren't scary and that's my point.)

Missouri Quilt Company has an amazing video

tutorial that will help you overcome your fears.

Check it out HERE.

I used a jelly roll to make my Dresden pieces, but a charm pack works great, too.

This ruler made it amazingly simple!

This pointy thing makes those corners, well..pointy.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the "Pros" make their Dresdens,

but for now the instructions from Missouri Quilt Company really has me 

moving forward to conquer the Dresden phobia I've had for years.