From the Editor

HELLO!! It has been awhile, and we have been so very busy. Can't believe we are at the close of summer already. We hope yours has been an enjoyable one. It is sad to think that for many it has ended on such a tragic note. Our heart truly goes out to all those in the disaster area's. We know you all feel badly also and so we are please to share with you a way many quilters are coming together to help with the relief effort. Quilts, Inc. has started the Quilters Comfort America project. You can help even if you don't quilt yet, as they even need any sheets you can spare. More on this later.

On a happier note, very soon you will be looking for some great gift idea's. Well, some of the clever ladies in our group have come up with the idea of giving the gift of a membership to our Block of the Month Club! Their loved one gets a new gift every month of the year! Isn't that a great idea? To make it even better, right now we have a special introductory offer on our new BOM club, where you may save $2.00 off each and every block. (see Newsletter Special Just for You section of this newsletter)

This is how it works, you let us know who you would like to enroll and what the occasion is for, we send them a special Congratulations notice letting them know they have been enrolled in Easy Quilt Kits Block of the Month Club by you, for what-ever the occasion may be, with this we will send pictures of each of the blocks they can look forward to receiving, some fabric swatches of the prints used in the kits, along information about their subscription. We think you will agree it a great gift idea. ;o)

It has been suggested that we put more pictures in our newsletter so you will notice that we are giving that a try. We would like to know if you like it or if you found it to cause you problems. send your feedback here.

What's New at Easy Quilt Kits

There is so much new it's hard to know where to start. As mentioned already we have a new 12 block BOM club line. We will tell you more about that in just a minuet. We also have a new baby blanket. We are very excited about this one as the prints are so adorable, don't you think so? Made up of South Sea Imports Garden Party line. Click on the images for to see how the prints and the design all come together to make this adorable baby blanket.

So many have asked about more kits for boys, with that in mind we are very happy to announce to you one that we think you will find most pleasing. Our Americana!

We also have a new Queen size quilt with a matching wall hanging that is just breath-taking!! Told you we've been busy. ;o)

Newsletter Special Just for You

Everyone has been having so much fun with our first Block of the Month Club that we wanted to put together another one. So we are now very excited to offer you a new Block Of The Month Club quilt kit. It has the same great blocks that everyone has enjoyed so far in our first one along with your choice of two different finishing kits, but with a completely new line of prints. And they are beautiful prints. Matter-of-fact we just had to show them right here and now! ;o)

Brand new from Bexartex's Christmas line is the Jolly Ol' Saint Nick in Frost Texture (it is beautiful, don't you agree)

We then added another Benartex print that we have been saving for something really special. Then we complemented them with couple of P & B prints.

They all come together to make a very spectacular quilt.

So what's our Special Just for You this month? As mentioned earlier, we are offering to members of our group a savings of $2.00 off each kit. That's means you will only be paying $12.95 plus we will give you a special low shipping rate of only $1.98. That's a total saving of $3.00 off each block. See more about your discount offer here. (sample has non-working links)

Tip Exchange

Michele Groth has this tip to share: I have found that I can't live without a can of spray sizing (NOT spray starch which is a different product) when I quilt. When making a binding for the edge of my quilts, I spray a light coat of sizing on as I'm pressing it in half. The binding is much easier to handle when sewing on the quilt and tends not to bunch as much.

I also use sizing when I'm sewing scrappy quilts. If some of the fabrics are softer than others I spray a bit of sizing on them so that all of the fabrics handle the same. This makes the different fabrics go together much more smoothly.

Susan Burney has a couple of tips for quilting. When piecing, try to have more than one project on the go. I know that sounds like irrational advice, but you can use pieces from one project as the "leaders/enders" for the other project, and by the time you are finished the first project, a good portion of your other project will be done as well.

Also, as you are sewing flying geese together (or other blocks that have squares sewn on to create a triangle on the side), sew a second seam of stitches down 1/2" from the original seam. This way, you can trim off those "ears" and save for HST projects (this tip doesn't belong to me actually, but to someone online, I can't remember her name).

I know your site sells precut kits, but if someone is up for the challenge, they could pre kit themselves a few projects to sew together for when they have time. And, of course, trim your scraps as you go into sizes you usually use. Store them in small bins marked with the size. When you need a fast project, you've got several options to choose from.

From Brenda Keever There’s a new invention that the Shout people came up with. if you wash your fabric before making quilts (or new clothes ) try the new Shout Color catcher sheets they work really well if there's any bleeding of the color they really do catch it. Woolite makes the same thing I have not tried there’s but I do highly recommend the Shout color catcher sheets. Especially if you want to buy fabric at the discount stores I wash all fabric before putting it in a Quilt.

Great tips ladies!! Thank you for supporting our goal, to share our love and knowledge of quilting with others. ;o) Got a tip you'd like to share (come on don't be shy) you can send it here

BE sure to check and see if you are this month’s winner in our Free Pattern Drawing. For those of you that are new to the group and might not have heard you qualify for our Free Pattern Drawing when you send in a Tip, Question or Answer, even Feedback! ;o) So be sure to share your thoughts with us today!

Answers to your past questions (sorry so late in posting)

Jan Russell asked this question: "This will be my first quilt. I washed and ironed several yards of fabric. How is the easiest way to cut my back and square it? I had so much trouble man handling the fabric. I don't have a table long enough to lay it down and see all the fabric at that time. I tried it on the floor and that don't work either. Sure would appreciate any help. Perfect time for me to get this information. Thanks in advance."

We had so many replies to this that we posted them here  (sample has non-working links) for those who wish to read them.

Marge in Riverside WA Re: Patty’s question on crooked FQ’s – this is frustrating and I don’t have an easy way, will just state what I do. Put several color friendly FQ’s in a mesh laundry bag. Wash on delicate cycle with a teaspoon of Quilt Care by Fairfield.  Put in dryer and dry until still partially damp. Press till dry. Fold F/Q in half lengthwise the best you can, trim off both ends so they are square. Then trim off the selvedge and other cut side at the same time to square up. Wish I had a different tip and will be watching in case anyone comes up with one.

Marian wrote: As for "crooked " fabric, I remember 'way back in junior high school when I learned to sew that we pulled our fabric even. It takes two people on opposite corners and just pull until it is even. I haven't done this with my quilting fabric, but I don't know why it wouldn't work.

Answer for Harriet Smart-Ferns - I always use a square ruler (2 ½” to 12 ½” depending on the size of block I am making). Place the ruler so the middle of the ruler is in the middle of your square, trim two sides, turn the block and center again and trim off the other two sides. Remember though, the middle of a 6 ½” ruler is 3 ¼”, a 12 ½” ruler is 6 ¼”, You need to watch the lines when you are finding the center as the rulers have the ½” lines on only two sides of the ruler. Hope this isn’t too confusing!

To Harriet Smart-Ferns: You square up a block first by measuring each section of the block. If it is a block with many pieces and triangles in it, it is best to measure each piece as you assemble it. When it is all sewed together, place a large square ruler on top of it.  If it is supposed to be a 9" block, it should be 9 1/2" inches, unfinished. That means before it is placed in the quilt. Once it is sewed into place, it will measure 9"  If for some reason the measurement isn't correct, and each block seems to be correct, you can always trim off a shade from the side to make it correct. Be careful in ironing, because you can stretch your fabric out of shape very easily.
To Patty: Fabric that is really crooked, can sometimes be straightened by pulling it diagonally the opposite way. Start at one corner of the fabric, and with a hand on each side, give it a tug. Work your way across the top and down the side, then across the bottom. When it looks a little better, check with a ruler. If necessary, go through the stretching process again.  When you are happy with it, iron it again, making sure you keep it straight. Hope this helps them. Pat Collins

Response for Joyce Over’s question: I ALWAYS pre-wash any fabric used for quilting. I put the fabric on Delicate cycle and add a teaspoon of Quilt Care by Fairfield to each load. Only partially dry and press while still dampish.

I also snip off a piece on all four corners of a piece of fabric for two different reasons: 1) it shows me that I have pre-washed this fabric and 2) it helps to minimize the fraying of the cut edges during washing. Marge in Riverside WA

PJ Miles In answer to Joyce Over I don't pre wash unless the fabric has a lot of sizing in it. If the fabric feels good in your hand just use it. If you worry about color running rinse in hot water and lay to dry on a white paper towel. If the color transfers, rinse until it doesn't or don't use it.
christine, Hi! In reading the Question/Answer page, I noticed a question about markers re anniversary quilt - send everyone a 5" square and let them write a message on it. My suggestion is to either send a paper that is also a 5" square with the centre cut out with the material OR in a marker, draw the sewing line all around the 5" square that you are sending. Ask the people to write within the "paper 5" square frame" on the material or write within the dotted lines. The reason for this is so people who do not quilt will not be writing over the sewing line therefore, the entire message will be seen. Hope you find this tip useful! Happy Quilting!

Even though you can't hear it there are grateful thanks going out to all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts! I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, "you are a wonderful group of ladies and we are proud to have you as members of our group!" ;o)

This Months New Questions

Rhonda Bayne asked this question: "Why do quilters prefer to use 100% cotton fabric? Thank you,"

Linda Is there a difference to the "department store " flannel to a quilting store flannel? I like using the flannel for backings and do not know how each will hold out. When in search for the right flannel what do you look for? Thanks.

Flowerswife I was wondering after you have sewn the quilt together what method is easiest for beginner quilters to make the batting not bunch or move around?

Great question lady's!! Thanks for sending them in. We look forward to hearing what our experienced quilters have to say and wish to thank you in advance for your awesome support. ;o)

Got a question of your own? You can send it here

About Us the Newsletter

Easy Quilt Kits, helping you make great quilts easy!

We hope you are enjoying the newsletter so far, if you have a quilting friend or a friend you hope someday will share your love of quilting be sure to give them a chance to join our group. Simply send them this link to our newsletter sign up page. and tell them we would love to have them as part of the gang. ;o

Website
www.easyquiltkits.com

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Easy Quilt Kits Feedback

Your feedback is always welcome!

Featured Article: Karen Eckmeier's " Accidental Landscapes"

Karen has so very graciously offered to share her techniques regarding her Accidental Landscapes as well as the following three projects!! Go to article (sample has non-working links)

  We're sure you will also want to checkout her website as well as send her your thanks. Her website is www.quilted-lizard.com email her at
karen@quilted-lizard.com Quilt Guilds why don't you ask Karen to visit your guild and give a demonstration? You will find her a delight to work with.

Quilters Comfort America project

As we mentioned at the start, our hearts go out to all those who are suffering due to Katrina's devastation. We are pleased to let you know that you may help the many people at temporary shelters that are in desperate need of bedding. To get involved contact Quilter, Inc. regarding their at Quilters Comfort America project

Winners of our Free Pattern Drawing and $100 Shopping Spree!

And the winners are Elaine of oma6@-----.net,

Lisa Nalean and Jo of Jjolo32@------.com. Congratulations ladies! If you haven't already received your notice from us please make sure to contact us as soon as possible. Now for the winner for our $100 Shopping Spree! And the winner of our Shopping Spree is (drum roll please) Mare Dean! Congratulations Mare!! Take a look around the shop and let us know what you would like! ;o) We will have another winner in Nov.

Whew! That was a long newsletter. We hope you enjoyed all the new quilt kits, tips, questions and the Featured Article-don't forget to send your regards to Karen. :o) Please let us know if there is anything you'd like to see in future issues, particular topics and so on. We will do our best to oblige.

We also want to thank everyone again for all your support, you are the greatest!! We hope you agree it's been fun. We look forward to visiting again with all of you soon.

Warm Regards

Theresa