The "Infinite" Ultimate Stencil, by Cindy Needham and Sneak Peak on the 2015 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge

Cindy Needham has designed many quilting stencils, over the years and has just released her newest stencil called "The Ultimate Stencil".  This is technically a set which includes a 
circle and square stencil.  The set comes with Master Grids printed on paper that you are encouraged to make copies of and use to plan out endless design possibilities.

This new stencil set is perfect for wholecloth quilting, as well as for pieced blocks.  While the stencils are 14", Cindy also shares how you can easily adapt these stencils for larger designs.  One is a circular stencil and the other is square, but they line up well should you want to create a design with both a circle and square combination!




Cindy has created four Youtube videos about the Ultimate Stencil, but I wanted to share with you her Getting Started video:


She has also created a free 27 page downloadable book for The Ultimate Stencils.

SewCalGal thinks The Ultimate Stencil is going to be very popular with those interested in free-motion quilting, as it is a perfect tool for beginners as well as experienced quilters and the design possibilities are endless.  And the price is extremely reasonable!  You can order online directly from Cindy.

Cindy has also created a two book set which SewCalGal highly recommends: Oldies But Goodies ~ New and Improved.

Oldies But Goodies contains 230+ pages, organized in chapters by Blocks, Borders, Fans, Corners, and Wholecloth Medallions.  Also included are sections for Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Stencils, Cindy's "My Design Tools", Transferring Designs, Making Borders Fit and Laying Out a Wholecloth Quilt and much, much, much more!  Cindy calls this book Oldies But Goodies as they focus on older designs and things that she did years ago, but this book is still packed with great information.

New and Improved  contains 100+ pages and focuses on what Cindy classifies as better and improved designs.  It was while working on this book that Cindy came up with the idea of the Ultimate Stencil and she has included many design ideas for this new stencil set in this new ebook that is packed with inspirational design ideas that you can use on your projects, or adapt to make a unique design.  This book shows you how to apply this stencil to blocks and corners, for wholecloth or pieced block designs.  But, the possibilities are endless for The Ultimate Stencil!  #Quiltlove, #StencilLove, #CindyNeedhamGoodness  - SewCalGal loves The Ultimate Stencil!

List of Youtube videos about The Ultimate Stencil:

Getting Started
Drafting a Simple Design using The Ultimate Stencil:  Create a flower and fill with pebbles, feathers and lines.
Enlarging a Design with The Ultimate Stencil:
Sneak Peak into New and Improved Designs

Time for a Sneak Peak on the 2015 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge:

While details will be shared on this challenge later this month, here are some highlights:

- monthly challenges with 5 different ways to learn/improve your free-motion quilting skills each month.  Participants can complete one or all five options to get up to five entries to win prizes that will be awarded monthly.

- Cindy Needham will be one of the FMQ Experts showcased during the 2015 Challenge and in her month, one of the options in the challenge will be to use The Ultimate Stencil to create a pillow.  Another option will be to create a pillow based on designs and techniques Cindy shares in her COMPLETE COLLECTION of ebooks, which by the way, Cindy updates annually, always adding more value to these books.  Once you have purchased the Complete Collection you will receive free updates annually, so you can think of your purchase as a lifetime subscription to #CindyNeedhamGoodness!

- All five options for the monthly challenge, during the month which showcases Cindy Needham, will be based on Cindy's books, stencils, classes, as well as the free tutorial which she provided during the 2012 FMQ Challenge. More details will be shared soon.

Cindy also hosts wonderful workshops and retreats that you can sign up to attend.  She has an Xtream collection of stencils that she brings to share, with her students, as well as a vast collection of Superior threads.  She also travels the world teaching, which you can check her calendar to see if she is coming to an area near you.  Of course, you can also ask your local quilt guild and/or quilt shop to schedule a class with her too!  Or consider taking one of her online classes at  Craftsy:

 Design It, Quilt It
Machine Quilting Wholecloth Quilts

You can find Cindy at:

http://www.cindyneedham.com/
http://blog.cindyneedham.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Needham/509936535688769
http://www.pinterest.com/linenquilter/

 Email SewCalGal if you have questions.

Dancing Butterfly Pattern, by Leah Day

Leah Day has released a new pattern that I'm excited to share insights about, with you today.  The "Dancing Butterfly" pattern combines machine applique techniques with free-motion quilting, to make a finished quilt that measures 64" x 72".

The downloadable pattern comes with easy to follow instructions,  great visuals, fabric requirements, cutting instructions, finishing instructions,  free-motion quilting design worksheets for each design in this pattern, as well as full size templates for the applique' butterfly.  The finished quilt will have 12 applique' butterfly blocks and 24 free-motion quilting sampler blocks, with supporting videos for each block and FMQ design.

But even better yet, the purchase of this comprehensive 60 page pattern gives you access to over 40 videos that you can use to follow along at your own pace.   Highlights of these videos:

Video #1 - Dancing Butterfly Pattern Introduction
Video #2 - How to Fuse and Cut the Butterfly Shapes
Video #6 - Preparing and basting blocks
Video #9 - Troubleshooting FMQ Issues
Video #11-#46 - FMQ Designs (each come with a FMQ worksheet in the downloadable Dancing Butterfly Pattern)
Video #47 - How to connect the blocks with binding
Video #48 - Attaching the binding
Video #49 - The End

The pattern includes instructions to assemble the blocks, using a suggested layout, but you can also modify the layout as you wish.

There is also an optional Facebook group for this quilt along, with links to this group included with the pattern.   

Click Here to learn more.   A printed version of this pattern will be released on December 10th. 

SewCalGal highly recommends the Dancing Butterfly  pattern and quilt-along, with Leah Day, for anyone interested in free-motion quilting and wanting to build on their skills.  At $29.95, this pattern, including videos, is an exceptional value and will certainly be fun to make.

This pattern would also make an excellent gift.  If you are interested in purchasing it as a gift, simply submit such a request through Leah's contact form at: LeahDay.com/contact  and let them know that you want to purchase one, or more copies, as a gift.  They will provide an email with the steps to support this type of purchase.

SewCalGal also wants to share that for those that one of the 2015 Free-Motion Quilting Challenges will also have an option to make a pillow, based on the Dancing Butterfly Pattern, but this option will only apply to those that purchase this pattern from Leah and join her QAL.  More details for the 2015 FMQ Challenge will be released on SewCalGal the end of December.

You can find Leah Day at:

www.LeahDay.com
www.FreeMotionProject.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leah-Day-Quilting/108034899216421
https://www.youtube.com/user/lcvday
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

Free-Motion Quilting For Beginners and Those Who Think They Can't - Insights on #Giveaways too!

At Fall Quilt Market, Martingale released many new quilting books.  One of which, is absolutely perfect for those interested in learning  free-motion quilting.  "Free-Motion Quilting For Beginners and Those Who Think They Can't, by Molly Hanson is a great book for quilters that want to learn free-motion quilting (FMQ).  It can also be a fun book for those that are still learning and want to practice FMQ and create some cute projects at the same time.

Molly does an excellent job teaching beginners how to do free-motion quilting, while also creating fun projects.  

She goes over all the basics, from tools, setting up your space, prepping for your project, threads and tension, sketching and more.  I was also pleased to see that she talks about "sitting pretty", with tips for good posture while doing FMQ.  She also shares many tips and tricks for FMQ throughout the book.

A variety of FMQ designs are covered in this book, each with easy to follow instructions and great visuals which cover FMQ designs for : loop de loops and handwriting, stippling, pebbles and chain of pearls, square meander, nesting boxes, paisley, wood grain, print tracking, swirls, custom quilting and combining designs.

There are 15 fun projects in this book, which are great projects to turn your FMQ practice into a variety of fun items for you, your home, as well as gifts.  Projects range in size from pot holders, placemats, totes, table runners, ironing board covers, laptop sleeves, to wall quilts and more.

SewCalGal hopes you can check out this book at your local quilt shop, but if you don't see it, let them know you'd like to have them carry it.  Of course, you can also find it online at Martingale and Amazon.com.

There is also a blog hop going on where you can learn more about this book, as well as find more #giveaways where you'll find ways to win a copy.

November 11th - Martingale/Stitch This
November 13th - Amanda Jean/Crazy Mom Quilts
November 14th - Amy Friend/During Quiet Time
November 15th - Angela Walters/Quilting Is My Therapy
November 17th - Juliet van derHeijden/The Tartankiwi
November 19th - Lori Kennedy/The Inbox Jaunt
November 20th - Cindy Weins/Live A Colorful Life
November 21st - Thermoweb

You can find Molly at:

http://sewwrongsewright.blogspot.com/

You can find Martingale at:

http://www.shopmartingale.com/

http://blog.shopmartingale.com/

https://www.facebook.com/shopmartingale

https://twitter.com/ShopMartingale

https://www.youtube.com/user/martingaleandcompany 

New Class on Craftsy - The Secrets of Free-Motion Quilting, with Christina Camelli

Another wonderful free-motion quilting class has been added to Craftsy and there is a way you can sign up for 50% off!  Woo hoo! But don't forget to check out the sales at Craftsy as they currently have a great sale on classes and supplies.

Christina Cameli is an amazing free-motion quilter, author and teacher.  Her first book "First Steps to free-motion quilting" is an excellent book to help quilters learn/improve their free-motion quilting skills.  SewCalGal highly recommends this book as a "must have" to anyone seriously interested in FMQ.  Plus, it is packed with not just learning FMQ, but also using your samples to create fun projects that show off your FMQ.



SewCalGal is also excited that Christina has written another book, which will be released in January 2015.  This book can now be pre-ordered from CT Pub or Amazon.



And I'm absolutely delighted  about Christina's new class on Craftsy.  I've signed up and later share more insights on her class, but today I simply wanted to heighten awareness of this new class and tell you about how you can get this class for 50% off.   Christina provided a link for me to share with my followers, where you can sign up and get this special rate.  I'm not sure how long this special will be available, so sign up ASAP, even if you can't take the class now.  Don't forget with Craftsy, you'll always have access to your classes to take anytime that is convenient for you and repeat as often as you want!

link for 50% off:  www.craftsy.com/ext/ChristinaCameli_4870_H

You can find Christina Cameli at:

http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/afewscraps

You can find Craftsy at:

http:/www.craftsy.com
https://www.facebook.com/craftsy
http://www.craftsy.com/blog/

Converting a PDF for viewing on your Kindle, I-Pad, Tablet, or Smartphone

Like many of us, I have learned to enjoy the benefits of e:readers.  For me, I love electronic quilt books as I don't have to file them and I can easily enjoy, get inspired, and plan my next project while I'm traveling.  

I've also found them to be a great organizational tool for free PDF documents that I find on the internet, or may create myself through Word documents and then CONVERT them to be readable on any device that you can load a Kindle APP (e.g. ipad, table, PC, smartphone, etc.).  To convert a PDF to be viewable thru your Kindle APP, the steps are quite simple.  You may want to follow along using a free downloadable PDF from Quilting Arts, on Free-Motion Quilting, or convert a PDF that you currently have on your computer.

Quilting Arts has a free downloadable PDF that I downloaded, submitted by email for conversion to Kindle, and now have it viewable in my Kindle APP.

Convert PDF to Kindle Instructions

1.   Log in to your Amazon.com account.
2.  Click YOUR ACCOUNT>MANAGE YOUR CONTENT AND DEVICES .
3.  Click on SETTINGS and scroll down till you see "Send to Kindle email settings.

In this section you will see the unique email account that Amazon has assigned to your Kindle account.  Copy this email address.

4.        Within your email software, prepare to send an email message  to the unique email account which Amazon assigned to your Kindle account.  Paste this email address into your email message, in the send to address box.

5.  Make sure the body of your email address is blank (no text, no signatures, etc).


6.  Attach the PDF file that you want converted for viewing on your kindle, tablet, smartphone.

7.  In the subject line, enter "Convert".

8.  Send your email.

9.  Turn on your ereader device.  Activate the wireless function and the Kindle APP. The e:version of your PDF should download instantly and quickly, but I have experienced some delays with converting large files, or submitting a number of files at the same time.  Still, it doesn't stop me from submitting large files or alot of files at once.  

For those that may want to convert a WORD document, you need to first convert it to a PDF before you can submit it to the Convert utility via email.  There are tips and tricks for using MSWORD to format a document for the Kindle APP, which can be fairly easy for some and challenging for others. Either way, it is too much to share at this time.  You can search the internet for these tips, but keep in mind that HTML code is what the Kindle APP uses so certain characters in MSWord can cause problems with formatting for an ereader (e.g. add a blank page, or make part of a page blank, etc.).  Quotation marks, apostrophes ( '14), Ellipses (....) and dashes (-) will result in junk characters in your e:book if you have such characters in your word document that you submit to convert for viewing in Kindle.  Special formatting in MSWORD such as page numbers, headers, footers, table of contents, etc., as well as style sheets, do not convert.  You can certainly hire conversion services, but with a little bit of playtime you'll most likely be happy with what you can easily convert for your own use in your Kindle App.

Shape by Shape, by Angela Walters

Ever struggle with how to quilt a certain shape?  Or maybe you might feel that you stitch the same design in the same shape, over and over again.  Today, I'm excited to be able to share insights with you on an excellent new free-motion quilting book:

For those that enjoy free-motion quilting on a domestic machine, or a long arm machine, you'll certainly enjoy Shape by Shape, by Angela Walters and published by Stash Books, an imprint from C&T Publishing.

Angela takes popular shapes used for quilting (e.g. Squares, Triangles, Circles, Diamonds, Hexagons, Negative Spaces and Borders) and shows you a variety of free-motion quilting designs for each shape, plus tips for changing the angles and other ways to alter these designs, as well as combining them.  The possibilities are endless.

Each section in this book contains photos of various quilting designs with step-by-step illustrations.  

In each of these core quilting shapes, Angela shows a variety of free-motion quilting designs that work perfectly for these shapes.

 With 126 pages, 70+ designs, excellent instructions with great visuals, this books is of great value for anyone interested in free-motion quilting, although SewCalGal recommends it for Confident Beginners to even Experts with free-motion quilting.

SewCalGal also believes the designs, as well as many insights shared in this book apply to those that do free-motion quilting on a domestic sewing machine, as well as those that quilt on a long-arm machine.

I hope you get a chance to check out this book at your favorite quilt shop, or online at Amazon.  But, of course, you can also find it online at C&T Publishing.

You can find Angela at:

You can find Angela Walters at:

http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/ 
http://thebusinessofmachinequilting.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaFMQ
https://www.craftsy.com 

You can find C and T Publishing at: 

http://www.ctpub.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ilovequilts
https://twitter.com/ctpublishing
http://www.youtube.com/CandTPublishing#g/u

You may also want to check out my list of books on free-motion quilting, many of which have links to my reviews.  I'll be updating this list shortly, to add Shape by Shape.

The Quilt Show, aka TQS and a Giveaway

I'm delighted to be able to share some current insights on The Quilt Show (TQS) with you today, as well as a giveaway from TQS.

For those that may not be aware of TQS, it is like a quilting magazine, but with videos and more!  Ok, it is better than a quilting magazine, as it has more to offer and you are going to want to view it over and over and over again!  And, now when you subscribe you not only get to view episodes that are released during your subscription period, but you also get access to previously released episodes!

Even free memberships at TQS can have fun.  Check out the free episodes, plus their blog for great tutorials, inspiration and fun.  

While every quilter should belong to TQS, which is completely FREE, there are a lot of reasons to become a Star Member of TQS from getting unlimited access to shows which you can watch at your leisure and watch again and again, even if your subscription expires!   There are also special events that only Star Members can participate in.  For example:

Starting, October lst, a Machine Quilting Skillbuilder Studio  video with Renae G. Allen will be available to Star Members through December 31st, 2014.   This is one of the bonus tutorials offered this year. 

note:  If you are on a MAC or have problems viewing this embedded video, you can click thru to watch it directly in YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72DuzFgoXKU


And Star Members currently have access to the Becolourful DVD with Jacqueline de Jonge, through October 31st, 2014.

New episodes are released every two weeks.  And, this is the 15th year TQS has been helping to make our world of quilting so wonderful!  That means there are already approximately 189 episodes that you Star Members can watch!  These episodes cover a range of topics, with interviews, tips & tricks, and loads of inspiration with Designers, Teachers, and Award Winning Quilts.  While you may think 189 episodes is more than you may want to watch right now, you may want to prioritize viewing certain episodes based on your interest (e.g. free-motion quilting, color, precision piecing, Applique', specific Designers or Teachers, etc.).  For example, here are some of the episodes on Free Motion Quilting that I'm wanting to watch this Fall:

Episode #112 - Threadplay and Sheer Ribbon Illusions (Libby Lehman), released November 2007

Episode #202 - Antique Linens and Textile Revival (Cindy Needham), released January 2008

Episode #308 - Artistry on a Long Arm (Gina Perkes), released October 2008

Episode #402 - Quilting to Perfection (Sue Nickels), released January 2009

Episode #509 - Machine Quilting Magic (Joanie Zeier Poole), released October 2009

Episode 609 - Freeform Feathers and Happy Endings (Bonnie Browning / Judy Woodworth), released April 2010

Episode #1004 - "Painting" with Thread (Nancy Prince) released February 2012

Episode #1201 - The ABC's of (Award-Winning) Quilted Feathers (Sue Nickels), released January 2013

Episode #1306 - No-Pin Curves and Quilting "Modern" (Sheila Frampton Cooper / Angela Walters), released September 2013

Episode #1506 - Two Amazing Women and the Power of Quilting (Lisa Sipes / Nola Emerie), released September 2014

Star Members also get access to a new  FREE BOM every year.

Star Members also get access to various FREE classes.  There is even an online class, for those interested in free-motion quilting, with Patsy Thompson, which was released in September 2010.  The most current class for Star Members is for the stunning "Lady of Shallot" design, with Ricky Tims.

To clarify, all quilters should join the FREE TQS membership as you do get access to quite a bit of fun free videos, blog and more.  But the Star Membership is always packed great episodes, free BOMS, classes, and other great opportunities for learning and inspiration.  Hopefully you'll agree with SewCalGal in that the Star Membership is really a great value too!  Plus you can watch the episodes at your liesure and as often as you would like.




Did I Mention A Giveaway?
 The Quilt Show is giving away a ONE YEAR membership to one lucky follower of SewCalGal, anywhere in the world!   To enter, followers can complete the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment on this post.  And, if you want more entries there are also a few extra ways to earn an extra entry (e.g. like TQS on Facebook)

SewCalGal will use Rafflecopter to randomly select one winner   announced here on Friday, October 10th.  The winner will be given a code that they can redeem for a ONE YEAR month membership to The Quilt Show (or add ONE YEAR to their existing membership).  This giveaway is open to followers, any where in the world.

Click here to use the Rafflecopter Form to enter this giveaway


You can find TQS at:

http://www.thequiltshow.com
http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php
https://www.facebook.com/TQShow
https://twitter.com/thequiltshow