Simplify Set-in Piecing and a Giveaway

SewCalGal has been researching ways for quilters to improve their Precision Piecing skills.  I was delighted to learn that Mary Huey has a DVD for precision piecing set-in seams, which also shares insights on chain piecing!  This DVD is called "Simplified Set-in Piecing" and I'm very happy to share insights with you today on this excellent DVD.

Many quilters avoid designs that require set-in piecing as they either don't know how, or are uncomfortable with such piecing.  SewCalGal can honestly recommend this DVD as an excellent resource for those wanting to learn how to work with set-in pieced designs, as well as to learn how to chain piece these designs!  

Mary Huey is a quilt designer and teacher, who also owned a quilt shop for 26 years.  She is also a certified teacher for Marti Mitchell and enjoys traveling and teaching quilters.  

Here are a few of her inspirational quilts Mary made using a chained piece technique for sewing Y-Seams.  And, this technique also works with rotary cutting!

The description on this DVD provides a honest perspective of the DVD workshop:

This is a 30 minute workshop on how to chain-piece through set-in seams.  I have taught this process for the past year perfecting my presentation and finding the pitfalls.  Now you can add this simple technique to your quiltmaking arsenal and enjoy the process of stitching set-in seams.  I teach with Marti Michell's rotary cutting products and encourage you to use them as well.  Check out all those options while you are on my shopping page

Price $15.95

There is also a short promotional Youtube that shares more insights about Mary's DVD:


If you are on a MAC, or have problems watching this embedded video, here is the link to watch it directly in youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY7I70oGEEg

My Review:

This is a "must have" DVD for any quilter interested in learning Y-seams or how to chain piece Y-Seams.  It is priced quite low and yet provides so much value.  The video is of high quality and Mary has an excellent style of teaching.  Also included is a pattern to get you started with step by step instructions for chain piecing blocks that require set-in seams such as y-seams (tumbling blocks, 6 and 8 pointed blocks, hexagons, etc).

Photography and editing for this DVD is superb!  This workshop thoroughly shows you every step to make Y-Seams using chain piecing techniques with precise piecing.  And this DVD is 31.27 minutes.  You can start/stop/repeat anytime you want.  

The video shows you how to precisely cut fabric to make a tumbler block using Marti Mitchell's templates, but you can use this technique and tips shared in this DVD with other templates, as well as apply to your own templates.  (note:  SewCalGal has not yet used Marti Mitchell templates, but understands they are highly accurate and easy to use).

Using quality templates can help you precisely cut your fabrics, which is a good first step in precise piecing!

In this DVD, you also learn how to mark your cut pieces to get that perfect 1/4" seam at the corners.  And Mary shows you how to sew the tumbler block together using a chain piecing technique.  You'll also learn how to press these blocks and assemble all the blocks for your project to get precise piecing, with nice flat seams.

I also enjoyed the tips Mary shared to trouble shoot, if you don't get a flat seam and how you can fix it!

I hope you can see why SewCalGal can honestly recommend this DVD.  It is a great way to learn and offers a great value.  It can be ordered through Mary's online store.


You can find Mary Huey Quilts at:

http://www.maryhueyquilts.com/
http://www.maryhueyquilts.blogspot.com/
http://www.pinterest.com/huey0314/

While Mary does travel and teach, you may also want to talk with your Quilt Guild and/or local Quilt Shop workshop coordinator to have Mary come teach in your area.   She offers a variety of workshops and presentations, which are all listed on her website.   Mary is also setup for wholesale orders, should you want to let your favorite quilt shops know you'd like them to carry her DVD.

I also wanted to share insight with you on some near term workshops that may be in your area for you to take a class with Mary:  

May 23-25, 2014 Mary is teaching a Scrappy Tumbling Blocks, Scrappy 8-point Star, and a 6-pointed Star Workshops during the NQA Quilt Show in Columbus, Ohio.

May 30, 2014 Mary is teaching an English Paper Piecing workshop at The Sew'n Place in Chambersburg, PA  717-263-5606

For those attending Spring Quilt Market, a trade show event,  Mary has a Schoolhouse presentation at 1:20pm on Thursday, May 15th.

Did I Mention A Giveaway?

Mary is generously sponsoring a giveaway for one lucky blog follower of SewCalGal and she will kindly ship this prize to a quilter anywhere in the world.

The prize bundle will consist of the new "Simplify Set-in Piecing" DVD, by Mary Huey and a Multi-size 60 degree Diamond Tool which allows you to cut diamonds from 2' to 4 1/2".

To enter to win, blog followers can simple leave a comment on this post.  Consider sharing insights if you have ever made any set-in pieced blocks or not.  And, if you have worked with set-in seams, please let me know if you chain pieced them?  I'm simply curious what you think about y-seams and if you are interested in learning more about them.

 A winner will be randomly selected on May 26th.  SewCalGal will also send them an email to notify them that they are a winner and they'll have 3 days to claim their prize, or another winner will be selected.

Update:  

 The Random Number Generator selected lucky number 12 as the winner.  Congratulations to Connie (Free Motion Quilting By The River).

Fun Friday Giveaway - Free-Motion Quilting Simplified, by Don Linn, aka Mr. Quilt

Happy Fun Friday.  Thank you to Don Linn for sponsoring our giveaway today.  Don is also one of the FMQ Experts that volunteered to help with the 2012 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge.  He provided an excellent video tutorial, which also shared many wonderful tips!

You may recall that I wrote a review, earlier this summer, about a new DVD Don had just created. If you are not familiar with this review, I hope you will take time to read my review to learn more about his DVD.   "Free-Motion Quilting Simplified" is a great DVD, for quilters of all levels and very reasonable priced.  It is loaded with tips and shows you how to design and stitch  beautiful ropes and feathers on your quilts.




Don Linn is a quilter, designer, teacher, author and very talented and fun guy.  



His published books include: "Free-Motion Machine Quilting"

"Sophisticated Stitches"

and Design ART DECO Quilts.

Take time to visit Mr. Quilt's website, to learn more about Don, as well as enjoy his online gallery:
http://www.mrquilt.com/

Don has generously donated two copies of his new DVD, "Free-Motion Quilting Simplified", one copy each, for two lucky winners.  


Thank you Don!


To enter to win a copy of his new DVD, public followers simply need to leave a comment on this post.  Two winners will be randomly selected and announced next Friday.  This giveaway is also open to non-US residents.  UPDATE:  This giveaway has been extended thru 9/6 due to schedule conflicts with the FMQ Challenge.  I'll announce a winner on the 7th of September.

I want to thank a "Postage Angel" for helping with the giveaway this week, by donating funds for postage.  Thank you Danielle Hudson, you are a wonderful postage Angel.


I'm also happy to announce the winners of last weeks' Fun Friday, sponsored by Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio.  The winners are:

 Becky Greene won a copy of Feathered Christmas pattern
Diane won a copy of Feather Fancy pattern

 

Both the Feathered Christmas and Feather Fancy patterns can be purchased  from Cherry Blossoms Shop.