Quilt Information

Sewing with Oil Cloth (Class taught by Terri Anderson)
 Disappearing Nine Patch
Blogging the Process: My 3x6 Bee Blocks
Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern

Sewing with Oil Cloth (Class taught by Donna Clayson)

Material:
www.hartsfabric.com/oilcloth-fabric-floral
www.etsy.com/shop/oilclothaddict
http://www.fabrics.com/
Oil Cloth Tutorials:
http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/10/oilcloth-tote-tutorial.html
http://www.danamadeit.com/2011/09/tutorial-oilcloth-clutch.html
http://thecalicohouse.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-sew-on-laminated-fabric.html
http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/one_shabby_chick/2011/09/oilcloth-box-bag.html
http://www.oilclothalley.com/

Pillow Talk (Class taught by Deslyn Mecham and LeAnn Price)

·  Make 3 pillow forms with one body pillow: http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2010/06/make-your-own-pillow-forms.html
·   T-shirt Pillows: http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Project-Gallery/Sewing-and-Quilting/T-Shirt-Rag-Quilt-Pillow
·   Vintage Sheet Blog: http://vintagesheets.blogspot.com/ search "pillow"
·   Floor Cushion (use excess batt): http://www.livingwithpunks.com/2010/05/tutorial-land-of-nod-inspired-floor.html
·   Size Secret: Make ‘case’ 1” smaller than the pillow form.  If you have an 18” pillow form, cut materials 17”
·   How to make an envelope backing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhZnHhbcN-Q
·   Zipper in a pillow: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2011/03/how-to-sew-zipper-pillow.html
·   Piping: http://www.designsponge.com/2010/06/sewing-101-piping.html
·   Spider web pillow: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/04/spiderweb-blog-sew-along/
·   Balentine pillow: http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2012/01/valentine-throw-pillow-tutorial.html 
·   Felt Circles: http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/12/felt-circle-pillow-tutorial.html
·   Zig Zag Pillow: http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2010/08/creative-guest-zig-zag-pillow-by-make.html Use size 12 Precensia Fince Perle cotton thread, regular machine needle 80/12)
·   Dahlia Felt Pillow: http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2008/09/petal-pillow-tutorial.html 
·   Sprocket Pillow: http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/03/tutorial-sprocket-pillows.html
·   The ones that got away:
      o Cool flowers: http://treyandlucy.blogspot.com/2010/11/ask-and-ye-shall-receive.html   

      o Sweet on a bed- Felt birdies: http://www.etsy.com/listing/65429625/birds-linen-pillow-cover-14x14 
      o Jane Austen Pillow: http://mama-says-sew.blogspot.com/2011/02/jane-austen-pillow-tutorial.html 
      o More inspiration than you’ll ever need: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1197421@N20

"Last night I dreamt I ate a ten pound marshmallow.  When I woke up the pillow was gone!"

 Through the lens, one piece at a time... (Class taught by Tyra Andrews)

No matter how BEAUTIFUL your quilt is in "real" life, a bad photo may ruin your quilt's essence.

Lighting: More than anything else, lighting can make your quilts look good or bad when you photography them.  I use indirect sunlight, "natural" light.  Avoid direct sunlight; it will bleach/wash out the colors.  Look for a room that has a lot of natural light from big windows or doors or venture outdoors.  LIGHT makes all the difference.  Make sure the light is not shining directly onto your quilt, look for shade outdoors.  If you want to bring out the texture of the quilting you need some side light.  But, this also brings out irregularities in the quilt.  I've found quilters prefer flat lighted photos, so if we are looking for perfection, don't use side lighting except for close-up/detail shots.

Backgrounds (Indoor): Blank/solid backdrop- A blank wall in your home that is well lit, or you can make your own.  How to make your own backdrop: a Buy a 4'x8' sheet of thick foam insulation board (approximately $10) at Home Depot, and cover it with felt, flannel, or inexpensive muslin.  You might not even need the board to remain that large if your work tends to be much smaller, if so, cut it down with a serrated knife.  Also, a small to medium sized quilt can be attached to a large piece of artist's foamcore or matboard, but this tends to be a little pricier. You'll want a piece of foam larger than any of your quilts.  It can be slid underneath a bed or hidden in the guest room when not in use.  Quilts can easily be pinned to these Styrofoam boards from behind the quilt by going through the backing or binding in order to hide the pins... or you can stick the pins straight into the board through the front of the quilt.  You may need to pin all of the corners of the quilt in order to have it hang flat if it doesn't already.  If you have a nice bed, in a well lit room, this can become a great backdrop for your quilt.  Simply fold and lay your quilt at the foot of the bed or over the headboard or footboard.  You could also fold and hang your quilt over the back of a couch or chair.

Backgrounds (Outdoor): Fence, chair, brick on house, tree branch, porch swing, clothes line, grassy area, old shed, barn, field of wheat or flowers, bridge rails, etc.

Creativity: Now, lets get creative!  Sometimes the "out of the norm" picture gets the attention of the viewer more so than the traditional set up.  this can make a lasting impression on them, or even evoke emotions and bring back fond memories.
Tips: Keep the angles interesting.  Take shots of your projects from high, low, corners, etc.  When you are outdoors, look for movement, like wind, and capture that in your shot.  Children are MY MOST FAVORITE subject in a photograph.  They can enhance the image with their innocence.  Try setting up a shot with them using the quilt, if that's what it is intended for.  A baby laying on a quilt, their toes sticking out, a child playing peek-a-boo from underneath a quilt... use your imagination!

Tyra Andrews Photography

 My favorite quick donation quilt (Class taught by Dawn Ramirez)

Donation Quilt
Mary Johnson's Quilts
Heart Stings Quilt Project

The Tuesday Quilt Club

A quilting blog that shares the joy of quilting.