TQS/AAQI Challenge 2012

[Aileen47]

Nice. I like it. It would make a great kitchen quilt.

Clara

[Reetzbobeetz]

Aileen, your quilt is sooo cute. I have it in my head to do one a month too but I am not sure if I will be able to keep up. Something to aspire towards though.

[rehak]

Aileen -

I think your thread painting is wonderful! I haven't tried it yet, but I can't imagine I could do anything nearly as nice! That is so great that you are putting aside so much time for making these quilts. Very generous!

Nancy

[rehak]

Aileen, I agree, nice job on the thread painting and the birdie is too cute!

There is a Quilt A Month club on the AAQI website, that you can join if you'd like some motivation.
http://www.alzquilts.org/qu.html

Kathy Kennedy Dennis posts ideas every month that you can use or not use, and there is the option to buy a quilt instead of make one if you are running short of time to get one made. If you get to 6 months, you get a personal phone chat with a charismatic, imaginative, seriously funny quilt teacher. Guess who?

[Aileen47]

I belong to the Quilt A Month Club. I have also purchased 3 quilts. My goal was to make it to 12 quilts. One full year and then set the next goal. With this goal I also wanted to try techniques that I have purchased books for but have not done because I didn't want to commit to an entire quilt if I found I didn't like the process. AAQI Priority gives me the opportunity to get creative in a small scale. I want to expand my skills.
Yes, I have gotten a call from Ami Sims. It is on my voice mail. I keep saving it over and over. It is very inspirational. I was just sorry that I was working and could not answer my personal phone when she called! Maybe next time! :lol:

Come and join me in the Quilt a Month Club!!!

Aileen

[Aileen47]

You are exactly right, Aileen! These small pieces are perfect for experimenting! If it goes wrong, salvage what you can and maybe make a postcard . . .

[Aileen47]

I belong to the Quilt A Month Club. I have also purchased 3 quilts. My goal was to make it to 12 quilts. One full year and then set the next goal. With this goal I also wanted to try techniques that I have purchased books for but have not done because I didn't want to commit to an entire quilt if I found I didn't like the process. AAQI Priority gives me the opportunity to get creative in a small scale. I want to expand my skills.
Yes, I have gotten a call from Ami Sims. It is on my voice mail. I keep saving it over and over. It is very inspirational. I was just sorry that I was working and could not answer my personal phone when she called! Maybe next time! :lol:

Come and join me in the Quilt a Month Club!!!

Aileen

With the way you are going, she will be calling you again for sure. I admire your commitment. I too am going to be trying a few new techniques on mine and even pushing another one that I am comfortable with.

Clara

[Reetzbobeetz]

I sent off my February quilt this morning. It's number 9453. I will post a photo in Show and Tell.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Here is the latest update.
Quilters buying/winning quilts $170
Quilters created quilts 9 registered
Quilts registered: 9265, 9266, 9267, 9298, 9371, 9408, 9452, 9453, 9464
Number of quilters signed up in almost a month 19

We are on our way!
Quilters, please post pictures of your quilts on the forum and show and tell section so that we can see. We love seeing quilts too!
Clara

[Reetzbobeetz]

My question is for dianedidit.

(Of course, anyone else can answer too.) I am working on binding 5 AAQI quilts. Most of mine have a definite top and bottom to it. Do, I need to put the fast triangles on all 4 corners? Does it help, having the extra triangles for labeling?

I thought many others might have this same question.

Thanks. Clara

[Reetzbobeetz]

Clara, I just did the fast finish triangles in two corners. It is handy for putting your name and the name of your quilt on but you will still need to put the number in the bottom right hand corner with a pigma pen. So in a way it's easier to have a light coloured backing on the quilts. Hope that helps.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Yes. That helps a lot and makes sense. I've never turned one in before, just bought them as gifts.

Thanks. Clara

[Reetzbobeetz]

My question is for dianedidit.

(Of course, anyone else can answer too.) I am working on binding 5 AAQI quilts. Most of mine have a definite top and bottom to it. Do, I need to put the fast triangles on all 4 corners? Does it help, having the extra triangles for labeling?

I thought many others might have this same question.

Thanks. Clara

Nope, top two will do just fine. Ami started out recommending all 4 corners, thinking that the bottom one would help the piece hang straight, but over the years, we've decided that really isn't necessary, as the pieces are so small.

As far as the back of the quilt goes, I usually make a label with the name of the quilt and contact info, along with the quilt number. I just use fusible and iron it on. I find that easier than picking a solid light color backing every time.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Finishing is an important step on any quilt, but especially on these small wonders. It's very important to make sure your piece is perfectly squared up and that it's at least a smidgen smaller than 12" on the longest side and 9" on the short side. If you add binding that can add up to a quarter inch in overall size. Of course, you don't have to use traditional binding. I do lots of mine with a satin stitch. I just learned how to do a rat tail binding from Carol Ann Waugh and the March issue of American Quilter had an article on corded edge finishing by Kathie Kerler. Sometimes binding can overwhelm or even detract from a smaller quilt. You can either write the information on the back with pigma or even sharpie (if you're careful) or you can fuse or sew on a label. I make mine small (3"x2") and usually create them in Paint Shop, but you can even write the info on a label if the backing is too dark.

I do have favor to ask. Please make sure your quilts are under the 9x12 requirement? I'm the one who has to send them back to you if they're too big and that is heartbreaking!! We just have to have rules when dealing with thousands of quilts and hundreds of quilt-makers and if you keep allowing exceptions the rules become useless.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Clara, I just got my two assignment numbers, they are #9265 and #9266. They will go off in the post on Monday. Rita.

Rita, I just realized that your quilts must be here already and I didn't recognize them because of the screen names here. Yours are fabulous! Very well made and definitely lovely and will sell easily. I'm sorry I'm so far behind on my scanning that I can't get them up for sale before Valentine's, but those are good for any loved one any day of the year. A+++++!