Border Quilt Blogger Interview with Vicki

For the weeks leading up to the Quilt Along, which now starts September 12, there will be a quilty interview with bloggers participating in the quilt along. The quilter and the photographer of the Enchanted Forest version will be interviewed as well. You can look for a new interview every Monday and Thursday now until September 10th. Find all the information for the quilt along HERE.

So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine depending on the time of day in your area and lets get to know Vicki of My Creative Corner3.

PBJ:  Name and business name?

Vicki: Vicki Holloway of My Creative Corner3

PBJ: What name would you give yourself in the quilting world? Designer, teacher, quilter, tester, etc?

Vicki: I would call myself a quilter, teacher and podcaster . I am learning about design and pattern writing. 

See Vicki's Arrows Quilt at Moda Bakeshop.

Teachers: What classes do you teach?

Vicki: Everything from beginning quilting to improv

Testers: What do you do with all of the blocks/quilts that you make? 

Vicki: I have done block testing and I save them up and make samplers.

Quilters: Longarm, domestic machine, computerized, manual?

Vicki: Long arm , my fingers don’t like to hand quilt anymore but I loved doing it!

Vicki: I have a podcast that I post weekly. I talk about quilting, creativity , and life in a northern town. I do twice monthly podcasts that are quilt related and twice a month my sister and I talk about all the crafts, gardens and things we are making. 

PBJ: Who taught you/ or inspired you to learn to quilt?

Vicki: The quilts and blocks that my grandmother had that had been handed down to her have been a  huge inspiration. I met a woman that was my grandmothers age in one of my college classes and she was sharing a paper she wrote about quilting. I asked her all about it and then she gave me a few lessons on her Bernina! I took a hand piecing and quilting class after that, wow that was a long time ago. The rest was just reading up on skills, videos and practice!

PBJ: What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

Vicki: I love the long arm quilting part best and I am all about free motion quilting.

PBJ: What is your least favorite part?

Vicki: Binding,  I am not great at it.

PBJ: What is your favorite quilty tool?

Vicki: I love using a rotary cutter and a rotating mat. I have a few special rulers but I always go back to my creative grids ruler that is 2.5 in x 18.5 inches.

Vicki's fabric pull for The Border Quilt Quilt Along

PBJ: What is your favorite color? Do you use it in your quilts? If not, what color do you find yourself using a lot? Why do you use that color the most?

Vicki: Green! I do use green a lot in my quilts. I also love to use lime, aqua and teals too. I think of green as my neutral! I have always loved my birthstone which is an emerald and the color is lovely. It reminds me of nature and growing things.

PBJ: When sewing, do you watch T.V. / movies, listen to music, have it quiet?

Vicki: I like it quiet or have meditation type of music on. I also like to listen to quilt podcasts. I get easily distracted and overwhelmed by too much noise.

PBJ: How much time do you spend quilting a day?

Vicki: I spend about 3 to 4 hours a day quilting before my day job and after work is done. 

PBJ: If you had to choose between quilting cotton, batiks or flannels to sew with *for the rest of your life* which would you choose?Why?

Vicki: I love quilting cottons! I love all the variety of colors and patterns but I especially love solid color fabrics.

PBJ: You are taking a quilting cruise, who’s your teacher?

Vicki: Angela Walters , I would love to have lessons on free motion quilting from her.

PBJ: Does your sewing machine have a name?

Vicki: No I don’t name my machines. I tried but it didn’t stick at all.

PBJ:   Does your seam ripper have a name?

Vicki: No

PBJ: When was the last time you changed your needle?

Vicki: A month ago. Wow a long time, I should change it!

PBJ: We have a big quilt along coming up. What is your advice to any quilter new to the quilt along world?

Vicki: Enjoy the process. Learning is always part of quilting and that is a good thing! I always take my time and I sew quilts in 15 to 30 minute increments, one block at a time.

Blog:

www.mycreativecorner3.wordpress.com

Podcast:

https://mycreativecorner3.wordpress.com/the-podcast/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/vickihollowayquilting/

Instagram:

Vicki Holloway Quilting

Interview Schedule

July 27 - Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

July 30 - Vicki - My Creative Corner3

Aug 2 - Becca - Pretty Piney

Aug 6 - Kate - Seams Like A Dream

Aug 9 - Terri - Lizard Creek Quilting

Aug 13 - Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

Aug 16 - Marija - Mara Quilt Designs

Aug 20 - Alison - Little Bunny Quilts

Aug 23 - Stephanie - Quilt'n' Party

Aug 27 - Daphne - Daphne Greig

Aug 30 - Tara - The Quilt District

Sept 6 - Tracy (quilter) - Fabrics Plus

Sept 10 - Kelly (photographer) - Handmade Boy

Sept 12 - Quilt along begins!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Vicki. If you have any questions for her, please put them in the comments, with an email address if your settings are set for no reply, and I will make sure she sees them. I hope you follow her and give her some quilty love!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

Border Quilt Blogger Interview with Nancy

The Quilt Along may be delayed, but we've got you covered!

For the weeks leading up to the Quilt Along, which now starts September 12, there will be a quilty interview with bloggers participating in the quilt along. The quilter and the photographer of the Enchanted Forest version will be interviewed as well. You can look for a new interview every Monday and Thursday now until September 10th. Find all the information for the quilt along HERE.

So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine depending on the time of day in your area and lets get to know Nancy of Masterpiece Quilting.

PBJ:  Name and business name

Nancy: Nancy Scott Masterpiece Quilting LLC

PBJ: What name would you give yourself in the quilting world? Designer, teacher, quilter, tester, etc

Nancy: Designer, Author, Online Class instructor

PBJ: Designers: Do you have any new patterns/books/fabrics coming out this year that you can share about? Teachers: What classes do you teach?

Nancy: New Book: The Simple Sampler 

I'm one of the quilting and sewing instructors for Annie's Creative Studio (please note this is an affiliate link for Nancy) which is a subscription based online video streaming service.

Latest Online Class: Learn to Make a Stack and Cut Quilt.

PBJ: Who taught you/ or inspired you to learn to quilt?

Nancy: I learned to quilt from my Grandma Scott. Like many farm wives of the era, she was an amazing cook, baker, quilter, sewist and crocheter. 

Nancy and Grandma Scott in matching Easter dresses that Grandma made. How adorable is that?!

PBJ: What is your favorite part of the quilting process

Nancy: The start - the plotting, the designing, the fabric selection. I'm a horrible finisher and I have to force myself to finish something before I start something new.

PBJ: What is your least favorite part?

Nancy: When I make mistakes or something doesn't come out as planned.

PBJ: What is your favorite quilty tool?

Nancy: This is another hard one... Since I learned to quilt with templates (in the age before rotary cutters, cutting grids and mats) I would say those 3 are my favorite tools.

PBJ: What is your favorite color? Do you use it in your quilts? If not, what color do you find yourself using a lot? Why do you use that color the most?

Nancy: Purple is my favorite color but I don't use it that much in quilts. I'm a brights person paired with a neutral background. But I have a contemporary side too - as I love black, red and white quilts.

PBJ: When sewing, do you watch T.V. / movies, listen to music, have it quiet?

Nancy: Music - radio or CD or quiet.

PBJ: How much time do you spend quilting a day?

Nancy: I spend on average 10 -12 hours a day on my business. Less than half of that is at a sewing machine or actually making a quilt.

PBJ: If you had to choose between quilting cotton, batiks or flannels to sew with *for the rest of your life* which would you choose? Why?

Nancy: Cotton. There is more diversity with cottons.

Go to Nancy's blog post and help her choose which panel to use for the Quilt Along.

PBJ: You are taking a quilting cruise, who’s your teacher?

Nancy: This is a tough one... There are several instructors who I admire. Ricky Tims, Gwen Marston, Eleanor Burns

PBJ: Does your sewing machine have a name?

Nancy: My new sewing machine is a Brother and since I'm an only child - I call it "My Brother" .... yes, dry humor is my family's specialty :)

PBJ:   Does your seam ripper have a name?

Nancy: Yes, Jacques - the French pronunciation of Jack ... aka Jack the Ripper. Saying it with a French accent makes the task seem more appealing :) Again - the dry humor :)

PBJ: When was the last time you changed your needle?

Nancy: Last week - after I broke a needle. OOPS !

PBJ: We have a big quilt along coming up. What is your advice to any quilter new to the quilt along world?

Nancy: Don't stress out if you can't keep up and don't compare yourself to other quilters. If you know your sewing schedule won't match the QAL schedule, at least try to make one unit in each border when it's posted so you can keep learning but then feel free to finish each section at your own speed.

Make sure you follow Nancy on social media:

Blog:

www.masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/MasterpieceQ

Instagram:

@Masterpiecequilting

Interview Schedule

July 27 - Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

July 30 - Vicki - My Creative Corner3

Aug 2 - Becca - Pretty Piney

Aug 6 - Kate - Seams Like A Dream

Aug 9 - Terri - Lizard Creek Quilting

Aug 13 - Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

Aug 16 - Marija - Mara Quilt Designs

Aug 20 - Alison - Little Bunny Quilts

Aug 23 - Stephanie - Quilt'n' Party

Aug 27 - Daphne - Daphne Greig

Aug 30 - Tara - The Quilt District

Sept 6 - Tracy (quilter) - Fabrics Plus

Sept 10 - Kelly (photographer) - Handmade Boy

Sept 12 - Quilt along begins!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Nancy. If you have any questions for her, please put them in the comments, with an email address if your settings are set for no reply, and I will make sure she sees them. I hope you follow her and give her some quilty love!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

July Color Challenge Link Up

It's time to link up your July Yellow-Green!

How did you do? Was Yellow-green hard to find? Hard to work with? Were you surprised to find some in your stash?

Which block did you use? Patterns By Jen, Dizzy Quilter, Powered By Quilting, Clever Chameleon Quilting or your own something?

If you made something yellow-green *this* month you can link up through July 31st for a chance to win a fat eighth bundle of Morning Sunshine fabrics from Island Batik. 

If you are having trouble linking up read this post. If you are still having trouble please email me directly; patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com and I will happily get you added.

***PLEASE NOTE*** I will be headed out of town the 27th - 31st and may not be able to get anyone added.

Grand Prize

Don't forget, for each month you enter the Link Up, you are also entered for the grand prize at the end of the year:

Jen at Dizzy Quilter is providing the grand prize! 

The generous prize provided is your top quilted by her (up to 90" x 90"),  a $202.50 value!

You must provide the backing, 8" longer than width and length. Batting can be purchased from Jen, for $20, if you like.

Return shipping is included for US residents only.
**Please note, the quilt will not be trimmed or bound, those services are extra**

Good luck and Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along - Interview Schedule

Are you bummed about the delayed start?

I've got you covered. There are 11 bloggers who are planning on joining in the quilt along. They are sewing and writing posts right now and are as excited as you are to get going.  While we wait for September 12, the new start date, we are going to get to know those bloggers a little bit better.

We will also get to know the longarm quilter and photographer behind my version of The Border Quilt using the fabulous Enchanted Forest fabrics from Northcott.

**Please remember if you are using flannel: do NOT prewash your fabrics unless you have bought extra.**

Our first interview will be Friday, July 26th and we will continue with an interview every Monday and Thursday until the quilt along begins.

Interview Schedule

July 27 - Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

July 30 - Vicki - My Creative Corner3

Aug 2 - Becca - Pretty Piney

Aug 6 - Kate - Seams Like A Dream

Aug 9 - Terri - Lizard Creek Quilting

Aug 13 - Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

Aug 16 - Marija - Mara Quilt Designs

Aug 20 - Alison - Little Bunny Quilts

Aug 23 - Stephanie - Quilt'n' Party

Aug 27 - Daphne - Daphne Greig

Aug 30 - Tara - The Quilt District

Sept 6 - Tracy (quilter) - Fabrics Plus

Sept 10 - Kelly (photographer) - Handmade Boy

Sept 12 - Quilt along begins!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

Start of The Border Quilt Quilt Along

It's arrived! The Border Quilt Quilt Along is here!

Well, kind of. We have a change in our start date. Due to a delay in the shipping of Enchanted Forest to quilt shops we are moving our start date to September 12. If you are planning on using the fabric for the quilt along, you don't have to worry about starting out behind because you have to wait for your fabrics. Below is the new schedule:

July 18 - Intro post

Sept 12 - Making the center (both center options will be included in this post)

Sept 26 - Checker border with two background borders

Oct 10 - Star blocks with a background border

Oct 24 - Friendship stars with a background border

Nov 7 - Pinwheels with a background border

Nov 21 - Flying Geese

Dec 5 - Finishing touches

Supplies

, 

First grab your pattern.

Printed: The Border Quilt

Etsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Craftsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Payhip Digital: The Border Quilt

Fabrics:

For the quilt along I used Enchanted Forest from Northcott Fabrics. This fabric is shipping to stores soon and you should be able to get yours before we start Week 1. It's a very soft flannel with soft colors and perfect for snuggling under once winter shows up.

Not feeling this fabric? Feel free to choose your own fabrics. Scrappy lover? Go for it. Need a quilt for a baby? Make the smallest version and finish early. Headed into summer and not winter? Grab some pretty quilting cottons. This quilt is easy to make yours and I hope you do.

***Please note***

If you are using flannel, do *not* pre-wash. As long as you are using all flannel it will all shrink together once it's quilted and bound. If you feel strongly about pre-washing you will want to order extra fabric, flannel shrinks enough to make the fabric requirements a little bit tight.

Grab a fabric organizer HERE.

A spot of glue is all you need and you are set to go. This one is laid out for Enchanted Forest Line, but you can easily make it yours after you print it.


Supplies:

Basic quilting supplies are needed.

Self healing cutting mat and rotary cutter:
Change that blade, a nice sharp blade will make this quilt along fun.

Rulers:

My two favorite sizes are the 24" x 6 1/2" and 6 1/2" square

I also used two rulers from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design, the Tucker Trimmer and the Wing Clipper, both available in my Etsy shop. They are not needed, but these are the two rulers I always use for Half Square Triangles and Flying Geese.

Hint: Pick up some clear medical tape to put on Deb Tucker's rulers to keep the rulers from slipping.

Starch:

I have an order for a gallon of this stuff coming. Do you think I have a problem?

Flannel is stretchy, using a starch will help stabilize it a bit. There are different solutions to choose from, many mix up their own. I like Best Press for a couple of reasons.

1) I don't want to mess with mixing my own. I stay out of the kitchen because I'm not very good at baking, I'm not messing with trying to mix up a good starch. Ha!

2) Time. Every little bit of time is spoken for so using something I know works is necessary.

Marking utensils:

I used my Frixion pen, because I know I'm cutting on the lines drawn. Mechanical pencils are my next favorite, they just don't work quite as well on flannel.

Thread and bobbins:

I like to piece with a grey thread, polyester or cotton works. You'll need about 3 large (547 yards of thread) spools of thread. I used just over one spool to fill 12 bobbins and used all of them for this top.

Sewing machine and needles:

Before we start piecing give your machine a good cleaning. You can find maintenance tips HERE. If you are using flannel fabrics you are going to be cleaning your machine often. I'll give you a remeinder after each border, and you will want to do it then. It's amazing the amount of fuzz and lint that builds up when using flannel, and how it can effect your sewing.

Change your needle and we'll be ready to start.

We will start the first border September 12th. *Note the new date!* Until then gather your supplies, pick your pretty fabrics and get ready to put together a beautiful quilt. Share your fabric pulls on social media and don't forget to use #patternsbyjen  #theborderquiltquiltalong (and/or #tbqqa for short) so I can share in the excitement and beautiful fabrics.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.