Best way to hold a rotary cutting ruler

I have carpal tunnel and arthritis and often have trouble using my hands. An internet friend tried to explain the best way to hold my ruler and fabric so there was less slippage. She explained that I need to have my fingers on the ruler and the base of my palm on my fabric. So I sent her this photo to see if that was the way to do it. She said that it was. 

Great! Except that there are days that my hand won't be able to do that. So I will need to get a handle for my ruler and some non-slip dots to help me on those days. So if you want to keep your fabric from slipping and you have no problems with you hands, just keep your fingers on the ruler and the palm of your hand on the fabric. Be careful and do not cut your fingers. Safety gloves may be a necessity in the future. 

Scrap fabric into blocks

This is what I do with my scraps if I have no other plans for them. I make blocks to use in other projects. This is a 6 1/2 block. I drew the original pattern on a sheet of graph paper. Then added a stack of paper under it, used clips to secure them, and sewed along all the lines so that I had paper foundation for piecing. 

Each paper piece block tends to be a little different. I have been making simple string quilts. This one above incorporated some bigger pieces that I wanted to use. I also made a crazy zig-zag pattern that I could incorporate odd and smaller sizes of fabric. 

So far, I have been making pet quilts. I donate them to the local no kill pet shelter for the animals. I decided that if I was going to throw some of the fabric away, because the pieces were too small to use in one of my other projects, why not donate to a cause that I care about. 

I also think that as I make more and more blocks, I may make table scarves, place mats, tea cozies, totes, and purses. The ideas are endless and I wanted to share how those scraps could be used to make some fun items. 

(Just a note to any who have read that my cats help me sew. As soon as I finished taking this photo, one of my black cats decided to lay on the 6 1/2 block that is picture above. Yes he is too big, but he doesn't seem to care.)

Quilt sizes

This is a very short post. I wanted to share the quilt sizes that I found on another web site and yes, I have the address in it as well.

Please read the blog if you need more information. I only included the measurements below.



http://bcquilter.wordpress.com/quilting-information/common-quilt-sizes/

PLACEMATS - 11″-12″ wide by 15″-18″ length or 29cm – 31cm by 38cm – 46cm
MINIATURE – less than 36″ square or 91 cm square
TABLE TOPPER or RUNNER - decorate your table with a table topper or a table runner. Depending on the size and shape of your table, you can determine the dimensions you require.
  • Square table topper: 36” X 36” or 91cm x 91 cm. Turn the quilt so the corners are pointing to the sides of the table. The table topper can be placed on any table.
  • Table Runner: 12″-18” x 40″-72” or 31cm-46cm x 102cm-183cm. Make a table runner to lay down the centre of a dining table. Lengthen the table runner for longer tables.
WALLHANGING – any size can qualify for a wallhanging. Be sure to measure the space you want to hang, to be sure it fits. Another thing to consider, the larger the quilt, the heavier it will be, requiring extra support.
BABY – between 36″ X 36″ and 52″ X 52″ or 91cm x 91cm and 132cm x 132cm. This size can depend on whether the quilt will be used in a crib.
CRIB – between 30″x 46″ and 36″ x 50″ or 76cm x 117cm and 91cm x 127cm. If you are making this sized quilt as a gift, see if you can get the measurements… each manufacturer has their own sizes… and crib mattresses are different sizes too.
COT – between 58″ x 90″ and 72″ x 108″ or 147cm x 229cm and 183cm x 274cm.
TODDLER – 46″ x 70″ or 117cm x 178cm for a quilt. A toddler bed most often uses a crib mattress, however not always, so it is best to measure first.
BUNK – between 66″ x 89″ and 74″ x 103″ or 168cm x 226cm and 188cm x 262cm .
WHEELCHAIR LAP QUILT – 36″ x 36″ to 38″ x 47″ or 91cm x 91cm to 97cm x 119cm – adding ties is sometimes a good idea, so they don’t slip off.
LAP – between 52″ – 68″ or 132cm x 173cm wide and the length can be from about 52″ – 78″ or 132cm x 198cm. Although a lap quilt can be any size. A quilt that a child will want to bring along could be as small as 36″x36″ or 91cm x 91cm. A lap quilt that is 42″x 60″ 107cm x 152cm is great for cuddling up on the couch with.
TWIN – between 64″ – 72″ or  163cm x 183cm wide and the length can be from about 86″ – 96″ or 218cm x 244cm.
FULL – between 70″ – 88″ or 178cm x 224cm wide and the length can be from about 88″ – 100″  or 224cm x 254cm.
QUEEN – between 88″ – 99″ or 224cm x 251cm wide and the length can be from about 94″ – 108″ or 239cm x 274cm.
QUEEN WATERBED – 76″ x 104″ or 193cm x 264cm.
KING – between 94″ – 108″ or 239cm x 274cm wide and the length can be from about the same, 94″ – 108″ or 239cm x 274cm.
CALIFORNIA KING – between 98″ x 100″ or 249cm x 254cm and 114″ x 117″ or 290cm x 297cm.
KING WATERBED – 88″ x 94″ or 224cm x 239cm.

My friend's first block!

Here is my friend's first block. I am unsure what it is called. We saw one like it on Pinterest and she liked the look of it. So that is what she made.

Some might think that it is too complicated for a first block, but I wanted to use her enthusiasm to motivate her. Also, I think that she will decide that other blocks don't look that intimidating in the future. 

One of my first blocks was an attic window. It was a very long time before I realized that "Y" seams were supposed to be difficult. I still have no problems making those type of seams. Unfortunately, I had heard how difficult curves were and I still have not even tried them. So I am hoping that my friend just enjoys the process of quilting and that her enjoyment of the craft encourages her to continue to try new blocks without that intimidation factor. 

My dear friend is learning to quilt!

This is my dearest friend. She bought a top of the line machine and asked me to teach her to quilt. Here she is beginning her project. 

She is going to make a reversible quilt and she is going to use the quilt-as-you-go method. One side will be an autumn theme and the other side will be a winter theme. 

I am having a great deal of fun and I look forward to doing a lot of sewing and crafting with her. I hope that she enjoys this as much as I do.