Cherry House Quilts

Quilt Batting Giveaway!!! UPDATE INFORMATION

 
City Green from City Quilts

A quilt batting giveaway...could you ask for more? Okay, how about 12 crib size quilt batts...even better right? I'm here to shout from the roof tops how much I LOVE HOBBS FUSIBLE BATTING!!! There are many reasons to love it, and many reasons I use it, but I want you to use it to, I want to you bug the heck out of your LQS, and say "give us the fusible!!!"

Reasons I use it?

• I detest safety pinning a huge quilt
• I'm not a fan of the spray for batting - makes the needle gunky (real word?)
• If I do safety pin, I can NEVER get the back flat, without it puckering
• It works...I swear to you, it works!
• If I quilt it, I use it! All of the quilts from City Quilts that I quilted use Hobbs Fusible!

I believe so much in Hobbs products that I emailed them, and said I wanted to share the fusible love, and how about giving away some batting...kind folks that they are said 'you bet!'. 

Here's a little more info from Hobbs: Heirloom® 80/20 Fusible Cotton Blend

Heirloom® Fusible is an iron on batting which is fusible on both sides. Our Fusible 80/20 is made the same way as our Premium 80/20, except we use a fusible resin in the spray bonding process. This resin eliminates the need for pinning or basting, saving quilters’ time and effort. Simply press your quilt from the center to the outer edges. Make sure you keep your iron moving, pressing approximately 3-4 seconds in each area. Once you have covered the entire surface area of your quilt, allow the quilt to cool. You may then begin quilting by hand or machine. Shrinkage of 3-5% and may be quilted up to 4” apart.

Something else that I love...it's made in Texas! There is even a brand now for made in Texas, check it out.

UPDATE: SOME INFO & ANSWERS

• Yes, the fusible washes right away the first time the quilt is laundered, no residue
• Lots of where to purchase questions...I know this product is available @ Hobby Lobby Stores; otherwise your best bet is to google Hobbs Fusible Batting. I did see many online quilt stores that sold the product, if all else fails, have it shipped to you!
• Also, in honor supporting your local quilt stores - request that they carry this fusible batting on hand...let's support our home teams ♥
• Now, I'm not being unkind...but I've about some other brands of fusible batting, and what I heard was less than positive. I've never tried the other brands myself, this is the only brand I swear by.
• Any other questions? If so, leave them in the comments, and I'll answer you here.

So here's the contest...leave me a nice comment, and on 3/31/11 I'll pick 12 lucky winners, forward your names to Hobbs who will ship you a lovely crib size roll of fusible batting...pretty sweet, right! Be sure and check back to see if you've won!

xoxo,

Cherri

The Quilter's Bible - A Review

Recently I was contacted, and offered a copy of The Quilter's Bible to review...I've never been so glad to have said YES to an offer!

What an incredible book this is, so helpful, full of great illustrations, and directions. The book is so comprehensive, covering it seems, every aspect of creating a quilt from start to finish.

There is an endless supply of

• Projects
• Techniques
• Color photos
• Step by Step instructions
• Examples

I'm a firm believer in a having a well stocked reference library, and in my opinion, this book should be a part of that library! I've been quilting forever it seems, but there are some techniques that I don't use frequently, so having The Quilter's Bible on hand is going to be a great resource. Whether you've been quilting for years, or are a brand new baby quilter - this will definitely be your "go to" book, when you are looking for answers.

When you look through this book, you will realize what a labor of love it was to create a work so complete...thank you Linda!

xoxo,

Cherri

CHQ QAL - Binding the quilt (3 weeks late)

Hello my friends!

So sorry for getting off track with the quilt along. There is definitely something wrong with my head, I've had these incredible headaches going on for four weeks - ridiculous! I've had tests, I'm changing my diet-giving up diet coke :-(, now to await the results. I know Julie was so sweet to share her binding tutorial, and many of you are finished with your quilts already - awesome work by way! I thought I would share some of my thoughts on binding, what I do, and what works for me.

First of all, I like a really really narrow binding - I cut all my binding 2" wide. Does anyone else cut it this narrow? The biggest reason is that I like the look, it looks like a thin frame to me. A second reason is that I often do not add a border, so using a narrow binding, attached with the 1/4 presser foot doesn't take away anything from the outer blocks - nothing gets cut off. Otherwise, I think I bind like the rest of the quilting world, nothing exceptional there. What is different (I believe) is how I join my ends, I will share that with you!

 
I've tried every trick under the sun for joining my binding ends, I wasn't happy with any of them. I bought the Fons & Porter tool but my dyslexic brain couldn't wrap around how to overlap the end pieces - not to save my life could I get it. If it works for you, more power to you, but in desperation I came up with my own method. I hope this makes sense!

1. When starting your binding, begin to attach the binding to the quilt near a center on any side - it doesn't matter which side, leave an approximate 8" tail.
2. Sew all the way around, as usual
3. When you get back to the beginning, stop sewing about 7" from where you began, leave another approximate 8" tail.
4. Cut all the necessary threads
5. Move your quilt from your sewing machine to your ironing surface
6. Lay the unfinished binding area flat on your ironing surface
7. Bring the beginning and end strips together
8. Fold them back on themselves, so they are touching...see photo
9.  
10. Press hard, hard, hard...you really need to be able to see the creases
11.  
    Move the quilt back to your work surface
12. Open up the creased binding from the beginning and end tails
13. With right sides together, line up the creases from both tails, and place a pin in to secure
14.  
    Carefully place the strips under your presser foot, and stitch the length of the crease. Reinforce at the beginning and end of the strip.
15.  
    Trim 1/4" from the joined seam
16.  
    Press the seam allowance flat or open, your preference
17.  
    Stitch down the remaining binding, and now you are ready to bind!
18.  
    Look how neat that is, no bumps, no bulk, just another seam.
19. FYI - this process is a whole lot easier with a little quilt like this, than something massive; but it doesn't matter, it's the only method I use.
20. Bind away...by hand or machine
21. Add a label

 
Are you a hand or machine binder? I used to bind strictly by hand, until I got in the biz, and there were just too many quilts to be bound. I love hand binding, there is something very soothing about the process, but it isn't a speed sport. It reminds me of nursing a baby, slow down and enjoy the process, no one is going anywhere, very fast.

Thank you again for joining me on this quilt along! I've got a special present for 12 lucky folks...check back on Tuesday, and I'll tell you all about it...tease, I know :-)

If you would like your quilt to be featured in a show & tell, send me images of your quilt to humblequilt at yahoo dot com, and we will take a minute to show everyone what we've been up to. Be sure and send your blog link so folks can come visit you, if you like.

xoxo,

Cherri

P.S. Cool fabric on my ironing board, it's not my ironing cover, it's a project I'm working on, and I was too lazy to find a flat surface to put it on.

CHERRY HOUSE QUILTS - PRESS RELEASE

 

2010 Book of the Year Award Finalists Announced

ForeWord Reviews is pleased to announce the 2010 Book of the Year Awards list of finalists. Representing more than 350 publishers, the finalists were selected from 1400 entries in 56 categories. These books are examples of independent publishing at its finest.

City Quilts is a finalist for the 2010 Book of the Year Awards in the Crafts/Hobbies category.

Turn your love of urban cityscapes into beautiful quilts. In this book, you'll discover the secrets of minimalist design-how to find beauty in the basic elements of your environment. These projects deliver exciting, vivid results with solid color fabrics.

About the Author

Cherri House is a quilt designer and owner of the Cherry House Quilts design company

Publisher: C&T Publishing (June 16, 2010)

ForeWord Reviews' Book of the Year Awards program was established to help publishers shine an additional spotlight on their best titles and bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Award winners are chosen from real librarians and booksellers, who are on the front lines everyday working with patrons and customers.

ForeWord is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books from independent houses.

More About ForeWord Reviews

Since 1998, ForeWord Reviews has been one of the publishing industry’s most respected print magazine and online review service for readers, booksellers, book buyers, publishing insiders, and librarians. ForeWord is published six times a year and each issue reaches an audience of 26,000 librarians and booksellers.

As a review service for small and independent publishers, ForeWord influences the buying decisions of booksellers and librarians across the United States and Canada. In addition to the magazine, ForeWord’s website receives nearly 10,000 unique visitors a month. ForeWord Reviews employs professional freelance reviewers from all over the United States and Canada.

Wow! Isn't this so exciting! Thanks to everyone for loving and supporting City Quilts!

xoxo,

Cherri

Update on Calling All Quilters

Don't you love it when something comes together so perfectly...I do! Saturday I reached out to the Baltimore MQG in regards to the quilts needed for the head start program. Also, a few days before I was contacted by a Natalie, president of the DC MQG offering their assistance with the needs of the program. I am so happy to say that the Baltimore MQG, along with the help of their DC neighbor is taking over this effort, and will be running the show from their part of the world. Heather, the B'more MQG prez and my Melissa are getting together, going to the center to do an inventory of the boy/girl quilts received to determine what is still required. We still need lots of quilts, but now we will have someone there to be hands-on and let us know more accurately what they need.  Also, the B'more MQG has graciously offered to adopt the head start program as their guilds official charity ♥♥♥ If there are any modernish, contemporaryish, 'the traditional guild setting is not right for me' kinda quilter, hop on over, and join in Baltimore or DC's growing, wonderful modern quilt guilds.

Thanks to all of you that have sent quilts, or are sending quilts to this cause. I think what has touched me the most are the numerous emails and comments that I have received from you, saying that you had a little quilt on hand, but didn't know where it's home was, and now you do! What a beautiful pairing that is, to fit the right quilt with the right person or cause. I know all of our hearts are broken over the devistation in Japan...I'm looking forward to participating in some meaningful way when it is determined what they need most.

xoxo,

Cherri

Q&A about 'calling all quilters'

Here are some answers to questions that I have received:

• Types of fabric for these quilts...all kinds are acceptable, anything soft, cuddly, and warm is perfect
• Who's counting the number of boy/girl quilts so we don't have an imbalance? No one at this point, since the program is in Baltimore, and I'm in Houston. The program director can advise us if there is a significant imbalance, and we correct from there.
• The photo of Melissa carrying 20l of water...this photo has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Baltimore Headstart program, I just thought it was a sweet photo of Melissa, in her Community Health class, where she is learning about the shortage of clean water world wide.

Any other questions I didn't cover, just let me know.

Thank you again for all that you are doing and giving! A special thanks to those that are sharing this project with their sewing guilds, and working together to create several quilts for this program.

xoxo,

Cherri

More details on 'calling all quilters'

Thank you so much for your overwhelming desire to help the little ones in need at the Baltimore headstart program.

Several of you have asked about dates? Since none of the quilts will be distributed until there are enough for everyone (55), let's set a goal date of March 31st. From the responses I have been receiving I think we can meet the goal of 55 by that time. Remember, all quilts received after the initial distribution will be given to new children as they enter the program.

Here are the needs of the children, as provided by the program director:

28 quilts for boys, ages 0 to 3

24 quilts for girls, ages 0 to 3

3 gender neutral quilts, for three sick little ones coming into the program, gender unknown at this point.

Sizes...the program director asked for small quilts, so I'm thinking anything from 32" x 36" to crib size 50" x 53", and anything in between these sizes.

When I told Melissa of your immediate support, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. Here's a photo of her in class, carrying 20L of water, which many families have to carry over 5K to have to clean water on a daily basis. She said she was having a hard time toting that container in the classroom, much less 5 kilometers.

Thank you again for your amazing and loving support!

Cherri

Calling All Quilters!

Hi quilty friends,

Sorry to have missed last week's binding lesson on the Cherry House Quilts QAL, but I'm having some health issues, and wasn't able to post. My dearest Julie jumped in and shared her binding tutorial, which everyone is raving about! Please be sure and add your finished quilts to the flickr page, and show off your amazing work! In a week or two (w/your permission), I'll post your finished quilts here, and we can be show-offs for a minute (polite ones, but show-offs nevertheless!)

This is the calling all quilters portion of the post...

My amazing daughter Melissa, who truly has the tenderest of hearts is finishing nursing school @ Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. Part of their clinicals is to do some work in the community. Her recent focus has been working with disadvantaged babies at the Southeast Early Head Start program. These little ones come from very heartbreaking situations...AIDS babies, drug addicted babies, babies removed from their homes and families, little ones who literally have nothing in the world. When Melissa was telling me about the program, I said, "they need quilts, these babies need quilts". She said that there were 55 little ones in the program, and there was no way I could come up with that many quilts...little does she know about the love and generosity of all of you!

So this is what we need if you are willing, and able to share (once again):

28 quilts for boys, ages 0 to 3

24 quilts for girls, ages 0 to 3

3 gender neutral quilts, for three sick little ones coming into the program, gender unknown at this point.

Sizes...the program director asked for small quilts, so I'm thinking anything from 32" x 36" to crib size 50" x 53"

The immediate need is for 55 quilts, but if they receive more they will begin to issue a quilt to every child that enters the program. If your guild, church group, or sewing buddies don't have a charitable organization, this would be a great one to adopt. Is anyone here part of the the Baltimore MQG? If so, would you contact me at cherryhousequilts at gmail com.

This is where to send your quilt:

Southeast Early Head Start

2811 Dillion Street

Baltimore, MD 21224

ATTN: GAYNE BARLOW-KEMPER

Here's some literature about the program Download SEEHS_pamplet[1]

I feel especially emotional lately, but when I think about the numerous times that I've reached out to you with requests for presents for the soldiers in Iraq, and quilts for the wounded at Ft. Hood, your generosity brings me to tears. You never say no, you never say you can't help; and I'm truly humbled to know you, and call you my friends ♥

xoxo,

Cherri

1001 Peeps, say I Do

I Do Peeps, sounds like peeps getting married, doesn't it? Well, you could call it a marriage, a marriage of Lizzy's awesome new fabric 1001 Peeps, and our best selling pattern I do! Plus, throw in some of my fav Kona Cotton Solids, and it is a match made in quilter's heaven ♥

 
 

Here's the original pattern, but doesn't it look great with Lizzy's fabric? I think so!

xoxo,

Cherri

 

CHQ QAL - Quilting the top!

Were here, almost at the end; quilting the top/batting/back is the culmination of all the work to date. I feel very strongly that how you will quilt the quilt needs to be part of the planning process from the beginning...whether simple, functional, ornate, or over the top...whatever you choose, remember the composition of the entire piece needs to flow together. Consider the fabric, the blocks, the style, and the use of the quilt. Quilting is very personal, some quilters send everything out to be professionally quilted, others do their quilting by hand, some feel that they must quilt their quilt themselves; otherwise it's cheating. Want to know what I think? I think whatever works best for you, is what is right. It's your quilt, you decide its destiny! I'm all for using the skills of a professional quilter, but if you're nervous, and have never quilted a quilt by machine before, I would like to encourage you to trying quilting this small piece using a walking foot...if you don't have other plans.

• Prepare the quilt back if necessary (pieced backs)
  •     The quilt batting  & back should be 3 to 4" larger than the top
• Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing together.
  • I use Hobbs Fusible Batting all the time, it is simple to use, and PERFECT for this type and size of project.
• If using fusible batting, pinning is not necessary, otherwise pin layers together
• Familiarize yourself with your selected batting - depending on the type of batting (cotton, poly, bamboo, etc) the distance between quilting lines can vary greatly.
• Prepare you sewing machine for quilting, with either a walking foot or free motion foot
• Get quilting!

 
I choose to use the edge of the walking foot as a measurement guide. I began stitching along the column, and continued the length of the column, and created four lines of stitching on each side of the column. As well as four lines of stitching on the left and right edges of the quilt.

Let's talk about thread...

For this quilt I used Gutermann thread, 50 weight in a matching color. I'm a huge fan of Gutermann thread, they have an extensive range of colors, and the quality is excellent. Another thread that I frequently use for quilting is YLI's Silk Thread, 100 weight. This silk thread is thin, strong, and wonderful to work with. I also like to use this thread for hand sewing down the binding since it sinks into the fabric so well. I selected Gutermann for this quilt, because I had it in a matching color.

TIP...If you have difficulty stitching straight, use painters tape to create a straight line guide, then stitch next to the tape. When finished, simply pull it off the quilt, and reuse it on the next area of stitching.

 
After all the quilting is completed, trim excess batting and backing from the perimeter of the quilt

 
All done, ready to bind!!!

 
How will you quilt your quilt? I can't wait to start seeing your photos on Flickr!

xoxo,

Cherri