Cherry House Quilts

A Tutorial plus some really good news!

First of all I got my new iron - it's a Panasonic Cordless Iron...so far, so good.  I previously had a Maytag Cordless Iron - not so good.  When removed from the base the heat lasted for only a couple of minutes, but the Panasonic seems to stay heated for at least 4 or 5 minutes before having to be returned to the heating unit.  It also has a great burst of steam for the those tough wrinkles that seem impossible to tame.

On to Hobbs Fusible Batting...

This is process I use for a large(r) quilt:

Lay down the quilt back, wrong side up, then layout the batting to remove any wrinkles, and give it a chance to breath.  The texture of the batting is like a cotton batt, but slightly stiffer, due to the fusing I imagine.  After laundering the fusing is completely removed, and the texture is that of a 80/20 batting.

After both layers are smoothed out, I add the quilt top, and trim away the excess batting/backing - leaving 4 to 5" extra

Next lay the quilt top and batting across the ironing board at the center of the quilt.  Start pressing the top/batt, pressing towards yourself.  When the exposed portion is completely pressed, lift and move the top/batt away from yourself to expose the next unironed section.  This will allow you to keep removing any bubbles or gaps until you have reached the end of the top/batt.  When you reach the end, pick up the top/batt and flip around on the ironing board, and repeat the process. 

Next I lay the pressed top/batt on a flat surface (my bed) and add the quilt back, carefully positioning over the top/batt.  Depending on how large your quilt is, gently fold and carry the quilt to your ironing surface.  Repeat the process that was used on the top.  Be careful to make sure that the top/batt are flat on the ironing surface, and don't get crumpled, or wrinkled. 

Next, start quilting!  I hope this helps...A couple of concerns I had, I'll share with you - in case you are wondering too.  Does the fusing stick to the iron if the iron touches it?  I haven't experienced this - I was careful, but not that careful.  The fusing doesn't react like fusible web.  Also when pressing the top & batt, the batting did not stick to the ironing board.  It is repositionable.  I'm very sensitive to chemicals (asthma), so I was initially cautious/worried, but I haven't had any trouble with fumes - unlike with sprays.  Also unlike the sprays there was no residue on the sewing machine, or the needle.

If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to send you a 12" x 12" sample until I run out.  Just send a 7.5" x 10.5" SASE (.97 cent stamp).  Email me, and I'll give you my mailing address.

Drum roll please - for the best news of all!!!

Did you see Lizzy's blog, and her super good news!  She has a fabric line coming out - it is amazing!  I know I'm her momma, and I know I'm prejudice, but I know great fabric, and this is like nothing else on the market right now.  I'm so proud, she is a great daughter, and a great designer! 

 

 

Products I Love #2

Thanks to everyone for commenting on their favorite irons...the winner so far seems to be Rowenta.    My new iron is not a Rowenta, but if this new one doesn't work out, I'm going to give them a try.

There seems to be a great deal of interest in the Hobbs Fusible Batting.  Give me a day or two, and I'll do a tutorial and walk through the process of using this product.  If you are interested in purchasing this batting, I do know that they carry this at Hobby Lobby, I always purchase several bags at a time when they have their 40% off coupons available. 

Speaking of other products that I love...Superior Threads....I think they are the best!  They have recently come out with a Thread Selection Guide, and a Thread Reference Guide.  It is great information, and handy to printout, and keep next to your sewing machine.  I love companies that help you use their product more efficiently.  Part of my problem is the dyslexia thing, so any cheat sheets that keep me going in the right direction are super! 

Machine Quilting is a common event at my house, and nothing makes me crazier than breaking threads, and breaking needles.  The information on these charts helps me pick the right thread, needle, and machine settings so I can get the job done right the first time.

The winner of the Black & White strips was Tina from Boston!  Tina - I'll be shipping out your fabric as soon as I can get back to my cutting table.

Presenting Cherry Fizz!

What could be sweeter?  With fabrics from Lakehouse Dry Goods create this log cabin style quilt today!

Cherry Fizz Quilt Pattern $9.00

Products I love!

Today I spent hours searching for a new iron...does anyone have an iron they absolutely love?  If so, what is it?  I'll let you know about my new iron as soon as it arrives, and I take it for a test drive.  In our home we have a tradition, it's called FIRST DAY RULE.  When you get something new, on the first day you get to be absolutely selfish with it.  You don't have to share, or let anyone see it, or anything.  It's yours, and for one day only being a little piggish is allowed.  But I won't do that with my new iron...as soon as it's out box, I'll share.

I'll share something else too...I am in love with Hobbs fusible batting.  Space at my home has always been at a premium.  I've never had enough space to spread out a quilt top on a flat, sturdy surface.  So consequently, I'm always fighting quilt back puckers (that sounds funny, like some kinda insult).  I've tried the sprays, tacking guns, I have a tons of safety pins, but I haven't found a good solution until now.  I love this stuff!  Cherry Fizz was made with this batting, as well as City Park, and I couldn't be more pleased. 

Thanks to everyone who has left a comment on our 100th post, so many good wishes! There still time to enter, so be sure and leave a comment before our drawing sometime very late on the 23rd.

Just a day or two more and our Cherry Fizz quilt pattern will be released...Lizzy's logos are perfection!

Hooray our 100th post, and a quilt for Morgan

We have a winner!!!  Tina in Boston!  Yay for you!

Hooray!!!  Our 100th post for Cherry House Quilts

As I previously said, what a journey it's been, and how thankful we are for all of you!

In honor our of our 100th post, we have a special fabric giveaway.  A dozen 5" strips of Robert Kaufman's new black & white fabrics.  This little bundle will come very handy for our newest City quilt, called City News, or just adding to your fabric stash.  Just leave us a comment, and we will enter you in our drawing to be held on February 23rd.

A quilt for Morgan...who's Morgan?  She will be the newest member of our family, this coming June.  My dear nephew, and his sweet wife are expecting their first baby, and they couldn't be more excited!  My Mom, sister, and I went fabric shopping on Saturday... I love shopping for fabric, I'll never have enough fabric, or get tired of shopping for it.  My Mom wanted this quilt to have as much texture as possible, so here it is, Minkee, flannel and all.  I see a quilt pattern in the making from this special quilt. 

Here's to Stuart, Amber, and Morgan...with lots of love!

Where we started

This is my 99th post, and Cherry House Quilts will be a year old in May.  Lizzy and I were talking the other night about how we started, what we wanted to accomplish, reviewed where we are, and where we are going.  It's been such an exciting, and surprising journey.  We've learned lots of lessons, have met incredible people, and have been so grateful for the opportunities that have come our way.  Our business started with City Scapes, our first pattern.  By now it's pretty buried under lots of other blog entries, so we thought we would reintroduce it, and offer it once more to all of our newest friends. 

I've used Kona Cotton Solids for my City Scapes quilt, but Lizzy has made hers with solids, and printed fabric.  It's looks great both ways.  Let us know what you think. 

Be sure and check back for our 100th post, we will be having a drawing for some awesome Black & White fabric from Robert Kaufman that is an essential part of the newest City quilt that we will be introducing very soon.

Have a happy weekend!

Cherri

More Quilts & Patterns

There's my little Stella, that I love so much!  What is she laying on you ask???  Why that would be some of the fabric for the latest City quilt.  It's fabulous!  Very contemporary, and very traditional - how's that for not really telling you anything?  It's been fun planning this quilt - the colors are clean & crisp.  Part of the fabrics are from a new line at Robert Kaufman.  I've been itching to make a quilt with these fabrics for sometime, and it's all come together. 

The Cherry Fizz pattern will be out within a week!  I try not to use the word precious too often, but I have to say, this quilt is precious.  With Holly's Cherry Fabrics, it's just so sweet.  Perfect for any little, or not so little girl!

Hurry and add your love/loves me not list to Lizzy's contest.  There are lots of good entries, be sure and add yours so you can have a chance at winning one of her beautiful handmade books, as well as a 6 fat quarter pack of super soft flannels.

A peek at some of the fabrics in our newest quilt in our City series...

 

Loves or Loves Me Not

  It's a blast reading all of the answers on Lizzy's love or not contest.  The 'nots' are pretty varied, but family pets are high on the love list.  Here's my list - I'm putting it on my page here, since I don't think I get to play over there.  She knows I need neither fabric or books, I just love to win things, whether I actually need them or not.

Here goes...

Loves:

• Chocolate - especially dark - most especially See's Dark Chocolate (Nuts and Chews).  If you are a See's lover, you know exactly what I mean
• Fabric/Quilts/Color/Flowers/My Cat Stella (5 answers, I've cheated already)
• Children - my own, other peoples - I have a soft spot in my heart for red headed babies, and thumb suckers

Loves me not

• Grouchy/Stingy/Mean spirited people
• Humid Texas days in August when temp is 100+ degrees, and the humidity is 95%
• People who litter

Enter quick if you haven't already, the flannel fabric looks wonderful - even the ribbons on the fabric are great!  And Lizzy's handmade book - they are handcrafted perfection! 

Good Luck!!!

Jitterbug time and a contest!

Take a look at this!  Are you guys scrapbookers, as well as quilters?  Do you know www.cosmocricket.com?  Cosmo Cricket is a scrapbooking company owned by my cousin Eric Comstock, and his awesome wife Julie.  They have the greatest website, check it out if you are not familiar with it.  Eric & Julie have teamed up with Andover Fabrics, and have magically turned their scrapbooking paper into fabric.  It's beautiful (soft too), and so much fun!  Guess who gets to turn their fabric into a quilt for Market?  Yep, that would be me!  I'm so thrilled, and honored. 

There are lots of exciting projects in the works, most of them are top secret at this point, but I think someone should pinch me (though I hate being pinched).  It just doesn't seem possible, all of these exciting things happening in our lives.  Lizzy has the best news, she's given out a few hints about that one!   Be sure and look for the Jitterbug fabric line after Market.  Big splashy prints, fun stripes, and border prints too.

Pop over Lizzy's blog and enter her contest for a FREE FAT QUARTER PACK, AND A HANDMADE BOOK.  I thought she should automatically give the fabric to me...since I could always use more fabric, but she said "no dice".  So it's a contest, list your favorite 3 things, least favorite 3 things, and win her really cool stuff.  A handmade book from Lizzy is priceless in my opinion! 

Thanks for all of your positive response to Girl Power!  It's been so fun seeing how many of you guys downloaded the free pattern, and wasn't Lizzy's cool logo the best?  Be sure and send us some photos of your Girl Power! quilts - we'd love to see them.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Cherri

Girl Power! CHQ Free Pattern

What is Girl Power?  Little girl dreams, fueled by a world of possibilities, nurtured with love and support!

My children are my inspiration.  Girl Power to me, embodies all that is possible for girls, of every age.  I see my daughters accomplishing their goals, and dreams, and I am filled with gratitude, and pride.  They are amazing and wonderful - these girls of mine.  The world is full of amazing, wonderful girls...here's to Girl Power!

Click here to download your free Girl Power! Pattern