Cherry House Quilts

FAQ update & LizzyDish Print giveaway!

FAQ Update:  Cheryl asked some great questions, so I'll give you all of the info that I have...

Where to buy SHOUT COLOR CATCHERS?  I purchased a box last night from Target, you can get them at the grocery store, etc.  Look for them in the laundry aisle, near the dryer sheets.  Beware, the boxes are the same size, and look as the dryers sheets, so they are kind of easy to overlook.

Where to purchase HOBBS HEIRLOOM FUSIBLE BATTING?  I normally purchase mine from HobbyLobby, when they have the 40% off coupons.  Try Google, there are tons of places to purchase the product if you are not able to find it locally. 

Quilting on the Aurora 440...There is a Bernina Aurora Yahoo Group which would probably be beneficial to anyone with machine questions.  I do have to say that I learned machine quilting on a Brother 1500, which I love so much!  I used the Brother to machine quilt for many years.  It's a straight stitch machine, with no bells or whistles.  The BSR is great for consistent stitch length, etc, but there is still a learning curve in regards to machine quilting.  If you are new to machine quilting, be sure to give yourself time to practice on a regular basis...don't be too hard on yourself, or your machine if it's not perfect the first time (or second, or third, etc).  Click here to read my sad little tale of a quilting mistake.

If you have any more questions, let me know; and I'll try to find the answers; or I'll make something up that sounds like a real answer (ha ha)

FABRIC DESIGNING: Is anyone interested in designing fabric?  If so, I think you will really enjoy this piece that Lizzy has written in regards to her adventures in becoming a textile designer.  Read about it here if you have dreams of designing a line of fabric yourself!  As her Mom, who was along for the ride, I can honestly say that it has been quite a journey.  She covers the technical, as well as the emotional aspects of creating her first line of fabric called LizzyDish.  As a bonus, she is having a drawing for 2 of her original prints; leave her a comment to be entered in the drawing.  Here's a peek of what LizzyDish is all about!

FAQ

Hello!  I've had lots of emails recently about our quilts and patterns, of the how do you do...? variety.  So, in the interest of sharing knowledge, techniques, favorites, etc. I thought I'd present a little frequently asked questions post.

So here goes...

FAVORITES

It would be impossible to miss my love of 100% cotton solids, and the best of the best are Kona Cotton Solids!  The color is true, the quality of the fabric is wonderful!

            

I have a question for you lovely folks?  Would it be helpful to have a reference list of stores that carry a large variety of the Kona Cotton Solids?  If that would be a benefit, let me know, and I'll compile a list for you!

THREAD:

Piecing - Gutermann or Superior 50 wt

Quilting - Gutermann, Superior, or one of my favorites...YLI Silk 100 wt thread.  This is what I used on the Jukebox Quilt 

Batting - 99% of the time I use Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Batting.  It's wonderful, and works perfectly for me.  It is such good product, I am not a fan of pin basting, or any kind of basting for that matter, so this works really well.
 

PREFERENCES:

To prewash or not prewash??? I generally don't prewash, but there are some exceptions...isn't there always an exception?  I would strongly recommend prewashing all hand dyes; I found out the hard way about that one.  The same holds true for Batiks, especially the reds!  Often times my quilts are being used in photos, or for shows; so I want the crisp / not laundered effect.  This is my preference, but definitely not a recommendation.

Another great product is SHOUT COLOR CATCHERS - these are wonderful, and I always use them when washing a quilt.

Ironing - steam or no stream?  For general piecing I've become quite the fan of finger pressing.  But nothing flattens a block like a good burst of steam, though I desperately want to avoid distorting the blocks.  So, in the end I choose steam, but I use it with caution.

GENERAL INFO:

Do I belong to a quilt guild?  No...I tried once, but the quilt police threw sticks at me (kidding, kinda) so my daughters and I are our own little guild. 

What kind of sewing machine do I use?  Bernina Aurora 440

Do I have a long arm machine?  NO  

Would I want one?  YES, that's on my dream list!

Do I do my own quilting?  YES

Are your patterns available in my particular State?

Our patterns are available through three different options:

1. Our patterns are sold through our pattern store for retail sales
2. Quilt shops can order wholesale by contacting me - see the pattern store for contact info
3. Also, they are available through Brewers Quilting and Sewing Supplies for wholesale

Request that your local quilt store carry our patterns if they don't currently stock them

That's all I can think of at the moment...any questions?  Anything I didn't cover?  Let me know, there's nothing I love to discuss more than quilting! 

Cheers,

Cherri