My Quilty Home

Here's a little spin through my quilty home and a few others.  The quilted cover on Bernie is a modification of the one in Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrawsky.  I added sides and cut the bottom to fit my Steady Table.

This is Gracie, my kitty, helping to display the quilt I made for my grandson's wedding.  Josh and Sarah liked it when I gave it to them.  It is the Curio pattern from Moda made with the Curious Nature fabric line.

My daughter, Nancy, gave this quilt the showcase position in her "Quilt Room".  It is an Americana version of Blue Waltz I by Planted Seed Designs.  I chose 10 Civil War Reproduction prints in blue, red, beige and black to produce twenty blocks instead of nine.  The scattered star border utilized all 10 fabrics.  The background was a pale beige cotton with impressions of leaves.  This picture makes it all look white but it is actually soft beige and reminiscent of the Civil War era.  My daughter lives in Virginia and there are Civil War battle sites all around their area.  

This Hunter's Star quilt made as a sample for my LQS, Quiltique, in Henderson, NV hangs above my family room couch.  At Christmas, I replace it with the next picture, which hung in the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in 2012.  No awards but it looked great hanging among the other great quilts in St. Nicolas Church in Galway.

Reflections of Winter by Jason Yenter incorporates piecing, paper piecing, applique and mitered borders.  This was a class I taught at Quiltique.  Here's the full view:

And Last But Not Least.  The quilt I made for my granddaughter, Kelli, on her bed at home.  It's a BQ in her favorite colors.

I hope you have enjoyed my little tour.  Come back anytime.

Is this the IRON-Y?

Which IRON is your favorite?

I just read a review by Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness (LOVE her) on the SEWMAMASEW blog (love her, too) and had to respond to her request to link back (hope I can do this) with my answers to her questions:

1. What brand of iron do you use? How much did it cost (approximately)?
I had a median priced iron that crapped out right in the middle of a store sample project.  I ran over to (dare I say it?) Wal*Mart to pick up a quick replacement.  I bought the most expensive model they had on hand about $45.00.  A General Electric Model made for Wal*Mart in China.  I thought if it lasted 6 months I would get my money's worth since I make class and store samples for my LQS, Quiltique in Henderson, NV.

2. Do you use steam or no steam? Both but steam most often.

3. Do you use a pressing cloth? Wet or dry? Dry when needed. And when fusing I use a Teflon sheet.

4. Do you use spray starch? I use Mary Ellen's Best Press when piecing bias shapes and to press after washing.  Mary Ellen is my BFF!

5. Do you use any tools (to open seams, etc.)?  My very worn out fingers!

6. Do you use your iron differently when you’re quilting than when you’re sewing? Yes, especially when making bags.

In  addition, I have to say that the sole plate on this GE iron is too rounded at the front.  I like the Rowenta for its pointy tip.  I have a Rowenta travel iron and am on my third one.  The first two failed but when I called Rowenta the automated answer-er gave me their local repair shop and I sent each to them.  I received a new iron in each case from Rowenta within a couple of weeks.  This last one seems just fine.

The GE is also very heavy but slides easily and presses flat with just steam.  It has an adjustable steam setting and lighted electronic fabric settings.  Cotton is blue.  Sure glad I like blue.  It has an automatic shut off but it is more like a standby and reheats very quickly.  

I think when this one goes I will try the German-made Rowenta.  I have heard the Chinese-made ones are not as reliable.  Speaking of Reliable, that is another possibility.  I will look into it.  However, this cheap Wal*Mart GE funky iron has been running like a top for two years and more.  It may never die.

So, Sara, I thank you for your research and here is my answers to your questions.  Have fun and I'll post again when the GE gives up the ghost!