Sunday, December 9, 2012

Happy 5th Birthday, Quilting Gallery!

Hello there!  I'm so glad you could stop by for the Quilting Gallery's 5th Birthday Blog Tour.  Happy Birthday, Quilting Gallery!  If you're here, you probably already know what an amazing site the Quilting Gallery is, but I've just got to say...I love it!  My favorite part is the section where you can look up quilt bloggers by state or country.  What a neat feature!  You can find out what other quilters are doing in your area, or see what's going on just about anywhere.  Fun! Fun! Fun!

 Tango Quilt

I thought I would take this moment to introduce myself to anyone who is new to my blog.  Thanks so much for reading.  It really does mean a lot to me.  I'm a quilt pattern designer, a mother to three astounding boys, and live in the beautiful countryside of North Carolina, U.S.A.  My designs have been featured in such popular magazines as Quiltmaker, Quilts and More, and Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  The above quilt, Tango is in the latest issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 6.

 Love Trip

I also design and sell my patterns, along with some vintage sewing supplies in my Etsy shop, Curlicue Creations.  Above is the Love Trip Quilt, my variation on Trip Around the World.  This quilt was so much fun to make.  I used needle turn applique on all the hearts and the little nine patch blocks went together so quickly.  I am, however, still in the process of hand quilting!  It will be finished someday, really!

 Polka Party Block

Here's a little more eye candy for everyone.


This pattern seems to be well loved by many.

 Lollipops

This is a fun sampler quilt I made while testing blocks for an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.

 Vintage Iron with Frosty Table Runner

Another one of my loves that I often write about on my blog is vintage sewing shopping.  It all started out with the above iron, years ago.  Now I'm well on my way to my own personal sewing museum!  I try to share my finds and any interesting info about my collection here on my blog.

Strippy Flowers Quilt Block

For next year I want to use my blog to help educate others about quilting.  I plan to have more posts with helpful information on many quilty subjects, including choosing fabrics for your quilt, binding techniques, and a foundation piecing tutorial.  So, here's my birthday giveaway to all of you.  I am giving away a copy of my newest pattern, shown above, the Strippy Flowers Quilt Block.  Please leave a comment about what you would like to know about quilting. Do you have any burning quilting questions?  How to make a quilt label?  How to properly piece a curve?  How to get those annoying chocolate stains out of your current quilting project?   If you're a follower of my blog, leave me a second comment, saying you're a follower for a second chance at the giveaway.  The giveaway will be open now through December 15th.

Thanks so much for reading & I hope to see you here again.  Be sure to visit all the other stunning blogs on the tour for more fun and giveaways.   Happy Birthday, Quilting Gallery! 

Until next time...Have a super day!  & Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

64 comments:

  1. How to applique bias stems -- that technique still eludes me.

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  2. Uma costureira faz uns blocos,acolchoar e todo acabamento etc...bloco a bloco,e não depois da colcha pronta.Como se faz isso?Peguei o bonde andando não entendi...Vocêpode me ajudar?Obrigada.

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  3. Honestly...after 15+ years of quilting there isn't a lot that I don't know how to do. The last thing on my "want to learn" list is hand quilting.

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  4. I still have a hard time with very small applique pieces (1/2 inch or less). Even though I have gotten better with them the curves never work out. Thanks. Vivian

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  5. I love to know how to turn an old quilt to a new quilt :D

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  6. Loving this Quilting Gallery hop...it's a wonderful source to meet new blogs and add to My Favorites.

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  7. I'd like some advice on needleturn applique and how to do it sucesfully!
    I love your strippy flowers block!

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  8. I'd like to see how to do needle-turn applique. This is not something I have tried yet!

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  9. As a long arm quilter that has to 'quilt it out' sometimes, the bane of my existence is wavy borders. A very good, with great pictures type tutorial of the proper way to add borders (not the stitch it on and whack it off technique) to a quilt top would be great!

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  10. I'd like to learn how to repair old quilts -- and how to make a quilt very heavy! My great-grandmother made these intensely heavy quilts and they are much beloved but showing wear.

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  11. I would like to learn about applique. Like from a beginner's point of view. Just need help and instructions. Thank you for giving us all a chance to win a copy of Strippy Flowers Quilt Block. What a wonderful giveway. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

    Sandi T.
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net
    Sonora, CA

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  12. I would love help with hand applique! Thank you for the great giveaway.
    jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

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  13. I am a follower via e-mail! jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

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  14. I'd love to learn how to free motion quilt. Loved your comment about getting chocolate out of fabric. I've been pretty close to doing that.
    paweis at yahoo dot com

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  15. How to use my stash more than buying new fabric--that's what I want to learn! Thanks for being part of the birthday bash!

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  16. I would like to see a good tutorial on hand quilting. Thanks for the opportunity on a great prize and have a very Merry Christmas. bonnielarson58@gmail.com.

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  17. I'd like to know how you pieced the hearts quilt. Did you do appliqué? I'd love to see a tutorial for the curved piecing.

    Thanks for offering!

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  18. I like options - how many ways are there to make a label? Do binding? Because depending upon the project one technique may not be the best.

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  19. I am a new follower. Thanks for being in this fun blog hop.

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  20. Thanks for being in this fun blog hop. Almost every time a read a blog or other web sites I learn something new. So just report any sewing project that would be fine with me. THanks for asking.

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  21. Needleturn and other hand quilting topics would be wonderful. I've been all about the machine quilter but now I'm ready to learn more handwork. Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  22. I am now following your blog.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. My quilt question is this how do u do the stippeling designs on a quilt to quilt it. Is it done automatically in a coupmuterized machine or is their patterns you trace first. . I am still very new to quilting and full of questions.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I'm a new quilter, so I'm looking forward to whatever you come up with! Maybe a tutorial on hand quilting? I have no idea what kind of thread to use, for instance... I am working on a wonky stars floating on white background, and I want to use a variegated thread to handquilt around each star...

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  25. I would like suggestions of uses for old chenille that I have picked up along the way. Thank you.

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  26. I have been quilting for many years but am still terrified by applique in its many incarnations. Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

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  27. Please teach all of the above!! If you are going to be a teaching blog, then I just became a follower! I always want to learn more about quilting, I mean who doesn't even someone who thinks they know how to quilt wants to quilt better. I am thrilled with what you are going to be doing.. down right excited!!!!

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  28. I would love help on fabric choice, color coordinating, and thread differences.

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  29. I love your Heart quilt!
    I would love to know how to keep my needles from gunking up with the fusible web when I applique and now about those chocolate stains... :)

    sowingstitches [at] gmail [dot[ com

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  30. I would like to know how to do applique - I tried it once and it was a disaster and I have never tried again!

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  31. Hello from another North Carolinian!! I have added you to my blog list! Please add me to yours and keep up with my weekly jabber. :)

    I have several tutorials lined up for 2013 as well... So glad you are heading in the same direction.. We need more of this in blog land.. Everyone sharing what they know... Like a big online quilting class, free of charge! :)

    I am always open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Will be watching...

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  32. Thanks for participating in the blog hop party! I enjoyed your post and will definitely be back for a longer visit.

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  33. A tutorial on curves would be great. Also I'd like to learn how to do Cathedral Windows. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  34. Hook, line and sinker when you said vintage sewing items. That is what I collect also, the older the better. I have a treadle from the 1800's and it still works.

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  35. I am also following your blog now, I want to come back and see what you will be teaching us.
    I use to live in Dunn, NC
    grandmawillcox at zoominternet dot net

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  36. I would love to know more about appliqué
    I have only done that on a quilt once.

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  37. Hi, new follower checking in. I'm trying to learn applique and would love any tips and/or instructions you could pass along. Thank you for the chance to win & Seasons Greetings!

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  38. I would very much like to learn more about applique. My circles come out all wobbly!

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  39. I am a new follower. I look forward to getting to know you through your blog.

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  40. I'd like to get better at hand stitching techniques. thanks for the chance to win.

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  41. Hand quilting info please and thank you. thanks for the giveaway, merry christmas

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  42. I would love to learn more about paper piecing..

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  43. I would like some info about needle turn applique. Thanks for the chance
    to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. I love your Tango pattern. I am a new follower by e-mail & GFC. Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. I'm pretty new to quilting and am eager to learn as much as I can. I love that there are so many different ways to get to the same place! Thank you for going down the "educating" road!

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  46. The chocolate stains, definitely! lol Actually, I've been quilting for 30 years and I still love to see tutorials from other quilters because I'm always learning some new little trick that improves my quilting life! Thanks for hosting. pbstrand@msn.com

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  47. I'd love to learn some more about machine piecing with my new sewing machine.

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  48. Lovely pattern. I can't think of any questions just now but I will be interested in reading your help posts.

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  49. My daughter says I should have a quilt label. I keep meaning to do that so maybe i will check to see if your site has something on that. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  50. What I like to know is what I don't know already.

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  51. Follow your blog. Would love to see some machine quilting on a home machine.... thanks for the giveaway.

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  52. I helped my daughter make her first quilt. After we completed it and put it on her bed, she decided she wants it bigger. How do I do this?

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