Chatbug Karen

I think my least favorite part of creating quilts is putting on binding. It is one of those things that has to be done so I better get over it! LOL Hey! I am a sewer. Hmmm, that sounds like someone who works with human waste. I am a crafter! Some people worry about their golf gps finder, I worry about the best techniques in making quilts.

I have wondered what the difference was between straight of grain binding and binding made from cutting fabric on the bias.

Fabric is made by weaving threads. Threads go up and down and are woven with threads that go across. Cutting on the bias means cutting at an angle across the threads.

When fabric is cut on the bias, it is bendable. That makes it easy to curve it to make wavy bindings. There is nothing more beautiful, in my opinion, than a scalloped edged quilt. The scallops make it necessary to have a binding that will bend and flow with the contours of the edge of the quilt.

So, curves are a great time to make bias binding. It is also a good time to use bias binding when you think a quilt will be used a lot. A child’s quilt or one that will get washed routinely, will hold up better with a bias binding. That is because when you fold straight of grain binding, you are folding that binding along one single thread. That thread is going to take a lot of abuse and begin to show wear.

Straight of grain binding is easy to construct. I would use it on wall hangings and things that won’t be handled a lot.

You have probably seen the Gone Fishing signs, I am putting up a Gone Sewing sign. I am so excited to make a bag for one of my daughter’s friends. I had put this project off because I had no clue what to make. I wanted to make a monkey themed baby quilt for the new mother-to-be but someone beat me to the punch! How dare they? LOL Well, I thought she might need a bag to hang from the back of a stroller so I am making one using these fabrics. See ya!

My husband and I played hookey yesterday. At least, that is what it felt like. We had one of our employees work in our store and we headed towards Indianapolis.

I, recently, made a table runner that has become very popular with my readers over on my sewing blog, Kreated by Karen. I needed to buy more fabric and after checking fabric sites online and getting wrinkles on forehead, I decided I needed fabric therapy. I have not been fabric shopping, except to Joanne’s, for weeks! If you know me, you know that is a miracle.

One of my favorite fabric stores is Always in Stitches in Noblesville, Indiana. They have so many finished projects on display. I love their choices of colors and am always inspired after visiting their shop. I can’t wait to start sewing! I did get my fabric and have enough to make runners galore! LOL

My son has been urging me to post more pictures of the construction going on in front of our house. The back ho is right in front of our house today. I am hoping I will be able to leave my driveway to get my roots colored. Now, that is a scary thought.

Hubby and I went to a nice restaurant on behalf of our investment guru. Ron had urged us for the past few years to come and listen to one of the big wigs of Lincoln Life speak to everyone about term life insurance. He basically reassured everyone that the world was not coming to an end and to leave our investments where they are while adding some new avenues of investing. I enjoyed the dinner and the rest was glazed over in my mind. My husband finds that stuff interesting and I trust him to make the right decisions.

I have been working on a fall pillow project and finally completed it yesterday afternoon. Let me tell everyone right now, I do not like making ruffles! I’ll show a picture of the pillow on my other blog, if you want to see it.

This is going to be a quiet weekend. The roads are too icy and make traveling a bit treacherous. I don’t want to chance going into the ditch even though I am anxious to get to a fabric store and search for some purple and green fabric. Hubby said he saw a truck owned by our utility company in the ditch. Seeing that big truck laying on it side would put me in need of an AED aka automated external defibrillator. I don’t need that much excitement.

I have been catching up on quilt blocks for our local quilt guild meetings. I love making each block to see how it turns out. My last block turned out a bit darker than the 11 other blocks but I think it will be alright. I hope it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Can you tell which block I am talking about?

I am so fortunate to live in Indiana. Do you want to know why?

Indiana is home to the The Quilters Hall of Fame. Many of my readers know that I am interested in the history of quilts since I make a quilt now and then myself. I know that they require so much effort and I admire those who have made outstanding contributions to the world of quilting. While some of the honorees might require wrinkle creams, they are an inspiration to all of us who make quilts. The Quilters Hall of Fame documents America’s quilt making heritage.

The history of the dream of Hazel Carter and the founding of the QHF from the Quilter’s Hall of Fame Website:

in 1978, she realized another
need existed in the quilt world that was not being met: the need to bring to the attention of her
delegates the work of previous generations of quilters and to recognize and praise the individuals of
the present day who were bringing the story of quilting to the fore. Many delegates appeared to be
ignorant about the history of their quilting heritage, the art from and craft they obviously love with
some passion. How could this be remedied? After careful exploration and discussion with her fellow
quilters, Hazel’s insightful solution was the creation of The Quilters Hall of Fame. The souvenir book for
that first induction ceremony in 1979 stated, The Quilters Hall of Fame has been established to
recognize the people behind the quilting renaissance, to pay tribute to their accomplishments, and
thereby establish documentation of an important part of quilting history.

Marie Webster House, home of the Quilter’s Hall of Fame

I had a very busy and fun time at the American Quilters Society Quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky. It was well attended and exciting to be amongst so many people who like to sew, feel fabric and appreciate quilts.

Here, I am receiving instruction from John Flynn on a quilting frame he invented.


It was fun to actually meet the quilters who have become famous through their techniques and their books. We met Eleanor Burns, Kaye Wood and Helen Squire.


Eleanor is known for her Quilt in A Day techniques. She revolutionized the way quilts are made. “Quilting techniques that replaced scissors and templates with rips and strips, bringing rotary speed to patchwork.” Quote from the Eleanor Burns website.


Kaye Wood is known in the quilting world for her star techniques. Her templates make piecing together a difficult quilt one of ease. My sister bought her book and a couple of her templates. I can’t wait to see what she makes.


We went to a luncheon with Helen Squires. After many years working for the AQS, she retired from writing her popular Q & A column, Dear Helen. She now travels as a quilt teacher, quilt pattern designer, auctioneer and guest lecturer. She is quite a character and we enjoyed her show. She is the author of Quilting UFO’s, a book that helps quilters figure out what to do with all those unfinished projects. Helen actually lives in Paducah!

Excitement abounds! I am having my first giveaway! Well, to be honest, I am not holding the giveaway but I AM giving something away. You can enter to win my quilted tool holder and many other beautiful items. There are many Etsy shop owners participating in Bella Casa’s Etsy Party. Check it out! There are earrings and other jewelry giveaways as well as artistic prints, purses and beautiful boxes that keep you organized.

Enter to win during Bella Casa’s Etsy Party!!!

When???

Monday, January 26 – Friday, January 30

Where???
At Bella Casa Blog!

COME JOIN THE FUN!!!

Look at what my giveaway is:

How many uses can you come up with for this cute little tool holder. I love keeping my most used quilting supplies in it. You might use it for make up or crayons.

One more Christmas Dinner! I am grateful that my friend, Tina, wants to have us over for dinner. Our friends are here from Georgia and this way we can all get together and share what has been happening in our lives. Our Georgia friends just recently moved there so they will have lots of stories to tell, I am sure. They recently moved from Indiana to Michigan and when that job didn’t work out, found themselves moving to Georgia. They keep smiling even though I am sure they are terrified of what the world has in store for them. More people will be experiencing this as our economy struggles to gain its foothold. All of their kids and grand kids live here so they came back for the holidays to visit. Gotta keep a stiff upper lip for the kiddos.

We had snow but it warmed up and made water puddles. Of course, today it got cold and so now we have ice. Fog is rolling in as I type this. I am glad we don’t have far to travel this evening.

Tomorrow might be a day of sewing for me. I received two new quilt books and some fabric that I can’t wait to put to use. I have a purse request to finish and a binding to put on my civil war quilt. I may not know which to do first! LOL

I hope everyone stays safe and warm tonight.

As a quilter, I have found that the more I take my time making my quilt blocks the nicer things look. It is important to press each piece after it each is sewn together and then again after each block is made. I would love to have a new iron that has a really good point on it. I have been drooling over the Black and Decker iron at Buy.com. It has the All-Temp Steam feature that would give me the flexibility to select steam at every temperature setting. That helps when I try to steam quilt blocks at lower temperature settings. Buy.com has a good sale price on the model I like so I am hoping my hubby takes note when he reads my blog. Hints are good!

The Black and Decker iron is listed at the Buy.com website at one of the best prices I have seen. I love Black and Decker products. We have had one of their coffee pots for a long time and will probably replace it with another if it ever dies.

Buy.com is the best website for Christmas shopping because they offer name brand products at great prices. Many products are eligible for FREE Budget Shipping. That means more money for more gifts! Check out Buy.com to save time by buying online and save money with their great savings.