GC and I started our quilting course last night at The Running Stitch in Kanata. It’s an eight-week course and I think it’s going to be great. There are eight students, and we’re each making a twin-size sampler quilt.
For the first class, we just went over equipment and supplies and then picked out our fabrics. There are nine fabrics that need to be chosen for this quilt, including borders and sashing and cornerstones (see, I’m learning the lingo already).
Because of my highly eclectic tastes, I often find it hard to narrow choices down and make decisions. But the teacher and the store owner are very good at nudging students through the process. Actually, they are very good at commandeering the process and imposing the benefits of their far greater knowledge and experience on the students. Once they had decided on each of our fabrics, and consulted each other on the selections, they would ask for our opinion. “After all,” said the teacher, “It’s your quilt too.”
I deferred almost entirely to their judgment, after giving them a starting point: I wanted my quilt to be black and white. As it turns out, it’s going to be black and white and red, and I think it’s going to be gorgeous.
Most of the students started by picking out at least one fabric that they loved, and then the teacher or the shop owner would help them take over from there. I really liked everybody’s final selections.
GC thought he was going to go with blues and greens, but the shop owner sent him away with a dazzling pile of purples and oranges. He wasn’t entirely sure about it at first, but I think by the time they had it all worked out, he was on board. They told him he was very modern, and he liked that.
I already had most of my supplies, like rulers and cutting mats and so on, but GC had to stock up on all that stuff.
Here’s what he got:
Now all we have to do is make quilts!
Nice haul! Those mats are expensive; I’ve been eyeing them up but quilts are still on the back burner for me. Did you get a membership and get your 50% off at Fabricland yesterday?
I do have a membership and after reading your message I did scoot over there and claim my 50% discount – on a $4 quilting pencil and eraser. 😉
What is in the spray bottle? My three sisters are quilters and maybe not knowing what is in the spray bottle keeps me from being one too! That, and an ornery streak.
It’s some kind of stuff that you use while ironing your completed squares, I think. I forget. It was on the supplies list, so I bought it. Didn’t you just make a quilt, Grace? Doesn’t that make you a quilter?
A nine-patch flannelette lap quilt is a different league.
I wish I lived in Ottawa so I could join you two on this adventure.
I’d love that. You and Rob and GC and me and Merle and Dad, all in the same quilting class. We’d have sooo much fun.
So exciting!!! I can’t wait to read more as the classes go on. And I think it’s wise to defer to the judgement of quiltshop ladies when choosing fabric. They have a magical way of picking the perfect colours and patterns for each quilt.
I think you’re absolutely right, Jennifer. I was happy to defer to people with experience and confidence. I’m not the type to plunge headlong into anything without doing endless research first, so I think this course is going to be really good for me, by setting the pace and pushing me along into the hands-on stuff.
I made a quilt once, and it was the craftiest thing that I ever did in my life. My neighbour is a quilter and she helped me with all of the steps. I loved it, but I am truly not crafty and haven’t had the urge to do it again. I’m thinking of taking up knitting though.
You can combine knitting and socializing or knitting and TV very nicely. It’s a good hobby in that you can do it alone or with others. Very portable. And you get to make lovely things for your loved ones, which feels good.
These are the reasons I love to knit.
I have one of those mats and the circular cutter, even if I don’t quilt! I’m going to be going to Fabricland soon to get three complimentary cotton fabrics to make a wedding gift of placemats and napkins. I have made them recently without quilting – I used to quilt them all the time. But now I make them flat with topstitching all around the edges. I think they are a little more elegant than quilted over batting but it’s a taste thing. All the ones I have made for myself or received as gifts from my sisters have been quilted over batting.
I wish I hadn’t bought the gigantic mat. It’s too big. But someone told me that was the one to get. Is that the one you have too?
I’m with Deb. If I lived in Ottawa I would definitely take that course. I know that I would love it. Maybe one day you can teach me. I’m almost finished my second pair of socks!!!!
I’d love to take the course with you Merle. Congrats on the socks. Did you go with the magic loop method, or did you give up on that and go for the tried and true five-needle method?
Those are great fabrics. Can’t wait to see the quilts.
Me too!
Let the quilting begin! Very nice fabrics, it’ll be exciting to see them as they progress. Do you do any of the work in the class?
Once I cut my teeth on the beginner sampler, I’ll turn my attention to your quilt Connie. Hopefully I’ll have gotten most of the major mistakes out of the way by then. Thank you again for the sewing machine – I love it.
Oh, and yes, we take our machines to class, and do some of the work there. She said there will be homework every week, as well. This week our homework was to wash and iron our fabrics.
My Mom is a beautiful quilter. Whenever she comes to visit Ottawa I always have to bring her to the Running Stich for a shop. It’s a wonderful store isn’t it? I really like your fabric choices…GC’s too. Can’t wait to see the finished quilts.
Has she taught you how to quilt too Laura? I’m glad to hear it’s the Running Stitch she wants to go to – that means it must be the best. I do love their enthusiasm and their fabric selection.