Long Arm Quilting Workbook by Teresa Silva

Achievable and Encouraging – Long Arm Quilting Workbook by Teresa Silva
Photos courtesy of F+W Media

My job as the Inspiration Manager for FreeSpirit is to take our beautiful fabric collections and create quilts to inspire shop owners and quilters to fall in love with our fabrics.  Teresa has quilted for me, always with stunning machine quilting which I, as a quilter, aspire to and admire.  So when asked to review her new Long Arm Quilting Workbook, I jumped at the chance.

I have long considered purchasing a long arm machine but always ask, “Can I do this?” “Would I be able to learn how to create the beautiful stitches that make a quilt a work of art – stitches that turns quilt tops into quilts?”

For anyone who shares my thoughts when considering a long arm machine, this book is for you! It is chalk full of everything you need to consider from batting to marking pens and needles to rulers. She delves into thread and endorses polyester and poly-wrapped thread which many have considered taboo. Most importantly, from my perspective, she confirms that your quilts deserve premium, high quality fabrics.

The book is full of techniques including practical considerations in selecting the right machine, whether a mid-arm or a long arm.  Teresa encourages you to shop for a reliable local independent retailer who will teach you how to use your machine and be there to assist with questions and repairs.

Best part, the variety of techniques presented in such detail allows a complete novice to open the book and start playing.  Teresa tells you to practice the techniques on your home sewing machine before you even consider buying a long arm. From whole cloth to pieced quilts, she openly shares what she has learned along the way, encouraging your confidence and making the techniques achievable. 

She sprinkles wonderful tips throughout the book such as doodling in a journal thus teaching yourself to draw and hanging your quilts with hand sewing needles so as not to disrupt the beauty of your work of art.  Her gallery of quilts speaks to her outstanding work and expertise, making this truly a coffee table worthy book. 

FreeSpirit is stop one on this blog tour.  Follow along and hear what others have to say as well.  I am certain they will find this book equally as inspirational. In the meantime, comment on our blog and tell us your long arm aspirations.  We will select one commentator to win a copy of Teresa Silva’s Long Arm Quilting Workbook . . . your long arm quilt dreams will come true with this book!

-Sharon Thornton

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

50 sq ft Studios

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Moda Fabrics

Friday, October 6, 2017

Quilter’s Dream Batting

Monday, October 9, 2017

Stashquilts 

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

3 Dog Design

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Helen Ernst Longarm Quilting

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Jaybird Quilts

Friday, October 13, 2017

Redbird Quilt Co.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Colourwerx

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Quilting is My Bliss

A few quils from Teresa's Longarm Quilting Workbook

 

Blog Tour-Grand Prize 1

Blog Tour-Grand Prize 2

National Sewing Presents Shannon Newlin

Shannon Newlin shares her National Sewing Month Story! 

Early memories of sewing begin with my grandfather.  During his free time he enjoyed working on projects....from home additions to sewing clothes.  He made the sweetest floral dresses for me when I was a little girl. Even tiny details like sewing in a tag that said "made with love" were so special.

When I was old enough, I was taught how to sew by hand and then later by machine.  In middle school I took Home Economics and made my first skirt using a pattern.  I chose a beautiful corduroy fabric because it had flowers on it  - of course!  I completed a fully pleated skirt, and it turned out to be the heaviest garment I owned.  Needless to say I learned a lot.

In high school I continued to make many garments for myself...dresses, pants, tops...but I never used patterns again.  I would just stretch out the fabric on the floor and trace myself! Somehow it worked and I was able to express my fashion vision through sewing; if only Project Runway existed back then!

Today my creative energies are devoted to painting and designing patterns for fabric. I love this process.  One aspect that excites me is knowing it doesn't end with the development of the fabric, but continues on to another creative person....an inspired journey of which I’m happy to be a part.

Make sure to sign up for a chance to win fabric from Shannon Newlin along with our Coats Quilt+ thread! You will also be entered for a chance to win our Grand Prize giveaway featuring SEW many goodies including a Janome AMH-100 Machine!

ENTER TO WIN HERE!

Did You Know.... 10 Facts about Amy Butler!

Amy shared 10 fun facts with us and we're willing to bet that you'll be surprised with at least a few things on her list!

1. I've played organized sports since I was 8 years old and played USVBA volleyball in my 20's.

2. I'm a certified IntenSati instructor. This powerful

 workout incorporates a mind body spirit practice that includes kick boxing, dance, and yoga. You say positive affirmations while you work out! 

3. I collect rocks from all over the world. 

4. I'm a daughter of the American Revolution.

5. I'm a huge audiophile I have a massive music collection.

6. I train with a professional body builder. It's that physical fitness thing, I love learning about my body and seeing what it can do.

7. I have a fantasy about becoming a Latin dancer or a fly girl.

8. I have a comical alter ego named "Judy" who smokes fake cigarettes, cusses like a sailor and yells at people. 

9. I've been told I have gifts to become a shamanic healer and this is something I'm going to pursue. 

10. I have a hyper acute sense of smell and I enjoy mixing my own fragrance using essential oils and other single note scents. 

Share with us what you have in common with Amy in the comments section and be entered to win 10 yards of her new fabric collection, Bright Heart!! Contest is now CLOSED! Congrats to Stephanie Daniel for winning!

#iamafreespirit #freespiritfabric 

 

Sharing Our Love of Laminates-- A GIVEAWAY!

We love laminates! It’s hard to resist their easy-to-clean versatility and lovely drape. This week, we’re giving away some laminates to two lucky readers.

 

 

Each winner will receive a one yard cut of each of the three prints shown above. All three prints are from Anna Maria Horner’s Field Study collection. That’s three yards total to each winner!!

For a chance to be one of the lucky readers, leave a comment on this post by Sunday, August 18^th at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. We will announce the randomly chosen winners the week of August 19^th.

While there is no wrong comment, we would love to hear your favorite use for laminates. Good luck!