Perkins Dry Goods

This must be binding week.  Right after I posted about the fusible thread, I crossed paths with a link to some free videos by Sharon Schamber an award winning quilter and author.  One of the videos was her technique for binding application using glue.  Sharon likes to use Elmer’s School glue and has these cool tips that keep the glue under control.

 They look kind of like this. 

Then I read Pam’s comment on the fusible thread and she mentioned using Roxanne’s glue for binding.  Have I had my head in the sand all these years?  I had to give it a try.  I even did it on curved binding.  A little messy, but not too bad.  Both techniques have their drawbacks, but I sure like having choices.

Every year the state quilt guild hosts this huge show in June.  It was in St. Paul, MN  last weekend and I was able to go.  Actually I made the time to go and I am so glad that I did!  My friend Susan Nelson’s quilt got Best of Show for Wall Quilts!  This quilt also placed 1st at Road to California this year,  2nd in Paducah in 2006, 3rd in Houston last fall and 2nd at NQA!  Just so you know, this is not applique.  Susan machine pieced this entire quilt.

Swish and Swirl by Susan Nelson

The shopping experience is always fun with all of the vendors.  I found this cool ruler by Open Gate Quilts at http://opengatequilts.com called Fit to Be Square.  It has guidelines specifically for trimming square in a square blocks.  This is not to be confused with the Square in a Square ruler by Jodi Barrows.

The Perfect Piecing Seam Guide is my first attempt at a notion type solution for a quilting problem….I have been teaching for several years now and one of the biggest issues I have noticed in my classes is that pesky quarter inch seam allowance!  It is so very elusive for beginning quilters and can often be a problem for just about anyone.  If you change machines or even go from one 1/4 inch foot to another, there can be a difference in your results.  This little ruler is priced at about $5.00 retail and has a laser line with a needle hole that is a SCANT 1/4 inch from the edge.  You simply mark your machine with a piece of tape or a sticky note.  You can be consistent from machine to machine!

I will be introducing the Seam Guide at the Quilt Festival in Chicago April 13 - 15 and at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City.  They are also available from my distributors right now!