Today’s Topic: Get Ready to Quilt Checklist
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More about the 25 Day Quilt-a-long
Good Morning, Quilters!
First, I would like to thank all of YOU for the tremendous response to my new book, 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting!
I can feel the excitement and anticipation of our 25 week quilt-a-long! (There is no need to sign up–just meet here at Lori Kennedy Quilts!)
We are going to have FUN–and
we are going to WORK HARD!
By the end of 2020, I guarantee YOU will be a better machine quilter-as long as you DO THE WORK!
I promise the work won’t feel like work!Â
Here are a few things you can do to get ready…
Get Ready to Quilt Checklist:
- Clean and oil your sewing machine
- Service Check/Firmware Update
- Organize your basic quilting supplies
- Collect a few basic materials
- Mark your sewing machine manual
- Consider adding a spiral binding
- Find a quilt buddy
- Join our Facebook Page
- Tell YOUR friends
- Order the book
Clean and Oil
It’s really important to start with a clean and oiled sewing machine in good working order. A clean machine creates a prettier stitch. We must create a pretty stitch to have pretty quilting!
Service Check/Firmware Update
If you haven’t had your machine serviced in awhile, schedule service.
For computerized machines, update your firmware! Firmware can have an effect on stitch quality.
BERNINA owners check here for manuals and firmware.
Organize Basic Supplies
Be sure you have a pair of snips, tweezers, a favorite marking tool and a small ruler. I always have these four things at-the-ready when I do any machine quilting.We will add more supplies as we proceed.
Collect Basic Materials
We will discuss materials in depth in the upcoming lessons. To get started, search your supplies for solid color fabric for the quilt tops, batting and any print for the backing fabric. If you have time, cut 6 fat quarter size (approximately 18 x 22″) squares of solid fabric, batting and backing. Don’t use fabric that is much larger or much smaller.
Mark Sewing Manual
Dig out that sewing machine manual! Bookmark the following “how-to” information (if it is available for your machine):
- Lower the feed dogs
- How to make tension adjustments
- Engage the Needle Down function
- Change a needle
- Change a presser foot
- Heel kick option-needle down and up
-
Consider Adding a Spiral Binding
25 Days to Better Machine Quilting comes with a lay flat binding. The binding will stay open and lay flat-ish on your sewing table. For just a few dollars, you can have a spiral binding added to your book at your local office supply store. I added a clear cover to the back and front of my book and a plain, black binding.
You can also ask to have additional paper added if you like to add more notes or doodles!
Find a Quilt Buddy/Start a Small Group Study
It’s really fun to have a quilty friend to compare notes and share supplies. Consider organizing a small group study within your quilt guild. It’s also a great way to make new friends and revive your quilt guild experience on a smaller scale.
Join Quilting with LKQ on Facebook
We would love to meet YOU and see YOUR quilts in our Facebook group page Quilting with LKQ
Sharing your work and seeing the work of other students is an important way to learn! It will also help me gauge interest and understanding of techniques so I can adjust my teaching techniques.
Tell YOUR Friends!
My motto has always been “The More the Merrier!” Please help me by sharing!
Please let you friends and guilds know about our FREE 25 Week Quilt-a-long.
And share on Pinterest and on YOUR social media! We will be using the hashtags #lorikennedyquilts #quiltwithlori and #martingaletpp
Order the Book
Signed copies-with a little quilted treat- are available from my Etsy Shop:
25 Days to Better Machine Quilting
Books are shipped media mail and arrive within 3-10 days. Don’t worry if you don’t have a book right away. I will guide you right along…
Ebooks also Available
If you live outside the United States, shipping costs may be significant.
Please consider the Kindle edition available on Amazon HERE.
Also available on MartingaleTPP HERE.
Read about Martingale e-books HERE.
Are YOU ready to quilt!?
Let’s get this party started!
Your machine quilting shepherdess,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
28 comments
Katherine Simonton
if I will be using a long arm machine….can I make a bigger sandwich and just keep moving it thru the machine?
Yvonne F.
Hi Lori, I have my book and getting my little sandwiches done today. I am so looking forward to becoming a better quilter! Thank you.
Marta
Elemental question… I do have a sewing machine that has a computer in it,,,However, what is “firmware?” Thanks.
Dona
My book is here😃 and I’m going to put my quilt sandwiches together this afternoon. I’m so looking forward to this quilt along .
Patty McGivern
Hi Lori,
I received my book the other day and am looking forward to starting your online class. There is so much information in the book – I read several of the chapters already and am ready to get started! I did finish the cat quilt and it is hanging on the wall at my daughter’s house.
Laurette
Received my book yesterday. I’m excited to start. I own a longarm and would like to do the classes using my longarm. A little extra thinking. I hope it will work out.
Marie Savini
Dear Lori
You are the one who taught me machine quilting, several years ago, with your blog, your explanations and your previous books. I am always doodling before beginning a new quilting, it is so useful.
Now I have been quilting so many quilts that were waiting in my drawers. They have been very appreciated by my friends.
I am in France and not to have too long to wait before getting it, yesterday I bought your new book with Martingale. I feel glad to learn more new tips and become more and more confident !
Thanks a lot, you are my
quilting friend !
Love
Marie
WordPress.com Support
That is music to my ears, Marie! What a wonderful testimonial! Thank you!
Karen Dustrude
So excited to start FMQ with you and other quilters! Please, what batting would you recommend for these samples?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I really like Warm and Natural 100percent Cotton
Ellen
Yay! My book arrived! I am suggesting that my LQS puts together a quilt-along! I am teaching Beginning Quilting there and know there is interest (I showed and recommended your books). I have really started using your motifs in the last month or so and doing some serious quilting! I will post picture of the quilt when it is done. My favorite is a block where I used your needle and thread motifs. I am doing holly and berries now! Thanks to you, I am really beginning to feel confident as a quilter.
SC New Quilter
Ordered your book through Amazon and received it in one day!! It is a fantastic book! I am inviting my best friend over to do the class with me. I have 3 machines and she wants to learn to FMQ as well, and I can’t think of a better teacher. I will stream it to my big screen TV and then it will be so much easier for these old eyes to see.
Lori, thank you so much for doing this and giving us a chance to improve our quilting techniques.
swakins
All set to go, even found my quilting buddy (Hi Janet!).
Sharon Kalmes
My book is here ! I am in a panic because I haven’t used my machine Bernina 750 except for straight sewing/ embroidering. Looking up what my BSR is ? What to use for free motion. Hopefully I can learn this machine of mine.
Which procreate do you recommend? Looking to down load for ipad.
Thanks
Sharon Kalmes
Miss my Bernina store in WBL.
Norma Snow
I can’t wait to go on this quilting journey with you. I just used your flower power motif to do my first densely quilted quilt. It is by no means perfect, but I am thrilled. I never thought that I would be able to do anything like this. I can’t wait to learn more.
Cyndy Ponczek
Tried to order your book on your Etsy site but it was sold out so got it through Amazon and it arrived today! I’m so excited to do this and thank you so much for offering this!
mommaquilts
My book is here! Thanks for the little quilty treat. It’s wonderful to see your stitches!~ Just need to get my fat quarter sandwiches ready.
Mary Wolfersberger
Hi Lori! I just received your book, read it all today, and it is fabulous (as I knew it would be!). Even though I am one of the lucky ones who has attended several of your classes, I plan on using your new book to review what I’ve learned from you and have marked sections with new information to improve my free motion skills. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Becky Shaffer
My book should be arriving today. I too intend to read it cover to cover as a review and join the quilt-along on Monday. It’s nice to see all of the new people who are anxious to participate.
Becky Shaffer
Yippee! It just arrived. I quickly thumbed through it. It’s beautiful!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Thank you Mary!!!
bettyjrogers
I’m not ready yet! Will it be recorded?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
No rush. The quilt a long will be here when you are ready!
Victoria
I would to have this book! You always make it look so easy. Thank you
Ellen
She does break it down so it feels easy, too. You will not regret getting the book(s)!
sunnysewsit
I’m gathering my fabric supplies, and my book arrived today. Whoopee! BUT I don’t do Facebook any longer… Is that the only way we can participate and have our projects shown? I do use Flickr…and Instagram.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Instagram! Use the hashtags #quiltwithlori and #lorikennedyquilts and #martingaletpp
Julie
I’m ready! My book arrived today, I’m reading it now. Biggest challenge for me, finding solid fabric in my stash.
Comments are closed.