Good Morning, Quilters!
I’d like to take a minute to welcome all of you who have joined us from QuiltViews. We are thrilled to have you join us. Thank you to Ann for the “shout-out”. Make sure you sign up for this great newsletter-tips, techniques, and ideas from American Quilter Society.
Today is OPEN LINE FRIDAY….
We reserve Fridays for Questions…Anyone can ask…EVERYONE answers! There are more than 6000 of us with all kinds of quilting experience. If you have a question, chances are, someone else does, too…and chances are someone in the group will have the answer.
SEARCHES
I frequently get questions about how to find a previous post. I don’t mind answering those questions–usually I can put my mouse on it in just a few clicks…but you may find it faster by using the “search” function in the sidebar. (If you are reading this on an iPhone, the “search” function may be at the end of the post.)
I recently had a question about choosing a Needle. I usually recommend free motion quilting with a Topstitch 80 or 90 depending on your thread weight. Topstitch needles have a slightly rounded Sharp tip, a large eye and a deep groove for the thread. For more about threads, you might like: How to Choose a Needle for Free Motion Quilting .
MYSTERY
I hope you are all enjoying our Mystery Quilt-a-Long as much as I am….
What about YOU? Do you enjoy (non-quilting) mysteries? How many of the Top 100 have you read? Do you have any books or movies to recommend?
I am currently reading The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. It’s listed as one of the best mystery books of all time.
We’d love to hear YOUR recommendations…
Also, if you have any questions…
We’d LOVE to help…
Signed,
Q**
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, share or tweet with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
**Quilter, of course!
66 comments
Leslie Schmidt
I love mysteries, but I find I am happier reading cozies than graphic ones. I think I’ve read all of Dorothy Sayers books. I think I need to re-read them; it’s been a long time.
A contemporary series I like is by Barbara Allen, the pen name of husband and wife team Max Allen Collins and Barbara Collins. Jane K. Cleland is another newer writer I just discovered. I have read most of Sue Grafton’s books, at least the first half of the alphabet. Have you read any of the quilting mystery series? I like the ones by Earlene Fowler.
Lori Kennedy
Leslie, thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t read any of them…I’m thrilled to have a new list to look forward to!
polly edwRds
Dear Lori I just discovered you and I’m so excited! Love your site. Thank you for sharing.
Polly
Pat Vacek
Oh, my two favorite pastimes in one site! Quilting and reading can cause me to “lose” hours in a day. I’ve learned so much from your blog about FMQ! It is thrilling to actually finally get it! I like mysteries a lot, but truth be told, I just love books! Like fabric, you can’t have too many books. And like fabric, variety is important.
Lori Kennedy
Do you ever listen to books on tape while you quilt? Or do you prefer to hold a book in your hand.
Joanne Crowe
I am with you!
Denise Smart
I was FMQ and the thread broke. I cut the thread near the spool so I could pull the broken thread forward through the needle. I saw somewhere that you are not to pull the thread backwards through the tension disks, but always pull it out through the needle.
I have two questions. Is it true that you are not supposed to pull the thread backwards through the tensions discs?
Second question, this time when I cut the thread near the spool it got sucked into the sewing machine before I could grab the end and pull it out. I think it is still in there. The sewing machine is sewing fine. Is it okay that a loose piece of thread is in there somewhere?
Lori Kennedy
Hi Denise,
Yes it is true…do not pull the thread backwards through the tension discs–I had a trip to the repair center for that! As for the loose thread in the machine…I hate to be the bearer of bad news…but you should do whatever it takes to find that thread. I really think that thread will come back to haunt you!
Judy @ newenglandgardenandthread
Mysteries are what I read – two at a time. I have one I carry around the house with me and one on the treadmill. 🙂
Theresa Sanders
My book club and I have read “The Crossing Places: a Ruth Galloway Mysteries series” (6 books so far, one coming soon) by Ely Griffiths
This is a terrific story of a strong female heroine who is also an archeologist. Fun.
I love your quilt tutorials, Lori. I just referred to one last night while quilting away. thanks so much for your expertise and clarity.
Lori Kennedy
Thanks for the ideas…
loosecannon2
I love to read & am doing a lot of it again lately. Reading is so easy when one is abed for some reason. I’ve just finished a P.D. James mystery “The Private Patient.” I could list so many books but for now this will do. Oh, have you read any of Maeve Binchy’s books of Ireland? Lovely. Thank you ever so much Lori.
Cathy Barta
I love this list and I love mysteries too. One that is on the best seller list right now is Escape by David Baldacci. He writes lots of mysteries. I also like romantic mysteries like the knitting series but don’t remember who wrote them, the ghost in law series by Jana Leon were good too, light stuff, not like Escape which was intense. Don’t like scary mysteries tho, don’t like to be terrifies when I read! I also love my million plus (ha ha) quilting and sewing books. Actually I just like to read, a lot! I dont’ have a blog website so this will probably never make the grade, but you are so great to share your expertise with all of us. Thanks so much, Cathy
Lori Kennedy
I don’t like scary movies or books either. I will look into the Jana Leon books. Thanks for sharing!
Carol
You have found out two of my three obsessions. Sewing (quilting), for sure, and now reading mystery novels. I am reading (actually listening to books online while at the sewing machine) Carolyn Hart and her long list of cozy mysteries. The 3rd obsession? The grand kids, of course! Love this blog!
Lori Kennedy
I have never heard the term: “cozy mysteries”…what does that refer to?
Louise
I love mysteries! One of my favorite series was the Stieg Larsson “The Girl who kicked the hornet’s nest” (3 books total). If I need a good laugh I love Janet Evonovich (One for the Money up to 21 I think)
Thanks for all the instructions!!
Lori Kennedy
Thanks for the ideas!
muttmomkay@gmail.com
I listen to mysteries on cds while quilting. I am kind of limited to the ones that the library buys the cds for so mostly I listen to the popular authors. I love many of them, especially Tess Gerritsen, Tami Hoag, and the women’s murder club from James Patterson.
Janet Spears
I download books from the library to my computer and listen while doing hand sewing and embroidery. I enjoyed listening to the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King.
Lori Kennedy
Sounds so relaxing! Quilting and fiction!
muttmomkay@gmail.com
Also the dublin murder squad series by Tana French is engrossing and a very fun and compelling read.
Lori Kennedy
Sounds great…thanks for sharing!
Ness
I used to read all the time…before I started quilting!!…haven’t picked up a book in a couple years except …you should see all the quilt books and patterns I got this last month on all those great sales! (red face!) Oh how I love the downloadable patterns! Instant gratification! haha! I hardly know which one to start on next.
Catchin up on the mystery quilt this weekend.
Lori Kennedy
Focus! LOL!
Floy Heidenreich
Lori, I love your blog and I read it every day. I was wondering if there is any way you could make the font bigger? It would really help my ‘aging’ eyes. Thank you.
Barb E
If you push your Control key down and use the wheel on the mouse you can make the font size larger or smaller.
helenmarie
Thank you That works great!
Mary W
on a mac–use the two finger pinch in or out to zoom
Lori Kennedy
Thank you!
WordPress.com Support
Thank you for this very helpful tip!
Kitty
I second this request – thanks.
WordPress.com Support
I don’t think I can change the font at all. I will look into it though. Do you read this on a phone or computer? Sometimes you can change the text size there.
Shar
My favorite mystery writer of all time is Ellis Peters and the Brother Cadfael series. I love Tony Hillerman/Anne Hillerman, Earlene Fowler, Nevada Barr, Alexander McCall Smith. There are so many good writers and some not so good ones. Margaret Maron is also a favorite for me. Looking forward to hearing what others are reading.
Lori Kennedy
I loved the “Ladies Detective Agency series, books and movies…I’ll have to try the other authors. Thank you!
Jean in MN
The Brother Cadfael series is one of my favorites too!
Lori Kennedy
I will check out Brother Cadfael–seems to be a favorite!
Lisa
I love your blog and I am doing the mystery quilt along. I am learning so much. Thanks
Joanne Crowe
My favorite book for 2014 is The Snow Child by Ivey. It is what I would refer to as a modern fairytale. Great love story ….
Lori Kennedy
Sounds good….Thanks for sharing.
Gina Comstock
Have to make two memorial quilts from a nurses scrubs. They are over 50% polyester. Should the quilts backings also have polyester in it? Thinking about using bed sheets for the backing since most are not 100% cotton nowadays. Thank you for your input.
Lori Kennedy
Gina, I really don’t like bed sheets for backing. The fabric is very tightly woven and is difficult to stitch through. Also, the fabrics often feel like they have a special coating. Good quality cotton will be your best choice. You can find first quality cottons at Hancock’s of Paducah…online. Look through the sale fabrics. You may find some kind of novelty fabric with nurses or something nurse related on it. Nice opportunity to add a little design and color!
Lucy Brown
When I first started quilting, I thought sheets would be great, but it really depends on the thread count. Sometimes they are really too dense. Partly depends on if you are machine or hand quilting. I prefer my cotton fabric. I have used it with a quilt made from Hockey Jersey’s (polyester), once it was quilted, there were no issues.
Lori Kennedy
Everyone loves those T Shirt Quilts! I agree about sheets–hard to use.
Joanne Crowe
I have done tshirt quilts …I am now doing a baby first year memory quilt using her baby clothes. I use quitting flannel for my backing.
Marta. south Georgia
Someone told us at guild once that batting might pill, coming thru bed sheets’ fabric over time. Anybody verify that?
Lori Kennedy
I don’t think that would be any worse with sheets….but I don’t like sheets for backing–it’s too tightly woven and has other treatments that make it too hard to stitch through.
Helenanne
If you’re concerned that the batting might pill and migrate through then choose the batting carefully. Like fabrics, battings are not all created equal. Select a high quality batting with a scrim to prevent fiber migration.
Lori Kennedy
Thanks for the great advice!
Joanne Crowe
Hi, I am new to your blog and am doing the mystery quilt along. So much fun! I wonder if anyone has a viking tribute machine. I have had mine for a couple years. I find my tension to be a problem. For quilting I need to set it at about 1.5… For light fabric it is set around 5. Does this sound right? Also do folks use polyester thread for quilt. I have taken an online class that recommends polyester.
Thanks joaanne
Lori Kennedy
Polyester thread is great! I like several thread fibers…
mzdaisee47
I have a Viking (not tribute) and have no problems with polyester thread. If I get a tension issue when changing fabric thickness sometimes all I have to do is change the needle or rethread the machine. Have never had to take it to the shop for repairs and I have had it for over 10 years.
Esther F.
I use polyester thread 99% of the time. Perfectly fine!
muttmomkay@gmail.com
I have an older viking machine and tension is always an issue. Yes, 1.5 and 4.5 are what I use for the above. I use polyester thread for quilting with little problem. Sometimes I have an issue with polyester in the bobbin though, you really have to watch the bobbin filling and run it really slowly or else the threads seem to wind up over each other and get “stuck”.
Joanne Crowe
Thanks for the reply. I will make sure I slow down the winding of the bobbin too. Other than the tension issue, I love my machine. I just bought a small Janome to bring to guild meetings.
Marta. south Georgia
My ( was new) 3 yr old Viking… not a tribute,… has been in shop 5x for tension and never repaired and now won’t sew at all. It also made a metal on metal grating sound when it messed up..All that money..could have gone on a cruise or bought more fabric ! LOL My first viking never gave me a minute’s trouble in 27 years. Will be using 2 other brands now…well. when I get my new glasses after cataract surgery. Miss sewing every day ! Sewing is sustenance for me and Lori’s site is the recipe… with photos!
Joanne Crowe
Have you contacted the company with your machine problems. I find that most of the time when I contact a company about quality issues, they do come through fir me. Be well and get back to sewing!
Marta. south Georgia
Thanks for that suggestion Joanne… they are ones who told me where to send it for repair to company repair shop.The samples they returned of their perfect stitching was on fabric like an organdy which I would never use instead of 100% quilting fabric. The machine made a mess again at home. We even had an electrician check the power in our house. I think this is one I will have to chalk up to forget. A miracle has happened. A week ago a friend I had not seen in awhile, who did not know of the problem, brought me a gift just before my eye surgery.. a Singer Futura. She said God told her to give it to me.. I cried of course..I will be enjoying the learning curve for sure. It has a great booklet. Thank you Lord and Carol !
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Wow! What a beautiful story! So glad to hear you will be seeing again soon!
Marta. south Georgia
Oh…thank you so much…
Lori Kennedy
Marta, Wishing you the best. You have a lot going on. Very frustrating about your sewing machine!!
Marta. south Georgia
Thanks…came thru both cataract surgeries with no complications..(from other issues). Now to get used to these $6 readers till healing is accomplished. I really do miss sewing every day…. soon…soon … oh, to resume…LOL..Y’all keep up the good work!
Dorian
Ohh, I love mystery books 🙂 One of my recent favorite authors is Louise Penny. I love the old authors as well, Erle Stanley Gardner and Helen McInnes are two recently discovered ones. They are great!
Lori Kennedy
I wish there were more hours in the day!
Maggie
Lovely book. I do love time travel and time mystery books. I also love you blog…kindly and gently teaching me to master the VERY fine art of FMQ. Many many thanks
Lori Kennedy
Thank you for your kind words!
Comments are closed.