Catherine Redford on Basting, Batting thickness, Domestic Machine and Webinar!

Catherine Redford was born in England where she learned to knit and sew at an early age. After relocating from London to Naperville, Illinois, she learned to quilt and has been stitching ever since. She's an award-winning quilter, an active member of her local guilds, a BERNINA brand ambassador, a popular teacher at local and national conferences, and the co-founder of the Naperville Modern Quilters Guild. Catherine is a frequent contributor to Modern Patchwork magazine and guest on Quilting Arts TV. She is the author of a QATV workshop DVD, Modern Machine Quilting and will be presenting a live webinar on Tuesday, June 23^rd.

My favorite part of making a quilt (after the fabric shopping bit…) is quilting it. From the time I make my first fabric selections to drafting a pattern, through cutting those fabrics into little pieces and stitching them back together, I’m thinking about how I am going to quilt my top.

I think my least favorite part is the basting but it’s so important it’s done right and it does give me the opportunity to see my finished top up really close and personal before it goes to the sewing machine… Basting is definitely an opportunity to listen to something good and think some happy thoughts!

When I first started quilting in 1998 there really weren’t a lot of readily available choices in the world of batting. I was introduced to Quilters Dream in 2003 when I started teaching at a local independent quilt store. With a choice of thicknesses and an ever-increasing choice of fibers I now use it almost exclusively for all my projects.

Working with Quilters Dream Cotton "Request" loft

To begin with I could never remember which was the loftiest loft. Now I just think “R” comes before “S” so Request is thinner than Select… I can always remember that! I use a lot of Request Cotton. It drapes so well and comes out of the bag ready to go. One of the simplest ways to get a large quilt through a domestic machine is to use a lower loft batting and Quilters Dream Cotton Request certainly fits the bill! 

Quilters Dream "Request" batting is the thinnest/lowest loft. 

Quilted using Quilters Dream Cotton "Request" loftWorking with Quilters Dream Cotton "Select" loft

If I want something heavier, such as for a wall hanging, I use the Select weight. I recently purchased king size batts in each weight and the Select one comes in a quite bit bigger bag! That makes a difference when you’re quilting a bed quilt.

Quilters Dream "Select" batting is the mid-loft. Excellent choice for hall hangings. 

Quilted wall hanging  using Quilters Dream Batting "Select"



Working with Quilters Dream Wool

I also like the Quilters Dream Wool. I like to put a cozy flannel fabric backing on my baby quilts but it does add to the weight. Wool batting is lighter and fluffier and balances the flannel. It washes really well. I have machine-washed and dried quilts with wool batting and I’m very happy with the results.

Quilted using Quilters Dream Wool



Join Catherine's webinar!

Now I’m enjoying travelling and teaching quilting techniques all over the USA and I always recommend Quilters Dream batting. I’m excited to be taking part in a live webinar next week. I’ll be sharing lots of my favorite techniques and tips for walking foot quilting on a domestic machine. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and get them answered at the end of my presentation.

Sign up is on line at http://www.shopfonsandporter.com/product/modern-machine-quilting-straight-lines-spirals-and-more .

 Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. You will receive a copy of the recorded presentation in an email that goes out within 1 week after the live event.

It sounds like fun to me. I hope you’ll join me.

Follow me on my blog at http://catherineredford.com or on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/catherineredfordquilter

Every day is an adventure!

 ~Catherine Redford

           

Featured #battgirls (April) Shayne Dickson

Featured #battgirls (April 2015)

Shayne Dickson

We are excited to introduce Shayne as our featured April #battgirl. Enjoy her story about how she began quilting and her clever tricks of the trade working with voile and how she uses up her scrap batting. 

Quilters Dream: What inspired you to start quilting?

Shayne Dickson:  I began quilting about 8 years ago.  My husband was about to begin medical school and we were living with his parents to save some money before he started.  I had always admired my mother-in-law's artistic and creative abilities, especially her quilting.  I came from a home where my Girl Scout patches were stapled onto my sash (sorry Mom, I love you!!), and the thought of sewing never really crossed my mind.  As soon as I expressed an interest, my mother-in-law sent me straight out the door to a fabric store to pick out fabrics for my first project.  I still remember walking the aisles in awe of all of my choices.  How does one choose!!!??  As soon as I sat down at the machine I was hooked.  For my birthday, my husband pooled in some money from moms and grandmas and bought me my Bernina 1008 that I still love and use.  My mother-in-law calls me her "Little Grasshopper" and I call her "Master" because she taught me so much about quilting and sewing.  She still puts up with all my calls and crazy sewing questions at all hours of the day!    

Four years ago when we moved to Ohio for my husband's Radiology Residency was when my little quilting business began its journey. 

QDB: How do you get inspired when quilting these days?  

SD: I found a local modern quilt store called Sew To Speak 

 and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of modern

quilting and fabric.  I was incredibly inspired by this little

store and all of the possibilities it opened up for me.  It just so happens that is was the store of the amazing April Rhodes of Art Gallery Fabrics and her lovely mom, Annita.  They have answered so many questions and encouraged me and my quilting every step of the way!  Their little shop is still my favorite place to go and be inspired and uplifted not only by the fabrics, but by all of those whom I have met and talked to! 

I'm inspired by everything and everyone around me.  I've had four kids since I began my quilting journey and love designing and quilting for them.  I love creating something with a specific person and their tastes in mind.  Nothing is more inspiring to me than individuals and their individuality.  My favorite things to quilt are baby quilts and pillows, mostly because I know they will loved and used.  I also enjoy making bags of all shapes and sizes and sometimes if you twist my arm enough, clothing.  I'm hoping to put together a quilt pattern collection somewhere in the near future!

QDB: What is your favorite part about quilting and its industry?

SD: My favorite thing about quilting and the quilting industry is that there are never ending possibilities!  Just when I think I have seen everything, BAM, someone creates something new and amazing.  I love seeing new quilts that make me scratch my head and leave me wondering, "How in the world did they do that!?".  I love the quilting community, online and in person.  I once hunted down a woman in Target because I saw that she had a quilter bumper sticker on the back of her car, she didn't even call the police!  Instead, we shared pictures of our quilts and chatted about our favorite places to shop for fabric. 

Instagram (my favorite form of social media) is like one giant quilt guild.  Quilters share their work, create challenges and quilt-alongs, offer encouragement and give great advice!

QDB: What advice would you give someone who’s never tried Quilters Dream Batting?

SD: To those who have yet to try Quilter's Dream Batting, what are you waiting for!?  I am a recent convert and have loved working with it!  I have used it in everything from quilts and pillows to bags!  It is so soft you can just roll yourself up in it and be happy!  My favorite Quilter's Dream Batting is the

DreamCotton.  It love it's versatility.  I can use it whether I am densely quilting a project or trying to stretch my quilting as far apart as possible or even a combination of both.  Either way I know I can rely on it to quilt beautifully, hold up in the wash, remain soft and continue to better with age.

 Tips & Tricks

The Wanderer Quilt was pieced together with some fabric given to me by Art Gallery Designer, April Rhodes to show off her latest line, Wanderer.  (Check it out for a free pattern) She gave me a beautiful cut of soft voile to use for the backing.  I was very nervous to quilt the voile because it tends to be very slippery.

Shayne (left) & fabric designer April Rhodes

"Wanderer"

 My vision was to have some very densely quilted areas as well as some big open spaces.  I needed a batting that could handle both.  I decided to use the Dream Cotton and it was a perfect choice.

 To keep the voile from slipping while quilting I used a combination of spray basting and pin basting.  It really helped to heat set the layers after I spray basted, and then add the pins to really keep it secured.  The Dream Cotton pressed well and remained perfectly basted.  I was able to quilt the voile with very few issues.

"Hello Bear, Pow Wow"

This quilt was all about the baby!  I really wanted a batting that  I would be able to quilt heavily for durability but still remain soft and cuddly.  And especially something that would hold up in the wash!  The Dream Cotton hit the mark again!  This quilt also used a combination of pin and spray basting.  I used my walking foot and guide to create the straight line quilting.

"Frenchie"

"I Woof You"

I always save every scrap of batting after finishing a bigger quilt project.  I use my scrap batting for smaller projects like this French Bulldog pillow I made for a friend.  The pillow finished at about 8" by 8".  In my opinion, no piece of batting is too small to save!  Pillows make great gifts and when inspiration hits, I'm always glad to have my scrap batting.  Whenever I make pillow covers I baste my front to the batting and back with a piece of muslin.  This prevents lint build up in my machine.

"Retro Mod"

This quilt was made to put in a local quilt show and then gifted to someone to use as a lap quilt.  I used all Kona Solids and most of them were dark.  I was worried that with the light batting some of the batting lint would come up and show.  One quick run with my lint roller and it wasn't a problem! If I'm not washing my quilts before showing or giving I always go over them with a lint roller to pick up excess lint and thread. 

**Another tip to prevent bearding and pokies, break the static charge which causes the batting to pop through especially when working with darker fabrics. Click HERE to read more.

"Plus Quilt"

The Plus Quilt was meant to be a "cuddle up and read quilt" for my daughter for Christmas.  I wanted it warm and comfy.  I spread out the quilting so it would have a nice drape.  The  Dream Cotton batting package said that quilting could be up to 8 inches apart and I took advantage of that.  The result was a wonderfully soft quilt great for curling up on the couch with a good book! This quilt is one of the most used in my house and has held up nicely in the wash and gets even better with age.

Keep up with Shayne!

Instagram: @shayne.dickson.quilts

Email:  shayne.dickson.quilts@gmail.com

Don't forget we are always looking for our next Featured #battgirls. 

Click HERE for more info on how it could be you! 

Have you heard about Fusion

We have something new for you to stick to!

We have taken our Dream Cotton and Dream Poly and 'infused' them with soft fusible fibers. Our unique process of needle punching to one side of the batting allows us to maintain the consistency, softness, and drape-ability of the Dream Cotton and Dream Poly with the added benefit of fusible webbing.
Dream Fusion is a wonderfully convenient option for combining the qualities of Quilters Dream Batting while eliminating the need for pinning and basting. Can be used on quilts, tablerunners or place of interfacing for handbags and small craft projects.

Look Ma', no basting!

Unruly seams? Use Quilters Dream Fusion to lock those seams in place! No need to re-iron your seams time and time again.

Too many seams!

Locked and loaded!

It is so easy.... Simply place the fusible side (a little bit more texture and shine than top side) against the back side of your fabric (back side to back side)...

Set your iron based on your fabric... with Wool or cotton setting being the best for quicker fusing. Slowly iron the fabric (not the batting) from the center out - keeping heat and light pressure slowly moving in each area for a few seconds.... then allow to cool....

Be careful not to get your iron on the fusible webbing. If you do, swipe your iron across a used dryer sheet to remove any residue.
Then quilt, sew, embroidery or let your imagination run wild!

Once quilted, Dream Fusion batting is machine washable and machine dry (cool settings suggested) and may be dry cleaned.


Dream Fusion is solvent-free it's use is environmentally friendly. ...and your hand, short-arm or longarm needles will not 'gum up' while using Dream Fusion.

Call us for a free sample 888-268-8664.

Happy Quilting!
~The Dream Team