Live Q&A Feb 7, 2023

Ask me anything??

[@kathym660]

Karen, congrats on the weight loss. Your channel is my favorite of all the quilting subscriptions I have. You make projects easy to understand (would like to see more of those instructionals), your Q&As are awesome, love your guests (it is how I learned more about thread and needles and more!), and the de clutter challenge is the best. Thank you!

[@lovuforeverable]

My first full size quilt was a puffed heart, lol. It took me 20 years to complete after practicing and practicing on simpler quilts.

[@Craftythrifter]

Someone mentioned getting cut w/the rotary cutter. I did that myself. What I did was get one of those plastic corner guards for your dry wall from Lowes and cut it to fit all my rulers, glue it down with a couple dots of gorilla super glue. It works perfect and you get a really long piece for just a couple of bucks. I was fairly traumatized by the event and had a difficult time getting back into it, the guard makes me feel safe and secure again. ❤

[@Craftythrifter]

Glue it about 1/2” to 3/4” away from the edge, you don’t want it too close to the edge or it will get in the way & not too far from the edge or you won’t get a good grip on it while you’re cutting. They are clear so you can see thru them but it’s still difficult so you don’t want it in a place where you measure a lot, I found 3/4” works for me.

[@m53goldsmith]

I recently nicked a finger as well, and this idea is terrific! I will definitely do this with my plastic rulers. (I do have a steel safety ruler, but it is not long enough for most quilting applications.)

[@k.quilter2735]

Fon n Porter sells a Glove.. I use it when using the Rotary Cutter. Especially when others are in the house.

[@m53goldsmith]

@@k.quilter2735 I use a chef's knife glove now, it is very flexible. And I also use a safety edge with my ruler just to be extra careful. It's the kind of mistake you only make once, hopefully...

[@CheeseheadQuilter]

Re the cordless Panasonic iron. I love it too for all the patchwork pressing. I do find it losing its heat for very large projects like pressing the backing for a large quilt. For that I use an old larger face plate corded iron and a spray bottle…covers large areas faster.

[@beckyb8808]

I recently discovered the joy of using my ironing board for a cutting table for yardage. I'm tall and setting the ironing board to not quite the highest height was so comfortable. It's 54" long so no problem with length of my mat, yes it hung over on the 24"ends but still no problem, I pushed the hangover mostly to the opposite side from where I'm standing. Been doing this for about a month now, love it!

[@aprilblood1854]

I want to thank you for your hell yes approach. I have so many projects and I have no idea how to prioritize or how to let go and the hell yes is an absolute inspiration. Thank you.

[@julieg-az6210]

I appreciate the Panasonic iron too. Tired of fighting the cord and love that the front and back are symmetrical. Thanks for your channel.

[@jkoucheki]

I absolutely LOVE my Panasonic little iron. I think it's plenty hot. Like you - I'd love to have a second one for my big table. I need to learn how to not use the death grip. My early quilts all have issues because when I was ironing, I must have been pushing and pushing and pressing. My blocks got all wonky. I have had to learn to not push and pull and press so hard. It's a process. I'm constantly having to remind myself to "be easy". I have to have that mantra in my head.

[@juliemorrison4348]

Hi Karen watching catchup from Sydney Australia. So many great questions but I bet you miss Brandie filtering the unnecessary 🤣. I enjoyed the declutter challenge again this year but my problem when it comes to dealing with the fabrics, is that I always plan what I can do with them instead of parting with them. A new to-do list is always made🤣. Looking forward to new stashbuster patterns. Take care

[@amandasmith6941]

Hi Karen. You inspire me to think outside the box with my quilts. Thsnkyou

[@margaretkent5907]

Hi Karen, i made a foam board design wall with my Hubby’s help of course ,i covered it with batting and secures it to the wall with command strips and i just love it.thanks so much for the info..love your shows,it keeps me motivated.

[@racheljones5475]

I love your videos/information and you have a lifetime fan!😊 I have actually turned my mom onto your declutter challenge too! She's all in!

[@amandasmith6941]

Karen it’s wonderful that you can get to so many quilt shows. I’d be delighted if you were ever to make it to the Melbourne (Australia) AQC!! And blow my mind.

[@eileenfb1948]

I always use a travel iron for quilting. Love your new setting, the colour is good.

[@helencowen135]

I use my iron on clothing as well as quilting. I use only boiled water in my iron when steam is required. I use a spray bottle when getting creases out of quilting cottons

[@deannabosch1434]

🤣🤣 My hubby is also a hoarder. I can feel your pain. Thank goodness our apartment has 2 walk-in closets. His is packed!

[@karenweiman8036]

My husband and I made a design wall after seeing your insulation board design wall. I love it - it has made a big difference in my overall satisfaction with my quilting. And my friends come over to use it.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad to hear 👍

[@cherylrodriguez1957]

My husband and I are the same way. With certain things to keep. My husband says with his tools that you never know when I need for a job sometime.

[@CheeseheadQuilter]

Re the ruler foot ruler question: #1 should be a straight edge #2 should be an easy curve (sometimes these both come on one ruler). If you use 2 1/2” strips or blocks often, check out Angela Walter’s “Elvira”.

[@yvonnekoppen4609]

Husband hoarding - well we packed up a farm - threw it into a container in 2012 and he passed in 2021 - now I have to go thru this builder’s lot! Need to do an hour a day as soon as Aussie summer cools down!

[@linvallier2269]

My husband still has….every single printer and monitor we’ve ever owned, and all the 19 pin printer cables that came along with them. Somewhere deep in the basement there are two, maybe three, boxes filled with television tubes….his mom is a hoarder as well, it’s between amazing and frightening over there. It’s. A. LOT. (he’s not permitted in my sewing room to store anything “for just a couple of weeks”. I’ve wised up to that trick).

[@rhondaschellin8878]

🌞🇨🇱🌞Hello from Central TEXAS! I hated to miss you live, I was helping my g'son with a project for school. I❤️ these Q&As! I HAD to LAUGH when y'all were talking about gloves to keep one from getting cut. You said, "...and that will give you a hand.." 😅 Unintentional pun. Lol The question I would have asked that I'll get in next time is "How far away is your studio from home?" And "Does the distance hinder your sewing?"

[@zipppyzipppy4795]

Wear that Blue Everyday!!!!! It makes you "sparkle" !!!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you 🤗

[@janetuesday6473]

Donated two finished lap quilts to Quilts for Survivors. ...such a great initiative.

[@Gogas54]

I love your videos. I learn so much from you.

[@barbsanders7041]

I use a roll up solar shade that I purchased at walmart. I covered it with thin batting using 3m spray adhesive. I hung it up in front of my fabric shelving, so when I don't need it I just roll it up.

[@fimuseum]

Calendar - I stopped carrying my calendar with me and do not keep it in my phone. That way, when away from the house, I can't say "yes" until I go home and check the calendar. It has helped me not overbook my self as often as in the past.

[@tonialtman3727]

The declutter challange was great for me , must do it two or three months to keep up with scraps too.

[@melanycyr782]

I finally got to watch you live!! 😊. Couldn’t figure out how to say hi lol

[@helencowen135]

Hi Karen, watching replay. Sounds like your husband would make a great Kiwi Bloke with his "it might come in handy" ethos😍

[@eugeniaread2724]

Oh thank you for the reminder about putting up my design wall.

[@mauracurran3270]

Greetings from Ireland ,I love your Q and A.sessions.

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Thank you! 🧵🪡

[@tracisass4983]

Hi Karen, I may have an idea for a video. How do we deal with differences in our measuring tools? I am I’d say an advanced beginner quilter. With every quilt I’m trying to have my blocks be less off, lol. I just discovered by accident that my mat and my ruler don’t match up , getting increasing off as you move to the right side. Imagine my dismay when I get all my rulers and tapes out only to be more confused on which one is right?? I did not see a video maybe I missed it, on best practice to deal with this but like sometimes I was using the mat to line up my first bulk cut off big piece and then switching to ruler for sub cuts if that makes sense. And then at the end it would be wrong! I was using a Sullivan mat for this. But then I found my smaller Olfa mat is not even the same as the 24” Olfa ruler I have! What the heck! I assume brand name is better …

[@fraserdonaldson7928]

Hi from Moorefield Ont Canada, thanks for all the great ideas, I love to guilt 8:41

[@polyesterbebe]

I love your videos/information

[@lauriekerestes7840]

omgosh! i'm sorry i missed the live. My question is.. i have made some simple placemats with batting inside, turned them inside out and sewed a 1/4" seam around the outside. They look great, but i fear that when i wash them they will buckle and not lay flat again. I did this on another piece without the batting and boy did it buckle. I really didnt want to place stitching across the piece. All the fabrics were prewashed except the batting. should batting be washed as well?

[@janicewebber5584]

😂🤣 I love how you say 19 below 0 is chilly! I grew up in Florida & currently in Tennessee. We HATED that the temp here a month ago was around 15! Also, some snow makes the schools close & people buy out the milk & bread incase they can't get to the store! I don't suppose they have "snow days" in Canada that shuts down the schools. 🤔

[@gloriabutler1430]

Hi from someone in Tennessee too...

[@brendaschaub8292]

We never have snow days in schools in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Even at 30 below.

[@lauriekerestes7840]

@@brendaschaub8292 we sure do!!

[@laurienorton7422]

I grew up in the NW corner of NM. 2 feet of snow, roads plowed, we went to school anyway. Moved to Paris, TN in between Sophomore and Junior year of high school, ¼" of snow and school shut down for two days. Lol. The humidity in the summer was difficult to adjust to. Lived in OK the past 18 years... can't go back to NM without a humidifier..

[@SewingMamaJulie]

Greetings from Bristol, Wisconsin!!! 35° here!

[@cindyloumasera4858]

I have an expensive [Back in the day] 30-year-old ROWENTA that is still going strong. Love, love it! It's made in Germany. Probably when things were meant to last.

[@yolandarowe3094]

The newer SteamForce units are horrid. I purchased three within two years. The first had a power problem. The second didn't heat properly. The third leaked everywhere. Each was more expensive than a gravity-fed. My gravity-fed hasn't disappointed.

[@linvallier2269]

I’ve still got a GE, that we got for a wedding gift in 1974. I’ve used our very hard, mineral ridden tap water in it, and it just keeps going. No auto shutoff back in that day, so I always make sure it’s unplugged when I’m done.

[@Linda-fs3ex]

Fond and porter makes a glove to wear for rotary cutting.

[@vickieaxell9518]

Great Q&A.

[@tassie32]

lol my husband keeps his computer cables and stuff too.. But he has proved the one day will come when we need it and you can't buy it anymore or it is so expensive I am he has that big bag of stuff.... lol

[@rebeccamulkern1051]

If I want to make a flying geese slightly bigger and then trim to size, do I add on all pieces a 1/4 inch? I use the no waste method 💕

[@jacquieyoung1759]

I really like your videos. I am looking for a video about sashing and settings. I'm looking for different settings not the usual. I like to work out of the box . I want settings to enhance the whole quilt and add a WOW to it. Can you help?

[@fraserdonaldson7928]

Question, does fabric stop fraying once seams are enclosed

[@lisae4024]

I messed up and need to remove some raw edge appliqué that I have already sewn down with a blanket stitch. I used fusible wonder under. Best way to remove it?

[@Craftythrifter]

If you reheat with an iron you may be able to pull it off

[@madelineking9104]

Favorite color is purple, yellow,

[@pepeylamiller3431]

I do a lot of fishing and I use a special glove to prevent cuts. It looks and feels like “mail”. A sporting goods store should hold them.

[@robertawalsh2995]

Woodcarvers do the same.

[@debmetheral6596]

Hello from Collingwood Ontario🇨🇦

[@dsykes3970]

Hi from Rhode Island 🇺🇸

[@lorij6359]

What size is your sewing machine table

[@mchelpinghands805]

Hi Karen I watch video I using do not have a room just sewing table in our bedroom. I used sewing baskets for zone.

[@eugeniaread2724]

Hi Karen! You can do it!

[@dumoulinreine5601]

Hi I’m here Karen I’M here with you yee ! Reine. La Prairie QC 🇲🇶 canada

[@thecheekyquilters]

So sorry I missed it! Had to work late tonight.

[@cathyhayman2545]

#replay from Brighton, Ontario!

[@cherylrodriguez1957]

How do you come up with your ideas for a quilt. What would you suggest for a beginner quilter for making a quilt.

[@madelineking9104]

I usually go through my fabric, down size

[@madelineking9104]

.monthly

[@angelakohler165]

Madam Sew has a good cutting glove. Love mine.

[@dianepage3335]

Hello, from Idaho!!

[@dis9168]

How many quilt projects do you work on at once?

[@angelaadventures2023]

Hello from toronto canada 🇨🇦 😊

[@patriciabennett9565]

I am looking for a Long Arm quilter in the GTA (Richmond Hill) area - I made a quilt that is bigger than a Queen. Hard to find someone - any recommendations?

[@marthahale2364]

Is Amazon the only way to buy flexi-fuse? I hope not.

[@deborahjohnson9712]

If you can remember to turn up the sound on your end that would be great.

[@pdsrn71]

First time live from Trish in Oregon, Ohio

[@kathytomari3789]

And Japan!

[@rise2824]

Hello from Mississippi.

[@donnakeim2049]

Hellow from New Jersey.

[@robindomerese8436]

Hi Robin from Arkansas.

[@SewingMamaJulie]

Karen, I have a 6 month UFO, with all fabric included, but on the strips (from a panel) they provided, they are supposed to be 2-1/2" BUT they are 2-3/8", does this happen often? All I could do was alter all blocks down to this scale. Is there anything else I can do?

[@nicolebrunzel6608]

I'd just adjust the seam allowance from 1/4 " to 3/16th ". It should be sufficient and you won't have to alter all the blocks.

[@eugeniaread2724]

I am humming and hawing over purchasing a serger. What benefits are there to having one?

[@suzannemcgowan494]

I love mine and find lots of reasons to use it. Serge raw edges of fabric when washing or storage, lots of clothing and repairs.

[@debranogas1992]

I know that sergers cost, but I have one and I love it. I don’t use it much but glad I have it. I mainly sew clothes and repair to clothes. Just took up quilting about 3 months ago and I’m loving it. Buying clothes is so much cheaper than making them, so when I make clothes - they are special. When I finish a project, the fabric is fabulous and I’m so proud of the detailing and the extra care I have put into it. But just like being proud of the look of the back panel of a quilt, when I look at the interior of my garment the rough cut seams it brings me down. Seams can be done but it is a lot of work and the serger just makes it so easy. Also if you are making a bunch of pj bottoms as Christmas presents for various people you can finish them quite nicely quickly.

[@juliemorrison4348]

If you do a lot of garment sewing a server will give you that professional look and will be money well spent🇦🇺

[@pammeinzer6757]

I would like to know if you are going to interview Marnae with country quilts.

[@deannabosch1434]

I wish I could join live but the 6:00 cst is dinner hour at my house.

[@maureenmcmullen5533]

I love cordless irons

[@racheljones5475]

I think you have to give yourself permission to pass and/or fail.

[@ravensmokedancer8242]

I missed it. I got stuck at work and had to work an hour longer. Ugh.

[@clairdelune82]

Nice! You have a child in Montreal! I live there. If you know good quilting shops in Mtl, please let me know!

[@HTRACYHILL]

Hi Karen I love your wall accent. Where would i find it?

[@gwenjackson489]

She made it herself when she remolded her studio

[@racheljones5475]

Youch! Sounds very painful 😣

[@elizabethannwest646]

Hi from fort Frances Ontario canada

[@Foxysvacation]

I really miss your tutorials and tips videos

[@joycekaminski1943]

My Sewjo is completely gone and has been for a while. Any ideas, quilters, to get it back again?

[@nicolebrunzel6608]

Find a fabric that's too beautiful nit to use it, and a pattern that screams your name. Perhaps find something that challenges you. And, most importantly, concentrate on the doing not the completed project, on the way rather than the destination. Relearn to enjoy the process of making. This usually helps me.

[@joycekaminski1943]

Thanks Nicole. Lots of good suggestions.

[@colleenfrancis5899]

Hi from Michigan 😊

[@linvallier2269]

Michigan here as well, I’m in the U.P…..

[@peggeefrost6195]

Hello from Cedar Falls, Iowa

[@karengrote6512]

I’m a regular listener, near Boone IA. I love seeing other Iowans here.

[@joannegraves3179]

Hi from Iowa

[@racheljones5475]

You'll find you gravitate towards certain shades

[@gwenjackson489]

How do you find sponsors for your You Tube.

[@racheljones5475]

Where do you get your great clear boxes for UFOs?

[@Craftythrifter]

Michaels

[@eugeniaread2724]

Hi from Penticton BC

[@sarahkinsey5434]

Speaking of the Survivors organization, I wonder how soon quilts can be sent over to Turkey and Syria for the earthquake victims

[@cynthialgood8011]

Hello from WV

[@nancybrooks-hartz8807]

Hi from oregon

[@susanrascone2098]

There was an earthquake centred at Buffalo this past Monday. That is probably what the lady meant.

[@madelineking9104]

Own a. Black and decker Iron

[@dorothyhighum1214]

Hello from Mn

[@helencowen135]

The glove is often called a klutz glove

[@robertawalsh2995]

"The better safe than sorry glove" if you're more than 20 miles from the nearest hospital.

[@calliemtb]

Klutz glove

[@barbaraouellette4833]

Quilt Alaska says hi

[@maureenmcmullen5533]

Hi everyone