| IN REMEMBRANCE | | |
You Are In Our Hearts
We designed this quilt pattern immediately following the events of Sept 11, 2001, as a tribute to those who lost their lives that day. We donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this pattern to the International Medical Corps.
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You Are In Our Hearts
42" x 42" |
Remembering those who lost their lives, and those who love them still.
that increases our donation to International Medical Corps.
Thank you.
"For more than 25 years,
International Medical Corps has worked to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease by delivering vital health care services that focus on training, helping devastated populations return to self-reliance."
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CURRENT
INTERNET SPECIAL | | |
Orchid
 | | Orchid |
Sale Price: $12.00
(Regular Price: $15.00)
Click here to purchase this pattern.
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Q & A | | |
Can I fuse and machine applique a Hawaiian quilt?
If you are making a block, then yes, you can fuse and machine stitch. Machine applique can be an appropriate technique for decorating a tote bag, for example. (Be sure to remove the turn-under allowance that is built into our Hawaiian quilt patterns.)
But, in our opinion, if you are making a larger quilt it is:
1) Difficult to cut the folded applique after the fusible has been applied;
2) Tedious and time- consuming to sit at your sewing machine twisting and turning your large quilt to stitch around all the curves and points; and
3) The result is a stiff applique, not the fluid, soft applique you probably were originally attracted to.
You can tell that we want to enjoy both the process and the end result of our work.
Having said that, we know some of you will still want to try it. Go ahead, do what makes you happy. Just don't ask us for how-to advice. We try not to give advice on topics we have no experience with, and we have no experience fusing and machine appliqueing anything larger than a Hawaiian quilt block.
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I HAVE A NOTION | | |
Whether appliqueing by hand or machine, to make any of our 2FAQ patterns, you mark the entire pattern on the right side of the applique fabric. It can be nearly impossible to trace the pattern on a very dark applique fabric, like what you would use for the Halloween quilt, so that is when you want to use our Pattern Transfer Paper.
Available as single sheets, 18" x 24", in blue, red, white or yellow; or as an assorted pack with one each of all 4 colors. These sheets are reusable, over and over and over again.
Buy now
$20, for the assorted pack of 4 sheets.
$5.75 for a single sheet.
TIP: Use 1 sheet to mark half of a 2FAQ quilt, then slide the sheet to mark the second half.
OR:
Tape 2 sheets together (they don't have to be the same color) and mark the whole quilt without having to move the transfer paper!
Read more about this product in our Sept 2010 e-Newsletter.
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| LEARN AT HOME | | |
"Hawaiian Quilting with Nancy Lee Chong" - DVD
Our DVD "Hawaiian Quilting with Nancy Lee Chong" teaches you everything you need to know to make a Hawaiian quilt. These quilts may look difficult, but they are amazingly easy to make -- when you know the steps and can watch someone doing it with you. Let Nancy show you every simple step. How great is that, to have the teacher right at home with you as you make your Hawaiian Quilt?
No time like the present to start that quilt you have always wanted to make!
Buy the DVD here.
Just $35.00
But don't just take our word for it. This is an email we received recently:
"Hi Nancy, I was in the class on Tuesday. I loved the class and am working on my quilt. Have just sat in front of my computer with the DVD running and my quilt top in my hand working on my points. I just have to tell you that I love the DVD (Hawaiian Quilting one) I just feel like I brought you home with me and have a new friend drinking iced tea with me and visiting!! You make it all look so easy. Thanks so much."
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| QUILTCHONG.COM | | |
RETREAT TO THE OREGON COAST!
Fall and Winter along the Oregon coast are magical seasons with autumn colors in the hills and storms at sea. A change of scenery, any time of year, stimulates and inspires. Make your plans now to spend time at Nancy's studio in Gold Beach, Oregon, for your quilting retreat or for private applique lessons with Nancy. Whether you come for one day or several, by yourself, or with friends; you deserve a place to relax while you stitch.
Go to QuiltChong.com for more pictures and information, then call Nancy to book your retreat!
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| Greetings!
 Do you think about tools much? Tools are what make it possible for us to create and make things. With every new interest we develop comes a host of new tools. Knitters need needles; jewelers need pliers; gardeners need shovels; cooks need pots. Of course, you can begin very simply with a few basic tools. But, if you are like us, before long you are searching out more specialized tools to expand the possibilities of what you can create.
We think one exception to the proliferation of needed tools is with hand applique. One huge benefit of hand applique is the only tools you really need are scissors, needles, pins, and perhaps a thimble. Add some fabric and thread and you can applique anything! Sure, people have tried to introduce other aides, but are those really necessary? Probably not.
Now, think about your sewing machine. Isn't it just another way to use a needle and thread? As hand appliquers we seldom sit at our machines for very long, but we know there are many of you who prefer to applique by machine. And even for those who prefer hand applique, there are, yes there are, times when it just makes sense to applique by machine. So this month, we are going to talk about using the most expensive tool in our studio - our sewing machine. Fall is creeping up on us. If you are looking for an excuse for one last trip while the weather is still warm, consider a trip out to the Oregon coast and the wonderfully scenic little town of Gold Beach. The Gold Beach Quilt Show is Sept 17 & 18. Yes, Nancy will be there with our quilts, patterns, fabric and more for your shopping and viewing pleasure.
If you are not able to make it to Oregon, be sure to check our Calendar to see when Nancy will be in your area, or to find an on-line class at QuiltUniversity.com. We hope to see you soon.
E komo mai! Nancy & Janice |
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APPLIQUE | | | Machine Applique
To begin, let's list the reasons we like to applique by hand:
- Portable, around the house or around the world.
- Relaxing, even therapeutic.
- Can engage in conversation with friends and family while quietly stitching, anywhere.
- Can keep stitching when the power goes out.
- Prefer the look and feel.
Now let's list the reasons for machine applique:
- Faster (if your sewing machine is cleared off and working).
- Don't know how to applique by hand.
OK, that's a bit biased, we confess. But what would you expect from us, really?
Seriously, through the years we have done our share of machine applique, too. And we do know there are times when machine applique is appropriate and preferred. We also know that many of you really like machine work. So for those times, and those people, we share the things that work well for us when using our machines.
- First, and most importantly, if you are making one of our 2 Fabric Applique Quilts (2FAQ), READ and FOLLOW the "Fusible Machine Applique Instructions" in every 2FAQ pattern. Promise us you will do that. Please, pinky swear.
- For your chosen fusible, follow only the bonding instructions for temperature and pressing duration. Do not follow their marking instructions, or your quilt image will end up being backwards on your quilt, and it will just be harder to do. Trust us, read and follow our instructions in the 2FAQ patterns.
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 | | Janice's preferred settings on her Bernina 1130 |
Set your sewing machine to a narrow zigzag stitch (between 2 and 2.5) - For stitch length, our preference is to have some space between the zigzags so the applique fabric will show through. The setting for stitch length is about 3/4.
TIP: Once you find the settings you like the best, with a permanent marking pen, put a small dot on your machine. Look closely at the photo and you'll see Janice's marks.
 In this sample, the stitch width setting did not change, but you can see two different stitch lengths. Our preference is the one on the right, made with the stitch settings you see above. The row of stitching on the left was created with a stitch length of 1/2. This puts the stitches closer together, showing more thread and less fabric. We used a contrasting thread for this sample so you could clearly see the stitches. Of course, on your quilt you will use a thread that matches your applique fabric, and the stitching will be far less noticeable.
Here are more of our stitching tips: - Engage the needle-down feature on your machine.
- Begin stitching on a straight edge, not on a curve.
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 | | Stitching on the right side of this sample is better than the stitching on the left |
Position your fabric so
the needle drops into the background fabric just barely off the edge of your applique fabric. - To turn an outside right-angle corner, stop with the needle down exactly at the corner of the applique fabric, turn the quilt top and stitch the next side.
- To create a point, taper your stitch width as you approach the tip of the point, turn your quilt top and expand the stitch width as you move away from the tip.
- To stitch a valley, sew just past the center of the valley, turn and stitch back over those few stitches as you go up the opposite side.
If you really want to perfect your machine applique stitching there are lots of resources available these days to explore different types of stitches and methods. These are the basics that work for us. |
| Halloween | | |
2 Fabric Applique Quilt
 | | "Halloween" by Helen Roehl |
Just in time for this e-newsletter, we received an email from Helen Roehl showing us her Halloween quilt. Her timing was perfect! We wanted to showcase the Halloween pattern this month; and she used an hombre fabric, the topic of an article in our last e-newsletter.
Helen tells us, "I finished your lovely Halloween wall hanging pattern & thought you may like to see it. I used a graded fabric for the background fabric, and a batik for the applique fabric. Stippled the moon with a gold metallic thread and foreground with a copper metallic Supertwist thread. Thanks for producing such great patterns....this is the 3rd pattern I've done of yours and they always turn out great! They are so much fun to do!!"
 We love seeing how creative quilters take our patterns and turn them into spectacular quilts! Thank you, Helen, for sharing your beautiful quilt with all of us.
We have quite a variety of Fabric Packs for you now to make your Halloween quilt. (Janice is working to bring in fabrics similar to the ones in Helen's quilt, but that will take time.)
Halloween, 24" x 36", $12.00. Click here to get your pattern now.
To see two very different versions of this quilt from quilters in Florida, scroll down this page: Florida Fans' Gallery.
Speaking of machine applique, we recommended machine applique for this pattern when we introduced it in September 2010. We also gave ideas for colors and quilting. To re-read that article, click here: September 2010 |
| ORCHID | | |
Hawaiian Quilt - "Okika Honohono"
 | | Orchid |
With every quilt we feature in our e-newsletter we point out something interesting or unique. What makes this pattern unique? It is the only design we have ever purchased. The original design is by Fern Spackman, a student in one of Nancy's Quilt University design classes. We were in the process of designing an orchid bed-sized quilt pattern when Fern's design emerged from the class. After seeing her design we knew we would not be as happy with anything else we designed. We were so in love with the orchids and fluid nature of her design that we reached an agreement with her to purchase it.
 Here is the picture we first saw of Fern's design that made us fall in love with it. Originally a wall quilt, Nancy added the outside border to make it a bed-sized quilt.
TIP: You can make it as a wall quilt by simply using the medallion pattern on a background at least 60" square.
It is difficult to appreciate the true scale of the applique elements in a large quilt when you are viewing a tiny picture. This is a
 | | Scale of orchids & buds |
photo of the actual pattern
page, so you can see the elements in this quilt are very sew-able.
Orchid-lovers know that orchids come in what seems an infinite variety of size, shape and color. Why not choose your favorite colors and plan to make this your winter applique project?
The minimum size for this quilt, with the border, is 84" square. To make it larger, the outside border will be wider, and the pattern helps you to do it.
Orchid pattern: Minimum size 84" x 84", but you can make it larger than that . This pattern is normally priced at $15.00, right now it is on sale for just $12.00. Buy It Now
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COMING EVENTS | | |
Nancy's Whereabouts:
Go ahead, treat yourself to a class or retreat this Summer or Fall. You deserve it!
Quilt Shows
- September 17 & 18, Gold Beach Quilt Show, Gold Beach, OR. A great opportunity to shop, see our quilts up close, and meet Nancy in person. Come shop for patterns, fabric, hand-dyed fabric, DVDs, notions, Aurifil thread. Because this is Nancy's local guild, she will be selling some of her one-of-a-kind art quilts, too! Don't miss this unique opportunity!!!
Classes - Presentations - Events
- Sept 27-28, Mid-Valley Quilt Guild, Salem, OR
- Oct 5, Puyallup Valley Quilters, Puyallup, WA
- Oct 6 & 8, Block Party Quilters, Issaquah, WA
- Oct 13-15, Salt Creek Quilters Guild, Hinsdale, IL
- Oct 20-22, Sea Island Quilters, Beaufort, SC
Register early for classes. They can fill quickly, or be canceled if not enough people register in advance.
Click CALENDAR for details and contact information.
Looking ahead to 2012:
- January 9 & 10, Foothill Quilters, Auburn, CA
- January 13 & 14, Quilting at the Lake, Lake Havasu City, AZ. Hawaiian Applique workshop, and a 2 Fabric Applique Quilts workshop. Registration has begun, sign-up now!
- Feb 18-25, Cruise the Hawaiian Islands with Nancy while you learn to design your own Hawaiian quilt! See our Calendar for the link to C.P. Trips for all the details and to reserve your space now!
- March 27-29, Des Moines Area Quilters Guild, West Des Moines, IA
Nancy is booking classes, shows and events for the remainder of 2011, 2012 and 2013 now. If you would like her to come to your area to teach, let your quilt shop, quilt guild or show organizer know. Print Nancy's Brochure and pass it along. Be sure to circle the classes you are interested in!
QuiltUniversity.com
If you do not live where you can take a class from Nancy in person, then perhaps a class at Quilt University would work for you.
"No tests. No grades. No Pressure. New classes open every weekend from January until the end of October. Students receive a password to an online classroom with a teacher-led Discussion Forum and Student Gallery. A typical class consists of three or four lessons."
Nancy's next QuiltUniversity.com classes begin:
Janice's next QuiltUniversity.com class begins:
- Sept 23: Photographing Your Quilts
Go to QuiltUniversity.com for details & to register. |
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Thank you for spending a little of your precious time with us, we really appreciate it. Remember to send us your stories, pictures, questions, or suggestions. We love to hear from you.
A hui hou,
Until next time,
Nancy & Janice |
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