What’s Your Favorite Sewing or Quilting Process?

Share your favorite sewing process

What’s Your Favorite Sewing or Quilting Process?

Share your favorite sewing processEarlier this month I asked, via Facebook and Pinterestfor you to share your favorite sewing or quilting process.  My staff and I chose several of the many responses, plus a spotlight on one of my followers.
Be sure to check out question below, and if you’d like, submit a response. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite sewing or quilting process?
Here’s what you are saying:
Company
“Sewing and quilting with my 5-year-old granddaughter.”—Jearit, Seattle, WA
Gifts and Generosity
“I enjoy making wristlets and key fobs to give away.”—Beverly Morten, Baltimore, MD
Inspirational Therapy
“I love appliqué!  I started quilting after my cousin sent me a quilt that she made. I was recovering from having four strokes. When I looked at the quilt she made me, I knew what my NEW therapy was going to be.  I looked at dozens of books and found that I really liked the appliquéd quilts the best. I started my first quilt using an appliqué technique and also doing everything with my stroke-affected hand.  It turned out somewhat well and I have been doing it ever since. My arm is now recovered! “—Michele Mann, Madison, WI
Garment Piecing
“I love the process of sewing my cut out pieces together, and watching a garment take shape. There is a Zen quality to the simple process of running the seams through my machine and a sense of self-worth when it is done.”—Carla Taylor, Bend, Oregon
All-Encompassing Enjoyment
“I enjoy every part of the process. Maybe the planning is my favorite part: which pattern, which fabric, what style changes, etc. I also enjoy the cutting and sewing, too. Of course, I really enjoy wearing what I’ve made or seeing the face of the person I’ve made the gift for!”—Charlotte Trayer, Mountlake Terrace, WA
Fabric! Fabric! Fabric!
“Picking out the fabric is my favorite part of the sewing process. I sew for my nieces, and I love the process of finding fabrics, patterns, and their favorite colors to make them a piece of clothing, purse, or doll clothes.”—Connie Caudill, Springfield, MO
Sweet Sounds
“I love the hum of the machine as it stitches along. With the completion of each seam, I get closer to seeing the results of the effort invested in creating the project. “—Ellie Donald, Catonsville, MD
Free-Motion Quilting
“My favorite quilting process is free-motion quilting on my domestic machine.  However,  my favorite sewing process is embroidery.  I love how both give me a sense of creativity. Each time I use one of these processes, I learn new skills. I love learning new things, don’t you? “—Doreen Hersh, Wichita, KS
Accuracy
“Doing it right the first time. Oh, what bliss!”—Judy Englis, Portland, OR
Big Finishes
“My favorite by far is completing a project. For example: taking the last few stitches on a quilt binding and then placing it onto a bed or seeing the look on the face of my seven-year old granddaughter when I show her the latest princess dress-up gown finished.”—Judy Englis, Portland, OR
Hand Quilting
“I must be the black sheep of the family, I guess—I love hand quilting. I’ve even purchased tied quilts that have interesting blocks and hand quilted them if I didn’t have a project almost ready for quilting.”—Karole Walla, Big Timber, MT
One-Seam Flying Geese
“One Seam Flying Geese is my answer! I used to hate making Flying Geese until I saw a YouTube video by Ricky Tims demonstrating one seam flying geese it has changed my life! After finding a finished size cutting guideline, I can take any pattern using traditional construction and convert it to the one seam.”—Kay Jinks, O’Fallon, MO
Beginning and Endings
“I love quilting from the beginning to the end of each project!  Strangely enough, it is the beginning and ending that I most enjoy.  Choosing my fabrics is so much fun for me—that mixing and matching challenge is such a delight. The ending process of putting on the binding is so rewarding and exciting, knowing that my project is almost finished! All the in-between parts are lots of fun, also.”—Kathy Biciocchi, Weldon Spring, MO
Templates
“It’s funny you asked… Yesterday as I had your Hex Twist template in hand, and I found myself saying ‘Thank you, Nancy, for bringing me such pleasure.’ When I follow your instructions everything fits! I just made a couple of 3D blocks from the hex twist template and they look like a small box inside of a larger box. Nancy, your tip on starching saved me so much frustration! By the way, whenever I see a quilt pattern, that could be made using a template of yours, more times than not you’ll hear me say, ‘Hey, that’s a Nancy,’ when I spot the block.”—Kate Aitken, Cushing, OK
Piecing
“Piecing the blocks. I love to see them come together.”—Nancy Toney, Kihei, Hawaii
Sewing Clothing and Accessories
“Clothing and accessories are my picks. I like watching your shows as your methods make sense, are simple to follow, and have beautiful results. I need a group that deals with clothing construction since I enjoy others’ company.”—JeannieSue Anderson, Glyndon, MN
Heirloom Sewing
“I am completely in love with heirloom sewing and I love putting in a Dresden plate pattern.  I have used beautiful embroidery, cutwork, puffing, lace shaping, reverse appliqué, pintucks with embroidery, lace sewn to lace or material, and entredeaux insertion between the petals of a Dresden plate.  I am working on smocking by machine to add to the petals.”—Lee Wilson, American Fork, UT

May Reader Spotlight:

Shirley Haag’s Answer
“I’m whimsical, so I like to put my thoughts together and think of whom I might be making a quilt for.  Then, I use colors we both like, find a pattern, and do my own variation. I always add a kitty to the quilt, as I love kitties.  I’ve gone from painting to making quilts, and I love them both.”—Shirley, Portland, OR

You mentioned painting as a previous hobby. Does that skill add to your quilting design work? 

Yes, oil painting definitely plays a part in my quilting.  I always have to add my own artistic touch, even if it is a class project.
Where do you find sewing inspiration?
An inspiration for quilting, as with any art, is whatever is around you, magazines, or pictures you have taken, mine or those that others have taken.  Landscapes are my favorite. I give most away; so I think of the person who is going to receive the item.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how big is your fabric stash? And, do you have a favorite piece? 
I would say a 2 in comparison to my best friend, who got me started and who has been quilting for more than 20 years.
What color is most prevalent in your work? 
I love all colors! Currently, I’ve used tones of purple.

June’s Share Your Insight Question

June Question: If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what sewing or quilting project would you try?

JuneReaderInsights NancyZieman

Submit your answer by June 17, using the form below, to be considered for our June Reader Spotlight.

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Watch Sewing With Nancy online.

Watch Nancy Zieman Videos1

Nancy Zieman's Giveaway WinnerThe random winner of a copy of the book, The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew is Cecilia. She said: The two most intimidating sewing processes are fitting pants and sewing in a zipper, yet I have sewn for awhile. I would love to win this book, as it could be very helpful to me. I always love your shows and books. Thanks for making this information available to us.
Absolute-Easiest-Way-To-Sew-Nancy-Zieman
Naomi is the random winner of Nancy’s 30 Favorite Gifts to Sew book. Her comment was: I definitely need to make the Roll Up Chalkboard for my grandchildren.

Thanks for the comments regarding the blog, Six Easy Knit Sewing Tips. The random winner of a pattern from McCalls is Barb L. She said: Love 7331 as the styles are so classic. And, thanks for all the tips. I need to practice working with the serger on knit fabrics.

McCalls 7331 Nancy Zieman

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog
 

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9 Comments

  • BAULE Janine
    May 28, 2016

    Bonjour. I am a grand mother, 70 years old. I want to embrodery with my sewing machine “en piqué libre” and buy techniques-gloves with end in “plastique”.
    Excuse me for the approximative language. Janine BAULE

  • Jackie Branscum
    May 28, 2016

    My absolute favorite is machine embroidery, especially In-The-Hoop projects. I also like to make clothing-although fitting myself is sometimes a challenge. I also quilt & make garden flags & other home devices projects

  • Kim H
    May 28, 2016

    Upholstery! I have always been afraid of that…

  • Harriet Wetherell
    May 28, 2016

    Wish Nancy the best of health and she is in my daily prayers. If I could make a log cabin wall hanging of browns,beige and small prints to hang in my home that would show some of my talent. I sew everyday for charity family and friends and never for myself.

  • Mary Batty-Jasper
    May 28, 2016

    I had a problem fitting myself so I contacted our local high school Home Economics teacher and asked it I could use their dress form. School is out for the summer I sewed like crazy before I had to take it back.

  • Camille
    May 28, 2016

    If I could not faiI, I would try my hand at making a tailored jacket and skirt… or perhaps a wedding dress!

  • Jody
    May 29, 2016

    That’s easy! Mariner’s Star… I saw a great speaker/author on that at the quilt expo a couple of years ago and it has been on my bucket list ever since!!!!

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