Welcome to another “Three of 3 on A Tuesday”. I will have THREE things or links of 3 topics for you to visit/read on Tuesday to either showcase tutorials, inspirations, random daily thoughts or it could be any fabric/notion sales running that particular week. So for today, here are the THREE of 3 things:
It has been a while since I last posted three of 3, but you can always visit the archives HERE>
I have been thinking of making simple table runners to have in my stash for gifting. Table runners or potholders are perfect for gifting aside from pouches. So, I have been finding some patterns to save so I can just start when I want.
Don’t forget to pin this list for future reference!
3 Basics To Stock in Stash
Solid fabrics are always nice to have in the stash. I rarely make a full quilt with only printed fabrics, except for scrappy ones, but still, with most of the scrappy patterns, it is an easy route to pick a solid to allow some negative space to allow the quilt pattern to shine. My favourite Solid Basic fabric is 20% off HERE, so it is always a good time to pick some for the projects you already have in mind.
I’ve been inspired to collect various background prints too after watching this interview with Susan Ache. I love the idea of a scrappy background like with this quilt I made HERE and HERE. So, I’ve signed up for low volume fat quarter bundle HERE. If you want to have a try without subscribing, check out low volume bundles HERE>
Essential threads. I mostly use basic white or snow for quilting and piecing. So, these are the basics I always buy whenever there’s a sale so that they’re always in stock and so that I don’t have to buy them at full price. Check out 20% off Essential Threads HERE>
3 things I’m grateful for this week:
While there are tons of things to be grateful for, I want to mention these three for the week cause it is always nice to simply take the time and feel the grateful feeling.
Time to start some new cross-stitch projects. I am inspired by stitch Maynia and I want to start all the things, but I’ll do what I have time for. I’ve started on Every Opening Flowers this week.
Time to catch up on some quilt alongs like the Barn Star Quilt. Working with the bright and amazingly deisgn fabric is such a joy.
Time to clean up my garden. Honestly, this week I have been trying to move a lot more. This intention to move has made me more productive and also limit my screen time! Yeay!
This week kicks off the quilt along to celebrate the launch of Summer Memories Book by Susan Ache. Use Hashtag #summermemoriesqal to join along. The book is an eye-candy filled with great projects and is sure to inspire you to pick up some red and blue fabrics to get started. I knew I did! But what really caught my eye was the basket quilt.
I wasn’t sure at first whether I was going to join in, but I have longed to make a basket quilt and I thought this would just be a good time to get that started. Quilt Alongs are fun and I always love the motivation and inspiration I get when others are making the same quilt.
Welcome to another “Three of 3 on A Tuesday”. I will have THREE things or links of 3 topics for you to visit/read on Tuesday to either showcase tutorials, inspirations, random daily thoughts or it could be any fabric/notion sales running that particular week. So for today, here are the THREE of 3 things:
It has been a while since I last posted three of 3, but you can always visit the archives HERE>
Summer Memories Book: The Quilt Along is kicking off this week with this wonderful basket quilt. Use Hashtag #summermemoriesqal to join along. If you didn’t get the chance to buy it before it was sold out, don’t worry it’ll be back in stock soon and you’ll be able to catch up later.
Random Scrap Bag: This was a fun find, I love getting some fun surprises and this did not disappoint. For the price, it was well worth it, they were all full width ~ 44″ in size, some were almost a half yard size. I bought another one and waiting for that to arrive, will update what I get in that one too.
Scrap Bag
A whole 4 yards of brown fabric. Not my usual colors, but I wanted to start the Scrappy Spool Quilt. There’s an all-year-long Quilt-ALong for this quilt and it is not too late to join in. Use the #scrappyspoolQAL to join in the fun. I bought the fabric from the SALE selection HERE for less than $7/yard.
3 Inspiring Links
Sunday Preparations: This article inspires me to be more prepared and get more out of my precious sewing time. A good habit to really reap the best of the little pockets of time you have in a busy life to keep creating and making crafts.
100 days of organic applique: what a fun idea! such a great inspiration, I always failed at keeping up with 100days of anything but the though of having a repetitive challenge is fun and this one was surely inspiring to visit too.
Scrappy corner triangle quilts: An awesome idea to use all those leftover triangles you cut out from snowballing a block. I keep lots of the bigger triangles and while sometime I turn them into half-square triangle units, this scrappy corner idea is also an option. I would love to make the bed quilt someday – the one in the video is absolutely stunning!
Another update on my version of this fun free sampler quilt along for 2023! We are close to the end. All the free pattern for the 24 blocks are out and we have just the final layout to do next week to finish off.
You can find all about Sewcialites 2, a free sampler quilt along 2023 HERE>.
There are free video tutorials, so if you are a beginner, be sure to pick up all the tips Kimberly has for you as she sews the blocks in the videos. I love picking up various tips from different quilters as they teach me to become a better quilter.
While there’s no hard and fast rule in quilting, there are definitely some time-saving tips and piecing tricks that just make things easier that we can pick up by watching other quilters sew.
I learned so much from sewing along the last round for Sewcialites I,
You can see my first Sewcialites quilt (also a free sampler quilt) HERE>
I am all caught up at the point of me writing this blogpost. The blocks are sweet and I am loving them all. I had a lot of fun with the quilt along which was surely most important for me when it comes to making sampler quilts.
This week I thought of finishing up a quilt, but I ended up wrapped up with a sick kid for half of the week, so I didn’t have much time in my sewing room. But I did cross-stitch a bit more than usual. So that was nice too.
Last weekend I also spent time putting wallpaper in our little pantry at home where I spend time making coffee in the morning. So, I thought that it would be time for me to finish up a recent cross-stitch finish to put up too. I finished this piece earlier this year which I talked about in Flosstube #3 HERE. I wanted it to be put up in this pantry that I just recently revamped. The chart is by Brenda Gervais With Thy Needle & Thread, But Coffee First .
AccuQuilt is a company that produces die-cutting machines and fabric cutting dies for quilting and other fabric crafts. The AccuQuilt system is designed to make fabric cutting faster, easier, and more accurate. But is it worth it for quilting? and Does it waste more fabrics compared to the conventional method?
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience using my AccuQuilt and we’ll explore the pros and cons of the AccuQuilt system and help you decide whether it’s a good investment for your quilting needs.
I bought my Accuquilt Go! set a few years back where I posted an earlier unboxing video HERE. It costed as much to have it shipped all the way here to Malaysia. However, I decided that it was well worth the investment since I really would like to use it for managing scraps and to cut curves shape templates.
In general, here are some of the Pros and Cons of Accuquilt machines:
Pros:
Speed and Accuracy: AccuQuilt machines and dies are designed to cut fabric quickly and accurately, saving you time and reducing the risk of mistakes. The precision cutting ensures that all your pieces are the same size and shape, which is important for creating a quilt with even seams and a professional finish. I think this is the main reason that makes Accuquilt worth it. I just love that it saves so much time cutting and piecing! and it’s so much fun cutting with the machine too.
Versatility: AccuQuilt machines and dies are versatile and can be used to cut a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, denim, and even leather. The dies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to create intricate designs and patterns. There are so many dies to choose from! and they usually haveSALE on overstock items which you can grab dies for up to 70% off.
Consistency: One of the biggest advantages of the AccuQuilt system is the consistency it provides. With traditional rotary cutting methods, it can be difficult to cut every piece of fabric exactly the same. With AccuQuilt, every piece is cut precisely the same, which can make piecing your quilt top together much easier.
Easy to Use: AccuQuilt machines are easy to use and require minimal setup. You simply place your fabric on the die, run it through the machine, and you’re done. This makes it an excellent choice for quilters of all skill levels, including beginners.
Light on the wrist and hand. If you struggle with wrist pain when using rotary cutter to cut lots of fabrics, You’ll love this. The electric Cutter is even better. The crank on the Accuquilt Go! is easy to turn and will not be hard on the wrist even after many cuts. But of course, take lots of break in any given tasks. If you have wrist pain, I recommend getting the Accuquilt Go! Big Electric Cutter instead.
Cons:
Cost: The biggest downside of the AccuQuilt system is the cost. Is Accuquilt worth it? The machines and dies can be expensive, which can be a significant investment for some quilters. However, many quilters believe that the time and frustration saved by using the AccuQuilt system is worth the investment. I surely feel like it was worth the time to use up my scraps easily, and have all the pieces cut in matters of minutes. And they are perfectly accurate! Plus, I think it is so much fun cutting with the Accuquilt than it is with a rotary cutter.
Limited Die Sizes: While AccuQuilt offers a wide range of dies, the sizes are limited. This can be frustrating if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create a quilt with larger blocks. But, they also take in custom orders! Yes they do and they’re adding new dies with time and request.
Storage: AccuQuilt machines will need some space in your sewing room. It does fold up close but they are pretty heavy. I do love that it is heavy though as it does feel like it is sturdy and very well built. It is best to have it somewhere where you can easily use it.
Does Accuquilt waste fabrics?
The short answer to that is No. You can waste as much fabrics with rotary cutter too.
I know when I first wanted to purchase the Accuquilt, I had the same question. I thought we had to put a square piece of fabrics in with a certain size, and whatever is cut away from that piece will end up as waste. Well, apparently it is not like that at all. The initial fabric does not have to be a certain size, for as long as it is larger than the shape we are going to cut, it would cut. How much fabric will be wasted or mistakenly cut will really depend on the user. Just as we have to plan when cutting with a rotary cutter, we can also plan how we can minimise fabric wastage when using Accuquilt.
How to cut with minimal fabric waste
In the video below, I’ll share with you how I cut half square triangles for my current work in progress, The Scrappy Ocean Wave Quiltand how I minimise fabric wastage. I love fabrics, and I want them to go a long way. Quilting fabric is surely not cheap. Not only that I wasted the same amount of fabrics when rotary cutting, I SAVE a LOT of time cutting pieces and trimming. No more trimming the units with these exact cut pieces. So, I definitely feel like the Accuquilt is worth the investment. I am yet to use more of the curvy dies.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the AccuQuilt system is a great investment for quilters who value speed, accuracy, and consistency. While the cost can be a barrier for some, many quilters including me believe that the time and frustration saved by using the system is worth it. If you’re looking to create intricate designs and patterns, the AccuQuilt system is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create larger blocks, the limited die sizes may be a drawback. Ultimately, the decision of whether to invest in the AccuQuilt system will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
So, is Accuquilt worth it?
If you do a lot of scrap quilt or make lots of quilts with repetitive units, Accuquilt will surely be a great investment.
Where to buy Accuquilt?
Accuquilt Website – they ship internationally using Fed-Ex and you can grab it at SALE price.
Time for another link-up party and I’ll share another finish too! This is certainly great accountability to get me going in the sewing room. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to finish something up too! I finish a table topper this week!
My Friday Finish: A Table Topper from leftover Blocks
This week I finished a cute table topper. The blocks were leftovers from this table runner project. I kept the leftover blocks, which didn’t make the cut for the table runner project. I made a pillow before with the other leftovers, but there were still 7 leftover blocks.
Since I made myself this promise to have something finished by Friday, I didn’t have much time to think too much. Usually overthink stuff before I sew them. I knew I wanted a topper for the storage unit in the hallway, and these blocks were perfect. Except that I needed one more block to make it complete.
If you’re a quilter, you’re probably familiar with the term “unfinished objects (UFOs)”. An unfinished object is a project that you’ve started but hasn’t finished. UFOs can be found in many areas of quilting, from piecing to quilting to the binding. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why UFOs happen and how to deal with them.
So let’s begin with the question of why do UFOs exists.
Why do we have unfinished objects UFOs in our quilting pile?
1. Lack of Motivation
One of the most common reasons why quilters don’t finish their WIPs is a lack of motivation. Quilting can be a time-consuming process, and it’s easy to get burned out or lose interest in a project. This is especially true if a quilter has been working on a project for a long time or if they’re struggling with a particular technique. When motivation wanes, it can be difficult to find the energy to keep going.
I recently got some fun new things that I tried that worked so well that I had to share. These may not be quilting tools, but we can absolutely use them for our quilting routine!
In this post, I’ll share some fun non quilting tools that will help you to spray starch faster, organise fat quarters and clean your machine.
