Jill Montgomery

I picked up this tip shortly after I started quilting and it has been a lifesaver for keeping my machines running smoothly! Use a clean mascara wand to clean the lint out of your machine.

I picked up a pack of 25 wands from a seller on eBay. There are usually always a few listings and I think I got this pack for less then $5 including shipping.

This handy little tool came with my machine in the box with my extra feet, needles and other small tools.

Using this triangle screwdriver, I removed both screws that hold the foot plate over the bobbin area of my machine. Not all machines have screws in the throat plate, but if yours does, put the screws in a safe place so you don’t lose them. As I was taking pictures, I actually dropped one of the screws into the bobbin area because it wasn’t in a safe place.

I removed my presser foot and the needle so that I could clean the bobbin area thoroughly with them out of the way.

Here is my linty bobbin area with the bobbin removed.

Using the wand, you’ll want to sweep the bobbin area to remove all lint. The bristles on the wand really grasp at the lint to pull out everything that moves.

The bristles also fit really well into any grooves such as the feed dogs…

… and the empty spaces around and behind and under where the bobbin actually sits. Be sure to work the wand into all the nooks and crannies in the entire bobbin area.

Use the wand to clean the bobbin as well. Top and bottom, inside and out.

Once the bobbin area is clean, add machine oil to your machine’s specifications and you are ready to reassemble the machine and get back to sewing!

As I clean out the machine, I keep a pile of the lint on a napkin, tissue or scrap of fabric. What a mess! This always reminds me that I need to clean my machine more often! The mascara wand can be cleaned up and reused many times. It’s a necessity for me and it’s kept right next to my seam ripper.

In print: Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks comes in a lovely, hefty, full-color print version. You’ll find it at quilt shops and newsstands. Volume 5 is the current version. Volumes 3 and 4 are still available in print, too: Volume 3 Volume 4

Digital: Volumes 1–4 of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks are available in digital format.

(Volume 5 is coming soon.) When you purchase a digital edition, you’ll be sent a link from which to download a pdf of the issue. Then you can browse it and/or print whatever parts of it you choose.

Volume 1 digital

Volume 2 digital

Volume 3 digital

Volume 4 digital

My EQ Boutique: This is a great new resource for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks and many other great patterns, too.

My EQ Boutique is a website offering traditional and contemporary downloadable quilt and block patterns to print in any size you want. Free software for collecting and printing patterns is included with your first purchase.

Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 1 is now available on My EQ Boutique.

Subsequent volumes are in the works: Volume 2 is coming soon!

Coming Soon: 200 Blocks from Quiltmaker Magazine, a gorgeous softcover book from That Patchwork Place. Two hundred original quilt blocks from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volumes 1 and 2 in one value-packed edition. User-friendly block index plus full-sized patterns on the bonus CD.

Whichever format you choose, we hope you’ll enjoy all the great designs in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks.

You may know that for every volume of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, we have a team of testers. They’re regular quilters who volunteer to make blocks before publication. It’s important to QM and it helps ensure our instructions are accurate and error-free.

Flower Power by Reesa Zuber is shown in the Tester's Gallery of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5.

Reesa Zuber was a block tester for Volume 5. She must be one of those people who never sleeps—she also has two quilts in the Tester’s Gallery (Flower Power, page 84; Bingo Crazy, page 87).

Bingo Crazy is another Tester's Gallery quilt made by Reesa Zuber.

This is a story Reesa shared with us. It’s about women, friendship, survival and support. Oh, and there’s a quilt thrown in there, too.

From left: Libby Penhallegon, Dyane Hurson, Reesa Zuber and Lynne Milford.

In Reesa’s own words:

One of the greatest blessings in life is great friends. These three ladies, Dyane, Libby and Lynne, are that for me. We all worked together at Washington Middle School in Yakima, WA and have known each other for more than 30 years.

We all moved on from that place, but the friendships endured. Others have come and gone but these women remain a constant. We have experienced some of life’s highs and lows together and are there for one another. The uniqueness of each person has enriched our friendships.

Lynne Milford

Lynne has always been the one to lead the way. She is one truly interesting and “crazy” girl. She was in the Peace Corps, traveled all over, has been on the ski patrol, and never passed up an opportunity to try something new. She has sewn quilts and costumes and she knits for others.

When Lynne was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer over the last ten years, she brought her strength and positive attitude to the fight.

When the cancers returned, she faced each day with a positive and winning outlook. When I “grow up,” I can only hope to face the world with her strength.

We love to go places with Lynne. We let her drive because she has the “parking angel” on her shoulder. She always finds a parking spot right in front.

She has always done so much for others, we wanted to create something for her. We decided that Lynne needed a quilt for her current fight and we made an angel quilt.

The angel quilt made by three friends for Lynne Milford

I had been testing blocks for Quiltmaker. The flowers are an adaptation of Abloom (Block #401, page 24 by Barbara Cherniwchan). The three of us, Libby, Dyane and Reesa, worked together to create a quilt to wrap Lynne with the “wings of an angel” and beautiful flowers. Lynne is one special lady who deserves any advantage she can have to fight this latest trial.

In Libby’s own words:

Lynne has been fighting cancer for about 20 years now, with about 14 years of remission.

Where do I start? Lynne and I were single together back when this group of ladies first discovered each other. We were both recently divorced and it was wonderful to find such an amazingly diverse person to share tears, fears, and laughter with.

Reesa is the real quilter in the group; I’m more a Jack-of-all-trades. This whole thing started when she suggested that she wanted to make a quilt for our friend Dyane (who doesn’t quilt) and I piped in that I wanted to help.

We had so much fun doing that project that when Lynne got her bad news that the cancer was back yet again, I suggested we continue the fun—because Lynne really needed an angel right now. Dyane was not to be left out and the project began.

When Lynne got home from the hospital (for about the third time) and we went to her house, quilt in hand, she exclaimed “My angels have arrived.”  Reesa and I just looked at each other and laughed. It was as if she knew exactly what we were up to.

In Dyane’s own words:

At some time in our lives we have all needed an angel. When Reesa came up with this idea, I found it so fitting. We are four friends with an angel on each of our shoulders, always taking care of us.

I love you Reesa, Libby, and Lynne.

And finally, a few words from Lynne herself:

…The quilt my friends made for me is very special. It’s a reminder of how wonderful  friendships are. Another friend, Arta, who was in her 80s at the time, recognized how special our group was and reminded me on several occasions, “You are so lucky to have these friends. Never let them go.” All of her friends had passed away and she missed them.

We’ve had many special times together, but on one dreary gray, snowy day when I was recovering from surgery, Reesa and Libby called and said they were bringing over some soup. They appeared outside my window with groceries in hand waving, smiling and dancing in the snow.

Four "BFFs": Best Friends Forever

I’ll tell you—it was the best pick-me-up I ever had. Their smiles and laughter lifted my spirit. We sat down together around my table, my dancing angels and I, telling fun stories and eating  homemade soup. My thankful heart felt how fortunate I was. A few days later, my other dancing angel, Dyane, came over from work during her lunch hour and prepared a delicious soup to warm my chilly bones.

I love their quilt and look at it every day. They have stood by me not only during the fun times, but during many hospital days as I recovered from surgeries. I can’t thank them enough. Arta was right. I’m so lucky.

To her friends, Lynne says this:

…you brought tears to my eyes and put a lump in my throat again!  Only my BFFs can do that to me. I’m so fortunate to have you all in my life. I knew how much I needed your friendship throughout my life, but I never knew how much I was going to need your support. Thank you for sharing our story and again, a big thank you, my BFFs, for the quilt.

Love you, Lynne

Do you have friends who have supported you during a difficult time? Please leave a comment and tell us about it—because we can all take courage from stories like this.

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Sulky’s Tips for Thread Success

Part 2

By Patti Lee, Vice President of Consumer Relations, Sulky of America

See Part 1 of Patti’s thread article here.

Part 2

9. What about sewing machine needles? Oh, so important! No matter what your sewing application is, there is a specific needle that will give you better results than any other needle.

10. Most of the problems that occur with a quality thread are caused by using the wrong type or size of needle and/or unsuitable top tension. The thread needs room to pass without abrasion through the needle eye, and it needs appropriate top tension for its type and weight.

Try a different size needle

11.  Here’s a generality: Any 90/14 needle will work better with a metallic thread than an 80/12 (even an 80/12 metallic needle). However, many machines prefer a 90/14 topstitch, metallic or embroidery needle because those needles have both a longer eye and a longer groove to protect the thread.

Buy quality needles

12. Always buy top quality machine needles. If you are experiencing fraying or breaking threads, skipped stitches, puckering or stitch quality issues, change the needle (try one recommended above). Then, lower your top tension if necessary.

Adjust the top tension

13.  What if you’re working with heavier threads, like a 30-weight rayon, or a 12-weight cotton such as Sulky Cotton Blendables? Lower the top tension. It’s a movable dial for a reason!

Sulky Cotton Blendables

14.  Occasionally a particular machine likes a tighter top tension with heavier threads.  Truly, the dial is there for a reason.

15.  Today we doing much more than sewing seams and mending. We’re embellishing, embroidering, quilting, stitching decoratively, free-motion stitching and more.  Machines are incredibly sophisticated, but you’re still in charge of the tension and the spool pin position. A machine that senses all of this is probably not far off, but in the meantime, we need to adjust that dial ourselves.

Many times people have said to me, “Oh, but my machine doesn’t like metallic (rayon, heavy, light, etc.) thread.” And then every person has learned what their machine was really asking them for: a different thread placement, an appropriate needle or a simple tension adjustment.

Those of us who sew know that machines have personalities, but from the least to the most expensive, every one of them should be able to handle specialty threads with these minor adjustments.

If you have thread questions, I’ll be glad to help you. Contact patti.lee@sulky.com.

This post marks Part 4 of a five-part giveaway. Leave a comment below for your chance to win some luscious Sulky threads by midnight Sunday, May 20. We’ll announce winners here.

The featured quilt from the May/June issue is Ladder of Success, designed by quilting legend and early QM editor Judy Martin. We’re so pleased to feature Judy’s design as part of our 30th anniversary celebration.

Ladder of Success, designed by Judy Martin, made by Donna Smith.

Today’s featured quilt is by Jennifer Stevens from Russell, Kansas. Jennnifer blogs here, and you’ll hear from her in her own words below.

Jennifer Stevens from Russell, Kansas

While I worked on the first Scrap Squad project, I got really excited to see what our second project would be. So when we got Ladder of Success, I was thrilled to see that it’s constructed of squares 3″ and smaller. It is my favorite type of quilt.

I used fat quarters for this quilt except for the off-white background and the tan. I used strip piecing by sewing together the 40″ strips and then cutting them down to the smaller sizes.

I sewed the small blocks into combinations of Nine Patches and then pinned the rows together. It was really easy to get blocks upside down or backwards without catching it.

I only ripped out one piece before I started studying each row as I went along. I learned to check them twice!

I was a little nervous as I am not much of a “pink person” but once I got started, I really enjoyed the combination of colors.

I chose to use the off-white fabric for border #1 and the tan for border #3. For border #2 and the binding, I combined fabrics from the quilt center.

Above is the quilt top almost finished. When I saw this quilt on my camera days later, I thought, “Wow, I really like that,” but I didn’t recognize it as my own quilt. I enjoy the moments when I can look at something I’ve completed and actually like it in the end!

Completed Quilt

The quilt is quilted with a fancy running design in the center and large stippling around the borders.

We machine embroidered a label and attached it to the quilt back.

Beary Patch from Quiltmaker Jan/Feb '11

The idea was to create simple pictures using only squares and half-square triangles, with just a sprinkling of quarter-square triangles when necessary.

That first pattern was assigned to me for writing. I always enjoy a good play on words, so I named him Beary Patch. From there the quilts and the names just got better and better.

Quack Patch from Quiltmaker March/April '11

At some point we realized that if we kept all the critters the same size, the centers and borders would be interchangeable. So keep in mind that you can always use a different Patch Pals border if one doesn’t tickle your fancy.

Ruff Patch from the May/June '11 issue of Quiltmaker

Of all the clever names we’ve chosen for the Patch Pals, Ruff Patch is by far my favorite name. And the color scheme of this piece is so inviting!

Purr Patch from the July/August '11 issue of Quiltmaker

I’m very allergic to cats but even I could live with this kitty we named Purr Patch.

Pokey Patch appears in Quiltmaker Sept/Oct '11

This is where Denise breaks the cuteness meter. Could Pokey Patch be any more fun?

Polar Patch from Quiltmaker Nov/Dec '11

Then because it was winter here in the U.S., we turned our thoughts to animals that suggested cold, and Polar Patch was born. And how ’bout that baby penguin?!

Prickly Patch appears in Quiltmaker's Jan/Feb '12 issue

As 2012 began, Denise turned to a less-familiar character, the hedgehog. We named him Prickly Patch. I love how the border furthers the idea of “prickly.”

Bunny Patch was born in the spring to be featured in Quiltmaker March/April '12

We include spring-like quilts in every March/April issue, so Bunny Patch was a good choice for that time of year.

Banana Patch is the most recent addition to the Patch Pals Collection

Which brings us to the current issue, May/June ’12, and the most recent Patch Pal. Because he’s a snacker, we called him Banana Patch. Isn’t that green background yummy?

Patch Pals make perfect kid quilts! Limited quantities of Patch Pals kits are available.

Most of the issues with Patch Pals patterns remain available. More Patch Pals are planned, and they’re just as cute as they can be!

Learn a quick quilt label method here.

A Quick Quilt Label Method

Learn about stitch length and sewing machines here.

Understanding Stitch Length

You might be interested in:

Quiltmaker’s Block Party in Williamsburg this August

Subscribing to Quiltmaker in print

With 500 different blocks, that also means there are 500 different names for those blocks. When the designers submit their blocks, we ask for name suggestions. Sometimes we have to change their suggestion because it’s already been used. Sometimes we have to make up words to find one that works, like Facet-nating. Sometimes we’re as delighted by a designer’s block name as we are by the block (ok, we’re funny that way about words, but we are editors!)

Through the years the designers continue to get more clever and more creative with the blocks they submit to Quiltmaker. I just want to give a big shout out to everyone who has participated in 100 Blocks: these issues get better and better because of you—thanks for sharing your talent with us!

So let me tell you about my block in this issue. I saw two lines of fabric from Quilting Treasures that just called out to me. I love dots . . . I love florals . . . I love lime green and look how well they play together:

Contempo Dots by Quilting Treasures

Fantasia by Quilting Treasures

I knew I couldn’t use all of these prints in one 12″ block, so I started by designing a two block quilt, where the blocks would create secondary designs. I picked one of the blocks and began auditioning fabric for it. Here’s the block with just a rough idea of colors.

As I got ready to audition fabric, I looked at the overall shapes in the block at their finished sizes—I wanted to extend the green segments into adjoining blocks as triangles, so I now looked at the block as triangles in 3 sizes, a big square in the center and some strips at the outside edges.

I cut enough shapes at the finished sizes to audition the fabric without cutting each patch to its exact size. Where there are small black triangles (4) and medium gray triangles (2) in the drawing above, I cut triangles to fit the gray spaces (2), knowing I could cover them when I was trying them in the smaller black spaces (4).

There are several key elements to successful fabric placement in a quilt.

One is value—the lightness or darkness of a fabric. The value of a fabric is relative to what’s around it: a dark fabric can make one fabric light or a medium fabric can make the same fabric look medium. The bold, graphic design of these fabrics was calling for high value contrast. Because of the blacks, whites and bright greens, it was pretty easy to get good value contrast from these fabrics. (Other times you may want low contrast, it all depends on the outcome you’re looking for.)

Another key element is scale—the size of the designs in the fabric. These fabrics have a large range in scale from tiny dots to big dots. I wanted variety in the scale to create a different kind of contrast in addition to value contrast.

Let me show you some of the options I looked at. Each photo shows one fabric change at a time. It helps to take pictures as you go through this process so you can refer back to a fabric arrangement that you liked.

there's a lot not working well here: the scale is about the same in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 . . . position 4 doesn't work at all, the design is cut up too much to be seen

new fabric in position 4 is better . . . the light print in position 2 almost disappears

new fabric in position 2--but there's still a scale problem with the flowers and dots being almost the same size in the fabrics in positions 1, 2 and 3

new fabric in position 3 is working better--stronger value contrast between it and positions 4 and 5 . . . it's a tone-on-tone so it gives your eyes a place to rest among the variety of prints . . . let's see what I can do now about positions 1 and 2

this is starting to work: positions 1 and 3 work well together . . . now what to do about position 2?

small dark dots at position 2 contrast well with large light print at position 1 AND with the green tone-on-tone at position 3 . . . now positions 2 and 4 contrast in value, but are the same prints so there's little scale contrast there

larger dark dots at position 4 AND the lighter small dots at position 5 . . . I like how this looks with strong contrast in value and scale throughout the block!

now why did I cut the green patches as triangles? I want to see how they play against a border and into adjoining blocks or sashes . . . you can start to see it here, but the rest of this design is for another time.

All of that is what took me to my final block:

Facet-nating. Block #428., Designed by June Dudley. Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5.

Facet-nating block repeated in a 5x5 setting

Now for a totally different look, here’s another line of fabric that I really like and think would play well into this design:

Reflections by Gudrun Erla for Red Rooster Fabric

I’ll take you on another auditioning process, but this time let you study the pictures to decide what you like and don’t like. In this set of auditions the left and right side of each photo is different.

option A: left - option B: right

option C: left - option D: right

Tell me which teal option you like best and please feel free to use made-up words . . . I’ll pick a winner from the comments left by 12 midnight MST on Sunday 5/6 for a copy of 100 Blocks Volume 5 and prizes from today’s sponsors Quilting Treasures and Red Rooster Fabrics.

And the teal-errific winner is: #33 michele. Congratulations!

Update 5/7/12: The beauty of the second exercise is that there’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on which choice speaks to you–some like more yellow, others like less yellow. And there are still many more lovely combinations possible just with that fabric. That’s one reason I’ll take photos of this process so I can review the options. Sometimes it helps to take a bunch of pictures and then review them at another time with fresh eyes.

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Did you know that we’ll be giving away ALL of the blocks made (and usually signed) by the designers? 25 people will each win a set of 4 randomly selected blocks. The contest opens 5/10/12 at quiltmaker.com and runs through 7/6/12.

Today’s featured sponsors are Red Rooster Fabrics and Quilting Treasures.

These bundles of Rosa

More gorgeous bundles, these from Quilting Treasures, for the prize packages!

Both have generously sent prizes for our giveaways and we appreciate that. No giveaways on these sites but please visit to see their beautiful fabrics.

A few Volume 5 blocks to whet your appetite:

Convergence by Amy Rullkoetter, Freelance Editor for Quiltmaker

Convergence by Amy Rullkoetter, who works as a freelance editor for QM, has movement but is calm and soothing at the same time.

All Framed Up by Nancy McNally

Nancy’s McNally’s All Framed Up gives a nice punch of color.

Pinwheel Posey by Denise Russart

And who can be crabby while looking at this block? It’s the cheerful Pinwheel Posey by Denise Russart.

And now the final group of block designers. Be sure to visit them and follow instructions for a chance to win on each blog, and look to the end of this post for a giveaway too!

Today’s Featured Designers

1. Bonnie Hunter: quiltville.blogspot.com

2. Anita Grossman Solomon: makeitsimpler.blogspot.com

3. Ann Weber: ginghamgirls.biz/blog

4. Martha Walker: wagonswestdesigns.blogspot.com

5. Doug Leko: antlerquiltdesign.blogspot.com

6. Amanda Herring: thequiltedfish.typepad.com

7. Victoria Eapen: spunsugarquilt.com

8. Alyssa Thomas: penguinandfish.blogspot.com

9. Kristi Jones/Meagan Taylor: meagsandme.blogspot.com

10. Janelle Noack: janellenoack.blogspot.com.au

11. Karen Combs: karencombs.wordpress.com

12: Susan Geddes: quiltersnewsletter.com/blogs/insideqn

13. June Dudley: QM Editor-in-Chief

We have more copies of 100 Blocks Volume 5 for giveaway today, and we have additional quilty prize bundles, too. For your chance to win, leave a comment here by midnight Sunday, May 6 and tell us your favorite thing about the blog tour. We’ll announce winners here next week.

Congratulations to these lucky winners, whose comments were randomly drawn: #130 Nancy, #254 Barbara Schock and #202 Laura G. A wonderful prize package has been set aside for you. Thank you to all who left such great comments. Update 5/14/12: Unfortunately Barbara did not respond to claim her prize. Our new winner is #239 Clara Chandler.

The Great Big Bundle giveaway is the culmination of the 100 Blocks Blog Tour. Don’t miss it! Readers who live in the U.S. see this post. Readers outside the U.S. see this post.

This post is anchored to the top of our blog. Please scroll down for more new posts and active giveaways!

Thanks so much for joining us this week. I hope you’ve been inspired! Please visit Quilty Pleasures often. We have so much fun!

Each prize bundle will contain a variety of quilty items.

For your chance to win the Great Big Bundle and if you live in the U.S., please leave a comment below by midnight Sunday, May 6 and tell us how you first heard about the blog tour. We’ll choose winners next week and announce them here.

Sharon Dziekan #24 commented she hoped to win a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 5. Well Sharon, you did and you also won the Great Big Bundle Giveaway! Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who posted a comment.

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