Books & Tips: Quilting, Needle Arts & Crafts

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Here’s what’s new this month from Leisure Arts in Quilting, Needle Arts & Crafts! Ask for these publications and more at your favorite local store or click on the image or item number for more information.

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From a fairy sprinkling stardust and cows demanding "Get Milk" to a lovable dinosaur and a swinging monkey, the 25 designs in Baby Bibs to Cross Stitch offer selections to fit every baby's personality. These will make precious gifts, and they're quick to stitch on pre-finished baby bibs in a variety of shapes.

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After making a lot of triangle quilts, Tammy Kelly has developed a "secret formula" for sure success that requires only a cutting mat, rotary cutting ruler, and rotary cutter. She shares her technique and 16 projects in It's Quilt Magic!

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When the local quilt shop begins sending people to your house to see your quilts, they must be real gems. That's what happened to Peggy Waltman, who presents five of her delightfully nostalgic designs in Quilted Treasures.

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With a title like Weekend Quilted Projects, this book is sure to catch the eye of many creative individuals: a new quilter looking for quick ways to hone skills, someone who needs a one-of-a-kind gift for a fast-approaching special occasion, or anyone who loves to quilt but just doesn't have time for complicated or intricate projects.

From Weekend Quilted Projects (#4682)

Adding signatures to your quilt is a sure way to make it a treasured keepsake.

One of the simplest things you can do to ensure precise cutting is to maintain your rotary cutter.

Wondering how to achieve crisp, nicely aligned seams? The secret is in the cutting and the pressing of the seams.

The type of batting right for your quilt depends on the look, feel, and warmth you want. The lower the loft, or thickness, the easier the quilt will be to hand- or machine-quilt. Consider high-loft batting primarily for a quilt to be hand-tied. Because it is so resilient, polyester batting may be your choice for a finished quilt that resists creasing and shrinking. However, polyester does not breathe like cotton. Likewise, though cotton batting is warmer than polyester, it is more prone to creasing and may shrink 3 to 5 percent after a quilt is washed. Cotton/polyester blends in 80/20 or 50/50 combinations possess some of the best characteristics of both fibers. Talk with other quilters and ask for advice at your local quilt shop.

From Cross Stitch for Beginners (#2072)

The tension of your stitches should be consistent, neither too loose nor too tight. Stitches are too loose if they are large and sloppy and do not maintain a consistent "X" shape. Stitches are too tight if a line of light shows through the holes at the top and bottom of each row of stitches. A proper tension when stitching will produce a professional looking piece of cross stitch.

To avoid getting knots in your floss, drop your needle every few stitches to allow the floss to untwist, or twist the needle a little between your fingers in a counterclockwise direction every few stitches.

To prevent bright colors of floss from fading when laundered, you will need to set the color. Using a separate container for each color, soak the floss approximately four hours in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Remove floss from mixture; let dry completely before stitching.

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