isnthatodd

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a 7 1/2 hour workshop with Marci Baker of Alicia's Attic. It was my first actual class in quilting, altho I've been quilting for about 45 years. We spent about 2 hours learning about rotary cutting materials and procedures! I can't believe how much simpler it can be than what I have been doing. We also had a great lesson on ironing. It really makes a difference when you can watch someone do it in person, try it yourself, and have immediate feedback.

As soon as I got home, I headed out to the store to get a new shorter ruler and a new seam ripper. I still need to get a new iron and a couple of specialty products for the ruler.

She has a lot of youtube videos that you can access from her website. www.aliciasattic.com

One of her big ideas is how to make tumbling blocks without having to do y-seams. We are making a queensize quilt in blues and dark reds with this method. I am really excited about it.

DebraK

How cool! I've yet to do a class. I'm glad your class was a good one. What kind of seam ripper did you buy?

isnthatodd

The Fons and Porter ergonomic one. I got it mainly because of the very thin top. I am in the middle of a Downy quilt, and have to rip about 16 inches of border quilting, so this should help.

DebraK

Thank you. I made the mistake of buying one made by Singer because I had a coupon, but I was looking at the handle instead of the blade. The blade was much to big. I went to the site you listed, and I think I'll try some of that gripper stuff.

gailmitchell

Glad you shared your experience. I watched a couple of videos. They are definitely great. I particularly enjoyed the video on doing an edge for the grandmothers garden quilt. I think I need some of those edge Thanks for sharing. I really like how she demonstrated the Qtools products in some of the other videos. I'm going to buy some.

gailmitchell

It looks like a clover seam ripper in the video. I have one that I love.

littlehud

That sounds like it was so much fun. How do you make tumbling blocks without a Y seam. I'm curious.

BellaBoo

Did you know the F&P seam ripper rubber handle pulls the threads from the seam after you rip them? It's great when for a long run of tiny thread pieces you have to pull out one by one. Try it!

jean knapp

How wondeful. I have been looking at her web site and finally sent and got the Big Blocks book along with the ruler. I want to make the hollow block. I have to wait until our kids leave from there week visit to get started. GUess it will be along week. Jean

craftybear

Awesome, where did you take your class at? As I have a friend in the Dallas area that wants to take some quilting classes. Thanks for sharing!