Kaye Wood's Blog : quilt patterns

Quilting The Kaye Wood Way Newsletter Week of 5.18.11 Ready To Read! Sewing Machine Maintenance, Blocks for the Brave and New Pattern Coming!

Kaye Wood — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:18:00 GMT

Can't read this e-mail? CLICK HERE for the Real Deal!

In This Issue....

Kaye's Blurb

What's On Sale

New In Our Store

KayeWoodTV.com

Show and Tell

Tips

Our Facebook Group

Sewing Machine Maintenance

QSC Expos

Ugly Quilt Contest Contest

List Your Events!

Kaye on TV

Blocking Your Quilt....

Quilting the Kaye Wood Way
Like us on Facebook for special offers!

"Pitter Patches", our Twitter Bird is getting into the Patriotic Spirit....Follow us!

Contact Info:
Kaye Wood, Inc
PO Box 456
West Branch, MI
48661
1-800-248-5293

http://www.kayewood.com
http://www.kayewoodtv.com

Questions? Email Us!

Hi Quilters!

Summer weather hasn't quite settled in in Northern Michigan yet. I have been busy finishing up several new patterns. Samples have to be sewn and instructions written. A few of them should be ready this summer.

Really, really cleaning my sewing studio is on the to-do list, but I must admit it keeps getting shoved further back every day. I would rather be sewing.

We are all busy getting kits ready for my classes on the quilting cruise that leaves Port Canaveral on June 5 for the Eastern Caribbean. For one of the classes, I have completely redone the Savage Star pattern with only two color families (red and black). The center diamonds are fussy cut using the View & Do Diamond Shape. The bordering strips can be cut with either the Diamond Shape or the Starmaker 6, as in the original pattern. This new version will be available later this summer. If you are going on the cruise, Kayla and I will see you on board.

I will be in Colorado Springs for a few days to attend the HS graduation of one of my granddaughters, Lisa. If you have a copy of my book, The 6 Hour Quilt, you can see Lisa's picture on the back.

I hope to see some of you in Reno, NV or in Fairbanks, AK this summer.

What's On Sale....

Kaye's own Spinning Diamonds Quilt pattern 1 Cent with purchase of either the Starmaker 6 Master Template or the Spinning Diamonds DVD!

Spinning Diamonds

Strip sets are cut then placed together so the diamonds spin in a hexagon around the quilt top. This design only looks complicated when you follow the techniques that Kaye Wood has developed. Uses the Starmaker 6 (sold separately).

Size: 54" x 47"

Starmaker 6 Master Template

The Starmaker 6 will make perfect 6-pointed stars, that's what the 6 means. But, it is also a master template for many quilt patterns, triangles and wedges, Log Cabin diamonds, 12 piece circles, Dresden Plates and stars.

Spinning Diamonds DVD

Watch Kaye create strip sets that when placed together the diamonds, spin in a hexagon around the quilt top.

Check out our Sale Page for more bargains, clearance items, hurt patterns coming back from the shows and lots of other one of a kind items!!

What's New In Our Store....

Life in the Meadow - Electronic Version. Fussy Cut Pentagon frame the birds in the birdhouses. Easy, and fast, using Kaye's new View & Do Pentagon Shape.	45mm Rotary Cutter from Clover. Soft cushioned handle, easy on the hands.
The Rotary Lite for use with the Clover Rotary Cutters.	Magnet Pin Cushion From Clover. Available in Pink, Purple (shown) and Green
Skirting the Christmas Tree or Table Topper using the 120 Degree Triangle Ruler from Creative Grids.	120 Degree Triangle Ruler from Creative Grids.

Brand New on KayeWoodTV.com!

Kaye's Spinning Diamonds.

Size: 54" x 47"

DVD available of project being featured on Kaye's Quilting Friends TV program K2009.

See above for our special 1 cent sale on this pattern!

Our Reader's Show and Tell....

This is called "OMYGOSHQUILT"and it reall was oh my gosh what was I thinking! The little blocks are one inch, they nearly drove me out of my mind but they look good when finished. - Helen

Here is a photo of my finished "Tumbling Stars Centerpiece". I had a great time learning to make this. - Sylvia

do you have a project you'd like showcased?
Send me the pictures and a story by clicking HERE!

Reader's Hints, Tips and Techniques....

Always label your quilts with your name, the date, and any other important information about the quilt.Like washing instructions....Karol

I learned the hard way to always use a cutting guide with my rotary cutter and to put the blade guard in place when not in use....Shari

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Click HERE to Join for Special Coupons and Deals!

Sign up for our e-newsletter and get the latest information about our shows! Workshops, Seminars, Quilt Displays, Quilt Contests and much more!

Kaye shares her ideas on Sewing Machine Maintenance.

The outside of your machine can be cleaned with a damp rag. A mild cleaner can be sprayed onto the cloth before cleaning.

Lint from fabric and thread needs to be cleaned from the bobbin area. Use a dry cloth to remove most of it. Canned air can be used carefully-don't blow the lint down into the machine.Clean the lint from between the feed dogs. I use a screw driver to do this.
The best reference is the manual that comes with your machine. You can get a copy of the manual on-line. Search "sewing machine manual". Choose from the different sewing machine companies listed.
Change your needle regularly, at least after each quilt or garment. Use the type of needle made for the type of sewing you do. Use a good quality thread to reduce the lint.
These simple to do cleaning steps can delay trips to your dealer for more serious repairs.
If your machine needs to be oiled, use only sewing machine oil and use it sparingly in the holes provided. Your manual will show you where to oil it.

May Ugly Quilt Contest....

I want to see your UGLIEST quilts! And I'm talking U.G.L.Y!!

Send me pictures of your UGLY quilts, or even just the blocks that were soooo ugly that you never finished them!

We want to see them. Winner will get your choice of a View & Do Shape or Starmaker and an assortment of patterns to accompany your choice.

Send pictures and stories HERE

List Your Event....

Looking for a Quilt Show to attend? Check out our listing. If you have an upcoming event or show you'd like to post on our events page, just click the link!
mailto:terrye@kayewood.com?subject=events

Kaye On TV....

We get a lot of phone calls and emails asking where to find Kaye on their TV. The simple answer is we don't know, (sorry). Here's what to do. Call your PBS, cable and satellite providers and ask them. If they don't show it, ask them to add it to their lineup. Our shows are called Kaye's Quilting Friends and Quilting The Kaye Wood Way.

Did You Know - Blocking a Quilt....

Do you know how to block a quilt? When you take the time to block your quilt, it allows you to square up your corners, so that it will hang flatter when it is displayed. Blocking also allows you to straighten and square up uneven edges on your quilt, and can help make your applique stand out more. There are two different ways to block your quilts, wet or dry. When you dry block it, it means the quilt is completely dry when you pin it into the shapes and dimensions you want. You will have to add moisture though, in one of these ways:
A commercial steamer.
Passing your steam iron over it.
Spraying it with a spray bottle.
When you have a project that is need of just a bit of shaping or adjustment, dry blocking would work the best.
When you wet block, you immerse your quilt in water and put it on a gentle spin. Then you either pin it to a blocking board or a rug on the floor, depending on the size of your quilt. Wet blocking works best for quilts that need a lot of shaping, such as applique quilts or blocks that have been quilted. When wet, the fibers are easier to pull into the shape you need. Whether you use the wet or dry method, pinning your quilt is the most important part of this process. When you pin the quilt, the pins hold it in the shape you want it to be in, while it dries. Your pins have to be less than 1" apart so that your edges don't become scalloped. It is also important to allow complete and thorough drying time, while your quilt is pinned in place. You will be amazed how much easier it will be to hang your quilt evenly after this process.

I think that's all for this week. Have a great week. We hope you enjoyed our Blocks For The Brave Quilts. To See More From This Wonderful Organization, Go HERE

from The staff at Kaye Wood, Inc!

Brand New on KayeWoodTV.com - Twirling Stars!

Kaye Wood — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:18:00 GMT

Brand New on KayeWoodTV.com

Twirling Stars!

Stars twirl clockwise or counter-clockwise around this quilt for a dazzling effect! Easy and fun to make, this pattern features strip sets that are easily cut. Uses the Starmaker 6® tool (sold separately).

Sizes: Wallhanging, Tabledrape, Crib, Twin, Double, King

Click HERE then click on the Twirling Stars Video to your right.

Then click over to get your own Pattern, DVD and Starmaker 6!

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact us at:

Kaye Wood, Inc. PO Box 456 West Branch, MI 48661

Call 989-345-3028 or e-mail terrye@kayewood.com

Quilting The Kaye Wood Way Week of 3.2.11 - Flip Flops!

Kaye Wood — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:13:00 GMT

Can't read this e-mail? CLICK HERE for the Real Deal!

In This Issue

On Sale This Week
New In Our Shop
Brand New on KayeWoodTV.com
Show and Tell
Kaye on "Strip Piecing"
Tips from our Readers
Useful Links
March Contest
UFO's and PIGs
Something To Live By

Join Our Facebook Group!

Pitter Patches, our Twitter Bird has found his own Rail Fence!

Follow Us!

Hi Quilters,

Kaye's in Puyallup, WA this week. I remember last year at this time, when Kaye and Kayla were in Puyallup there were threats of a storm surge due to earthquakes in the Pacific Rim. It didn't happen, and that's a good thing, but I'll always remember that.

Our theme this week is "Flip Flops", both in the hopes that flip-flop weather will eventually get here and also to honor our newest line - Kathie Alyce from Waterfall Quilts' Flip Flop Block and Patterns!

On Sale This Week....
Brand New For Spring, and 25% off!

This is the Block that started it all!

Kathie Alyce of Waterfall Quilts brings us the Flip Flop Block Tool and the first 2 patterns in the series.

Pictured below are (l) The Original Block, (c) Purple Sunflowers, and Aboriginal Prints and (r) Crazy Squares and Marble Swirls

I Want My Own Flip Flop Block Tool and the patterns too!

"The Flip Flop Block," a versatile, easy-to-use template which has many different design choices. Fits into a 7" x 7" square.

Flip Flop Block Pattern

Gentle, accurate, curved piecing is easily accomplished with the Flip Flop Block Tool.

Multiple directions for baby, lap, and queen size quilts.

Shadow Block Pattern

Purple Sunflowers and Aboriginal Designs

Another great variation of the Flip Flop Block pattern. Skill level: requires the ability to throw all the rules out the window.

Purple Sunflowers: 41" x 62"

Aboriginal Prints: 53" x 69"

Pat's 9-Patch Block Pattern

Crazy Squares and Marble Swirls

Contemporary piecing in this original pattern from Kathie Alyce.

Crazy Squares: 65.5" x 44.5"

Marble Swirls: 53.5" x 42.5"

Don't forget we have 2 pages of sale items, clearance markdowns, seasonal discounts and HURT items.

Show Me The Sale Items!

New Items In Our Shop....

What's NEW in Our Shop?

A New Way to Decorate Your Windows, Eco Friendly Market Bags and Flip Flop Tool and Patterns!

Window Treatments

Yes, you can make your own window treatments. And learn to sew at the same time!

Flip Flop Block Tool

Brand new to our shop - innovative tool simplifies curved piecing. 3 patterns to accompany this cool idea!

Market Bag Pattern

It's all about being green, and with this eco-friendly bag, you can kick the plastic garbage bag habit for good! Kit for 2 bags.

Shadow Block Quilt Pattern

Just one of the 3 patterns we currently carry (and more to come) using the Flip Flop Block Tool.


	Brand New On KayeWoodTV.com! Other Side of the Fence! A Rail Fence design, with fussy-cut hexagon blocks that can showcase your embroidery designs, focus fabric or photos on fabric. Use these blocks to replace some or all of the vertical blocks, which seem to look through from the other side of the fence. Uses the View & Do Hexagon Shape. Learn How!

	Show & Tell... I would like to share this quilt I made. I work for the US Army and military doctors. One of the doctors is retiring and I thought what a fitting going away quilt. This design is "Starring the Eagle" by Dian Barnard and uses Kaye's Starmaker 6. The original design calls for an eagle applique, which I did on the first one I made. Then I came across the embroidery "Eagle Sketch", A Design by Lyn. I have attached a close up of that....Sydna
Send us pictures of your finished projects along with your story. We'll publish it HERE!! To see the rest of our Show & Tell Entries, go to our Community Tab at the top of our page and then click on the Show & Tell box!

Kaye on Strip Piecing...

Strip piecing is what I do! When quilters realize that, their comment is "I've done that; it is such fun."

95% of the piecing I do is strip piecing and I haven't discovered all the possibilities of strip piecing.
What does that mean? Strip piecing means that strips are sewn together before any pieces are cut. And the type of pieces that can be cut number in the hundreds, many of which can be found in my Book and DVD, Starmaker Design Concepts. How do the Starmakers fit into the strip piecing concept? First strips are sewn together into strip sets; then the strip sets are cut in squares or rectangles OR with the Starmakers, cut into diamonds, triangles, stars, kaleidoscopes, etc, etc.... The opposite of strip piecing is template cutting, which is not nearly as accurate. Strip piecing is faster, easier, wastes less fabric, and is usually more accurate.
To strip piece a 9-patch block: Sew 2 different strip sets: sew a dark, light, dark strip set together; sew a light, dark, light strip set together. Cut these strip sets using a ruler and rotary cutter in segments that are the same width as the individual strips were cut. Each row of 3 squares is already sewn together.
To cut a 9-patch block: Using a square template or a ruler, cut individual squares. Sew 3 squares together into each of 3 rows. Sew 3 rows together.
If you haven't made at least 100 strip pieced quilts, you haven't really explored the concept of strip piecing;-)

Tips From Our Readers....

My Tip O' the Day is this, I love love love press and seal kitchen wrap. I use it to wrap up thread spools so they don't unravel. I use it to make baggies for projects I am working on. Especially Applique pieces. That stuff even works on the backside of rulers to keep them from sliding while cutting. It is great! I am sure that there are other uses I will find for it! Great stuff.....Vickie

Because I don't like to wear gloves when quilting I cut a piece of non-skid rubberized kitchen shelf liner about 4x6 and lay it between my hand and the quilt. Easy to move with my hand, and because it is no bigger than my hand, no chance of sewing it into the quilt....Rhonda

We want your tips....

Do you have a special little tip that has worked for you, that you'd like to share? We are always open to new things and would love to hear about them! Just e-mail your tip to me at the address below, and it will find a place in our newsletter! terrye@kayewood.com?subject=sharewithus

Not a Member Of Our FaceBook Group? Why Not?

Join us for special coupons and discounts!

Useful Links....

List your event
If you have an upcoming event or show you'd like to post on our events page, just click the link!
mailto:terrye@kayewood.com?subject=events
Our Home Page
Access to all the goodies on our Kaye Wood website!
http://www.kayewood.com

Brand New Contest for March!

Send in pictures of your quilts, wallhangings, pillows, placemats, tablerunners... whatever you've made using Kaye's Shapes, Tools and Templates. Get creative! Just because it's a quilt pattern doesn't mean it has to end up as a quilt! This contest will end on Feb 28, so hurry! Don't think you can make the deadline? That's ok, keep sewing because we'll offer this again during the year!

Email me the pictures, and the story behind your project and you could win your choice of one of Kaye's Tools, Templates or Shapes along with a selection of patterns specially designed for that item.

This is February's winner - Maureen made this baby quilt using the Chevron techniques in the Strip Quilting Projects Book 10 and the Starmaker 8 Master Template!

UFO's and PIG's - You Wanted To Know!

What in the world are these? I got lots and lots of questions last week. Most of you knew what the UFO was (Un-Finished Object) but I only had one person who knew what a PIG was (other than my farmers, lol). Well here's the official answer: A PIG is a Project In a Grocery (or Garbage) Bag!

Something To Live By....

To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable and wealthy, not rich.
to study hard, think quietly,talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and birds; to babes and sages with open heart
to bear all cheerfully do all bravely, await occasions hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common
this is my symphony

William Henry Channing

I think that's all for this week!

Have a great week, and think warm thoughts!....

from The staff at Kaye Wood, Inc!

New Line of Home Dec, Wearable Art and Quilt and Wallhanging Patterns in Our Store!

Kaye Wood — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:20:00 GMT

New line of home dec, wearable art and quilting and sewing designs in our store. Help us to welcome Lila Tueller designs. Fresh, sassy, funky, flashy and splashy. These designs will speak to your style and help to transform your rooms into bright energetic spaces! Click HERE to view Lila Tueller's Designs now in our shop!

Buy an E, Get an E!

Kaye Wood — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:16:00 GMT

Wait! What???

Today only, at Quilting The Kaye Wood Way, if you buy any epattern or ebook, you get the 2nd FREE!

Or, for more fun, buy 2 and get 2 free!

Go here to start shopping!

http://www.kayewood.com/category/Electronic_Products_by_Kaye_Wood/c69