My First Online Craftsy Class

This summer I was able to work with Craftsy to create a free-motion machine quilting class, which is soon to be released!  I thought you might be interested in seeing some behind the scenes photos of what my experience was like.

When I arrived on Wednesday, I was shown to my dressing room, and given a tour of where I would be filming. 

Next I was off to meet with Danica, my Make-up Artist.  She has a great set of brushes that I envied!  I think she did a great job making me camera ready!

Then it was on to the set! 

It was fun to learn what is involved in creating an online class, but I had a great team to guide me along.

It was super fun working with Chelsea, Jeff and Tony.

After taping, the evenings were mine to explore downtown Denver, CO.  I found some great places that I want to go back and visit again.

A special thanks to, Erin, Becky and Greg, who worked with me prior to filming to make the whole process go so smoothly.  It was a great experience and I would do it again! 

In case you are not familiar with Craftsy, they are the fastest growing crafty community on the web with over 5 million members in over 200 countries worldwide.  With a Craftsy online class you can take it as many times as you want, whenever you want and access never expires.

Even though the class is not yet available online, I am able to give one class away for free.  So let’s get you started… click the link below the photo to sign up for an opportunity to win my Craftsy class!!

Unfortunately the drawing has ended, but click here to learn about my class!

Be sure to act quickly, your chance to enter will end at midnight, Central Standard Time, September 3, 2015.  The winner will be announced on my social media sites.  

On Facebook at: Linda Bratten Creations

on Pinterest at: Linda Bratten Creations

on Instagram at: Linda_Bratten

and on Twitter at: LindaBratten 

www.lindabrattencreations.com

May your bobbins be full, Linda

Machine Quilters Showcase 2015

This year’s Machine Quilters Showcase, sponsored by the International Machine Quilters Association was located in Cedar Rapids, IA.  It was a week of fun, learning and adventure for my favorite traveling quilter, Sheri and I.

We were scheduled to start the week off with some classes, however, bad weather cancelled our first class as the instructor was not able to make it in.  But on Monday evening we were entertained and educated by Dusty Farrell, a longarm quilter from Pennsylvania.

Dusty showing us how to create "Bread and Butter" Designs.

Then on Tuesday, I started off with my Meandering Methods workshop.  It was a fun class with great students.

    

Then in the afternoon, I taught my Nature Inspired Quilting Motifs workshop.

    

Then it was on to more classes, sessions, and some very important consumer research…..

Linda Taylor sharing Essential Technical Skills for Longarm Quilting.

 We took a couple of classes from long arm instructor, Linda V. Taylor.  We also took classes and networking sessions from Gina Perkes, Sally Terry, Fredrick Hill, and Deloa Jones. 

My "Anniversary Rose", a photo transferred quilt with mixed media enhancements.

  This year I donated my "Anniversary Rose", quilt for the Audacious Auction to support the grant program offered by the International Machine Quilters, to encourage and assist machine quilters to expand their knowledge and skills in machine quilting.  As a group we raised over $9,000.00 for the program.

  And of course finding the fabric you spent most of the week searching for---motivates me to get back to my studio to sew!

Next year’s dates are set for May 11-14, 2016.  For more information about the show go to www.mqsshow.org or follow Machine Quilters Showcase on facebook.

Piecing with Your Serger

Why quilt with a serger?  Let’s face it not all our quilts will be a masterpiece. Some will be a much treasured and loved item that will be taken everywhere and washed multiple times.  So why not sew them with a seam that will hold up to such love?

 

The following are some suggestions for piecing with your serger.

Samples from my French Braid With the Serger Pattern

When selecting a quilting design, the simple lines with few matching seams will work the best.  As one can guess, it can be tricky to get intersecting seams to match.  However, a product called, “Wonder Tape”, will help you to keep seams in-line with one another, and then it is easily removed with water.

By using a 4 thread over lock stitch you will get two lines of needle stitches plus the finished edge of the over lock stitch.  This creates a very durable seam that can hold up to multiple washes which is great for toddler quilts and table runners.

Students using their sergers to piece the French braid table runners.

You must be careful if you are using the knife to take a scant amount off or lock your blades down. Another alternative is to use your 3 thread over lock stitch.  This will create a smaller seam allowance letting you use your blade to trim your raw edges. 

Students performing the important pressing techniques!

Always press as you sew!  You will need to press the seams to one side, preferable to the darker piece of fabric.  

Finally, know where your excess quilt or piece is when you are serging.  There is nothing more frustrating than serging another part of your quilt into the seam.  This could be devastating, especially if the blade cuts into your project.  Remember, always remove the needle threads to rip out the seam, the looper threads will then come off easily.  If needed, an additional appliqué or embroidered design can camouflage a cut in the fabric.

Check out the projects from my French Braid with the Serger class!

Susan chose bright and bold colors.

How pretty for a Mizzou game day!

This one belongs on my table!

What a fun fall piece.

This is one for a sea side event.

Definitely a Mizzou fan.

Have you ever pieced something with your serger?

Sewing a project with the serger, doesn’t take any longer than sewing with a sewing machine, unless you have a serger that is difficult to thread.  But that is for another post---Exploring new ways to use your serger, Linda