Wacky Pac Quilters

Watch this great video and learn how to use some of those spare charm squares up!!!

Kathy found this great article about thread problems on Stitch Fun so we wanted to share it with everyone. With all the new threads out there, pre-wound bobbins, not to mention needles with all their different qualities, it can get very confusing as to what is going on inside our machines and bobbin area.  We hope this little article helps.

Insights From SewCalGal has posted some great etiquette for quilters, vendors and visitors to a quilt show.  Pop over and read all about it.

Greetings from the WackyPac Quilters.   Kathy sent this link along to our "bag loving" followers and friends, so check it out. You won't be sorry. We hope that everyone is having a great Father's Day!

This is a new segment of the WackyPac blog. This month's first How To video features How to bind a quilt by "Connecting Threads" Quilt Binding Click on the link to view the video.

Go over to Molly's Place and check out her new BOM "Tree Time".  Molly is one of our very talented Wacky Sisters.   http://sewhappy10000.blogspot.com/

Here's a great paper-piecing site of various sizes. Enjoy!

This old quilt was one of my first ones from a great book - "Quilts Without Corners" by Cheryl Phillips. This particular quilt is Hopi Sun. This is not a great picture of it because you can't really tell that it's a round quilt. I used a nine degree wedge ruler & I hand quilted it to accomplish this stunning quilt. It took me about a year to choose and purchase the fabrics which I thought was the most fun. The quilt measures approximately 45 inches. If you're looking to try something different in your quilting world, try something like this.

This old quilt, we titled, "The Blue Quilt" for obvious reasons........blue & beige blocks. We donated it to our local Quilt for a Cure fund raising organization 3 years ago. Each "wacky" made 2 blocks each then we had a sew-in to put it together and Kathy L. machine quilted it for us. Note the border applique` of a vine with stars, leaves & red berries and a two-toned blue ribbon. This little extra really tied the quilt together.

This old quilt is actually a quilt top that Kathy L. put together at one for our "Wacky" retreats. She said that it was fun choosing the scraps and easy to put together. She used one of E. Burns' quick methods. This is a fairly large quilt measuring approx. 72"X94".

This small quilt (appox. 36 inches square) was my first try at stitching by hand using the buttonhole stitch around the chickens. I can't remember the exact name of the design or where I saw it in the first place. Maybe someone could help with that but I loved all the different colors and crowns of the chickens. The eggs were something I added because I thought there was too much black sashing.

Take a look at this beauty. I asked Vicki if I could post her mum's Hexagon quilt, which we call Grandmother's Flower Garden. Vicki says that her mum started the quilt in the 70's and didn't get to finish it. When she passed away in 2005 Vicki inherited the king size quilt top. The pattern is an English pieced hexagon method with lots of fabrics Vicki recognizes from dresses she and her sister wore way back when. Thanks Vicki for allowing us to enjoy this beautiful quilt. Pop over to Vicki's blog and say hello!

This old quilt is one of my favorites. It was a group effort from several ladies from a guild that I was once a member. The quilt started with the eagle and all the other blocks were made from that patriotic theme. Paper piecing, applique`, templates and other methods were used throughout the process. I'm sorry to say that I don't have a close-up of this quilt. At the time, it was hand quilted by guild members (me included) and auctioned off to a wonderful couple who collect unique quilts. I have seen the quilt once since it was auctioned. The couple said that everyone who looked at it were always amazed to see what all went into it.

Greetings! In keeping with our "Wacky" theme - "This Old Quilt," here are four beauties we named Tube-U-Er. Kathy L. taught us this quick little method in a couple of hours at one of our retreats. All who participated walked away with a quilt. It is neat to see the similarities and differences when using your preference of color choices.

The "Wackies" invited out Virtual Wannabees to join in the fun of showing off our old quilts. Debbie was the first to start things off. She collects vintage quilt tops and then quilts them herself. Her Pink & Black one, she says is really neat because several shades of pink and some reds were used. Can anyone tell us the names of these designs? We'd love to here from you and don't forget to pop over to Debbie's blog to see what else she's up to. Thanks Debbie. You did a great job!

Remember this design? It's the Lone Star which is usually made from single 45 degree diamond shape. Later methods call for strip piecing which these Lone Stars were made. The New Lone Star Quilt Handbook by Blanche Young & Helen Young Frost, published by C&T Publishing in Lafayette, California is the book that I used. It's an old one but can be found on eBay or other methods.

Here's to all the soldiers who are fighting for our country, to all the veterans who served our country and to all those who died and will die in service to our country. We salute you all. On the sidebar, the "wackies" have included "Taps" which has a rich history. To find out more about the origin of it and the Union General Daniel Butterfield , click on the link. It's amazing that no matter who you are or where you are, when TAPS is played, we all know and feel the emotions that it elicits. But there are also some facts that you might not know about it. So, please check out the link and do have a safe and wonderful Memorial holiday!

This is a the newest of our "wacky" ideas......"This Old Quilt" segment is a look back at our past projects and fond memories. The Double Wedding Ring was my first and only attempt at making one. I was fortunate enough to take a class from a wonderful lady (pictured with me....Lee Fidel). Lee's quilt shop, County Fair, Waco, Texas which is not closed, was my first experience with cotton fabrics and gadgets such as rotary cutters, rulers, cutting mats....I mention those because in the early 1990s I was using scissors and pins. Anyway, the Double Wedding Ring was my second project under Lee's tutelage. I was the only one of 9 ladies to finish my quilt top.......crazy me......LOL.......Where is the quilt top now, you might ask......a long story short, Kathy L., my "wacky sister of the heart" now owns it. Would I make another, I don't think so but I won't comment to anything at this point.

Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes, including the 1 dimensional kind. This is a quilted tree made by Kathy L. last year for a class she and Patty were teaching. Kathy was playing around with the design and attempting to lessen her fabric stash.

Amanda's blog posted this site for sending neat Christmas e-mail cards or to post on your blog. You and your kids will love it.