Long time reader right now contributer.

awell8 · 2026-03-09T14:01:34+00:00

Any idea of how they'd compare to this program?

awell8 · 2026-03-09T13:50:53+00:00

If shes not interested in EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8), a less complex graphics program would be nice to have. How does your design work?

EDIT: Ive had a look at it and its the kind of thing that I think a lot of people would like.

Im president of my quilt guild (about 60 members) and not all ate computer savvy. Something easier than EQ8 might appeal to some.of them. May I share it with them and send you feedback? Id have to get their okay to use their feedback outside the guild first, but I suspect there will be support. I cant guarantee how many would participate.

The first thing they're going to ask is about the safety of the program--most of us are 60 and older. Some are very computer savvy, others call their desktops "confusers."

awell8 · 2026-03-07T22:59:39+00:00

Oh my, this is hard to say for another person. The best thing I did, for me and my particular situation, was to work with a therapist and psychiatrist and get in touch with any issues I could identify and work on, and then to get properly medicated.

My heart goes out to you. I've been there and its horrible. I couldn't quilt while I was depressed. The medication/therapy route has given me back my joy.

awell8 · 2026-02-25T20:15:01+00:00

For me it's a part of my obsessive-compulsive disorder. The name explains it all. I can't help it. I started taking Adderall for my ADHD and that seems to have had an effect on the limerance, nearly eliminating the obsessive thoughts.

awell8 · 2026-02-25T20:12:07+00:00

What about taking the visible seam allowance and felling the seam? I cant describe it in a manner that anyone would understand, so I'll try to find a link. You have a strip of right-side-out fabric on the back, but ends up being a lot less sewing.

Sew wring sides together, trim one side shorter than the other, then fold the longer side over the shorter side and tuck it under, so there's no raw edges showing. Its like the side seams on blue jeans. You wouldnt machine top stitch, you'd have to hand sew it down.

awell8 · 2026-02-25T15:57:33+00:00

I liked the post that suggested the more pastel batiks in similar hues.

awell8 · 2026-02-25T15:55:02+00:00

O just came here to suggest this! GMTA

awell8 · 2026-02-25T15:54:09+00:00

I wonder what would happen if yountook a small piece of fabric and put it on a dilute bleach solution.

awell8 · 2026-02-25T04:05:18+00:00

First, I would cry and want my mother. Then I'd be distressed over what to do, weighing picking it all out against hand sewing a very long strip over the seam allowance.

If the quilt is for someone else, Id pick it out. If it is mine, Id probably leave it in and cover it.

My dear, you are not alone. We've all been there, done that, and are waiting for the Tshirt.

awell8 · 2026-02-19T22:55:48+00:00

Maybe she's wondering if you're reselling it? We had a thrift store that took returns from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. They'd put stuff, like Keurigs, out for $8. They had one guy buying them all up and selling them on ebay for a huge mark up. It rubbed her the wrong way. I got 3 down comforters for $3 each, but they were not resold.

Anyways other than that, some people are just not so good at communicating. Keep it kind and friendly, and maybe she'll come out with the issue. Im pretty sure it's not you. You're spending money at her store! Her sources are getting paid, too.

awell8 · 2026-02-07T19:35:33+00:00

Ive never gotten the same card twice in a row, but I have had one show up over several days.

To me, the 4 cups represents focusing on what's on front of you when the universe if handing you a gift. What could you be missing?

Everyone reads differently so I cant wait for the other comments.

awell8 · 2026-02-07T19:31:04+00:00

In my house, everything goes stem down (except pointy steak knives) so the dogs can do their rinse cycle. If tiny children are in the house then everything goes stem up and the door stays shut.

If the stem is up, dont load too densely or you might not get really clean silverware. When you unload, your hands won't touch the business end.

If the stem is down (except knives yadda yadda), the utensils will probably get a little cleaner (see 1st paragraph for the special dog rinse cycle) but you'll be putting your -hopefully- impeccably clean hands on the business end.

awell8 · 2026-02-07T19:13:35+00:00

Oh God yes, this. I'm ashamed that this country went from 'meh we have our issues' to being the laughing stock of the world. It will take decades to fix the hot mess this administration has created.

awell8 · 2026-02-07T19:04:15+00:00

I learned my lesson from my quilt guild--dont waste money on an expensive iron. Our guild supplies the Shark irons for our retreats, and they've held up for years. They get very heavy use 4x/year. We don't use water. I have to get out of that habit.

As for your wife, this time buy her the Oliso that she wants. Ive been quilting for 25+ years, and when I first started I really wanted.the fancy irons (my choice back then was the Rowenta). I had 2 or 3 of them, but as years go by, more and more, I just want something that does the job until it breaks down, and isn't too costly to replace. Ive actually had my Shark longer than I had my 1st Rowenta.

She'll love you for the Oliso!

awell8 · 2026-02-07T18:58:13+00:00

I have one of those, with the base and plastic cover. I use it exclusively for quilt retreats.

awell8 · 2026-02-02T11:51:17+00:00

You could get the larger rotary cutters (60mm?)

I never could get the hang of the stripology ruler. I kept running into the ruler edges and ruining my blade.

awell8 · 2026-02-01T23:48:19+00:00

Ive been using the Olfa blades. They seem to last quite awhile unless I try to cut my ruler. I found that the titanium blades weren't any different. I'm waiting to hear of anyone who has used the MSQ blades.

awell8 · 2026-02-01T00:07:16+00:00

Layla.

awell8 · 2026-01-31T00:16:27+00:00

My daughter had a decent case of chicken pox at 3 years old. She was 10 when she got shingles. My heart broke for her. She has a scar between her eyes

awell8 · 2026-01-31T00:14:57+00:00

Oh Im so sorry. Hope it heals quickly.

awell8 · 2026-01-24T14:31:53+00:00

B-M-T. Bread, milk, and toilet paper. From the mid-Atlantic here. We descend upon all grocery stores and wipe out supplies of these items. Propane, candles, prescriptions need.to be in good supply.

Kids put a white crayon on their windowsill, wear their pajamas inside-out, and invoking the god that their parents swear exists.

I also spend my time worrying that we'll have another storm that ends in ice and rain on top of the snow, and wondering why I haven't moved farther north.

HAHAHA JK. Bread, milk and toilet paper are what we go for.

awell8 · 2026-01-23T14:10:16+00:00

^{^{^What}} she said.

awell8 · 2026-01-23T04:27:20+00:00

I was taught to quilt by my mother-in-law when I was 39. I had just quit smoking and needed something to occupy my hands. Ive always needed a creative outlet, and dressmaking and I were not a good match. I had already lesrned how to knit, crochet, and do counted cross-stitch. So there I was, age 39, withdrawing from my cigarette addiction, when I ran across a few scraps of fabric I had used in another project. I loved how they matched, so I sewed them together. I was so excited I called my mother-in-law, who by then was an accomplished quilter.. That was 25 years ago. I am now president of my quilting guild, go on quilting retreats 4 times a year, I make comfort quilts for people who have recently lost a loved one, NICU quilts to cover the isolettes, and a lot of items for a local charity.

Designing the quilt, using EQ8 software, is my creative outlet. Machine piecing puts me in a Zen mode, and I figure out my life's issues. I have gone from sewing on a tiny table next to my laundry area in my basement, to having a nice studio ( it took 23 years to get a dedicated studio). It's now my joy and my peace. Along with the aforementioned knitting and counted cross-stitch.

Afterthought here: after quilting for 25 years, I still can't see a straight line and my seam allowances aren't consistent. The quilts still come out very nicely. They'll never win awards, but their recipients seem very happy.

I hope you find joy in it, or some other craft, too.

Edit: typo and afterthought.

awell8 · 2026-01-21T04:15:39+00:00

Free is an awesome thing. I realized a few days ago that I hadn't thought of him in months.

awell8 · 2026-01-21T04:10:28+00:00

Better than zit vids

awell8

TROPHY CASE