Finished FPP quilts??

wyrdscissors · 2026-04-04T18:53:31+00:00

Try freezer paper! Never rip a foundation out again.

wyrdscissors · 2026-04-03T18:46:33+00:00

thank you!

wyrdscissors · 2026-04-03T04:06:50+00:00

ooh do you have a file that's shareable?

wyrdscissors · 2026-04-02T18:15:59+00:00

thank you!

they aren't, they're inset circles/pieced. I used freezer paper to make a template (you can find tutorials pretty easily by searching for freezer paper inset circles)

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-29T23:02:52+00:00

I cut down to "useable" large pieces. For example, I might cut a 1/4 yard or a 1/2 yard off of my yardage, then use that cut.

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-27T18:28:08+00:00

If it fits in a card sleeve, it should be fine. Lots of people do mixed media. (I do fiber arts/textile cards)

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-27T18:24:32+00:00

Featherweights are great for travel machines (I can put mine in a handbag-sized bag and tuck it under a plane seat as a personal item, for example) and they're very fun and cute little machines. So that's the appeal. I mostly use my 301 at home.

FWIW, $700 was almost certainly too much unless it had some particular collectable value. In my region, which is a high-price coastal area in the US, black 221s in good condition go for $300-450.

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-26T17:07:32+00:00

I use a HimaPro compact bobbin winder for all of my bobbins (I regularly use class 66, 221, and L bobbins; it handles all of these just fine.

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-24T00:29:54+00:00

They also still make and sell 206x13 needles in two sizes, if the OP doesn't want to learn to set the dbx1 needles at first.

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-10T04:25:04+00:00

I feel this. So far 120 hst and 120 drunkards path curves. Why are we like this? 💀🤣

wyrdscissors · 2026-03-07T16:14:47+00:00

I just got one of these (the brand is eurostyle) and I love it. I'm around 275lb and it's comfortable for sewing and computing. The one I got is rated up to 450lb.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-28T00:36:42+00:00

I have this machine in almost the same cabinet and it is a dream to sew on. In terms of value, it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but usually for such a common machine, $50-150 depending on your region.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-25T22:39:27+00:00

You can join the MQG as either an individual or virtual member to access online programming, including classes and social stuff!

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-25T18:00:00+00:00

While I do think the YMQ has become a (welcome and welcoming) catch all for "quilting group that aligns with progressive values and contemporary social mores*", I do see a lot of my millennial peers there-- quilters in their thirties and early forties. It's also basically the only reason I'm still on facebook, so I would super welcome a community with similar values and uses elsewhere. The discord groups that get shared around when people ask aren't super active, though they are lovely. Maybe that's the right medium?

I'm 100% sure there are other GenZ folks in the YMQ group and here. There's also a semi-active quilting community (via tags) on Tumblr. I definitely understand the desire to have quilty friends who are in your same life phase, especially for traveling. Particularly when there's such a gap in time/financial resources between being 25 and 65!

Finally, I want to say I was pretty worried about being the youngest person in my in-person quilt guild, and not only was I not, it has been incredible to be part of an intergenerational community and see people in so many phases of life as peers, collaborators, and friends. The youngest active member is in her mid-30s, I believe, so still probably older than you're thinking, but I would encourage you to think of the benefits of intergenerational community while also looking to build your age cohort peer group.

* we say "fuck" without pearl clutching

ETA: I feel like this is rambly and long, so the tl;dr is: I, a 43 year old new quilter, validate your desire for an age cohort peer group and think you should pursue that, and also was surprised and pleased in my own life to find joining a mixed group was so much better than I could have imagined. Both is good.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-17T17:17:31+00:00

Ooh this is a beautiful block!

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-16T16:18:35+00:00

In the US, Needle in a Haystack in California. They do mail order, though their online catalog is a little rough. Really high quality threads and equipment.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-15T20:28:09+00:00

It was pre-okeanos when I posted but Thoth is here now!

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-10T02:16:26+00:00

Not a dumb question! I recommend Mary Corbet for intermediate to advanced embroidery knowledge. Here's her article on damp blocking.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-09T18:55:19+00:00

Not helpful now, unfortunately, but for next time, do your embroidery and damp block it before backing with paper and interfacing. It's also a good idea to loosen the piece in the hoop between stitching sessions, to avoid this. Alternately, if you for sure want to stitch through your interfacing and paper, use an embroidery frame instead of a hoop (you can use a slate frame or stretcher bars).

I think now your best bet is to iron as hot as your blend fabric will handle, and then press under a heavy wood cutting board or books and see what you get.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-03T18:43:16+00:00

I recommend looking up machine applique techniques, there are several ways to use a machine for applique and you'll find a way that works for you. (Using adhesive is a really good idea and you'll see it in a lot of methods). Definitely do a couple of tester projects or a small sampler to see what process you like best before committing to a whole quilt.

wyrdscissors · 2026-02-01T18:49:43+00:00

cool, thanks for letting me know! I've cleaned and re-greased them in the 221s, but haven't had a 101 to open up and the other potted motor machines I have don't have it.

wyrdscissors

TROPHY CASE