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Is There a National Quilt Day?

Yes, there is a National Quilting Day! It’s the third Saturday in March. In Calendar 2021 National Quilting Day will land on March 20th. So mark your calendar!

In June, 1991 the NQA, National Quilt Association, designated the third Saturday of March the ‘National Quilting Day’ and many quilters consider this day a Holiday. We can always use another Holliday right!

Over time ‘National Quilting Day’ has unofficially expanded to the whole month of March. National Quilting Day/Month of is now recognized world wide as a time to celebrate the history of quilting.

During the month of March quilters will be sharing the rich history of quilting. The oldest quilt still around to day is ‘The Sicilian Tristian Quilt’ said to have been made around 1360-1400.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

Why Lady VanWinkle’s Longarm Services?

Are you looking for a Longarm Quilter? Lady Van Winkle’s is the place to go. See her Services & Pricing page for details.

Why go to Lady VanWinkle’s…Because you get one on one consultation on your project. You get to see your pattern choices laid out on the computer before you pick the perfect pattern for your project.

Lady VanWinkle uses the Bernina Q24 with the Q-Matic computer program. This system produces beautiful high quality stitches that add value to your project. Quilting is her passion and she is ready to work with you.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

Where Do I Go To Learn How To Quilt?

It used to be common that quilting was passed down from one generation to the next and basic sewing was taught in the public schools as early as junior high. Sewing and cooking were both considered electives. That’s not the case today. It’s unfortunate these electives were cut out of the public schools.

Today it seems the only schools teaching sewing are the Universities. You can get a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design but it will cost you anywhere from $10,000 on up depending on the state you live in.

I recommend reaching out to one of the fabric shops in your area. Many fabric shops have monthly quilt groups that show and talk about their project. It’s a great place to ask around about quilt classes and quilt clubs. Quilters love to share information and are very helpful. Another great place to get information is the dealer’s shops that sell sewing machines. These shops usually provide basic sewing classes to get to know your machine but, some also provide a quilting class to learn the basics of quilting. Lastly, there are many, ‘How to Quilt’ videos on YouTube. Some of these online classes also sell the kit with all the materials to make the same quilt that they will be demonstrating in the video.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

Some Fun Facts About Quilting

The history of quilts began long before European settlers arrived in the New World. People in nearly every part of the world had used padded fabrics for clothing and bedding. Quilted materials were also used under armor for extra padding. With the arrival of the English and Dutch settlers in North America, quilting took on a new life and flourished.

The term ‘Quilt’ comes from the Latin culcita, meaning a stuffed sack. When we are talking about ‘Quilting’ we are referring to the process of making of a blanket by stitching three layers of materials together: quilt top, batting and backing material. The end product is called a quilt.

Quilt making was common in the late 17th century and early years of the 18th century. Colonial quilts were decorative items that displayed the fine stitch/needle work. During this time there were few quilts as only the wealthy had time to quilt.

Whole cloth quilts and medallion quilts were the styles of quilts made during the early 19th century.

Quilting Hub.com says in the America the quilting industry about a 3.7 billion dollar industry. There are approximately 7 to 10 million quilter in the United States.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

Can You Quilt With Minky Material Using A Longarm Machine?

Yes. Minky is a great fabric to use for the backing on quilts. I have a Bernina Q-24 Longarm machine with Q-Matic Art & Stitch. I just finished a Minky quilt for a customer and it is gorgeous. I used the panto_Swirl pattern. It’s a good pattern to use with Minky fabric.

Minky is an ultra soft fabric that is also very warm but light weight. Minky is produced from 100% polyester fiber or microfiber. This fabric comes in pastel colors as well as brilliant, bold colors. Minky is a perfect choice to use on a baby’s blanket. This fabric has become popular to use for quilt backing. There is nothing like being wrapped in a Minky backed quilt.

NOTE- If you’re thinking about using Minky fabric on your project, just know while Minky is a pricier fabric the bolted of fabric is approximately 58″ wide. It is definitely worth the extra cost. Best time to buy is during the fabric sales.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

Longarm Services & Pricing

Edge to Edge/Pantograph

  • Minimum $60. for quilts
  • Low Density Pattern – $0.020 per square inch
    • Basic, Larger Patterns, more than 1 inch space between patterns
  • Medium Density Pattern – $0.025 per square inch
    • Patterns, on average 1 inch space between patterns
  • Heavy Density Pattern – $0.028 per square inch
    • Patterns that are less than or equal to one inch on average

Thread/ Bobbins

  • Thread is included in the pricing

Loading Fee

  • Baby Quilt – No loading fee
  • Lap & Twin – $10.00
  • Full size – $13.00
  • Queen size – $15.00

Batting

Ask about Batting availability at time of purchase – Currently we have:

  • 100% cotton (Nature’s Touch; Warm & Plush)
  • 80/20 Blend (Warm & Natural)
  • 100% Wool (Hobbs Tuscany)
  • 50%/50% cotton+wool (Pellon)

Block & Trim Quilt

  • Baby Quilt – $6.00
  • Lap & Twin – $8.00
  • Full Size – $12.00
  • Queen Size – $16.00

Binding

  • Cost to prepare binding is included in price below: Cut, sew, iron|Customer provides material.
  • Sew binding one side $0.15 per linear inch
  • Sew binding both sides using Heirloom stitch $0.30

Basting for Hand Quilter

  • Machine basted 1” stitch every 5 to 6 inches to prepare for hand quilting – $0.1 per square inch, minimum $25

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

What Is A Modern Quilt?

There is much information regarding modern quilts and what makes them different from the traditional quilt. Most quilters agree the primary feature that differentiates a modern quilt from a traditional quilt is that though there is a grid pattern, the overall pattern does not follow an overall set grid. There are other features that are consistent with modern quilts; examples are, bold geometric shapes that contrast with solid negative space.

What I enjoy in a modern quilt is the negative space. Minimal geometric shapes and lots of negative space in the modern quilt allows the stitch work to be seen. When using a contrasting thread the stitch pattern will pop. There are so many stitch patterns available today. I have the Bernina Q-Matic that produces high quality stitches that will add depth and value to a quilt.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

What is Batik?

Batik is a centuries old tradition for dyeing material. The word Batik in Javanese means to write in dots. Indonesia has highly refined the Batik process. This traditional method of dyeing is followed in other countries as well, Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Batik is the art of wax-resistant dye on fabrics to create beautiful and colorful designs. The wax is made-up of the mixture of Beeswax, paraffin and resin. The wax is then applied using a stamp or a Tjanting tool (wax stylist). The Tjanting tool is made with bamboo, a copper spout and a copper reservoir. The Tjanting tool is dipped in hot wax and the wax is applied to the designs drawn on materials. You can purchase an electric Tjanting tool today.

Once the waxed design is complete on the material, the material is then submerged in dye, then washed and hung to dry. For multiple colors the batik process is repeated for each color.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

What’s the Difference Between a Coverlet and Bed Spread?

A bedspread is a traditional covering that covers the entire bed and extends to the floor. The pillows are also covered by the bedspread. Whereas, a coverlet is a modern covering that is long enough to cover the box spring and is used with a bed skirt that reaches the floor. Usually the coverlet and top sheet is pulled back about 1/3 of the way with the decorative pillows sitting at the head of the bed.

Today quilts are designed to be used as bedspreads (Traditional Style) and coverlets (Modern Style). In general, a bedspread will have boarders on all for sides and cover the pillows; whereas, the coverlet will have the hanging boarders on only three sides to allow decorative pillows to sit on top of the head of the bed.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

How Should I Prepare My Project For The Longarm Quilter?

You want to make sure all your seams are ironed flat. For us, this is the most important step to producing a high quality product. Check for loose threads on the top side; we will remove if you miss a few. Trim all long hanging threads at the seams.

It is not always easy to make a perfectly squared quilt. One way to check your quilt is to measure across the top, middle and bottom. Take these measurements top to bottom and side to side. Depending on the quilt pattern and boarders you may be able to trim the edges to square your quilt. If you are only off by a 1/4″ it’s probably not a big deal but, no more than 1/2″.

Make sure the batting and backing have at least a 4 inch allowance on all sides. The best way to calculate material needed is to measure the length and width of your quilt and add 8 inches to the length and the width. It’s okay to leave the selvage on your backing outer edges. The selvage will need to be removed from any seams in the backing. Absolutely no selvage in the top quilt. Selvage causes problems during the Longarm stitching process. Also, the shrink factor in the selvage is different than the material. Remove the selvage!

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.