Stellar Journeys

First published in 2001, by the American Quilter’s Society, this 80-page book leads the reader through a series of simple exercises that teach how to design you own circular stars, complex borders, and those magnificent, free-form flying geese. Also in the book are numerous photos of my quilts over time, several patterns, and a gallery section that includes student designs.

This book is out of print and I have no remaining stock. It can be downloaded as an E-book from the American Quilter’s Society for $12.00

Alvin Drafting Compass

Toss that grade school compass that’s in your desk! The 975VK compass by Alvin Co. is simply the best compass at a relatively low price. After conducting a two-year search, I haven’t found anything comparable. It has an extender bar that enables circles up up to 24 in diameter. It has quick release levers to open and close the compass quickly, as well as a fine-tuning dial knob, and it locks in place! It also hold a mechanical pencil thereby ensuring accurate line width, thereby reducing error due to ever widening pencil lines with standard pencils.

Drafting Compass: $31.00 –

Click here for compass assembly directions.

Extended Drafting Compass

NEW! This extended compass from Alvin makes circles up to 48 inches in diameter. If you want to draw a BIG circle, this is the tool! It’s perfect for drafting a large star or other circular design. It has a spring loaded thumbwheel, which allows for smooth movement and precise adjustments. Includes an interchangeable ruling pen, pencil and divider legs, plus spare lead and needlepoint.

Extended Drafting Compass: $56.00 –

Compass Points

NEW! Here’s another option for drawing big circles. These easy-to-use compass points from Alvin come with a 12 inch ruler and make circles up to 24 inches. If you have a longer metal ruler you can make even bigger circles.

Compass Points: $18.00 –

Alvin Flexible Curve

This high-quality flexible curve is essential for drawing free form shapes. Use it to audition the line on paper before you draw. Not all flex curves are created equally. Some bend in a smooth, continuous curve while others are bumpy and lumpy. This high quality, Alvin, aluminum-core flexible curve is used by architects and engineers, and now, quilters! Perfect for drawing free-form flying geese and other shapes, this flexible curve is the tool for the job. It bends easily and is not stiff, unlike some other flexible curves. It also comes in two different lengths.

40″ Flexible Curve: $21.00 –
24″ Flexible Curve: $16.00 –

NEW! I am now able to offer a 24″ lead core flexible curve. The lead core means that the flexible curve makes a smoother curve and holds its shape better. (Note: I am not able to ship lead-core flexible curves to California.)24″ Lead Core Flexible Curve: $16.00 –

Add-A-Quarter Ruler

With a perfect quarter inch, this Add-A-Quarter ruler is just the tool for trimming seam allowances when paper foundation piecing. After adding the seam allowance, you will instantly have a raw edge to which you can align the next fabric piece. You’ll find lots of uses for this bright pink ruler with its specially designed 1/4″ lip.

6″ Add-a-quarter: $7.50 –
12″ Add-a-quarter: $10.50 –

Omnigrid 4″ Square Ruler

If you are like me, you might wonder why it is that you need yet another ruler. Well, this one is perfect for adding the ¼” seam allowance to free-form shapes. I like to think of is as my little yellow convertible sports car, much easier to drive around curvy shapes than those larger rulers that I think of as school busses. Used for trimming completed foundations, it’s also perfect for drawing and measuring.

Omnigrid 4″ Square Ruler: $7.00 –

Omnigrid 1″ X 6″ and 1″ x 12″ Rulers

I love these little rulers for all sorts of purposes. They are the right size for drawing in detail in your design, adding a seam allowance, or taking a quick measurement. Conveniently sized, either one easily fits into your take along sewing kit.

Omnigrid 1″ X 6″ Ruler: $4.00 –

Omnigrid 1″ X 12″ Ruler: $6.50 –

Havel’s Snip-A-Stitch 4-1/2-Inch Scissors

NEW!!!
I love using these scissors for paper piecing! The Snip-A-Stitch is the perfect scissors for removing a single stitch or for easily ripping those tiny paper piecing stitches (not that we ever make a mistake!) The notched blade slides easily under a single thread or line of threads and cuts quickly and cleanly. An easy squeeze action is ideal for tired or arthritic hands and reduces hand fatigue. Great for all types of needle arts and embroidery!Snip-A-Stitch Scissors: $23.00 –

Fons and Porter Ceramic Marker

This is a marking pencil that actually works! It makes a nice thin white line which shows up on all but the lightest fabrics. The lines stay visible while you are quilting even when you scrunch and fold the quilt. Plus it comes with a pack of white lead refills. I’ve had my pencil for 3 years now and I still haven’t used up the first lead.

Fons and Porter Ceramic Marker: $13.00 –

Pentel Click Eraser and Refills

I love this eraser for precision erasing during the design process. It’s accurate, erasing only those lines that need to disappear, and it can be refilled. Standard pencil and large rectangular erasers are inevitably crumbly, dried out, leave unsightly marks, and erase more than is intended. You’ll be spoiled by this soft, clean white, almost unending eraser. Just click to lower more eraser power! The refill pack contains two 4″ long refills.

Pentel Click Eraser: $5.00 –
Pentel Eraser Refill: $3.00 –

NEW! Starr Designs Hand Dyed Fabric

Those of you who have taken my classes know just how much I love Starr Designs fabric. It is high quality, beautifully dyed, and comes in a wide rainbow of colors and gradations. I use it in almost every quilt I make! They use high quality cotton prepared for dyeing fabric and Procion Fiber Reactive Dyes and most of their colors are their special custom creations. The fabrics are washed 2 to 4 times and do not need prewashing. When washing a finished project, they recommend warm water with Synthrapol soap. I’ve chosen my very favorite fabric bundles to offer here.

A beautiful package of 16 fat quarters (4 yards total) in the colors of Paradise!

Paradise 16 pack Fat Quarters: $72.00 –

These bundles contain 10 fat quarters of fabric (2 1/2 yards total)

Firecracker 10 pack Fat Quarters: $45.00 –

Summer Sunset 10 pack Fat Quarters: $45.00 –

Autumn Blaze 10 pack Fat Quarters: $45.00 –

These charm packs are perfect for using in small quilts, for applique, or in any quilt where you need a nice rainbow gradation of color, but don’t need a lot of fabric. They contain 20 pieces that are each 6″ by 11″ for a total of 3/4 yard. And they are ONLY $14!

Starr Fire Charm Pack: $14.00 –

Indian Summer Charm Pack: $14.00 –

Quilt Shaper

About the coolest thing I found at the 2010 Quilt Market in Houston is the Quilt Shaper, from Sew Little time Quilting. Finally, there’s a way to add form to circular and free-form quilt shapes. Donna, was completely bowled over! Anyone who makes shapely quilts with lots of curves will love this. It’s a very thin strip of steel that slips inside the binding of your quilt, providing shaping and a little extra rigidity. You can be confident in knowing that your quilt will hang flat against the wall or the curtain in a quilt show by a traditional sleeve.

I tried out the Quilt Shaper on my 50″ diameter quilt “Cartwheel Constellation” in front of a room full of students, trimmed the ends to size and secured them with the provided connector and it worked just as advertised. The Quilt Shaper also collapses into a smaller circle for packing and traveling, just like those collapsible sun shades for vehicles. And, in case you are still doubtful, here’s a photo of Donna holding up Cartwheel Constellation with its stiffened edges. It’s flat as a pancake against the wall.

Quilt Shaper (12 foot): $19.95 –
Quilt Shaper (24 foot): $36.95 –

Grabaroo’s® Gloves

The other cool thing I found at the 2010 International Quilt Market are the Grabaroo’s Gloves. These form-fitting gloves are made of 95% nylon and 5% spandex with grips on both sides of every finger so they can be used on either hand. If one side wears out, turn it over. The gloves gives you extra gripping power for free-motion quilting and yet are thin enough to give you amazing dexterity to pick up pins, cut with scissors and pick up single fabric pieces.

Please specify size!

Grabaroo’s Gloves: $9.95