Using the Tools

I started this post on using Quilters Select Rulers because I had an opportunity to show them off in February. Once I figure out what to say, I think about supporting pictures and that leads to more things to say, and then more pictures, which makes for more post parts. So I will break it up into smaller chunks.

My Style

I really like simple and straight forward, and I hope you do too. I want to share the (my) creative process with you as well as the products “I” use so you can feel comfortable with the products available at I Have A Notion™ (new and old) for creating. Most of what I make is off the cuff (no pattern)! It most often starts with an idea… a spark… an opportunity to explore! And this could be a whole other blog post… or many!

Half Square Triangles Quilt
Using Quilters Select Tools to make a quilt!

Quilters Select

I started down the road to this quilt (it is still a top, so not yet technically a quilt), while getting ready for a “One Stop Shop Hop” in February. The idea was to let shoppers try using Quilters Select products, (mats, rulers and rotary cutter) so they could judge for themselves the features and benefits.

Due to space limitations at the Shop Hop, I took some 5” precut WOF (width of fabric) strips and let interested parties sub-cut the strips into 5” squares. Mostly this demo was about the ruler benefits, but the cutter and the mat are also pretty awesome.

Quilters Select Products,Ruler for Sub-Cutting WOF, Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat
Sub-cutting from the white 5″ strip

Non-Slip

When using the Quilters Select ruler, the non-slip coating on the back of the ruler grips the fabric. The ruler really does not slip.

The Non-Slip aspect of the Quilters Select Ruler
The non-slip coating on the back of the ruler makes it easy to make precision cuts

Cutting LInes

The cutting lines of the rulers (are thin and do not interfere with the ability to line up). In the picture below, I have my old favorite ruler lined up next to the Quilters Select 5” square. What did I like about the old ruler? I liked the narrow solid lines and the even thinner dashed lines. However, the Quilters Select rulers have even thinner lines and allow for more accurate cuts, no dilemma about which side of a line to use. See photo below.

Comparison of ruler lines
Previous Favorite ruler on the left – Quilters Select on the right

The Angles

Angles of the rulers are in two places, even the 5” square has two sets of angle lines! So you don’t have to flip and flop a ruler to use an angle. The line I needed was never where I needed it, causing me to turn the ruler several times until I figured it out. **Note that even the 5” square has two sets of angle lines! So you don’t have to flip and flop a ruler to use an angle. The 5″ square is the smallest of the Quilters Select Rulers. See Photo above.

Frosting

The frosted tinting (yellow allows you to see the edge of the fabric better, regardless of the print or color of the fabric). My old ruler (on the left in the picture above), was also frosted, clear. I liked it for the same reasons. And again see above photo. The shade of the tinting varies from a pale yellow to one a bit darker.

Stacked

Stacked measuring numbers. If you look at the ruler in the photo, there are 2 sets of numbers on each full inch line. They grow from the right to the left, and in reverse on the lower numbers (white arrows). Making it so these rulers can be used from either side. It also makes it easier if you are left-handed, skips the math!!! You can also see the stacked number system on the Cutting Mat (red arrows).

The Quilters Select Stacked numbers

Making the Quilt

I brought the quilt squares home and paired a 5″ colored square to a white one, drew the 2 stitching lines and set about making 256 half square triangles. Stitched and cut the squares in half, and then pressed open.

Stitching the squares to make half square triangle blocks
Stitching the squares to make half square triangle blocks

Summary

In short, I love these rulers. The cutter will take a little getting used to, I have been using an Olfa since 1984 (still have my first one). The weight is the biggest difference, and cutting angle is a little different too, but not as radical as some of the other “improved” rotary cutters. I also like the mat. I did discover that the Quilters Select “Trick” only works on the Quilters Select mat and did not work on the rougher surface of the Olfa mat. You can find the Quilters Select Products here

Next up we will talk about pressing the half square triangles, trimming, and putting the top together. Beth

The State of the Store: Values, Stock and Products

old I Have A Notion web banner
Where We Were

In a little less than a year the state of the store has changed significantly. The web site started crashing and elements were not functioning requiring major renovations. I Have A Notion™, started down the road to the new look, new web site, new stock; well new everything! The site is modernized, sleek and organized. It will always be a work in progress, but the key elements are in place.

What are the Goals

To improve the State of the Store, new stock and products are being added all the time. Not just the newest hottest things, but the tried and true. Products that have stood the test of time and continue to work as well as the day they were introduced. These tools continue to work and have a long useful life in the sewing room. In addition, adding the new innovative products that will help guide us down the road of creativity, either by updating the method of how or by making the current process easier or better.

a banner with several IHAN products

Values of I Have a Notion™

Modern retail is based on the cycle of buy-buy-buy, but let’s buy right! All of us can fall into the cycle of constantly upgrading before every really learning to use what we have. Part of my job at I Have A Notion™ is finding useful tools that do their job well for the cost. To that end, I am sourcing out the best tools for the best price. We can all find the least expensive items at the big box stores, and most of them will work well. At I Have A Notion™, the goal is to stock the ‘better categories of products where possible. Not the lowest priced “GOOD” and not the top of the line “BEST” products, but the “BETTER” that does the job, will last or have made significant enough changes to ‘Tried and True’ to warrant the upgrade! Focus on the best bang for the buck. Tools that will pay for themselves or elevate your experience to the next level or BOTH! The value will be there, if not by the price, then the benefits of the item.

Tested by Beth

My IDEA is to show you the difference! By the cost or value, by innovation, or that it has stood the test of time and is still relevant. There are many “Tried and True” products, (Blue Washout Markers), that I use when crafting and sewing. Some are “NEW and Improved” products, (Misting Spray Bottles), that make some aspect much better, easier or both. Where there is only one choice of a particular item, (Machingers Gloves), then that is the one you will find here. Where there is more than one choice (scissors or pins), then you get to make the decision on which is best for you. Still not sure… ASK! I will assist you in any way I can, and I always tell the truth. I love helping you find exactly what you need to be successful in CREATING. Can’t find a tool, something you really want to have? Please email (Beth at quiltnotions@gmail.com) and we can see if it can be found!

The State of the Store will be ever changing as the stock and products, but the values will remain the same!

Beth

You can find the above products here: Misting Spray Bottles, Machingers Gloves, Vinyl Decals, Quilters Select Products, and Longarm Books.

A Bit More of Quiltcon 2019

I had a few more quilt pictures from Quiltcon 2019 Nashville to share. Picture heavy, and I’ll let you decide if all of the pictures were worth it!

Shame Quilt from Quiltcon 2019
Shame
Shame Tag
The Show UP Quilt from Quiltcon 2019
Show UP! my favorite STATEMENT quilt!
Show UP Quilt Tag
Tag for Show UP!
A portion of the Modern Times Quilt from Quiltcon 2019
A protion of Modern Times Quilt
Modern Times Quilt Tag
Stripey Strip Quilt from Quiltcon 2019
Stripey Stripe Quilt.
Detail of the Stripey Strip Quilt
Detail- curved quilting Stripey Stripe Quilt
Tag for the Stripey Stripe Quilt
The Stripey Stripe Tag
Residual Quilt from Quiltcon 2019
Residual Quilt (most of it)
Detail of the Residual Quilt
Detail of Residual Quilt
The tag for Residual Quilt
Residual Quilt Tag

I enjoyed visiting the Quiltcon 2019 and glad that I went with friends. Very colorful. Interestingly enough I have a colorful quilt on the wall… and in the building stages. Not sure it would qualify as ‘modern’ though! There will be a total of 8 fabrics in my bright combo. Picked them out January 24th to use for a demo of the Quilters Select Rulers.

Stack of bright Kona Solid fabric

Are you a member of the Modern Quilt Guild? They have Groups in most metro areas. Here is a link to the Modern Quilt Guild https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/ and the membership page if you are interested in a group near you https://community.themodernquiltguild.com/guild_locator. No groups in Kentucky, but I was a member of the Chicagoland one… around 2009 and then I moved.

Beth