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Giveaway Winners and Updates!

So much to update you on :)

We have gotten in so many wonderful new collections:
Plus, we have many more coming soon.

So we had to make room by marking many of our quilting fabrics 30% off!

Then we decided to have even more fun this weekend.

Any precut that is not 30% off on, you get an extra 10% off just by using coupon code precuts :)

How sweet is that?

Now... let's get to some giveaway winners!



Congrats Christine from Made in Scraps and her hometown is in Baldwin, NY. You are the winner of the Amelia Jelly Roll!.



Our next lucky winner is Mom C from Cedar City who lived in the same house until she went away to college. That is awesome! You have won the Amelia Layer Cake




Our next lucky winner is Vroomans' Quilts whose hometown is also in NY. You have won the Hometown Jelly Roll!



Wait a sec? We only had 3 prizes and 4 numbers drawn.

Well, you know I love our bloggers so here is an extra prize for the closest person to the 4th number who blogged about our giveaway :)

Congrats to Candi from Candi's Eye Candi whose hometown is in California.

You get to pick out any of the prizes above and thank you for helping us to spread the word about our giveaway!

Don't forget that we have step by step directions on how to create your own blog too :)

That is it for now but, I will be back VERY soon with our next awesome giveaway.

*hugz* to you all!



P.S.

Winners... please go to our contact us page and give us all the details we need to ship your prizes!

The Seaming Method of Quilting Your Quilt - Thank you Sandie!

One of our awesome Facebook Fans, Sandie, shared some pictures of her quilts on our Facebook Page.


I immediately could tell that she was quilting her quilts differently and wanted to find out more!

I could tell her version would be so much easier for many of us that suffer from arthritis and/or other nasty things that try to keep us from quilting the quilts we love to do.


I asked her to write up a tutorial and thankfully... SHE SAID YES!!


So here is another method of Quilting your Quilt that you may want to check out :)


Thank you Sandie for all your hard work and sharing this wonderful tutorial with us!!

The Seaming Method of Quilting

I have to say that I saw a version of this method on the “Fons and Porter”TV program on PBS, but didn’t like the way they covered the seams. I figured out a way I liked better to cover the seams and have been using this method ever since.


1)    Prepare your block the way you normally would. Keep in mind that in addition to your normal ¼” seam, you will lose about 1” all around the square, so if you have a pattern that comes right up to the edge of your block it will be covered. I have gotten around this by adding a small framing strip around my square so as not to lose any of the block design. I personally like to work with blocks that are 12-15”, but mostly because that is the size of my square-ups.

2)    Cut backing pieces and batting pieces the same size as your square.

3)    Layer your backing, batting, and top square like you would for your finished quilt. (figure 1)

Figure 1

4)    Pin securely and quilt your square as desired. Do this for all of your squares.

5)    With backs right sides together, sew blocks together in rows with a ¼” seam, making sure you are lining up all of your layers. (Figure 2) I usually make my rows with the longer number of squares in the quilt. So if your quilt is   6 x 5, I would make the rows six blocks each. This is especially important for larger quilts such as king or queen sized. I like to pin a small piece of paper with the number of the row at the top of each one, so that when I am ready to join the rows, I know which order they go in.

 Figure 2

6)    Press open your seams (Figure 3)


Figure 3

7)    Cut 3” strips to cover your seams. The way I figure out how many strips I will need is to take the size of the square. In this case it was 12”. Multiply that times the number of seams you have in each row. This was a 6 x 5 quilt, so I had five seams in five rows, which meant it would be 12” x 25= 300”. Then I measure the length of each row, in this case 69.5 (I round it up to 70). There will be four seams to join the rows so I multiply 70” x 4= 280”. Now add the two numbers and divide by the width of your fabric to figure out how many strips to cut. In this case it was 580”/42”= 13.81, so I know to cut 14 strips 3” strips the width of the fabric.

8)    Sew the strips end to end to make one long strip. (Figure 4)

Figure 4

9)    Sew long strip wrong sides together with a ¼” seam. Press the seam open centering the seam in the middle of the strip. (Figure 5)


Figure 5

10)    Center the strip over the seam and sew close to each edge to cover seam.  As I cover the seams in  my rows, I roll the row up to fit into the machine. (Figure 6)

Figure 6

11)    Pin row 1 and 2 together with backs right side together. Stitch with a ¼” seam, making sure you are aligning all the layers together. Only add one row at a time before moving on. (Figure 7) Press the seam open.

Figure 7

12)    Cover the seam the same way you did before. Work with one row at a time with the bulk of your fabric always to the left of your machine. (Figure 8)

Figure 8


13)    Continue this way until all of your rows are added to your quilt. Then bind your quilt like you normally would.
 

This is what I call a couch quilt. (Approx. 58” x70”)




 

Back of quilt

Other quilts using this method:


 King sized quilt


I framed the squares on this one so I didn’t lose any of my design


Tutorial Prepared for 1 Choice 4 Quilting by Sandie Oravec


Meet Our Newest Facebook Fan of the Week - Sandie Oravec

I hope you will help me welcome our newest Facebook Fan of the Week - Sandie Oravec - She is one neat lady!

Tomorrow we will be featuring a different kind of quilting method that I think you will enjoy and the tutorial comes from Mrs. Sandie herself :)

Without further ado... I introduce you all to Mrs. Sandie Oravec!!

Do you have a blog? Url?

No I haven't taken the time to do it yet. I read through your blog, but have been do busy sewing that I haven't done it yet. I do have a Facebook group called Welcome Little One Ministry for the ministry I am starting this fall.


Tell us a little bit about yourself? 
I am originally from Oshkosh, WI. I moved 12 years ago to Neenah, WI which is about 15 minutes north of Oshkosh. I will be celebrating my 25th anniversary with my husband, Mike, this September.

I met my husband when I was only 14, but didn't actually date him until I was 19. He is so wonderful. He loves to go to quilt and fabric stores with me and helps me pick out and match fabrics.

I have two wonderful kids. Brea is 23 and just graduated college with a French major. She will be starting a new job Aug 1st. Cory will be 19 next month and is in his second year of college. He plans to become a minister.



As a family we did newborn foster care for 6 1/2 years and took in 49 pre-adoptive newborns. I miss it greatly, but had to quit due to health problems. I have a lot of other kids and young adults who call me Mom.



Our house is always open to anyone and they all know it. Besides quilting, I love to bake and play the guitar. I love to sing and write music, as well.



When did you start sewing?
My grandma started to teach me to sew when I was 5 years old. I now own the machine that I learned on, and taught my daughter to sew on the same machine. By the time I was 12, I could make three piece suits. I made all of my daughters formals throughout high school and altered most of her friends.



When did you start quilting?
I started quilting the year we got married. I decided to make everyone a quilt for Christmas. They were very basic quilts that were tied. I gradually started trying harder and more complicated patterns.




When you are about to make a quilt, do you prefer starting with a Jelly Roll, Layer Cake, Charm Packs, Fat Quarters, or Yardage?
I usually use yardage and scraps from my stash. I have used fat quarters. In fact, when we take any trips, I like to collect fat quarters from the different shops we stop at and then make them into something to remember the trip.



Do you mostly quilt from patterns/books or do you try to create your own styles?
I like to start with patterns and give them a tweak to make them unique.


Which fabric manufacturer is your favorite? Moda, Free Spirit, Michael Miller, etc
Moda, Free Spirit, Michael Miller, etc I don't really have a favorite. I just love most all fabrics.



What style of fabrics is your favorite? Traditional, Modern, etc
 I guess I am more of a traditional gal, but the Modern can make projects fun. I do like some of the older looking fabrics. I love greens and purples, so I always seem to find more of them than any others :)



When it comes to quilting, what challenges do you face?
I wish I owned a long-arm machine to do larger quilts, but I have come up with a way to do larger quilts on my regular machine. I don't like working with curves, although I have done it. One of my biggest challenges is my Multiple Sclerosis. It affects my vision and stamina, which makes quilting a challenge at times.



What would you like to learn more about?
I would love to learn more about long-arm quilting. I did rent a long-arm to quilt a quilt for both of my kids and I had a blast. I have actually never taken a class in quilting. I have taught myself everything from books or from watching quilting shows on TV.


What is your favorite part of quilting?
I love to see how fabrics interplay with each other. It is so fun to see how a fabric can change when you put it with different colors, patterns, etc.. My favorite part of quilting though is seeing the person's face when I give it to them. There is such a warm satisfaction is seeing their joy. One of the biggest blessings to me is making memory quilts for people who have lost a loved one, especially kids. To be able to give them something tangible to cuddle with that is made of the clothes of their loved one is priceless.


Is there anything else you want to tell us?
My passion in life is to serve Jesus Christ in whatever I do. It has been difficult to have to give up so much in my life because of my health (working, foster care, driving, ministry work). For over a year, I wasn't able to sew at all because of double vision, vertigo, and severe headaches. When I was able to start sewing again, I vowed that even more than before I would use it to honor and serve God.

When I was just starting to sew again, I cut my right arm on some glass and severed seven tendons, a nerve and an artery. They didn't know how much use of my hand I was regain. I learned to use my rotary cutter with my left hand and it has only been recently that I could actually hand sew again.

It has made me really thankful for the ability to sew.

I used to take it for granted, but I don't think I ever will again. It has been a year now, and I have most of the function back in my right hand. This is a huge praise for what God is capable of, because my doctors are constantly being amazed at my progress. 

I have spent the past year making quilts to donate to benefits, domestic abuse shelters, etc.. This fall I will be birthing a new ministry called Welcome Little One Ministry. We are making diaper bags and filling them with basic needs of a newborn for the first 3-4 days of life. I am VERY excited that God has given me another opportunity to serve newborns and their families. I am having a blast teaching others to sew burp cloths, diaper bags, blankets, quilts,  etc.. I am SO blessed to have people sending me fabric, volunteering to sew, crochet and knit for the ministry, as well as, donate their gently used baby clothes.

Every time I start to doubt or worry about the ministry, another blessing comes through the door.


What a wonderful story Sandie and I am so glad we got to catch up with you :) You are amazing! - Shawna

Join Us for Some Fresh Fabric Treats Sew Along!

Tomorrow we are starting a brand new book in our Quilting Book Club and I would love for you to join us!



The book is called Fresh Fabric Treats and it has yummy recipes from all of your favorite Moda Bake Shop Chefs.

We will be starting off with 3 simple and easy to do projects and on September 1st, we will be diving into quilts!

Our first project is small, easy, and should only take a few hours to complete.

Our goal starting a bit early is to allow us to try out more patterns from one book and really get our money's worth :)


You will need the following "Shirt Off My Bag" Tote Bag:

5 Layer Cake Slices (or 5 10" x 10" Squares)
5 Matching Buttons

Most of you will have this in your stash :)

I believe this book is just a stepping stone to so much more. Those of you with more experience will step in and add some sugar and spice of your own.

Sign up now by:

~Clicking the "Like" button on our Quilting Club Facebook Page.

~Getting your fabrics together for our first pattern.

Oh and to make this even more tempting... we give out all kinds of goodies in the book club just for completing each phase of the project we are working on.

I hope to see you there!

Half Square Triangles..... BLAH! Let's get them squared up!

Half Square Triangles (also known as HST's) look beautiful on quilts. You will find that these blocks are used with many different quilt blocks and patterns.

For most quilters, they can be the bane of your existence. They are mine :)

As I searched through the net to find horror stories, I did not feel so alone.

The same problems come up time and time again:
  • They don't stay square
  • The points aren't in the corners
  • The bias stretches
  • The blocks are never the same size
  • Nothing matches up
Some tricks of the trade:
  • Make it bigger and square them up
  • Use triangle square up rulers
  • Use Grid Methods - This is my personal favorite.

Squaring up those blocks!

It seems no matter how you create those darn, yet beautiful, half square triangles...

You are still left squaring up those blocks. This is where we lose many quilters.
  • They can't get the squaring up just right
  • It takes too long
  • Nothing is where it should be 
I was working on our online quilting book club quilt this weekend and I had to sew 72 (YES I SAID SEVENTY-TWO!!) half square triangles together.

For those of you paying attention, yes this was last month's quilt but I am a little late with the surgery and I REALLY wanted to make this one!

Moving on with my story...

When the 36 blocks were completed... I think 15 were one size, 15 were another size, and the remaining 6 were just sad.

So today I thought I would share how I squared up those darn, yet beautiful, half square triangles to make them all the same size.

Step 1

I know that my half square triangles are always going to be too short so I just add a little extra.

However, with this quilt pattern, we were working with Layer Cakes.

I made sure I was sewing those together using my 1/4" foot.


Step 2

This pattern required the seams to be pressed open. Completed that task and headed to the cutting board.



Step 3


Looking at my blocks, I realized that although they were supposed to be 9 1/2 inches... well... uh... No.

So I had to find the smallest in the bunch and work from there. I had to change the size of my blocks to 9 1/4 inches to make everything nice and purty.


Step 4

I grabbed my two favorite tools for squaring up blocks - my Creative Grids Quilting Ruler 9 1/2in Square and my Incredible In-Between Gripper.

Why these tools?

The Creative Grid Rulers are by far my favorite! Every time I tried squaring up blocks, they would move on me all over the place. I tried sandpaper, I tried some film tape thing you through on the back, I tried everything. The Creative Grid Rulers have these no-slip gripper dots which for me, work better than the others.



However, I still want a real good grip and my hands are now sliding all over. So I use the In-Between Gripper to make sure nothing moves and you know what.... nothing moves. I have tried other grippers and they ALWAYS came off the ruler - not when I wanted them too.  With the Gypsy's, I don't seem to have the same problems.



Ok let's get back on track here *giggling*


Step 5 - This one is important!

Place the diagonal line in your ruler over the diagonal seam line on your block.




When I first started quilted, I paid no attention to that diagonal line on my rulers - BIG MISTAKE!

You are not getting equal halves by putting your ruler in one corner and paying no attention to the lines. That pretty diagonal seam you created will be off centered within the block.






I want my block to be 9 1/4 inches. I pay attention to the dotted lines on the left and bottom. This is my mark for 1/4." I make sure to leave a little something there to cut.

Step 6

Cut the right and top side.



Step 7

Now flip the fabric so that those beautiful straight lines are now on the left and bottom.



Step 8

This is where you want to pay attention!! We have 3 lines that we have to match up.





Start in the bottom corner and match your quarter inch line going up, across, and diagonally.






Follow that line all the way up.






Follow that line all the way across too.






Finally, check the opposite diagonal.


Step 9

Now all we have to do is cut!





Step 10

Tada!! You have a perfect 9 1/4 inch square.




Only 35 more to go!!

Tell me, what are your half square triangle horror stories?

P.S.

Before you go too fast, make sure you enter our latest giveaway. It's a good one :)




**Thank you Sew Mama Sew for the image of diagonal blocks!

A New Giveaway with GORGEOUS Fabric to be Given Away to 3 Lucky Winners!

Now that we have the winners of our last giveaway drawn, it is time to have a brand new giveaway!

I am absolutely in LOVE with the newest collection from Me & My Sister Designs. Have you seen it yet?

It is called Amelia...


This collection is absolutely perfect for the summer!
I love the flowers, the paisleys, the stripes, and the dots in this collection.

So we are going to give 1 Lucky Winner an Amelia Jelly Roll


And we are giving 1 lucky winner an Amelia Layer Cake


So cute!! You will have so much fun working with this collection :)

Another collection we are starting to get into our stores is called Hometown by Sweetwater



LOVE this collection or anything made by Sweetwater *laughing*

We think one lucky winner should walk away with a Hometown Jelly Roll!



Yummy!

Are you ready to win?

We are giving you 5 awesome ways to enter!

1. Please leave your first comment by telling us... Where is your hometown? I love reading your comments and getting to know more about you!

2. If you decide to follow our blog (left column under what's new) or you already do follow us, leave us another comment letting us know you have.

3. If you decide to Follow us on Twitter or you already do, leave us another comment letting us know you have. We would love it if you would retweet our giveaway too :) That would be AWESOME!!

4. If you decide to head over to our Facebook page and click on the Like Button (OR use the toolbar below). Then leave us another comment letting us know you did!

5. If you decide to blog about our giveaway and tell all of your friends, please leave us a comment letting us know you did with the URL of your blog post. We REALLY appreciate our bloggers AND you might be entered into a special drawing!! *wink*


Don't have a blog? I have directions on how to start your own blog and now is as good as time as any to start one :)


Good luck everyone!

Drawing ends Monday July 25th at 10:00 PM Eastern.




Why Choose Us?

Because we promise you:
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  • We will find tools that help you save time.
  • We will find you precut or bundled fabrics that will save you time and money.
  • We will give you free shipping on all domestic orders.
  • We will ship all items USPS Priority Mail. This saves money and in most cases will arrive to your home in 1-3 business days.
  • We will ship your order the same day if purchased by 4:00 PM Eastern Monday through Friday.
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We will give you the absolute BEST customer service!

-

We are #1 in Customer Service - We have been operating online stores for over 10 years. Our customers all agree that 1 Choice goes above and beyond to make sure that you, our customer, is always put first. Shop online 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all the quilting fabrics you need. We use the most sophisticated and secure online shopping cart provided by Yahoo! We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Most orders are shipped the same day they are received* and will arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition....GUARANTEED!

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