Tag Archives: faq

Connecting Threads Podcast Episode 15 – Quilting Questions Answered
8.14.2020
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On this episode of the Connecting Threads Podcast, Kate is asking some questions and getting some answers. There are some things that have come up for her that has prevented her from moving forward with her quilt and there are some questions from the Connecting Threads community that Elise and Patrice help answer. From basting and fibers, come learn with Kate.

First up Kate and Elise check in about what they’ve been working on. Both of them have been working on sewing masks and they are also both working on quilts. Kate asks Elise her big question, “I have the top of my quilt, what do I do next?”. Elise gives her personal advice about batting, binding and quilting to walking foots, different types of basting to needles to batting, and more. Elise tells it all. 

Next we meet Chamisa a Textile Designer at Connecting Threads. 

Then Patrice answers some questions that are commonly asked the Connecting Threads Customer Service team, like “What thread count is your fabric”; “Where is your fabric made”; “How do I calculate how much standard width fabric I need to back a quilt?” and more. Patrice also offers up a sneak peek or “spoiler alert” for something coming up for our Connecting Threads Customers. 

Listen, Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts


We would love to hear from you! Do you have a question? Do you have favorite tools or advice that could help other quilters? Are you wanting some input on your quilt? Give us a call and leave us a voicemail. Call 360-334-4847. We’ll be answering your quilting questions on a later podcast episode. 


Mentioned in this episode: 
Kate’s quilt
Walk by by Jacquie Gering
505 Temporary Adhesive for Fabric   
Quilting needles 
Shop all batting
80/20 batting 
Blacking batting 
About Our fabric 

Timestamps:
0:00 Kate’s introduction
0:37 Kate and Elise chat about what are the next steps in Kate’s quilt
19:12 Meeting Chamisa
20:56 Patrice and Kate check in and answer some questions about fabric
35:12 credits

1 Comment
 | Tags: fabric, FAQ, inspiration, Podcast, Sneak Peek, Staff Picks, staff projects

Connecting Threads Podcast Episode 13 – Unraveling the Mystery of Fabric Production
6.12.2020
by
Spritz Tonals

On this second episode of this season of the Connecting Threads Podcast, Kate’s quilting journey takes her into the world of fabric. She chats with two of her favorite fabric experts about the right side and wrong side of the fabric design & production process. Listen in as both Kris and Patrice share a little insight into the thought and care that goes into making all of those beautiful cotton fabrics you know and love. This is the ultimate peek behind the scenes of the fabric happenings at Connecting Threads. 

First after a quick update on Kate’s quilt, Kate and Kris do a deep dive into fabric production. Why don’t two cotton quilting fabrics feel the same? Quilting cottons are the sum of several components and the quality of the individual components is what makes the end product special, Kris explains. To really understand, you have to start back with the cotton plant. For example the longer the staple, or the fiber, of cotton, the softer and smoother that fabric will be. We take the cotton and then we make a base cloth, or grey goods, and then print the design. Kris demystifies the reactive process and pigment process of printing

We meet Judy Reed, the Connecting Threads Outreach Director. 

Next Kate talks to Patrice about fabric design and gets her advice about how to pair fabrics together. Patrice guides Kate through some of the fabric-specific terms that have come up like” ditsy”, “focal fabric” and “tonal”. Pairing fabrics is personal but Patrice does offer some direction to help Kate’s “part time Type A” brain. Similar to parents not having a favorite child, Patrice doesn’t have a favorite fabric collection but does share one that is fresh in her mind. Listen to find out more. 

Listen, rate and review on Apple Podcasts!

Mentioned in this episode: 
About out Fabric
Jelly Roll Joyride 
Ditsy
Quilting Kits
Fabric Collections

Timestamps: 
0:00 The introduction with Kate
0:45 Kris and Kate check in (small talk)
1:58 Kate’s quilt status update
5:30 Introduction to segment 1 main topic – Fabric Production
8:26 Basics of Textile Production
24:20 Meet the Connecting Threads Team – Meet Judy, the Connecting Threads Outreach Director 
26:43 Kate and Patrice check in (small talk)
27:32 Kate asks “how do you pair fabrics together?” 
29:07 Patrice backs up and starts with some terminology 
29:44 “What is a ditsy print?” Patrice defines ditsy print
31:07 Focal fabric defined
31:54 Pairing fabrics together discussion
38:55 Definitions of other fabric types
45:45 Patrice’s pick of fabric collection
52:00 Credits

5 Comments
 | Tags: fabric, FAQ, inspiration, Podcast

Podcast Episode 12: Tips for Beginners
5.1.2020
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The Connecting Threads Podcast is back! This season we follow Kate, a mom, serial organizer, and all-around podcast enthusiast, as she embarks on a quest to become a quilter. Kate comes from a long line of quilters whose roots originate in the midwest and predate the Depression era. She’s drawn to quilting because she’s drawn to things that bring comfort, and also has a desire to connect with her family’s past traditions and craftsmanship.  

First Kate sits down with Kris, Director of Connecting Threads, quilter and everyone’s friend in crafting. Learning to quilt in the digital age where there is an abundance of information available just a click away can be somewhat overwhelming. Kris offers up some tips from what kind of project to start with to what kind of tools will help make things easier. Her big piece of advice – Relax and have fun making a quilt. 

Kris’s tips: 

  • Find a simple beginner pattern
  • Pick fabric that you love
  • Make sure your tools work and are in a good enough shape to do what they are intended to do
  • Seam rippers exist for a reason, feel free to use them
  • Use Elizabeth Zimmerman‘s Galloping Horse test – imagine you’re riding on a galloping horse looking at your quilt – if you can’t see a mistake upon a galloping horse, then don’t worry about it. 

This season on the CT Podcast we will be hearing from different members of the Connecting Threads team. On this episode we hear from Patrice our Senior Textile Designer.

Next Kate and Elise talk about the feelings that come up when starting a new craft like quilting. Learning a new skill isn’t easy. Elise has been sewing since she was 5 years old and she tells Kate the secrets to helping ease into it. “You need to start off with the mindset of quilting as an art and you are an artist. No artist starts off making masterpieces. You need to accept that the first few things you make aren’t going to be as pretty as you want them to be, but you can never get better without trying.”  Elise recommends that new quilters join a guild and find community. 

Listen, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts!

Products Mentioned in this Episode: 
2-1/2″ Strip pre-cuts 
Half Square Triangles  
Connecting Threads Beginner and Easy quilt kits 
Jelly Roll Joyride 
Rotary cutter 
Self Healing mat 

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction with Kate
1:11 Kris give Kate tips for starting her first quilt
24:38 Meet the Connecting Threads Team – Meet Patrice, Senior Textile Designer
25:34 Kate and Elise talk feelings about being a new quilter
35:35 Credits

0 Comments
 | Tags: inspiration, Podcast, Staff Picks, staff projects, Tools