Alex Anderson 3/20/2002

HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Alex Anderson, quilting expert and host of Simply Quilts, is here to answer your questions. Hello, Alex!

Alex Anderson: Hi, everyone! I'm so glad you've stopped by today to chat.

Question: In trying to design my own blocks, I have a lot of trouble figuring out the cutting size for triangles using the quick methods. Isn't there a rule of thumb for how big to make a block that will be cut into either 2 or 4 half square triangle? Thank you!!!
AA: Yes, there is. For a half-square triangle take the finished measurement (the side adjacent to the 90 degree), add 7/8-inch to it and cut once diagonally. For 1/4-square, take the finished measurement of the side opposite of the 90-degree, add 1 and 1/4 inches to it, and cut twice diagonally. Once you memorize these, you'll be all set.

Q: I have never quilted. Where would be the best place to start?
AA: See if there is a local quilt shop in your area. Sign up for a beginning class. However, I was self-taught, and in the beginning I spent countless hours in the library at the quilting section. And now, of course, we have television. Just jump in and have fun with it!

Q: How does one become a fabric designer? And where is a good source to find antique Singer Featherweight machines?
AA: People have become fabric designers from many different venues. If you have a good idea, I'm sure any of them would be more than happy to take a peek. As for the antique Featherweight, it's been a long time since I've seen a bargain. Check antique shops, quilt shops, sewing machine shops and possibly Ebay. I put an ad in the paper for mine. Expect to pay around 450 dollars.

Q: How do you count stitches when quilting? And can you use flannel as your batting?
AA: I count stitches from one side. I don't know what the official way is. I've never quilted with flannel as a batting. At a minimum I would make sure it is easy to needle.

Q: We just had Donna Poster at our guild meeting. She told us all about clothing changes on Simply Quilts, and how her mike slipped into her slip. Any other funny stories?
AA: Oh, sure, lots of funny things happen. I had forgotten about Donna's -- LOL! Did she tell you how cute the mic guy was who had to dig it out? LOL. Hmmm. And she says it was an accident...

Q: I met Alex several years ago when she spoke at the Olathe Quilt Guild. I tried to talk her into adopting a greyhound! :) I would just like to tell her that I enjoy her show and learn a lot from watching.
AA: I remember you! I'm still a one-dog gal.

Q: Can you please give me some advice on marking quilt tops with the "pounce" method?
AA: I've never used that technique because I pre-mark my entire quilt before I put it on the frame. In fact, I am working on one today. I suppose the most important thing is that whatever you use won't permanently stain the quilt.

Q: Help!! I need a nice hand quilting idea for Jacob's Ladder hand quilting any ideas??? Thanks
AA: As a broader answer, I pour over photographs of antique quilts for quilting designs. I assess the empty space on the quilt, and I choose designs that fill the space entirely. Probably one of the most basic designs is among my favorites, and that is a crosshatch grid. They mix just fine with other fabrics

Q: I love the look of hand dyed fabrics but I'm unsure how to use them. Should I keep them in a quilt by themselves or do they mix all right with regular fabrics? Love the show!
AA: They mix just fine with other fabrics, but the important thing is to make sure all excess dye has been removed. That is very important.

Q: What features should you look for in a sewing machine to use for making quilts?
AA: First and foremost, a reputable dealer (and I am NOT kidding). On my machine, the features I treasure are: the knee lift and needle up/needle down. Have fun test driving.

Q: I watched the show on drafting but did not understand the concept using the 9 to create divisions in a 7 inch block. Do I need to buy the $20 book to understand this?
AA: I learned of this concept in college, and it is really easy once you get it. Let me try and explain. Using two parallel lines that are 7 inches apart, take your ruler and tilt it on an angle, where zero is on one parallel line, and nine is on the other parallel line. Then simply mark each inch increment. Your 7-inch block will now have 9 divisions. Print this out when the chat is over and try it (what I mean is print the chat transcript available to you on Friday). By the way -- I flunked geometry in high school.

Q: Hi, Alex. :) I love your show and try to never miss it. I am trying to work up the nerve to start a whole-cloth quilt and am nervous about marking it. Any suggestions? Thanks. :)
AA: Pre-draw everything on paper before, and then you can make changes and get it just right before you mark the quilt.

Q: I visited my first quilt show in Willamsburg, Va., and I could not understand why the things I thought were pretty won nothing but the muddy looking stuff got first prize
AA: LOL! Judging is incredibly subjective. In one show, my quilt took best of show, in another show, it didn't even get an honorable mention. It just comes down to if that person was meant to win.

Q: Hi, Alex. I teach 4th grade in Sacramento, Calif., and each of my students made/quilted their own blanket that looks like the American flag in the 1850s. I saw your program on the class quilts and wanted to share what each of my students did!
AA: I have a new book that just came out called Kids Start Quilting. The kids were so much fun to work with. Kudos to you and anyone else out on the board today who are taking the time to teach kids to quilt. They absolutely love it. -- boys and girls alike.

Q: I've only taken one quilting class, but I enjoy your show -- it's like an on-going class! All the quilts are so beautiful. My question: Were the rubber stamps on today's show (with Billie Lauder, I think) special for fabric/quilt stamping? What company?
AA: I don't remember the details, but your best bet is to contact Billie directly. And you can get that information from the hgtv.com resource guide.

Q: I am making the block of the month quilt and would like to know what the finished size will be and when will the directions given to assemble the quilt. I would like to make it for a Christmas present
AA: Julie (who works at HGTV) says that the last block won't be up until December. Each of the blocks is 9 by 12 -- as far as the size goes. So the size of it ultimately will be determined with how you set them. It looks like this quilt won't be ready until December 2003 -- LOL.

Q: Hi Alex. I seem to keep bending my quilting needles. I'm using a John James size 10. Is there a particular size/brand you can suggest that won't bend so easily?
AA: That's a pretty good brand, try loosening up your quilt on your frame or hoop.

Q: I'm a new quilter. Can you let me know if you have a show on "putting a square on the point?" Thanks
AA: We have done a couple of shows on that. I can't remember what season or with who, but I do know we have gone over that information.

Q: I wanted to ask Alex if there might be any structural problems with a quilt if you press the seams open rather than to one side. It seems a lot easier to match seams this way.
AA: Well, this is a loaded question, LOL. If the quilt is going to get a lot of wear and tear I would think it would be stronger with seams pressed in opposing directions. However, as for myself, I've been known to press seams open, if six or more converge in one area.

Q: Hi Alex, and thank you so much for being here!! I have a redwork question: Do you set the dye in your embroidery floss before you use it? I am going to do some redwork on a child's quilt, and know it will be washed. Any suggestions on washing the floss to keep the red floss from running when washed? Thanks, Alex!
AA: In a perfect world, you should not have a problem. You might try taking a couple of stitches in white fabric, immersing it in hot water and seeing what happens. Knock on wood -- I haven't had a problem yet. If it does run, I would throw the floss away -- I wouldn't fiddle with it.

Q: Alex, we love your show...don't ever leave us. And thanks to HGTV for beginning to include companion instructions on their website.
AA: I too thank HGTV for renewing Simply Quilts. The reason Simply Quilts stays on the air is because you, the quilters, have been so supportive.

Q: When hand quilting; is "back stitching" okay instead of "running stitch"?
AA: The only time I suggest the backstitch is if you want to cheat the size of the first stitch. Ultimately, you want to use the rocking stitch.

Q: Hi Alex, Do you and your Dad still have your Sladky Quilt frame business? If so how can they be seen and where or is there a catalog?
AA: Catalog -- LOL! My dad makes them in the garage. :^) He makes about 10 to 15 a year. And if you want a little copy machine flyer, he'd be happy to send you one. You can call him at 925-447-4488. I believe they run about 400 dollars.

Q: Hi Alex, I hope all is well with you. My question is when working with flannels is it usually best to use flannel on back? And I understand that flannel can keep shrinking, so would it be best to use all cotton batting?
AA: I've only made a few flannel quilts, and I chose not to wash them because they were for books. Would you mind posing that question on my bulletin board (www.alexandersonquilts.com)? I am curious to see what the answers will be.

Q: Alex, how often when you are working on a project do you change your sewing machine needle? I'm queen of "cheap" and I want to get every mile I can out of it!
AA: LOL! The rule of thumb is every quilt. But do I do that? Heck no. I can feel it when it starts to get dull.

Q: Alex, love your new shows this year, esp. ghost layers. Finally you are giving more detailed instructions for each show! Very helpful! Now my question... I always seem to have a hard time with diagonal quarter square triangles coming out at various sizes despite sewing on the same marks -- any help?
AA: I guess I am at a loss for words because some days I will nail it perfectly and others, not. It must be a universal problem for all of us.

Q: Hello, first-timer here! Alex, will you ever be coming to a show up here in Canada?
AA: Welcome! :^) My traveling days are curtailed immensely. There were too many balls up in the air at one time, and I had to take a hard look at what was truly feasible and what wasn't. Currently I have no plans to make it to Canada, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? I hear there are a lot of great quilters up there with you!

Q: Hello Alex. Have you ever heard of Quit Country in Dallas? They have a quilt that they developed called the Raggedy Hearts and Stars. It is made of flannel, and the front and back of the quilt is done as a sandwich with batting in the middle. Then you cut the 1-inch seams (that are on the outside of the quilt). When they are cut, you put in the washer and dryer, and it comes out like chenille
AA: I have heard of these quilts and seen them. Members on my website made over 300 quilts for the firefighter victim's families from 9/11. It is a very cool and easy technique.

Q: What is the best way to sew binding to the back? I've tried over and over with no luck. thanks.........
AA: I use a folded strip for my binding, and I sew it from the top side of the quilt, then whip-stitch it down from the back.

Q: My question is are you planning another visit with Mary Ellen Hopkins?? She is such a kick!!
AA: Yes, everyone loves her -- but she is a hard lady to get ahold of! The great thing about Mary Ellen is that you never know what is going to come out of her mouth -- fun, fun, fun.

Q: I saw a brief view of a fully functional sewing room on another HGTV program, Homes of the Stars. It was S. Epatha Merkerson (of Law & Order), who's a quilter. Could you do a program on setting up a room for sewing/quilting, and show us professional workrooms and ultimate rooms, like S. Epatha Merkerson's?
AA: Well, this next season you will get an inside look at my room. In this segment, we discuss fabric tables, design walls, fabric storage, flooring, etc. I too like looking at other work spaces -- it helps me determine what I like in mine.

Q: What do you think about spraying blocks with spray sizing?
AA: That's absolutely fine. Keep in mind that if you use spray starch, you will need to wash the quilt when it is finished, as it attracts silver fish.

Q: Hi Alex! I've just finished a quilt top made up of fans alternating with plain blocks. Do you have any suggestions for a quilt pattern suitable for a beginning machine quilter? Thanks!
AA: Without seeing the quilt, I can't give you an educated answer, but I will say if you are a beginning machine quilter try to choose a design that will let you use your walking foot. I would avoid free motion until I got more comfortable with the process.

Q: How did you get your start on TV?
AA: I was approached while I was teaching a quilting class in Los Angeles. The thought to be on television had never crossed my mind. In fact, I declined. My family encouraged me to at least talk to the production company. And I guess you could say the rest is history. It never occurred to me when I originally declined how powerful television is to pass my passion of quilting onto others. That has been the big payoff.

Q: Do you have any advice about using a wool batting for hand quilting? Should it be washed first? Does it needle well?
AA: Wool is delicious to hand quilt through. Ask for care. Read the instructions that the specific batting requires. Different manufacturers will have you do different things.

Q: Where do I go to learn to do the actual quilting (hand quilting)?
AA: See if you have someone in your area who could teach you. Too bad you don't live in the San Francisco area as I am going to be teaching it in a few weeks. Check the yellow pages in your area for a quilt shop.

Q: Hi, I enjoy your show very much. You recently had a show on faces. Will there be others any time soon?
AA: I believe you are talking about Charlotte Warr Andersen. Her work is absolutely incredible. A few years ago, we did a show with Deirdre Scherer, and she did incredible portrait thread painting. Watch for that -- you will be very impressed.

Q: Hi, Alex. I know you like to hand quilt. Do you have any tips for quilting through seams? Thanks!
AA: If I hit an area with several seams, I just stab stitch. Many of my quilt backings are highly printed, so you can't see the boo-boos.

HGTV: Well, everyone, thanks for sticking with us today. Look for the transcript of this chat on hgtv.com (chats/boards page) on Friday. Thank you, Alex, for spending an hour of your afternoon with us and for answering so many questions!

Alex Anderson: Well thank you everybody for joining Julie, Watson and myself today! I am always amazed at my cyber-circle of friends on the internet. See you next month!