Quilting chat—11/12/02
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Alex Anderson, host of Simply Quilts, has joined us in the chat room to answer your questions. Hello, Alex!
Alex Anderson: Hi everyone, I'm so glad you are here joining in and I hope you are ready to have fun.
Question: Alex, Love the program. Will you be having some new episodes for Christmas projects?
Alex: Thank you! I don't think we have anything new coming up, but I'm double-checking. Please write HGTV and tell them you would like new Christmas episodes! But hey, any of the quilts we make on the show would make wonderful presents, right?
Q: How many quilt programs do you do each year and how do you find the time to teach, write books and design fabrics?
Alex: Now that is the million dollar question! LOL For many years we did 65 shows. This past year, HGTV ordered 39 and as soon as we turned them in, they ordered another 39. There doesn't seem to be a consistent number. The way I can accomplish my other endeavors is sometimes a mystery to me, but I have cut back my travel. In addition, and foremost, each company I work with provides excellent support. It's a team effort.
Q: How do you keep the background piece straight while hand appliquéing?
Alex: I use pins to secure my appliqué onto the background, and I cut my background larger than it is going to be at the end. Then I can trim it when I finish.
Q: I am trying to make a star quilt that I saw on one of your episodes. I need help?
Alex: One of the best things you can do is to tape the episodes. That way, if something goes by a little too quick or is unclear, you can rewind and watch. Because there have been so many star shows, I am at a loss to advise you specifically.
Q: Alex, I am enjoying the HGTV block of the month. Do you know if there will be another one next year? And do you ever visit your hometown in WI?
Alex: Actually, it's my mom's hometown. I try to get there every summer. This past summer, I was too busy - boohoo! As for the Block of the Month, I do believe our web guru does have something up her sleeve.
Q: Alex, what is your favorite activity and/or project to work on with your mini group?
Alex: LOL! We don't meet anymore. :^( Everyone got too busy.
Q: Hello, Alex. I am making a quilt that has 12-1/2" blocks and am setting them on point. How do I determine the size of the corners and side pieces?
Alex: What I do is I draft it out on draft paper, and then get the correct number. For the sides, you will take the outside measurement and add 1-1/4 inches, then cut it into 1/4-square triangles. For the corners, take that measurement, add 7/8s, cut a square, and then cut it corner to corner once. We need to do an "Ask Alex" on this. It is hard to explain only in words. Please submit the question to my website: www.alexandersonquilts.com There will soon be a place to do this.
Q: I watched your morning show today and was glad/sad to see Bernice McCoy Stone! She is my mother's cousin (my 2nd cousin) and she passed away last month. I had to say a little prayer for her as I watched her on your show. I was lucky enough to have seen her show a few years ago when she was still getting around pretty well. I will miss her, as will many other quilters, and she has inspired me to keep quilting and always do the best job I could. Thank you so much for the bittersweet memories of her.
Alex: Amen to everything you have just said. She deeply affected my quiltmaking and personal life. She was a treasure to the quiltmaking community. By the way, for many years, she was in a mini-group of mine.
Q: Alex, I was wondering if you have ever seen quilts made of one's cherished children's outfits without them having been cut up and pieced? I have done half a dozen of these and wonder if mine is an original idea.
Alex: I haven't seen it...but it sounds very interesting.
Q: I hear that another series of Simply Quilts will be taped early next year. Can you give us any hints about future topics? And are you working on any new books?
Alex: Yes, we are taping at the end of January. The producers are contacting people, following leads, etc. And shortly we will be sending the ideas to HGTV. As for specifics, it is way too early to comment. My next book is coming out this spring. It is called: Beautifully Quilted. And it will teach you how to draw and create your own quilting designs.
Q: Alex, I love your show and watch twice daily. When will the Strolling the Block quilt be shown on your show? I'm making a version of it and want to see the designer's version. Thanks.
Alex: It is a really cool quilt, and it looks as if it will air Dec. 9th, in the later time slot. Several people who were working on this quilt sent in their individual blocks. The creativity was wonderful to explore.
Q: When will you have a show on marking pattern on quilt?
Alex: We've done a few shows on this. One was with Pepper Cory and Jean Wells. This new season, another show (804) has already aired on Welsh quilting and this guest showed yet another way.
Q: Alex, I do enjoy your program very much. I was very interested in the program with Luixin Newman and her hand quilting method. Her thimble looks great but is not inexpensive. I would like to know if you've had a chance to use this new thimble yet and if so what your personal comments are. Also could you let me know the type and size needle Luixin uses with this new method of hers. Thanks very much.
Alex: Yes, I have worked with the thimble, and it is very good. It would be a thimble you would purchase and use for the rest of your life. The needle she used was called a quilting needle. I questioned her several times, because I had never seen or heard of this style of needle. It was kind of like a really long, sharp needle. My guess is that it is marketed that way in her country. Excellent question.
Q: Hi Alex, I really like your shows and appreciate your chats here. I like to do redwork and traditional quilts. Are there good blocks to combine the two? And which stitch should I use...the stem or outline? Thank you.
Alex: I think you can combine redwork with anything. I like it with 9-patch or other simple blocks. In my book, we refer to it as the outline stitch. I don't quite know the difference between the two. But that would be an excellent question for my message board (www.alexandersonquilts.com).
Q: Why are only two new episodes being shown per week?
Alex: That's a better question for the HGTV Programming department. You can contact them at: comments@hgtv.com.
Q: Hello, is there any plans to do additional shows on teaching a "new generation" to quilt? The last show that aired last week was very helpful, but should have covered the best folding techniques for ensuring a straight cut versus a wavy strip.
Alex: I'm really looking forward to another show this season. And it is #817. The challenge with any show is that we only have a certain amount of time, and the guest puts forth what they think is important. That's why it is important to watch the show on a regular basis, so you can glean information here and there.
Q: Dear Alex, here in Mt. Dora, Fla., we finally have our first quilt shop, and they are having their first classes this Saturday. I thank you so much for inspiring me to get involved. God bless you.
Alex: Yea! Another quilt store is born! You can imagine how happy I was when one opened in my town. The convenience is unbelievable, along with the amount of money I've spent! LOL.
Q: Hi! I really enjoy the show. Patterns are not available on the website for every quilt made on the show. (I think they were more readily available in the past.) Is it possible to have the pattern for at least one block from each quilt on the website? I realize copyrights might be an issue, but a quilt designer/author may discover a wider audience if even one block was offered free.
Alex: As a matter of fact, the newer shows do have patterns. I believe the confusion is coming from the fact that the new shows are being mixed with the old shows. The HGTV web folks are also trying to backtrack and fill in old content info on the old shows. We are keenly aware that this is a need the viewers want.
Q: What kind of material would be best for a wall hanging?
Alex: I always work with 100 percent cottons whenever possible. As for batting, it depends on how the project is going to be quilted.
Q: What is the best height and width for a cutting table?
Alex: While standing, take your arms, put them by your side, then bend your elbows and make your arms 90-degrees. That is your perfect table height.
Q: Hi Alex! Just bought your book on paper piecing and I love it. My problem is I seem to have about 30 to 40 percent waste when I piece. Any way to avoid that or am I just gonna have to bite the bullet??? haha
Alex: There is more waste with paper piecing, for sure. But I give pre-cutting numbers for the shapes to help cut down on too much waste. That is one of the complaints about paper piecing.
Q: Watch the show twice everyday. Do you plan to have anyone on to demonstrate long arm quilting?
Alex: In fact we did, in season 7. It was a fascinating show. Watch for show #720.
Q: Alex, I watch as often as possible, I am a novice. I would like to know how to make a sharktooth edge.
Alex: We did a show many years ago with Bonnie Browning on this. It's something that is difficult to describe in words. My publisher wants me to do a book on finishing touches. And maybe this is something we should touch on.
Q: I would like to learn a easy quilt to make if you could tell me one I have never quilted before I really don't know where to begin.
Alex: Rail fence - you can't go wrong. Start with a wall hanging, worry about a bed-size quilt later.
Q: I have been watching your show for about 6 months and absolutely love it. I see a lot of use of freezer paper and I have a couple questions about it. It is different than wax paper correct? And, where can I buy freezer paper?
Alex: I get mine at the local grocery store. One side is waxed, the other is regular. It is so popular with quilters, even the local quilt shop in town carries it. Our local grocery store doesn't put with the wax paper - it's in another section, so ask for it if you can't find it.
Q: Will the show ever, turn into hour show?
Alex: I don't think so, but it is always worth asking. That would be really nice, wouldn't it.
Q: We really enjoy your show, thanks for so much wonderful information. How did you get started with doing TV?
Alex: That's a long story...and by the way, thank you! I was approached to be host and frankly, the thought had never crossed my mind. It has been a very interesting and wonderful journey. It never occurred to me when I got the job how television would enable me to share my passion with so many people. That's the best part of the job.
Q: When will your new sewing room be on?
Alex: Episode #815, November 20th in the later time slot. But here's the thing. When I saw the finished product of the field piece, the room looks 1000 times larger than it really is. Watch for my dad and my cat - she even made it in the field piece.
Q: Hello, I am new to quilting can you recommend a book that I can purchase for beginners from a to z.
Alex: I have a very inexpensive book that will get you started. It is not from A-Z. If you want an A-Z book, check out: All About Quilting From A-Z (how about that?). You can get it from C&T Publishing. 1-800-284-1114 is the phone number.
Q: I have noticed in quilting magazines and ads that you have a Bernina. What model you have?
Alex: Oh, yes I do. I own the 1230 (it is no longer made). I have on loan a 153 and a 200. The 153 is a wonderful machine for a quilter. The 200 is over-the-top and meant for those who want to get into hard-core embroidery. I have sewn on Berninas for 20 years.
Q: Will you reply episode # 446- quilting for a cure?
Alex: I'm sure it will re-air, but exactly when I don't know. There are good instructions on the hgtv.com site for that specific show.
Q: Thoroughly enjoy your show. I appreciate it when cutting sizes are superimposed on the screen. I'll be glad when HGTV gets your show closed captioned. Thanks for all the wonderful shows.
Alex:I like it too, when the numbers are superimposed. We do it whenever possible. I also look forward to closed-captioning, because I am very aware that many of our viewers are hearing-impaired.
Q: Since I am a beginner quilter instead of doing the bias binding I just wrap my backing around to the front and whip stitch it down. Do you have any pros or cons against this method?
Alex: I prefer a separate piece for binding. I cut my strip at 2-1/8-inch wide. Press it in half (now it measures 1-1/16-inch-wide) and sew it on by a machine, then whip stitch it down on the back. This provides better stabilization and essentially a double border for wear and tear.
Q: I was very interested in the online quilt groups, any suggestions on where to find the better ones?
Alex: Yes! Mine, mine, mine! Join our message board! www.alexandersonquilts.com. It is a wonderful group of people who are incredibly supportive and who have pulled off some pretty spectacular things. In fact, this past weekend, I just hosted a retreat where several of these folks attended and my webmaster was presented with an incredible quilt made by the wonderful people who hang out on the boards.
Q: My first attempt at an eight pointed start ended with the center joining off center. What are some tips on finishing the center joining?
Alex: In my star book, I show how to do a lemoyne star. The biggest obstacle is to not stretch the fabric when you are pressing it. Those diamonds have a lot of bias edge.
Q: When doing the stencil quilts, how do you get the wax paper to stick to the fabric?
Alex: I've never made one, but my guess is that you should be using freezer paper. Give that a try.
Q: Do you do much with photo transfers on fabric and how do you do it?
Alex: I've never done it. In fact, when I made my daughter's quilt, my friend Sandy Bonsid did the photo-transferring for me. I've been assured it is easy, but I was too chicken. I guess the main thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Q: Alex - How many patterns have you made in contrasting colors and then later made the same pattern in a monochromatic scheme?
Alex: Whenever I make a quilt, I try and do something different. So I guess my answer would have to be never. But that sounds like an interesting concept.
Q: I have a lot of my grandmothers clothes (she has passed) would it be advisable to makes quilts out of the fabric?
Alex: I think that would be a wonderful idea. What will be amazing is how you connect with her and reflect upon your relationship as you make the quilt. It is a very cool and interesting experience to do this.
Q: I love machine embroidery. I embroider blocks, then sew them into quilts. Any plans for machine embroidery on the show?
Alex: Nothing has been approved by HGTV yet. That's all I can say...LOL!
Q: I have macular degeneration, but would love to continue my now lost ability to piece and quilt. any help other than the usual sight center equipment?
Alex: I am not familiar with the equipment you speak of. I would visit my eye doctor and take along a project you would want to work on so they can see what your specific needs are. I know and have heard of people who are totally blind who quilt, so I do believe this is something you can beat.
Q: Just a note of thanks from machine quilters everywhere. You give us credit on your show and that is such a big deal. We aren't often recognized as a valuable part of the quilting world. Thank you.
Alex: And you are incredibly invaluable to the quilting world. I don't know what I would do without my friend Paula Reed.
Q: Hi Alex, Do you iron all your fabric after it is washed and what size do you cut the fabric to before you wash it. Thanks for the wonderful shows.
Alex: Yes, I do have to press my fabric after I wash it because it is usually in a big giant knot. I wash whatever size it is. But I have rarely bought over 4 yards of anything.
Q:Alex, when I watch all the professionals on your show I get so intimidated that I keep putting off making the quilts for my family. Did you ever face this?
Alex: Absolutely! When I first started quilting, all I wanted to be was an art quilter. Like those who would visit the guild and present. One day I had an epiphany: it was okay to do whatever I wanted to do. One of the greatest things about quilting is that there is room for everyone and every style. Don't be intimidated - be inspired. And then go make the quilt that is singing in your heart.
HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thanks for joining us today. And thank you, Alex, for answering our questions.
Alex Anderson: And how perfect was that last question? Our time has sadly come to an end. We need to go to our sewing space and start quilting. And that's what I'm going to do right now...after lunch of course. :^)
