Sharon Deming

I use the book-ring and plastic sleeve method. I primarily use pantographs, so I pull the thumbnail image from the seller's website, enlarge it to fit on a regular piece of copy paper, put it in a sleeve protector, and voila. The rings work better than a binder, because I can easily "audition" the printed sample on the quilt top to see if it seems suitable.

Marilyn, sorry it took so long for me to respond! I am saddened to hear about your situation. Whether there is a cure for hoarding is a question for a serious professional. But I really understand about "invasion of my space". Since I was a child, I have needed to know that what's mine is respected by those around me. My ex-husband was a "sophisticated" hoarder. His collections of choice were clothes, magazines, newspapers, and a variety of hobby stuff. He started invading my sewing space in the first house we owned. After that, I determined that where ever we moved to, there would be some sort of personal, un-invadable space for each of us. And, now with the love of my life as my husband, I am grateful there is no issue with that. As is my custom, our home has his/hers office space, and his/hers hobby/activity space. Not ideal spaces - a freezing cold semi-finished basement for all but my office - but we both have our own space Another example is a friend of mine who tends to hoard - she is not a compulsive buyer, really, but lives in a small house that has no room for the type of storage she needs. The main issue is that she doesn't discard much except normal garbage and daily trash. She and her profoundly patient husband have resorted to renting 2 or 3 storage pods and storing them on their property. So, you are not alone with your dilemma. The solution that will work for me may not work for you. Yet, you deserve your own space, free from the constant risk of invasion. However you are able to negotiate that with your husband, I pray that you find a way. Blessings!

Today, my mojo is saying "Don't bother me - I'm resting." I don't want to start construction on the new quilt, I don't want to quilt. Lately, I have been sorting through the small fabric stash of my dearest friend who passed away about a year ago. Getting it ready to sell. Today all I want to do is sit with her fabric. I miss her. I have things to do for the new quilt, though. I make patterns and construction handouts for my quilts so I can teach a workshop on them. So there are a few files I create to document yardage calculations, cutting table, etc., EQ8 file to update, make sure I have all of the border sizes correct, etc. So today, I have my computer with me in the studio. I get to sit with Dorothy (her DNA is all over the fabric), and get some documentation going -- maybe. Or just sit. I will have a satisfying day either way.

Pamela, It's okay for your mojo to just sit down for a while. It is not required to "be productive" all of the time. You have just come off of the holidays, coping with your husband's surgery and recovery, and whatever else may be going on, and your energy and coping reservoir have been drained. It's okay to rest. When I complete a quilt or have no customer quilts staring at me, I sometimes feel a little lost. I have been known to just go into my studio, sit down at the sewing machine, talk to Miss Margie (Millie), or just look around. Usually, there is something to put away or to read or to touch or something, and my interest begins to be renewed. If you really want to get moving - invite a quilting buddy (someone you don't have to clean house for) to come and spend the day sewing. You will enjoy the company while you get to play with fabric. Blessings!

When I was looking for a longarm a few years ago, I wound up narrowing my list to APQS and Innova. So I talked to my super-guru of a sewing machine service guy. He services every sort of longarm, sewing machine, serger, embroidery machine -both domestic and commercial in a region that includes 4 state. He knows everything. I asked him "If you were going to buy a longarm machine for yourself or a family member, what brand would you choose?" Without hesitating he said there were only 2 brand on his list. #1 is APQS and #2 in Innova. I asked him why he put APQS ahead of Innova. He said that APQS is very easy to service - everything you need to access is right up front. "And besides", he said, "APQS never breaks down." Customer service is the best in the business. They will stay with you as long as you need to get an answer to even the dumbest question. Every dealer I have met has been happy, professional, knowledgeable, and accessible. When I checked in your area, there are 3 dealers near Atlanta. My own treasured dealer is Sheridan Carter in Hendersonville, NC.(828) 286-2390. She is hosting a Roadshow on July 21, starting at 1:00 pm. Check the APQS roadshow schedule to see when there is one in your area. A roadshow is a great way to play with all of the machines and get all of your questions answered. Here's the link: https://www.apqs.com/events/?tribe_eventcategory=296.

Merry Jo, my Moda connection has forwarded my request for information about the kit and pattern to her contacts at Moda. Will post again when I hear back from her.

I'm writing the email to the sales rep - is the kit a MODA kit or a kit put together by a quilt store?

I noticed that Kathy Schmitz has a "contact me" tab on her website, and the contact form is at the bottom of that page. She might have an idea about the kit pattern. Also, I will send an email to someone I know who has been a moda sales rep for years. Maybe she has some information.

Is the dragging specific to a particular place relative to the frame? Sometimes, when I am quilting near the leveler bar, I feel a drag. Always it is because there is not enough slack in the power cable right at the machine and the cable catches on the back of the carriage. I must not have the little tie strap tight enough to keep the cable firmly in place, because eventually I will have to increase the slack again.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis! I am praying for you! Thank you so much for your information! It is very helpful. I just found a short video about quilter's garage sales. I hoped it would have more information -- but it was helpful (done in 2015): https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/quilters-garage-sale-007247/

Early in April, the DH and I drove to Colorado to pick up the quilting-related items that had belonged to my best friend. She passed away in January. Compared to most quilters, she didn't really have a lot. But, it is enough to organize a quilter's home-going sale, but I'm at a loss on how to organize it or how to price the items. She bought the best quilt store fabric she could find, so it's all high quality. Please share with me whatever suggestions and experience you've had regarding quilters estate sales, pricing for fabric, whether to cut fabric, how to organize / display things, ANYTHING. Thanks so much!

Millie will just float across the rails! Worth every penny. You will love it.

I pay about $10 per year for a domain name, and pass-through service to my free blog on blogspot. It has static pages as well as the blog page. Nothing fancy, but it works for me.

I have been buying Quilter's Cut through Amazon. When I first found them, the supplier only had the 45mm size, and I must have been one of her first few buyers. She now has all the usual sizes and some other cutting products. They are excellent blades. Quilter's Cut blades.

Hey there everyone. I have just published a new, super easy quilt pattern on Craftsy.com. It's called Murphy's Corner and is perfect for the new piecer or improving beginner. Check it out at: Murphy's Corner by Sharon Deming