I’m adding a new section to my Friendly Threads Newsletter titled Ask Christa!
One of my new logos as part of my branding re-design. What do you think?
You can send me an email asking a question you’d like answered. It can be anything within reason from my experiences in the quilting industry, to my hobbies outside of quilting (running, hiking, board-gaming), or even questions about quilting in general.
Then, I will pick one or two questions to answer each week in my newsletter. If you aren’t already getting it, you can sign up for my newsletter here.
Christa Quilts 
I’ve got 2 questions for you today..
Thread.. I use either Gutermann or Coats & Clark, I doubt other brands are different.. The label with the color number must be removed before I use it or it doesn’t “despool” [real technical term there!] nicely – how do you keep track of what color that thread is.. just this week I’ve had to run to the store in the middle of 2 projects to get more thread with no numbers.
Free Motion Quilting – I’m ADD.. and I never doodle – ever — is there hope for me learning to FMQ???
Thanks!! Yours was one of the first blogs I started to read and follow when I started quilting a little over a year ago 🙂
if you have any ideas about using 6″ strips, I’d like to hear about them! Thanks!
All the tidbits you have learnt in entering shows (like stitching down the corners, labelling, packing and shipping etc.).
How to submit to a magazine, whats expected, lengths, contracts etc
I don’t know if this is the kind of question you are looking for but I would love to learn how to paper piece successfully. Any hints/help there would be great. And also how to needle turn appliqué. I have tried both, given up and now am ready to try them both again. I end up stopping because I get frustrated and figure i will try it again in a few months.
Have you any hints to prevent wrinkles back and front when pinning a quilt before quilting?
I love this… I know some of the question will come from left field but I guarantee that all of your answers will be HOMERUNS!
With that in mind, here are two questions for you.
How do you schedule your day,week, month and year to get so much done?
How did you start your blog and how would do it today? What is required?
I await your replies! ( I use Sharon Schamber’s method of ‘sandwiching’ with much success…even up to 100″x100″!)
Where do you have room for 100″ boards? I’m confused/jealous/impressed!
I use 8 foot boards (96″). Most quilts have a width that’s less than that (a few have been beyond the board length but that’s ok). My table in the kitchen is a diningroom table that has pull-out extensions on each end. I show some of the process here: https://treadlemusic.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/pin-basting/ Let me know if you have further questions. My sandwiches are always totally/perfectly “on-grain” with this method and w/o sore knees or back……..yay!!!!!!
What aids do you use when deciding how to quilt a finished top? Or is it just plain creativity or experience?
Thanks for your great blogs. Can you explain the best way to sandwich quilts together. I always put this off – so I have tops and not many finished quilts. I love the basting spray, but I have found it clogs, and then I can’t get any more spray out even though there is still a lot left. I have also safety pinned it but it tends to pucker a bit. Not easy finding a large space to lay out a quilt flat. Any suggestions?
Thank you for taking questions. Mine are the easy get to know you kind, hopefully you are ok with more than just one question😉
What are your most and lest favorite things about sewing? My lest favorite is cutting the fabrics. And I have more than one favorite
What sewing machine did you learn to sew with? Mine a Singer 201 (a 1950’s straight stich only)
What sewing machine do you use now? Me is an older Bernina 1130
Serger? Or other sewing machines?
Thank you for taking questions. Mine are the easy get to know you kind, hopefully you are ok with more than just one question😉
What are your most and lest favorite things about sewing? My lest favorite is cutting the fabrics. And I have more than one favorite
What sewing machine did you learn to sew with? Mine a Singer 201 (a 1950’s straight stich only)
What sewing machine do you use now? Me is an older Bernina 1130
Serger? Or other sewing machines?
I like your new branding!
Do you know if, or when, the high cost of cotton fabric will come down to a more reasonable price?We are seeing prices north of $12 on nice but normal fabric