Open Quilting

What are some things I can do to "spice up" my room and make it look cool and modern? I LOVE blue, I would want everything to be blue. It is a smaller bedroom, so not too much room. I have already bought all new furniture, bed, desk, dresser, etc. and they are all beach colored (like a yellow-white color, like sand). I have also painted the walls blue. But I want the room to look very modern and cool, but can't get any farther than the painting and furniture. Any suggestions on sheets, quilts, pillows, accessories, lighting, pictures, etc.? One of the walls is a mirror (the whole wall), it slides open to reveal a closet, anything you can do with that? You need to add a little bit of some other color. Not a lot - just a touch here and there. You could do it with throw pillows, with bedding in a print that incorporates your blue and whatever other color you choose, or in other accessories. You could paint some inexpensive frames, or use sand colored frames for prints that have the colors you choose. You could add lamps with sand colored bases and shades in the additional color(s). I wouldn't mess with the mirror - it helps make the room bigger, and you don't want to interfere with that. As for choosing the right "other" color, it depends on the blue you've chosen, and your taste. The link below is to a fantastic website called Color Schemer. People upload color schemes and you can get ideas for some colors that will go with your blue. I did a search for schemes with the color blue in them - there are over 300. Some suggestions - if your blue leans toward aqua, try adding some orange or lime green. If it's more of a sky blue, try watermelon or sea glass green. If it's a grey blue, try plum or light olive. The other place to look for coordinating colors is in magazines - not just home decor magazines, but any magazine that has advertisements. Look at the colors in the ads. The people who designed the ads are experts - they know what colors work together. I quilt, and I keep a file of interesting color schemes that I took from advertisements.

Open a Can of Worms Sale Price: $239.47 Average Rating: Brother SA187 Open Toe Quilting Foot List Price: $44.99 Sale Price: $29.00 You save: $15.99 (36%) Polarfleece Pizzazz Distinctive 7-Piece Premium Sewing Foot Quilting Package - Includes Even-Feed Walking Foot, Large Metal Darning Foot, Darning Foot, 1/4" Quilting Foot, Satin Stitch Foot, Open Toe Foot, Applique Foot + Case - Fits All Low Shank Snap-On Machines List Price: $90.00 Sale Price: $49.99 You save: $40.01 (44%) Open Windows Quilt Kit by Lori Mason - McCall's Quilting July/August 2010 Issue Quilts and Coverlets: The Beamish Collections « Previous12345Next »

Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions List Price: $449.00 Sale Price: $147.54 You save: $301.46 (67%) Average Rating: Brother XL2600I 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions List Price: $149.99 Sale Price: $77.94 You save: $72.05 (48%) Average Rating: Brother LS2125I 10-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Automatic 4-Step Buttonholer List Price: $99.00 Sale Price: $75.54 You save: $23.46 (24%) Average Rating: Brother XL-3750 Convertible Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features List Price: $249.00 Sale Price: $115.54 You save: $133.46 (54%) Average Rating: Singer 1507 8-Stitch Sewing Machine List Price: $99.00 Sale Price: $89.99 You save: $9.01 (9%) Average Rating: Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine with 25 Built-In Stitches and 59 Stitch Functions List Price: $149.00 Sale Price: $101.26 You save: $47.74 (32%) Average Rating: Brother SE400 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine List Price: $899.00 Sale Price: $389.00 You save: $510.00 (57%) Average Rating: Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine List Price: $599.00 Sale Price: $349.00 You save: $250.00 (42%) Average Rating: Brother Sewing/Quilting Machine LX 3125 Sale Price: $98.99 Average Rating: Singer 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine List Price: $199.99 Sale Price: $167.71 You save: $32.28 (16%) Average Rating: « Previous12345Next »

Graco Pack n Play Portable Playard in Milan NEW HEAVY DUTY Necchi QUILTER Sewing Machine WALKING FOOT Enesco Jim Shore Resurrection Angel Luke Christian NEW Quilting PERFECT Binding Martelli Zip Bind System $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black M $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black L $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black XL $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black 2XL $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black 3XL $449 Men MILITARY BOMBER Leather Jacket 3615 Black 4XL Viking Open Toe Dual Feed Walking Foot 4125394 45 Kenmore 19233 Computerized Sewing Machine Janome Memory Craft Sewing Machine 9500 Euro Pro Shark 9015 LCD Sewing Machine 120 Stitch CHANEL Boutique Small Lambskin Black Quilted Tote Bag Singer 7467 Sewing Machine Brother Sewing Machine Embroidery SE 350 Starter Kit New Joy Quilting Sewing Machine Frame Janome 1600 Combo New Joy Quilting Sewing Machine Frame Juki TL98Q Combo ARROW 98300 Marilyn Sewing Cabinet CredenzaAirLift New Joy Magic Quilting Machine Frame Juki TL98Q NEW Juki Sewing Machine Quilting TL 98Q Semi Commercial New Joy Quilting Sewing Machine Frame Janome 6500 New Joy Magic Quilting Machine Frame Janome 6500 Brother PC420 PRW as seen on Project Runway Atlantic Beds Full Traditional Innerspring Mattress Set Atlantic Bed Queen Traditional Innerspring Mattress Set Atlantic Beds King Traditional Innerspring Mattress Set Brother Sewing Machine Embroidery LB 6770 Case New ©1928 ETCHED MOP NECKLACE 2 PR EAR BRACELET BROOCHES Brother Sewing Machine Embroidery LB 6800 Case USB Brother SA140 Sewing Machine Even Feed Foot Original Yellow Orange Plum Sari Bollywood Fabric Saree Panel ©1928 RARE 3 EARLY IN LINE NECKLACESRARE BRACELET Martha Stewart SIGNED COPY Encyclopedia of Crafts w COA Quilting Leather Open Toe Lace up High Top Wedge Boots Memory Foam Mattress Queen Bamboo High Quality 12 Memory Foam Mattress King Bamboo High Quality 12 Memory Foam Mattress Cal King Bamboo High Quality 12 Memory Foam Mattress Bamboo Royale Queen 16 thick Memory Foam Mattress Bamboo Royale King 16 thick VIKING HUSQVARNA QUILTERS KIT III FOR DESIGNER SERIES Spin N Bead Heavy Duty NECCHI NORA Zig Zag Sewing Machine 5 PC GLASS WRAP BRACELET CHIMERA ANTIQUITIES EARRINGS ANTIQUITIES ©1928 UNSIGNED BEAUTY FRUIT SALAD 5 PCS NWT KATE SPADE MARYANNE TUTTI FRUITTY GROSSY TOTE BAG

Quilting Fabric

Beginner quilters are often mystified by the selection of quilting fabric. Rest assured that once you have a quilt or two under your belt, selecting quilting fabric gets easier.

If you are still uncomfortable selecting quilting fabrics, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Who will the quilt be for? If you are making a baby quilt, don't choose open weave fabrics in which tiny fingers might get entangled. If you are quilting for a family member who absolutely hates floral designs, make sure not to pick any floral prints for that quilt. It really is that simple.

2. What kind of quilt are you making? If making a rag quilt, lightweight flannels fray and puff just right for the open seams. Cotton fabrics also fray well.

3. Store displays can help. If you are not comfortable in mixing and matching fabrics, make note of the displays in your fabric store. Coordinating fabrics are usually displayed together. While you are certainly not limited to fabrics as they are displayed, the store's coordination can help give you some good options.

The price you will pay for quilting fabric will vary depending on the fabrics you choose, where you shop, etc. If you are lucky, you may buy a gingham for a lining for only one dollar a yard. Those fabrics can go up from there. Keep an eye on the price tag if you have a quilting fabric budget!

Many quilters have been accustomed to buying quilting fabric at retail chain stores like Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart chain, however, has begun to phase out some of those departments in stores throughout the United States.

More quilters are shopping online for quilting fabric and other accessories. If you have never bought fabric online but would like to try, do your homework to ensure you are working with a reputable seller.

If buying from an online auction site, you can review comments other buyers have made about the seller, quality of the quilting fabric or supplies they bought, etc. You will probably see descriptions such as "from pet free, smoke free home" included in the fabric listings you read. For buyers with pet or smoke allergies, that information is vital.

Also pay attention to whether you are buying quilting fabric by the yard or by the "fat quarter." In most instances, a yard of fabric would be a better deal price-wise than a fat quarter.

To learn more about quilting fabric selection, join a local or Internet quilting club. More experienced quilters can help you gain your confidence.

With each quilting project you complete, you will discover you soon have a lot of leftover quilting fabric. That's the mark of a serious quilter!

To keep your quilting fabric stash interesting, arrange a fabric swap with a few quilting buddies. Everyone can bring their quilting fabric scraps to swap. In addition to meeting people with the same interests, you are certain to pick up a tip or two!

Once you have a stash of quilting fabric, you'll need to decide where to keep the fabric. Some quilters use cedar chests for fabric storage. Others use rubber or plastic large container totes. A simple cardboard box will also work.

Leftover quilting fabric scraps are handy to have around the house. Use them for quick projects, like a making coordinated pillow or a quilted postcard. If you think you have too much fabric, trade with your quilting friends, sell at an online auction or use free classified.

About the Author

Penny Halgren
http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
Penny has been a quilter for more than 27 years. She enjoys exploring all aspects of quilting and sharing her knowledge with all quilters. If you are looking for an Internet quilting club with a wide variety of resources for all level quilters, check out http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com .