One of the best things about my "job" is that I get to meet a lot of amazing, talented, creative, innovative and just plain brilliant quilters. They come to guild, retreats and classes with energy and knowledge, tips and tools, and they are so willing to share!
Don't they know I have never met a good idea that I wasn't shamelessly willing to steal?
In the years that I've been going to Quilt-n-Friends in Sterling Heights, Michigan, I have gotten to meet and spend time with Jan, Marlene and Sue. Marlene is Mom to Jan and Sue. Jan and Marlene came the first two years, they dragged Sue along to minimize the trauma in the following years. Sue is a very talented long-arm machine quilter, Marlene is an amazing all-around quilter and well, Jan is just all-around amazing. And no, she's not my favorite because she always understands my patterns and cutting instructions... though it probably hasn't hurt.
Through another Sue -- Tuesday Sue -- I learned of a terrific little "tool" that Jan came up with. I don't know if she devised this while making the Farmer's Wife quilt that Tuesday Sue was teaching, but it was through that class that Sue heard about it. I think Sue only told me about it when she had to ask me where she could find poster board. After hearing her explanation of what she wanted to make, I recommended foam core. Por quoi? It's stiffer and that will make a big difference.
It goes without saying that my next thought was... hmmm, do I have any foam core? I'll check because I think I need to make a few of these for myself because when I'm piecing blocks for a quilt, I like being able to have the block laid out so that I can keep the parts aligned properly -- it helps reduce the need to un-sew. I also like being able to match up the various parts and pieces for four, five or six blocks at a time, so that I can sew lots, press lots, sew lots and so on.
Jan's idea was to make boards covered with batting that would let her lay out several blocks at one time, then carry a stack of boards to her machine without slipping.
I started with the following: Foam core.
I bought my foam core at Office Max but it is easily found at art stores, office supply stores, JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby and so on. I bought black because Office Depot was out of white and I knew I would get tired of the flourescent yellow, my only other option at the time. The sheets I bought measured 20" x 30" and are about 1/4" thick.
Using a rotary cutter and ruler, I cut each sheet into two squares measuring 15" x 15". I chose that size because it will allow a 12" block or as many as four small blocks per board.
Spray adhesive.
Any kind of adhesive will work. Glue, glue sticks, double-stick tape, Steam-A-Seam... whatever you've got.
Batting.
I had some Warm 'n White so that's what I used. Since its needle-punched, it is quite flat, and it isn't too fuzzy so it works perfectly. I cut my squares to measure 17" x 17" so that I could trim the edges after the batting was attached to the foam core.
Using lots of newspaper and covering on a table outside, I sprayed each board with adhesive and stuck the batting to the foam core. If you use an adhesive spray, it dries pretty quickly so lay it down and smooth out the bumps as quickly as possible. I also made sure that I had an even coating of adhesive along the outside edges.
When the boards were completely dry, I laid them batting-side down on my rotary cutting mat.
While pressing gently down on the back of the board, I used the edge of the foam core to guide my rotary cutter and trim the batting right to the edge of the board.
Total time invested -- about fifteen minutes.
Total money invested -- less than $20.00.
Result -- six Block boards.
Thank you, Jan! And thank you, Sue.
I think I'll be using these this weekend.
This is a great idea. I need to put this together before our quilt-in. Thank you!
Posted by: Im-a-nana-that-quilts.blogspot.com | January 21, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Fabulous idea - one I need to copy! teehee!
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Darlene | January 21, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Me thinks you are definitely up to something, Carrie. Hmmmmm...Are you getting "Carrie-d" away again? I can't wait to find out what it's all about! Hints, hints, and more hints, please. Pretty, pretty please???
Posted by: WeimerMom | January 21, 2011 at 06:37 PM
What a great idea.....thanks for sharing it :)
Posted by: Michele | January 21, 2011 at 09:51 PM
what a great idea! can't you see some red ric rack around the edge?
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | January 22, 2011 at 02:33 AM
Thanks for sharing this great idea! I'll be making some of these soon!
Sandy E-H
Bemidji, MN
Posted by: Sandy E-H | January 22, 2011 at 05:49 AM
Fantastic idea...I'll be the hit of my little sewing group. I just might make one for each of the 4 ladies as a gift! Gotta go...I have to go buy some foam core!
Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Kathy | January 22, 2011 at 07:27 AM
Awesome idea! I consider walking from my sewing machine to the floor where I lay my blocks out as 'exercise'.
Posted by: Karen | January 22, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Pure genius - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cathy | January 22, 2011 at 12:48 PM
These are certainly a must do, I think I will make a set for friends as gifts.
Posted by: Jeannette | January 22, 2011 at 02:50 PM
What a great idea! No wonder you borrowed it! I'll be sharing it for sure.
Posted by: Jeanne | January 22, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Genius! I'm so glad other people come up with such great ideas! I must steal this one! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: christy | January 23, 2011 at 02:44 PM
What a fantastic idea...I'm constantly trying to move blocks from the cutting table to the machine on a small rotary board...yes slip sliding away, and nothing's ever where it's supposed to be...thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Carol | January 23, 2011 at 03:09 PM
What a TOTALLY FREAKIN BRILLIANT bunch you are!!! Seriously bright girls.. and I'm not talking lime green here!
Posted by: pat sloan | January 23, 2011 at 05:07 PM
ooooh! That's brilliant! I may need to do this - and it would help use up the last bits of that crappy polyester batting I have left (forgive me, I didn't know any better as a new quilter a couple years ago....and it's still around because now I refuse to use it!)
Posted by: Abby | January 24, 2011 at 07:01 AM
Great idea..... one I will be shamelessly swiping too!
Posted by: ImperaMagna | February 01, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Nice idea1 Thanks for share its making guide also.
Posted by: Business Logo Design | February 02, 2011 at 02:14 AM
What a very wonderful idea! Now I'll have something to do over the weekend.
Posted by: Tapping World Summit | February 03, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Ok, Carrie, I have been impressed by a lot of things..but this one..over the top...what a clever idea...I don't want to get carried away here...but you amaze me ...lol
Posted by: madame samm | February 04, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Thanks so much for the inspiration. I loved and used your idea and blogged about it.
Posted by: Annette | February 18, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Can you tell me where Quilt N Friends is? My daughter lives in Sterling Heights and I've been looking for a quilt shop for some time. I visit her often and while the kids are at school, I'd love to have somewhere to go. What's better than a quilt shop? Thanks. Dotti
Posted by: Dotti | March 17, 2011 at 06:46 PM
this is superb! It is just so amazing whenever a person discovers new things. Gonna do this over the weekend with my kids.:)
Posted by: von rod limpot | July 21, 2011 at 12:59 AM
Great post! Thanks a lot for sharing this great stuff. Amazing!
Posted by: Business Card Design | October 24, 2011 at 02:31 AM