I've been reviewing the comments that I received from the Fall into Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway and while there have been lots of ideas for future blog posts, I received many comments asking questions about the Accuquilt GO!. I recently acquired one of these little wonders, before the introduction of the GO! Baby, and have been using it for various projects. While I'm no expert, here's some information about my experience with the GO!
First of all, there is lots and lots of information and patterns, many of them free, available to use with this little baby. If you aren't already familiar with the GO! and its little sister, the GO! Baby, you really should check out Accuquilt's website. They offer advice, videos, free patterns and have just recently started The Daily Deal where they have daily specials on various products. I am amazed at the amount of information and free stuff (don't we all like free stuff!) that they have on their site - very customer friendly. Of course, Accuquilt is also on Facebook, so be sure to become a fan to receive information from them in this format.
I've also found lots of instructional videos on youtube by several quilters. Just put in "accuquilt" in the Search area and you'll see what I mean. Many quilter bloggers have videos and information on their blogs as well and again, just use your search engine to look for "accuquilt" or "accquilt GO!"
Now, as for my experience with the GO! cutter, I have found it to be very quick and easy to use. I have primarily used it to cut appliqué shapes using fabric to which I have ironed fusible web. I have adhered the fusible web to fat quarters, cut out the desired appliqués and then put the excess fabric in a box for the next time that I may want to cut shapes from this fabric. You can arrange small scrap pieces of fabric on the desired appliqué shape on the die and just cut out one or two appliqués. It's not necessary to use a large piece of fabric.
I have also used the GO! to cut out some half-square triangles for a project and was amazed at how quickly I could cut a large number of these. The tips of the triangles are already cut off for you, again saving you time after you have sewn them together as you don't have to clip off the dog ears.
While the GO! is fun to use, I'm also impressed by how safe it is. My daughter is very reluctant to use a rotary cutter, but I can't keep her from using the GO! No exposed blades to worry about or lining up a ruler to cut along - just place the fabric and fabric mat on the die, turn the handle and you're done. I think that this would be a fantastic tool to use in quilting classes for children due to the safety and ease of use.
One of my favourite things about the GO! is its small size and portability. When I'm done using it, I just put it on the floor under my quilting frame and it's out of the way and waiting for when I next want to use it. It's also easy to carry so I can take it anywhere in the house - or outside - to use it. Just because it folds up and is portable does not mean that it is flimsy. It weighs more than my Bernina and sits solidly on my cutting table when I'm cutting with it.
I already have several projects where I used the GO! cutter and have many more in mind. Don't forget that you can take pieced patterns that you already have and cut the fabrics using the GO! Accuquilt has provided a very handy table to show you which dies you would use for various shapes in a variety of sizes.
If you haven't had the opportunity to use a GO!, I hope you get to try one at a local retailer or show. I'm sure you'll be impressed.
GOt to get GOing!
Well, I did promise you another review of a "country" book and today I'm looking at Country Threads goes to Charm School: 19 Little Quilts from 5" Squares by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene. It's a long title and includes a long list of little projects - 19 in total.
If you find yourself addicted to these little projects after completing all the ones in the book, you can sign up for the Charm School club at Country Threads and receive a different charm pack and pattern each month.
I think the first thing I liked about this book was how the projects were named. "Don't Interrupt!", "No White Shoes After Labor Day" and "Wipe Your Feet" are just a few examples of the projects you'll find in this book. These ladies definitely share my sense of humour!
Most of the quilts are wall hanging or table topper size, making for quick and easy projects. These are great little quilts to whip up for gifts and for learning a new technique, such as machine appliqué. They do use charm packs, and while I usually shy away from these projects since I never seem to have enough charm packs to complete a pattern, this is not the case with this book. These projects use a charm pack - not 2 or 3, but 1. You will need extra coordinating fabric for borders and backing, but only 1 charm pack. I like that! Also, should you not have a charm pack, each pattern gives alternate fabric requirements in a "Still Charming" sidebar. I really like that!
I had a hard time deciding on favourites in this book: I liked Wipe Your Feet, with its little trees and also Don't Break Bread into Your Soup, using half-square triangles to form a pattern. But then there was also Walk - Don't Run, with its lattice look and Say "Please" with its appliquéd circles in 2 sizes...
The best part about these small projects - I could have two of these completed in the time it would take to usually make one bigger project so I don't have to choose just one of them!
This book would appeal to the quilter who likes to make up small projects which are simple, yet effective.
I've been stockpiling books lately and definitely need to tell you about some of them. I have two "country" books that I've recently received, both quite different from the other. Today I'll be looking at one of these,
Country Comforts: Quilts for Casual Living by Cheryl Wall. This book will appeal to those quilters who favour a primitive, country look. Cheryl uses traditional blocks, such as Log Cabin and Churn Dash, but gives them a new twist.
The projects in the book remind me of curling up in front of a warm fire on a cold winter evening - cozy, comfortable and homey. Most of the quilts are large wall hanging or throw size and what makes her projects so appealing is the extra touches that she brings to them by adding appliqué to the traditional blocks. Cheryl writes in the introduction that she is "drawn to the primitive style of quilting and crafting because of the freedom it allows me to make projects that are less than perfect but still beautiful." It's so refreshing to hear this philosophy of quilting when so many of us are striving to make the "perfect" quilt. We sometimes lose sight that quilting should be a relaxing, enjoyable hobby.
In the quilting instructions, Cheryl provides information about working with wool appliqué and embroidery stitches. I'm just venturing into wool appliqué and enjoy adding embroidery to my projects, so I was pleased to see this information. I also liked the idea of using your extra blocks and fabric to make the quilt backings, rather than buying fabric specifically for this purpose.
I think my favourite project in the book is Mountains and Meadows with its appliquéd stars, hearts and flowers, although I also liked Autumn Equinox with its octagon blocks and appliquéd flowers. Both quite different from each other, but equally appealing, as are all the quilts in the book.
If you like relaxed, casual quilts with a country flavour, this book will appeal to you.
Next time I'll look at another "country" book.
I have also used the GO! to cut out some half-square triangles for a project and was amazed at how quickly I could cut a large number of these. The tips of the triangles are already cut off for you, again saving you time after you have sewn them together as you don't have to clip off the dog ears.
