RGA DESIGN QUILTS
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Videos & Tutorials
    • Ten Minute Table Runner
    • Traditional Blocks Ruler Tutorials
    • Quilting in Circles
    • Skillbuilder Filler Finesse Videos
    • Beginning & Ending Stitching
  • Free Project Downloads
    • Free Sewing Projects for Kids
    • Free Projects & Patterns
    • Skillbuilder Studio DVD Free Downloads
  • Wholesale
  • Contact Us
  • Information
    • About Us
    • Shipping and Returns
    • Gallery
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Notice
  • Blog

Renae Allen
​Machine Quilting​
RGA Design LLC

Summer Stars Over the Village

1/28/2020

0 Comments

 

​Looking for a way to step it up and find new and exciting ways to create?

Picture
Picture
Summer Stars Over the Village is a great solution!

​Our new Summer Stars Over the Village has 13 six inch blocks, each framed in saw tooth stars finishing at 12".  Setting the stars on point with sashing, corner posts, and setting triangles makes a 70"  x 70" throw.  

Last summer I teamed up with Fran Leslie, owner of Village Dry Goods, for a summer block of the week. I know - - - what were we thinking?  Fran designed the block and then we cut a lot of kits (thank goodness for the Village gals), wrote the pattern, did weekly store demonstrations and posted You Tube tutorials. Yes, we were busy! 

Fran is an expert at tips, tools and techniques. Summer Stars Over the Village  was designed to build new skills and improve old skills.  Our directions include both traditional piecing and ruler/template piecing. Some blocks also have paper piecing templates. 

Each video is filled with tips that make for better piecing.  Check out Village Dry Goods You Tube Channel and find 13 videos for the summer block of the week.  Learn out to use those rulers that are in your drawer or on the rack at the local shop.  Don't panic - you don't have to have all the rulers we suggest because we have traditional piecing instructions included.  However, I have to admit that I love using the rulers.  

Summer Stars Over the Village is a great value ($20).  It is a 20 page pattern printed single side with color pictures of each block. It even has fabric measurements for every piece in every block and the finished quilt on the back page of the pattern.  It is great for individuals, groups of friends, guilds or shops as a block of the month or maybe even a block of the week. (The block of the week is only for the courageous or crazy.)  And yes, it is available through me or at Checker for wholesale customers at wholesale pricing.  

Picture
Digital Quilting Designs - 
Download and print the corner and setting triangle feather quilting designs.  They will print out in PDF format.  

I used the large and medium petal templates from The Gadget Girls with a ruler foot to quilt the petals and curved cross hatching.  If you look closely you will see that each triangle is a little different because I freehand quilted the feathers looking at my drawing as a guide. 

The designs may be transferred to the quilt or used with a laser light on a long arm.  My Skillbuilder Mastery book explains a variety of ways to transfer designs.  
Variations

​We used neutral background, sashing, and corner posts so the blocks would pop. It obviously doesn't have to be Civil War prints.  This pattern is very "stash friendly".  

I added an inside border (same fabric as the corner posts) to the quilt below and increased the size of the outside border making the quilt a few inches larger.  One of our quilters sewed a border between the setting triangles and the stop border out of the sashing fabric.  It "floated" the inside of the quilt.  I loved the look!

The outside border is a stripe so we mitered the corners but gave measurements for straight borders as well. 
Picture
Same inside blocks - very different quilt
My daughter had a quilt rack without a quilt hanging on it. That is not okay.  I pieced the 6" blocks without the stars to make her a birthday quilt. The blue is her new accent color in her family room.  I used 6" squares in between the blocks, added a stop border and an outside border. ​I quilted my Big Loops 5.75" stencil in the plain blocks.  Not sure what I will do when she changes accent colors again - - - that is why the rack was empty.  ​
Picture
Picture
Not sure what I will do when she changes accent colors again - - - that is why the rack was empty.  
0 Comments

Gift Guide for Machine Quilters 2019

11/16/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Are you looking for great gift ideas for a machine quilter? You have come to the right place!  I have made a list of 16 of my top gift picks for 2019 which would be welcome gifts for a  machine quilter!  Most of these are available at your local quilt store or online. I didn't include rulers because they deserve a dedicated post. 

​Keep reading because at the end of the list is a special gift tip from a grandma (me) for a child in your life.  



Top 15 Gift Ideas for Machine Quilters

1. Heat Press Batting Together
2. Quilting Paper - Golden Thread
3. Machinger Gloves
4. Mechanical Chalk Pencil
5. Washable Wonder Marker
6. Choco Liner
7. Frixion Pen
8. Quilters Delight
9. Basting Clips for Lifetime tables
10. Stabilo Pencil
11. Kwik Clip
12. Sit Upon
13. Extension Table
14. Super Slider
15. Practice Panels
Click picture for product links
Picture
1. Heat Press Batting Together

This is a great way to avoid waste and use extra and odd size batting.  It is a cloth tape which allows batting edges to be fused together with a soft fuse that stretches.

No more stitching batting together for me!

Picture

2. Quilting Paper - Golden Threads


I use this paper when I can't trace a design onto a quilt. I just trace the design on the paper, secure it to the quilt, stitch through it and tear the paper off.

It is also great for creating needle punched stencils to use with a Pounce Pad.  
Picture
3. Machinger Gloves by Quilters Touch

There are lots of gloves out there but these are still my favorite.  I use them when I am free motion quilting, rulers quilting, and on my left hand when I am sewing on bindings.   
​
Machingers have soft flexible fingertip grip and are made of a breathable fabric.  
Picture
4. Mechnical Chalk Pencil

This mechanical chalk pencil is ideal for marking on fabrics and also works great when tracing and outlining stencils with the to extra fine lead.  

It stays on long enough to quilt the design and then rubs off easily.

Picture
5. Washable Wonder Marker

This marker makes a bright blue mark which removes easily with plain water.  It works well to trace designs or mark registration lines. (Warning: It can be permanently set with heat!) 
Picture
6. Chaco Liner

One of my favorites, I use this often.  It is perfect for drawing a nice, neat, thin line. Chalk washes or brushes away. Chalk powder refills make this a valuable tool.  

​​

Picture
7. Frixion Pen

This gel pen ink can be removed with heat or friction.  I like to trace designs with it and then hold the iron over it with some steam and it disappears.  Of course it is important to test it on a specific fabric. 

​
Picture
8. Quilters Delight Safety Pin Clips

These clips attach to #1 or #2 safety pins to make it easier to pin baste and to handle, find, and pick up pins.



​
Picture
9. Basting Clips for Lifetime tables

​These basting clips work great for pin basting quilts on molded plastic tables up to 2" thick.  
Picture
10. Stabilo Pencil
​
This is a art pencil that works well for marking designs on quilts.  It removes with water but stays on until the quilting is done. 

I also use it to mark lines on rulers. As always, I recommend testing on the fabric in the quilt. 
Picture
11. Kwik Clip

Kwik Klip is a helpful tool for pin basting quilts which prevents sore fingers, broken nails, and reduces basting time.
Picture
12.. Sit Upon

I use this softly inflated flexible disc when I am at the sewing machine so I sit higher.  It also acts like an exercise ball - preventing fatigue and reducing pressure on the tailbone.  

Picture
13. Sew Steady Extension Table

A Sew Steady® sewing table expands the work area and is extremely helpful, if not essential, for machine quilters who do not have a sewing machine cabinet.  
Picture
14. Super Slider

Used on the sewing machine base and table to help fabric and quilts glide smoothly while quilting.  It comes in different sizes to it different extension tables or cabinets.

Picture
15. Skillbuilder Filler Finese Practice Panels  
​

Printed with 27 colorful designs for free motion quilting practice. Includes hooks, lines, swirls, arcs, s-curves, loops, and feathers in a variety of patterns suitable for quilting fills. Panel includes subtle directional arrows.

Filler Finesse is an excellent tool to develop muscle memory and fill skills using a home machine or long arm system.

Other practice panels - Skillbuilders #1 and Skillbuilder #2

A Special Gift for a Child in Your Life

​We discovered Find Me Friends Playful Puppies and Magical Unicorns. They are a talking and interactive play game set. One child holds the Mommy as she counts out loud (1,2,3...) while the other kids hide the babies (or hide with the babies). When they are hidden, the babies call out clues every 30 seconds to help you find them. 

We have a set of each and the grandchildren ages 4 to 11 hide them all over our house. ​You would think three animals would be enough but not when you have a party or several children playing. We need the add on twins, too!
Picture
Picture
.When our grand kids aren't playing Hide 'N Seek, they are cuddling and snuggling the puppies and unicorns. Our little ones push the button over and over to hear the cute voices.

We gave our youngest grandson Playful Puppies for his two year old birthday, We knew he was a little young to get the Hide 'N Seek part but we thought he would still like them. Check out the candid video below to see how he played with them.  (Aren't smart phones wonderful?!)

You can find these fun Find Me Friends at both PlayFindMeFriends.com and Amazon.
0 Comments

Quilter's Gift Guide - 2019

11/13/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Are you looking for great gift ideas for a quilter?  I am always on the look out for notions that are not only creative and clever but that are also useful or solve a problem.  Here is a list of my top picks for 2019.  Some are new and some a little older but all would be welcome gifts for a quilter.  You can find these at your local quilt store, the linked websites or on-line sellers like Amazon.

Keep reading because at the end of the list is a special gift tip from a grandma (me) for a child in your life.  
​​

My Top Sixteen Notions Gift Picks for Quilters
1. Karen Kay Buckley"s Perfect Scissors
2. Binding Babies & Flower Spindle
3. Stiletto & Pressing Tool - By Annie
4. The Strip Stick
5. Puffin & Company Scissor Sitter and Micro Magnetic Needle Threader
6. Wonderclips
7. Pleasant Home Magnetic Travel Pin Tin 
8. True Grips, Grippy Coating, Grip Strips
9. Sand Paper Board - Sue Daley
10. Martelli Pin Point Tweezers
11. Quilters Select Rulers with non-slip coating
12. Quilters Reference Tool - C & T Publishing 
13. Rotating Cutting Mat by Sue Daley
14. Stash and Store or Quilter's Reference Tool
​15. Silicone Iron Rest
16. Skillbuilder Packet

Picture
1. Perfect Scissors - Karen Buckley

These amazing scissors became my instant favorite after Karen gave me some at a Bernina Ambassador reunion. 


​I like how these scissors have cushioned handles and the blades are sharp to the very tip. The micro serrated edges help to prevent fabric from fraying and they cut through several layers easily. They are easy to use for right or left handed quilters.
https://www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php
Picture
2. Binding Babies and Flower Spindle by Shari Butler 

​
This is a  unique, decorative, and clever way to store and sew on bindings. The binding slips into the slot and wraps around the body. The Binding Babies® are placed on the flower stand and keep binding tidy as it is sewn on. 

The babies are available in a variety of designs. Shari's babies have a vintage look and a modern twist. 

https://doohikeydesigns.com/collections/binding-babies
Picture

3. Stiletto & Pressing Tool - By Annie 

I am not sure how I ever survived without this tool.  
The stiletto point enables holding pieces in place easily and is especially helpful when piecing or attaching bindings. Keeping the tip of the stiletto in place on the fabric until the needle almost reaches the point works much better than fingers! 

The other end of the tool is angled at just the right degree to make a surface for pressing seams open. 
​
​https://www.byannie.com/byannie-stiletto-pressing-tool
Picture
4. The Strip Stick - ​Babb Enterprises

This tool is named for pressing seams when strip quilting but also makes ironing seams a snap without distorting previously pressed seams. It also prevents seam pressing lines on the front of the quilt.

The strip Stick reminds me of the sleeve roll I use for sewing and tailoring but on a smaller scale. 

http://thestripstick.com
Picture

5. Puffin and Company Scissor Sitter and Magnetic Needle Threader 

These accessories are unique, beautiful, and useful!  They are hand crafted from copper, brass and nickel. ​
​
http://www.puffinco.com/

Picture
6. Wonderclips by Clover

​An absolute necessity and definitely a wonder. No more injuries from pins while sewing bindings and they are great for securing bulky seams for sewing. I used Wonder Clips when I re-upholstered my sofa.

Clips come in multiple sizes. It's not possible to have too many!  
​​
Picture
7. Pleasant Home Magnetic Travel Pin Tin from Riley Blake 

​Fun way to store pins, small scissor, or needles.  Could even store  a small travel sewing kit.  


Picture
8. Two products to solve the slipping problem!

Odif Grippy Non-slip Coating creates a non-slip surface on rulers, templates, and stencils. 

True Grip Non-slip Adhesive Rings are applied to the back of any ruler to increase safety and cutting accuracy by preventing slipping. 
​
https://truecut.graceframe.com/cart/true-grips.html
Picture
9. Sand Paper Board by Sue Daley

A great tool to stop fabric from moving when tracing applique shapes or marking lines on pieces. The sandpaper grips the fabric allowing quick and easy tracing.

https://www.suedaleydesigns.com
Picture
10. Martelli Pin Point Tweezers 

Super fine points that are great for manipulating individual threads, seam edges and other tiny components.

​
https://www.martellinotions.com/pin-point-tweezers.html


Picture
11. Quilters Select Rulers with non-slip coating by Quilters Select

​A great solution for the sliding rulers problem. These rulers feature easy-to-read lines for marking and measuring fabric, as well as multiple angles. Each ruler has a unique non-slip coating that makes for more accurate cutting! Available in multiple sizes. 

http://store.thequiltshow.com/category-s/340.htm
Picture
12.Quilters Reference Tool C&T Publishing

I keep this tool at my finger tips!  The Quilter's Reference Tool gives fast answers to dozens of quilting questions. It is full of great short-cuts and does a lot of math for you for upsizing and downsizing blocks and quilts. 

​This is a must-have answer book for quilters everywhere.


​
Picture
13. Rotating Cutting Mat by Sue Daley

This 10" Rotating cutting mat is great for everyone especially those of us who are not ambidextrous!  

It is helpful for glueing English Paper Piecing  shapes and is nice for trimming up blocks and half square triangles,

https://www.suedaleydesigns.com/
Picture

.14. Stash and Store by It's Sew Emma

​No more searching for tools near the sewing or cutting station.

This is the perfect device to keep quilting and sewing  notions within arm's reach and ready to go! It easily stores marking tools, scissors, stilettos, rulers, and small rotary cutters, in an easy-to-grab upright position.


​https://www.itssewemma.com/
Picture
15. Silicone Iron Rest by The Gypsy Quilter 

​This iron rest makes a great place to rest the iron for short periods of time. It is made with silicone so it resists heat. The raised round dots also help the iron to cool down faster. 

​No more knocking the iron over while adjusting the quilt!


​https://www.gypsyquilter.com/
Picture
16. Bonus - Skillbuilder Package by RGA Design LLC 

Skillbuilder Package is the perfect gift for the quilter who wants to begin machine quilting or improve skills.  Skillbuilder Companion Book, Skillbuilder 1 and Skillbuilder 2 practice panels are a great way to learn to finish quilts. 



https://www.rgadesignquilts.com/

Special Gift Tip for a Child in Your Life

Picture
​We discovered Find Me Friends Playful Puppies and Magical Unicorns. They are a talking and interactive play game set. One child holds the Mommy as she counts out loud (1,2,3...) while the other kids hide the babies (or hide with the babies). When they are hidden, the babies call out clues every 30 seconds to help you find them. 

We have several sets at our house and the grandchildren ages 4 to 11 hide them all over our house.
When our grand kids aren't playing Hide 'N Seek, they are cuddling and snuggling the puppies and unicorns. Our little ones push the button over and over to hear the cute voices.

​
You would think three animals would be enough but not when you have a party or several children playing. We need the add on twin puppy and unicorn sets at our house! They are available both on playfindmefriends.com and Amazon.

We gave our youngest grandson Playful Puppies for his two year old birthday, We knew he was a little young to get the Hide 'N Seek part but we thought he would still like them. Check out the candid video below to see how he played with them.  (Aren't smart phones wonderful?!)

Picture
0 Comments

"Running" with Traditional Printed Blocks

5/7/2019

0 Comments

 

Pattern for Traditional Blocks

Picture
​Free Projects & PatternsBlocks - Pattern - Assembly
This post is one idea of what to do with our printed traditional blocks. I chose to use Janet's Star, Jack in the Pulpit, and Hope of Hartford and a gray tiny patterned print for the background.  The pattern is under the free projects and patterns tab or click here.

Picture
Picture
Picture
I cut out all the pieces and then placed the pieces in order. This helped to sew the correct triangle to the correct side of each block. It's easy to get confused even when some pieces are already assembled!

Picture
I stitched a needle width on the inside of the printed line so you can't see the printed line on the front.
Picture
The triangles are cut larger than needed but that makes it much easier to sew.  The outside seam allowance is bigger than 1/4" and is trimmed down after the quilt is sewn together.   
Picture
Layer - Pin Baste
My favorite way to anchor layers is to use the tried and true pin basting method.  Here I have attached the quilt back, right side down,  to a Lifetime table using Super Multi Basting Clips and masking tape.  Having the back taut prevents pleats on the back of the quilt. 
Picture
I use #1 safety pins with Quilters Delight Pin Clips and the Kwik Klip tool to secure the pins.  
Picture
I usually place pins about 4 or 5 inches apart.  The pins sometimes get in the way of rulers but they can be moved easily.  After I stitch in the ditch, I remove a lot of the pins.   
Quilt as Desired
Rulers - Rulers - Rulers
Now for the fun part - - -  deciding what to quilt where.  I used my Nested Circles Quilters Rule Nested Circle Set and my Quilters Groove Pro Mini for quilting the blocks.  Each block and the background will be on the next few blogs and I will post video tutorials on our Quilting Traditional Blocks with Rulers page and our RGA Design Quilts You Tube channel.
0 Comments

New Home for RGA Design LLC

4/5/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture

We have a new home and a new look for our RGA Design LLC website and blog.  We have added some new products, free projects, and video tutorials.  
Our old website served us well but as we often say in our family, "It was good but it is gone."  (That quote works great for old cars, apartments, toys,
​and even for our kids' old girl or boy friends.) 

The old blog rgadesignquilts.blogspot.com is still active with older posts.  

New Products

Skillbuilder Filler Finesse (36" x 43") is our new panel designed to develop and hone free motion quilting skills. The panel has hooks, loops, straight lines, s-curves, arcs, pebbles and feathers. The lines are wide giving some wiggle room for some wobbly quilting and it even has some subtle arrows to give direction. We can brag that it was eco-friendly digitally printed in the USA.  Price $15.00  Introductory Sale $13.50 
Picture
Traditional 16" Blocks
Another new product we are introducing is six different  printed blocks.  These blocks are the perfect project to practice using rulers and templates or free motion quilting. They may be purchased individually or all six as a packet. 
Watch for videos tutorials which we will post on our website with ruler, design,
and pattern suggestions.  
These blocks are also digitally printed in the United States with an eco-friendly process
​and without harmful chemicals.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment
    Picture

    Renae Allen

    Machine Quilter, Teacher, Business Owner, Designer, Wife, Mother, Grandma

    Archives

    January 2020
    November 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Home

SHOP
FREE PROJECTS

Information

Videos & Tutorials

Contact Us

blog

RGA Design LLC - Renae Allen
Copyright © 2019
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Videos & Tutorials
    • Ten Minute Table Runner
    • Traditional Blocks Ruler Tutorials
    • Quilting in Circles
    • Skillbuilder Filler Finesse Videos
    • Beginning & Ending Stitching
  • Free Project Downloads
    • Free Sewing Projects for Kids
    • Free Projects & Patterns
    • Skillbuilder Studio DVD Free Downloads
  • Wholesale
  • Contact Us
  • Information
    • About Us
    • Shipping and Returns
    • Gallery
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Notice
  • Blog