Discover Unique Crafts on Etsy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Weekend Trip to the Coast
3. Attending a Barbecue Cook-off
4. Tutorial Request for Milly Scott Edge-to-Edge Quilting
5. Marty Michelle Log Cabin Ruler Class
6. Making Quilt Blocks with Blush and Blue Fabric
7. Overview of Amelie Scott Edge-to-Edge Design System
8. Using the Embroidery Machine for Quilting
9. The Benefits of Using the Amelie Scott System
10. Tips for Sizing Embroidery Designs
11. Using the Nine by Fourteen Hoop for Quilting
12. Introducing the Power Tools with Thread Seam Ripper Stiletto Combos
13. Starting an Etsy Store and Selling Seam Rippers
14. The Success of the Seam Ripper Business
15. Balancing Work and Quilting Projects
16. Taking Care of the Luminaire Embroidery Machine

Attending a Barbecue Cook-Off and Making Quilt Blocks: A Weekend Getaway

[Note: Please note that this article is written conversationally, using personal pronouns and an informal tone.]

Hey everybody, it's Becky from Power Tools with Red! I'm excited to share my recent weekend trip to the coast and my experience attending a barbecue cook-off. But before we dive into that, I want to address the many requests I've received about doing a tutorial for Milly Scott edge-to-edge quilting with your embroidery machine. Don't worry, I'll be covering that in an upcoming video.

So, let's start with the weekend trip! My friends and I headed to the coast on Thursday night and had an amazing time. Our purpose for going was to support our friends who were competing in a barbecue cook-off. Although we didn't participate this time, we had a blast cheering them on. They even managed to win awards for their blackened chicken and chili. It was such a fun-filled weekend that we all enjoyed.

Now, let's talk about the quilt blocks I made recently. I attended a Marty Michelle log cabin ruler class at my local quilt shop, Scrappy Quilter. The fabric I used for these blocks is called "Blush and Blue," and it's absolutely stunning. When I first received this fabric as part of a Missouri Star daily deal, I wasn't sure how it would work for the log cabin ruler class. But I decided to bring it along anyway, thinking it wouldn't be a big loss if things didn't turn out well.

To my surprise, the blocks turned out beautifully. The instructor, Brenda, came up with a unique arrangement for the blocks, and I loved the result. The combination of the log cabin design and the Blush and Blue fabric created a visually appealing quilt. Initially, I didn't think the blocks would fit on my long arm quilting machine, so I considered hand quilting them on my domestic machine. However, that's when I remembered the Amelie Scott edge-to-edge design system.

The Amelie Scott system is perfect for smaller quilts, especially when you want to achieve professional-looking results without relying solely on your own quilting skills. To use this system, you'll need an embroidery machine with a larger hoop size than the standard five by seven. The system comes with a main book that provides instructions and ten designs to get you started. There are also various expansion packs available for different themes and occasions.

One of the expansion packs I used for my Blush and Blue quilt blocks is Expansion Pack Six. It features a stunning feather design that perfectly complements the log cabin pattern. To create the quilt blocks, I stitched the designs onto stabilizer, ensuring that the fabric wouldn't stretch during the quilting process. The Amelie Scott system takes the guesswork out of quilting and enables you to achieve consistent and beautiful results.

Now, you might be wondering if you can resize the designs to fit a five by seven hoop. I have to admit, I tried doing this in the past and it didn't work out so well. When you try to size down the designs, they tend to lose their shape and distort. Unless you have sophisticated software that can handle resizing without compromising the design, I recommend using a larger hoop size like the nine by fourteen.

For my Blush and Blue blocks, I used my nine by fourteen magna hoop snap hoop from Designs in Machine Embroidery. This hoop is perfect for projects like this, and it allows me to achieve precise and consistent quilting results. I can't wait to show you in my next video how I'm using this system for my quilting projects.

In addition to quilting, I've also ventured into creating handmade seam ripper stiletto combos. My husband, Keith, has been using his lathe to turn acrylic into these beautiful and functional tools. One end of the tool serves as a seam ripper, while the other end functions as a stiletto. These combos are not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing, with various colors and finishes available.

The response to the seam ripper stiletto combos has been incredible. As soon as I list them on my Etsy store, they quickly sell out. It's been quite a busy venture, taking pictures, setting up the store, and managing orders. But I enjoy seeing the joy these tools bring to fellow crafters.

In the midst of all this, I'm still finding time to quilt and work on various projects. One of my ongoing projects is the Mercantil Block of the Month, which I received from Connecting Threads in 2019. I recently finished package number three out of four, and I'm thrilled to see the final quilt come together. Despite initially not being fond of the fabric, working on this project has challenged and improved my piecing skills.

While quilting keeps me busy, I also have a day job in cyber security for the US Air Force. It's a fascinating field, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to secure our systems against cyber threats. My husband, on the other hand, has taken up woodworking and recently acquired a Glowforge laser cutter and engraver. He's been busy learning the art of cutting wood and creating unique pieces.

Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed hearing about my weekend trip, quilting projects, and the seam ripper business. Don't forget to check out the Kimber Bell's Holiday and Seasonal Mug Rugs Vol. 2 embroidery designs. If you have a 5 by 7 hoop, you can create fun and festive mug rugs for yourself or to gift to friends.

Thank you for joining me on this quilting and crafting journey. Stay tuned for more videos and updates on my latest projects. Quilt on, my friends!