Quiltster to Quilt Contest

A contest for Quiltster Support Network members!

Have you put together a quilt top based on a Quiltster project?  Maybe you’re planning on turning one of your Quiltster projects into a beautiful quilt and have been waiting for the perfect time.  Well, that time is now! Starting July 1st we will be selecting one lucky winner every other month and handing out prizes just for showing off your hard work! This contest is open to anyone who is a member of the Quiltster Support Network Facebook group.

How to Enter

Create a Facebook post on your own timeline which includes:

1. The Quiltster generated image of your project. Learn how to save the image here.
2. An image of the finished quilt or quilt top.
3. The hashtag #QuiltsterToQuilt
4. Tag us @Quiltster 

It’s as simple as that!  Here’s an example:

Each post equals one entry.  Enter as many times as you wish. All entries stay active for all drawings throughout the year, so get as many projects posted as possible!

Prizes

JULY 2019 prize (US Residents only)

• A quilt pattern by Cindi McCracken (designers choice). To be sent out in the mail.
• A one month subscription to Quiltster for the winner (or $10 off the renewal fee for existing subscribers).
• A coupon for a one month subscription to Quiltster to give to a friend. (new subscribers only).
• Featured post on Quiltster’s Facebook page.
• Announcement/Featured in Quiltster’s Newsletter.

AUGUST 2019 prize – To be determined.

ANNUAL prize: JULY 1ST 2020 

• An annual Quiltster subscription for the winner (Or $99 off the renewal fee for existing subscribers)
• A coupon for an annual Quiltster subscription to give to a friend. (new subscribers only).
• Featured post on Quiltster’s Facebook page.
• Announcement/Featured in Quiltster’s Newsletter.

Keep an eye on the prizes because more prizes will be added throughout the year that could come in the form of patterns, coupons, etc. Check back often to see what’s new! 

Choosing the Winner

All names will go into a random name picker program.  If you post 3 eligible posts, your name will be entered into the name picker 3 times.  Remember, all entries stay active for all drawings throughout the year, giving you more chances to win!  At the end of the year the slate gets wiped clean for a fresh start and we start building the list again.

Announcing and Contacting the Winner

The winner will be announced in a post in the Quiltster Support Network.  They will be tagged in the post and asked to contact us for details on how to redeem their prizes.

Additional Rules, Terms & Conditions

• Finished Quilt does not need to be quilted to be eligible, it only needs to be a 100% completed quilt top.
• Any projects created in Quiltster (any pattern, any designer) is eligible.
• No time frame restrictions on when the quilt has to have been made, meaning, you may create a post around a Quiltster to Quilt project from a year ago if you wish.
• Each post is worth one entry.
• You may enter as many posts as you wish as long as they follow these rules.
• Must be a member of the Quiltster Support Network group on Facebook to be eligible for prizes.
• The winner will be notified via tagging them in a post announcement in the Quiltster Support Network.
• Subscription prizes for existing subscriber winners will be applied in the form of a discount off the renewal billing.

 

 

Making My First Quilt

By Deborah Breckenridge, aspiring #sewist.

I never thought I would learn how to quilt. I didn’t even know how to sew. (I know, it’s tragic!). However, I love learning new things. When presented with the opportunity to spend 5 days learning how to quilt with the one and only, Judy Niemeyer, I jumped at the chance! Here’s a little overview of my week with Judy.

Step 1: Bring Quilt to Life in Quiltster

I chose to start with the Summer Solstice pattern using the Wildflowers fabric collection from Timeless Treasures. The center star is shown below is where I started and filled in fabrics.

Blank Summer Solstice pattern in Quiltster’s project editor.  

Filling in pattern using Wildflower Collection from Timeless Treasures.

Snapshot of final color way choice in Quiltster.

Using Quiltster is so much fun!!! Seeing the completed quilt sure was a little intimidating… just look at all those pieces! But I was up for the challenge.

Step 2: Start at the Beginning

“Oh, that must be it, it’s bobbin up and down!” Lucy, looking for the bobbin, but pointing to the needle as it moves up and down. | Source: https://hxgreensoul.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/lucy-sewing.jpg

This was me, I’m afraid. Just like our friend Lucy here, I didn’t know how to wind a bobbin, thread a needle or sew in a straight line! Yep. Not exaggerating. It was going to be a long, but fun, week!

Step 3: Paper Piecing it all Together!

Each day was spent watching live demos from Judy then attempting to mimic what I saw. Watching Judy demo quilting techniques was like watching Leonardo da Vinci casually explain how to paint. Gulp. For all the newbies out there, if you start feeling overwhelmed, just start with the getting the rhythm: Match, Glue, Sew, Press, Trim, Rinse & repeat! It didn’t take long for me to see why people enjoy spending hours and hours sewing. It can be very therapeutic.

#paperpiecing #focus

A few key takeaways from this process (newbies, make note!)

• “Measure twice, cut once.” I think we all know how I learned this lesson. That ¼ inch seam allowance sure is important!
• We’re working with “thread,” not “string”.
• We’re making “quilts,” not “blankets” (very key).
• “The purple thang” is an actual – and very important – quilting tool.
• Basting is not just something you do when cooking a turkey.
• Matching points is super fun!

Check out these center points! No pins, no glue, (only on the center seam) #JudyNiemeyerStyle #NailedIt #Quiltser #Quiling #SewistInTheMaking

• Air sewing happens.

Source: https://fusionislove.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/p-rest.jpg

• Last but not least:

At the end of day 5 with the finish line in sight and 16 pretty little Y-seams standing in my way, I almost broke this rule. #breathe Bound and determined to finish, I hiked up my big girl pants and got to it! Thank goodness for Judy and her calm, “Mistakes happen. They can be fixed” philosophy! With her help (and more than a few adjustments to my Y-seams), I finally finished my quilt top! Hooray! Time for a celebratory glass of wine!

Just look at that concentration! LOL!

Step 4: Admiring the Handy Work

There’s something so fulfilling about creating something with your own two hands, especially when it’s something that you’ve never done before. I sewed for 5 days straight and up to 15 hours each day. I was exhausted and super happy! I feel so accomplished and empowered now; a door to a whole new world has been opened for me. A huge thank you goes out to Judy. Without her, I would not have gone home with a completed project. She is professional, smart, creative, inspiring and an overall amazing person to be around. I’m going to love being a #quilter and #sewist! I already have fabric picked out for my next project… now I just need to pick a pattern. That’s how it works, right?

 

Rockin’ my new quilt top! #followyourbliss #feelingood #lovinlife #sewistinthemaking

 

Fabric for my next project. #fabricaholic

Sign up here for YOUR chance to use Quiltster today!  New beta testers are chosen every day to help test and perfect this new product before it launches in spring 2016!

Share your #MyFirstQuilt story on our Facebook page and join the Quiltster community for inspiration, launch news, contest, tips and kindered quilters a plenty!