Hello, I'm new here...

Welcome Ursula. You and your questions will be welcome anytime. . In message , Ursula Schrader writes

Welcome, Ursula! This is a wonderful group; we're glad to have you join us.

-Irene

Welcome aboard, Ursula! Pull up a chair! ME-Judy

Welcome Ursula! It does sound like you've become addicted to quilting - but around here, that's a good thing!

I have EQ6 (decided not to get EQ7 when it came out), but I can't say it's been helpful in selecting fabric. It's wonderful for creating quilt designs and choosing colors, though. That being said, I know I don't use it to it's full advantage, so maybe some others will chime in with their thoughts.

Hello darling! Nice to see you perking up a bit! :)

Welcome to the group. We feed incompetent medics to Polly's gaitors, I cook the trolls, and we share the chocolate after Pat has tested it for us.

Everyone, meet Ursula! She's the one I went to Germany to make the wedding dress for. :)

I am trying not to think about EQ... Haven't done enough quilting in long enough to feel I don't need it yet, and the current quilting project is all pre-selected bits.

It sounds like you are starting properly! ;) How are the sewing machines getting along? And the Demon Fairy?

Welcome, Ursula.

Don't buy too much till you've tried what you already have. I have EQ6, but you really don't need it until you are designing big style. Paper and pencil and some crayons (optional) are all you need to design for a while.

I love gadgets, but actually use very few of them regularly. My advice though, would always to choose carefully and buy the best quality you can afford at the time. It pays in the long run.

In truth all you need for P&Q are patience, a good specialist ruler, one of those pizza cutters and a self-healing mat. The rest will already be in your general sewing kit. Add stuff when you actually need it. P&Q can get out of hand just as quickly as any other hobby.

But it is fun.

Nel (Gadget Queen)

Hi Ursula,

Since you neglected to include your chocolate preferences, you MUST buy for everyone else (send it all to me and I will take it from there).

Depends on what you're interested in - the variables/topics are mind- boggling (I say that partly so that you'll have some $ left for things like, oh... fabric, thread, and batting) - and that may change the more you learn/explore same as with general sewing books. Don't forget to hit your public library - be prepared to reserve.

Since you mention choosing fabrics, there are also books on that and choosing/using *colors* (which, logically, might come first). Joen Wolfrom is one of the current guru/goddess authors on color.

The fabric libraries, while good, aren't comprehensive (nigh impossible), but they're good for getting fairly good ideas. I tend to use colors instead, and then go shopping. YMMV.

As for packages, there are (AFAIK) two leaders - EQ and Quilt Pro. Both are excellent; each has their pros & cons.

My best advice is to first have your head examined for getting into this, then cut loose and have some fun.

Doc

Welcome, Ursula! This a a great group of really talented folks that will help you any way they can with tips, inspiration, and lots of chuckles along the way. When you start sewing, take lots of photos for show and tell. There's nothing like sharing your work to keep you motivated! Donna

Welcome, Ursula. I'm going to join Nel, our gadget queen. Don't buy too much until you know what you really enjoy. Looking forward to retiring, I collected solids. Soon, I realized that I do Not Like to piece quilts with solids. Our DDIL enjoyed using them to line purses and totes. Come sit over here beside me. I'm the only one in this gang that shares and I can keep secrets. Polly

Ursula, meet Nel.

Nel is one of my oldest friends in Real Life as well as here. We were at the same uni at the same time, doing the same course in diferent colleges! She is the GMNT's Godmother.

Nel, this is Ursula, who dragged me protesting wildly (NOT! I loved every minute of it) to Germany to make her dress! You remember me telling you about the adventures with German security offers at Dusseldorf on the way home?

Good to see you posting here! Barbara in SC

On Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:34:20 -0500, Sartorresartus wrote (in article ):

Nel has given you great advice about gadgets. Boy are they fun to buy, but most of the time I don't use them and just go back to my old standbys.

Maureen

The same trick can be done on the spot with a piece of dark red celuloid. The red side of a pair of red/blue or red/green 3-D glasses will work.

Doc

Wow, what a warm welcome! Thanks to you all; I'll try to merit it. This seems to be a rather lively group and there are times when I just don't have the time or strength to sit down to my computer, so please have patience with me if my replies seem come rather slowly. With a number of minor health problems and one very active toddler, I'm doing my best to keep up. (Thank heavens that DD is off to Kindergarten in August! They grow up so fast! ) I'll try to work off all replies in time.

U.

There's an even simpler way of fading colours to B/W: Squint your eyes until they're almost closed, then the value shows, too. Learned that trick during my time at Dusseldorf FH, trying and failing to become an interior designer and architect. One course dealt with the basics of artwork, necessary to lure clients to your projects (in the days before 3D computer animation). We had an absolute nitpicker of a professor and - funny that I remember it now - his student teaching assistant was a girl that was totally into patchwork. At that time I was surprised to meet somebody that young and hip with such an oldfashioned hobby. Now I know better. ;-)

U.

Yeah well, I'm on the mend, but you know how it is. I find it hard to talk to people more than just 'hello' or some such everyday stuff. But I'll try to get (and stay) in touch with the world again. ;-)

Ah yes, would you like my GP for the gaitors? But that's another story. I remember your delicious troll recipes from your website, but it seems to work, there don't seem to be many around. ;-) And I'll do my best to fit in here, chocoltewise, only today it's so hot that I can't stand even the thought of it. Wait, there's some ice chocolate in the freezer... ;-)

Don't ask, still no machines around, but I brought up the sunshade thing yesterday. I think I need something vertical to keep out the sun, too, but that's another story. The lady in the shop hasn't rung so far nor has her boss, so I'll call them again tomorrow. Dang, I WANT A SEWING MACHINE!!!! Demon fairy is over the top with all the football, and alternates wearing a 'pretty wedding dress' (some washable sundress) with 'Blue and white' footy shirts and her new bathing suits or nothing. Of course, large quantities of sun protection are applied regularly. She looks good enough to eat with that slight hue of tan on her face, her hair curling from drying naturally and getting a bit lighter at the tips. Ah, what a lovely age. And she's talking and singing all day long, making the most amazing remarks. I've heard several people say that she's clever beyond her age. I hope they didn't say it just to flatter me. ;-)

U.

Aw, the Glogal Village! It's always a pleasure to meet Kate's 'family'. She seems to know only nice folks. ;-) I'll heed your advice though, oh Gadget Queen, since I haven't won the lottery big time.

U.

Hi Ursula! Any friend of Kate's is a friend of ours. ;) Welcome to the Land of RCTQ. We have fun here, no moderator, no rules. The only thing you really need to know is that it is very wise to have your chocolate vetted. Just send a pound or two to the Office of the Official Chocolate Taster of RCTQ, which is in my Palace here in Virginia. I will test and taste and report back via email. You don't have to thank me ... this is my unselfish volunteer duty in RCTQ. A tough job, but someone's gotta do it. :)

Pat In Virginia/USA