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dunster 10-20-2011 07:26 AM

I do use my camera quite a bit to tell me if I have a block laid out in the wrong position, but I don't use it to help me actually sew the blocks together. I make up a set of papers numbered with the block position, using numbers for the columns and letters for the rows (or vice versa) - A1, A2, A3,....B1, B2, B3... etc. I pin the appropriate label to the top left corner of each block. (That part is important - it must be to the same position on each block, and top left makes most sense to me.) Then I can stack the blocks row by row and always get them in the right order when I sew.

romanojg 10-20-2011 07:29 AM

I take pictures to see how I like certain colors together and to test the layout of a quilt to see if it's what I like. I think digital cameras just make my life easier when quilting. I take mine with me to class so that I can take a picture of the block of the month to have as a reference point if I need it and I've used it to get a picture of directions for blocks instead of writing them all down; they were on a large board w/large writing so this made it easier.

tsnana2000 10-20-2011 07:33 AM

Wow. These are all great ideas. I never thought about using my camera for these kinds of things. It probably would have saved me from ripping out the same thing 3 times. lol

dunster 10-20-2011 07:40 AM


Originally Posted by tsnana2000
Wow. These are all great ideas. I never thought about using my camera for these kinds of things. It probably would have saved me from ripping out the same thing 3 times. lol

ummmmmmm,,,no....that's just part of quilting....
we who photograph also rip.

ptquilts 10-20-2011 07:58 AM

not a camera, and maybe everyone knows this, but I use binoculars - look through the big end to see the whole quilt at once, as if from a distance. You can see instantly if some blocks are in wrong.

MoanaWahine 10-20-2011 08:54 AM


Originally Posted by CoriAmD
I take a picture of the quilt laid out on my design wall before I sew it together. Quite often the camera shows something that just does not go together better than I can see with my eye

I would agree with CoriAmD on this one. If I am having issues in my mind about how I have a quilt laid out, I will take that picture and look at it. I then tend to send it to my mom for advice. Now I have the board to ask also. Of course I use the camera to take pictures of the kids and everything else. Another good idea is to take pictures of your items in the house and save them somewhere else. You can then always reference them in case an emergency has happened, i.e. fire, theft, flood. Can not hurt to document everything since we have not spent a lot of money in our sewing/quilting area ;) Would hate to have to replace some of those stashes out there without help from the insurance company :lol:

cmagee84 10-20-2011 08:55 AM

I use my camera during the design process, as others have said. I also take pic with my phone and text to my best friend and she helps me move things around and gives me input. A fun way to plan a quilt with a friend 1000 miles away! :)

QuiltnNan 10-20-2011 10:00 AM


Originally Posted by JanTx
jaciqltznok wrote a suggestion about putting a HST quilt together, but the thing I'm holding on to is ... take a picture of it laid out, then sew.
THE PROBLEM is I'm working on a quilt for my husband - I have it laid out on a spare bed and keep it covered with some backing material. I take a few blocks at a time back to the sewing machine (have to go through the living room where he's sitting to get there) and then sew those few together. BUT I sewed 8 of them together WRONG. I can't remember how they go once I get to the sewing machine. Even though I picked them up very carefully - one set was right and the next set I've had to totally rip out. Now I'll take my camera back there with me, snap a shot, pick up those blocks, go and sew!

what a great idea!!

if you can take a black/white pic with it, you can lay out your fabrics, snap a pic, and tell if the values are in the order you really want them.

JanTx 10-20-2011 10:41 AM

The original suggestion was for a black and white photo. That thread is called "When to Call it Quits (or How Batik HSTs Kicked My Butt)".

My sewing room is my dining room which is attached to the piano studio where I teach 22 private piano lessons. Can't leave things too spread out or messed up. So ... spare bed is my "Design Wall" and I troop back and forth. Usually not a problem, but trying to keep him from seeing the very distinctive train fabric I'm working on IS a problem!

Pinning would have worked ... didn't think of that either. This is really the border - just blocks wide but about 16 blocks long and pattern must be exact. Problem solved now!

MaryAnnMc 10-20-2011 11:02 AM


Originally Posted by ptquilts
not a camera, and maybe everyone knows this, but I use binoculars - look through the big end to see the whole quilt at once, as if from a distance. You can see instantly if some blocks are in wrong.

Now that's what I call inventive! Great idea.

As for moving your blocks, Jan, after you take your photo of the whole layout, use something light & portable to make a small design wall (foam core covered with flannel or batting). Lay out a section you want to stitch together on it, and transport the whole thing to the machine. You can cover it as you pass by him so he can't peek. You can work right off the board, and place back sections as you finish.

I'll bet that was clear as mud. :?


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