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TRANSFERRING FOLDY STUFF GUIDELINES: I’ve gotten so many great hints from my customers about ironing the Foldy Stuff transfers. Here are some that really work well. (1) Heat the fabric by ironing it just before laying the transfer paper on it. You’ll have more control. (2) Start with the iron on medium setting. When the iron reaches the temperature it will shut itself off and stop transferring. Push the setting up a bit to turn it back on! (3) You need to run the center of the iron (which is much hotter than the tip) over the corners of the transfer. (4) Haven’t tried this one myself, but one quilter said she gets more transfers by using a piece of aluminum foil under the muslin!

Q - Arline asks: I understand that on a trip you take along a clipboard and all the cut and stacked pieces for Foldy Stuff blocks. Do you sew the strips onto the grid by hand or just pin them for machine stitching later?
A - The Foldy Stuff is actually great as handwork, especially when you’re riding in a car and can’t be fussy about your stitching. I sew the pieces to the muslin base with a running stitch and regular sewing thread. You only need one spool of thread as it doesn’t have to match anything and the stitches don’t have to be neat because it isn’t a seam. Keeps it real simple! The clipboard is to give you something flat to work on.

Q - Kathy writes: I just finished the top of a Foldy Stuff Pineapple quilt and would like to know the best way to quilt it.
A - I just machine quilt in the ditch where I’ve sewn the blocks together. It’s all you need with most battings these days. Besides, the Pineapple quilt is so heavy you won’t be using batting anyway!

Q - Barbara writes: I have finished the top to a Foldy Stuff project. I would appreciate any help you could give on finishing. My friend says she serges the edges of the blocks. Also, will copies of old newsletters be available?
A - I don’t do anything to the edges of my blocks (and I do have a serger) There is a 1/2” seam allowance included in the block and they’ll be backed so they’ll never fray. I just figure, why bother! Getting copies of old newsletters will be no problem. We just started in January and our webmaster said he’d archive them so they’ll all be available at any time!

NEW STUFF ON THE WEBSITE: Three new Free Projects, which use the Foldy Stuff patterns are now on our website---Donnaposter.com---for a total of eleven projects. (That was then. There now are 19 free projects) They are: FUSSY CUT which uses the Hexagon pattern, TABLE RUNNER which uses the Pineapple pattern and PLACE MAT which uses the Log Cabin pattern. There has been a bit of confusion about these projects. These are not patterns in themselves. They are projects that give the fabric requirements, cutting and assembly instructions for new ideas using the Foldy Stuff patterns. If you have any problem printing these projects just let us know. Email Arnposter@comcast.net <mailto:Arnposter@comcast.net> Mr. Donna will be glad to print and send them to you.

Q-Cheryl asks: Can you tell me about washing and general care of Foldy Stuff quilts. Can they be washed and cleaned just like other quilts?

A-I launder my Foldy Stuff quilts just like any other quilt. In fact, they launder better than most because I seldom use batting, so I don’t have to worry about that. When I do use batting I make sure there is little quilting needed because I only quilt (by machine) in the ditch where the blocks are joined.

Q-Beverly asks: I have kept your Foldy Stuff Log Cabin pattern in a drawer ever since I purchased it some time ago. I have never started it because I don’t do well with written instructions and I have forgotten what you did on the Simply Quilts program. Is there a video I might purchase?

A: Sorry, there is no video---but, you don’t need one. A lot of us have a hard time following written instructions. Here is what I tell people (and it really works). 1. Using your ugliest scraps, try a block. Figure on throwing the whole thing in the wastebasket when you are done. It takes all the pressure off! 2. Don’t even try to read the instructions the first time through, just look at the drawings and do exactly what you see. 3. Figure on totally screwing up the first few--it’s OK--you’re going to throw them away anyway. 4.When it’s starting to “work” try reading the directions and you will find they now make sense. 5. Remember, this is all worth it because, once you “get it”, you’ll find that this is the easiest, fastest and most fun you’ve ever had quilting.

ANOTHER FOLDY STUFF HINT
The pleated sections of the Foldy Stuff blocks are “ weighty”. Any sizeable area without pleats needs some extra weight added to give a more balanced feel to the finished quilt. This includes borders and those areas where the pleats have been ”dropped out” (examples-centers of placemats, blocks with centers large enough for embellishments, fussy cuts, etc.)

This is easily done--when I cut the border (or piece needing extra weight) I just cut the same piece from muslin. When stitching that piece in the block or quilt, just layer the muslin under the fabric and treat the two layers as one.

Sharon Asks: The Foldy Stuff patterns suggest pre-cutting each strip and stacking them in sequence. Have you ever had anyone who cut the strip after sewing it to the backing instead of precutting?

A: I have a lot of quilters who use the sew and cut method instead of precutting the strips---works just fine. I use that method when teaching classes because the students can get to the sewing part faster. I suggest that they lay the strip on the muslin, then cut before they start sewing. That way they don’t have to handle the scissors around the presser foot.

If the square is a Foldy Stuff square, it’s a whole different thing. They are meant to have the muslin trimmed away, and here is the good news--you can trim all the squares to be the same size as each other. That’s because you are putting them together with one-half inch seams (not one-fourth inch) and if you have to trim out into the muslin base a bit, it’s OK! But this is only true for Foldy Stuff squares.
ABOUT FOLDY STUFF YARDAGES
The telephone rings, it’s a call from a shop owner. “I have a customer and we are picking fabrics for one of your Foldy Stuff projects, and the yardages in the pattern must be wrong” a voice says.

The fabric companies love us. Because strips are pleated and overlap some extra fabric is used. This results in the need for a little more fabric than you are accustomed to using when sewing a ¼“ seam. The Pineapple, with its extra catty-corner rows, uses a lot more than the other Foldies! The good news is that very little batting is needed, none for the pineapple design, and the amount of quilting needed is drastically reduced. In the ditch around each block is plenty.

Q: Marla asks--I have just finished a pineapple Foldy Stuff quilt. I used a lot of white fabric and it needs to be cleaned. Can I wash it in my home washing machine?
A: I assume it is backed and quilted. Just take it to a laundromat and wash it in one of the large front-load machine in the usual way. This is a very sturdy quilt.

Q: Sandra asks--My 13 year old grandaughter (Abby) has received her first sewing machine. I’d like her to try her hand at quilting. Which Foldy Stuff pattern would you recommend for her first attempt?”
A: Definitely the Log Cabin! Not just because it’s the simplest but because it has the most possibilities for playing with the finished blocks and that is exciting. By the way, The Foldy Stuff makes wonderful scrap quilts and would be so interesting and fun for her to work with. You two are in for some great times--enjoy!!
Q: Lena asks
Are the Foldy Stuff patterns in quilt shops in Ohio?
A: Although Holiday Designs (our production company) sells to individual shops, their main business is selling to distributors (there are six) and catalogs. Distributors then resell to their customers. The result of this is that we never know which shops carry the patterns. You can obtain the Foldy Stuff patterns, and any of our products, by going to your quilt shop and having them contact either us or their distributor, or go to our website---donnaposter.com---and order directly from there. The advantage of having your quilt shop get them for you is that you will save the shipping cost

Q: Sandra asks
I received my Foldy Stuff order today which included the Hexagon, Pineapple and Log Cabin designs. Two questions: First, are your yadages based on 45 inch fabric?, and second, what do you suggest about pre-washing the top, backing fabric and muslin
A: So glad you asked about the Foldy Stuff, I love doing it! The yardage
charts are based on a 40 inch width of usable fabric after shrinkage from washing, trimming, etc. Most fabrics are 45 inches wide as purchased but I must also include fabrics that are of a “skimpier” width.
As for pre-washing, here’s how I see it. I will do to all the fabrics used in a project the worst things I think my family will do to the quilt in the next twenty years! So, if it is to be used I will prewash, but if it’s going to hang on a wall I generally don’t. While we are on the subject, most of my quilts are made to be used and even abused! It pleases me to see people enjoying them. I do have a few special ones that were a lot of work and usually costly. I make sure my family knows which ones they are.

ABOUT THOSE FREE PROJECTS
On occasion, someone will contact me for the instructions for the free projects. These projects are just that--projects, not patterns. They are used in addition to the projects contained in each Foldy Stuff pattern and you need to have the basic pattern to do the project. If you have problems printing the projects or you do not have a color printer just let me know and I will be glad to send a copy.

QUESTION FROM PENNY: “The group I quilt with is making a Foldy Pineapple quilt for a raffle, and so far all is going beautifully. We’re constructing 96 squares to cover the top of a queen size bed (8 by 12 squares) and are now trying to decide how to make the “drop” for the sides and ends of the quilt. We would like to make folded borders to continue the foldy theme, and to maintain consistency in the weight. We are considering vertical folds, but not sure how that would work, or how to shape the edges (scallops, points, etc.) Could you offer some suggestions or advice? Thank you so much.”

Answer: I have a queen size pineapple quilt that I made using foldy stuff and I used a regular fabric (non-foldy) border on it because the quilt was so heavy. To equalize the weight, I used a lightweight batting in the border. Other foldy stuff quilts are not as heavy as the pineapple and I do use foldy stuff borders on some of them. My favorite is to take a long piece of muslin and transfer some strips across the width. I do this at random at various places, and use long strips of fabrics between the foldy areas. It’s fun, easy and eye catching! Enjoy!!!Donna

FOLDY STUFF AND PAPER PIECING: A stitcher asked recently if the transfers that come in Foldy Stuff patterns can be used for paper piecing. They sure can. First transfer the grid onto paper suitable for paper piecing. To obtain the width of the strip measure the distance between the lines and add ½ inch for seam allowance.

CATHY WRITES: My husband’s Aunt (80 yr) gave him an old family quilt, undocumented. It is the Courthouse Steps pattern and looks as if it might have been similar to the foldy-stuff or just made so the strips fit.

It has a slight 3-D quality to it. It is black and red (not scrappy) and has a saw-tooth border. My husband said he wanted to reproduce this quilt as it is quite worn. He was trying to figure out how to get the folds and when he asked me I told him I had some great foldy stuff that could make it easy for him. He studied the pattern, pieced in scrappy reds and blacks and designed a slightly different border. It is a great quilt top.

Our question is: Can we just put a light bat in the border area and let the center of the quilt go without batting? What is the best way to put the bat in just the borders? We plan on just quilting in the ditch and in the block centers, as the Foldy Stuff is beautiful.

My answer: What a wonderful thing to do about a special antique quilt that is badly worn--reproduce it! The quilt sounds beautiful.

I often put a light batting in just the border and none in the quilt itself. Or, if the quilt is not terribly heavy, I just “line” the border with a piece of muslin. To use the muslin I just cut it at the same time I cut the border and use the two layers as if it were one. If I use a batting I prefer not to have the seam turned back on itself. To prevent that bulk, I attach the border to the quilt as usual, then baste the batting in place so that the batting extends one-quarter inch under the quilt center. The quilting will then hold it in place. Enjoy your quilt.
A GREAT IDEA: I received a great idea and photos via email from an unknown reader and would like to thank her.

She is using up her scraps to make potholders using the Foldy Stuff Pineapple block. The center, all even numbered rows, and the corners are medium (or dark) fabrics and the odd numbered rows are light fabrics. A “bone” ring is attached to a corner to hang it. This quilter sells them as a bazaar item. They are gorgeous and a great idea as a fundraiser for your guild!

Eleanor writes: “I have a suggestion for the lady with the foldy quilt. I have made a couple of these using lattice between the blocks. I back the border and the lattice with flannel from my grandson’s receiving blankets. They have been washed many times so they will not shrink anymore. This works great. Better than muslin or other quilt fabric.”

My answer: Great hint! I often used flannel as batting in my regular pieced quilts until I had a bad experience with shrinkage (even after preshrinking several times) and I haven’t used it since. Your hint it is a fine solution.

USING NECKTIES FOR FOLDY STUFF PROJECTS
Neckties are just wonderful to use in some Foldy Stuff projects. This is not the same type of project you will find on the "Free Projects" page. Rather, here are a few hints on how to use the fabric found in men's ties for a number of projects including the ones on the "Free Projects" page and those given in the basic pattern.

1. The best Foldy patterns to use with neckties are those projects for the Log Cabin, Courthouse Steps, Chevron and Amish designs. The others have too heavy a buildup of fabric in parts of them.

2. If you don’t have enough ties already, you can purchase more very reasonably at resale stores and garage sales. The old wide ones are great --- more material and usually the most patterned. I stay away from knits and woolens.

3. You’ll need to take the “innards” out. This is “sitcom” work! Get something mindless on the TV, a huge wastebasket, a sharp scissors and a seam ripper. Most of them will be stitched with a “loop” stitch (like on a sugar bag) and all you have to do is find the right thread to pull.

4. I wash them in the washing machine, If you lose one (I haven’t yet!) it’s better there than in the finished quilt. I “agitate” for about a minute, then let them just soak for an hour, then another minute of agitating action, then finish with the rinsing cycles. Throw them in the dryer then press. NOTE: Do NOT put those really thin, silky ties in the wash with the rest of the ties! They will knot everything up into a tight ball that is completely unsalvageable!! Wash those separately, by hand.

5. Cut the ties on the bias (along the length of the tie). If you cut on the straight grain, they fray something awful! Using a rotary cutter, cut them to the correct width and length --- this will be important later.

6. I like to do mine by hand as I’m always looking for a traveling and/or TV project. This is a great hand project as the size and uniformity of the stitches do not matter a bit --- great for a bouncy car ride. Make “packages” by stacking the strips, in order, on a transferred muslin square. Pile these in a box or can that’s ready to “travel”.

7. To make a travel kit, keep the following in a can or box: small scissors or snips, needles, straight pins, thread, needle threader, thimble. Keep a clipboard with it for a flat place to work. Here’s the big secret --- everything in that can is dedicated to that can!! NO ONE takes anything OUT of it!! Then it’s always ready when you need to grab it & run. I even thread a needle before I put it away each time.

8. When you pick up those silky strips you’ll find they have lost their shape a bit. Pin each corner in place, then pat the strip. It will go right back into shape. Stitch them in place with a running stitch. HINT: There’s not enough light colored ties to make traditional light/dark sides. Pay no attention to the colors and your quilt will be gorgeous!

Ties are such fun! Enjoy, enjoy!