November News!!!

 I am getting close to filling the November retreat, however, I do have some additional slots available. The magic number would be around 20, but, I currently have enough registered for us to have a great group and work within Covid guidelines. 

Something has been added that is not on the registration form. It is a special offer from Gravatt and one that I just could not refuse. It goes like this:

Special Invitation from Gravatt Conference Center:

Continue the fun of your Quilt Retreat with One Loose Thread

·       Sew all day Friday

·       Dinner by Gravatt Kitchen on Friday night

·       Sleep in your same room Friday night

·       Sew all day on Saturday

·       Bruch by Gravatt Kitchen on Saturday morning

·       ENJOY THE BIG DELISH with food prepared by our favorite chef Brandon Viele from Juniper!! ( This is included in the cost)

          This event will be held on the Camp side of the Lake!!

·       Sleep in your same room Saturday Night

·       Pack and leave on Sunday morning

·       Sunday breakfast on your own

Cost will be an additional $125.00 over your retreat fee.

So, this would allow you to extend your relaxation and sewing time by 2 extra days. You won't have to change rooms or move machines.

Think about it. The registration forms are available by clicking a link at the top of this page or on the facebook page. The special Invitation has not been added to the form, but, can be noted or you can just email me. 

I'm off to work on a beautiful wool Halloween quilt for a client. Hope you have a great day!

Time To Move Some Fabric!!

 One day last week it occured to me that this studio is a DISASTER!!! And, it was contributing to my mental state, not being it's usual up beat self. Sooooooooooooo, I decided that I would sell off my stash. Well, I really don't have the time to measure, cut, package, mail, sell it myself. Wouldn't you know that an elf stepped in and said that she would do all of that!! So in comes Sharon Sisson from Treadle Pushers Quilt Shop in Sumter!!! YEA!!!!! SHARON!!!!!

These pictures show what I started with each shelf is 2 layers deep in fabric. Most of which I have not seen in at least 5 years, probably more. 

So, I have started sorting. I know I want to keep the precuts (more on that later). I really like to have a lot of neutrals. Purple, orange, hot pink, and lime green are my favorites. For some reason I have A LOT of Halloween fabric. I have a dozen or more of the big blue Ikea bags and I have borrowed more from friends and I am moving fabric. 

I have told myself that I can have one.....ONE....stack of each color family........... well maybe the whites, creams, and tans can have two..Then there is my collection of black and whites that I have worked on for over 20 years....... I think it will also have 2 stacks....but these must be side by side so that I can see everything. Halloween gets a stack. Christmas gets a stack, and POLKA DOTS!!!! they get a stack!!

The rest MUST GO!! and it will. This is all first quality, quilt shop quality fabric. There is NO JUNK... now, I'm not saying that it is all beautiful..........there are a few 'What were you thinking' pieces....for sure. 

On Sept. 20, 2020, Sharon and her husband will be here to pick it all up and take it to the shop. She will get it ready for the BIG SALE.......... so you need to watch our facebook pages to see when that will happen. I have added several bags since this picture was taken.

In the meantime, Alexis Greer spent several hours today reorganizing my fat quarter bins. They really needed it. I think that sometime after all of this I am going to cut all of that up into Bonnie Hunter's Scrap System and use those drawers for that purpose. But, that's for another intervention!!

Alexis is doing a great job. Those white drawers have been buried under at least 2 feet of fabric for at least 8 years!!! What you see on the longarm table still has to be filed once she finishes the reorganization. That should all happen tomorrow.

Once this side of the studio had been cleaned out, I have the other side to do. I will get all of the 'hidden' fabric out of there before Sharon picks up and then I'll have a lot of STUFF that will have to be disposed of. The fabric on the other side of the room has a lot of what would do very well for One Block Wonder quilts.At least I think that's what's over there. 

Then there are the project boxes........... I have a TON of them and each one has a project in it and some have 2 or 3 projects in them. I don't think I will be  sending those to Treadle Pushers for sale....I'll deal with them another way. However, as I type this, I'm thinking that maybe I 'might'...and send box and all. We'll see.

Oh yes, I said I would get back to the precuts............ I have far, far, more that I ever thought that I had. Therefore, I am going to have to rethink what I will do with those. I imagine that quite a few will go into the fabric sale, so stay tuned.

So, that's what's going on at One Loose Thread. The dust is flying!! This studio is going to look soooooo much better and it will be a much happier place.......Mr. OLT even suggested that we change out the carpet............YES!!!!!!!! It is a dirty tan piece that has been on the floor for years!!!

Olivia Statler will reappear on the 20th of this month, so I need everything ready to rock and roll. I am 3 weeks behind on my clients quilts...........to me, that is totally unacceptable and I need to get back on schedule. 

I am still registering for November Quilt Retreat!! It's a great deal, so register soon. I have a limit of 20 for this retreat!!

In the meantime!!! LET'S GO SEW!!!!

Longarm Quilting gets Better and Better !!!

 

Sally King, I have pretty much finished the backgrounds in these blocks. I have some fill work to do, but, Olivia Gammill has a trip to take. I will finish this up once she gets home.

I KNOW that my husband thinks his wife is so crazy and that she cries at the drop of a hat. Well, this girl and I have been dancing together for 10 years now. We have learned so much about each other and both of us have screamed a lot. So, as I undressed her this afternoon, the tears are flowing.......crazy.....I told you.

Tomorrow, Tracey and Jessie, from Bird House Quilts, will pick her up and take her to Georgia for major surgery. 

When she comes back she will be Olivia Statler!!! I am so excited for her and for One Loose Thread, LLC (that's me). It has become more evident to me over the last few months that my back, hips, and legs can't take too much more standing in place. So, I made the decision to retrofit Olivia to Statler. This will make things much easier for me to continue to give my clients the best possible product for a longer period of time. Of course, I can still accomplish the beautiful custom quilting that you have come to expect from One Loose Thread. That can be done with  Statler robotics or I release 2 belts and I'm dancing with Olivia again, or a combination of both.

At the same time, Bird House Quilts will be doing an annual service on Penelope Statler and giving her some updates too. Both machines will be be on the same level of computer system and I won't have to learn a whole new program. 

So, tomorrow will be a very busy day too. Right now, I need to start clearing that thread wall that you see behind Olivia, so that I have room for my computer and monitor. If I can figure it out, I might also hook it up to my smart TV.......then I can REALLY see the screen... 😃

Of course, none of this would be happening without the support of the FANTASTIC clients of One Loose Thread, LLC. Thanks to all of you for your love, faith, trust, and continuing support. Time to put in another 10 years to my second profession. That of being a longarm quilter.

Custom Quilting Costs WHAT!!??!!

THIS IS NOT A RANT    ........................ but is may sound like one. These are just some thoughts that I am having. As a professional, I really don't usually feel the need to explain my fees.

 Had a conversation today with a new client. We have never met and apparently she has never seen any of my custom work on quilts. We were discussing the cost of custom quilting on her absolutely beautiful quilt top. I explained that it would take me from 40 to as much as 80 hours of time to quilt her top and what that would cost...........I know she was somewhat shocked. You can hear that through the phone for sure. If I stuck with the lowest part of the quote I would make $7.50 per hour.............. if it were on the high side of the quote, it would be $10.00 per hour. This is far below what I would 'like' to make as an hourly rate (that quote would have been $800.-$1600).  Of course if it only took me 30 hours, the fee would be adjusted accordingly. She said that was more than she had anticipated. I told her to think about it and call me in a week or so and let me know whether or not to proceed.

I always quote my custom work somewhat high. I have to because I have no idea how long it will take or how 'custom' the quilt will insist on becoming. I don't want the client to be surprised at the fee.  For me, light custom is one design in the center of the quilt and a different design on the border. For each additional border, there is an additional fee. Once I am finished with the quilt, then the cost can be adjusted, usually downward, very rarely would it be higher without the clients knowledge. However for full custom quilting............it's all out design and stitch. 

Design........you know, that takes time too. With this particular quilt, I have already spent several/many hours just studying the quilt to see the most appealing way to quilt it. There are going to be upwards of 15 thread changes. There will be lots of 'stitch in the ditch'. These things I already know. By the time this quilt gets to the frame, I would have already put many design hours in so that I can start work. However, before I begin the actual quilting the entire quilt top will have to be basted to the backing so that I can move around the quilt with ease and roll it back and forth to try to reduce the number of times that I have to change thread.

So, now the quilt is on the frame and it needs my undivided attention. That reduces the amount of time that I can spend with edge2edge or light custom quilting. If I am not doing the edge2edge quilting, I am then not making any money, because I am only making $7.50 an hour on this custom quilt. I am in the BUSINESS of longarm quilting you know. This is my lively hood and my accountant, as well as the IRS expect me to make money with this BUSINESS. 

So, with all of this explaining/complaining, please understand that I LOVE MY JOB. And, I will happily make that $7.50 an hour and provide that client with a quilt worth thousands in the end. That is simply because it will make me happy to do so.

I just wish that we as longarmers could actually received the compensation we earn. As I type this, I am paying a painter to paint a couple of small walls in my kitchen. It will take him less than 2 hours and I am supplying the paint. His fee............................$300.00.............. go figure.

So, as you take your tops in for your favorite longarm quilter to work on, remember, she is a professional quilt artist and deserves proper compensation for her work. Most of you wouldn't work for $5.00 and hour...........why should we?

Have a great day and remember...........wash your hands and wear your mask.

To Sew or Not to Sew

Well, today is Tuesday, July 14, 2020. I am not going to post this today, but, will probably post it sometime in the future.

The last 5 months have been horrific for all of us. This Covid-19 virus has taken it's toll in lives, relationships, financially, and in ways too numerous to mention. I have lost sleep so many nights trying to work out the future in my mind. I like to be able to plan and then execute my plans and this virus is not allowing that to happen. I am sick to death of hearing 'social distancing' and 'quarantine' and 'isolation' and 'NO HUGS'!!! I want to hug my Grandchildren so bad it hurts. I know that I'm not the only one thinking that either.

We have probably taken this even farther than many in that we have severely limited our interaction with our Grandchildren. Our lockdown happened just as Austin was returning from Basic and AIT. I think we have seen him twice since the end of February. Conversations outside in South Carolina in the summer weather are anything but cool. Add to that the fact that our adult children are out and about all of the time and who knows what they have been exposed to and we can't be in the same place at the same time. What really scares me here is that we are not exposing ourselves to the everyday germs that help to ward off future illness. While I was working outside of the home...I never got sick, due to alot of natural immunity. I know that I am loosing that as I keep myself closed up in this studio without outside interaction with people. I think that makes me more afraid of what might happen when we can finally be around people again.

Mr. OLT has been home for almost a year. He is still employed (thank goodness and MBI), but he has been fighting the cancer battle on another front while here. Now, he is busy with home improvements as we look into the future with out home.He is sooooo ready to go back to real work in Virginia and that will happen before the end of the year. Exactly when, we are not sure. We have just been so blessed to have him here and somewhat healthy for this time.

I had to cancel our spring Quilt retreat due to the virus. That has hurt my business quite a bit as I depend on profits from retreats to make capital improvements for One Loose Thread Quilting. This years plan was to add Statler to Olivia Gammill. Now, Summer Quilt Retreat may have to be cancelled and that will be another big blow to OLT. So, it looks as though there will be no capital improvements here this year. I just have to try to keep my quilting business afloat so that I can stay in business. I am so very thankful to those of you that continue to bring in quilts for quilting. Please do keep that up as this really is my source of income.

Many people think that we have a really high profit margin for what we do. Let me assure you that we don't. Many of us 'try' to make maybe $20.00 an hour. ( Serious rant removed by One Loose Thread. Totally non-productive from the first word to the last.)

Gravatt Conference Center has been working closely with me over the last few months to try to get us back for retreat. We truly believe that we have planned as well as possible for this retreat. Still, nothing can be assured on Covid-19.

Well, that's enough complaining for today. I'm going to hit the save button for now. I'll come back to this draft another day and we can see how things are going then. Until that time remember--WASH YOUR HANDS--WEAR A MASK-- and  --- STAY 6 FEET AWAY FROM ANOTHER PERSON!!

Today is Tuesday August 18, 2020 and a lot has happened in the last month:

Summer Camp Quilt retreat DID HAPPEN AND IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!!! I reduced the number of attendees by half. Increased the available sewing, cutting, ironing space and everyone had a private room. Gravatt worked their magic to give us amazing food as we spread out in the dining hall for meals. Everyone was really good to 'mask up' when close to others and as we went through the line for meals. I had hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE!!! We all maintained a good distance between us and Gravatt staff, so everyone felt comfortable and we enjoyed some much needed quilting/girlfriend time. There was also no discussion of politics or Covid numbers while we were there and many of us needed that break for sure. All of us needed that change of scenery and there is no better place to do that than Gravatt.

I will release information regarding November camp and begin registration for that the first week of September. Many of the same procedures will remain in effect. I will, once again, limit the number of attendees, so it will be first registered gets first in. Once I hit the 'magic number' I will start a waiting list. We have no idea how this Covid stuff will be affecting us in November, but, we will just 'go with the flow'........as they say.

I am going to go ahead with my chosen 'capital improvement' for this year. As I had one machine down for 2 weeks over the summer, I realized how important having the use of 2 machines really is to One Loose Thread Quilting. So, to that end, I will be sending Olivia Gammill off for a retrofit to the Statler system the end of this month. I'm not sure how long that will actually take, but, when she gets home she will be ready to FLY!!! Penelope Statler will be having a spa day when they pick up Olivia. She is getting some new belts along with other new stuff and with this latest software update, will be 'rocking and rolling' to help have your quilts ready for Christmas............... which is on its way...

That's it for now. Stay tuned for further updates as we go through the next few months. I look forward to seeing everyone. Feel free to stop by the studio. Just let me know you are coming, wear a mask and stand 6 feet away............we can still talk and I'm still taking in quilts for quilting.

Thanks for all of the support you are giving me and I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

QUESTIONS--LET'S TALK

I have never been a 'housekeeper'. I never claimed to be efficient in that endeavor regardless of what my Grandmother told my husband. My Mother never actually taught me how to clean house.

That said, someone else has been cleaning my house for the last 3 years, so I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS ANYMORE. 

Do I need to say that she will no longer be doing this job? OK. So, until I can find someone else to take up this duty, I need some help.

What type of products do you use to clean ceramic tile, laminate flooring, and granite? I have NO IDEA!! Now, stop laughing, this is actually serious!!!

I'm a retired Dental Hygienist. I believe in clean. I'm a professional longarm quilter. I don't have time for this stuff. I'm a Senior Citizen!! So help me out here please.

Very carefully, give me some instructions and tell me the best products on the market to clean these surfaces. Be nice now..............I actually did do all of this while I worked full time, raised my children, and did all of that stuff...........but geewhiz, that was eons ago!!

I'm going to link this to my facebook page so that you can leave your comments there. You never know, there might be someone else out there that needs this kind of help.

Thanks................

TOUR WITH ONE LOOSE THREAD AND THE FRAYED KNOTS!!!

Come join us in June of 2021 as we embark on this fabulous journey with Country Heritage Tours.

We are going to the Vermont Quilt Festival!!! and other great places in New England!! The festival was cancelled this year due to this nasty virus. That said, can you just imagine how great it will be in 2021!! More available quilts!! I would think that there would be larger crowds too. However, our guides will make sure that we see it all and have plenty of time for shopping and site-seeing along the way.

If you decide to join in the fun this is what I would like for you to do. Call Country Heritage Tours and reserve your spot (1-800-346-9820). Tell them that you want to travel with One Loose Thread and the Frayed knots and they will take your deposit ($200.00) and hold your reservation. THEN you can make payments on your trip if you need too, or you can wait and pay the full amount just a few months before our trip.

You will be responsible for your airfare into the Boston airport and your return flight home. Once you get to the hotel for the beginning of our journey, Country Heritage will take care of all of the details after that.

Last year we traveled with them to the Sister's quilt show in Oregon. I was so pleased with our trip and the care that Country Heritage took to make sure we had a safe and exciting trip. You could tell from the way that the different venues treated the tour director and his staff that they had excellent relationships with them. You only get that type of respect by being the best in the business.

So, if you have been wishing that you could travel and feel safe and comfortable then come join in the fun. All of the 'Frayed Knots' will be kept together, but, we will also be in the position to meet other quilters from all over the world.

I am sooooooo looking forward to this trip, especially after the events of this year. Reserve your spot today. If you wait, there might not be any openings and I would really miss seeing you!

Make that call and then go sew!!!

Anniversary Quilt Camp with One Loose Thread

Cancelled due to Virus----watch for August Camp registration coming soon.

Anniversary Quilt Camp with One Loose Thread

Gravatt Conference Center, Aiken, S. C. 

Thursday May 14- Sunday, May 17, 2020

It’s my 51^st wedding anniversary! Let’s celebrate!! And SEW!!

This is a UFO event, with fun thrown in. You work on your own projects and just have a relaxing good time. Quilters of all levels from beginner to professional.
All meals are provided by the fantastic Gravatt kitchen!  No dishes to wash!!! 
Walking paths all over the camp so that you can get your daily exercise. Walk by the lake and just lose yourself in your surroundings.
Nothing is structured except meal times.
Your fee includes
Neat and clean lodging in either Cole Lodge or Our quaint cottages.
The rooms in Cole Lodge sleep 2 and have their own bathrooms.
The cottage rooms have adjoining rooms, each sleeping 2, with a shared bathroom.
All meals starting with dinner on Thursday night and ending with lunch/brunch on Sunday.

A 6 foot table all to yourself as your work area
Ironing surfaces furnished by One Loose Thread
Raised cutting surfaces
Snack Area

Massage available
Lots of Laughter
Of course, a few surprises will be thrown into the mix. 
Any Questions should be directed to:

One Loose Thread Quilting, 630 Planters Drive, Columbia, S. C. 29209

630p@bellsouth.net

Questions? Call 803-776-5801---the Studio