I printed a pattern off the internet, cut it out, copied it to sandpaper, punched holes in it for the lines, and used a water soluble marker to mark where I wanted to sew. Then when it was all done and the binding finished, I soaked it in plain water before washing it. Since the marker is water soluble, it leaves nothing behind after the soaking.
I did all the marking before basting. The "padding" is plain polyester batting you can get at Walmart or other craft stores. I use a basting spray to "secure" the backing to the batting, then the front of the quilt to the other side of the batting. For additional security, I use safety pins every 2" to 3" apart. (That I found through trial and error - the basting spray does not keep the layers from shifting; at least not in my experience.)
I roll up one side of the quilt to fit it through the machine, and starting in the middle - quilt toward the outside. As a section is done, I take the quilt out from under the needle, roll another section, and do more quilting until it's done. Then I trim the excess batting and backing even with the top of the quilt, and bind using double fold bias tape from Walmart. (I haven't tried making my own binding yet.)
If you want to do it - find a quilt shop in your area and take classes to learn different techniques, and find a technique that works for you. Also invest in a good machine with a long "throat" or arm. The one I have is pretty small, at least for quilting - it's only about 7" deep. For a quilt the size of Abby's, it's not a big problem; but I've stuffed queen size quilts rolled up to reach the middle into that thing. It can be done - I've done it two Christmases in a row, but it's not easy.
A good quilting frame also helps. Quilting frames have ways of holding all the layers together without having to baste before hand; some also allow for the use of something called pantographs for the actual quilting design. It's hard to explain pantographs, and I've never used them - so I don't know if I can tell you much more about them than that. Even then, some quilters will still mark their designs directly on the quilt top using some method that can be easily removed. Water soluble ink or heat-disappearing ink are two options.
....when it's in your favor, that is. Nothing's better than seeing gas prices at $1.25 at the new Murphy's Express station. Then we hear that Conoco not far from it was selling their gas for $1.19. Next thing we know Murphy's Express went down to $1.17. This went on all day and by the time it was all said and done, Murphy's Express had their gas lowered to $1.09. We didn't get any of the cheap gas. We would have had to have waited in line for a while and the traffic was being directed into the gas stations. That's pretty awesome to me. We did purchase our gas for $1.27. I'm not upset. It sure beats $3.95 a month or two ago.
Some of you have asked about what to send to Jeremy and others overseas. I came across a really neat site that you can pick a solder to send care packages to. The soldier that is participating has writen a list of things that they would like to recieve in a care package.
Please do not feel obligated to send Jeremy anything personally. I'm not saying he has enough but with grandparents, brother and sister, aunts and uncles and the many church members that are helping, he is going to be overloaded with boxes....and feeling blessed! So, if anyone wants to send another soldier a care package for the holidays, please feel free and write Jeremy a note that you helped someone who is in the same circumstance as he is. He would feel just as blessed as if he had received the package as the one that acutally got it. I hope this makes sense!
Below is a list of items that I have come across in my research of this question. I'm sure there are more things that are better suited than what I have listed.
Baby wipes
Beef jerky
Candy and gum
Kool-aid mixes with sugar inlcuded
Small games
Magazines –popular mechanics, popular science, field and stream, cars, etc.
Chap stick
Blank greeting cards
Trail mix
Protein bars
Tuna pouches with crackers
Wool socks for warmth
Pictures of yourselves
Beanie Babies – to give to local kids
One word of advice, make sure the name that you pick is still on the wish list as they get moved around every so often.
If you would like to send Jeremy a card, please send me your email address as I'm not sure that I should publicly post it. :)
Take care!
Ronald and Trina Bunch in the great state of Arkansas!
p.s. Thanks, Tonya, for the advice which reminds me of something I forgot to add. You can get free boxes at the Post Office that are "flat rate" boxes. It costs about $11 for the shipping but they get it within a week or two. As Tonya noted, for the holidays, it might take a little longer than expected.
You might also note that any special packages sent for the holidays will need to be sent early as it does take awhile to get over there. Atleast this is the case with many that we know that have been over there.
I'll try to send some pictures soon. Last night was the kids first night here and they have all slept in their own rooms. Benjamin did say that he missed Jonathan, cause Jonathan played games with him at night...ahh now we know who was keeping them awake at night!!
That was Bandie's fortune in his fortune cookie tonight. How cute and appropriate is that? Needless to say he got to eat part of the fortune cookie as a treat! :)
Go wish Jeremy some birthday wishes! His birthday is tomorrow, the 11th..... A Veteran's baby at that! Maybe I should have had him on Flag Day and maybe he would have just become a Boy Scout instead of off fighting wars. :)
I heard from lots of people today to wish me happy birthday! I had a great day....got to speak to all of my children! And, yes, that includes my children-in-law! I am truly blessed!
