I did a demo at the guild meeting with sewing machine and everything. I created a handout, which might be useful to some of you. I didn’t do a video, but there are some on the web already.
Bonnie Hunter is the leaders and enders queen. She has a number of books on the subject and also writes about the subject frequently on her blog. She also writes a column for Quiltmaker magazine on scraps. Her blog and shop can be found at http://www.quiltville.com
The basic concept is: instead of just stitching over a scrap at the end of a seam, you insert piecing from another project. So each time you start or end a seam and you are ready to snip the thread and press, you sew some component of another project. (Color Girl Quilts blog)
Keys for me:
- Designate, at least in your mind, a primary and secondary project. I like to have them completely different. Different shapes or different colors or something so I don’t get confused.
- Work small. Once the project gets too large, it is difficult to keep it in the subordinate position.
- Keep patches/units ready to go near your sewing machine.
- I find it easier to work on two completely different projects. Anything with a ¼” seam allowance will work.
- Having shorter bits of thread between pieces keeps the thread trash to a minimum on the finished quilt. While this might be picky and odd, I sincerely dislike a lot of thread ends handing around a finished quilt.
The point of leaders and enders has little to do with using thread bunnies regularly, but to get more done. Using the leaders and enders method, I get a lot more community quilts finished.
Resources:
- Leaders and Enders by Bonnie Hunter – full explanation with photos
- Leaders and Enders: the Whys and Hows by Bonnie Hunter: – more updated info with images
- Gift Bags as Leaders and Enders
- Leaders and Enders by Melissa Cory – good images to help you understand the process
- Leaders and Enders, Color Girl Quilts blog:
- What are Leaders and Enders?, Quilts by Jen – – excellent images to help you visualize the process
Books:
- Adventures with Leaders and Enders by Bonnie Hunter – also available from her shop
- More Adventures with Leaders and Enders by Bonnie Hunter – also available from her shop