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Using Technology

There are many pieces of equipment that most of us use routinely that can also be of help for patchwork, appliqué and quilting, including computers, scanners, printers, photocopiers, digital cameras and mobile phones. There are also software programs that are brilliant for planning and designing quilts.

Using Computers, Scanners and Printers

If you have a computer, scanner and printer you can use them in many ways when designing and stitching a quilt or other project. Here are a few suggestions.

• Having a computer, scanner and printer takes a lot of the drudgery out of copying designs and makes enlarging and reducing them quick and easy. Designs can also be flipped or reversed (as the teddies have been here), rotated and repeated (as the flower motif) without having to be taken to a photocopy shop.

• If you can’t decide whether a selection of fabrics would work well together in a block and don’t want to waste precious fabric making a block then fake it. Scan each fabric and make a colour printout. Cut up the paper fabric and assemble the pieces into the block, sticking them on to paper.

• If you have many templates to cut from paper or freezer paper for English paper piecing, copy the template into a word processing or drawing file. Repeat the shape as many times as you can on a page and then print (see diagram above). If printing on to freezer paper, print directly on to the non-shiny side. The printer must be a desk-jet type that works without heat, not a laser.

• A word processing program can be used to print quilt labels. Type in the details you want to include (see Labelling Work) and arrange the text in a pleasing way – a ‘centred’ format looks good. Print the label on to fabric prepared to accept printer ink.

• If you have skills in using drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw you can draw quilting patterns and print them out on to fabric (see photo above). This would work for fabric pieces A4 size or smaller. Draw the pattern actual size in the drawing program using a grey line in a dashed form that mimics your desired quilting size. Press the fabric and use temporary spray glue to fix it right side up on to stiff card. Place the card in the printer and print out the pattern. Remove the fabric. Consult your printer manual to check for any problems associated with printing on materials other than paper.

• Specially prepared fabrics are available for direct printing and can be used to print messages, photographs and other images on fabric.

Using Quilt Design Software

Designing quilts and projects can be achieved with drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and Corel Draw but there are dedicated software programs, such as Electric Quilt, which are more comprehensive and adaptive to patchwork, quilting and appliqué and would be worth exploring.

Using Digital Cameras and Mobile Phones

Apart from taking pictures of gorgeous quilts at shows to inspire you later, digital cameras and mobile phones can be used at home to help in designing and sewing.

• If trying to decide on a quilt layout, arrange all the blocks on the bed or floor and take a photo. Rearrange the blocks in another layout and take another photo. Reviewing the photos together makes it easier to decide which layout works best.

• Pictures of projects taken with digital cameras can easily be shared with other quilters, either as hard copy print-outs or posting as files on the web. Digital files can also be sent to patchwork magazines, competitions and organizations. If doing this, take the photo with the camera set on the highest resolution to produce a good quality print-out. The file size will be large, probably over 1MB.

Using the Internet

Probably the most dramatic change in the way we use technology has taken place through the internet, not just increasing the information we have access to but vastly increasing the products we can review and purchase.

e-Safety

While the web is exciting and informative it also contains hazards. Computer viruses are easily transmitted and can cause much damage, so before browsing make sure your anti-virus protection is the most comprehensive you can find and always keep it up to date. Be vigilant about the amount of personal information you give and never give your financial details unless you are sure the site is secure.

Interacting via the web

Interacting with other quilters via websites and blogs can be very enjoyable and a great way to swap useful information. The web is increasingly being used for social interactions and to share ideas, inspirations and photos. Most sites will allow you access as a guest and registration is normally free. There are many well-known social networking sites and thousands can be found via sites such as International Friendship Quilters (www.friendshipquilters.com). A list of quilting forums can also be found at (www.quiltinggallery.com) In fact, there are groups for every conceivable aspect of patchwork, appliqué and quilting.

Sites are an invaluable source of advice, ideas, free patterns, videos and much more. Most quilting authors have their own websites and blogs and these are useful not just for interacting with the author but for receiving information about work in progress, upcoming events and books being published.

e-Shopping

Shopping through websites has been with us for a long time. While nothing can quite take the place of seeing and touching fabrics on the bolt, websites selling fabrics and sewing equipment are exciting to visit. The majority of sites are safe and reputable but caution is always advisable, and the following points may help.

 Always choose reputable sellers, checking they have a physical address and can be contacted by phone. Check their privacy policy and returns policy to ensure that the information you give them about yourself is respected and that faulty or unsatisfactory goods can be returned and refunded easily.

 Ensure that your payment is protected. Using debit, credit or charge cards through a secure website is normally the safest, with information verified by a third party, such as WorldPay or Verified by Visa. PayPal is another widely used service. When you come to enter card details a padlock sign in the web browser’s window frame is an indication of trustworthiness but always be vigilant. Never give your personal or financial details to unsolicited emails. This is called ‘phishing’.

 If dealing with a seller for the first time, especially an overseas one, limit your order so if anything goes wrong you don’t lose large sums. A small initial order will also allow you to assess delivery times and the quality of the goods.

 When ordering from overseas be sure to assess the postage costs before you commit to buy, as you may find that these are shockingly high. Orders from home may be free over a certain order size.

 Keep a written note of what you are ordering and the cost. Although ‘checkouts’ and ‘view basket’ facilities are common it’s always safer to do your own maths, especially if you decide not to buy an item and need to delete it from your basket. Once orders are processed the web retailer will normally send you an email confirmation of the order too, so print a copy of this.

 When the goods arrive, check them against your original order that they are all there and the correct price has been charged. If any items are delayed due to being out of stock then note whether they have already been charged for and when they are due to arrive.

 Some websites are easier to use than others, so if it’s confusing or doesn’t show clear pictures of the fabrics or items you want to buy then leave and find a better site.