About Carla Barrett

carlaaquiltwrapThanks for stopping by!  This website and blog features my creative life, including machine quilting, design work, illustrations, mixed media art, writings, and information about my classes- both online and in person.

I love to create using a wide variety of mixed media, including fabric, fibers, beads, metal, found art, and digital art.

My background is as a self taught artist and designer.  You can buy my digital quilting designs carried exclusively at Digitech Designs.

 

cartoon by Carla Barrett

cartoon by Carla Barrett

The blog address is named after my cartoon,  Feathered Fibers, which often features a chicken who has a rather sarcastic and humorous view on life and quilting.

The cartoon illustration on the right is not autobiographical, but was inspired by a young friend who got a tattoo. Fast forward 40 years, throw in a dose of reality, and there is where my mind went.  Ok, I freely admit to having a weird sense of humor!

studiolongarmBelow is a view of my studio which reveals just how large my longarm quilting machine and table are, and how rollers are used to control the quilt layers as you quilt.

IMG_5016Living in Northern California, I am happily married to Joe Barrett for over 30 years now.  We recently adopted our grandson, Ethan, who we have cared for since his birth in 2011, so are having lots of fun raising him.  He keeps us young.

Together, Joe, Ethan and I love to sail on our sailboat, bareboat charter, travel and plan to one day sail to tropical locations in a bluewater cruising sailboat. In the photo on the right, I am taking a noon sight while learning celestial navigation on a recent sail expedition in French Polynesia and The Cook Islands.

greenquilt3

Thanks for visiting!

I would love to hear from you, so feel free to leave a comment,  subscribe to my blog, and “Like” me on Facebook if you enjoy what I do.  I also have a contact page if you need to get in touch with me.  Oh yes, I am also on Instagram, too.

Warm Regards from Carla

108 thoughts on “About Carla Barrett”

  1. Carla,
    I am a member of the Freeform group and love crochetting– yu could say that i am somewhat of a beginner. Have been doing it for about 3+ years. Have a wonderful teacher too.
    I was very interested in you crochetted fabric purses — what is you technique? How do you create the strips of fiber to crochet?
    I would appreciate any input that you could offer?
    Thank you !!!

    Shelley ShelleyS38@aol.com
    Stamford, CT

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  2. Shelley, ask and you shall receive! I just posted a visual guide on how I prepare my fabric strips for crocheting. Also consider mixing and matching yarns and other fibers to it as well. Thanks for visiting my blog! Regards, Carla

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  3. I’m a Fibre Artist myself. It sounds like you are both talented and busy…..I would LOVE to see some of your catoons on your blog…..i’ll keep checking in to see if you decide to do them. t

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  4. Thank you so much for the comment on my blog. It is not just about quilting so I feel ok using advertising on it. I have been getting tons of hits from it. :}

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  7. Carla,

    I jut spoke with Linda and she said you knew of the bead shop on Auburn Blvd in Sacto. Can you e-mail me and send the name and address. Heard you two had fun today.

    Debbie J.

    P. S. I know what you mean now about “The Sabbatical is over! Yuk Yuk!

    Deb

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  9. Hi,
    Your quilting is amazing! I love the heart quilt you are working on – is it a published pattern? I enjoying reading about my home state and all the places you go visit. Thanks for lovely blog!
    Always,
    Liz

    Hi Liz, thanks for stopping by. The quilt I am working on today (and trying to finish- LOL) is a pattern by Verna Mosquera called “Vintage Valentine.” I’m sure if you google it, you can easily locate it.
    Happy Quilting! Carla

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  14. Your blog has been awarded The Premio Dardos Award. It recognizes blogs that are deemed worthy of acknowledgment.
    With it comes a bit of responsibility to pass the award along.

    In keeping with the rules of the award:

    The rules are:
    1) To accept and show the distinct image of the Premio Dardos Award.
    2) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.
    3) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.

    Congratulations! The complete list of award winners are listed on my Michigan Quilts! blog.

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  16. Carla – there are several of us in the Sac area who would like information on the design class you teach – where, when, etc.

    We heard about it on the APQS forum………

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  18. I love the oak leaf quilt you did. You mention in the tutorial it is from Quiltmakers magazine. What issue. Or do you have a pattern for the quilt. I would like to make it for a wedding gift. Thank you

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  19. Hi Carla,

    I couldn’t find your email address, but I wanted to let you know that your blog was featured on the “Selvage Blog” yesterday, among the winners of the “Kreativ Blogger” award. If you like, you may copy the logo and paste it onto your blog. Then you can list 10 of your favorite blogs. It seems my readers enjoyed this post and told their friends, because I had over 600 visitors to my blog yesterday, more than usual. I realize this is more like a chain letter than a Nobel Prize, but it is fun. Best wishes to you.

    Karen

    Karen Griska
    http://www.selvageblog.blogspot.com

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  21. Marilyn, I currently teach at High Sierra Quilters, a quilt store in Cameron Park, CA. It is about a half hour drive east from Sacramento. Would love to have you in class! Regards, Carla

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  23. Hey Carla…I haven’t been on my flickr in awhile. Thanks for the comments! I’m glad you like my kitty. I am working on the whole prints/store/ maybe etsy thingy. Maybe someday soon. And of course you may feature my work on your blog. Are you going to AFF? Hope your well.

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  24. Hello Featheres Fibers,

    I came across your Favorite Links and would like to know if we can be added to your links page. We would also do a link back to you. I have included the link for our page. You could send me your link or I can just add your name and link to our page.

    Thanks so much,

    “Quilting Fabric at Fat Quarter World” Premium quilting fabric from Fat Quarter World. Fat quarter bundles and quilt fabrics from Moda and other top manufacturers. Shop by color, collection, theme, or brand.

    Ernie Contreras
    CEO – FQ World LLC.
    Fat Quarter World
    http://www.fatquarterworld.com
    281-727-0203 Office
    800-70-Quilt (7-8458) Toll Free/Fax

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  25. Carla,
    I am Lori from Merced. I was visiting a friend in your area who showed me about 1/2 dozen quilt tops that her grandmother had hand pieced. They were no great pieces but she would like them quilted. Would you please give me the name of someone in your area who could quilt these up for a reasonable rate. I am afraid they may not be entirely flat but it would be better than rotting away in the cedar chest.

    thank you for your email response. I will forward it to her
    Happy 4th. I moved my longarm into my living room in my home and it and I are much happier. I have a very large house and it fits right in. No room for the grand piano or my ex husband tho.
    Lori

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  26. Hi, Carla… I have a quilt top I’d love to have you quilt for me… I live locally and have admired your work at both the Gold Bug quilt show and the Folsom show… How do I contact you to see if I can fit it into your schedule???

    Hi Jeanette, thank you for your kind inquiry, however, I no longer quilt as a business. These days, I am focused on specialty and collaborative work, teaching, and writing. I am honored, though, that you would leave me such a kind complement. I would be happy to refer you to some other talented friends that I know. Regards, Carla

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  27. Are you teaching any upcoming classes at High Sierra? I’ve checked Linda and Doug’s website and they only have classes through June… would love to take a class from you…

    And suggestions for quilters, especially if they are in your league, would be most welcome… jeanette

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  28. Ditto what Jeanette asked; I’m particularly interested in the Quilt Whisperer class. I just finished a hand-pieced and hand-appliqued top of columns of alternating 4-patches on point and Celtic knotwork. I haven’t a *clue* on what to do with the Celtic knotwork area. I suspect without some help, it’s going to be in the UFO pile for a long, long time.

    Shelley, I will be sure to post when Doug and Linda are finished putting together the next schedule. Thanks for asking!

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  30. Carla, I love your fabric inchies. I am a swap coordinator for an inchies group. I would like to do a swap with them but needed instructions as to how to make fabric inchies. Could I kindly use your link to demonstate how to make them. Thank You. These will also be my first attemp at making them too. Debbie

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  31. I’m planning my first freeform project(not for resale) . I love your design. Would it be okay to save your tutorial on my computer. I will not transfer it to another person or computer. If not, I certainly will understand. Please email if I have your permission, if I don’t get an email I’ll take that as a No. Thank you and have a great weekend. Sherry

    Sherry, I sent you an email response. Thanks for stopping by!

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  32. Carla………………………..

    Sent you an eMail which was booted back…. ah, well…..

    Went to King City yesterday and mailed a priority package. Hope you enjoy the additions to your library.

    King City is a part of Tigard .. suburb of Portland. Started out as a retirement community…has a great mall with a ‘drug store’ where I get my prescriptions….and have my hearing aids checked.

    Getting old is not for sissies.

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    • Hi Marcy, thanks for your inquiry! The answer to your question is rather lengthy. I am currently writing some new classes and videos for some teaching opportunities next year at some shows.

      On my “to-do” list after that is to just create (purses, jewelry, small art quilts, scarves, whatever) to offer for sell. Thus said, if there is something you have seen that you are dying to have, email me and we can talk further.

      Thank you for your comment! Regards, Carla

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  34. Hi Carla,
    I have been away from quilting for a while (studying anatomy & physiology on the way to becoming a physical therapist assistant). I love your website! Thanks for my quilting/art/creativity fix!
    Teresa

    Is this Teresa, who lives locally to me?? If so, what a treat to hear from you! I am happy to hear about your PT goals, I would love to know more about when you will graduate, what PT specialty you are most interested in, etc.

    I still want a binding lesson, when time allows since you are a binding master! LOL Hugs, Carla

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    • Hi Teresa, I thought I would also comment below you to alert of by email notification of my response above.

      For all my readers, Teresa is a wonderful and talented quilter who lives near me. I really enjoy her domestic machine quilting skills and eye for quilting in general.

      Hugs, Carla

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  35. Hi Carla,

    I am about to make the potato bags but had a question, can I use 87.5 % cotton and polypropylene 12.5% by Warm and White or another name listed on it is Warm and Natural? If you could let me know or if someone else reading this post has made these bags please let me know. My email address is xxx@xxxx.com
    Thank you,
    Lynn

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    • Lynn, my advice is go get 100% cotton batting. It is not worth the chance of fire and 100% cotton batting is inexpensive.

      Your local quilt store will have some. Many brands will work just fine.

      Have fun, Carla Barrett

      PS: I also deleted your email for privacy reasons.

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  36. Carla, one of your blog entries is/was https://featheredfibers.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/sashing-ideas-for-quilting/ and it gave samples of your “Swirly designs for borders and sashings” and 4 photos of quilts using the swirly designs.

    I was notified of it via my RSS feed and I marked it as a permanent keeper … it’s just that good! 🙂 I love that swirly design and it’s now one of my all-time favorite designs.

    I was going to refer one of my quilting buddies to that URL, when I discovered, much to my dismay, that it has gone missing. 😦 I can still see it on my RSS feed but the direct URL is no longer there. Furthermore, it’s not in your Archives. 😦

    Is this an oversight or had you removed it for some other reason? I do hope that it can be restored … it such an awesome entry.

    Well, heck. *ALL* of your blog entries are awesome. 🙂

    Shelley in Walnut Creek

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  38. Hello Carla,

    I’m an extremely mature student doing an art and design course at an Art Academy in Cambridge (UK) I found your website when looking for artists who ‘upcycle’ – Ilove your bags and necklaces. May I download and use some of the images in my sketchbook for my artist’s research? (crediting you of course) I have an amount of fabric, beads and various textile bits and pieces all collected from thrift shops and am about to create something – your work has inspired me and I will probably try my hand at a bag.

    Delighted to find your inspirational work.

    Regards
    Gaynor

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  39. Carla,

    I’m in love with your chicken dreaming of quilting patterns. May I have your permission to make a small wallhanging using your artwork to hang in my kitchen? We now are owners of four girls (chicks) one week old today, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate my love of them with my love of quilting. Your chicken is so perfect.

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  40. Hi Carla,

    I am the Program Chair for the Pioneer Quilters Guild in Rocklin, CA and would love to have more information about the classes you offer and associated fees.

    You can reach me via my email address.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

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  41. I have been trying for the last hour to sign up to the blog at Feather Fibers and keep being sent to a page with
    a lot of gibberish….rss version and etc.

    I need your help….Please!

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  42. Hi Carla,

    I have been searching all over for the perfect Carolina Lily pattern and I finally spotted it on your weblog! Post of September 29, 2007.

    Is there any way I can find out the source of that pattern?

    Thanks,
    Katie

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  44. Carla! How are you? I habe been tthinking about are lunch at Mqs and have been thinking how you are. please email me so that we can catch up. i am leaving for Ireland in June and then I plan on doing some work with silk screening.
    Hugs, cathy

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  45. Hey Carla, I’d love to get info about your workshops. Drop me an email when you get a moment if you would? Thanks.

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  46. Carla, I have been anxiously awaiting a notice that you will be doing a Quilt Whisperer Class. Do you have plans for one anytime soon. . . anywhere? I so very much would like to learn from you. Thank you . Brenda Carter

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    • Hi Brenda, I am working on it now for a fall class! Keep watching this blog and you will not miss it. My goal is to first run a QW class, then a new class on High Tech Designing using a tablet and software.

      I will also be advertising it on my Quilt Whisperer Yahoo Group, on Facebook, Twitter, and other places, too.

      Thank you for asking! I love to teach this class online.

      Regards, Carla

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  47. Hi Carla, I met you probably 6 or more years ago when you taught a class for Singing Dog Quilts in Placerville. It was an Oak Leaf quilt. Loved the class, and everyone still comments on the quilt. My friend Traci and I have opened a store in Folsom and wanted to talk to you about teaching classes. Please call us or come by the shop to talk. We are both here Thurs. – Sun and you can find one or the other of us on the other days. We are located at 150 Natoma Station Dr. #200 Folsom. on the corner of Folsom Blvd and Natoma Station Dr. just 1 block north of the outlets in the Lyon Realty Center. phone is 916-353-2700

    thanks and can’t wait to hear from you

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  48. Hello- just wondering which version of the comic book archival acid-free boards you used in your makeover?? They have several kinds listed. Are you still happy with this method?? I like the fact that you can use a bookcase without a deep shelf which are usually cheaper than ones that are deeper than 12″! Do you still wrap your lengthy yardages on this too say 3, 4 5 6 yards. Thanks for the help!!

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  49. I’d like to take your Quilt Whisper class but unfortunately missed this Oct 2010 session. When will your next class begin? Very anxiously awaiting.

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  50. Carla,
    I know this will seem like a strange comment, but it’s a long-shot that you may be able to help or point me in the right direction.

    I volunteer at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. One of the things I do is socialize the cats so they have an opportunity for petting, play, and a little time out of their cage.

    There are usually over 200 cats at the shelter. As you can guess, we use A LOT of cat toys, so we try to be creative and find free every-day items like empty thread spools that make safe cat toys.

    Do you have any contacts at ARC or local sewing clubs to help me get the word out that I would appreciate people saving their empty thread spools. I’m sure I could arrange some way to pick them up from ARC or local sewing club meetings.

    Thanks so much for any help you can provide.

    Donna
    (Feel free to delete this post if you don’t want it in your blog. It was the only way I found to contact you).

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    • Donna, I will be writing a post and asking for spool donations, however, I would need your permission to post the address.

      I am recovering from surgery now, so this will occur asap. Regards, Carla

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  51. Hi, Carla,

    I took your Quilt Whisperer class last Feb/March, and in fact, I think you might be using my pink/brown raggedy heart quilt for a motif quilting example. So, my question is– do you know of any resources I can use to help me figure out what to quilt (longarm) in big quarter square triangles. They are about 8 inch squares, and it’s on a man quilt. The blocks alternate with solids. I just can’t find what would work for a man. Woman… easy. Man, not so much.

    Thanks,
    Danielle Wilkes

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    • Hi Danielle, of course I remember you and that lovely quilt.

      Do you need help with a masculine quilting design version, I take it? Or, a new quilt?

      Go to http://www.quiltwhisper.com/forum and I have a place you can leave a picture of the quilt, and you can get feedback from me and others. Still recovering from surgery, so I will help you out just as soon as possible.

      Good to hear from you, hope all is well. Take care, Carla

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  52. I think your website is wonderful. Your tutorials are fantastic – thank you so much for sharing them!

    I wanted to check with you because I made your site the “Featured Blog” on my Sew and Craft MyMontage at mymontage.com (http://bit.ly/gi0WZU). MyMontage streams live content from the web through Montage pages; however, I wanted to check with you to make sure this is okay with you – on MyMontage Sew and Craft, it is feeding three pictures of crafts from your tutorials through as the illustration where I write about your website. Please let me know if I should remove these. The “Featured Blog” is at the bottom of the montage page. This Valentine edition will be replaced next week with a new edition, although I’ll be adding new news stories to the news feed daily.

    Best regards,
    Christy
    SewAndCraft@yahoo.com

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  53. Hi Carla,

    I’m with Arizona Longarm Quilters and we had talked about you coming to AZ in September. I just want to make sure we are on your calendar for September 17.

    Please let me know. We are really looking forward to meeting you.

    Linda

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  54. Hi Carla, send me your email address and I will loan you a kindle book that I just finished. The name of it is A time to Love by Barbara Cameron. I enjoyed it very much. just a TY for having a special forum and classes.
    Cheryl M.

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  55. Carla,your quilting is amazing! Do you know how I can contact Jayne Moore for additional pictures of the Vintage Valentine quilt? I would like to see pictures of the entire quilt.

    Thanks – Ella

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  56. Hi Carla:

    First, thank you for all the wonderful information.

    I did speak with the High Sierra Quilt Shop and he suggested I contact you about getting more of the Mokuba Sheets.

    He was out of them and was having some difficulty in getting more.

    He said perhaps you would be able to get the product easier then he, and that he was completely out.

    Hope to hear from you, I’m really anxious to try working with product.

    Thanks,

    Bobbi

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  57. Carla,

    Please contact me. Nancy G, my mother-in-law has moved back here with us from NC and she is trying to get a hold of you. Thanks much. Your quilting is beautiful!

    Angelica

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  58. Hi Carla,
    I am registered to take your class #405 High Tech Designing for Quilters at MQS. I was sooo excited when I saw the class. I took a class from you last year and loved it and you. So anyhow I quickly ordered a wacom tablet and didn’t realize it came with the Ph. Elem. 8. (Remember I said quickly) so I ordered a photoshop elements 9 separately. To make matters worse when it all came in, I loaded the elements 9 before opening the wacom to realize my mistake. I ordered the 9 cuz the 8 wasn’t available. So my question to you is will I be able to use the 9 in your class with my wacom? Can’t wait til May,
    Judy Johnson

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    • Hi Judy, I will answer you here and also email you directly. The answer is yes, you can certainly use the latest version of PSE in the class with your wacom. Any version of PSE will do for the class purposes.

      When I submitted my class proposal last year, the latest version was PSE 8, so that is why PSE 8 is specifically listed. Adobe then came out with PSE 9, which works fine, but does have some bugs in it not found in earlier versions. You may not even run into the bugs, but if you do, I can also show you in class how to resolve them.

      I look forward to the class and meeting you! You will learn how to draw on quilts like I do, plus I will show you all in class how to design a wholecloth like the one shown in the my latest blog post.

      See you next month! Carla

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  59. Hi Carla – I just discovered you and might be interested in the elements class which seems to start today – not sure about the organization of the class, however. I went through the pre-reg. process, but never received anything in my gmail box. Thanks – Jil Deheeger

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    • Hi Jil, The class recently ended, but the good news is that I will be offering it once again in June. I sent you an email with more info, but I wanted to thank you for your interest!
      Take care, Carla

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  60. Carla ! What can I say other than WOW!!!!!!! I am blown away ——- your work is just BEAUTIFUL ! I am a divorced mother of 6 & the yougest being a Downs boy (40) ,the others are ALL girls——– 13 Grandchildren & elderly parents who need assistance ——-so I finally bought a Gammil so that I could work from home & I think I am afraid of it ! I can do all sorts of feathers etc on my little old 1130 Bernina , but I can’t seem to master my used Gammil ——–DO I need to change the wheels? use silk thread? Wool batting? I need HELP ! Do you quilt on a Longarm ? I saw that you sometimes double the batting – what kind? Do you own a Staler or an Intel ? And do you have a book out or a video ? Do you publish your patterns or market them anywhere? Any help would be so greatful ! And thank you ahead of time ———- are you doing any new classes or teaching out this way ? Blessings, Jeanne

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    • Hi Jeanne, thank you for your kind comments. I will email you the answers to your questions. Here are some answers though:

      My next teaching gig is at International Machine Quilting Showcase (MQS) in Overland Park, KS. Later in the year I will be teaching and speaking in Arizona and Northern CA. I freehand quilt using my A1 longarm, meaning it is guided by my hand. I do not own an on-board computer.

      Appreciate your comment, Jeanne! Carla

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  61. Hi Carla,

    I’ve been moving my Mom and have been crazed and out of touch. When will you be starting your class using the tablet? Please keep me posted. Thanks, Lois Podolny

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  63. You have made my day, Lynn, and I thank you for sharing Tom Russell’s blog
    with all your fans.
    Thanks so much.
    Vivian

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  64. Dear Carla, I have been trying to find you. I bought some of your bags at a market in Healdsburg and gave them as gifts. NOW mine is wearing out and I need a new one (maybe 2) how can I get in touch with you ? Looking forward to your reply.
    Alice Reinero

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  66. Hi Carla, love the new look of your blog. Congratulations on getting your domain name. I don’t know where you get your engergy and enthusiasm from but if you could bottle and sell it you’d be a millionaire.

    I know you share you home with animal friends and thought you might like this doggie screen test for Koko the star of a new Aussie movie called Red Dog.
    Catsby the cat by the same uploader is cute too.

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  67. Hi Carla, I am very sorry to have just missed your class “Quilt Whisperer 101”. Are you planning to run it very soon again? If not, I am wondering if it is possible to register for the class now and take it as a self study? I have read that the material is available until march, which I still think leaves me plenty of time to do the course.
    Best regards Pernilla

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  68. Hi Carla,
    I am staying with Barbara Chainey in England and she said I needed to see your blog. I am very impressed with the abilities of the tablet and what you do on it. I would love to know the app you use and what pen/stylus as I now have to have one. I have avoided a lot of technology up till now but the tablet looks like it could give me the drawing ability I can use,
    regards,
    LeeCleland – Australia

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  69. I am looking for directions to make a table runner with the lining sewn to make a border when turned right-side out. I can figure out how to do this on the 2 long sides by making the lining larger but I can figure out how to do the ends easily. I believe I saw this on TV several years ago.
    Ginny in Ft. Myers
    GUnger1[at]aol.com

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Ginny, wish I could help, but I haven’t heard of what you are describing. Perhaps another reader will help out and contact you. I did alter your email just a bit to avoid bots from having your email and sending you lots of spam.
      Good luck!

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  70. Hi Carla:
    Your cartoons are a hoot! I would like to print “Slimy Machine Quilting Pickup Lines” in an upcoming newsletter for my quilt guild. Please let me what the procedure is for doing that (if allowed). Thank you very much and keep drawing!
    Cj

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  71. Carla I am new to your blog and I already love it. I have been piecing quilts for years but have just recently gotten brave enough to start quilting. I’m very inspired by your blog and can’t wait to see more. I hope that I can use my talents in sewing to inspire others like that.

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    • Thank you for your nice comments! I hope you have fun with your quilting, too. Remember, you can mark (I love Marvy’s erasable purple pen) your quilting lines if that will help you as you gain confidence. Have fun blogging, too!

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  72. I’m new to quilting too. I.have a Bernina 820 and afraid to do anything but stitch in a ditch. I will follow you and maybe I could learn something else. Thank you.

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  73. Hi Carla! I’ve followed your blog for a short time. As a longarm instructor I have to say it is fabulous! You have a lot to say, and are very generous to share. I have some classes coming up at the Northwest Quilting Expo in Portland, OR. I’d like to direct my students to your site. Could I use the Dahlia fill design and the wonky quilt cartoon to show what they will find on your site? I would obviously give you credit for the artwork. Sheila

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  76. Hi Carla,
    I’m putting the finishing touches on a quilt pattern book (pdf) tonight and I would like to use one of your cartoons. I’ll be selling the pdf on my Etsy store. As I recall, I bought the cartoon from you years ago to feature on my Selvage Blog. The cartoon is still in my files. (It’s the one where a chicken with a wonky quilt says, “You can quilt it out, right?” and the long-arm chicken says, “Just shoot me.”) I just want to make sure it’s okay to use this on the last page of my pdf “book.” Your name is printed on it in small letters, but I will also add: “Used with permission of Carla Barrett.”

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  77. Part 2 of my message:
    Is this okay, Carla? Let me know. Thanks.
    BTW, your blog is looking awesome! I love your quilting, cartoons and the gree form crochet. That looks like a blast.
    Best wishes to you!!
    Karen

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  78. Hi Karen, I just saw your messages. Yes you have my permission to use that cartoon. How have you been? You know, I bet there is a great way to combine Freeform crochet with selvages? LOL

    I will email you ….. Carla

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  79. Hello Carla , I have just found your blog and website through one of your cartoons.

    I am just about to do a talk on quilt judging and wondered if I might have your permission to use your cartoon for Stitch in the Ditch in my keynote presentation? I will of course credit you.

    Also I have just had a quick peak at your classes. I don’t have ps but do use illustrator and wondered if I would be able to sign up for your tablet course ? Did I read correctly that you need the ps course as a prerequisite?

    Many Thanks,
    Tracey

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  81. Carla, I would LOVE to take your Tablet class, but we live in the country and do not have access to high-speed internet here. I must resort to Verizon MiFi, which limits the amount of data I get per month. Watching videos really eats up my data time. I would basically be able to take your class, but not do much else for the month on the internet! Maybe you could please consider offering DVD or PDF alternatives for these classes? I’m sure I’m not the only person with this problem, and, unfortunately, we are forced to miss out on great classes such as this due to our internet limitations 😦

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    • Hi Cindirae, Actually, I have been thinking about ways to bring my classes to quilters who have limited internet. Perhaps that should be my goal for the later part of 2012! Hmmmm….. I would want to find a fun way to package the Home Study classroom kits, though… Happy Quilting! Carla

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      • That would be wonderful! People seem to forget that not everyone has high speed. It’s SO frustrating 😦 Trust me, we’ve done all we can to get it out our way – they say it may be 3-5 more years!

  82. Hi Carla! I started quilting about 25 years ago, and after a long hiatus, I dusted off my stash, added more to it, and I’m back in it full swing! My 25 year old son just came back home and I’m teaching him to quilt. I just stumbled upon your website while researching quilting designs for him to use in his first quilt which features an array of fabrics that recall ancient Egypt, so we were looking for some Egyptian-looking designs to quilt in the blocks. Your work is nothing short of amazing! I’ll definitely have to check back to see what beautiful creations you come up with!

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    • Hi Cathy, Good for you for teaching your son to quilt. There are lots of terrific male quilters I know, so he is not alone. The Egyptian quilt I quilted for my friend, Barbara Kiehn, was a gift to her husband- and her original pieced design. It is more stunning in person. For the quilting motifs, I went to my library and researched Egyptian art and lettering. I took some designs and modified them to have a more Egyptian flavor. I drew them out on the fabric using kiddie chalk, then stitched them out freehand.

      Nowaday, my working process has evolved. I would draw the design out, then digitize it using a program called Art & Stitch, then add it to the quilt. I like to combine freehand and digital quilting, mainly because too perfect quilting is perfectly boring, if you know what I mean. 🙂 Anyway, good luck and if you have any questions, just contact me on the contact page, and I will get back to you. Regards, Carla

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