Should You Use a Walking Foot to Sew a Rag Quilt?

 

I often receive this question: Should I use a walking foot to sew a rag quilt? 

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Sadly, and like most things in life, its not a cut and dry answer.

There are several factors that run into my decision, and possibly yours, when choosing a walking foot over a regular sewing machine foot. 

Fabric chosen for rag quilt

If I am using cotton or flannel fabrics only, I opt to use a regular sewing machine foot. If I am using minky fabric, then I always use a walking foot. Cotton and flannel don't have a lot of natural stretch to the fabric, and minky is very stretchy and slick. The walking foot helps the fabric move through evenly

Machine used to sew rag quilt 

If I am sewing on my industrial Juki DDL 8700 I don't have a choice. No walking foot for me. If I am looking for speed and a better quality stitch then I am using the Juki. 

Seam Allowance on rag quilt


Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance is kinda annoying with a walking foot. The foot is wider and it seems to grab the fabric and fold it over as I am going. So often I get frustrated and switch back to my regular foot. Not all sewing machine feet are the exact same width. This may  not be an issue with your machine or where you're comfortable with your seam allowance on your rag quilt

In conclusion, it really is a personal preference whether a walking foot is for you or not. And just like most things in rag quilting, there really isn't a right or wrong way to do things. 

Give the walking foot a quick go, if you like it, keep it! No harm in trying

How to Make Vanilla using Vodka using Vanilla Beans (Grade A of Grade B)

Vanilla is one of the most versatile flavors and can be used in a variety of desserts and dishes. While vanilla extract is commonly used in baking, making your own vanilla extract using vodka and vanilla beans is a fun and easy DIY project that can also save you money in the long run.


 

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Here's how to make vanilla using vodka and vanilla beans:

Ingredients:

Equipment:


 

Instructions:

  1. Choose high-quality vanilla beans. Look for plump and oily beans that are flexible and have a strong, sweet aroma. You can find vanilla beans at most specialty food stores, as well as online.

  2. Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Use the tip of the knife to scrape out the tiny seeds from the inside of the bean.

  3. Place the vanilla beans and seeds into a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

  4. Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans until they are fully covered.

  5. Give the jar a good shake to mix the vodka and vanilla beans.

  6. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks, shaking it every few days. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the vanilla flavor will be.

  7. After 8 weeks, strain the vanilla extract through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any small particles or debris.

Tips:

  • You can reuse the vanilla beans to make a second batch of vanilla extract by simply adding more vodka to the jar and letting it sit for another 8 weeks. I have done this several times and just keep adding more vodka and letting it sit until it is a dark rich brown. 


 

  • You can also experiment with different types of alcohol, such as bourbon or rum, to create different flavors of vanilla extract.
  • Make sure to label your vanilla extract bottle with the date it was made, so you know when it's time to make a new batch.
  • In the jar above: the large uncut vanilla bean is a grade A. Just split it down the center and add to jar. The diced up ones at the bottom are grade B. Not sure why, but the oh so powerful internet told me to do them that way. So that is what I did. Right, Wrong, or Indifferent. But the Vanilla is full of taste so it worked regardless. 

Making your own vanilla extract is a simple and rewarding process that can add a delicious and authentic flavor to your baked goods and desserts. By following these easy steps, you'll have a homemade vanilla extract that's ready to use in just a few weeks!

 

Make sure to checkout all of the recipes on our blog.

These recipes include the delicious vanilla we made in this recipe. Try them out including yummy 4th of July bars

How to Memorize The Proclamation to the Family

Another memorizing sing for you to do. Memorizing the family proclamation has been a goal of mine for many years. If it’s yours too sure you go we’ve made it easy for you.


 

For me, I have found that memorizing with the first letters left in the sentences helps me to learn it.

Then once I get it down with about half of the words removed and first letters remaining, I go to only the first letter of each word

I haven't gotten good enough to be able to move to first letter of each sentence and after each punctuation yet. But eventually I will get there. 

Make sure to check out all of the inspirational quotes and documents that I am working on memorizing. Most are religious and from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

 



Enjoy! Let me know if this helps you too

How to Memorize the Family Proclamation

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

W, the F P and the C of the T A of The C of J C of L-d S, s p that m b a m and a w is o of G and t the f is c to the C’s p for the e d of H c.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

A h b—m and f—are c in the i of G. E is a b s s or d of h p, and, as s, e has a d n and d. G is an e c of i p, m, and e i and p.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

In the p r, s s and d knew and w G as their E F and a H p by w His c could o a p b and g e e to p t p and u r their d d as h of e l. The d p of h e f r to be p b the g. S o and c a in h t m it p for i to r to the p of G and for f to be u e.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

The f c that G gave to A and E p to their p for p as h and w. We d that g’s c for H ch to m and r the e r in f. We f d that G has c that the s p of p are to be e only b m and w, l w as h and w.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

We d the m by which m l is c to be d a. We a the s of l and of its i in G’s e p.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. 

Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

H and w have a s r to l and c for each o and for their c. “C are an h of the L” (Psalm 127:3). P have a s d to r their c in l and r, to p for their p and s n, and to t them to l and s o a, o the c of G, and be l-a c w they l. 

H and w—m and f—will be held a before G for the d of these o.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. 

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

The f is o of G. M b m and w is e to H e p. C are e to b within the b of m, and to be r by a f and a m who h m v with c f. 

H in f l is most l to be a when f upon the t of the L J C. S m and f are e and m on p of f, p, r, f, r, l, c, w, and w r a. By d d, f are to p over their f in l and r and are r to p the n of l and p for their f. M are p r for the n of their c. In these s r, f and m are o to h one  as e p. D, d, or other c m n i a. E f should l s when n.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We warn that i who v c of c, who a s or o, or who f to f f r will o d s a before G. F, we w that the d of the f will b upon i, c, and n the c f by a and m p.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. 

We c upon r c and o of g e to p those m d to m and s the f as the f u of s. 

First Letters Only:

W, t F P a t C o t T A o T C o J C o L-d S, s p t m b a m a a w i o o G a t t f i c t t C’s p f t e d o H c. 

A h b—m a f—a c i t i o G. E i a b s s o d o h p, a, a s, e h a d n a d. G i a e c o i p, m, a e i a p.

I t p r, s s a d k a w G a t E F a a H p b w H c c o a p b a g e e to p t p a u r t d d a h o e l. T d p o h e f r t b p b t g. S o a c a i h t m i p f i t r t t p o G a f f t b u e.

T f c t G g t A a E p t t p f p a h a  w. W d t g’s c f H ch t m a r t e r i f. W f d t G h c t t s p o p a to b e o b m a w, l w a h a w.

W d t m b w m l i c t b d a. We a t s o l a o i i i G’s e p.

H a w h a s r t l a c f e o a f t c. “C a a h o t L” (P 127:3). P h a s d t r t c i l a r, t p f t p a s n, a t t t t l a s o a, o t c o G, a b l-a c w t l. 

H a w—m a f—w b h a b G f t d o t o.

T f i o o G. M b m a w i e to H e p. C a e to b w t b o m, a t b r b a f a a m w h m v w c f. 

H i f l i m l t b a w f u t t o t L J C. S m a f a e a m o p o f, p, r, f, r, l, c, w, a w r a. B d d, f a t p o t f i l a r a a r t p t n o l a p f t f. M a p r f t n o t c. I t s r, f a m a o t h o a e p. D, d, o o c m n i a. E f s l s w n.

W w t i w v c o c, w a s o o, or w f t f f r w o d s a b G. F, w w t t d o t f w b u i, c, a n t c f b a a m p.

W c u r c a o o g e t p t m d to m a s t f a t f u o s.

 

Screenshot Pictures of Memorizing the Proclamation to the Family