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Betty Cotton Superchat

June 23, 2006

Joins: BettyCotton (JavaUser@DFA34633.407F0F34.14D8CD32.IP)
<Dee> evening  Miss Betty
<shaffida> come on in and get comfortable please
<iowegian> poor BettyCotton is gonna be dizzy trying to keep up
<merrybee> ladies
<merrybee> settle downt
<linda53> guess we have to be good
<BettyCotton> Hello from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.A. I'm dizzy already.* merrybee says We are using protocol for this chat so if you have a question,
please just type a "?" If you have a comment just type "!" Please wait your
turn and when you are recognized, state your question or comment then.
<kathee> I am going to be good, I promise, um, how long do I have to be good
for?
<Dee> betty  I am from Wisconsin too and my grand daughter lives in EauClaire
<Waddley`> have a storm brewing here so I may poof fast
<shaffida> well sit down and enjoy our super chat with Betty Cotton Reqie
<Reqie> Wisconsin
<merrybee> please settle down  type a ? for questions and a ! for comments we
will call on you in order
<merrybee> /me Says please welcome Betty Cotton!  Betty Cotton is a quilting
entrepreneur and inventor who is living her dream. She owns a quilt shop called
the Quilt Yard®, holds a patent on a unique method of quilting called the
Cotton Theory and spends her days doing what she loves.
<merrybee> She has been a guest on Sewing with Nancy and on Simply Quilts
Betty's web site is  www.quiltyard.com
<merrybee> Betty welcome to QuiltChat
<BettyCotton> Hello, everyone.
<merrybee> We always ask that our guest tell us a little about themselves first
<BettyCotton> Betty Cotton is my real name. I married Jack Cotton. qa
<merrybee> What is Cotton Theory of Quilting and how dose it differ from other
methods?
<merrybee> Betty feel free to continue I jumped the gun
<merrybee> I am sure the ladies would love to know where your from
<BettyCotton> Cotton Theory quilting is a fast, fun and easy method of quilt
first, then assemble using my fold-and-finish procedures. You will have a
reversible quilt with three-dimensional seams when finished.
<merrybee> it sounds very interesting Betty
<Georgieb> Are you scheduled to be on Simply Quilts reruns or Sewing with Nancy
so that we could see it is reality?
<BettyCotton> In traditional quilting you must piece the entire top together,
layer it and then quilt a large piece. With Cotton Theory quilting, you quilt
small pieces and then sew your quilted pieces together into a reversible,
finished quilt.
<BettyCotton> I have been on Sewing With Nancy episodes since February, starting
in the western United States and proceeding eastward. It is currently airing in
the Midwest.
<kathee> I am from central canada and until lately when you were booked here, I
hadnt heard of your theory, I am very interested, but wonder how do I see what
you do, do you have a video for us to beable to see your work?
<Georgieb> I will keep watching for you then.  Thanks
<BearPaw> so then if the seams are exposed...........do you fold them over
similar to a flat-feld seam and top stitch them down?
<BettyCotton> Yes, a video can be ordered through my web site,
www.quiltyard.com. It will give you the basics of Cotton Theory Quilting. My
book, Cotton Theory Quilting, also can be ordered on the web site and gives
very detailed instructions and information.
<kathee> thank you
<merrybee> <BearPaw> so then if the seams are exposed...........do you fold them
over similar to a flat-feld seam and top stitch them down?
<BettyCotton> Bear Paw asked about the seams. Your seams are finished on the
outside of the quilt. However, it is not a flat-felt seam. It is difficult to
explain in a chat room. The seams are not flat. They are folded and topstitched
and they are three-dimensional.
<shaffida> was it the quilter magazine that had your article
<shaffida> and project...? and which month
<BettyCotton> Yes, the July issue of The Quilter had an article on me and
instructions for Criss-cross Coverup.
<merrybee> would the seams be similar to the raised seam on say the side of a
pair of Denim Jeans  BettyCotton?
<BettyCotton> No, the seams are not like jeans. Otherwise, you would have a
quilt like cardboard. qa
<Dee> Do you travel to do demos at quilt guilds in the area?
<BettyCotton> I travel extensively across the United States to teach, do demos,
give seminars and lectures, and do hands-on classes. qa
<merrybee> Betty how big a area do you usually prequilt is it one 12 inch block
or do you put several blocks together and then quilt a section
<BettyCotton> Dee, where are you from? ga
<Dee> Burlington Wisconsin   betty
<BettyCotton> Dee (and anyone else who is interested). If you would like
information about having me speak to a guild, please e-mail me at
bettyc@quiltyard.com. ga
<merrybee> <merrybee> Betty how big a area do you usually prequilt is it one 12
inch block or do you put several blocks together and then quilt a section
<misspenny> what part of the us do you go to
<BettyCotton> It depends on the design. Pieces vary in size. Some rectangles may
be as small as 3 inches by 6 inches. You cut a back pieces and a front piece and
put a layer of batting between and quilt this.
<suzee-op> how did you divise this method?
<BettyCotton> I recently returned from Omaha and have been in the state of
Washington and Salt Lake City, Erie, Pa., St. Louis, Columbus, Ohio, and many,
many other places. It depends on events that are scheduled.
<merrybee> <suzee-op> how did you divise this method?
<BettyCotton> Suzee. Have you ever quilted a large quilt on your domestic
machine? Did you like it? The Cotton Theory method eliminates the bulk that
builds up in the throat of the machine. Therefore, it makes construction far
easier. qa
<Leaha> have you ever hand quilted your pieces first, instead of by machine? and
if so do you quilt just over the batt or all the way to the end of the piece
like you do by machine?
<suzee-op> ty, and yes, i hate that, lol
<BettyCotton> In traditional quilts, the quilting is the least favorite part. I
got to thinking. If the pieces were smaller, we wouldn't mind doing the
quilting. It's far easier. That's how i came up with this idea of Cotton Theory
quilting.
<merrybee> <Leaha> have you ever hand quilted your pieces first, instead of by
machine? and if so do you quilt just over the batt or all the way to the end of
the piece like you do by machine?
<BettyCotton> Leaha, I was a hand quilter. Now I do everything by machine, even
the binding. If you hand quilt, just go to the end of the batting, not all the
way into the seam allowances.
<BettyCotton> I plan to be in Michigan in early October, the Grand Rapids area.
If you want to discuss combining trips, e-mail me at bettyc@quiltyard.com. It
would save travel expenses to combine trips.
<BettyCotton> Kathee, I plan on being in Canada in late winter (2007), Vancouver
area. ga
<shaffida> are you teaching in houston or nashville for the shows
<BettyCotton> I will be at both the Houston and Nashville shows and there will
be ongoing demonstrations in the Quilt Yard booths. The Quilt Yard is the shop
I own in Osseo, Wisconsin. ga
<shaffida> see you there:)
<BettyCotton> Yes, I will be in Houston in late October/early November. Please
stop by my booth. ga
<Reqie> Betty: What can you tell us about your Camp-overall?
<BettyCotton> If you are interested in sewing with me and learning Cotton Theory
Quilting firsthand, I offer a five-day training camp. You will make five
projects in five days, applying many different Cotton Theory techniques. Go to
www.quiltyard.com for details and dates of the camps. ga
<merrybee> BettyCotton I see your process is patented
<merrybee> could you tell the ladies a bit about how your process was different
enough
<BettyCotton> Yes, I patented Cotton Theory quilting in 2001. qa
<merrybee> from other metoods of quilt as you go
<merrybee> that you could obtain a patent
<BettyCotton> First of all, there is no handwork, like other quilt-as-you-go
methods. Second, the three-dimensional seam finishes did not exist in the ASTM
standard book of seam finishes, so I was able to get a patent. These seams are
unique. ga
<merrybee> well perhaps the next question we all want to know
<merrybee> is what makes them unique  Lol I know it is asking a lot to describe
something we can not see
<BettyCotton> What makes it unique is that you are not just stitching it down
flat. It actually has a "lip" that protrudes when you are finished. All of this
is done simply by folding and topstitching seams in specific ways. Kind of
difficult to explain because I can't show it to you here. ga
<shaffida> ladies if you can get your hands on the quilter magazine
<shaffida> between the story and the project in there it would help you a bunch
<BettyCotton> Sewers are familiar with flat-felt and French seams and self-bound
seams. Cotton Theory seams are modified versions of these seams.
<merrybee> Betty would the look be similar to if you were to insert a folded
border
<merrybee> as a frame to a quilt
<merrybee> folded
<jessy> how far is your store located, from the norsk nook in osseo
<BettyCotton> Merrybe, No, this is not like a folded border.
<Waddley`> are all the quilts using your method reversible?
<BettyCotton> Jessy, the store is just kitty corner from the Norske Nook in
Osseo. Pie and quilting go hand in hand. LOL ga
<merrybee> <Waddley`> are all the quilts using your method reversible?
<BettyCotton> All Cotton Theory quilts are reversible, whether you want it
reversible or not. Even the tote bag in my book, "Cotton Theory Quilting," is
completely reversible. ga
<misspenny> is it the two sided quilt you did on tv
<BettyCotton> I have been on several TV shows. The projects have included
quilts, placemats, tote bags, bath mats, floor quilts and table runners -- and
king-size quilts. All are reversible because we cut pieces for boths sides and
quilt the pieces before the assembly. Quilting just can't get any easier than
this! ga
<shaffida> can your method be used for a jacket? or would it be too bulky?
<BettyCotton> You can use this method for wearables. That's a topic for one of
my future books. Quilters have been asking for this for a couple years. I'm
working on it. Please don't ask when -- yet. I have another book -- or more--
before it. The second book will show you how to turn traditional quilt blocks
into a Cotton Theory quilt using Cotton Theory techniques. ga
<Leaha> What I find the hardest part is to pick out all the colors for one side,
then all the colors for the other side, but I love doing the quilting this way,
I am using all my own hand dyed fabric, but you really have to keep track of
which colors go on which side, right?
<BettyCotton> Yes, please label your pieces, front side versus back side. ga
<nannyCherie> will you be teaching this method at the Houston show?
<BettyCotton> You can see demonstrations in my Quilt Yard book at Houston. Stop
by and say "Hi." ga
* Quits: Dimples (akinsbill@ascends-91DC7734.dialin.oakhurst.sti.net) (Quit: )
<BettyCotton> Oops, I should have written Quilt Yard booth, not book. ga
<iowegian> betty, how many quilts do you make, start to finish, in a year?
<BettyCotton> Dozens, big, small and in between. Too many to count. ga
<maplestar> do you use decorative stitches , or just regular stitches when you
top stitch, and about how many to the inch please
<BettyCotton> You can use any stitch that your machine has in it to do the
quilting. For topstitching, you must be more selective, using something light
and airy. I personally favor a lot of quilting, but if you don't like a lot of
rows of stitching you don't have to quilt as many. I believe the quilting makes
the quilt. If you have an embroidery unit in your sewing machine, you can use it
to quilt Cotton Theory pieces. ga
<carrieNJ> what kind of batting do you prefer? and do you prewash it?
<BettyCotton> I have developed a special Cotton Theory Batting. It is 18 inches
wide so it fits on cutting mats. It is a blend of polyester and cotton.
Prewashing is not necessary. It has about 3 percent shrinkage. It can be
purchased via my Web site, www.quiltyard.com. It comes in 5-yard and 15-yard
rolls. ga
<merrybee> We would all like to thank you for comeing Betty and ask the folks to
check out your web site www.quiltyard.com  I hope you have enjoyed your time
with us Betty and welcome you to stay for some open chat if you wish!
<merrybee> Please ladies give Betty a round of applause
<Dee> Thanks for coming Betty
<iowegian> yes, thank you for coming to share with us, betty
<Lorraine> ty for giving us your time BettyCotton, it has been very informative
<BettyCotton> Thank you very much for your great questions. Yes, I will stay and
chat a bit.
<DrBeth-MD> great to have you here :)
* Waddley` applauds our illustrous speaker
<nannyCherie> see you in Texas Betty and Thanks
<maplestar> BettyCotton , if you enjoy our chat room, you would be welcome to
come anytime :)
<merrybee> Thank you betty for letting me conduct what must have seemed like an
inquisition
<merrybee> hugs ladies
<Leaha> Betty I have all the back ground and most of the other done for the
alternate style of pinetree plaid, done with hand quilting on my own hand dyed
fabric
<BettyCotton> It was great fun. Thanks, Merrybee. I'm glad I could help.
<shaffida> Some of you ladies are here i haven't met.. i would love you to be
chatting regularly too
<maplestar> yes , everyone welcome to our chat room,, greatest place for good ,
clean , healthy quilt chat
<Lorraine> how long have you been quilting BettyCotton and do you come from a
quilting family
<BettyCotton> Good luck on your pinetree plaid project. I would love a photo
when it is finished. ga
<linda53> is fun to learn new things
<iowegian> i would love to sit in betty's parlor and watch her quilt   :+)
<BettyCotton> I started quilting in 1984, when I made a baby ensemble for my
oldest daughter. I am a self-taught quilter, and no, I don't come from a
quilting family.
<jessy> norsk nook has the best fresh raspberry pie
<lindy> BettyCotton, do you recommend a beginner trying your method?
o know how corners arent bulky
<BettyCotton> Projects are great for beginners as well as advanced quilters.
Start with something small first.
<Leaha> I have to get your book Betty, got the CD and 3 patterns, just not
enough :)
<BettyCotton> We sell fabrics at the Quilt Yard in Osseo, but they are too
numerous to put on the Web site. Sorry about that.
<nannyCherie> BettyCotton I like this type for kids...they are quick and the
kids love them
<shaffida> thanks BettyCotton appreciate your sharing with us
<Leaha> Betty what I wanted to ask before the lighting zapped my power was,
where do I get that tape you used
Session Close: Fri Jun 23 22:05:13 2006