Follower Friday: Meet Alexandra of A(squared)*w

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Hi there!  Today's featured guest is Alexandra of asquared(w).  If you remember, I featured her super cool Embroidery Hoop Clock tutorial about a month ago...and it doesn't stop there!  She has a couple other cute tutes that are worth checking out, not to mention her Start Square series.  Let's see what she's made of...

Alexandra of Albuquerque, NM


Occupation:  Math teacher 


Significant Other/Kids/Pets:  Married, no kids, pet hedgehog named Snowflake.


# Years Quilting: About 3

Hand or machine piecing or quilting: I do everything by machine, but I love the look of hand stitching. I have my wedding quilt set aside that I want to hand quilt, when time and inspiration strike!

How you learned to quilt:  My mom taught me basic sewing skills when I was young. When I was in high school I made a patchwork duvet cover.  Not knowing anything about patchwork, and not wanting to ask for help (you know how high schoolers are!) I did not cut any of the pieces to same size squares. It's a very crazy quilt, made with satins, velvets, corduroy (oh, and all black! Did I mention that?!). It was so complicated that I gave up sewing after that. After college I dabbled in interior design and took up sewing again. I wanted a yellow quilt, so I bought a book (Amy Buter's In Stitches), bought some fabric, and figured it out along the way! I wish I could get back all those years that I didn't sew. :(

Favorite Completed Project: That first quilt is still my favorite completed project, probably because I made it for me with my preferences and not for someone else. I don't know what all the fabrics are even because this was before I knew about designers. I like that I don't think of it by fabric designer or collection, it's just a bunch of yellow fabrics that I love!

Quilting workstation setup: I use a bar height dining table, which means I don't have to hunch over to cut things, but I have to sit on the edge of my chair to reach the foot pedal. The entire table is covered with a cutting mat (bought on sale at JoAnn).  Next to my chair I made a small ironing table (from the Oh Fransson

tutorial). I have 2 big bookshelves in the closet that hold my fabric and books and boxes of WIPs.

Machine(s) You Sew on:  I currently have a Janome MC 6600. I absolutely LOVE it! The thread cutting button is my new best friend. It has a built in walking foot that I use all the time, although I find that I change the foot out quite a bit (there are 4 different ones that I like depending on what I'm doing). 


Notion or Tool You Can't Live Without in Your Sewing Room:  I can't live without my little embroidery scissors! Some people love their seam ripper, but I actually use these a lot more than my seam ripper. In fact, I frequently use these INSTEAD of a seam ripper. I love how sharp they are and how close I can cut any stray threads. I should probably get a few back-up pairs!

One of my new ongoing blog projects is Start Square. Every other week I am posting a block tutorial that starts with a 13" square.

To keep up with Alexandra and all that she's up to, check out her blog asquared(w) or see her stuff on flickr.


If you would like to be featured on Gen X Quilters' Follower Friday, send your information (listed under the Follower Friday page at the top) to annemarie@genxquilters.com. Have a great weekend!

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