Following is a transcript of a "superchat" at which Aie was the special guest on 
the #quiltchat chat line.  To find out more about #quiltchat please visit 
http://www.quiltchat.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Session Start: Fri Mar 30 21:06:28 2001
<madmoon> lets give our special guest Aie Rossmann a big #quiltchat
welcome 
<madmoon> hurray
<madmoon> welcome Aie :)
<Jannifer> ()()(()()()(
<louise> welcome
<madmoon> is good to see u
<rubye> welcome
<beti> yeaaa
<Dolly> () () () ()  welcome Aie
<madmoon> did u have a question Aie?
<Aie> Yes.... am I allowed to give out a door prize?
<madmoon> u sure are
<madmoon> :)
* Damia votes yes!
<Aie> well you all can enter your name at
/doorprize.html
<Aie> at the end of the chat I'll draw a name.
<madmoon> great Aie :)
<madmoon> that would be wonderful
<madmoon> first, Aie, would u please tell us a bit about yourself, then
we'll open this to questions and comments
<Aie> sure.
<Aie> first of all...
<Aie> my name is pronouced "A"... just in case any of you were
wondering.
<madmoon> yes i was LOL
<Aie> I'm from Burma, and now live in Calgary, Canada.
<Aie> I'm an architect by profession, and a few years ago...
<Aie> started designing applique patterns.  I was going stir-crazy at home
with my young kids...
<Aie> (aged 3 and 5).
<Aie> I've been publishing applique patterns since then, and am still a
stay-at-home mom, though I'm looking...
<Aie> forward to getting back into architecture within the next few
years.
<DonnaTN> Aie, are they still 3 and 5?
<Aie> yes donna
<Aie> I took  my first quilting class...
<Aie> when Kaythi (now 5) was just a few weeks old.
<madmoon> are u ready for questions Aie?
<Aie> sure... 
<Aie> I'm ready for questions
<madmoon> :)
<madmoon> hotquilt, what is your question?
<hotquilt> Aie--after you started designing--what fabric company sponsored
you?
<Aie> LOL... no one has ever sponsored me.
<madmoon> jer, what is your question?
<jer> Do have an idea when you design a pattern for the colors
<Aie> In general, yes.  I...
<Aie> start with a concept and know what sort of background I want to do
the quilt on...
<Aie> and then I sit down with my stack of scraps and select the pieces
one by one as I applique.
<Aie> ga
<gladdy> Beti  what is your question?
<beti> Where can I find your patterns, Aie, or do you have patterns that
are available
<Aie> beti, you can find my patterns...
<Aie> on my web site at 
<Aie> On the same site...
<Aie> there is a list of retail shops that currently carry my patterns.
<beti> thanks
<Aie> I'm also please to let you know that Keepsake currently started
carrying one...
<Aie> of my patterns.  They'll be carrying "Water Lilies" in the near
future.
<Aie> ga
<Aie> notice madmoon am I supposed to write ga for "go ahead"?
<madmoon> yes Aie :)
<madmoon> please
<madmoon> luannee, what is your question?
<luannee> what is your method of applique?  do you use freezer paper or
just needle turn or what?
<Aie> My love is needle turn.
<Aie> It took me about 6 month, however,...
<Aie> to do "Water Lilies" by needle turn (just the applique)...
<Aie> I decided after that that I better start doing more machine work,
because quilts want to get...
<Aie> out of my head faster than that.  So now...
<Aie> I also do machine applique.  I've been doing fusible applique
recently, with...
<Aie> decorative stitches.  Carillon, Zodiac and Birds of Paradise were
done by machine.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> jilly, what is your question?
<jilly> what kind of thread do you recommend for hand applique and needleturn
<Aie> I use 50 weight 3-ply 100 percent cotton...
<Aie> usually Mettler, for hand applique.
<Aie> I use quilting needles, not applique needles, for applique.  I ...
<Aie> usually use size 12 Betweens
<Aie> I find that applique needles are too long...
<Aie> they bend and when I use them.
<Aie> ga
<jilly> ty
<Aie> For those that are late, you can sign up for a door prize at
/doorprize.html
<madmoon> louise, what is your question?
<louise> Do you self-publish your patterns.  If so, what do you include in
the pattern pkg.  (no question mark key tonight) I am interested in the
possiblity of starting to market my own designs.
<Aie> I do self publish all my patterns...
<Aie> Each of them contains a color photo (usually 4" x 4"), a full size
applique pattern...
<Aie> and detailed instructions.  The back cover has a supply list.  I
think it's important to have a full-sized pattern...
<Aie> because I hate having to move a pattern sheet around to trace the
design.
<Aie> ga
<louise> ty
<madmoon> jer, what is your question?
<jer> You must have a "stash".  Your graduations in color families are
awesome.  Any hints?
<Aie> :-) ah... fabric!
<Aie> I do have a stash, but mostly it
<Aie> it's fat quarters and swatches.  When I applique I use different
fabrics for most pieces.  Most ...
<Aie> of my stash is commercial fabric, but I have some hand-dyes too.
<Aie> I suggest you go through ...
<Aie> the scrap basket at your local quilt shop every time you go in.  Buy
everything you like.
<Aie> :-)
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> beti, what is your question?
<beti> Aie, if you wanted your quilt blocks to look a little primitive,
what method would you use for appliquing.
<Aie> I'd use a blanket stitch (my dh calls it the "frankenstein
stitch").
<Aie> did that answer your question, beti
<beti> yes and thanks
<madmoon> nana, what is your question?
<nana> do you think that fusible ones will last like the sewn on ones
<Aie> I think so, nana, as long as the edges are stitched down.  Maybe the
chemicals that are in the fuse will have a effect on the fabric in the
long run.  I haven't heard of anything like that though.
<nana> thanks I have stayed away because I was wondering
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> louise, what is your question?
<louise> will blanket stitch on the raw edge be sufficient or should you
still have a seam allowance turned under. Just for wall hangings or
suitable for bed qluilts as well.
<louise> for fusible web
<Aie> I wouldn't add a seam allowance for blanket stitch.  If you're going
for a "primative look"
<Aie>  then maybe a bit of fraying will be okay.  It would all depend on
how much the quilt is washed though...
<Aie> I don't wash my wall hangings.  There isn't really a need.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> Trish, what is your question?
<Trish> I would like to know how you applique onto a large piece, say 18"
of background material and keep if from  puckering/pulling.... as in do
you use a hoop, or just without a stretcher of any kind ?
<Aie> Trish, I wouldn't applique with a hoop
<Aie> I use a hoop only for hand quilting.
<Trish> may I ask why?
<Aie> trish, I think it would be really...
<Aie> difficult to control the applique piece.  When you needle turn you
need to put the thumb on top and the other fingers under...
<Aie> the background piece.  You woulnd't be able to do that with a
hoop.
<Aie> ga
<Trish> ahhh ok ty  :)
<samsquilt> how did you get your patterns distributed...how did
cutomers come to find you?........thank you
<Aie> samsquilt... there were a few...
<Aie> shops around calgary that started carrying my patterns when I first
started...
<Aie> after my dh put a web site up for me, people stated finding it, and
quilt shops started inquiring.  As...
<Aie> a result there are now shops around the US and Canada that carry my
patterns, but still none of the ...
<Aie> big distributors (though Keepsake is starting soon).
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> that's great Aie :)
<madmoon> jer, what is your question?
<jer> Do you use a light box for placement or do you draw the pattern on
the background before beginning to applique?
<Aie> I dont have  light box, jer,...
<Aie> because I use mostly dark backgrounds, and light boxes don't work
very well for that...
<Aie>  I use dressmaker's tracing paper to transfer the applique design to
the background fabric before appliqueing.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> Damia, what is your question?
<Damia> Insomnia is quite wonderful!  About how long did it take you to
make it?
<Damia> and was it done with needle turn also
<Aie> Hi Damia.  It took all of six weeks to make.
<Aie> That was working about 8 hours a day.
<madmoon> WOW
<Damia> wow
<Aie> It was done by needleturn, and was hand quilted.
<Aie> I did the applique in about 3 weeks.
<Damia> amazing ty
<Aie> I didn't call it "insomnia" for nothing!
<madmoon> lol
<Aie> :-)
<madmoon> suzee, what is your question?
<suzee> do you ever use the basting glue or do you thread baste? ty
<Aie> I've never used glue.  I use applique pins for basting applique...
<Aie> pieces before appliquing.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> louise, what is your question?
<louise> do you ever use reverse applique.  if so, what type of things do
you use it for on your design.  ty
<Aie> I've done...
<Aie> reverse applique, louise, but not on any pattern I've published.  I
have designed one that hasn't been made yet...
<Aie> where I had a piece of hand painted fabric made for the background
(with lots of colors)...
<Aie> I have a design to go on top, but haven't gotten around to making it
yet.  Stay tuned!
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> jilly, what is your question?
<jilly> is there any tricks that you use when you get to a corner or like
the center of a heart with needle turn
<Aie> yes, jilly....
<Aie> ...but it'll take me so long to explain!
<Aie> ...when you're stitching...
<Aie> down one side of the heart, you have to fold the other side under,
as you approach the inside point.
<Aie> When you get to the point, take a secure stitch, 
<Aie> and then unfold the other side, and continue appliquing on the seam
line.
<Aie> Did that make any sense?
<Aie> :-)
<jilly> yes ty
<sewpieceful> least to me it did lol
<Aie> There are more tips on how I do inside curves and ouside points on
my website.
<Aie> It's under the 
<Aie> questions and answers link.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> beti, what is your question?
<beti> Aie, what is reverse applique?
<Aie> It's when instead of sewing pieces onto a foundation, you make holes
in a top layer, to reveal the foundation.
<Aie> Thank you all for coming.  You can enter for the door prize at
/doorprize.html  I'll make the draw at the end
of the chat.
<beti> oh, thanks
<madmoon> jer, what is your question?
<jer> do you draw your pattern pieces, then needle turn to the drawn line
or use freezer paper?
<Aie> I draw the pattern on the background, and the shape of each piece on
the applique fabric.  Then I needle turn to the drawn line.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> qltlady, what is your question?
<qltlady> if a person were to want to start disigning their own patterns
to sell what would you recommend?
<Aie> go for it!
<Aie> Do smalll quantities...
<Aie> at first, and take them into your local quilt shop.  If they want
them, then you'll probably do okay.
<Aie> ga
<qltlady> ty
<madmoon> sewpieceful, what is your question?
<sewpieceful> when you draft you patterns
<sewpieceful> do you use freehand drawing, computer art program, a
quilting app
<sewpieceful> or shapes you find on things like coloring books etc
<sewpieceful> as I have seen others demo?
<Aie> I'm an architect, sewpeiceful...
<Aie> so I'm pretty comfortable with drawing myself.  I don't use any
computer programs, and certainly don't (LOL) use coloring books!
<sewpieceful> LOL thats why I asked
<Aie> All my drawings are original...
<sewpieceful> I know a few drafting ppl who are terrible at 'art'
drawings, so I was curious about your work 
<Aie> If I were using designs I found elsewhere I think I'd end up getting
sued for copyright infringement.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> casualelegance, what is your question?
<casualelegance> what is your number one tip or hint for a brand new
applique wantabee?
<Aie> Look closely at other people's work, casual, both for their
workmanship and color and design sense.
<casualelegance> k-ty
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> luannee, what is your question?
<luannee> what do you draw with on the pattern material (the top shape
that you are appliqueing down)
<Aie> I use a Roxanne marking pencil.
<Aie> Was that your question?
<luannee> yes it was
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> louise, what is your question?
<louise> can you copyright your original designs or just the instructions
(we were discussing this the other day) I live in Canada too
<Aie> louise as soon as you put your design on paper it's automatically
copyrighted.
<louise> thats what I thought but someone else said that only the
directions not the idea could be copyrighted
<Aie> wrong... the design is copyrighted...
<louise> ty
<louise> do you date your designs as well to aid in the copyright
process
<Aie> if someone copied an art piece of a painter, it would obviously be
an infringement.
<Aie> It has to be a unique expression, though.  You can't claim copyright
on a nine-patch block, unless you do something really weird and original
with it.
<Aie> I do write on all my patterns that they are copyrighted.
<Aie> ga
<madmoon> _LiSsA, what is your question?
<_LiSsA> what is needleturn and why do you draw the pattern on the
background fabric?
<Aie> Needle turn is a method of applique, where you use the needle
(without any other aid) to
<Aie> turn the seam allowance under before you stitch.  You draw the
pattern on the background..
<Aie> so that you know where each piece (e.g., a leaf) goes.
<Aie> ga
<_LiSsA> do you use a thimble - like rocking motion w/ thimble to quilt? 
what does it mean "without any other aid"?
<Aie> Yes, Lisa, to quilt I do, but not to applique.
<Aie> "without any other aid" means without glue or freezer paper.
<_LiSsA> oh, thanks.  i'm assuming you do use a thimble though
<Aie> I do, lisa.
<Aie> should I do the door prize draw now?
<madmoon> we're going to go to open chat. lets not flood our guest with a
bazillion questions LOL
<madmoon> yes, if you'd like Aie :)
<gladdy> Yes Please Aie
<Canuck> interesting Aie - I am looking forward to meeting you at our
retreat
<Starmaker> Me too Aie
<beti> you were wonderful, aie
<Aie> has everyone entered?
<Aie> Thank you all for coming.  You can enter for the door prize at
/doorprize.html  I'll make the draw at the end
of the chat.
<sewpieceful> Aie - do you work strictly with quilting cottons or do you
ever use others fabs like silk etc?
<madmoon> thank u so much for coming Aie :)
<Starmaker> How do you do this draw Aie?
<Aie> I'll make the draw in a minute, after the latecomers have a moment
to enter.
<casualelegance> loved your tips aie
<louise> this was a great chat aie
<Aie> It was my pleasure, madmoom
<madmoon> you were a wonderful guest 
<gladdy> Thank you so much Aie  this has been great!!!!
<suzee> ty Aie, sure enjoyed it!
<Aie> Is louise stanza here?
<louise> yessss
<Aie> congratulations!
<Dolly> oh wow  congrats louise
<madmoon> congrats for what louise??
<louise> oh thank you , thank you
<sewpieceful> congrats louise!
<louise> I won the door prize
<madmoon> awright!!!!!
<madmoon> W00H00
<suzee> hurray for louise!!!!!!!!
<casualelegance> wowowow louise--what fun--what did she win???
<wannaquilt> aie, do  you use a neutral color thread for applique, or tryt
o match thread color to fab color?
<Aie> I use a colour to match the applique piece, wannaquilt
<Trish> Aie, do you have any trouble with puckering when you applique
pieces down?
<Aie> I don't have a problem with puckering, trish, and haven't used silk
fabric for applique either.
<Starmaker> No she doesn't Trish
<Aie> send me an email with your mailing address, louise
<louise> ok
<louise> ty
<Rockybear> aie other than the retreat, will you be doing a workshop in
Calgary anytime in the next few months?
<Aie> rockybear, I'll be at quilt camp calgary
* sewpieceful applauds for Aie - great chat session
<madmoon> LOL Aie 
<wannaquilt> ()()()()()()()() aie
<Rockybear> Aie where is quilt camp and who do you contact?
<Damia> Aie this was a wonderful chat thankyou
<Canuck> Aie is coming to our retreat in june too
<luannee> Aie, when you draw on the background piece, is there any marks
that show after you are done, do you have to wash the piece?
<Aie> no, luannee, I use a roxanne pencil, and you can rub it off with a
wet cotton ball
<luannee> ok thanks
<sewpieceful> Aie - do you work strictly with quilting cottons for your
work or do you ever use others fabs like silk etc?
<Aie> I've only used cotton sewpieceful.  I have a collection of silks,
but have never used them.
<sewpieceful> Aie - any reason why you havent tried them? or just love the
cotton so much never wanted to try the others?
<Aie> They're too nice to cut up!
<Dolly> lol
<sewpieceful> Aie LOL 
<madmoon> LOL Aie 
<Aie> Some of the silk I have is from my grandmother's sarongs... so I
hate to cut them up.
<Dolly> ohh I bet
<Dolly> goodnight all and thank you Aie.. I really enjoyed your chat
<sewpieceful> Aie wonder how they wash it then... I think its soooo
beautiful
<Aie> I washed a 500 $ sari, and it turned into a rag.
<sewpieceful> Aie oh no how awful
<Aie> I washed it by hand with woolite, in cold water.
<Aie> Maybe they only wear them once.
<hotquilt> Aie--do you dye any of your own fabrics??
<Aie> not yet, hotquilt.  Annette Johnson from Red Deer paints fabric for
me.  I'd like to do it sometime.
Session Close: Fri Mar 30 22:32:29 2001