Archive for August, 2010

There is advantages to investing in areas of the stock market that you know or have some personal experience with on a daily basis. Nearly everyone is effected in one way or another by the commodity oil. If you are an individual you take note of prices at the gas pump, heating bill and other uses of oil. If you are a business owner the price of oil is a factor in the operation of your business. For the purposes of this article the two areas that will be covered is oil & gas and oil service stocks. The first area oil & gas covers some of the big oil stocks whose names you may know. The second area is the oil service stocks that support and aid the extraction and distribution of oil.

Big Oil & Gas:

For all the rhetoric and interesting speculation about “green energy,” and the alternative fuels like ethanol, biomass, and wind energy the present circumstances places the lion share of energy that moves the world in the lap of the oil industry. Names you not only hear about, but have been around in one shape or another for a century. Chevron, Exxon-Mobil, Conoco-Philips, British Petroleum, Royal Dutch Shell and Hess Corporation. These companies have an individual market capitalization of hundreds of billion of dollars, with the exception of Hess that has a mere 19 billion in market cap. It is hard to imagine a more solid group of stocks with as much clout as this elite club.

All of the stocks mentioned above are involved in exploration, distribution and marketing of oil products around the world. Their influence and their financial worth allows them to invest in costly drilling, manufacturing and distribution of oil in all of its forms. While the rhetoric continues about building and providing alternative sources of energy. These companies presently support a significant percentage of the every day uses of energy. Some of the big oil companies even support blends of biomass fuels and ethanol as a compliment to their own primary purposes.

The cost of purchasing stock in this stock is relatively cheap when you consider the likes of Google selling for in excess of $500 per share. Still other intellectual property stocks on the market and conglomerates sell for in excess of $200 a share. The range of prices in Big Oil is between $61 to $89 per share. What you get is a stock that is capitalized with billions of dollars, has a management team that is beyond exceptional and an underlying product “oil” that is in short supply.

See how much you can learn about Stock Market when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

For the moral investor that blames Big Oil for the environmental mess, wars and other maladies the world faces the only American not to blame are the Amish with their horse and buggies. Still, the Amish may leave a smaller foot print, but we all have in one way or another impacted and contributed to the need Big Oil has satisfied and will continue to do so. At present there is small improvements everyone can do, but Big Oil’s contribution to a strong economy, and living in a modern society is not going to be replaced any time soon.

The best bet for future stock growth and for pure investment is in oil & gas. Of the Big Oil stocks that are worth looking at Royal Dutch Shell and Conoco-Philips are the two that have some noteable room for short term growth. Another reason to consider Conoco-Philips is that George Soros recently took a position in this company. In investing it is good to follow the leaders. Review the institutional investors in all of the stocks mentioned above and make a decision on which company you think will be a good addition to your portfolio. If in time you make a huge gain take a portion of the profits and contribute to a fledgling “green energy” cooperative.

Oil Service Stocks:

The oil sector would not be complete without mentioning the drillers who get that precious commodity out of the ground, ocean bed or frozen tundra. The oil drilling stocks are rumored by some financial experts to be waning in appeal or topped out. In order to put this in perspective the long history of the oil drilling companies goes back a century. These tough minded riggers and engineers made the oil industry what it is today. The inventive engineers and scientists found astounding ways to detect and then extract oil from the most harsh environmental challenges. The oil drilling stocks are part and parcel of the oil industry.

Recently two of the biggest players in the drilling industry, Transocean Inc, (RIG) and Global Santa Fe Corp. (GSF) announced merger plans. Individually, RIG sells for around $70 per share and RIG in the neighborhood of $102. These companies are backed by billions of dollars and their institutional investors are stellar. Another drilling company of note is Diamond Drilling. This drilling stock is owned by Fidelity Funds, Vanguard Funds, Loews Corp. and Thornburg Investments to name just a few. The oil drilling stocks merit a good look and watch for buying opportunities if there are dips in the near future. In the alternative you can choose a mutual fund from one of the institutional investors mentioned in this piece that focuses on the oil sector.

This has been a brief overview of the oil sector. Review your investment objectives and seek the advice of licensed estate planner or stock broker. Company prospectives are available on-line and by mail.

Is there really any information about Stock Market that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Understanding the stock market does not only involve why businesses sell shares of their companies and why investors buy these shares. Today, there are aspects on the business of stock market that are still unclear to most people. The most obvious are the stock prices and pricing.

Pricing of stocks

Scanning the newspapers, many people are confused and still could not understand about the pricing of stock prices as they see or read it.

Among the wide variety of stock prices, what puzzles the layman would be (1) why some well-known and giant companies are being traded for relatively very low prices and (2) why some little-known companies are being sold for excessively high prices.

Investor confidence

To some extent, the prices of stocks for each company are determined by the confidence of investors based on either a real or a perceived performance of the stock.

Among the requisites of a company to its shareholders are financial status reports as reported on a quarterly basis. These would include the company cash flow, sales, and its earnings for the period.

You would think all this disclosure would suffice. The truth of the matter is that the company’s worth based on its financial reports can be overridden or undermined by speculations, unfounded or not.

Rumors

Stock market rumors are some of the most devastating one can see. It virtually derails some carefully-laid out reports and scientific data and such. Rumors usually affect the fate of the company’s stocks.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

A sample would be an ongoing rumor that states that a particular company is planning to make a strategic move. Like a crowd rush in a train station, investors would come flocking in just to buy stocks from that company.

Supply and demand

The principle of supply and demand also applies to the stock market. If there is a sudden rush of interest from investors, expect a rise on the prices.

If there is fear among them, prices will promptly plummet downwards. The worth and the performance of a company are considered to be the biggest factors to determine the prices of stocks.

Reading stock quotes

In daily market summaries of newspapers or online sources, there are sections where there is information on the current prices and market movements of stocks around the clock. (Stock brokers also provide stock quotes that can be accessed via phone or the internet.)

This stock quote table contains useful information that can help investors make their decisions in buying or selling the stocks. For would be investors, it is necessary to be able to decipher the data listed there.

The first column is a 3 or 4-character ticker symbol. (sample: BCE means Bell Canada Enterprises and MSFT stands for Microsoft.) The newspaper price was the closing price for the day. (It is updated every few minutes at the internet.)

Change is the difference between the previous day’s closing price and the current quote. High indicates the highest price while Low is the lowest price sold.

Volume is the number of shares traded, and the 52-week High and Low is the highest and the lowest prices the previous year. Some tables have additional columns to make room for more data (like the Bid and Ask prices, etc.)

For would be investors, stock market pricing should be among the first areas in the business that needed to be learned and mastered. They are the heart of the business.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Stock Market.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Business credit cards are the trend in many small business enterprises worldwide. You can easily apply online for a low interest business credit card at the convenience of your own home or business, without resorting to visiting different financial institutions on foot.

Many small enterprises are now using a business credit card to be used in their venture. Considering the reduced APR and possibly zero annual fee on these cards, you can make a lot of purchases without worrying about additional expenses. This is quite handy if you are planning to cut down on business related expenditures and improving profit.

Since the risks of business are much higher compared to personal ones, business credit cards may have a higher interest rate as compared to the latter. Even with such interest expense, many are still opting for its use considering the practicality of use and benefits they can get from it.

Online research

Applying for a low interest business credit card might sound easy at first, but it may be a daunting task if it’s your first time. You need to do research on different online financial companies that offer these cards, and find out which ones have the lowest interest rate attached to it, as well as other charges.

When you are searching for a zero APR business credit card, you might try searching for those with the lowest balance transfer fees, lowest ongoing fees, additional charges, penalties, and a low interest rate as well.

Another way of searching for business credit cards online is to look for special offers that come with the service, such as waived interest fees for a certain period of time. This will come in handy if you are planning to start your business using a credit card as capital. You can purchase stocks to meet consumer demands, office supplies and equipments, and so on; without the interest expense for a few months.

If your Business Credit facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important Business Credit information slip by you.

Some business credit cards have flyer miles as one of its incentives. If you plan to go somewhere for a vacation or for business-related events, you can use the flyer miles that you’ve accumulated using the points you get from your business credit card.

Other financial institutions also offers cash returns based on the percentage of the purchases made using the credit card. This is practically one of the best offers you should look out for when you apply online.

Handy advice

When you apply online for a business credit card, it is a sound advice to not limit yourself with one or two financial companies. You have to make sure that you get the best deals, as well as the incentives and benefits attached with one.

Next, you have to make sure that you have a good status on your business credit rating so your application can be approved in a shorter amount of time (and being qualified for one).

You need to get your business and financial documents at the ready, since the company might require you to fax it to them to process your application. These documents involve business permits and licenses as proof of the validity of your enterprise.

Others might ask you to submit financial statements of your venture like income statements, balance sheets, tax documents, and so on; make sure you have these ready, just in case.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Three decades before bungy jumping began to come into the public eye as a new sport, the well-known broadcaster Sir David Attenborough encountered people on the Pentecost Island who demonstrated their courage by tying vines around their ankles and diving from tall platforms. Shortly after, Chris Baker of England devised an elastic rope for attempting a similar feat. In 1979, members of the Oxford England’s Dangerous Sports Club jumped from the 250-foot Clifton Suspension Bridge, marking the first attempts at bungy jumping as it is known today. Bungy jumping was slowly but surely gaining the public’s interest as a potential sport.

In 1986, A. J. Hackett of New Zealand did his own first jump. To promote widespread interest, he bungy jumped from numerous structures, including the Eiffel Tower in France, going on to start up one of the world’s largest bungy jumping companies. The A. J. Hackett Bungy company has expanded to locations in Macau, Mexico, Indonesia, Germany, the United States, Australia, and France, in addition to his original New Zealand location.

Not only was A. J. Hackett successful in spreading the word about bungy jumping, in creating his company he began to make this new sport much more widely accessible to those who wished to try it. While the Macau location boasts the highest commercial bungy jumping in the world, all of the other branches provide a nearly-equal degree of excitement for all who elect to participate in this sport.

The basic bungy jumping equipment consists of latex strands which are made into shock cords. Some companies and customers prefer to use plain ankle attachments, but in the interest of the jumpers’ safety body harnesses are often used also. Although sites vary in their means of retrieval, the most common method is with the use of a mobile crane which can quickly and accurately lower the jumper to the ground. The variations of retrieval methods generally depend on the types of jumping platforms that are used.

See how much you can learn about Bungy Jumping when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

In addition to the basic form of bungy jumping, there are some variations to this sport. In a Decelerator Descent, the jumper is able to slow down to a safer and more comfortable landing speed; the Macau Tower site provides for this style of bungy jumping, and is the world’s highest facility for this style.

The Catapult version is actually bungy jumping in reverse, as the jumper begins on the ground and, with the aid of a crane, shoots up into the air. The Twin Tower variation is similar, but the jumper uses two cords.

The two other most popular variations are quite different from the usual type of bungy jumping. In Bungy Running, the person races along a track to see how far he can go before he is pulled back by the bungy cord. On a much more tame scale than regular bungy jumping, the person wears bungy cords while using a trampoline, thus giving him the ability to jump much higher than with normal trampoline jumps.

The popularity of bungy jumping has been increasing. Whichever form of this sport you develop an interest in, you will be able to find exactly the one you’re looking for.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Quilting, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Quilting.

Quilting is centuries old. History tells that as far back as 3400BC, quilting is a famed activity among Egyptians. The activity is then passed from generation to generation and from continent to continent and is now being enjoyed as a form of art. Over time, quilting enjoyed several innovations in techniques and methods. But there are actually no strict rules in quilting, as quilters discover new ways of making quilting more fun and achievable. There are some basic quilting guides you can follow at each start of a new project, though. And they are the following:

1. Choose a quilting pattern. The pattern should of course match your skill level. This means that if you are a newbie, work on a pattern that is simple and easy. If you have been quilting for quite a while and have gained enough confidence, then by all means, choose the pattern that will translate the progress in your skill.

2. Identify whether the project would be a pieced or whole cloth quilt. A pieced quilt has strips and pieces cut from other different fabrics and stitched together to make a top. These pieces can take the form of flowers, butterflies, animals, and other decorative patterns. A whole cloth quilt, on the other hand, uses a single fabric to make a top, which is cut into strips and sewn together.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

3. Gather all the materials. These include the fabrics and the quilting threads. The patterns sometimes include a list of fabrics and threads to use, but think of it only as a suggestion and allow it not to impose limitations on you. Explore your options and find alternative and better materials that can complement the pattern. Your knowledge of the thread and fabric characteristics, textures, and color values comes into play here.

4. Prewash your fabric. This makes sure that the fabric doesn’t shrink or fade. When prewashing, use hot water and detergent and soak the fabric for about 20 minutes. After which, dry and press the fabric.

5. Familiarize yourself with the quilting steps. A quilt is made of three layers?the top, the batting, and the backing?which you have to stitch together. This process is actually the quilting itself. But first, you have to create the top by sewing blocks and strips of fabrics as indicated in the pattern of your choice. Next, select the batting and the backing material. The three layers are then put in their proper order to prepare them for basting. Basting means temporarily keeping the layers together using pins or stitches to prevent them from sliding and falling apart as they are quilted. Then, the actual quilting follows, which involve joining the three layers using small, fine stitches. As a final touch, a binding material is sewn to the quilt to trim and hide the fabric edges.

6. Sign the finished quilt. Some quilters are so attached with their quilts that they affix their name and date on one corner of the quilt. Unlike the other quilting guides, this one is a purely personal decision.

There’s a lot to understand about Quilting. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Bungee jumping equipment comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. In fact, each piece of the equipment used in bungee jumping can have quite a few variations. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the equipment used in bungee jumping before you participate in a jump. This way you will know what to look for and what type of setup you would like best. While there are many different types of platforms and retrieval equipment, for the purpose of this article, we will look at two things that will affect your jump the most – the bungee cord, and the harness.

When talking about bungee jumping equipment, the bungee cord is one of the most important items. There are several variations on the type of cord that is used in bungee jumping today. There are braided cords, unbraided cords, pre-stretched and un-stretched, natural rubber, mil spec, and the Euro cord. These are the major variations in the bungee cord used in today’s bungee jumping sports events. Let’s take a minute to look at the characteristics of each one of these cords, and the impact that it has on the end user: the bungee jumper.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

First, there is the military specification cord (or mil spec), which is manufactured to meet the requirements of the U. S. military. Of course, the military uses it to tie down equipment, not jump from bridges and other tall objects! However, because of the rigorous and standardized testing of the mil spec, these cords work well for bungee jumping. When using mil spec cords in bungee jumping, they are usually grouped together to form a set, as one cord can typically hold around 200 pounds of weight. Each cord has a protective sheath on it to prevent dirt and foreign objects from abrading the cords. The downside to this is that it is not possible to inspect the ends of the cords for fraying and / or signs of failure.

Some bungee cords are pre-stretched. This prevents the cord from stretching as much during the actual jump, which provides more of a ‘jerking’ action and a shock as the jumper reaches the end of the cord length. These are used mostly in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere the commercial proponents of bungee jumping tend to use a natural rubber, un-stretched and unbraided cord. This provides for a lot more ‘bounce’ and a more smooth experience at the bottom of the jump. While these natural cords do not last as long as the mil spec cords, they do provide a much more comfortable jump for the average user.

The next piece of bungee jumping equipment that you should inquire about is known as the harness. There are two main types of harnesses – the leg harness and the body harness. The leg harness usually consists of a towel wrapped around the ankles with webbing tied around this in a special knot. The towel provides padding to help prevent injury to the ankles. The webbing is then attached to the bungee cord. The body harness is very similar to a climber’s harness, and in fact, is many times the same thing. The most important aspect of the harness is how it attaches – if it is secure – to the bungee. Some accidental deaths have occurred when the bungee cord was attached using climbing carabineers instead of specialized equipment. It can definitely be said that bungee jumping equipment has come a long way since the vines on Pentecost Island!

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Are you looking for some inside information on Quilting? Here’s an up-to-date report from Quilting experts who should know.

The boom in quilting as a hobby and craft has caused manufacturers to produce a huge variety of thread. Yet you’ll find there is such a wide selection of thread that choosing the correct thread for your quilting project can leave you scratching your head in puzzlement. You’ll find an array of choices, whether you shop at a brick and mortar store on the internet. This article will shed some light on the confusing selection of thread for quilting.

Thread for quilting falls broadly into two categories- sewing thread and thread for embellishing. Let’s discuss sewing thread first, as it is the most commonly used, especially for quilting projects. Sewing thread can be purchased in several different weights and fibers. Weights of thread can range from 28 to 60. Thread for quilting needs to be strong, and to stand the test of time, so generally you will want to choose a thread in the range of a 40 weight. Thread in the 28 weight range is most commonly used for embellishment, while 50 weight would be used for piecing. You can easily find the weight of the thread you are considering by reading the label. You may see a number like this: 40/2. The first number is the weight of the thread, the second the number of plies. In this example, the thread is a 40 weight of two plies.

Thread for quilting is most often made from cotton, rayon, polyester, metallic or plastic. The metallic and plastic thread will be used for embellishments and specialty stitches only. Cotton thread is common, and often it is mercerized. This is a process where the fiber has been made to swell and straighten out repeatedly, which removes any tendency towards fuzziness, and makes for a very high luster thread. Cotton thread is available in 30 to 60 weight.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Quilting, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Rayon thread is also highly lustrous, and polyester thread has a colorfast, non-shrinkable finish. The metallic thread choices are going to be a bit more difficult to sew with and are not for beginners, though they make for stunningly beautiful finished quilting projects. Some brands that quilters might want to look for include the old favorite Coats and Clark, Guterman, which is a popular alternative known for its strength and ease of use (try it for hand quilting), Madeira rayon thread, which is strong enough to use to embroider on denim or leather, and Mettler, which comes in several different fibers.

It is often not a good idea to attempt to use up old sewing thread, which tends to degenerate on the spool. Unreel a bit and pull on it. If the thread snaps, it will also snap when you put it in your sewing machine. With the wide variety of quilting thread, and its relatively low cost, there’s no reason not to just buy new thread when you need a different color. You’ll save a fortune in frustration alone.

Some manufacturers also produce special threads for embellishing, and you can find these at your local quilting store. If you like to quilt by hand, you can use embroidery floss, available in a multitude of color and fiber. Learning about the different kinds of thread can enhance your love of the craft of quilting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Are you looking for some inside information on Soccer Training? Here’s an up-to-date report from Soccer Training experts who should know.

Soccer training is an essential part of the training and development of individuals on a soccer team. Additionally, it is a great time to focus on developing the team as a whole. There are many important coaching accessories for soccer training that can help in the development of important strategies, increasing technical abilities of the team members, and assist in organizing the sessions. Here, we will review some of these accessories and how they can help the coach during soccer training.

One of the most effective coaching accessories for soccer training is the ever-popular coach board that is dry erase. This is much like a standard dry erase board, but instead of a white background, it shows the background as a large soccer field. The coach can use dry erase markers to outline certain positions, field strategies, and soccer plays to the team members during soccer training. This is a great way to show the visualizations of these important components of the game. Many times, the coach board comes with one side that has a drawing of the soccer field, and the opposite side is a plain white dry erase board. Additionally, this accessory may come with markers, an eraser, a carrying case or a handle, and even liquid to assist in removing the marker from the board.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

The second coach accessory that may prove to be beneficial to a soccer coach during soccer training sessions is the portfolio style clipboard that is especially designed for coaches. There is a playing field template normally included with these types of clipboards that can be used to outline certain plays, and other techniques of the soccer play. This is a great tool that a coach can use to take notes on certain players and key interests during soccer training sessions. Dry erase markers can be used on this particular clipboard to create notes and useful outlines during soccer training.

The third coaching accessory that the soccer training coach may benefit from includes “The Soccer Coaching Bible”. Many coaches are able to use this particular book to outline their soccer training sessions. It covers many effective methods of defense and offense in the game of soccer, how to select particular players for certain positions, increasing the performance of their players, motivating their team, organizing the soccer training session, and many more important ideas and concepts that soccer coaches everywhere can benefit from. Coaches who specialize in soccer training from the teenage level all the way up to the adult level can benefit from the methods and guidelines that are presented in this particular book.

There are numerous coach accessories that one may use during soccer training. It is important to select accessories that can benefit the team as a whole when buying for a coach. The accessory should be an item that can be used to effectively build and develop players, set strategies for the soccer game, teach techniques during soccer practice, and benefit everyone that is part of the session as a whole.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Quilting poses no limitations. A quilter can create designs as far as the imagination allows, which is probably why there are thousands of quilt patterns in existence today. Quilters just never run out of ideas and they pass them on from one quilter to another. The patterns keep on evolving then, which eventually gives birth to hybrid patterns.

Novice quilters may at first be overwhelmed by the enormity of pattern options. And this commonly becomes a problem especially when they figure that the pattern they have is actually not what they want to work with. The result is half-hearted commitment and a lopsided quilt, if at all it gets done. You can avoid this, though, if you consider the following when choosing a quilt pattern:

1. Identify your skill level. Before setting out, you must first realistically and honestly assess your quilting skills. This is important because a pattern-skill level mismatch can turn an otherwise beautiful pattern into a sloppy quilt. Patterns are normally classified as beginner/easy, intermediate, experienced/hard, so determine into which your skill level fits.

2. Decide on your intended theme or message. Quilt patterns are oftentimes thematic. There are patterns for holidays, nursery, seasons, among other things. If you are celebrating a birth, choose a baby quilt. If the quilt is for the approaching spring, choose a bright, floral quilt pattern. Consider the message as well. Do you want the quilt to convey a political message? An advocacy perhaps? An inspiring story? Whatever message you intend to communicate, make sure the quilt pattern represents it well.

It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Quilting. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

3. Consider pattern combination. If your skill level allows, you can combine a number of patterns to achieve an exquisite and original look. Don’t be afraid to experiment because, in the first place, quilting encourages exploration of all your creative tendencies. Get out of your safe harbor. Think out of the box. Mix and match.

4. Determine how much time you are willing to commit. The simple patterns are of course quick to do, while the intricate ones may require a lot of time to complete. If you know you won’t be able to finish a pattern in a given time, save it for a future project. In the meantime, work with the pattern that you are likely to finish.

5. Get as many sources as you can. Ask fellow quilters for pattern suggestions. Some of them may even have designed their own quilt patterns. Don’t forget to also look samples in quilt shops and to research online. The good about the Internet is that you can find free quilt patterns?from the simplest and traditional to the more complex and intricate. Online patterns are too plenty you might want to create a collection. Of course, you can also try to look up in quilt books. These books are a compilation of designs derived from the traditional and old patterns.

Therefore, these designs, which may look new and complicated, are just as easy to do as the conventional quilt patterns you are familiar with.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

When the average person thinks of stencils, the word probably brings to mind early American style-painted floor cloths, or stenciled walls. Stencils enjoyed a great resurgence in style in the 1980′s as everyone went mad for the country look. However, when a quilter thinks of stencils, a very different use comes to mind. The crafter unfamiliar with the use of stencils in quilting may be quite perplexed as to how they are used. After all, when you look at a quilt, there’s no evidence that anything to do with stenciling in the traditional sense has occurred!

However, stencils are actually very useful in the art of quilting and advances in technology are quickly making them a must-have tool. Quilting stencils are very similar to stencils for paint, and often look about the same. They are most often made from a sturdy plastic, with holes punched in it for the design. However, while painting stencils are used to create decorative elements, quilting stencils are used to lay down a pattern to follow when stitching. The use of quilting stencils allows quilters to reproduce elaborate patterns on their quilt tops. With quilting stencils, you have an easy way to transfer and then follow a stitching design. You don’t need to worry if you feel you can’t draw. With quilting stencils, the drawing has all been done and all you have to do is follow someone else’s design.

The information about Quilting presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Quilting or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

Many companies offer quilting stencils and the supplies you’ll need to go with them. You’ll find designs ranging from traditional florals and fans to very contemporary styles. Take a look around some of the quilting sites on the internet or visit your local quilting store to get an idea of how many stencils await you.

Quilting stencils are easy to use. To transfer the design you can use chalk or stitching or water-soluble pens. (It is very important that you test the water soluble pen with your fabric before using it with a stencil-you don’t want it to ruin your beautiful pieced quilt top!) All you have to do is lay the quilting stencil atop your fabric and trace the pattern. Voila! You now have a stitching pattern to follow without a lot of muss and fuss. After all, most quilters prefer to spend their time designing, piecing a quilt top, or doing the actual quilting, not messing around with pattern transfers. A simple rule of thumb is to choose a design about a half an inch to an inch smaller than your block, so that the resulting pattern doesn’t look crowded. You can also take one of the smaller stencils and repeat the design by laying it down in a pattern on your fabric.

Quilting stencils are one of the most useful advances in notions for the home crafter. The average quilter of yesteryear would be amazed to view all the notions and supplies that are now available for the home crafter. Why not take advantage of these advances yourself? Quilting stencils are a great time-saver.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Quilting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO