Smart Phone App?

[BillNye]

I've gotten some interest from a few people, but here's my question. If I was going to build a mobile app for quilters, what should it do? Do you just want to be able to shop our site better or is there other things the ultimate quilting app should do?

[zenkitty]

Re: Smart Phone App?

I know there's a quilt app for calcuating fabric amounts. Combine that with the app you want to create...and well, you'll have the ultimate app!

[BillNye]

Re: Smart Phone App?

I know there's a quilt app for calcuating fabric amounts. Combine that with the app you want to create...and well, you'll have the ultimate app!

Come on now, I know there are more things you all do than just calculating fabric amounts

[Sewbee]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Al BEWARE WHAT YOU ASK FOR!

I have several quilting apps for my iPad that I have downloaded from the iTunes App store. Some are very useful others not so much. The type of information I think would be helpful in addition to being able to access the MSQC forums, blog, tutorials and Daily Deal/shop pages would be the following:

1. Basic quilt reference tables ie. sizes for standard crib, lap, twin, full, queen and king size quilts
2. How many Pre-cuts necessary for the various size quilt projects broken down by charm packs, layer cakes etc. (similar to the "Weights and Measures" PDF files available from the Moda Bakeshop at http://www.modabakeshop.com/p/weights-and-measures.html)
3. Yardage calculators for figuring what you will need for your blocks, sashing, borders and bindings.
4. Sample block patterns and variations possible....there are several current quilt apps that display a variety of block patterns and ways to alter their appearance.

You can find the info I mention in #3 and #4 in an iPad/iPhone application designed by Mary Kay Podlecki called BLOCKFAB-HD. Here is the link with a pretty good description of what that app can do: http://blockfab.blogspot.com/

I have a feeling that making a comprehensive quilting app might be more work than you were planning but this will give you an idea of the types of apps already out there.

If you have access to the iTunes App store just put Quilt Apps into the search engine and you will see what is currently available.

BTW... I hope MSQC never stops using YouTube for their free tutorial videos because currently that is the only platform for videos that is compatible on an iPad. Any Flash video or the videos done on the Sympoz site are not viewable on an iPad. I have found my iPad to be an essential tool when quilting because I can set it up right in my work area or next to my sewing machine and run Jenny's YouTube tutorials any time I need. My computer is upstairs in the kitchen so I don't have to run up and downstairs every time I want to recheck how something is done. I have spoken with the execs at Sympoz and they are well aware that their videos cannot be displayed currently on the mobile devices like the iPad and are working on a fix for that....I can't WAIT....would love to watch the Sympoz tutorials on my iPad also!

Here are some links to other apps that might give you more ideas:

Organizing quilt app for planning your next project: http://komakode.com/Koma_Kode_Softwa...ect_Quilt.html

App that lets you trial different color schemes for your quilt blocks: http://www.quiltersapp.com/

This video shows how the color app works: http://www.quiltersapp.com/iPad_video.html

[mrswindy4]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Maybe take the most popular quilt blocks then create an app that would tell you what sizes to cut each shape...for a multitude of block sizes.

Say I wanted to make an 8 inch log cabin block, the app would be able to tell me what sizes to cut my pieces of fabric, but would also tell me the same thing if I wanted a 10 inch block.

Would that be something feasible?

I've seen a lot of block patterns that I'd love to "blow up" but I have no math skills...can you help?

[stitchywoman]

Re: Smart Phone App?

It'd be cool to have a notes tab where you could make notes about a pattern, block, or a shopping list for whatever you're working on.

[toggpine]

Re: Smart Phone App?

How about one that cleans the house so I have more time to quilt?

I'd even buy a smart phone just to get that app!!!!

[mrswindy4]

Re: Smart Phone App?

How about one that cleans the house so I have more time to quilt?

I'd even buy a smart phone just to get that app!!!!

LIKE!!! LOL

[shell.scraps]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Personally I would like to have access to the tutorials on my phone without having to go to the website as it is always with me vs. my laptop which is not in my sewing area or I'd get no sewing done...plus if you have an ipod but not an iphone you don't always have access to internet so having to go online to see them can be a bummer...

[jrchapman]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Something like this: http://quiltivate.com/blocks/ where you have a library of blocks and you can play around with colours and layouts. I spend hours faffing with this. It would be even better if you could mix and match blocks.

An app where you can snap pictures of fabrics in shops and play around with them would be even better but I think I'm getting carried away now.

[pdjewelrylady]

Re: Smart Phone App?

"An app where you can snap pictures of fabrics in shops and play around with them would be even better but I think I'm getting carried away now."

OMGOODNESS! I might just have to get a smart phone if you could do this! LOL LOL LOL LOL

[Sewbee]

Re: Smart Phone App?

An app where you can snap pictures of fabrics in shops and play around with them would be even better but I think I'm getting carried away now.

This is apparently already possible with the Quilters App. Check out this video.

http://www.quiltersapp.com/iPad_video.html

I don't own this app but it looks interesting. It gets mixed reviews at the iTunes store based on some technical limitations but I am considering trying it out.

I do own the BlockFab-HD app for iPad and recommend it. http://blockfab.blogspot.com/

[suzette58]

Re: Smart Phone App?

I am new to smart phone stuff. I just got my IPAD today. I would love to see reference information. I think someone has filled you in. Sizes of quilts, how many squares you get out of a fat quarter.

Thanks for asking

[Onetiredmomma]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Yes, definite better forum accessibility. Perhaps a dictionary with links interwoven with tutorials and pictures, organized links to all the tutorials, I like the idea of taking pictures and creating a "design wall" from THAT fabric. Quick reference tables for fabric measurements for pre cuts, a catalogue system for our stashes, block patterns, and last, but most importantly (for me) a section to entertain all 3 of my kids when I am stuck by myself and have to go into a craft store... Just kidding, kind of.

[Texsam]

Re: Smart Phone App?

Will it be for all the smart phones? I have the Droid from Motorola and I haven't found any quilting apps. It would be nice to have one with some of the ideas the others have mentioned if possible.