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I design my quilt patterns using Electric Quilt and I simply love it! ❤️

Not only does EQ make it easy to tweak a design, I can lay out my actual fabrics in my quilt to see exactly how it will look when done. Before I cut into my gorgeous fabrics, I have a complete plan of not only how my quilt will look, but also how much yardage I will need.

When I decided recently to make a Kaffe Fasset version of my Thumbprint design, I used EQ to help me plan!

I was recently asked ...

No change in the numbers.

The runner I call Harlequin is now basted.

The blocks came from a class I took in 2017 on improvisational curved piecing.  This is the third quilt from the blocks made in that class.

A lot of the fabrics are my hand dyes.  I didn’t have enough of the blue or green for the border.  I got lucky and found the blue solid at my Guild’s fabric sale.

I could do simple quilting and finish it quickly, but decided to play around with the quilting on this one.  Except for the black and ...

I’ve been AWOL for a time as I worked on an online class. I have a terrible time deciding how I want to do the quilting on my quilts, so I’ve just finished a design class that may help me overcome that. It was a class from Lisa Calle, from whom I’ve had other classes in […]

Happy Mother’s Day!  Do something nice for yourself today.

No change in the numbers.

I finally came up with a quilting plan for K’s quilt.  I’m about half way through the quilting.  I’d love to get the quilt finished this week.  I don’t like that I have to keep it a secret. 

I’m also looking forward to working on other projects and starting the paint chip challenge.  As a reminder, this is my paint chip.

In addition to the beach runner, I also started working on this UFO from a class several years ago ...

No change in the numbers.

My local library had a book sale this week, and I picked up this book.

I doubt I’ll ever make a quilt from it.  I bought it because it belonged to a woman I knew from a Guild I was in many years ago.  Her name and contact info were written in the front.  She was such a nice person and an amazing quilter.  Inside there were pages of hand written notes describing a quilt she designed.  It had to go home with me.

In the sewing room, I added borders to the striped ...

Just before leaving for my trip to the Houston Quilt Festival, I did the most recent installment of the BOM from Wonderfil. Now the third row is complete, and there is only one more row — two or three blocks — to go! I’m guessing that one of those will be the bottom portion of […]

Buying a new sewing machine can feel overwhelming—there are so many brands, features, and price points to consider! To make things easier, here are my top 10 tips for choosing your very first machine.

1. Buy the Best Sewing Machine You Can Afford

Cheaper machines often have plastic parts that won’t hold up over time. Also, some of them are not built very well and will fall apart after a few uses. New and inexpensive machines (I'm looking at you - Amazon) may work for a while but can be frustrating and short-lived. That said, don’t overspend ...

 It's a beautiful day in Hamilton, Missouri.  We have had breakfast and are heading off to start the Scavenger Hunt.  I've forgotten my lanyard and make a quick return to the center before catching up.  Along the walk --- these are soooo pretty.Now, back to the girls.As we make our rounds through the stores - this window of the yarn shop looks amazing.At each store, I do a

No change in the numbers.

A lot of progress happened this week. I finished as much as I plan to do on the sewing room declutter.

I replaced the binding on a second blanket.

I finished a Craftsy class, 20 Things to Know Before You Sew. I’m taking a break on classes for now.

I turned the corner on the afghan. That puts me close to the halfway point.

I chose the next sewing project, washed the fabric, and made all the pattern choices.

I have a nice little rotation going with my three projects. We’ll see if ...

No fabric in this week.

I finished sorting through fabric as part of the Declutter Challenge, but still need to organize it a bit better. A little fabric went out this week.

I don’t have a OMG for March. Little happens creatively with so much work and life going on. I decided to update the Short List because it helps me focus. I did shorten it to stay more realistic.

Project 1 (Crochet): Marled Crochet Moss Stitch Stripes Blanket. It’s too big to photograph easily. I’m almost done with the third section (out of seven).

Project 2 ...

January was some month. I finished the ATCs in January and Traffic Jam February 1^st. I started a crochet afghan kit.

About three weeks in, I realized everything in process is blue. I like blue, but more variety would make it more interesting. I’ll have to work on that.

I began the Short List many years ago to create short-term goals and a way to focus. I change things up as my interests change.

Project 1 (Original): Study in Stitches. I figured out what bothers me about this project but haven’t decided what to do about it ...

Welcome to 2025! I wish you a year full of creative fun and joy.

In spite of a busy December, the list moved forward. I also started and finished a small crocheted throw. I find I’m going back to hobbies from decades ago and enjoying them in new ways. Good chance you’ll see more variety on the Short List in 2025.

I began the Short List many years ago to create short-term goals and a way to focus. I change things up as my interests change.

Project 1 (Original): Study in Stitches. Something about this project doesn’t ...

I have two little projects to share with you today. First is a small bag I’ve made as a gift; it’s another Drop Zone bag from ByAnnie. I really like this bag, as it opens up completely flat and then zips completely and compactly closed. I added an adorable little zipper pull shaped like a […]

 Woke around 7:45 am but our classes didn't start till 9 am. I decided to shower and clean up before heading down to our meeting room. I was uncomfortable being in that room without friends close by. 

Arrived early, had a doughnut and then sat and chatted with our group. At least the ones that were there. Sandy and her sister went downstairs to the breakfast room. 

We started the day with doing Bigfoot, public market and the tulips. 

First we did the tulip. Everyone loves my tree but I didn't think it looked like a good ...

What a fabulous day we had at The Hobby Horse!!! Angie and I had never tag-teamed doing a lecture, but we worked amazingly well together! The students who came went home with their heads spinning on how to get better organized, find more time to sew, cut fabric, and much more!!! 

It always amazes me how many people feel that they have this stuff down pat. Heck, I teach it, and I'm still learning! It was a great session. We're continuing with another session and new topics in October, so check that out. 

The afternoon was devoted to ...

I see no one dared to comment on that quilt pattern! It really is in the eye of the beholder what the "correct" way to place those ribbons is. The fact that we are different is what makes the world go round, even if we don't always agree. 

The same is true for a directional print on the border of a quilt—do you turn the border upside down?

I hope you had a chance to check out the classes that I posted yesterday. You have time to think about what you want to learn, and we should always ...

 Let's start with the classes before I get lost in my thoughts!!! 

There are TWO more classes at The Hobby Horse, so I will post that link again. There are the October to June monthly one-hour lectures on finishing your quilt. There is so much to share in that! And there are FOUR in-person sessions—two of them are on machine quilting, and two of them are demos on various topics. Angie and I will be doing those two sessions as a team. It will be super fun, a chance for you to get out of the house and ...

I mentioned in a previous post that I was participating in a “Slow Along” — a slow-paced series of video steps toward making (in this case) a travel toiletries bag called Travel Essentials. We began about eight weeks ago, and the last step was released yesterday, giving everyone lots of time to stay on track […]