What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

OH MY GOSH ---- I remember Satin Moon Quilt Shop in Victoria. I believe I was there several times. BUT I never scrimped on having a cutting mat. However, in that person's defense, it was and still is very common for women to skimp on the tools of the trade regardless of the hobby. Don't skimp on the tools!!!! You are worth it!!!

OK—I have a surprise for someone, and once they see the item, they will know who it's for. 

After the story about the rotary blades, I needed to change the blade on my cutter ...

Just because the manufacturer says you can't cut the grey mat doesn't mean you can't! You should send pictures!!! 

Well, yesterday was a total write-off when it came to sewing. In fact, I haven't touched any of the sewing machines in days! And that seems to be typical for me. I have things to sew, and hopefully that will happen today and tomorrow. 

Most of the demos are prepped - I might have said yesterday that everything is in order, and that would have been a lie. I had to open my appliqué demo box to get ...

I have to laugh at how DH and I are the same and yet we are different! Obviously, we have quite different jobs, and our personalities are almost polar opposites. BUT, the underlying gel that holds us together is so similar. 

I am a storyteller - I think you all know that, and I was really hoping to be finished with these couple of magazines I went through the other day, but alas, you are going to get one more day of the stories from those couple of magazines tomorrow. Then I hope to be done!

Anyway, I try to spin ...

That's one way to stop fights when the Christmas catalogs came in—get one for everyone in the family! That was the BEST time of the year, but alas, I had to share between two brothers and Mom. My gosh -we bought Christmas candy, and well, I don't remember all that we coveted. I grew up in a very small community, and that catalog was my ticket to the world! There was no such thing as looking at store window displays. There was no toy store nearby - shopping by catalog was all we had! We did have an ...

Some of you have been busy bees - even with knee and other surgeries!! It's great to get things done, and Torry seems to be accomplishing a lot in small leaps and bounds! All progress is progress!!!! We must celebrate the small steps as well as the big ones!!  

I'm having so much fun going through these magazines that I want to make sure I document all the cool stuff I spotted. Once I get past the next couple of issues (pre-2000), I'm sure I won't need to document so much because it's all "recent" at ...

I will confess that I didn't get nearly as much done yesterday as I would have liked. I was tired, but I managed to unpack all but one suitcase and am sorting for the next event, which is in a week. But it's only two days and close to home! 

Then I got all my expenses sorted out, which was good, since I typically leave it hanging around for a week or so. I chatted with my boss, which is always good for updates, but it may involve another short trip. 

I finished another book, and I managed ...

Oh my!!! Yes, Jackie - you have a point. My list was mostly "don't do this," and it's always better to keep it positive rather than negative. So I will turn that list around, but not today. However you prefer to see your lists, that list is a very important one for quilters/crafters. I'm going to blame it all on those marketing people who created the NEED for us to want more and more and more! 

I couldn't agree more about the magazine titles. Some titles are strictly fluff, and I will have no qualms about ...

For the past year I have been featured in American Quilter. Every issue has one of my paper pieced block patterns, and a link to a helpful video on paper piecing techniques.

The May 2025 issue featured this Spring butterfly and daisy. You can watch all the videos on my Made By Marney YouTube channel. If you are new to paper piecing, or need a refresher, watch PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT on YouTube. This is a great starting point with simple tips for easy piecing.

Try some of my favorite Cute Critters in your next project…

These are ...

If you are new to paper piecing, I would love to share some tips for a beginner, or as a refresher. This past year I did a series of patterns and helpful videos for the American Quilter magazine. I can’t offer the pattern to you at this time because of publication rules, but I would love to share this short video on paper piecing tips. The video was linked to the January/February issue. Every issue in 2025 has a link to a video with my paper piecing tips.

PRESS HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

This video explains the “butterfly ...

Regarding yesterday's post about changing needles, I wanted to add something. The "rule of thumb" is to change the needles after 6 - 8 hours of sewing. But what exactly does that mean? Some sewists could be sewing (needle moving up and down, NOT just in the sewing room) 6 - 8 hours in one day. For others, that might be several days or weeks. 

The guideline I use is to wind 4 or 5 bobbins, and when they are done, it's time to change the needle and CLEAN the bobbin case. You'll have to listen to your machine ...

There is one area of my life that won't get cluttered with digital stuff, and that's Zoom. I think I have 5 GB of "free" storage, enough to store a month's worth of video recordings—about 12 hours or something like that. I get emails from Zoom if the account is getting close to full. Do I want to buy storage? No, and then I go in and delete the older videos! Yeah, me! One area that will never become cluttered! They will shut down the ability to record if you go over! Or so they say ...

I'm late again! OK—I've got the getting up and going to bed thing—no problem! The issue is that I'm wide awake in the middle of the night! So, I need to sleep in if I'm awake for a few hours. It'll get worked out soon! Thankfully, Murphy alerts me if I sleep in too late! 

It's been a long time since I had a day without a Zoom or had to be somewhere. A day when I could work on my stuff without an immediate deadline - as in a deadline the next ...

The Koala quilt from my newest book, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING, is being featured in Homespun Magazine’s February/March 2024 issue.

This charming little quilt combines paper piecing and applique to create a ” juvenile jungle” for your child. This Koala is one of many adorable animal patterns in the book.

Sea turtles, hedgehogs, monkeys and much more….

I’m in love with this sweet sea turtle. All square blocks measure 8″ x 8″ unfinished, and can be used in every project in this book, as well as my previous 6 books. This means you can be super creative ...

Oh my --- I love Tammy's comment about advent calendars! This is my FIRST-ever advent calendar, and it's a quilting one. They are pretty pricey compared to other advent calendars. I'm sure I'll get lots of stuff I don't want or need, but it's the fun of having something to open. 

However, after some research, I've already decided that this will be my first and last quilting advent calendar. There are MANY other options, and they cost a fraction of the price. You'll have to wait until next year to see! I may ...

I am thrilled to be featured in the CREATE WHIMSY: SPOTLIGHT! A huge Made By Marney “thank you” to them for such a lovely interview.

Create Whimsy features different artists/designers on their blog. You can see more of their interviews HERE.

After spending a few weeks in Hilton Head biking and relaxing, I discovered a super group of pickleball players that meet every morning to play. They are a local group, very friendly and welcoming.

While I was vacationing, a gentleman contacted me to design a MILITARY GNOME. He is an Air ...

Gosh  -- I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone -- well, sensing someone close by and needing clothing coverage! I don't know what it is, but sleeveless tops make me feel naked. And don't get me started on what some people wear to the gym! Skimpy little bra tops, with full coverage leggings, while I wear a t-shirt and shorts! It is what it is, and thankfully we can all wear what makes us feel comfortable! 

OK -- here's a somber topic to be discussing today. We are victims of our own success, and we are running ...

 I was going to say there is nothing quilt-related today, but that would be a lie. There is something --just wait for it. 

Yesterday, I thought I was going to go mad because of technology. I love my smartphone, and like all of you, I use it a fair bit. But yesterday, I was ready to throw in the towel. Why? Not because of the phone -- oh no -- I LOVE my phone. Nope -- look at what happened. 

Scam  calls

More scam calls

I designed these 2 paper pieced Christmas Tree Skirts for Quiltmaker and Quilting magazines, 2019. I am now allowed to offer the patterns for sale. There are 2 things that I love about these tree skirts. 1) They are both super cute! 2) They are both super easy!

Who doesn’t love the red truck craze? This LITTLE RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT PATTERN reminds me of the truck we used on our farm back in the 1950s. I love this nostalgic pattern.

Wouldn’t it be adorable to paper piece photos of your kids in ...

Modern Quilt Books & PatternsAre you looking for quilt books to add to your collection? How many...