What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Learn how to make a wheelchair quilt with this free tutorial and pattern from Hearts Creations.  It is not difficult to make and would be the perfect gift for a loved one.  I wish I had seen this when my father was still with us.  He was in a wheelchair for many years and this would have been nice to have.

With an easily printed diagram and some step-by-step photos.  There are even some tips to add pockets.

My favorite part of this pattern is that you can use any quilt pattern that you would like.  The article has photos ...

For an ideal way to use some of those batik fabrics that you have on hand…why not try making cloth napkins.  This video tutorial from Brianna Roberts shows you how.

With step-by-step instructions, you will learn the entire process.  Spoiler alert, it’s really easy!  The best part is, once you are done, you have a fancy set of napkins to dress up your table.

You can use them every day, or you can make a holiday table that much more elegant with them.

I love projects like these napkins.  They are easy and would make a great hostess ...

If you are a longarm quilter and would like to expand your free motion skills, then this tutorial is for you.  Jane over on Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting has a helpful whole cloth pattern practice video.  Not only that, but recently she has started offering a practice panel for sale.  That’s a great for option for people wanting to give this skill a try.

Jane’s video takes you through the process of free motion stitching and includes plenty of tips and tricks along the way.

Free motion quilting can be a bit tricky when starting out, but ...

Always one of a quilter’s favorite blocks, the sawtooth star adds a versatile and beautiful design to quilts.  It can be traditional or modern and it is often a go-to for designers.  We have rounded up nine stunning and free sawtooth star quilt patterns.  Which one will you be making?

1. Here’s a simple and striking offset sawtooth star that has a modern look to it.  It is designed by Then Came June.
2. Fun and festive, this beautiful pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew will quickly become a family favorite.
3. With its big and bold offset stars, Sew Can She ...

Have you been seeing all of the gorgeous temperature quilts out there?  They are lovely and, guess what….they are pretty easy to make.  Even better, you can make your quilt completely unique to you based on your fabric and pattern choices.

Last year I wrote a roundup on 10 Ways to Make a Temperature Quilt and it has been a popular post.  Recently there has been an explosion of interest in these fun quilts so I did some searching and found 10 more ways to make one.  Have fun quilting!

1. Material Girl Quilts is all about half square triangles ...

Have you ever heard of webbing a quilt?  It’s a piecing technique and it’s a great way to put a quilt top together.  This helpful video tutorial from Quilting Gail shows you the entire process.

There are a number of ways to piece a quilt top once you have cut out your shapes and this is a handy and easy way to do it.  It makes quick work of a sometimes tedious process.  After watching the video, I know I will be giving this method a try.

If you have ever wondered what webbing a quilt was, or ...

Have you ever wondered how some quilters seem to get their scrap patchwork quilts to sparkle?  Well, Amy from Diary of a Quilter has five tips to help you out.

Packed full of lovely photos, you will find out all of the secrets to getting the most out of your scraps.  There are even links to other articles, such as one about fabric value. It is pretty eye-opening when you learn about all of the different types and categories of quilting fabric.

As an added bonus, the article takes you through the process of making a baby size easy patchwork ...

I don’t know about you, but sometimes seatbelts can be irritating on the neck.  Why not try this handy solution from Thermoweb?

You will need to use their special Heat ‘n Bond Fusible Fleece to complete your project.  However, other than that, and some Velcro, all you need are standard sewing supplies.  You can purchase the fusible fleece here.

I love practical solutions like this one.  What fun it would be to make a set of them in matching fabrics for your automobile.  You could also make them in fun novelty fabrics depending on who sits in what seat ...

All of us are looking for a way to save some money right?  I know I am.  Here are some great tips on quilt backings from Quilty Love to help us out.

She suggests using flannel, and this handy article tells you what you need to know when quilting with it and other sheets.  There are tips on what type of sheets work best and how to quilt with them.  There are even tips on basting and care of the fabric.

It is always nice to save some money when quilting.  It can be a pretty expensive habit.

If you ...

Do you ever get in the mood to make a quilt, but you don’t want to spend days and days making one?  How about trying a mini quilt.  Many times you can make an entire mini quilt in an afternoon.  They make terrific gifts for that friend who has everything.  They are also a great way to use up your fabric stash.

Instead of heading out to the store next time you feel like making a quilt, why not try one of these ten patterns?  They are all free and vary from modern to traditional.

1. This unique shooting hearts ...

Looking for a new quilting pattern to finish off your quilt tops?  Here is some striking stitching from Leah Day.  It is called Curved Pinstripes and wow, is it lovely.

It is not always easy to find easy and striking machine quilting patterns to make with your walking foot.  This definitely fits the bill.

Not only does the tutorial give you detailed instructions on how to achieve the look, there are a lot of tips along the way.  That is always helpful to me, because I tend to charge ahead and not read everything like I should.

Leah has a ...

Relatively easy to do, but packing a wonderful visual punch, Seminole patchwork is a worthy addition to your quilting repertoire.  This tutorial (in two parts) from Geta’s Quilting Studio shows you how to do it.  There is even a free pattern for a pouch.

Geta uses rainbow fabric to make her Seminole patchwork, so if you don’t have that, you will need to improvise a bit.

The tutorial has step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the entire process.  She also explores larger and smaller versions in part two of her article.

I love that she used ...

The moment I saw this absolutely adorable hipster cat quilt from Shwin & Shwin  I knew I had to bring it to you.  Look at those glasses and bow tie!  This pattern just makes me smile.

Measuring 44″ x 44″ when done, the quilt does not require loads of fabric.  Because the cat is appliquéd on you do need some freezer paper for the templates.  Other than that, general quilting supplies are needed.

The tutorial has step-by-step photos and instructions to help you out.  In addition, the complete pattern is available as a pdf download.

Who wouldn’t love getting this ...

One thing I often struggle with when quilting on my domestic sewing machine is avoiding folds and pleats.  This helpful article from The Little Mushroom Cap is a good resource to help out with that issue.

It is so annoying when you have spent hours working on a quilt, only to turn it over and see a big fold on the back.  This article has numerous tips and techniques that are described in detail.  Along with the description, there are helpful photos and diagrams.

Reading through the entire article brings back memories of the times I have gotten a dreaded ...

Are you looking for ways to add some extra charm to your Christmas quilts?  One way is to free-motion quilt them with holiday motifs.  You can make up your own or try one of these 10 beautiful designs.

1. Lori Kennedy is a master at free-motion quilting and she has a number of holiday motifs.  Up first is this mistletoe and berries design.
2. This snowflake ornament pattern from Lori has a modern look to it.
3. What is Christmas without a tree like this evergreen tree design from Lori.
4. Lori’s holly leaves and berries would look lovely on any quilt.
5. Everyone ...

Who doesn’t love some Christmas Baubles?  I know I do and I especially like them when they are made out of fabric.  Look at the darling quilt pattern from Jen Daly Quilts for Moda Bake Shop.  It is just beautiful.

Made with Moda holiday fabrics, this mini measures only 18″ x 24″.  There are a lot of fabrics packed into this small quilt. In fact, it is perfect for a mini charm pack.  If you don’t know, mini charm packs are squares measuring 2 1/2″ square.

The blog post has detailed step-by-step photos and instructions so assembly ...

From New Quilters comes this interesting and fun tutorial on how to make a rose quilt block.  It is an almost freeform technique that leads to beautiful results.

You don’t need any fancy tools, just pins, fabric and a ruler (see-through).  Lots and lots of scraps are used when making this block.  That is the beauty of it.  It’s a great way to use up some of your fabric scraps.  The author’s roses were red, but I am partial to yellow, so I’m thinking this would be a lovely yellow and green quilt too.

Sometimes it ...

I think that the thing that stood out to me right away on this Christmas quilt from Andy over on A Bright Corner, was the black sashing.  It is not normally a color that I associate with the holidays, but oh boy does it work with this quilt and these fabrics.

This free pattern can be downloaded from the article.  Because of some of the shapes, it may not be ideal for an absolute beginner, but if you have some experience you may want to give it a try.

The finished quilt measures about 60″ x 69″, so it is ...

Are you ready to learn how to do a mitered border for your quilts?  It is really not that hard and this tutorial from Amy of Amy’s Creative Side shows you how to do it.

With a video, step-by-step instructions, and photos you should have no problems mastering the technique.

Mitered corners add a lovely touch to a design.  They can add a nice finish or add another design element to a pattern.  They can also carry a diagonal line that appears in the main body of a quilt pattern out to the border.

It is definitely a skill ...

The festival of lights, Hanukkah, is a special time of the year and festive blue and silver decorations abound.  Here are 5 quilt patterns available to purchase over on Etsy.  These are all digital downloads so make sure to read the entire product description in the listing to make sure it will work for you.

1. A unique and modern menorah is the focus of this pattern.
2. Beautiful wall hanging featuring the Star of David and a Menorah.
3. This unique Star of David Table Topper would look lovely on any surface.
4. Here’s a fun mini menorah pattern that looks great ...