What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

When we left off last time, the front and back of the tote were complete and ready for assembly. If you missed the first part with the cutting directions and initial construction, click on Sew Pretty Tote.

Because I want to work on this while it is flat as long as possible, the first thing to do for assembly is to sew the front and back together on bottom seam. I use clips instead of pins for this due to the bulk.

Lay the piece out, and hard press the seam open. Then press from the top side to set ...

Learn how to sew soft hacky sack snowballs that are fun to toss, easy to make, and perfect for using up fabric scraps. This is one of those quick projects that doesn’t take much time but ends up being used over and over again.

If you’ve got leftover fabric pieces and want something simple to sew, this is a great option. These little fabric balls are soft, lightweight, and safe for indoor play—making them perfect for kids, classrooms, or just a bit of fun around the house.

They’re also a nice break from bigger projects. You ...

I got around to the embroidery tote this past week, and made good progress. I had embroidered several things on a cream color tone on tone print including this sentiment, along with a couple of sewing machines. The Japanese print I loved only had a small amount. So I cut it into four equal pieces. I added more tone on tone white to the bottom of the embroidery to match that measurement. Then, the sides were sewn to the middle and this became the front of the bag. The width is 22 inches, limited by the size of the zipper ...

Quilted hot pads are my go-to palette cleanser whenever I want to refresh my kitchen or whip up a thoughtful gift in a single afternoon. They are the ultimate scrap-buster and a low-stakes way to play with a new technique without committing to a full-size quilt.

I love exploring all the different ways to make them functional and fun—whether it’s adding sturdy hook loops, handy pockets, or sizing them up for large casseroles. From unique geometric shapes to interesting trims, there are so many ways to add a little personality to something you’ll use every single day ...

Today we’re officially launching my brand new Sewing with Cotton Rope: First Edition course! read more

Vanessa has been playing around with different ropes/clotheslines and making a few bowls. Join the livestream today and learn a few more rope bowl making tips that you can use on your next rope project!

Vanessa will also share the rope projects she’s been working on. If you rarely use your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch this is a super fun project to work on.

• How to make a coiled rope bowl tutorial: https://youtu.be/Bpz6VTFS0Zo?si=pQB02DBK7CVyoSMi

• Scout Mini Satchel Bag: https://craftygemini.com/shop/scout-mini-satchel-video-course/

Join our email list: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

Ask ...

Have you ever turned a clamshell design on its side and used it as a border design? Well, here you go!

The machine quilting design Foliage is based on molar feathers and quarter circles. The grid design works well as a single border design or as a repeated grid pattern, like in the image below.

Foliage is loose and structured at the same time. Yes, the grid in this design creates structure, but the molar feathers are loose and free-flowing within their available space. 

Stitch this design from left to right as a single or double row and pre-mark it ...

Vanessa has been playing around with different ropes/clotheslines and making a few bowls. Join the livestream today and learn how to make a simple coiled bowl using a zig zag stitch! If you rarely use your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch this is a super fun project to work on.

• Slanted Zipper Pouch: https://craftygemini.com/shop/slanted-zipper-pouch-video-course/

• How to make a coiled rope bowl tutorial: https://youtu.be/Bpz6VTFS0Zo?si=pQB02DBK7CVyoSMi

• Gypsy Quilter cotton rope (100ft) (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4mHrucy

• The Mountain Thread Company Cotton Rope: https://www.themountainthreadcompany.com/shop/p/316-100-cotton-rope-by-the-yard-made-in-america

Join our ...

Learn how to make a simple no-sew banner with a star applique that’s quick, easy, and perfect for decorating your space. This is one of those projects you can put together in no time—no sewing machine needed.

If you’ve got fabric scraps sitting around and want a fast project that still looks put together, this is a great option. It’s especially fun for holidays, seasonal decorating, or adding a little handmade touch to a room without committing to a full sewing project.

The star applique gives the banner a bit of extra personality, while the no-sew ...

Learn how to sew fabric bunting using a faster method that saves time and still gives you clean, professional results. If you’ve ever made bunting before, you know it can be a little repetitive—but with a few simple changes, you can speed things up quite a bit.

Fabric bunting is one of those projects that always looks cute. It works for holidays, parties, kids’ rooms, sewing spaces, and pretty much anywhere you want to add a little color. The best part? You can use fabric from your stash and customize it for any occasion.

Let’s make it ...

Now that I am feeling more like myself, it was great to have a day to work on the next project. I had one more mug that needed a mat for the guild gift shop. The mug was purchased at a Chimney Rock merchant after the hurricane, but it has sat unused. We already have too many coffee mugs. So, I thought I would put a North Carolina motif on a mat for it. I selected a design and then selected threads and arranged them in order in an egg carton.

The design stitched out nicely. I did change the ...

Learn how to sew soft fabric toy blocks that are fun to make and perfect for little hands to play with. These soft blocks are a great beginner-friendly project and a wonderful way to create something both cute and useful.

If you’ve got fabric scraps or leftover pieces from other projects, this is a great way to use them. Each side of the block can be a different fabric, making it easy to mix colors, prints, and textures.

You can even add simple details like ribbons or different fabrics to make them more interesting for kids.

These soft toy ...

Learn how to turn simple fabric yo-yos into fun sewing projects you’ll actually want to make. These little gathered circles have been around for generations, and once you start making them it’s easy to see why—they’re quick, satisfying, and a great way to use up fabric scraps.

Fabric yo-yos are one of those small sewing projects that can turn into something much bigger. A handful of them might become a quilt, a pillow, a bag, or even a bit of home décor. And because they don’t require much fabric, they’re perfect for using ...

I had such a busy week that I actually forgot that I had a long weekend. At first I wondered what I was going to do with it. Perhaps I should’ve planned to go away. I had two intense days of long arm quilting mastery teaching which went very well. I also gave a talk to the local Quilt group and everybody stayed awake so that’s always a good sign. It was great to see some of my quilts again which just live in a suitcase. I have been driving around with them all week because I can ...

Our sleep-at-home retreat was this week for three days. We take our machines and projects to sew all day. The room is locked at night, so we can leave everything there while we go home for dinner and sleep. Then the next morning, we are back to having fun. I got there as the doors were opening on Tuesday morning, and set up my spot.

The first project for the day was to make three more bowl cozies in this fun print, so I would have a set of four for the gift shop at the show. About an hour ...

There’s something about sewing for the Fourth of July that just feels fun.

Maybe it’s the bold red, white, and blue fabrics, or maybe it’s the excuse to pull out star blocks and patriotic prints that have been waiting in your stash. Either way, holiday sewing projects are the perfect excuse to make something quick, festive, and a little bit different from your usual quilts.

If you’re looking for a few ideas to decorate your home, sew a small gift, or add something handmade to your holiday celebrations, these flag-inspired projects are a great place to ...

Learn how bed sheets can be used as quilt backing, what to look for before you sew, and when they’re actually a smart choice for your project.

If you’ve ever stood in the fabric store calculating how many yards you need for a backing — and then glanced at the price tag — you’re not alone. Backing fabric can sometimes cost almost as much as the quilt top itself.

That’s why so many quilters start wondering about flat sheets. They’re wide. They’re affordable. They might already be in your linen closet. It feels like an easy ...