What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

This year for Mother’s Day, give mom a gift truly from the heart by stitching up a new quilt just for her. We celebrate our mother’s because they have always been there for us; they are both our providers and protectors. This year instead of the traditional route of flowers, blanket her in the warmth and comfort of a quilt to let her know that when she needs you most, you’ll always be there to comfort her.

We’ve picked out five great quilting projects that are ...

I’m willing to bet 9 out of 10 of you bought your longarm machine because you were not happy wrestling that large quilt through your domestic machine to do the quilting. Am I right? We solved one problem. But, then what do we do? We finish the beautiful quilting on our longarm, then take the quilt off the frame and wrestle that large quilt through our domestic machine to apply the binding. Let me ask, does that make any sense? I am going to share a little tutorial on how to apply binding on the longarm. Sewing the binding ...

I’m willing to bet 9 out of 10 of you bought your longarm machine because you were not happy wrestling that large quilt through your domestic machine to do the quilting. Am I right? We solved one problem. But, then what do we do? We finish the beautiful quilting on our longarm, then take the quilt off the frame and wrestle that large quilt through our domestic machine to apply the binding. Let me ask, does that make any sense? I am going to share a little tutorial on how to apply binding on the longarm. Sewing the binding ...

Every time you quilt you are creating texture. The very nature of what makes up a quilt, three layers, with the center being a compressible fiber, means that when you stitch the three layers together you will compress that inner layer with your stitches and create texture. The location of the stitches will be lower than what surrounds them. The contrast, low to high, creates a variation on the surface of the quilt. That variation is the definition of texture. (See last week’s blog post to refresh your memory of that definition.)

Seeing texture

Sometimes you look at a ...

Every time you quilt you are creating texture. The very nature of what makes up a quilt, three layers, with the center being a compressible fiber, means that when you stitch the three layers together you will compress that inner layer with your stitches and create texture. The location of the stitches will be lower than what surrounds them. The contrast, low to high, creates a variation on the surface of the quilt. That variation is the definition of texture. (See last week’s blog post to refresh your memory of that definition.)

Seeing texture

Sometimes you look at a ...

Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time now to start stitching up those beautiful, patriotic quilts for your summer picnics and Independence Day celebrations! Quilting has been an American past-time since the beginning days of our country, so celebrate the history of our craft and nation this year with a red, white and blue color palette!

If you’re needing some inspiration, we’ve gather five of our favorite patriotic quilt projects that would be just perfect ...

If you have never joined the Ruler of the Month club with Handi Quilter, I’m here to fill you in on what it is all about.

What is it?

If you enjoy ruler work, you’ll love the opportunity to expand both your ruler collection and your ruler skills. Each month in the six-month series we introduce an exclusive, brand-new ruler to the Handi Quilter line-up. Along with the ruler, you’ll receive video education and design ideas. It’s a great way to gain ruler work confidence and build your skills.

Members get special pricing and exclusive access ...

If you have never joined the Ruler of the Month club with Handi Quilter, I’m here to fill you in on what it is all about.

What is it?

If you enjoy ruler work, you’ll love the opportunity to expand both your ruler collection and your ruler skills. Each month in the six-month series we introduce an exclusive, brand-new ruler to the Handi Quilter line-up. Along with the ruler, you’ll receive video education and design ideas. It’s a great way to gain ruler work confidence and build your skills.

Members get special pricing and exclusive access ...

We have been following Diane’s adventures in learning to quilt and a few weeks back I gave some doodling tips to help her (and you). You can read that post here.

More Doodling Tips

I have a few more tips that will shorten your learning curve. Things you can do to make your doodling help develop the skills you use when actually quilting.

Define a space

Diane talks about this in her blog post. She found it very helpful to define a space to practice a design in. While quilting you are likely to be quilting within blocks or ...

We have been following Diane’s adventures in learning to quilt and a few weeks back I gave some doodling tips to help her (and you). You can read that post here.

More Doodling Tips

I have a few more tips that will shorten your learning curve. Things you can do to make your doodling help develop the skills you use when actually quilting.

Define a space

Diane talks about this in her blog post. She found it very helpful to define a space to practice a design in. While quilting you are likely to be quilting within blocks or ...

In the “olden days”, little girls learned to sew at a very young age. Their tiny hands were trained to stitch up four patches, hourglasses, and shooflies—all without rulers, rotary cutters, or even sewing machines!

This week, Jenny is using those same old-fashioned beginner blocks to whip up a dazzling Sunshine Shoofly quilt. And like all our favorite patterns, this super-simple layer cake quilt looks SO much trickier than it really is! Click HERE to watch the video! 

Before Jenny Doan, there was Nancy Cabot.

During the 1930s, Nancy wrote a column for the Chicago Daily Tribune featuring a new quilt pattern every single day. A diagram of the daily block was printed next to helpful tips and bits of quilt history. (The pattern could be purchased for “5 cents in stamps or coin.”)

Nancy’s column was chatty and casual, like a tea time conversation between friends. I think I would have loved her!

On January 27, 1933, Nancy highlighted a simple half-square triangle pattern called The Old Gray Goose. Of course, like all old-fashioned blocks, it ...

If you’re interested in learning about the basics of quilting, then you’re in the right place! 

Getting started with something new is usually the hardest part. Quilting can be a laborious process — it requires many steps that can seem really overwhelming when you’re new to it all! Many beginner quilters can get stuck when thinking about piecing together their first blocks, but we’re here to help! Today we’re going to be talking about the steps before you start piecing. A good foundation is ...

Precut fabric revolutionized the quilting world. The quilting skill was historically passed down through teaching – one would learn the intricate and mathematical approach of measuring and cutting fabric by hand from the generation that came before. Anyone who has pieced a quilt knows it’s difficult work! Before you could even consider your project or layout, all the fabrics must be cut from bolts or repurposed from used materials. The margin for error was extraordinary, a single miscalculation could jeopardize an entire quilting project.

Quilting is now easier and more ...

Gardening and quilting are the perfect pair, both producing an amazing result with a little time, effort and patience. Traditionally quilters have always incorporated their surroundings in their blocks, so it’s no wonder as to why so many vintage quilts feature flowers! Check out these five incredible patterns featuring flowers and traditional garden elements!

English Garden

Developing from English landscaping techniques of the 18th century, the style of an English garden is both elegant and structured. The English Garden quilt captures the feel of a beautiful ...

This month’s Triple Play tutorial is a mathematical delight: 3 gals + 3 yards = 3 gorgeous quilts! 

Jenny’s Design

It’s true! Jenny, Misty, and Natalie are whipping up 3 quick and easy quilts.

Misty’s Design

Each of these patterns is from “Modern Views with 3-Yard Quilts” by Donna Robertson for Fabric Cafe.

Natalie’s Design

Click HERE to learn how to make the Jacob’s Ladder, Dominique, and Jigsaw quilts—each from just 3 yards of fabric!

When Henry Ford implemented the assembly line, he cut the production time of the Model T from twelve hours to just two and a half! The car was the same. The parts were the same. But putting it together assembly-style was so much faster!

The same is true in quilting! The Diamond Terrace quilt is made of dozens of little pieces, but they come together lickety-split with chain piecing! Click HERE to learn how to make this quick and easy strip quilt!

Spring has sprung and the Easter Bunny is on his way! This season we are ready for Easter egg hunting and picking pretty flowers… oh, and sewing! We started our festivities early and filled our easter basket full of sweet spring patterns. If you aren’t sure what you’d like to sew up this year, we’ve hunted for some of the best and have them here for you!

1. Hippity Hoppity & Hippity Hoppity Mini by Nadra Ridgeway for Ellis & Higgs Patterns is available as a crib-sized and mini quilt. We love this warren of easter bunnies and all ...