What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

For only the second time, I wanted to custom quilt a large quilt. My first one was Minuet, that I did with a large curved ruler. This time, I wanted to have some free motion feathers, some ruler work, more modern with some graphic lines. Loading the quilt on the longarm, the batting chosen was Dream Orient, now called Dream Bamboo. I like the light weight and breathability of the bamboo blend for a summer quilt. At this point, I did a lot of stand-and-stare, trying to make decisions on what to do in each section. In the end, I ...

Are you a beginner quilter looking for the best quilting rulers to start your journey? Look no further! This blog post explores quilting rulers that are suited for new quilters. With the right rulers for quilting, you can easily make precise cuts to complete your quilts confidently. Read on to find the best quilting rulers for beginners (and beyond)!

Why Do We Need Quilting Rulers?

Fabric and quilting rulers are versatile tools used to measure and cut fabric, mark lines, and make precise cuts at different angles. They are particularly helpful for complex patterns and squaring up quilt blocks to ...

Love those double spines but need a little help getting them done? The ProEcho line of rulers by Quilter’s Groove (read more

Hello, friends. Today I’m sharing a new-to-me sewing notion that I’ve decided I can’t live without. The Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese Tool is my new favorite for making quick, accurate, and fabric-saving flying geese. I love that this tool has options for eight different sizes using just one tool. I’ve also loved the speed […]

The post Ultimate Flying Geese Tool appeared first on A Quilting Life.

First, in case you are as confused as I was, a "Tumbler" quilt is  completely different from a "Tumbling Blocks" quilt! 

"Tumbling Blocks" are made from 60 degree triangles and diamonds, and wind up with a 3D effect. They're great fun to look at, but technically can be a bear to make. I don't even remember how I pulled off the blocks below, from a Tokyo-themed quilt I made in the 90s, called "Sushi in the Sky with Diamonds." 

When I first started machine quilting back in 2004, I looked all over for a mathematical way to figure out borders. Something that would work all the time on every border. Unfortunately, I could not find one. I thought I would share with you how I figure out an undulating spine that goes around the entire quilt. I have found that it is best to mark these before you load the machine on the frame.

Click here for the video of how I figure out this spine!

You can use this spine for ferns, flowers, feathers… really any ...

Fabric Cutting Rulers for the WINWhat are your favorite fabric cutting rulers? Do you like...

Use Border Templates for Edge-to-Edge DesignI love ruler quilting! There are so many options when...

Probably every quilter has faced the problem of the ruler slipping or sliding when cutting. It is frustrating to carefully line up the ruler, start cutting, then have the ruler slide out of position. We all know accuracy is key and fabric is too precious to waste on bad cuts! Fortunately, there are several products and ways to prevent your ruler from slipping.

Back when I first started quilting we didn’t have products designed specifically to prevent rulers from slipping so people devised ways on their own. Some recommended placing hot glue in the corners. Others glued sandpaper to ...

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 ...

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 ...

Let's start with some follow-up. You are all the best out there. I've got suggestions for acquiring book series to read and "approval" to keep the mistake in the blue string quilt! And I'm now the proud owner of the instructions for the Pineapple Rule. Remember that??

Pineapple Rule

Thanks to Jane for that. I should have contacted her first. For whatever reason, and we won't go there, but Jane seems to acquired EVERY ruler that was ever made. At a guild garage sale a few years back, I remember that she sold a few of ...

My friend, HQ Stitch Ambassador, Diane Harris is quilting her scrappy Gypsy Wife on her HQ Capri stationary longarm machine. She’s fairly new to machine quilting. And she is chronicling her adventures with her new machine over on the HQ Stitch blog. This week she asks the question, “when to frog machine quilting – and when to resist?”. Diane says. “I know that ripping out machine quilting doesn’t make you a better machine quilter. It’s practice that makes you better! Nevertheless, I want my quilts to be reasonably well made and that includes the quilting.”

How do you ...

My friend, HQ Stitch Ambassador, Diane Harris is quilting her scrappy Gypsy Wife on her HQ Capri stationary longarm machine. She’s fairly new to machine quilting. And she is chronicling her adventures with her new machine over on the HQ Stitch blog. This week she asks the question, “when to frog machine quilting – and when to resist?”. Diane says. “I know that ripping out machine quilting doesn’t make you a better machine quilter. It’s practice that makes you better! Nevertheless, I want my quilts to be reasonably well made and that includes the quilting.”

How do you ...

I am so excited that I can barely contain my excitement! The past few months have been challenging to say the least. We are all in a similar boat… our quilt shows have been cancelled which means that all of those classes that we all signed up for just went POOF! So what’s a quilter to do… we turn to our online options. Sometimes these are good and other times not so good. I have the perfect solution!

Private quilt coaching… you are in your studio, I am in mine and we come up with a game plan specific ...

Hello, and happy Friday, friends! Today I’m talking about Sewing Room Organization and am sharing 5 Quilt Ruler Storage and Organization Ideas. I have a video to go along with today’s post and hope you’ll get some great ideas in order to store and organize your rulers to optimize your sewing time and cut down […]

The post Sewing Room Organization: 5 Quilt Ruler Storage Ideas appeared first on A Quilting Life.

Good morning, and Happy Thursday!  I have been doing a pretty good job of squeezing in at least an hour or two at my long arm machine each day, so my Spirit Song quilting is progressing.