What’s the Project? Give your sewing machine a little protection—and make it look good while you’re at it. These sewing machine cover patterns and tutorials include quick and easy covers, quilted options, patchwork designs, and clever ideas for using fabric and leftover quilt blocks from your stash.

Sewing Machine Cover Patterns and Tutorials

Our sewing machines spend a lot of time sitting out in the sewing room, so they might as well look cute while they’re waiting for us.

A fabric sewing machine cover helps keep dust, lint, and all those little sewing-room floaties off your ...

Next Wednesday until Friday the Free Motion Quilting Summit will take place. This event takes place online, so everyone from all over the world can take part. You can participate for FREE!

The Summit is organised by Mary Davis of Mary Go Round Quilts. I am lucky to have been asked to teach for the third time in this awesome online event. There are over 20 different teachers taking part, talking about all kinds of different aspects of freemotion quilting.

From design tutorials to ruler work, from freemotion embroidery to gorgeous feathers, there is surely something in there for everybody ...

What’s the Tutorial? Learn how to use a flying geese ruler to trim your quilt blocks quickly and accurately. If you’ve ever ended up with flying geese that are just a little too small, a little too wonky, or don’t quite match the pattern, this tutorial will help you get better results with less frustration.

Flying geese blocks and I have had our moments. You sew them up, press them open, and somehow one side is perfect while the other one… well… let’s just say it’s “close enough.”

That’s where a flying geese ruler ...

What’s the Tutorial? Learn how to sew a buttonhole stitch around appliqué pieces for a clean, decorative finish. This simple technique secures the raw edges while adding a classic hand-stitched look to quilts, pillows, table runners, and other sewing projects.

Have you ever looked at an appliqué project and thought, “Those stitches look way too fancy for me.” I promise they’re not. The buttonhole stitch is one of those techniques that looks impressive but is actually pretty simple once you get going.

It’s also one of those stitches you’ll see over and over in quilting. It ...

If you make one table runner, you will want to make more. At least, that is what has happened to me.

Using THIS great tutorial, it came together in no time. I did add an extra 1-1/2″ border to the top and bottom so it finishes at 12-1/2″ x 40-1/2″.

As soon as my friend Jennifer saw it, she said,”I want to make it in a quilt form (meaning, an entire bed).” I agree with her, it sounds like a lovely idea. And you could make the leaves in all different colors…If an entire bed ...

This goes to the soon-to-be-born first baby of a young couple in our circle. I can see it being built in many color options and sizes. Enjoy!

Full Hearts Quilt

36″ x 36″

MATERIALS

Fabric in at least two different colors for the heart and strip blocks. I used scraps. You will need a total of 54 strips 2-1/2″x-1/2″. I did 18 of each color (pink, yellow, blue). You will need 36 pieces 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2 (12 of each color).

1/2 yard background fabric. Cut 72 1-1/4″x1-1/4″ squares. Cut 36 3-1 ...

A Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party Bonus!

Today I have a special treat for you!

We are deep into the Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party, and this week the designer behind Brown Bird Designs—that’s me!—shared the Sparkling Star Block. It is such a fun block to make, and I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful versions. As a bonus, I’m gifting you the Glow Bug Quilt Block Tutorial. This block captures the heart of our Block Party theme: magical summer nights filled with wonder and delight. It celebrates time spent outdoors, watching nature ...

Because I wasn’t thinking of writing a step-by-step process tutorial as I started playing with leftover bits of fabric, I don’t have everything needed to be a true TUTORIAL. But I do have this, and maybe it will inspire you to build something similar yourself.

Stars Surrounded

19-1/2″ x 19-1/2″

MATERIALS

64 high contrast HST 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2 (you can use cutoffs from a previous quilt, or create to order from 2″ squares)

41 background squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″

16 colored strips 1-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ (I cut mine in pairs ...

Why is it called the Topper Quilt? Because it started out as a TUTORIAL from Free Motion by the River. Great use of Mini Charms (one per block, or a bunch of scrap-cut squares.) AND, if you get carried away, suddenly you have a quilt top. With pillows.

NOTE: This is the front yard of my home. And you are seeing my locally-famous front yard garden. Keeps me honest about weeding…

I love how each block came together and how I was able to use fabric I had on hand. If you have mini charm packs without a purpose, each ...

Have you ever finished a quilt, folded it up, gifted it away—or tucked it somewhere safe—and later wished you had written down when you made it or who it was for? That’s exactly why quilt labels matter.

Adding a quilt label is one of those little finishing touches that doesn’t take long but makes a big difference. It helps tell the story of your quilt—who made it, when it was sewn, who received it, or even a little note if it’s a special gift.

The good news is there’s no “right” way to ...

If you’ve been following along on my quilty journey, you know that I love doing something extra special on my quilt backs. When I saw the panel from the Mystic Fable fabric line by Alexia Abegg for Ruby Star Society, I just knew I had to do something with it on the back of my Moon Spell quilt. I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to show you how I made it with a tutorial for creating the Perfect Panel Quilt Back.

This panel is absolutely beautiful. It has a vintage appliqué feel and so many charming details ...

When I am sorting scraps, or cleaning up after projects, I cut likely pieces into standard sizes: 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/2″ squares. They are so handy, sitting there in their little tubs just waiting for a project to come along.

And here it is! Double four-patch.

A large (queen? king?) size quilt made out of 4-1/2″ blocks. Yes, it is a lot, but I have a lot of squares. And I am not in a hurry. And, I already have 11 blocks. Only something like 550+ to go.

Ever made a bag that just won’t stand up the way you want it to? That’s usually where box corners come in. This simple sewing technique is what gives bags, pouches, and bins that flat bottom so they actually hold their shape and work the way they should.

The good news is there’s more than one way to do it—and none of them are hard. In this tutorial, you’ll learn 3 easy methods for sewing box corners, so you can pick the one that makes the most sense for how you like to sew. Once ...

The pattern is called Cheater Patchwork by Happy Quilting. It calls for TWO layer cakes, but I used one and filled in with coordinating solids.

Finished size is 72″x72″.

I LOVE the Henhouse line of fabric (Available at your local quilt shop or online. I got mine on Ebay). Such a great variety of prints, and the colors do a great job of walking the line between traditional and contemporary.

It was delivered to a fellow teacher who I have worked with for a few years, but just recently served with on a committee. Once you get to know ...

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 give a store-bought blanket a handmade touch with a few simple sewing techniques. This is a great option when you want to create something personal and thoughtful—without starting completely from scratch.

Sometimes you need a gift quickly, or you find a blanket that’s soft and perfect… it just needs a little something extra. Adding a handmade detail can turn it into something special while still saving you time.

This project is simple, beginner-friendly, and a great way to use fabric from your stash. Whether you’re adding a border, trim, or a little bit of ...

Learn how to sew a snappy pouch that opens wide and snaps closed with a simple squeeze. This is one of those small sewing projects that’s quick to make, fun to use, and surprisingly handy to have around.

If you’ve never made a snap pouch before, you’re in for a treat. The built-in metal frame gives it that “snap” opening, making it easy to grab what you need without digging around. It’s perfect for holding sewing notions, small supplies, or even everyday items you want to keep organized.

Pouch Tutorial with a Snappy Closure

This project ...

Learn how to sew a simple mug caddy that slips right over your coffee mug and keeps your favorite sewing notions within reach. This little organizer is one of those projects you didn’t know you needed—until you make one and wonder how you ever sewed without it.

If you’re constantly reaching for clips, scissors, or a seam ripper, this mug caddy keeps everything in one spot while you sew. It wraps around your mug with elastic so it stays in place, and the pockets on the sides give you just enough room to hold the basics without ...