While my husband and I were away last weekend, my oldest son Michael took Chris and Ryan fishing. This picture of Ryan against the mountainous background gave me an idea for another landscape quilt, until I noticed the open-mouthed catfish, struggling, right before Ryan sent him back into the lake water and saw it swim away. Will definitely have to edit the catfish and the fashionable glove out of this picture for the quilt. As a result of this fishing trip, Ryan has spent about $70 at Walmart, … [Read more...] about What fishermen and quilters have in common
Embroidery and Applique Inspiration
As I always quilt my projects, I own a few books with quilting designs. Looking at them, one can easily see how they could be used as patterns for embroidery and applique. Have you used any designs as such? Those with continuous line lend themselves more readily for stitchery and applique. One book in particular comes to mind, with designs so lovely I have thumbed through its pages very often for inspiration: Hari Walner's Continuous-Line Quilting Designs: 80 Patterns for Blocks, Borders, … [Read more...] about Embroidery and Applique Inspiration
Fat quarter giveaway
Fellow quilters: time is running out on the fat quarter giveaway. Just write something about the person (or persons) who inspired you to become a quilter. The winner will get a cool bundle of fat quarters from the Romance collection by Willowberry Lane for Henry Glass & Co, just in time for Easter. Start typing! … [Read more...] about Fat quarter giveaway
Storage for Projects
My projects-in-progress are usually stored in zippered plastic bags. However, the other day I found these awesome plastic boxes at Walmart for under $4.00 a piece. A bargain! At 15" x 11 1/2" x 3 1/4", they are the right size for storing fabrics, patterns, and everything else for your project, as well as for temporary storage of sewing items you will be using during a retreat. I bought three of them, but am going back for more, as they stack well. Oh... my studio is getting so … [Read more...] about Storage for Projects
Paper Piecing Tutorial
This Paper-piecing tutorial is so easy to follow! With paper piecing, you can create amazing blocks or borders for your quilts! [Updated 01/08/2024] I LOVE Carol Doak's 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks (I found it here)! It has tons of wonderful blocks, and the possibilities are infinite. The book comes with a CD so you can print the blocks you like when you are ready to start your project. I usually print a few blocks, then cut and paste them onto a page so I can get as many blocks as … [Read more...] about Paper Piecing Tutorial
Chatting with our Quilting Idols
As I read patterns, collect quilt books, thumb through quilt magazines, and go hunting for the newest fabric collection, I often wonder about the lives of the authors, designers, and quilt store owners. What prompted them to start quilting? How did they go from quilters to entrepreneurs? So, I decided to find out by interviewing them. The result is the newest page on this blog, Meet Leading Quilters [I renamed it Meet the Masters recently!]. It takes a little bit of time to be able to complete … [Read more...] about Chatting with our Quilting Idols