When a quilt top is finished, the next step is to figure out how to quilt it. I have been quilting my own projects for almost 10 years, often deciding on quilting motifs just as I am placing the quilt sandwich in my Bernina. However, I have never taken a course on what to consider when choosing quilting motifs, relying instead on my instincts. That is why I was so excited when I received for review the book "501 Quilting Motifs - Designs for Hand or Machine Quilting" from the editors of … [Read more...] about “Quilt as desired”: here’s help!
Embroidering blocks for a quilt
Two more blocks finished for my grandson's quilt. I started embroidering them in January 2013, and my grandson turns one next week! Ai, ai, ai... Yep, it is all about Noah's ark, which I am embroidering now. I will add sashing and borders, but it will not be ready by Monday. You can find the other blocks I embroidered here, here, here, here, and here. I only have three more to go. The pre-printed blocks only had the animals so I added grass, water, and other elements to enhance them, unless … [Read more...] about Embroidering blocks for a quilt
Spring wall hanging
Hey, it is sunny here today! It is quite possible that Spring weather is here to stay... This clear day is putting me in the mood for playing with colors, speaking of which - how do you like my latest wall hanging? The colorful border has all the hues I chose for the hexie flowers, and it brightens the whole thing up. I love attaching the hexies with a zigzag stitch using contrasting color. I used monofilament to quilt the grey background (can you tell I was craving jelly beans as I was … [Read more...] about Spring wall hanging
Sewing pouch and pattern
I love how this sewing pouch turned out! The colors are bright and cheerful. I have made and sold dozens of these pouches to my friends and family, and many of them have one for each handwork project. Here is what it looks like inside: It has room for pins, needles, threads, buttons... whatever you may be using on your project. It is fun deciding which fabrics to use and where to put them. I had cut the fabrics a few weeks ago for this one but never had the chance to put it all together until … [Read more...] about Sewing pouch and pattern
Quilting and Dreaming: 1930s
When I read a quilting, recipe, knitting or other craft book, I read it from cover to cover including pattern and recipe details, general instructions, etc. I enjoy every bit of it provided it covers a subject of interest to me. I am often surprised at the things I learn, which I would have missed had I only read the pattern or recipe I was looking for or liked. Such is the case with "Candy Store and More - 1930s Quilts Made New" by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine, recently published by … [Read more...] about Quilting and Dreaming: 1930s
Strip Quilt: quick, easy, and fun!
Here is my latest finish still on my design wall, waiting for a hanging sleeve. The name of this quilt is Teenagers in our House - see if you can guess why! I had fun making this quilt using 2 1/2" strips left over from a queen-size quilt I made for my son's wedding (see it here). It is an adaptation of a quilt I found in a book I received for review: "Strip Savvy - 2 1/2"-Strip Quilting Designs" by Kate Henderson. Photo by Brent Kane for Martingale. Kate Henderson presents fun ideas … [Read more...] about Strip Quilt: quick, easy, and fun!