My love for fabrics began to grow when I became a quilter. At first, only quilting fabrics tugged at my heart. Today, any fiber with color and texture will attract me like bears to honey. Enter the feed sack - read on to get the inside scoop about sewing with Feed Sacks. With its rich history, whimsical prints, and unlikely rise to fame, I have another reason to add to my ever-expanding fabric collection (heretofore known as 'fabric stash'). I really did not know much about feed sacks other … [Read more...] about Sewing with Feed Sacks: get the inside scoop
hand quilting
Hand binding a machine pieced quilt
Hand binding a machine-pieced quilt is very relaxing and easy. Match the thread to the backing of the project and use a slip stitch. {Edited September 9, 2021} I am finishing a secret project using Riley Blake Designs Christmas fabrics. The binding is taking hours to complete and I am doing so while listening to music. The binding phase of any project is, to me, like approaching the finish line on a race. Not because I have been racing to finish it (although it does happen … [Read more...] about Hand binding a machine pieced quilt
“Quilt as desired”: here’s help!
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!
Hand quilted lap quilt
Sapphire thinks she has claimed the quilt! Stepping out of my comfort zone is the name of the game. Back when I used to travel all the time for work, I made it a point to visit local quilt stores in search of treasures (that is what I call every piece of fabric in my stash). Once, while working in Orlando, Florida, I found a quilt store on West Colonial Drive (it is no longer in business) which only sold Civil War fabrics. As I walked in, their vast selection of dark and muted colors … [Read more...] about Hand quilted lap quilt
Japanese Quilting
Another precious book came in the mail this week: Japanese Quilting by Yoko Saito . I had seen Yoko's work in magazines, but this collection of projects is a gem. Her signature taupe fabrics and wonky blocks adds whimsy and charm to her designs. Yoko's fabric colors appeals to traditional quilters, while her modern bag designs redefine this old staple of every woman's accessory arsenal. I am glad she incorporated Sashiko into some of her offerings, as I have fallen in love with this … [Read more...] about Japanese Quilting
Hand quilted treasure
Right before Christmas our Wednesday quilt group finished hand quilting this beautiful project. Lee told the story on the video I mentioned on my blog in December (see post here). Lee's mother-in-law gave her this project right after she got married, about 56 years ago. Lee finally finished the applique 15 years ago, but put it away as she did not think she could hand quilt it by herself. When we needed another project to hand quilt back in October, she remembered this quilt... and we happily … [Read more...] about Hand quilted treasure