I am always looking for quilt border ideas to jazz up my projects. At times, horizontal strips just won't do, right? Other times, no border is required such as in this free quilt pattern you can download. In this post, I will show you how I made the blocks to enhance a pre-printed panel. However, you can use them around blocks, too. [Edited: June 22, 2020] This is my quilt "Let's Party", just published in the Summer 2019 issue of Quilter's World Magazine. It features Maywood Studio … [Read more...] about Quilt border ideas: a step-by-step block tutorial
Tutorials
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
Pincushion patterns that will make your heart stop!
One of the must-haves in the toolkit of every quilter or sewist is a pincushion (pin cushion works, too!). I am always looking for cool pincushion patterns so I can make them for myself or to give them as gifts to my friends. [Edited: June 23, 2020] Last night I dropped everything and locked myself in my studio to make these pincushions - I could not help it after I saw them! One had pieced houses and the other had machine applique'. I could not choose so I made them both! In no … [Read more...] about Pincushion patterns that will make your heart stop!
Diamond in the Square
I don't know about you but when I started quilting I bought books, took a few classes and, from there, started making quilts. Sometimes I would get to a place and think: Hmmm... how do I sew this? How can these points match? It was the case with the Diamond in the Square block. How do I stitch the triangles to the sides of the square so I will have correct seam allowances on all sides? Here is a video tutorial (or click on image below) with a quick tip for how to sew the triangles to the … [Read more...] about Diamond in the Square
Make a quilted wall hanging with teapots
Wall hangings are a fun way to add pizzazz to any area of your house. It will quickly take a corner of your wall from blah to glam, while adding a touch of whimsy, too. And whimsy is what I was going for, so let me show you how to make a quilted wall hanging with teapots. [Edited June 13, 2020] This quilt reminds me of my grandmother, and I will call it "Grandma's Cupboard". I raided my stash of blue fabrics, choosing fabrics with small prints to emphasize the shape of each … [Read more...] about Make a quilted wall hanging with teapots
FMQ tutorial
One of the ways I mark projects for quilting is by tracing the image I want to quilt onto Golden Threads paper. It allows me to be a little bit more precise as I freemotion quilt, and the design possibilities are endless. Here is how I do it: 1. Choose the design you want. The design above is from the book Designs for Continuous Line Quilting by Shirley Thompson (page 55): I looked everywhere but could not find a link for you to purchase it should you be interested. Maybe you can find … [Read more...] about FMQ tutorial