Evaluating Relative Values
I’m getting ready to teach my Color Gets the Credit but Value does the Work class at the AQS show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I thought it might be helpful to post a quick overview of the methods I recommend for evaluating the relative value of the fabrics in your quilt or other project. […]
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Fun with Fussy-Cutting
I’ve been working on a new bed quilt lately; and as I’ve been cutting my fabric, I’m starting to accumulate quite a pile of new scraps. I started setting some of the scraps to one side. I had an idea… Fussy-cutting is a fun way to feature a specific design or motif in a fabric […]
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FREE PROJECT – Fast & Fun Folded Fabric Stars
These scrap-busting stars make great holiday ornaments or decorations, and are easy enough that kids can enjoy making them, too. 😊 What You’ll Need: 3 strips of fabric for each star I used 3” x 10” strips for the larger stars and 2” x 7” strips for the smaller star. You can use 3 strips […]
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Revisiting Continuous Curve Machine Quilting
Back in June, I shared a step-by-step tutorial for Continuous Curve Machine Quilting with a Walking Foot. This quilting pattern has been a favorite of mine since I first learned it almost 30 years ago. The version I shared was (and is) a fantastic beginner-friendly starting point, but I thought you might be ready for […]
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Choosing Thread for Machine Quilting – Let’s have some fun!
How do YOU decide what thread to use when you machine quilt? Do you have a go-to favorite? Have you ever played with any other options? My go-to thread is 50wt. Aurifil cotton – the same thread that I use for piecing my quilts. It’s strong, colorfast, easy to work with, reliable, and has just […]
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Continuous Curve Machine Quilting with a Walking Foot
Continuous Curve (also known as Orange Peel) quilting has been around a long, long time, but its gentle curves are still one of my favorite ways to add a lovely soft texture to a quilt. It can be done by hand, with a walking foot, or with a free-motion foot; but the stitching path may […]
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FREE Project – Origami Drawstring Bag
I have a quick and easy photo tutorial for you today – along with some fun photographs from when Connor and I taught this project in the Kids Make It, Take It classes we used to offer through Lakeshore Sewing. Not only is this delightful, giftable little bag useful and appealing for all ages – […]
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FREE Project – Festive Holiday Coasters
Hello again, everyone! As some of you know, I went through a cancer scare this fall, and had my hands more than full with doctor visits and subsequent surgery a couple of weeks ago. But I am thrilled to report that my final biopsies came back negative & I’m getting my groove back! I have […]
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Machine Quilting with a Serpentine Stitch
I’ll say one thing about the global pandemic: I think I’ve done more sewing and quilting in the past year and a half than in the previous 10 years! Seriously, my sewing machine has been a lifeline, and the connections I’ve made through sharing my work – and enjoying everyone else’s work – on Instagram […]
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Finishing Spree! Quick Bindings That Mimic the Look of Hand-Sewn
I like to have lots of different projects going at different stages at the same time, so I always have something interesting to work on. But sometimes there’s a bottleneck, and I have a bunch of projects that are all at the same step. That’s what has been happening to me lately – a pile-up […]
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