Quilting
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Karlee Porter’s Favorite Threads for Quilting
Favorite Threads for Quilting by Karlee Porter Award-winning quilter Karlee Porter shares her favorite threads for quilting. Learn more about Karlee in our free on-demand webinar, Hand Lettered Quilting. And look for our Hand Lettered Quilting kit to make memorable postcards to send to loved ones. from Karlee: When I first started quilting, the first thread that I had on hand were these very old cones that were from Walmart. When it comes to thread, especially for quilting, you get what you pay for. Not only did I find that this thread didn’t hold up very well, but I often had tension problems while trying to quilt with it. On…
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Quilt Block Pillow with Hand Embroidered Center Block
Quilt Block Pillow Making a quilt block pillow is a great entry into quilting. If you don’t want to commit to making an entire quilt right off the bat, making one block helps you understand quilting fundamentals. If you’re a quilting pro, experimenting with different block patterns is a great way to discover new fabric or color combinations for future quilts. Perhaps you don’t have enough fabric to turn that one block experiment into a full-fledged quilt. Or maybe your experiment turned into something you’d love to showcase in another way. What to do with one-off blocks? Turn them into pillows! Better yet, add hand embroidery to make a statement…
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Designing Quilts that Look Like Gems with MJ Kinman
Designing Quilts for Quilts that Glow by MJ Kinman MJ Kinman is a textile artist with a passion for designing quilts that resemble gems. Her Diamond Diva quilt kits and Birthstone Gem quilt kits allow you to create your own gems with easy-to-follow directions and piecing templates. To celebrate National Quilting Month, MJ talks all about designing quilts, creating quilts and why she quilts with Sulky 40 wt. rayon thread. DESIGNING QUILTS I like to tell people that I make the biggest diamonds in the world. But instead of using the hardest substances on earth, I use the softest – cloth. I love everything about designing quilts and creating my…
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Quilt Binding Hacks & Time-Saving Tips to Learn
Quilt Binding Made Easy Learn some great methods to bind quilts that save you time and frustration, resulting in a professional finish. Binding a quilt is the last step in finishing the project you spent countless hours creating. Whether you opt for premade binding in the package or create your own binding strips, there are several methods for applying quilt binding depending on the desired finished look and your machine capabilities. Traditional Quilt Binding Techniques People bind quilts in tons of different ways. Quilters use either single- or double-fold binding, either cut on the bias or along the straight grain, depending on the look and the need for stretch. (Fabrics…
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Stabilizers for Quilting
Choose the Right Stabilizers for Quilting Did you know you can use stabilizers for quilting? That’s right! Stabilizers aren’t just for machine embroidery. You can use stabilizers for quilting to achieve a more professional finish; provide a sturdy foundation for certain techniques; add thread count to lightweight fabrics without altering the drape or hand; and more. If you’ve ever struggled with taming a fabric while sewing, completing a pucker-free appliqué or creating straight stitches when quilting, this post is for you! Using stabilizers for quilting will change your quilting for the better. Soft ‘n Sheer™ This stabilizer is a lightweight cut-away variety that remains with the fabric after stitching through…
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5 Beginner Quilt Patterns – for National Quilting Month
Beginner Quilt Patterns These quilt patterns for beginners are great starter projects for anyone looking to get into quilting, needing a personalized gift, or wanting to use up fabric from their stash. To celebrate National Quilting Month, we’ve compiled several beginner quilt patterns so you can easily start (and FINISH) a quilt this month. 1. HST Quilt What’s a HST? It stands for “half-square triangle.” These triangles are easily created by stacking and assembly-line cutting using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler, which are essential tools you need for accuracy and ease when cutting quilt pieces. This “I Heart the 80s” beginner quilt pattern showcases fun fabrics and Neon Poly…
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Secret Heart Pillow with Piecing & Quilting
Secret Heart Pillow by Jennifer Strauser of Dizzy Quilter Create a secret heart pillow that has a zippered compartment for treats or notes. Use one fabric color for the secret heart or piece together coordinating Valentine-themed fabrics to create a 10 1/2″ panel for Piece A. This project is a great way to use a fun fat quarter bundle. Add some quilting using 50 wt. Cotton thread for texture and pops of color. SECRET HEART PILLOW SUPPLIES Sulky 50 wt. Cotton + Steel thread (1) 10 ½” square of heart fabric (1) 10 ½” square of fabric (to back the quilted panel – it will not show, so use up…
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Paper Pieced Heart Quilt for Valentine’s Day & Beyond
Paper Pieced Heart Quilt designed by Kelly Nagel Create a paper pieced heart quilt featuring heart appliques. This quilt is perfect for Valentine’s Day decor, a Mother’s Day gift or any time you want to express your love! Quilt Overview The hearts in this quilt are created with Sulky Paper Solvy™. This stabilizer comes in 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets and can be run through your printer to transfer paper piecing patterns. Sew right through the paper and fabrics, and then wash away the stabilizer completely when piecing is complete! No more picking paper pieces out of small seams or intricate patterns! Another removal method, used for this quilt, is…
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Crazy Patch Valentine Holder Using Hexies & Free-Motion Stitching
Crazy Patch Valentine Holder by Melissa Shields Create a fun “Crazy Patch” Valentine Holder to contain the cards you’ll receive this Valentine’s Day. This also makes a great kid’s project to take to school, and it’s a fun stash buster that teaches some new techniques. Use a bunch of leftover hexies to create the crazy heart Valentine, or cut new ones from coordinating fabric prints. A die-cutting machine, such as AccuQuilt, Sizzix or Cricut, is especially helpful for this process. (The heart template can be cut this way, too!) WHAT IS A CRAZY PATCH Crazy patch is an old quilting technique that was a way to use up scraps and…
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November Birthstone Block Sew-Along: Citrine Quilt Block
Join Our November Birthstone Block Sew-Along! Grab your November Birthstone Block kit and get started on making this beautiful gemstone to either quilt on it’s own or add to a larger Birthstone quilt! We’re on our way to make a birthstone block for each month, and we have five blocks left! We started this last May and have been doing one birthstone a month ever since. I feel so accomplished! Don’t you? If you’re just now starting, don’t fret. Peruse the past sew-alongs on the blog and you’ll get all the tips you need to create these with confidence! Getting Started/Making Mistakes With this November Birthstone block, I have to…
