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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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Meet the Elizabeth Diamond Diva – Free Webinar!
Elizabeth Diamond Diva Webinar The Elizabeth Diamond Diva quilt pattern is the latest gemstone quilt design by MJ Kinman. Take our FREE webinar to learn the ins and outs of piecing this beautiful quilt! WEBINAR DETAILS Join us Wednesday, January 8 at 2pm EST, when MJ herself walks us through the Elizabeth Diamond Diva quilt pattern. You’ll learn how to follow MJ’s piecing plan to easily break up the work into sections. Plus, find out why she prefers to use Sulky Rayon thread for piecing and quilting. You’ll also learn how to recover from piecing mistakes without having to take apart seams when something goes awry. MJ’s teaching style is…
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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…
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October Birthstone Block Sew-Along: Pink Tourmaline
October Birthstone Sew-Along: Pink Tourmaline Join us for the October birthstone block sew-along! This Pink Tourmaline gem not only represents babies born in October, but also translates into a great Breast Cancer Awareness “go pink!” block. SUPPLIES October Birthstone Block pattern by MJ Kinman Fat quarter bundle of Paintbrush Studio pink, lavender, violet, black and white fabrics Sulky 40 wt. Rayon thread (at least six shades to match fabrics) Rotary cutter, cutting mat & ruler 90/14 Organ sewing machine needles Paper scissors (or rotary blade designated for paper) Some of the above links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. TIP Purchase the October Birthstone…
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September Sapphire Block Sew-Along + Mini Gemstone Quilt
Join the September Sapphire Sew-Along! Make the September Sapphire block, designed by MJ Kinman, and comment below with your process, tips and/or finished result to participate in this month’s sew-along. September Sapphire Block Pattern This September Sapphire block pattern is a paper-piecing pattern that comes preprinted onto freezer paper. The paper is fusible yet leaves no residue, and is easily repositioned and removed. If you want to make multiples of these blocks, you can transfer the key, also included, onto Sulky Paper Solvy. The finished block measures 17″ square and can be combined with other MJ Birthstone blocks to make a stunning quilt or mini quilt, which is what I’m…
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July Birthstone Block Sew Along: the Ruby
Are you ready for the July Birthstone Block Sew Along? If you haven’t picked up the kit, there’s still time to receive it and make it before the month’s up. And if you just need the pattern, grab one today! PATTERN DETAILS The July Birthstone Block is super pretty. I love all the red, pink, and purple hues. There are a TON of pieces to this pattern, so I highly suggest you follow MJ Kinman’s advice to gather some envelopes to organize the pieces for each fabric color. I did NOT do this and, sure enough, I had to re-cut one piece because I couldn’t find it after cutting…
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June Birthstone Block: Gemstone Quilt Sew Along
The June Birthstone Block by MJ Kinman is the first block I’m making to create an entire Birthstone quilt. Here is the process I followed to piece the block, following the expert instructions from MJ in her pattern. I worked from the June Birthstone Gem kit, which includes the pattern, fabrics by Paintbrush Studio and Sulky rayon threads. Yes, MJ uses rayon thread for quilting! And she switches colors for each facet to not compete with the hues or color value. It’s an amazing process that really leaves you with a work of art. I have the complete thread collection, as I plan to make each Birthstone block. Plus, I…
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Emerald Gemstone Quilt Block + Rayon Threads for Quilting
Treat yourself to a precious gem and make a gemstone quilt block! Paper piecing and quilting with rayon thread combine to make a gorgeous Emerald Gemstone Quilt Block. The emerald is May’s birthstone, but also one of the “big three” of colored stones. Emeralds are all the rage, with some people choosing them for engagement rings over the traditional diamond. MJ Kinman, designer and creator of the famous Gemstone Quilt blocks, hosted a webinar with us and explained her wild-motion quilting techniques. This quilting is what she prefers for her gemstone quilt blocks and it becomes a cathartic experience with its calming repetition. For paper piecing these intricate gemstone quilt…
