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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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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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Hand Lettered Quilting + Postcard Project with Karlee Porter
What is Hand Lettered Quilting? Hand lettered quilting is a technique that allows you to incorporate chalkboard-art style into your creations. Karlee Porter is the designer behind this style of quilting, typically done by free-motion stitching. What is done by “hand,” then, you ask? Creating the design is done by hand, and the resulting design has a hand-drawn look. To achieve the look in stitches, there are three options: hand embroidery, free-motion and machine embroidery. In Sulky’s free webinar on November 12 at 2pm EDT, Karlee will showcase all three methods so you can use the one that suits you and your creative style. Plus, you’ll learn how to create…
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Winter Pinnacle Table Runner + Metallic Embroidered Snowflakes
Winter Pinnacle Table Runner designed by Vanessa Wilson, the Crafty Gemini sample by Ellen March Create a table runner that takes you from Christmas to beyond the New Year with winter-themed fabrics and metallic embroideries. This table runner top is made from charm squares and comes together quickly. Finished size: 17 1/2″ x 43″ SUPPLIES Kit Is No Longer Available: Winter Pinnacle Table Runner Kit (includes 5″ charm squares from “Bundle Up” collection by Art Gallery Fabrics, Sulky Christmas machine embroidery palette with 10 rayon & metallic thread spools and 20 embroidery designs, 5″ slicer ruler from Crafty Gemini, pack of assorted Organ machine embroidery needles and a 1-yard pack…
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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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Halloween Table Runner + Sewing Easy Curves
Halloween Table Runner by Ellen March Special Ruler Creating a Halloween table runner with pieced circles is easy with the help of specialty rulers. These rulers are fantastic tools for so many piecing projects, and this table runner is a great primer for using the rulers and learning the best ways to cut and sew the pieces together. I chose to create large circles in order to have a great embroidery canvas to play with. A few pins are all you need, along with a patient hand to place and replace the concave pieces as you sew. The trick is to NOT stretch either piece during construction. These pieces get…
