Any quilter knows how to make half square triangles (HST), and there are several techniques that you can use, depending on the number of units you need and the size of initial squares you have on hand. You can make 2, 4 and even 8 units at once- obviously, for 8 units you need bigger squares than for 2 units. I needed sets of 4 HSTs made from the same fabrics so I used the technique that makes … [Read more...]
There is always a solution!
Design too complicated for machine piecing? You can always sew it by hand! English paper piecing is a blessing for designs too intricate to be sewn by machine. What do you think about this design? I confess at first I wanted to sew it by machine and I gave up immediately. Now that I made it by hand, I made one more try to sew it by machine and gave up again! This time because I could not … [Read more...]
Pillow corner trick
We sew a square pillow cover but the finished pillow is not square at all! It could look like this... or this... or this... What's wrong with these pillows? The sides curve in toward the center, changing the original shape of the pillow; the pillow insert will not be able to fill completely the corners. The result - floppy corners, known as "dog ears". Sometimes the issue … [Read more...]
Fabric Star Ornaments
It's that time of the year! I started sewing for Christmas! There are so many beautiful Christmas prints and so many patterns out there, isn't difficult to choose what to sew first?? I love to make these stars (pattern here) from fabric with metallic accent. The simple stars are quick and easy to sew and you can make them in any size you want. This is a great project for small … [Read more...]
How to finish quilted coasters without binding
I love to sew mini blocks! These ones below measures 2.75''. In case you think that you don't have patience to sew such blocks, I can tell you that the piecing is really fun, because it is actually strip piecing. For these blocks I used 1'' wide strips. The pattern for this block is here. I stitched a 16'' pillow and I thought to turn the three orphan blocks into coasters. At this … [Read more...]
Charm square (or scrap) friendly quilt pattern
I don't like to work with scraps and I don't have too many charm square packs in my drawers, but I am glad that I made a new pattern that can give them a new life. I am so excited about it that my next fabric order will include some Christmas charm square packs! What's special about this pattern? It looks complicated but in reality it is quick and easy. 41 pieces into a block that … [Read more...]
The regular ruler is not that regular!
Do you know that the regular, long rectangular ruler that all quilters own is not that regular?? It can do more than cutting strips! Those 30, 45, and 60 degree lines help you cut triangles. How about these triangles of this block? The big angle of this triangle measures 120 degrees and the other two angles measure 30 degrees. You can cut them from strips in any width and here is … [Read more...]
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