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...]
Y seams patchwork
Pattern #2 in the Illusions series - this is regular piecing. I am so glad I took the time to learn the secrets of Y seams - no more fear! Sewing the triangular units is piece of cake, combining six of them is a little more challenging; there are 12 seams that meet in the center; the task requires just a little more care and adequate pressing and trimming of the the seam … [Read more...]
Y seams and English paper piecing
I am working on the third pattern in the Illusions series and I realized I haven't posted on the blog about the first two projects so here is the first one. Y seams intimidate many quilters and I was one of them! I made a gorgeous 3D design and the first thought was, of course - stay away from Y seams! So I stitched it in English paper piecing. You see here 6 different fabrics and maybe you … [Read more...]
Flanged binding tutorial
You can add a special detail to a quilt even after the quilting is done and that detail has a name: flanged (or faux piped) binding. Unlike the regular binding made from one fabric, the flanged binding uses two fabrics: a main fabric and an accent fabric. See below my quilt to better understand how to choose the fabrics for this type of binding. The accent (flange) fabric must contrast … [Read more...]
How to add borders to octagons
Yesterday a reader asked me what she could do with a 20'' octagon panel, how could she turn it into a bigger quilt? My answer was: add borders! I detailed the response to her and then I thought that maybe there are other quilters that have the same problem so here is a short tutorial on how to add borders to octagon blocks/panels. I needed an octagon so I made quickly this block. I used my … [Read more...]
How to finish quilts without binding
Once again I love the versatility of rainbow fabric. From one piece of fabric, I was able to make a block that required 8 colors! This was the starting point: 1'' octagon, small triangles and the technique from my Loving Hugs pattern series. The second row of triangles added. And the third row. A fast growth in scale of the block... The final block … [Read more...]
Folded strips pattern for coasters
Hello friends! Years ago I made this folded star and loved it. There are so many versions on Internet but some pastel stars caught my attention. I wanted to duplicate the texture and the colors but using something different and here is what I have done. This was my first version of a folded strips octagon, made with Kona cotton fabrics. Very excited with the result, I thought to … [Read more...]
Quilt inspiration – a story and the lessons
Failing is not fun, but it always comes with lessons for those that persevere. We, as quilters, learn many times from other quilters' mistakes and experiences, but I think the most valuable lessons are the ones learned the hard way, from our own mistakes. At the beginning of November I found out that the deadline for submitting quilts for QuiltCon is November 30. I was playing on my computer … [Read more...]
Reverse applique quilt tutorial
Hello friends! Because from time to time I receive messages like this from quilters: "These quilts are amazing, but what exactly is the reverse applique technique?, I decided to share with you a Reverse Applique Quilt Tutorial I made my first little piece in July 2017 and the more I use and design, the more I love this FABULOUS technique. Let's summarize the technique in a few … [Read more...]
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