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...]
10 Quilting Mistakes I made as a beginner and how to avoid them
As long as we quilt, we make mistakes but fortunately, we learn best from mistakes. But some mistakes can be avoided, that's why I thought to share with you some of mine! Some of them are from my first months of quilting, so if you are a beginning quilter, I hope you will find something helpful. 1. Not pre-washing, starching and pressing fabric before starting a project. It looks like an … [Read more...]
Quick Christmas Quilts and a Trick!
These are my new quick Christmas quilts- patterns here. You see they come in pairs... It was DOUBLE FUN but NOT DOUBLE WORK! The designs and the techniques I used just REWARD you with applique pieces for a second quilt- without any effort from your part, without additional fabric or time. All you need is one more background fabric. The pieces are small - 14'', and SO … [Read more...]
English Paper Piecing Tips
Who doesn't love a few English paper piecing tips? Here is what I learned only from sewing these little samples for my pattern Summer Sorbet : a patchwork pattern that includes 3 designs for English paper piecing. Pre-washing fabric It is best to pre-wash the fabric for English paper piecing; you want to be able to easily fold and crease the fabric over the paper. A crisp fabric will … [Read more...]
How to sew faux trapunto
Do you quilt with two layers of batting? For this quilt-as-you-go quilt I used for some blocks cotton+a fluffy polyester batting and this gives such a wonderful definition to my quilting. But this time I wanted to use cotton+wool and I wanted to mimic the trapunto look without stitching trapunto. So here is a small faux-trapunto sample. I traced the design on fabric and outlined it several … [Read more...]
Better Organized Quilter
Hello friends! I know for sure that all quilters are addicted to colors! And some are addicted to rainbow, right? With fabric and thread available in so many colors, don't you find overwhelming when it is time to make an order? When you can choose thread from 100 colors or fabric from 300 colors, how do you know that you order the exact colors you need? A few years ago I bought a rainbow … [Read more...]
Nesting seams – flat quilt tops and accurate piecing
How do you keep the patchwork quilt tops flat? With the proper pressing of the seams. Some quilters prefer to press their seams open; for many patterns, it's a great option. I am not a fan, I do it only when it is absolutely necessary. I prefer pressing to one side. But for the easiest and quickest patchwork quilt a beginner quilter could sew (click here to see the quilt), nesting … [Read more...]