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...]
The easiest way to choose colors for your quilts
Sometimes, choosing colors for our next quilt seems overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! Here is an easy way to select colors for a successful color palette. Find inspiration on specialized website sites, like Design Seeds. We, quilters, love colors and I am sure you could spend hours on this website, admiring color palettes and choosing the best one for your next project. As you … [Read more...]
Easy fussy cutting- quick quilting tips
How many times we don't even try something new because we don't have the right tool on hand? And many times it's because we don't know the right information. I know that for years I wasn't interested in applique because I did not have a reliable water soluble marker (now I found the perfect markers and I can't stop designing applique quilts and patterns). I also know that I constantly avoid … [Read more...]
Quick Quilting Tips – how to finish the edge of hexagon quilts
How to finish the edge of a hexagon quilt? If you are not interested in keeping the edges of the hexagons intact, then the easiest and fastest way to finish the edges of hexagon quilts is to just straighten them. So you spent a lot of time finishing a top like this Grandmother's Flowers Garden I made some time ago- congratulations! Do you have an assistant like mine? Very helpful! The … [Read more...]
Save your batting or interfacing SCRAPS!
Batting and interfacing are bulky so shipping is VERY expensive (especially for those who order them from abroad, like me!). That makes every little scrap of it valuable. So, what can we do with batting scraps? Small bags and pouches are just two options. But I use scraps when I have to make larger pieces too. I "piece" the batting scraps into bigger pieces and I am able to use them for baby … [Read more...]
Quick Tips for Quilters- 2
Today's quilting tip is about binding. And I can't believe I figure this out only now, in my 15th year of quilting! So what could it be? Prepare the binding as soon as you finish the quilt top! Don't wait until the quilting is done! So you just finished a quilt top. You clean up your sewing space, fold all the fabrics used and put them back in your closet. You are now anxious to see it … [Read more...]