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...]
Big Dresden block made with small ruler
One of the rulers I use more often than others is the Fan ruler - this wedge ruler used to sew Dresden fan/plate blocks. In this tutorial I will show you how to use this 9'' ruler (15 degree) and sew BIG Dresden blocks, made with strips of fabric wider than the ruler. I used a 17'' wide strip of fabric (cut along the selvages, from 2 yards of fabric - Effervescence by Robert Kaufman). If you … [Read more...]
My favorite rulers and how to piece triangles
I have been quilting for almost 19 years and you may be thinking that during this time I have accumulated a mountain of rulers for making quilts. Well, I am not hoarding rulers! I have a few "speciality" rulers (made specifically for a quilt, they are wonderful, but I used them once and then forgot about them!), but other than these, I own and use all the time these 5 rulers. If you are a … [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...]
English Paper Piecing Tips for Beginners
Do you need some English paper piecing tips? Have you tried this technique yet? For more than 10 years I stayed away from it, admiring with envy beautiful Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts, thinking that I will never be able to sew something like this, because : "I sew only by machine, I don't have enough patience for sewing by hand". I can't remember the exact circumstances, but one day I … [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...]