The thing that helps me most in my free motion quilting journey is this: I don't quilt with both hands on top of the quilt sandwich. I tried it in my first days of quilting and I hated it. I wanted to free motion quilt and I wanted to make it easy and fun so I tried something else. I just put my right hand under the quilt. I fold the quilt near the area I am quilting. I put the right … [Read more...]
Eat that frog! And how it applies to quilting
Eat That Frog is a book by the famous Brian Tracy. Here is an excerpt from Brian's website(click here to learn more): Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worse things that is going to happen to you all day long. Your “frog” is your biggest, most important … [Read more...]
New Patchwork Quilt Pattern
Hello, friends! I am so glad to show you my latest quilt. Let's start with the top! Here are a few of the 54 blocks I made. The beautiful fabric is from the Fossil Fern collection by Benartex. In spite of the intricate look, the pattern is really simple. I wanted to make the piecing as quick, easy and accurate as possible, so I made a few versions until I was happy! Oops, only … [Read more...]
French Seam Pouch Pattern
Today's pouch is not as pretty as the one I showed you yesterday, but there is something special about this pouch. It uses a super quick and easy technique. It works great for lightweight fabrics (like quilt weight fabric paired with lightweight interfacing) or heavier fabric (like denim) without interfacing. For this sample I used a faux suede and no interfacing. I inserted the zipper … [Read more...]
Making your own fabric
It all started with this: a piece of Kona cotton, some fusible batting and a few Aurifil spools. I started quilting and ... ...ended up with this 12'' x 15'' piece. Looking even better after washing! I used Aurifil 50 wt for this little sample. I did not want to use heavier thread, as there is a lot of backtracking and stitching on top of other stitches. This stitching … [Read more...]
Good Habits, Great Bags – 30 Tips for better handmade bags
Sewing bags should not be difficult and frustrating. You don't have to be an expert seamstress to make a bag. If you make a habit in following some little tips, you will improve your bag sewing skills, you will sew beautiful and long-lasting bags and you will enjoy your sewing experience. GOOD HABITS, GREAT BAGS Click here to read 30 Tips for better handmade bags … [Read more...]
Small wholecloth quilt – free motion quilting practice
Hello friends! Here is a new wholecloth quilt, it's small, the rosette measures 20''. This design can be quilted with the walking foot; it can also be free motion quilted- this is what I chose to do. I used a puffy, polyester batting and the texture achieved is just amazing! I quilted the rosettes and then I washed the quilt, in order to get rid of the marking lines. I … [Read more...]