In my journey to learn more about the history of quilting and fiber arts, I have discovered some incredible makers, artists, thinkers and leaders. A couple weeks ago we talked about one of our founding Quilt Mothers, Nancy Crow, Marti Michell, Rachel Clark and Judith Scott. Today, I bring you someone who is not justContinue Reading...

Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – February 6, 1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter and one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement.

Lesson idea from Art. Paper. Scissors. Glue! 3rd graders started a conversation about what textile arts are by reading the book "Tar Beach" by author and artist Faith Ringgold. We talked about how the book and its illustrations were actually inspired by a story quilt that Ringgold created (the original work is pictured in the back of the book I had). The story in the book brought up the themes of both inequality (which works well since February is Black History Month) and imagination. The book's main character 3rd grader Cassie Louise Lightfoot discovers she has the ability to fly and in doing so, finds a sense of power and ownership over whatever she flies. She flies over the George Washington Bridge (a structure her father helped to build), an ice cream factory, and the Union Building (a building which housed an organization her father was not allowed to join because of his skin color). After reading and discussing the themes in the book, I asked my 3rd graders "Where would you go if you could fly (real or imaginary) and why?" This question was the inspiration for our very own patches on our 3rd grade story quilt. Students created their own "story patches" by creating a border using squares of 1.5"x1.5" decorative paper along the edge of a 12" x 12" piece of white drawing paper. Students then attached a strip of grey paper to the bottom of their picture squares and wrote about where they would go and why. Then in the remaining space, they used colored pencils to illustrate their ideas. I got a huge range of responses from Candyland (naturally to eat a ton of candy), to Columbia (to visit friends and family), to the Twin Towers in New York City (which prompted an entirely difference conversation). Students really enjoyed working on this project (which took between 4-5 class periods -- including one day for sketching ideas). I really love the finished product - and even more so when they are all hung together to make a giant story quilt! :)

“Flowers Of The Cosmos” by Fumiko Nakayama Let me just say right up front that this quilt show exceeded expectations in every way. Something I really love about Japan is …

This instructional quilting video provides some helpful hints for ink quilting and adding color to your quilt.

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This idea has been stuck in my head for awhile, ever since I heard about how quilts were used to communicate to runaway slaves on the Und...

In "TOAD-SPO - October inspired color palette for your next quilt," we capture the essence of autumn as a quilt-making season. The article introduces the Intertwined Quilt pattern, which showcases a rich and inviting color scheme of deep purples, vibrant yellows, and warm oranges, evoking the cozy ambiance of fall. The piece delves into fabric selection, color organization, and gradient effects, offering insights into the creative process.

Here are a few color palettes inspired by fall (sprinkled with some winter, spring and summer vibes).

What is Lutradur? Lutradur is a spun-bond polyester stabilizer and it comes in two weights, 70 grams, and 100 grams. The 70-gram Lutradur melts easier and at a lower heat, whereas the 100-gram Lutradur is more difficult to melt but better to print on. Painting Lutradur This medium is wonderful for added dimension in your…

This amazing thumbprint art is the work of Cheryl Sorg of Encinitas, California. At first I thought it was a selvage quilt! I wondered...

Experiment with ‘wavy’ rulers to add movement, dimension to quilts...

Easily paint a sunset ombre wall using just five or six paint colors applied in bands.

Learn four simple methods forto created textured fabric for your quilt

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Choosing the right quilting color schemes can make or break your quilts. Learn how to create color schemes for quilts that are bound to impress.

Watch the video tutorial below or scroll down for the written instructions What is Couching? Couching is a technique where you lay yarn, thread, ribbon, etc on top of your fabric and stitch them in place with a zigzag or fancy stitch, either in a similar thread or a contrasting thread. Couching adds interest and texture to your projects. I love playing around with different wools, threads, embroidery threads, lace, wool roving, and assorted cords to make my projects pop. Do You Need a Special Couching Foot? A specialized cording foot is a great machine accessory if you love

I decided to make a little sheet illustrating the number of squares you could cut from a fat quarter based on the size you needed. This way, I won't have to do so much math! Ha. It's probably best for my brain to have to do math but this is just so much easier and prettier to look at than a calculator. View the 8.5"x11" version here. View all of my cutting guides here. Related Posts: Half Square Triangles Layer Cake Cuts Basic Quilt Sizes Creating Charm Squares

Learn to take a photograph and transfer images to fabric for your quilting project.

Elevate your branding colors with these 12 modern brand color palettes. Plus, get a free Canva Branding Board template download for easy implementation.

Have you seen the bauhaus outline trend that’s been taking off on Pinterest lately? Actually, I’m not sure if it’s just recently or if it’s been going on for some time and I had my blinkers on. Either way, ever since I noticed these clean, minimal, geometric forms cropping up in my feed (like this one!) I fell so in lo

Moda's sales reps are showing quilt shop buyers another color collection of my Best of Morris line. We printed a separate lin...

Many, many people have been asking "What is a monotype?" and "How do you do it?"Known as the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques, a monotype is essentially a hand-printed painting. The appeal of the monotype lies in its unique translucency that creates a quality of light very different from a painting. The spontaneity of mark-making and layering of printing inks creates a surface that is unlike any other art.I roll or dab oil-based inks onto a smooth plastic surface (perspex o

In this easy tutorial, I show you how to make a gorgeous piece of batik art using a glue stick and home-made fabric paint.

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Thanks to his sharp wit and turn of phrase, the British artist’s voice is almost as distinctive as his line. A new book introduced by the art critic Martin Gayford gathers his musings on art, life, nature, creativity and more

Ever planning your fabric for a project and ask yourself: How can I make this section POP? Today we're talking about the magic little tool called temperature! There are warm colors and cool colors. Warm colors (generally, yellow, orange, and red) will POP, while cool colors (blue, green, purples) will recede. This is

When you’re working with lightweight fabrics, a French seam is often the finish of choice. But if there’s a side-seam vent, you need a way to neatly end the seam…

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