Once in a while it's good to do a bit of stash busting. Last summer I made a series of 7 triangle quilts. T...
How To Make A Puff Quilt The Easy Way ~Bubble Quilt ~ Puffer Quilt. Free sewing Tutorial
Here is a super awesome quilt design for any quilt needing a little bit of floral flare! This fun little Daisy Chain is easy and a great way to add more texture into some of your other FMQ patterns. Click HERE for a free downloadable PDF! Click HERE to watch the full tutorial!
Learning how to tie a quilt is a great way to give some hand quilted charm to your projects. Continue reading for 6 fun ways to try it out!
Learn how to create binding with ruffles! It’s great for quilts that need a bit more color, texture or a tactile element.
I'm using this book as a guideline to making my own one-block wonder quilt. The book has pretty clear instructions, and the photo illustrations are really good. The technique isn't new by any means (anybody remember Stack and Whack by Bethany Reynolds?!) and it uses a ton of fabric, but at least it's just ONE fabric. And there's the beauty of it - one fabric that produces a hundred different blocks. You'll see. Follow along with me..... The fabric I'm using isn't what I would have picked out for myself since I'm not much of a fan of black backgrounds. But I chose this particular fabric with an eye toward my parents' new condo - I think the black with touches of reds, yellows, greens and a hint of blue will go in their new great room really well. I can almost ALWAYS count on finding what I'm looking for at my local quilt shop (Kindred Quilts). Take a good look at the fabric - when it's all said and done, you'll never know that was the base of it all. The following is going to be really abbreviated, for the whole, entire, complete she-bang, you really will have to get the book! The first step is to find the repeats in the pattern of the fabric and, to make hexagons, you'll need to cut 6 (some icky math : hexagon = 6 sides) sections of the fabric. This is why you need some major yardage - I used a little over 4 yards. Carefully stack the 6 sections on top of each other. Use pins to line up the edges by pinning through the exact same place in all six sections. This is the real pain in the butt part - time-consuming, and nitpicky. Haste makes waste. Now that the sections are pinned on all four sides, I carefully lay this out on the cutting board and make the first cut to trim up one edge. I only cut about 1/2". Then I make the first, gulp, real cut. It's a 3 and 3/4" strip from selvage edge to selvage edge. Put a couple pins in the large section and cut another strip. Laying one strip out on the cutting board, I used my equilateral triangle (icky math alert: all 3 sides are equal) ruler and cut the triangle sections out. I have to take the time to pin each section together - after all, I'll have... hmm, I didn't count, but surely more than 70 of these sections, and I sure would hate to drop them and they get all mixed up! I felt like peeking at a couple of the sections. I fanned four of them out to see what the final image will look like. Now that's inspirational!! I can hardly wait - each one of the triangle sections cut from 6 strips will be a slightly different version.
Once in a while it's good to do a bit of stash busting. Last summer I made a series of 7 triangle quilts. This summer I got inspiration from a quilter friend, Astrid and her lovely "chenille" pillow and throw. Probably not proper to call this a quilt, it's 8 layers of fabric that's stitched together and then cut through 7 of the eight layers. A true stash buster if you ever saw one! So, my drawer of brown Kaffe Fassett, leftover Cherrywood, a few homespuns and more, was turned into this 6 pounds throw. Yes, 6 pounds or 2.7 kg of fabric. That made some space in the fabric storage. Next up was the pastel blue with a bit of added orange. A smaller size, it weights 4.5 pounds or 2.0 kg of fabric. Both using 12.5 " squares, the brown throw measures 60" by 60" and the light blue is 48" by 60". I had my first go at machine stitching the binding onto these. So happy to have my heavy duty Pfaff sewing machine for this job. Not all machines will tackle sewing through 16 layers of fabric! Part of the process is washing and tumble drying the throw. Texture improves with every wash and dry. Softer with use... Stash busting mission of 2013 completed. A sore thumb from cutting all the slits. And more room for rummaging through the remaining stash. Happy with the result, I might use this technique to make a few hot pads for christmas presents this year.... What's your best stash busting trick?
Learning how to tie a quilt is a great way to give some hand quilted charm to your projects. Continue reading for 6 fun ways to try it out!
Hi Janome Friends! I'm a Janome Maker, who loves her Janome 550E and M7. Today I'm going to share tips on how to use your Janome 550E embroidery machine to quilt your projects and it's easy with Janome AcuFil Quilting Kit! A Frozen Quilt definitely needs snowflake quilting and I wanted to create perfectly stitched snowflakes at home... so I let my Janome 550E do all the hard work for me! Elsa and Olaf love all the snowflakes!!! I used the Janome AcuFil Quilting Kit (ASQ18b) for machine quilting/embroidering my Frozen Quilt. I chose to use the AcuFil Quilting Kit because it works perfectly with my Janome 550E (it will also work with 500E, 450E, 400E, eXpressive 830L, expressive 830). The Janome AcuFil Quilting Kit contains: 7.2" x 7.2" hoop with magnetic clamps. This is a must have! The magnetic clamps allow you to hoop thicker fabric when machine quilting/embroidering a quilt. Plus it is soooo much easier and quicker to hoop your project. Over 100 quilting designs are included. The snowflake I chose was an included design. AcuFil Tool - This computer program (Windows only at this time) allows you to utilize the included designs plus import other designs into the software. The software resizes the quilting design to best fit your quilt and creates a printable template for perfect placement when quilting/embroidering. How to start machine quilting with your Janome 550E: Assemble quilt sandwich using a low loft batting - such as Hobbs 80/20. Quilt sandwich = pieced quilt top, batting, pieced backing. READ instructions - Quick Guide for Hoop ASQ18b starts on page 12. Download Janome AcuFil Tool to your Windows Computer. OPEN AcuFil Tool on computer SELECT Creating Original AcuFil Designs ENTER quilt dimensions CHOOSE design PRINT template WRITE embroidery design to USB flash drive to transfer to Janome 550E START quilting/embroidering You might be wondering why you need to print the template??? Printing the template allows you to precisely position the quilt/hoop so the machine quilting/embroidery designs will stitch out where you want it. I recommended trimming the paper close to the printed image before adhering the printed template to the BACK of the acrylic AcuFil template. Use the grid lines on the printed template to match the grid lines on the acrylic AcuFil template for perfect placement. Your machine will stitch on the quilting/embroidery design exactly as shown as your printed template. Helpful Tips: Batting - Use a low-loft batting (Hobbs 80/20 or Warm & Natural or similar). Remember you will need to hoop ALL 3 layers so this is not the time to choose fluffy thick batting. Quilt Basting - I prefer to use basting spray adhesive so I don't have to worry about removing pins. You can you use pins if you prefer, but do not forget to remove them. Your embroidery machine will not be happy (nor will you) if you forget. Quilt backing needs to be at least 4-6" larger on each edge of quilt to allow for fabric to hoop while quilting edges of quilt. Embroidery tape. If you want to quilt to the very edge of your quilt top- be sure to use embroidery tape to tape the quilt top edge to the batting so your embroidery foot doesn't get stuck on the quilt top edge. Choosing the Quilt Design. As this was my first time machine quilting with my embroidery machine, I chose a single design (NOT a connecting one). This allowed me to place the snowflakes randomly throughout the quilt and I didn't have to try and match up start/stop points for continuous quilting designs. Thread. Choose a thread that can be washed if you plan on washing/drying your finished quilt. I used a 40wt polyester thread, but I think I will try a 50wt thread (thinner) next time as this was a triple stitched design so it's a bit bold of quilting design. Needle. Use a needle that you would use if you were free motion quilting (Janome Purple Tip). I used a 90/14 Top Stitch Needle as I was using a 40wt thread. Choose a quilting design that doesn't have multiple start/stops as each start/stop will make a knot on the back of your quilt. Choose a pattern backing fabric - this will hide the start/stop knots. I snip my thread really close to knot so it's not too noticeable. Stitch a test stitch out to make sure you like the design and thread you chose. If the embroidery needle is not centered on the AcuFil template - Calibrate the Center Position of the needle - page 22. When moving your quilt to a new section to quilt. Leave the hoop attached to the Janome 550E. Remove the quilt only and move the quilt to the next section you want to quilt. Use AcuFil acrylic template to check your quilt is in the correct spot then attach magnetic clamps. Have fun!!!! I absolutely love being able to perfectly machine quilt my quilts at home with my Janome 550E! Since I had so much fun machine quilting this quick Frozen Quilt, I quilted another HUGE quilt with multiple quilting designs. Let me know if you would like another blog post about importing continuous quilting designs into Janome AcuFil. PS: If you need some Frozen Fabric for your Frozen fan - Panel HERE and Fabric HERE. Janome Blog Post HERE. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @Abitofscrapstuff and on my blog: A Bit of Scrap Stuff for more sewing and quilting fun!!! Have a great day and happy quilting! Melanie This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff. My family appreciates it!
The Maypole quilt pattern is a simple yet bold design reminiscent of ribbons woven together. This striking composition varies greatly based on color.
Make this Easy Rag Puff Quilt in a weekend! You create the puffs as you sew making it oh so easy! Make your own rag puff quilt with these pretty flannel fab…
When it Comes to Quilting With Satin... Don’t avoid it anymore! Working with satin isn’t a common choice for a quilt, but with some encouragement, adding a bit of satin fabric to your quilt sure
Hello hello! I've been lucky enough to have had the chance to play with Tilda's new fabric range Harvest over the past few weeks. It's such a pretty collection of colours and prints and today's the day I get to share what I've been making as part of the Blog Hop 2 Green
6 quilt photography tips from an expert to help your quilts shine! These tips are easily applies to your every day photos taken with just an iPhone!
It's been over a year since our last Ombre Puff Quilt along and I've really been itching to do another! So far I've made two Ombre Puff quilts and I have an idea for a 3rd one, so I'm excited to make it alongside ya'll! The fun kicks off Oct. 24, 2022 and wraps up a few weeks before Christmas! If you haven't already downloaded the pattern, you can do so below, and keep scrolling for more details! Ombre Puff Quilt - FREE PDF .. Week 1 - Oct. 24: Plan Week 2 - Oct. 31: Cut Week 3 - Nov. 7: Sew Pockets Week 4 - Nov. 14: Create Rows Week 5 - Nov. 21: Stuff Rows (2 weeks) Week 6 - Dec. 5: Baste & Quilt Week 7 - Dec. 12: Bind
Make these fast and fun scrap quilts with these free scrap quilt patterns. Read our best tips for creating a cohesive modern scrap quilt.
Polaroid blocks are quite the rage these days – swaps are flourishing and the products coming from them are so inspiring! I recently participated in a swap host by Kristy from Quiet Play and received a happy little bunch of polaroid blocks the other day. I’ve been collecting a few ideas for what I could […]
Learn how to make a quilt by hand and start your journey into the wonderful world of handmade quilts with Gathered.
Do you ever wander around the quilt shop loving everything you see and not really knowing what to buy? You feel totally overwhelmed with wanting EVERYTHING in the shop, your husband’s voice …
Free large hexagon quilt pattern & template. Make a simple hexagon quilt with no Y seams with our tutorial. Uses half hexagon quilt pieces.
A list of tips and a printable checklist of things to bring to your next sew in or quilt retreat.
Lori Kennedy wants you to get over your fear of ruining your quilt with machine quilting. She highlights six ways to ruin a quilt and follows up with ways to avoid that ruination. I think we all want to avoid...
If you would like to add a crown detail to your Dragon Dreams quilt, here's a detailed step by step tutorial to make a royal sleepyhead!
Learn how to bind a quilt with a sewing machine only. We're sharing our secrets and tips that yield great-looking binding every time!
Repair a damaged quilt, including tutorials on mending rips and tears, and fixing holes and frayed seams caused by frequent washing, pets and other damage.
Learn how to make a wholecloth quilt with this step-by-step photo tutorial that includes tips for Kantha-style stitching!
Sharing another beautiful way to display children’s art today. My friend Amy made a lovely quilt from drawings her children made for their school auction. I was so inspired by it and asked if she could share a bit about her process with us today…
This quilt won one of the "Top 8" awards in Houston this year and it isn't hard to see why. Hand-piecing, quilting, appliqué, and embroidery make Setsuko Matsushima's Over the Waves a stunning sight t
Well it's the end of a busy week! I don't know about you, but I'm pooped! But I'm pleased to say we've had some gorgeous, sunny days here in N.I. this week, and there's a lovely Autumn feel to the air! As always, the things I've been working on this week I can't show you yet (soon I promise!), so I'm going to give you a wee tute on how to use up every last wee bit of fabric shavings, you know those bits that end up all over your cutting mat after trimming blocks and hsts? We'll here's a cool way to turn them into a new type of fabric. As far as I know this product doesn't have an official name - I learnt it at college and it wasn't called anything then, but if you know the official name of this craft, please let me know. 1. Save up your fabric shavings & wee bits of offcuts that are too small to be useful (you can also cut up wee bits of fluffy wool, ribbon, sparkly threads etc.). Bigger pieces will need to be snipped down smaller. 2. Take a piece of plain sheeting/calico and lay a load of shavings on top. You can colour code your savings as I have done here, or have a multi-coloured mess! Make sure it's thick enough to cover the backing fabric, but not too thick to sew over. 3. Lay a piece of water soluble fabric over the top and pin/sew round the edges. This stuff is really cool - you can get different brands in a craft shop or online. I've used Avalon Water Soluble Embroidery Fabric by Madeira. 4. Now sew, sew, sew over the top of the w.s.fabric, either by free motion quilting or straight & wavy lines all over. Try not to leave any big gaps where the shavings can later escape from. 5. When you have stitched this to within an inch of its life, take the pins out and under a luke warm tap or in a sink/basin, allow the w.s.fabric to melt away (it goes a bit slimy as it melts off so rinse it well). 6. Give your new piece of fabric a good squeeze to get the water out and then allow it to dry on the radiator. 7. When dry, draw your desired shapes on the back and cut out. If you want to, sew more stitching on top to highlight details, for example veins in leaves, or sew on beads, sequins etc. 8. You can now use your fabric shapes to embellish/decorate cards, cushions, make letters or Christmas decorations etc. etc. The possibilities are endless! Another way to use this wonderful water soluble fabric is to roughly sketch a shape on to it & then put it into an embroidery hoop. Repeated sewing and shading with thread will close all the gaps, so that when you take the fabric off the hoop and dissolve the w.s.fabric you are left with a completely embroidered shape. Have fun & let your imagination run wild!
<<<<>>>> After your purchase is complete you will get a link to download the pattern emailed to you from etsy for Three FILES. You will NOT get a paper copy. Downloads do NOT work on etsy's app. You must open the link they send in your email with a web browser, not the app. Download from your computer if you are having trouble on a mobile device. Check out this link for how to download. https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013328108-How-to-Download-a-Digital-Item?segment=shopping >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is a listing for a PDF Pattern to make a Ghost Party!!! Quilt. This is a digital download product. <<<<<>>>>> The pattern includes 3 Ghost 18"w x 24"t with instructions on how to make each. The pattern also includes info to make the 60"w x 72"t quilt with 9 ghosts. The pattern includes yardages and cutting instructions for all. The pattern instructions are written for the Traditional piecing. Foundation Paper Pieces are included for all the pieced sections as an alternate way of sewing. The tiny stars are FPP only. The pattern is simple to follow with diagrams to go along with the written instruction. A printable coloring sheet of the all the Ghosts and of the quilt is included to finalize your color selections and keep you organized while you sew. Skill level is Confident Beginner. Knowledge of HST, snowball, and FPP is preferred. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pattern is Fat Quarter friendly for a Scrappy look. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> See on of the photos for fabric requirements. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This listing is for a digital download of the Ghost Party!! Quilt Pattern. This is not a listing for a physical product. You will be able to download the pattern as soon as you make the purchase. This purchase has two files to download. First is the pattern info and instructions, second is the FPP pattern pieces if you are using those. <<<>>>> Etsy emails you a link to your download upon purchase completion. Downloadable purchases are always found in your profile under purchases as well. I HIGHLY recommend you have an etsy account before purchase. If you have an account your purchased files are always available there for download. Pattern Edits: I try very hard to have no mistakes in my patterns but it happens now and again. Check below for an updates to the pattern: Patterns Purchase before October 5th, 2022. On Page 4 it says to cut 2 Piece E from Eye Fabric. It is supposed to be Cut 18 Piece E from Eye Fabric. All patterns purchased after 10/5/22 have been fixed. For the full quilt cutting info on Page 4, I left out 12 Piece D, 6 Piece F, and 6 Piece G from Ghost Fabric, 6 Piece H from Eye/Mouth Fabric. This is only for the full quilt on Page 4. The Individual Ghost instructions are correct. Pattern has been updated as of October 5th 2022. Please feel free to email woollypetals @ gmail .com with your order number if you would like an updated copy. Find woollypetals elsewhere: >>> Do some more shopping in the woollypetals shop >>> https://www.etsy.com/shop/woollypetals >>> on the blog http://www.woollypetals.com >>> on instagram @woollypetals >>> on tiktok @woollypetals >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
These Puff Quilt Crochet Patterns are a great way to use up all your scrap yarn! The puff quilt is perfect for a baby.
I've had the chance to review the book Free Motion Quilting for Beginners (and those who think they can't), by Molly Hanson. I love that title! I'm a big proponent of quilting your own quilts, as you know, and I've read a lot of books about free motion quilting. I like how everyone presents the information in their own personal way....there is always more to learn! This book presents all the practical information you need to get started. More importantly, it gives you the confidence to jump in and give free motion quilting a try. There are 15 projects in the book that encourage you to start small and increase your comfort level with free motion quilting before you tackle something larger, like a quilt. What I love most about this book is Molly's tone of encouragement throughout the text and the projects. She is great at guiding you though the entire process! I've done a lot of free motion quilting and I love how relaxing it can be. I also know how easy it can be to get in a rut. I challenged myself to get out of my box, so to speak and try some new-to-me, designs. I gave this squared off stippling pattern a try and it went pretty well! I had to slow down and think about where I was going from time to time, but it was fun! I could see doing this all over a whole quilt. I also quilted a few swatches of different designs and I turned them into a set of coasters. Binding them was a little fiddly, but totally worth it! (I can say that now that they are done. Ha!) These are great because I not only used scraps of fabric, but scraps of batting as well. Hurray! I'm happy to count these as scrap project #94/101. If you would like the chance to win an e-book copy of Free Motion Quilting for Beginners, please leave me a comment in this post. In your comment, I'd love to hear what your favorite go-to FMQ pattern is. Or, if you are new to FMQ, I'd like to hear what pattern you would like to master. I will pick winner in a few days!
Suzy Williams shares her "why" with Kim Soper as part of this week's installment of The Creativity Project. 52 interviews, 52 weeks. Don't miss it!
