Another day, another squares quilt. But there is something comforting about being able to just sit and sew for hours and hours, listening to a good audiobook or podcast, while a quilt comes together before your eyes.

Try This and Get Perfect Quilt Seams in Less Time! We all know how tedious it can be to sew a lot of little fabric squares together into a quilt block. And, it’s annoyingly easy for the seams to not line up properly. This method used by Paula Doyle and Elizabeth Hartman changes all that. …

I was thinking today that, sometimes when my spirits are low, all it takes to lift them again is to ask myself one little question: “What is beautiful about this moment?” And, you know what? The universe always has an answer for me. In fact, the universe usually has several. Two of today’s beautiful...Read More »

Another day, another squares quilt. But there is something comforting about being able to just sit and sew for hours and hours, listening to a good audiobook or podcast, while a quilt comes together before your eyes.

New Updated Pattern! Three hexie quilt patterns in one! Inspired by the popular hexagon quilt designs of the 1930s, the Small Change quilts include all the fun and beauty of hexagon blocks, without the sometimes tricky, and always long job of sewing the blocks together! Just applique the blocks onto background squares/rectangles and machine sew to finish! Named after old imperial coins, Florin, Tuppence, and Haypenny are perfect for using little bits of your favourite prints, or for scrap busting. Finished quilt sizes: Florin (small hexie flowers): 50" square Tuppence (large hexie flowers): 60" square Haypenny (hexie diamonds): 56" x 60" This PDF Pattern includes: beginner EPP and applique tutorial shape and fabric requirements clear instructions and diagrams colouring pages of each quilt for planning printable hexagon templates You'll receive your download link immediately after purchase. Buy the Pattern, Acrylic Template and Paper Pieces together in this listing here and save!

Cut a CONTINUOUS strip of BIAS TAPE (from one small square of fabric)....a quick way to cut up some bias tape, without wasting fabric!

The most efficient and accurate method for quilt piecing flying geese begins with five squares. Learn the basics of piecing flying geese in this article.

When I started with Double Disappearing 9 Patch (DD9P) I gave an explanation of what I did but not a real tutorial. I would like to correct...

The Streak of Lightning quilt block is a great block for using up those skinnier strips you’ve been saving and finishes at 10″ square! It is similar to a Log Cabin block.

Pixel (or pixelated) quilts are popping up everywhere in the quilting world lately … and they are AMAZING! Save those scraps because these are the perfect projects for them. Let me show you the wonderful, free pixel quilt tutorials out there by creative designers! This pixel heart quilt is a classic and designed by Amy […]

This sewing tutorial will focus on bargello quilt patterns.

Be sure to check out my UPDATED Four-at-a-Time Flying Geese Tutorial and Sizing Tables. I think you might find a lot more success with the intermediate sizing I suggest there! Over the years, IR…

Learn how to make easy crazy quilted pumpkin coasters, AND how crazy quilting can elevate any sewing project!

A quilting blog

52 of my favorite modern quilts from QuiltCon 2024.

(Please note that this post contains affiliate links.) (These fabrics have all been recently bought from Sew Stitching Happy. See the bottom of this post for fabric names.) My very favorite part of…

Many readers have commented on how much they like Deborah Hyde’s artwork on the cover of the April/May 2014 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine. In addition

Copyright 2008, Penny Squirrell. Made in Ontario, Canada. Here is the pattern workup for the Ultimate Scrap Quilt. Penny was getting so many requests that she asked me to post it here to share with everyone. Please remember that this pattern is for CHARITY quilts and may NOT be sold nor are the quilts made from it to be sold. It is protected by all copyright laws, yada, yada. You know how it goes. Please respect the work she put into this pattern and make lots of charity quilts and quilts for people you love. You can always send a thanks to her at the email below! Of course, you will want to print this pattern, so here is what I figured out after trying 17 different things! Hey, I'm slow at 6 in the morning =) Click on the pattern and your computer will magically open up just the pattern in a new window. Then, hit the print button on the top of the screen and just the pattern will print out. Hope that works for you. If it doesn't, ask a teenage kid to help you. They know way more than I do about computers and I'm not afraid to say that. I work with teenage kids all the time (I teach high school science) and I get them to fix my computer at school so I don't have to learn how. My brain can only hold so much information and I'd rather fill it with quilting skills any day thank you very much. As for putting the quilt squares together, here's what I did. If you look at the block, you will see that there are three vertical rows. One row has three 8 1/2 inch squares, one row has the three skinny strips and the middle row has lots of pieces. If you work on one block at a time, which I did because I pre-sorted my fabrics so I wouldn't get too many of the lobster (which I have been told are actually crawdad--crayfish) prints together. I would sew two of the 8 1/2 squares together, then the 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 then something from the 3rd row and back to the 1st row. I like the chain piece so I'm not wasting thread. Back and forth between the three strips until you get to the end and you don't have that choice. Then, I got brave and grabbed into the next group of blocks for the next big square. I kept each big square's pieces on a different leg while sewing so I wouldn't get them mixed up. Hey, the system works for me. Just don't ask me to get up in the middle of making these blocks or I look at you with my mean look. I'll post that picture one day. Then, when each of the blocks is done, lay them out on a clean spot on the floor. For most of you, this isn't a problem, but for me, I have to find a spot big enough. Luckily, the kids had vacuumed the living room yesterday and we were able to lay it out there =) They actually accused me of planning that. Who me? Twist and turn all of the blocks so that you don't have two of the same colors touching, unless that is the look you want. Penny said that one lady in her guild did this with only 3 colors. I'd like to try that one and see how it turns out. Should be interesting. Sew the blocks together and I put a 4 inch border around mine. You can see from the pattern that the original pattern is for 12 blocks. That makes a mighty big quilt. Perfect for homeless shelters or battered women's shelters. I've never made anything that big before and am always afraid to try new things, but one day may give it a shot. Thanks again Penny for sharing with all of us! Aren't quilters just the best?

The square quilt is a standard shape commonly found in many quilts. Learn tips on how to perfect the technique and see layout examples.

Finish your quilt quickly by tying it for a softer quilt with a decorative finish. This tutorial explains what to use, and how to tie it.

My daughter asked me to teach her to quilt. I was making half square triangles for another quilt, so I gave her some to "play with", to let her discover how many different blocks you can make with half square triangles. Then I taught her how to use the sewing machine to sew a 1/4" seam, and another quilter was born! We used the tube method for making the HSTs, so she got plenty of practice sewing the 1/4" seam while making the tubes. After completing the blocks, she sewed background fabric around each block. This makes the joining sashing blend into the front of the quilt. This is her first quilt, made on a standard sewing machine with a small harp. She cut and sewed all the blocks, cut the backing and the batting, made the sandwiches, and pounced the quilt patterns. I then quilted most of the blocks one at a time. I tried a new method of joining that worked very well, so I thought I'd share it. It may sound a bit strange at first, but the results speak for themselves. This is the method I used to join the blocks: 1) Quilt all the blocks and trim to the same size. 2) Butt 2 blocks together. Make sure the quilt design is right side up. (Ask me how I know, lol). Using a wide and long zig zag stitch, zig zag the 2 blocks together. 3) Make yards of sashing strip, ironed with both edges to the middle, like binding, but flat. The sashing only needs to be wide enough to cover the zig zag with 1/4" on either side, to firmly secure the blocks together. 4) Sew a strip of the sashing FLAT over the zig zag, sewing both edges to the blocks. Then repeat on the other side. You will see the stitching lines from the first side of the quilt to guide you in placement of the reverse side. The photos show the first sashing sewn, and how both look when done. Zig zag, and then immediately sew on the sashing. This way there is only one block to the inside of the needle.Join all the blocks in one row this way. It makes for very easy sewing, and a remarkably flat and cozy quilt. 5) Join the first 2 rows together with zig zag. Make sure the sashing strip is long enough for the entire row. I used a few drops of Elmer's glue on these long strips. Everything is really flat, so it is easy to straight stitch the sashing over the join. Then repeat on the other side. Join the rest of the rows just as the first one, until the entire quilt is together. Then bind it, and it's done! See how nice and flat the blocks lay, even without pressing? The end result is a lovely reversible quilt. This is the easiest method I have ever used for joining a sashed quilt. What a great beginner quilt, right? She even free motion quilted 2 of the blocks herself. Her first quilt, and already free motion quilting. The signature is something that makes it special, and I could never have done it if not on an individually quilted block. The quilt tester approves. If anyone else has come up with another trick for joining, please share! Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy quilting!

This is our first-ever post about scrap quilts, although we've been collecting inspiration for years. Our favorite scrap quilts are those w...

Decorate your home with a 3D Barn Quilt. Learn how to make a DIY barn quilt with this step by step tutorial. A DIY project that you'll be proud to display.

One of the hottest things among quilters online these days is swapping. People swap blocks, small quilts, particular fabrics and more. I thought it would be fun to show you some of the swap blocks I've made and talk about how a swap works. Of course there are endless variations, so this is just the

Enjoy 15 of some of my favorite modern quilts from QuiltCon 2018 in Pasadena, California. All descriptions were written by the makers. Do you have a favorite quilt you s

Try This and Get Perfect Quilt Seams in Less Time! We all know how tedious it can be to sew a lot of little fabric squares together into a quilt block. And, it’s annoyingly easy for the seams to not line up properly. This method used by Paula Doyle and Elizabeth Hartman changes all that. …

Welcome to finish it up Friday! Once again, I am thankful for accountability of this linky party and the push to finish something each week! It gets a little harder during this time of the year...but I don't need to tell you that! These little guys....1 1/2" finished half-square triangles...are my new favorite. (Quarter in the photo for scale.) They were an off shoot from another project, of course. Quilting is one big rabbit trail, isn't it? But....it's a fun trail to be on and I wouldn't have it any other way! I had the bright idea to use these tiny HSTs to make a cherry pit warmer. My feet will be perpetually cold until May or June of next year...but this little cherry pit warmer will help! The inside is filled with cleaned (and sanitized) cherry pits. To warm it up, I place it in the microwave for a few minutes, along with a cup of water, to prevent burning or scorching. It retains the heat for several minutes. I've also filled these types of warmers with rice, which seems to retain the heat even longer than the cherry pits. Either way, these warmers are a must in my house! I think they would make great gifts, too. The back side is patchwork, as well. I layered the patchwork onto 100% cotton batting (since it will be microwaved, be sure to avoid any polyester in the batting) and then I quilted it with straight lines. I sewed the two panels together, turned it right side out, filled it and stitched it closed by hand. It didn't take long at all...once the patchwork was made, that is! :) My son already requested one in his favorite color scheme of blue and green. He knew better than try to claim this one as his own! This is scrap project # 117. These blocks were leftover from my just four fun quilt (free pattern here) and since there were 6 of them, I thought they would make a perfect set of coasters. I love to make coasters because they are quick, they are cute, and they use up those long, skinny strips of leftover batting. These finish at about 4 1/2" square and they are reversible. (Love that!) Binding coasters feels highly ridiculous, but it finishes them off so nicely...I knew it would be worth it! I used my how to bind tiny things tutorial, which worked like a charm. My husband asked if he could take them to work to put in his office, so they have already found a home. Hurray! These are scrap project #118. To thank you for reading, commenting and joining in my linky party, I thought it would be fun to offer up some prizes each Friday in December. Each week I will pick a random winner from the links, and also a random winner from the comments. If I pick your name, you can pick any 3 of my PDF patterns...just as a thank you! This party wouldn't be a party without you! :) Now it's your turn! Do you have a finish to share this week? If so, please link up! Thank you for joining me for finish it up Friday! 

Diving into your scrap stash can be fun but also a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you want to do with it. One of my favorite quilt blocks to make with my scraps is the nine-patch block. It can be made from small squares and comes together so quickly with some chain piecing!...

This weekend's project was a fun mini quilt featuring Kaffe Fassett prints. The idea was to make each print appear to have a shadow or to be floating on the background. Here is the top before quilting. To help the shadow recede more, the darker fabric around each block is heavily quilted while the rest of the quilt is more lightly quilted. The quilting gives the back a lot of texture. Each block finishes at 3" square. The focus prints finish at 2 1/2" square. Overall, this mini quilt finishes at 17 1/2" x 21 1/2". The binding is a neutral print and includes both the background and shadow color. The binding is machine stitched. I love how it looks hanging on the wall. It would also make a great table topper. This was a fun project to make. I will be posting a tutorial for how to make this quilt later this week. This quilt is available for purchase.

Learn how to make Half Square Triangles 4 At A Time with Chart. This time-saving method for making half-square triangles will be your go-to!

Transparency Mini Quilt - 17"w x 26"t Color Theory Lesson for Quilt Club. Significantly down sized version of the Swatch Quilt Pattern by Modern Quilt Studio - www.modernquiltstudio.com/free_patterns.php Fabrics are from the Grunge Basics line by Basic Grey purchased from the Fat Quarter Shop. I'm excited to find other uses for the Grunge Basics & can hardly wait to have their newly released colors in my stash! Large squares are 5", small squares are 2" Planned the quilt to have 1" borders, but totally forgot to add them - oops! Quilted with Aurifil 50 wt #2024 #EQ7 Linked to: Fabric Tuesday - quiltstory.blogspot.com/ - 9/15/15 Sew Cute Tuesday - www.blossomheartquilts.com/2015/09/sew-cute-tuesday-59/ - 9/15/15 WIP Wednesday - www.freshlypieced.com/ - 9/16/15 Finish It Up Friday - crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ - 9/18/15

Learn how to quilt with charm squares. Enjoy the benefits of precut fabrics & learn how to cut charm squares from yardage & scraps.

A stunning update of our bestselling Follow the Sun using a selection of new season and iconic favourite Liberty prints Measuring 220cm x 210cm this is a slightly larger quilt than our standard size main and backing 100% cotton delicate cold wash / dry clean only handmade in India

This past week/s (probably longer) I haven't been in the mood to play in the sewing room. It all felt as though concentrating was going to take too much effort. But today, I sat and re-acquainted myself with my old Brother sewing machine and got some of that old sew-jo back. Before the sun went down and it got too dark, I quickly laid out all of the blocks that I've made for my Twirling at the Disco quilt to see how it was looking. Gee it's a big old scrappy quilt and will be perfect for my KS bed. I've noticed a few #TwirlingAtTheDiscoQuilt popping up on social so I'd better get busy finishing mine. If you'd like to make one also, you can follow this link right here for the free pattern. My Bernina is my 'good' machine, but it started playing up last month and I didn't get around to taking it in to get looked at. Now those stores are closed. For whatever reason, and not all of the time, when I switch it on, the needle doesn't centre. It's not completely out, just half a smidge to the left. If I notice this, I turn the machine off and back on and it seems to right itself, but if I don't notice and start to sew, I can be chain piecing for ages and putting blocks together before I notice that things aren't 'fitting' right. All of those little 'half smidges' add up and turn into 'double sized smidges'. NB: Smidge is not the technical word - just one that fits with what I'm trying describe. This was happening with my Twirling at the Disco quilt, which the involved a lot of reverse-sewing. Gah! Anyone have any ideas why this could be happening?

The cracker quilt block pattern is an easy and quick block to sew with so many possibilities. Perfect for beginners.

Want to wow everyone with your applique then check out how to create interesting fabric for applique pieces - tutorials

A scrap quilt is one of the most fun and creative ways to use your fabric stash! It's a type of quilt made from many fabrics that vary in size and pattern.

A stunningly clean, modern, baby quilt with traditional appeal. The parents of the lucky baby have exceptional taste a...

the creation of a Convergence Quilt, based on the book by Ricky Tims

Those with too many scraps or charm square packs will love these new Charming Squares quilt patterns Want to give a new life to your scraps or some of your charm squares? In a Fun, Quick and Easy Way? Introducing Charming Squares Patterns for Table Runners, Coasters, Pillows, and more. Charming Squares II Charming Squares […]