Hand quilting is the technique of sewing together the three layers of a quilt (batting between two layers of fabric) in a decorative freehand stitch.
Five hand stitches that should be in every sewist’s repertoire, by Tasha Miller Griffith.
How to hand quilt in 3 easy steps! In this blog and video tutorial I'll list out all of the supplies you need and show you how simple hand quilting is!
Stitch in the ditch is a basic quilting technique that every quilter should know how to do. Luckily it’s also an easy one!
Learn to sew a Ladder stitch (invisible stitch) by hand. The Ladder stitch is great for closing seams and repairing holes in clothes.
I'm teaching a Free Motion Quilting class starting in April at my LQS, Heartstrings and Heirlooms. I finished up the class sample over the weekend. In the class the students will do larger samples, but I needed a small book of designs to advertise the class. As you can see in the above end view, I used three different types of batting for my sample book - Quilter's Dream 100% Cotton, Hobbs 80/20 (80% cotton and 20% polyester), and a 100% wool. I used a tutorial from a recent Quilting Arts Magazine issue (the February/March 2014 issue) to make my little book. The instructions involved drawing some lines on a piece of fabric, then sewing on the lines with a walking foot to make a larger sheet and baste the layers together. Then you quilt your designs and cut the "pages" apart. The tutorial in the magazine was very good. If you are interested in making a book like mine, I suggest you get a copy of the magazine. Below is a collage of designs I plan to cover in the class. Along the top of each page I wrote the name of the design, the batting type and page number from the book I will be using for the class. In case you are interested, I'm using the book Free Motion Quilting with Angela Waters. It has become my go-to book for quilting ideas as of late.
How to troubleshoot sewing machine tension! Loose, tangled stitches are a problem and there IS a solution. Use this thread tension checklist to fix it!
In an unprecedented act of blogging fanciness I decided to make a video documenting how I create the woodgrain texture (so thoroughly p...
tutorial on joining the ends of quilt binding
Learn how to do a stitch known as the hidden slip stitch, which is the perfect stitch to use when sewing bindings or doing hand applique.
Quilts by Paula Fleischer, political and otherwise
Straight line quilting is a great beginner quilting technique, but there's a right way and a wrong way. Continue reading to see if you are doing it right!
In this article I'm sharing 20 sewing patterns that I think are perfect for summer. The best part is, they're also completely free!
Are you new to machine quilting? You may have made tied quilts for a while and now want to explore machine quilting. I’ve seen a lot of advice given for how to machine quilt but I think mos…
How to sew a ladder stitch - close a seam invisibly - aka slip stitch, blind stitch or invisible stitch instructions
Learn how to sew the blanket stitch including all of those important steps like, how to use the blanket stitch around corners and how to neatly change thread during the blanket stitch!
9 free sewing patterns that I can't wait to sew.
Have you ever wondered how to undo serger stitches without ripping them out one by one? This tutorial will show you how.
Short answer is YES, you can quilt with a regular sewing machine. Learn how to master quilting with your sewing machine today!
Quilting with a sewing machine isn't an impossible task since quilting and sewing machines are mostly similar. The truth is, they are both sewing machines.
Learn how to make the Blanket Stitch plus 6 variations of the stitch with this complete step-by-step photo tutorial including stitching tips.
Use this standard quilt size chart to design your next project. It covers all sizes from baby to California King. Size chart is easy to read and printable.
Learn all about sewing binding on a quilt with our in-depth hands-on tutorial. We'll show you how to calculate binding, make binding for a quilt, and how to finish binding!
See how to do an invisible stitch by hand, using the so-called ladder stitch, slip stitch, or even blind stitch. Easy and quick!
How to do a ladder stitch (also know as an invisible stitch or hidden stitch) step by step video tutorial. This tutorial is perfect for beginners!
Burst Block PDF Skateboard Appliqué PDF Pentagon Ball PDF BBQ Apron PDF Guitar/Camera Strap PDF Free Motion Basics PDF Action Figure Organizer PDF Sugar Skull PDF Needle Knowldge PDF Out of This World PDF 3 Dudes Quilt PDF Diamond Dreams PDF Bad Call Ball PDF Dog Bed PDF FMQ Straight Drill 2 PDF 60 Degree Ruler PDF FMQ Swoop Drill 3 PDF RAINBOW DRILL PDF Circle Drill PDF Coming Home PDF Superhero Cape PDF Drawstring Bag Toy Playmat PDF Beach Bag PDF Dancing Dots PDF Fabric Postcard PDF Gears Quilt PDF Trick or Treat Bag PDF Turkey Centerpiece PDF Coffee Kit PDF QuillowRead More →
I have always been intrigued by the art of Sashiko, but I have never had a chance to learn more about it. This article from Koekoek was just what I was looking for. It is a nice introduction to th…
If you’re still tying a knot in your thread to start your hand stitching, today’s tip will change the way you sew forever. Seriously. I used to knot my thread, and it made me crazy th…
The first time I made a quilt I wasn't quite sure how to sew on the binding. I spent a lot of time making a quilt for my mom's 80th birthday, and I didn't want to mess it up by doing a poor job on the binding. Fortunately, I have a co-worker friend who is an avid quilter and gave me a super easy way to bind it.
Memory t-shirt quilt tutorial with easy step-by-step instructions and pictures. Perfect for beginners and experienced sewers.
How To Make A Puff Quilt The Easy Way ~Bubble Quilt ~ Puffer Quilt. Free sewing Tutorial
Stitch in the ditch means stitching in a seam line to create an invisible line. Learn how to stitch in the ditch made easy for beginners.
Here is our beginner guide to Free Motion Quilting with a Ruler (also called templates). Free Motion Quilting templates help you to create designs like Baptist Fans, Arcs, Clamshells, Waves and more. This getting started guide will help you install your ruler foot, setup your machine and get started!
Learn how to sew your first quilt with simple instructions and video tutorial from quilting instructor Melanie Ham. This is for beginners to learn to quilt.
See how to finish binding on a quilt - the easy way!
In this video sewing tutorial, I will show you how to sew mitered corners. If you are looking for easy quilt binding corners check out my ideas on how to sew a mitered corner binding and mitered quilt borders.
Straight line quilting is a great beginner quilting technique, but there's a right way and a wrong way. Continue reading to see if you are doing it right!
Double Pinwheel & Peeping Cats Quilt Blocks. Free Pattern and Tutorial
Want to make your sewing projects last and look professional but can't afford a serger? Check this genius serging without a serger methods!
While at a sewing class last week, I commented to the quilter next to me, that on my list of things to do was hemming jeans. She and then others jumped in, that they feared doing jeans on their sewing machines because of the thick seams. So I said I'd show them how I do it. Here is my quick way for hemming jeans. I've tried many ways, and have been using this method for the past 10 years. Beware this is a long post... Simple technique, but many pictures. First set up your sewing machine to do a straight stitch. I use a stitch length of 3.0 and a heavier needle. A jeans needle or topstitch needle if you have one. Next, measure your jeans. For my husband, I have him stand on the floor in his sock feet and I pin up the jeans 1 inch above the floor. Then lay the jeans out on the ironing board and fold up the other leg so both are even. Iron up the hemline on both legs. Give a really good pressssssss... I use steam too... See the line it makes. This is a good guide. Next, cut about 1 inch down from the pressed line. I just eyeball it. But measure if you must. Set aside the bottom of the pantleg for a recycle project. Next take small snips about half an inch long, on either side of the bulky seams. Total of 4 slits on each leg. You can see the slits are on each side of the seam, about half way to the pressed hemline. Next, tuck in the raw edge of the hem so it is folded in so that your one inch of hem is now about a half an inch. Leave the thick seam sticking up. Do not fold it under. Pin all around. Notice that I pin with the heads of the pins sticking towards me, so I can easily remove them as I sew. Next, using ORANGE thread in the top and bobbin, sew near the top of tucked in fold all around the hem. In the early days, I was matchy matchy and used light blue thread. It looked awful. Orange is the color to use. Unless, the jeans you are hemming were originally hemmed with a different color like white. I would use that as a guideline. Stitch right over the seams. Most sewing machines don't have trouble with two layers of seams. Snip off the portion of the seam that is sticking out. Voila. Your jeans are hemmed. Since it's the bobbin thread that shows on the outside hem of the jeans, I keep a bobbin of bright orange thread in my bobbin caddy at all times. I primarily use it only for jeans and I think I've been using the same bobbin for 5 years. If I had the 10 years of hemming jeans back, I think I would have found a heavier weight of orange thread and used that in my bobbin. When this bobbin runs out , I will refill with a heavier orange thread. After Note: Denise left a comment that Joanns carrys Jeans thread. You can bet this will be on my list the next time I go to Joanns. Thanks Denise.
Free Motion Quilting for beginners. Tips to solve free motion quilting problems:uneven tension or stitches, backing fabric fold plus notions that will help.
The first time I made a quilt I wasn't quite sure how to sew on the binding. I spent a lot of time making a quilt for my mom's 80th birthday, and I didn't want to mess it up by doing a poor job on the binding. Fortunately, I have a co-worker friend who is an avid quilter and gave me a super easy way to bind it.
How to hand quilt in 3 easy steps! In this blog and video tutorial I'll list out all of the supplies you need and show you how simple hand quilting is!
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!
