What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

With so many types of quilting fabrics available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. It’s important to understand their differences so you can choose the best one for your next project. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about quilting fabrics.

Types of Quilt Fabric

Although standard quilting cotton fabric is our hands-down favorite for making quilts, there is a wide variety of fabrics available for sewing quilts, home decor and garments, such as batiks, wovens and flannel. Some are made from natural fibers like cotton and linen, while others are man-made. The base fiber affects ...

This year Handi Quilter is proud to introduce NEW HQ Stitch machines! Handi Quilter is known for the best longarm machines in the industry, but we also offer domestic machines for all sewers.

With the February HQ promotion you can score a FREE HQ Stitch machine with your purchase of a new longarm or Pro-Stitcher package. Details of the promotion can be found here.

New – HQ Stitch 310

The HQ Stitch 310 offers a solid but portable machine with a versatile stitch collection that will see you through most sewing tasks. This little go-getter includes a selection of 8 accessory ...

This year Handi Quilter is proud to introduce NEW HQ Stitch machines! Handi Quilter is known for the best longarm machines in the industry, but we also offer domestic machines for all sewers.

With the February HQ promotion you can score a FREE HQ Stitch machine with your purchase of a new longarm or Pro-Stitcher package. Details of the promotion can be found here.

New – HQ Stitch 310

The HQ Stitch 310 offers a solid but portable machine with a versatile stitch collection that will see you through most sewing tasks. This little go-getter includes a selection of 8 accessory ...

When you get started quilting the amount of supplies you need can be overwhelming. So for today’s video I break down the nine supplies you absolutely need to get started, and the nine you don’t.

The catch is, the nine supplies are the same item, at different price points.

I go over what kind of sewing machine you need, and two upgrade price points that you don’t need to start, but can be nice if you decide you can’t live without quilting.

I also go over what you absolutely need for fabric, thread, rotary cutters, mats ...

This easy tutorial will get you running to your sewing machine! Today we have a fun and beginner-friendly project that only takes a few hours to complete! Read on for a photo tutorial on how to make a quilt-as-you-go table runner. The magic of this technique is that when you finish piecing the fabric together, you’ll be done with the quilting part, too.

Quilt As You Go Table Runner Supplies

• One pack of Tablerunner Batting by Happy Cloud
• Marking pen (that won’t disappear with heat)
• 1.5 Yards fabric for backing (Cut to 52″ x 33″ rectangle) 
• Half ...

Last week I wrote about making my temperature quilt. I had several questions about how to apply the binding while the quilt is still on your longarm frame. I explained this in a past post, but thought you might like to see it again (or see it for the first time!)

I’m willing to bet 9 out of 10 of you bought your longarm machine because you were not happy wrestling that large quilt through your domestic machine to do the quilting. Am I right? We solved one problem. But, then what do we do? We finish the beautiful ...

Last week I wrote about making my temperature quilt. I had several questions about how to apply the binding while the quilt is still on your longarm frame. I explained this in a past post, but thought you might like to see it again (or see it for the first time!)

I’m willing to bet 9 out of 10 of you bought your longarm machine because you were not happy wrestling that large quilt through your domestic machine to do the quilting. Am I right? We solved one problem. But, then what do we do? We finish the beautiful ...

I made a temperature quilt for 2022. Have you heard of them? Just Google temperature quilts and you’ll find lots of examples!

Making a Temperature Quilt

The idea is to record the high and low temperature for each day. Assign a fabric (color) to temperature ranges and use the fabric associated with the high and low temps each day to make a block. Sew all the blocks together in chronological order and you’ll end up with a visual representation of the year’s weather. It can be pretty darn beautiful!

Choose your block

You can choose whatever block ...

I made a temperature quilt for 2022. Have you heard of them? Just Google temperature quilts and you’ll find lots of examples!

Making a Temperature Quilt

The idea is to record the high and low temperature for each day. Assign a fabric (color) to temperature ranges and use the fabric associated with the high and low temps each day to make a block. Sew all the blocks together in chronological order and you’ll end up with a visual representation of the year’s weather. It can be pretty darn beautiful!

Choose your block

You can choose whatever block ...

At the start of December 2022 our friend, Helen Godden, started her annual Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter. I decided to join in the quilt-a-long and take you all along with me. So today I will share my journey, some things I learned along the way, and the finish.

In the last post about this topic I showed you how I prepared my fabric with Helen’s design by tracing her pattern. I made a few changes (thanks Helen for understanding ...

At the start of December 2022 our friend, Helen Godden, started her annual Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter. I decided to join in the quilt-a-long and take you all along with me. So today I will share my journey, some things I learned along the way, and the finish.

In the last post about this topic I showed you how I prepared my fabric with Helen’s design by tracing her pattern. I made a few changes (thanks Helen for understanding ...

You’ve heard of paint by number, but today we’re bringing you the quilting version! Our friend June Tailor came to visit and taught us everything you need to know about quilting as you go. Keep reading for four free video tutorials and a bonus video where Kimberly shows her quilt as you go skills while making a table runner!

What is Quilt As You Go?

Quilt as you go projects allow for quilting in smaller sections. It’s popular for quilting blocks or parts of a project before attaching them instead of quilting at the end before any ...

We have a new machine in our family! I’d like to introduce you to the Handi Quilter Amara ST.

The ST part of the name stands for STationary. You move the fabric under the needle to quilt. The machine stays stationary. It is packed with all the best features quilters value most.

Features

Stitch regulation

Amara ST is equipped with built-in In-Sight Stitch regulation technology that keeps your stitches perfect! Free-motiion quilting has never been easier. All you need to think about is moving the fabric to execute your design. No need to move at a steady pace to ...

We have a new machine in our family! I’d like to introduce you to the Handi Quilter Amara ST.

The ST part of the name stands for STationary. You move the fabric under the needle to quilt. The machine stays stationary. It is packed with all the best features quilters value most.

Features

Stitch regulation

Amara ST is equipped with built-in In-Sight Stitch regulation technology that keeps your stitches perfect! Free-motiion quilting has never been easier. All you need to think about is moving the fabric to execute your design. No need to move at a steady pace to ...

Have you seen the Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long for 2022 from our friend, Helen Godden? This is the 7th year that Helen is doing her quilt-a-long. It’s tons of fun and you just might learn a few new quilting techniques along the way. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter.

Where to join

Go here and download Helen’s free pattern. Print it and tape the 6 pages together. Then transfer the design to muslin or fabric. You can prepare the piece for quilting any way ...

Have you seen the Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long for 2022 from our friend, Helen Godden? This is the 7th year that Helen is doing her quilt-a-long. It’s tons of fun and you just might learn a few new quilting techniques along the way. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter.

Where to join

Go here and download Helen’s free pattern. Print it and tape the 6 pages together. Then transfer the design to muslin or fabric. You can prepare the piece for quilting any way ...

Are you getting ready to decorate for the holidays? Today we have the perfect addition to your Christmas tree, or your mini trees, that is! Read on for a photo tutorial on how to make a mini tree skirt, PLUS check out some of our full-size tree skirt patterns at the end!

Quilted Tree Skirt Supplies

You’ll need a few things to get started on your mini tree skirt. This one is designed to go under a 2′ tall desktop tree.

• One Charm Pack
• One Mini Charm Pack
• One yard of fabric for backing
• Quarter-yard of fabric for binding ...

Are you ready to pick out your perfect tree for the holidays? Today we’re sharing how you can make one of your own with our Double Tumbler Mini Tree Quilt tutorial and FREE pattern! Mini quilts are perfect for beginners to make and are lovely gifts for the holidays. Read on for the free Double Tumbler Tree Mini Quilt pattern, PLUS a free video tutorial!

Using this double take on a classic shape you can choose from Skinny or Chunky Tumbler shapes and cut 1″ to 5″ tumblers. The Double Tumbler Mini Tree Quilt using the Double Tumbler Template ...

I spent several days in Houston at the International Quilt Festival. I had a wonderful time chatting with old friends, new friends, Handi Quilter owners, and those thinking about joining the Handi Quilter family of owners. During my flight home I thought about all the wonderful conversations I had during the week and something stood out to me. Of those Handi Quilter owners who visited, many had specific questions about tension. We all know good tension is key to good quilting results.

There are so many resources to help you with learning how to tension all the yummy threads we ...

I spent several days in Houston at the International Quilt Festival. I had a wonderful time chatting with old friends, new friends, Handi Quilter owners, and those thinking about joining the Handi Quilter family of owners. During my flight home I thought about all the wonderful conversations I had during the week and something stood out to me. Of those Handi Quilter owners who visited, many had specific questions about tension. We all know good tension is key to good quilting results.

There are so many resources to help you with learning how to tension all the yummy threads we ...