What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

In my quest to explore the concept of geometric abstraction, I felt compelled to take a perfectly interesting quilt top and cut holes in it, then inset some circles.

Click here to read my previous blog post about the making of this quilt.

It’s been very liberating to play with color, line & shape, without the need for my design to represent anything concrete. It’s a risky move for sure, but I just couldn’t move forward until I explored this idea.

Below are a few in progress pics while I was inserting the circles. It’s not a ...

My Color Weave Quilt along kicks off Monday, Sept 16th and I’m doing something a little a little different this time around. I’ll be sharing everything via email rather than here on my blog. Lately I’ve been rethinking my social media strategy and looking at numbers. Because I get higher engagement via my direct newsletter, this will be an experiment to see if that format works best for a quilt along. Keep reading below to see how you can join in the fun….

Click here and download any of my free patterns to join my email list ...

I’ve been sitting on a feeling for awhile that I need to change up a little bit of what I’ve been doing. I will still be doing all the fun things: designing, writing, traveling & teaching, but I’m starting to make space to work on some more “experimental” ideas.

A current “What If?” Idea in progress…

A few years ago I started getting an itch to explore new concepts and ideas in my quilting work. As a full time professional quilter, that can cause somewhat of a conflict because most everything I currently make is for commercial consumption ...

I have a little secret to share. I’m currently working on a followup to my popular Dazzle Dots fabric collection. But in the meantime, while I can’t share what’s new, I can revisit some of my earlier fabric collections, just in case you missed them the first time around!

Click here to view my Black, White & Bright collection.

I designed this grouping to add to my stash of black & white prints, but then threw in a few bright colors and fun backgrounds. In fact, the four prints shown below – called “Crackle” are my absolute favorites from the ...

A couple of months ago I shared some sneak peeks of my time hanging out with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. (Click here to read my previous blog post.)

Now I’m excited to announce my episode of The Quilt Show has dropped and you can watch for free!! But first, check out this fun trailer they made below. (Click the image to start the video).

Alex and RIcky really leaned into the fact that I call myself a “cheerleader” for domestic machine quilting, LOL!!

Watch My Episode for Free!

You can watch this episode AND my previous episode #2409 ...

Have you added some of this bright colorful fabric to your stash yet? Dazzle Dots is my 9th collection so far with Benartex and it’s been the most popular one yet, which is super exciting! I guess folks love the rainbow colors and simple polka dot prints. Fawning over my fabric is like telling me my kids are cute – so I just eat it up!!

Dazzle Dots Yardage, Bundles and Kits

The exciting news is that Dazzle Dots is now on it’s 2nd printing and is ready to ship! Many of the colors, such as the neutrals and ...

Did you check out last week’s tutorial where I showed how to quilt simple wavy lines with your walking foot? Well, guess what?? In this week’s video I’m taking that concept one step further and turning those wavy lines into a Wavy Grid. Click play below to watch, then scroll down for bonus goodies that will help you whip up a quick and easy quilt in no time!!

Easy Peasy Terrace Tiles Quilt Pattern

I designed and wrote Terrace Tiles to be the easiest quilt pattern I offer. It’s made from fat quarters and you can ...

I’m very excited about QuiltCon Together, the annual event presented by The Modern Quilt Guild. So far, I’ve been to every show and I’ve had a quilt in every show, too. Even though this year’s event is virtual, I still wouldn’t miss it. Here’s where you can find me – and my quilts – online from February 18-22, 2021.

My Workshops

Carefree Walking Foot Quilting (On Demand) – Sold Out
Carefree Free-Motion Quilting (On Demand) – Click here to register for DSMQ009

My Walking foot quilting class is completely sold out. However, as of this writing I still ...

When I’m prepping a quilt for machine quilting, I do everything I can to get a nice, flat quilt sandwich. This is especially helpful when quilting on a domestic machine because of all the quilt wrestling, scrunching and smooshing that happens during the process.

“Scrunching and Smooshing” in progress!

In order to make my quilt as flat as possible, I press ALL of my seams open. I know this can be a bit controversial, but contrary to popular belief, it will NOT weaken your seams. After all, dressmakers have been pressing seams open forever, and clothing certainly gets a ...

I’m thrilled that my 4th book has now officially been released and I have a signed copy waiting for you! Take a look at my newest pride and joy called 99 Machine Quilting Designs from Martingale/That Patchwork Place.

Click here to get your signed copy of 99 Machine Quilting Designs

As an author, it’s been great fun to open up boxes and boxes of my brand new book and get it out into the world.

99 Machine Quilting Designs includes a detailed photo, illustrated diagram, and step-by-step instructions on how to quilt 99 different machine quilting motifs ...

To be successful with machine quilting, especially on a home sewing machine, the right tools can make all the difference. Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite tools and supplies that make the job easier. This is by no means an exhaustive list. And if you have a tool or tip you love that’s not listed here, please be sure to share it in the comments so we can all learn from each other!

Sewing Machine with Drop in Table

Having a large work surface will help as you scrunch and smoosh your quilt through the machine. My ...

You have just a few days left to get my current stock of books for just $19.95 each. All 3 of them include step by step instructions for both piecing AND quilting. Click here to get your signed copy now!

To keep you busy this holiday weekend,  I’ve included images of ALL the quilts from my books. So browse your favorites below, then click here to purchase it and I’ll be happy to sign it for you!

Quilts from Piece and Quilt with Precuts

Squiggles

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Gridwork

Click here ...

Save 20% on All PDF patterns in my Etsy shop!

This week I’m running a special sale on all of my instant downloadable digital patterns in my Etsy shop. This is a great time to stock up on those patterns on your wish list. Or grab the PDF versions of your favorite print patterns. Then you’ll always have access them to them right on your computer!

Click here to view all of my PDF quilt patterns on sale. 

Best of all, there’s no coupon required to get them. Sale prices are valid through Friday, November 20th. Price ...

I know it’s been a minute since I posted but I have lots of exciting behind-the-scenes stuff happening right now. But I had to come up for air to let you know the fabulous news that my Confetti Crosshatch fabrics are now back in stock.

Click here to get Confetti Crosshatch by the yard in light or dark grey.

These are my most popular prints of all time and you can see why – because they are the PERFECT grays that go with just about anything!!

And there’s even more great news to share – my Color Weave quilt kit ...

I love it when we get to the machine quilting part of a Quilt Along! I’ve just finished my fourth book on machine quilting so I feel like that is one of my specialties. I’m excited for you to try free motion stipple quilting like I did on my Modern Logs, or another quilting design of your choice.

I made a video with all my best tips and tricks for quilting Modern Logs. Just nine minutes but it’s packed full of help and guidance! Click play below to watch.

If you’ve never tried free motion quilting ...

It’s time to baste your Modern Logs quilt – are you excited?? I’ve developed my spray basting method using a design wall and it cuts the basting time in half!! I made a YouTube video below explaining the entire process. Hit play to watch and let me know if you have any questions!

HELPFUL LINKS

• Click here for the complete Modern Logs quilt along schedule and supply list
• Click here to purchase the Modern Logs kit in 3 sizes (while supplies last)
• Click here to get the Modern Logs paper quilt pattern
• Click here to get the Modern Logs ...

I’m so excited to share with you the cover art for my brand new book, 99 Machine Quilting Designs, coming soon! I don’t have a release date yet, but once I do, I’ll open up pre-orders with some bonus incentives and freebies for those who order early. So stay tuned for more info!!

Get my Current Books for just $19.95 Each!

While supplies last, I’m giving you a chance to stock up on my previous books to complete your machine quilting library. I’m offering these for a price way below the retail price, AND ...

Whenever I make a super scrappy looking quilt like Modern Logs, I often have a lot of leftovers that I love to incorporate into the back of the quilt. This allows me to use up more fabric, personalize the quilt a bit, and make the back (almost) as interesting as the front! If you prefer to use a plain pieced back, this week will give you more time to finish your quilt top.

Modern Logs pieced quilt backing, made from leftover Good Vibes fat quarters, 2 yards of Gumballs print in Coral and a few leftover odds and ends from ...

Did you have fun sewing your Modern Logs improv blocks from last week? If you are still working on your blocks, that’s totally ok! Take as much time as you need to make this quilt; these helpful hints will stay here on my blog indefinitely and you can scroll to the end of the post for links to all of the previous QAL posts.

Click here to get the pattern, fabric, or optional kit to make Modern Logs (while supplies last).

This week we are working on sewing the blocks together to complete the quilt top. In my image ...

I’m really excited to be teaching three classes for Pacific International Quilt Festival Online, coming up Oct. 14 to 17. Registration is open and I’d love to have you join me!

Here are brief descriptions. You’ll find more complete information at the links below.

1. Free Motion Improv, Thursday evening 10/15, 4–7 PST

Liberate yourself from traditional quilting symmetry by mashing up your favorite motifs in a seemingly random way. Combine basic shapes with transitional designs and free-motion fillers to add amazing texture to the negative spaces in your ...