What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

The fabric’s been chosen, the quilt top’s sewn and the quilting is done. Now it’s time to add a binding to finish the Spring Blossoms for Mom lap quilt. I really don’t want to mess it up now and it’s all about the finishing touches that sometimes make or break a project. No FOB (fear of binding) allowed.

There’s a way, yes there is… to add a binding to a quilt by machine that does not look wonky, messy or unprofessional. Today, I’ll explain this process to you. You’ll need Gütermann invisible ...

Sewing of the quilt top Spring Blossoms for Mom is complete. Quilting decisions can now take place. It’s important after all the work sewing the quilt, the quilting be considered carefully.

• How much do I want the quilting to show on the front and the back.
• What color of thread should be used.
• Which fabrics need enhancing or showing off.
• Scale of the quilt blocks and in this case appliques as well.
• The use of the quilt. i.e. Quilt show worthy, art quilt to be hung, utilitarian?
• How much washing may or may not take ...

The last few days, I’ve discussed the materials needed and prepared the fabric for a really fresh Spring Blossoms for Mom lap quilt using HeatnBond Lite iron-on adhesive to make the tulip appliques. This quilt will be an awesome Mother’s Day gift this spring. I’m ahead of the curve and will have it made in advance. Today I get to sew with Gütermann cotton and nylon (invisible) thread. It’s sew time don’t you think?

• Gather up the background strips and leave them in order from 1-5 as discussed yesterday.
• Sew 7 strip ...

Today, I’ll discuss how to prepare the strips for the background of the Spring Blossoms for Mom quilt I discussed yesterday as well as the applique fabric for the tulips with HeatnBond Lite iron-on adhesive. It’s so easy to applique with HeatnBond Lite iron-on adhesive and this technique will open your mind to thousands of applique possibilities.

1. Press all background fabric (gray as shown below).
2. Lay out the background fabric in an order that pleases, keep in mind all 5 fabrics will be sewn into a strip set.
3. Number each fabric 1-5.
4. Cut 7 strips ...

By now we’re all tired of winter and wanting to look toward spring. It’ll come be rest assured. At this time of the year we’re also thinking about projects for spring and of course, I’m thinking ahead to Mother’s Day.

Join me this week as I share with you a new original design for a modern, strip pieced and easy applique lap quilt that can be made just for mom. I’ll be showing how to assemble easy strip pieced blocks, how to applique simply with Heatnbond Lite iron-on adhesive and Gütermann invisible nylon thread ...

Yesterday I quilted my chocolate boxes and today after a few finishing touches, it’ll be ready to display just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Once the quilt is trimmed, binding and a hanging sleeve can be added. I covered both of these techniques in one of my earlier posts on QUILTsocial, a sleeve and the binding.

Today I’m adding buttons! I chose these simply adorable Elan novelty buttons in the shape of hearts, of course.

This is how I add ...

Yesterday I did a lot of work adding icing to the chocolates in the chocolate box using Grosgrain ribbon and UNIQUE Rick Rack. I hope you enjoyed it and had some ideas of your own. I imagine you will not look at the designs on chocolate in the same way ever again!

Elan Grosgrain ribbon… in all the Valentine colors

Today I’m addressing how to quilt this project.

Setting up properly before starting quilting is a good practice. These are a few of the things I like to do:

• Clear space of ...

Welcome to day three of chocolatier class! Yesterday I pieced a chocolate box and stocked it with a selection of chocolates… today I decorate.

When I first approached the prospect of decorating these chocolates I was a bit daunted. Of course, you may use my designs but I encourage you to explore all the ways chocolate can be decorated… Pinterest is an excellent source.

I decided to use a 28wt cotton thread to applique to add more dimension to my work. This is a good place to try the more interesting threads you may have in your collection… if anything ...

Welcome chocolatiers to day two! Yesterday I went over the things needed for the chocolate box project… today I’m piecing the chocolate box background and cutting and appliqueing the chocolates. There’s a lot to do so let’s get started.

cutting instructions

• From the pink fabrics: cut 9 – 8½” squares

• From red fabric: cut 3 – 1½” x 8½” strips and 2 – 1½ x 26½” strips

After the long cold dark nights of January, February brings hope… even if spring is months to come. The bright reds and pinks of Valentine decorations never fail to make me smile. Even entering the dollar store to be greeted by a riot of pink and red reminds me the grays of winter will not last forever, so for this week, I’ll be creating a special project.

If you have followed my projects before, you’ll know I love to create simple and fun designs and I thought what sweeter than a simple box of a chocolate quilt, either ...

I had a wonderful time yesterday using recycled denim to make a versatile and durable lunch bag.

Today I’ll use lots of small pieces of fabric, stabilizer and batting to make fabric postcards and trading cards. SCHMETZ Super NonStick needles will once again be the key to handling a wide variety of techniques.

Let’s have some fun!

Fabric postcards and trading cards are essentially tiny pieces of art.

As they’re so small these little gems are the perfect place to practice anything new. Techniques such as thread ...

Yesterday I completed a fabric trinket box that is wonderful to give as a gift or to keep as a treat for yourself.

The trinket box was easy to sew with SCHMETZ Super NonStick needles even with multiple layers of fusible stabilizer and iron-on adhesives.

Today I’ll put these fabulous new Super NonStick needles to a different kind of test by sewing a lunch bag out of recycled denim and hook and loop tape.

Let’s go.

materials

• SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle size 90/14 – This needle has some wonderful unique features making it ...

Yesterday I gathered the supplies and prepared the trinket box sections with Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch stabilizer and layers of HeatnBond Lite iron-on adhesive.

Today will be so much fun completing the wonderful fabric trinket box. A SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle and Sulky rayon thread will make sewing a breeze. Let’s go.

Constructing the box body

Place a SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle size 80/12 and the standard sewing foot on the sewing machine. Thread the machine with Sulky rayon thread in both the top and bobbin.

Fold and crease the ...

Yesterday I began an exploration of what makes the new SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle so special and tested its abilities by making a pair of applique tea towels. Today I’ll prepare the pieces to make a lovely fabric trinket box. Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch and HeatnBond Lite will really help to show off the capabilities of the SCHMETZ super nonstick needles. I’ve used fabric from the Harbor Reflections collection by Northcott to lend an artistic flair.

I’ve always found little boxes charming, even more so when made from pretty fabric. My fabric ...

The quilting world of today is constantly changing. Quilters are always discovering new ways to do things and companies like SCHMETZ are developing new products to make our sewing tasks easier. The SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle is one of the most exciting of these new innovations.

Join me for a week of fun as I create a variety of projects to help explore SCHMETZ Super NonStick needles many uses.

Let’s get started.

What is a SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle and why am I so excited?

Known as super universal, this needle made ...

Yesterday I went over how to approach quilting a bias binding applique project, with bias tape made using the UNIQUE Bias Maker.  Today I’m giving instructions on how to complete your piece of art to hang on the wall. The following is my preferred technique for binding.

To make the binding, cut strips at 2½” wide x the width of the chosen binding fabric (approximately 42″ on average). Sew strips together at a 45° angle. Press seams and trim.

Press length of binding in half and make a 45° cut and fold at the start of the binding, as ...

Yesterday, I went over how to applique the bias strips to create a picture, with bias tape made using the UNIQUE Bias Maker. Today, I’ll discuss how to quilt the applique piece.

It can be a bit intimidating to decide how to quilt your work after you have put in so much effort in the applique. I let the piece tell me how to quilt it, this is my process…

I always use a walking or an even feed foot… always. It makes all the difference to have all layers of your quilted project feeding through your machine evenly ...

Yesterday I went over making bias tape step by step using the UNIQUE Bias Maker. It takes a little practice but once you have the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun! Today I’m showing how to draw with bias binding strips.

1. Make the background piece at least 2″ larger all around than you want your final piece to be. This allows for wiggle room while sewing the bias strips down. If you are making your own noodle bowl wall hanging you’ll use a ½ yard of bright red fabric.
2. Press the background in half and ...

Yesterday I explored the wonderful world of bias tape applique! I hope you were inspired read more