What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Regarding yesterday's post about changing needles, I wanted to add something. The "rule of thumb" is to change the needles after 6 - 8 hours of sewing. But what exactly does that mean? Some sewists could be sewing (needle moving up and down, NOT just in the sewing room) 6 - 8 hours in one day. For others, that might be several days or weeks. 

The guideline I use is to wind 4 or 5 bobbins, and when they are done, it's time to change the needle and CLEAN the bobbin case. You'll have to listen to your machine ...

There is one area of my life that won't get cluttered with digital stuff, and that's Zoom. I think I have 5 GB of "free" storage, enough to store a month's worth of video recordings—about 12 hours or something like that. I get emails from Zoom if the account is getting close to full. Do I want to buy storage? No, and then I go in and delete the older videos! Yeah, me! One area that will never become cluttered! They will shut down the ability to record if you go over! Or so they say ...

I'm late again! OK—I've got the getting up and going to bed thing—no problem! The issue is that I'm wide awake in the middle of the night! So, I need to sleep in if I'm awake for a few hours. It'll get worked out soon! Thankfully, Murphy alerts me if I sleep in too late! 

It's been a long time since I had a day without a Zoom or had to be somewhere. A day when I could work on my stuff without an immediate deadline - as in a deadline the next ...

The Koala quilt from my newest book, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING, is being featured in Homespun Magazine’s February/March 2024 issue.

This charming little quilt combines paper piecing and applique to create a ” juvenile jungle” for your child. This Koala is one of many adorable animal patterns in the book.

Sea turtles, hedgehogs, monkeys and much more….

I’m in love with this sweet sea turtle. All square blocks measure 8″ x 8″ unfinished, and can be used in every project in this book, as well as my previous 6 books. This means you can be super creative ...

Oh my --- I love Tammy's comment about advent calendars! This is my FIRST-ever advent calendar, and it's a quilting one. They are pretty pricey compared to other advent calendars. I'm sure I'll get lots of stuff I don't want or need, but it's the fun of having something to open. 

However, after some research, I've already decided that this will be my first and last quilting advent calendar. There are MANY other options, and they cost a fraction of the price. You'll have to wait until next year to see! I may ...

I am thrilled to be featured in the CREATE WHIMSY: SPOTLIGHT! A huge Made By Marney “thank you” to them for such a lovely interview.

Create Whimsy features different artists/designers on their blog. You can see more of their interviews HERE.

After spending a few weeks in Hilton Head biking and relaxing, I discovered a super group of pickleball players that meet every morning to play. They are a local group, very friendly and welcoming.

While I was vacationing, a gentleman contacted me to design a MILITARY GNOME. He is an Air ...

Gosh  -- I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone -- well, sensing someone close by and needing clothing coverage! I don't know what it is, but sleeveless tops make me feel naked. And don't get me started on what some people wear to the gym! Skimpy little bra tops, with full coverage leggings, while I wear a t-shirt and shorts! It is what it is, and thankfully we can all wear what makes us feel comfortable! 

OK -- here's a somber topic to be discussing today. We are victims of our own success, and we are running ...

 I was going to say there is nothing quilt-related today, but that would be a lie. There is something --just wait for it. 

Yesterday, I thought I was going to go mad because of technology. I love my smartphone, and like all of you, I use it a fair bit. But yesterday, I was ready to throw in the towel. Why? Not because of the phone -- oh no -- I LOVE my phone. Nope -- look at what happened. 

Scam  calls

More scam calls

I designed these 2 paper pieced Christmas Tree Skirts for Quiltmaker and Quilting magazines, 2019. I am now allowed to offer the patterns for sale. There are 2 things that I love about these tree skirts. 1) They are both super cute! 2) They are both super easy!

Who doesn’t love the red truck craze? This LITTLE RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT PATTERN reminds me of the truck we used on our farm back in the 1950s. I love this nostalgic pattern.

Wouldn’t it be adorable to paper piece photos of your kids in ...

Modern Quilt Books & PatternsAre you looking for quilt books to add to your collection? How many...

I’m excited to be on the cover of the 2021 QUILTMAKER magazine, November/December issue. Those are my cute sledding Penguins on the cover.

These blocks are as fun to paper piece as they look!

The wonderful editors at Golden Peak Media have been so awesome to work with, and are always looking for clever quilting ideas for their magazines. I am so lucky to be in a second magazine this month…

My GNOME APRON is in the 2021 McCall’s Quilting November/December issue.

You know how ...

My Foxy Valentine paper pieced block is featured in the January/February issue of QUILTMAKER magazine.

This Foxy block pattern is only available in the Quiltmaker magazine at this time.

I’ve included a pillow pattern in the magazine, too. I have my Foxy Valentine pillow on my sofa this month.

Here are some other cute Valentine patterns.

These 2 block patterns are in my newest book PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND. I’m using them in my hanging towels. This project is included in the book, as ...

Here’s a cute paper pieced mug rug pattern just in time for Valentine’s Day. You will find it in the January/February 2021 issue of McCalls Quilting.

This HEART BANDIT MUG RUG is cute, cute, cute! The magazine has full instructions for paper piecing the raccoon block and consructing the mug rug.

The sassy little raccoon block is easy to complete in a day. You could have some sweet Valentine’s gifts done in no time.

Wrap up this mug rug with a coffee mug and some hot cocoa!

One of my customers, Nickola, requested a ...

I love reading quilt magazines that are more than just a bunch of patterns. So when QuiltFolk debuted in 2016 it was a no-brainer for me to get a subscription and I’ve enjoyed every issue since then!

Imagine my pleasant surprise when editor in chief Mary Fons called me up earlier this year (before the world went a little haywire) and asked if she could feature me as one of the stories in their Nevada issue which published earlier this month.

Now, for those of you who don’t know, this amazing magazine tells stories about quilters all over ...

After months of staying home, I am ready for something fresh and new, and I’ll bet you are too! Fons & Porter has started a brand spanking new publication, QUICK & EASY QUILTS, and this fun, fresh, and new publication is bound to put a spring in your step.

The premiere issue is coming in August/September. Inside you’ll find 12 fresh projects that are not only Accessible to Beginners but Appealing to All Quilters and guess who has a project inside…

• All of the Star-Studded Designers in this issue include:

• Victoria Findlay Wolfe @VictoriaFindlayWolfe
• Charisma Horton @CharismaHorton
• Kimberly Jolly ...

Here are a few of my favorite quilty things to read lately.

Books

My newest quilt book is The Quilter's Field Guide to Color by Rachel Hauser. Not only is it a colorful feast for the eyes, but it is an interactive workbook with a large color swatch library and 14 experiments.

In addition to books about quilting and fabric and color, I read the entire Quilting Cozy series by Carol Dean Jones this year. The books follow the lives of a group of retirees (and various other characters) who live in a quaint, retirement village. Sarah Miller, main ...