Month: December 2022

The Order of Things

Quilters have lots of ways to branch out from straight piecing. Some like to add a little bling or other dimensions to their projects, like applique, special dimensional fabric embellishments, embroidery, or other bling. Bling can include buttons, beads, ribbons, lace, etc. Adding these elements is fun to do and definitely makes a quilt your […]

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Take It Easy on the Curves

Curves can be daunting, but they can be mastered with practice and following a few tips. Once you master them, you open a whole new world of quilting possibilities. When learning to make curves, start with large gentle curves and work your way to smaller ones. The large curves are easier to manage. Aligning the […]

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Fuse It or Lose It

Fusible applique is a quick and easy way to add pizzazz to a quilt. Most people think of raw edges when they hear fusible applique. Granted that is a beautiful use for the fusible, but it isn’t the only one. There is so much more to know about fusible. First, not all fusibles are created […]

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Stitch and Flip

Stitch and flip is a great technique to use for triangular pieces. With stitch and flip, you sew on the diagonal and then trim the excess. The benefit of this technique is it minimizes potential for stretching and warping. The downside is that the procedure is not the best use of fabric. It will generate […]

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Speeding It Up

Are you trying to get more done in less time or with less effort? I know I do. When quilting there are some good ways to speed up your quilting with a few simple techniques for chain piecing, strip piecing, and making multiple blocks at a time. Sometimes, making multiple blocks at a time, also […]

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Keeping It Straight

Straight seams may seem like a not brainer. But anyone who has sewn two Width of Fabric (WOF) strips together can attest that keeping a long seam straight isn’t as easy as you may think. Here are a few tips for keeping those seams straight, which will help keep your blocks and quilt square. Cut […]

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Cutting It Right

Most projects, even precuts, will require some cutting. There are a few simple tips to keep your cutting frustrations to a minimum. How to Cut Most people cut their fabric folded in half, including fabric shops. This is fine, except that it doesn’t guarantee the cuts align with the weave of the fabric. To align […]

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Marking and Measuring

Unless you are making a whole cloth quilt or simply putting precuts together, you are most likely marking and/or measuring your quilt for cutting, sewing or quilting. This is a step most people don’t think too much about. Measuring When measuring, there are a few things to remember. First, do not include your selvedge when […]

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To wash or not to wash?

To wash or not to wash – that is the question that many quilters argue. I am on the fence on this one, as I do both! Here is my advice to you. Follow these simple rules to determine if you want to wash the fabric. Washable? The first question is if the material is […]

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Auditioning and Costume Changes for Color

Have you seen a quilt pattern you really like, but the colors or print are all wrong for you? I am sure you have. It is one of the reasons designers and fabric companies provide alternate colorways. Everyone has their own unique tastes. You are tempted to purchase the pattern anyway and change the color […]

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