by lsmith | Aug 8, 2019 | Quilting Tips
Ironing Pressing Have you every followed a quilt instruction that says to press your seams open for a half square triangle? If you were anything like me, you would pull out your steam iron, put it on the open seam, and run it up and down the length of the seam to make...
by lsmith | Aug 7, 2019 | Quilting Tips
There is a great debate amongst quilters – should I or shouldn’t I wash my fabrics before quilting? My answer is that it depends. I have a series of questions that may help you decide for yourself if the fabrics for your project should be washed before...
by lsmith | Jul 30, 2019 | Quilting Tips
With all of the projects I have on my plate, why would I attend a quilt show? I could spend that time and money toward finishing some of those projects… Quilt shows can provide inspiration, education and deals if you know where to find them. Well, this weekend,...
by lsmith | Jul 26, 2019 | Quilting Tips
Have you ever read a pattern or visited a website and they mention precuts? Have you ever wondered what precuts are? Precuts are usually sets of fabric pieces assembled by the manufacturer, although shops may package their own as well. Precuts aren’t really kits...
by lsmith | Jul 25, 2019 | Quilting Tips
My mom always told me that you could tell the quality of a fabric by the feel. She used to walk through the fabric stores running her fingers across the bolts. When she came to one that felt good, she would decide if she liked how it looked. Most people look first...
by lsmith | Jul 23, 2019 | Quilting Tips
Ever have one of those days when nothing seems or seams to be going right? Today is one of those days. It was supposed to be a simple day – piece a backing and load the quilt onto my longarm. Piecing should have taken me about 10 minutes to sew to pieces of...
by lsmith | Jul 20, 2019 | Quilting Tips
Autumn RailsLaureen Smith 2019 Over coming your fear of cutting (FOC) or just short on time? This rail fence pattern is a great option. I found some great jelly rolls on sale, so I bought four rolls and some coordinating backing. As an aside, I have found that buying...
by lsmith | Jul 17, 2019 | Quilting Tips
A friendly guide to figuring out bed measurements, quilt size terms, and the tricks quilters use to avoid — or fix — a quilt that doesn’t quite fit. This was one of my very first large quilts. (My sister owns the infamous first-first quilt — and trust me, that story...
by lsmith | Jul 10, 2019 | Quilting Tips
I’m going to share a little secret with you:I am absolutely terrified of heights.Always have been. And my dad knew this. So, when he taught me how to drive, he didn’t choose a quiet neighborhood. He guided me straight onto Newport Road — a narrow stretch that clung to...
by lsmith | Jun 28, 2019 | Quilting Tips
When I first wrote this post years ago, I was trying to explain quilting the way I understood it at the time. I’d already been quilting for decades, but I focused on it as a “fabric sandwich” and a great excuse to do something fun and productive… and good gifts for my...
