How to Survive and Thrive at a Quilt Show?

How to Survive and Thrive at a Quilt Show?

by | 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,...
What Are Precuts?

What Are Precuts?

by | 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...
Difference in Quilt Fabric Quality

Difference in Quilt Fabric Quality

by | 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...

Just Step away from the Sewing Machine

by | 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...
Autumn Rails

Autumn Rails

by | 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...
Size Matters (in Quilting)

Size Matters (in Quilting)

by | 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...
Fear of Quilting

Fear of Quilting

by | 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...
What is Quilting?

What is Quilting?

by | 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...