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A good magician can saw a woman in half, make a rabbit disappear, and pull an entire bouquet of flowers out of thin air. It seems impossible, but we know the truth: It’s all an illusion. With a few tricks up the sleeve, anyone can perform “magic” – no supernatural power required! Rob’s new Optical Illusion Checkerboard Quilt may look like a maze of intricate piecework, but we assure you – this pattern couldn’t be easier! Click HERE to learn the secret to this illusion!

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Have you been following along with Rob’s free motion quilting tutorials? If so, we hope you have a huge stack of stitch-covered practice pieces. But…what do you do with all those scraps? Don’t even think about throwing them away! Instead, transform them into a quick and easy tote bag that is super useful and totally unique. Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

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Spider webs are pretty incredible. They catch prey, provide shelter, and act as protective egg sacs. Some spiders even use a silken thread as a safety line while navigating tricky obstacles. Coolest of all? Webs can be used for flying! Certain types of spiders create web balloons that send ‘em sailing across air currents like gnarly little eight-legged surfers.   This week Rob is using a web motif to finish off my spooky Science Jars quilt. (Bonus: the thread glows in the dark!) Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

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When was the very first quilt made? We don’t know for sure, but evidence suggests quilt-making actually predates the invention of the wheel! In 1903, archaeologists in Egypt discovered a 5,500-year-old statue of a pharaoh wearing a quilted cloak. It’s a cool, geometric pattern and it even has a scalloped border. We’d love to travel back in time and check out the fabric choices! This week Rob is working on an easy pyramid quilt. It’s made with strip sets of brilliant color, and it comes together like a snap. Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

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Are you a superfan? The spectators at one 19th century cricket match sure were. On February 8, 1879, one bad call triggered an all-out brawl. Two thousand disgruntled fans stormed the field with hot tempers and swinging fists. TWO THOUSAND fans! There were probably broken noses and bruised knuckles everywhere! That’s some pretty crazy team loyalty! This week I’ve got a project fit for the fiercest sports fan. I’ve used Florida Gators prints – just because I dig the fabric – but this quilt will look totally awesome in your team colors as well. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

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Men’s formal wear can be a bit of a snooze-fest, but it hasn’t always been that way. During the 1700s, fashion-forward dudes wore vivid colors, lots of embroidery, elaborate hair pieces, and even high heels. That’s a far cry from the basic black of the modern tailored suit. Now, I’m not lining up for lacy cuffs or powdered wigs any time soon, but I do like to add a little personality to my outfit with a custom bow tie. Click HERE to learn how it’ done!

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The monstera deliciosa is known by dozens of different names: Swiss cheese plant, fruit salad tree, Mexican breadfruit, Penglai banana. But no matter which name you use, this vine is totally massive! It can grow to be almost 70 feet tall. (That’s like Jack & the Beanstalk status, folks.) An average monstera leaf measures 30 inches by 36 inches, which is a fantastic size for a wall hanging. Click HERE to learn how to applique an awesome botanical quilt of epic proportions!

Strip Trees Quilt

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One slice of a tree trunk tells the story of a lifetime. Droughts, forest fires, peaceful growing conditions – it’s all written in the growth rings, and if you know what you’re looking for, you can read it like a history book. I guess I’m a bit like a tree, but my life story is written out through the quilts I design. This week I put together a patchwork tree quilt. It was inspired by my own experiences in the woods, and I know you’re gonna love it. Click HERE to learn how to make it!

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A quilt top, no matter how intricate, doesn’t have a ton of texture. It’s just…flat. That’s where FMQ comes into play. Because with a little planning, your stitch patterns can force the batting to puff – or crush – exactly where you want it. Last week I pieced together a Mariner’s Compass, and this week I’m finishing it off with an action-packed session of free motion quilting. Click HERE to learn how to give your compass quilt tons of 3-dimensional character with a few basic FMQ motifs.