how to quilt – Man Sewing

January 21, 2018January 19, 2018

Hypnotic Hexagons Quilt

Once upon a time, a simple little jelly roll dreamed of becoming a stately hexagon. “You’re dreaming!” chided his fellow precuts. “You’ll never be anything better than a Jelly Roll Race (not that there is anything wrong with that)!”

Little did they know, that jelly roll was about to be stitched into strip sets. And those strips sets were sliced into cool, stripey triangles. And what do you think happened to those triangles? Well, they were carefully arranged into the coolest hexagons you ever did see. And they lived happily ever after as a totally awesome quilt.

Moral of the story? You can create some pretty cool stuff out of 2.5-inch strips of fabric. Click HERE to learn how to make your own Hypnotic Hexagons quilt!

January 7, 2018January 5, 2018

FMQ Skills and Drills: Circle Grid Motif

If you love exact measurements, rules, and instructions, it can be hard to let loose with Free Motion Quilting. How do you know if you’re doing it “right?” Where should you stitch next? How many swirls is the right number of swirls?

Luckily, the Circle Grid Motif is the perfect mix of creativity and structure. You’re working on a grid, so all you have to do is swoop from point A to point B. And swoop by swoop, your FMQ confidence will grow – and your quilt will look awesome. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

December 17, 2017December 15, 2017

Quilting a T-Shirt Quilt

Leaving a quilt unfinished is like shaving only half your moustache. It’s like mixing up cookie dough and never baking the cookies. It’s like planting an apple tree and letting the apples fall to the ground unpicked. What a waste!

If you’re going to spend the time and effort to construct an awesome quilt top, do yourself a huge favor and finish it so it can be used and enjoyed! This week I’m demonstrating how to baste and quilt a t-shirt quilt. (You can learn how to make the quilt top HERE.) Click HERE to watch the tutorial. I think you’ll find the finishing touches can be the best part of the entire process!

December 10, 2017December 8, 2017

How to Square a Quilt

You did it! You successfully pieced, sandwiched, and quilted a cool new project. It’s looking great, but before you finish it off with binding, there’s one more step you just can’t skip: squaring the quilt.

This week I’m demonstrating how easy it is to achieve perfect straight sides and 90-degree corners. Click HERE to watch the tutorial and learn how to take your quilts from “good enough” to first-class!

December 3, 2017December 1, 2017

Slice and Swap Quilt

Quilters are an interesting bunch. We start out with fabric that is flawless and new, and then we slice it to smithereens. Seems kind of kooky, I know. But trust me, we know what we’re doing! Because when those little pieces are sewn back together in new and interesting ways, it’s not just fabric anymore; it’s art.

For my new Slice and Swap quilt, I’m chopping up an amazing batik layer cake. And when I stitch it back up with a simple little sashing? Magic! Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

November 26, 2017November 24, 2017

Simple Fur and Flannel Throw

My Simple Fur and Flannel Throw is the ultimate DIY gift. It’s useful, it’s super classy, and it’s as soft and cozy as a pair of polar bears cubs. And here’s the best part: it’s a cinch to make.

Shannon Fabrics has an amazing faux fur called Llama Cuddle. It’s a little finicky, but I’ve got a few tips to whip that silky-soft fur into shape. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

November 19, 2017November 17, 2017

How to Piece a T-Shirt Quilt Top

If you have a collection of cool t-shirts, it’s time to transform those puppies into a quilt! We tend to hang onto t-shirts because they hold great memories: killer concerts, unforgettable vacations, college days. Even if you don’t wear them anymore, they represent happy times.

But if you think you enjoy those old t-shirts while they’re stuffed away in the back of the closet, just imagine how much you’ll love having them on display as a totally unique, totally awesome quilt. Click HERE to check out my best tips for making your t-shirt quilt a success!

November 12, 2017November 10, 2017

Traditional Stained Glass Appliqué

Have you ever tried to make a grilled cheese sandwich with an iron? Used a butter knife as a screwdriver? Hammered a nail in the wall with the heel of one of your wife’s good pumps? Sure, you can “make do,” but life is so much easier when you’ve got the right tools for the job.

This week I’m working on appliqued stained glass. This is a super fun project, and with the right tools, it really is simple! To create black “lead” lines, I’m using heat activated Quick Bias Tape. It follows the curves of the design with ease, and my Clover Mini Iron allows me to tack it down exactly where I want it. (Of course, I’ve got my favorite stiletto tool to help with precise positioning.) Finally, I use a twin needle to stitch both edges of the “leading” in one fell swoop. Easy peasy.

Click HERE to learn how to do Stained Glass Applique the easy way!

November 5, 2017November 3, 2017

Heidi’s Hexis Quilt

When you tune in to Man Sewing, you see only me and my sewing machine. But if I were to flip the camera around, you would discover an entire team of creative geniuses working together to make Man Sewing a success.

Today I’m working on a quilt that was designed by my good friend Heidi. As a talented member of the Man Sewing family, she is always coming up with cool project ideas. Click HERE to learn how to make Heidi’s Hexis Quilt!

October 15, 2017October 13, 2017

Buffalo Plaid Quilt

Inspired by lumberjacks, cowboys, and Scottish warriors, the Buffalo Plaid Quilt is quite possibly the manliest quilt of all time.

This is the quilt you reach for after a chilly wood-chopping session. This is the quilt you sleep with in a snow cave carved with your bare hands. This is the quilt that will keep you warm after a long day of wrestling bears and alligators. It’s rugged stuff.

Of course, with a soft-as-butter flannel backing, it’s also super cuddly, and strip set construction makes it a cinch to put together. Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

(A big thanks to my pal, Shea Henderson, for sharing her awesome Buffalo Check pattern with me. Click HERE to take a peek at her website, Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio.)