with Rob Appell
Quilt-as-you-go is a nice change of pace for a quilter like me. I generally spend many happy hours piecing, sandwiching, and machine quilting my projects, but a quilt-as-you-go is finished in one step.
The top is actually built on a foundation of backing and batting, so the quilt is complete the minute the last piece is attached. Add a quick binding, and you’re ready for snuggle time! Click HERE to watch the vid!
A sewing machine is an amazing tool, but it needs regular maintenance to function at its best.
If you’re worried about working on your own machine, don’t be! I have over 15 years experience as a sewing machine technician, and I can tell you, cleaning routines and basic fixes are a piece of cake! Today I’m demonstrating how to keep your drop-in bobbin in tip-top shape. Click HERE to watch the video.
(Check out more sewing machine maintenance tutorials HERE!)
I’ve got to admit, I’m a bit of a tree hugger. And with good reason!
Over the course of one year, a 100-foot-tall Oak can convert 50 pounds of carbon dioxide into 6,000 pounds of oxygen. That’s a lot of fresh air!
That same tree can sustain 284 species of insects, which, in turn, support countless birds and small mammals.
In short, trees are amazing! Click HERE to learn how to make my latest tree-inspired design, The Tree Hugger Quilt!
When I’m working on a Trapunto quilt, I layer extra pieces of batting in certain areas of the quilt to create a nice, puffy loft. Then I go to town quilting tight, intricate designs everywhere else.
The result is a high-contrast 3D texture that looks much more difficult than it really is. Click HERE to watch the vid.
If you’ve been following Man Sewing for long, you know I love working with The Burst Block. (Check out the entire Burst Block playlist HERE.) My Burst Block Template makes construction simple, and there are so many cool ways to put these blocks together, I can’t help but rebuild this quilt every once in awhile.
This week’s Gator Quilt is my newest Burst Block creation, and with this fun, twisty layout, you don’t have to worry about lining up seams!
Cutting down on waste is one of the best ways to take care of Mother Earth, so I love working on reusable projects. My Double-Pull Drawstring Bag is a great substitute for throw-away bags, and it’s a cinch to make.
In the tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to create this highly customizable bag, with French seams and casings!
Use it as a super-durable shopping bag, a gift bag, or a travel toiletry kit. Organize small toys, sewing supplies, or electronic accessories. The possibilities are endless!
Click HERE to watch the vid, and if you think of a clever use for this bag, let me know in the comment section!
There are hundreds of bag patterns out there, but when I make a tote, I don’t settle for ordinary. It’s got to look great, and it’s got to be tons of fun to make.
This week, I grabbed a jelly roll, ironed the pieces into narrow, multi-layered strips, and started zig-zagging like a madman. It’s a unique construction, but the result is a cool, durable bag that is unlike anything you’ve seen before!
Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
Crank up the tunes and get comfy, folks, cuz we’re headed for a piecing palooza!
Today I’m stitching together a sea of gray hexagons. Add a punch of rainbow-ordered color, and you’ve got a super-modern color wheel! If you enjoy the piecing process as much as I do, this quilt is going to rock your world! Click HERE to watch the tutorial
The Garden Quilt is a softer, more organic version of one of my favorite patterns, The Gears Quilt.
I use miniature pinwheels as the background, layer on some killer floral applique, and finish it off with my signature free-motion quilting. This garden is bold and modern, and it’s a cinch to put together. Click HERE to watch the vid!
When the sun sets over the ocean, you get a magnificent burst of color – but it only lasts a few moments. Today I’m stitching up an Island Sunset that will remain brilliant for years to come!
This quilt was inspired by Missouri Star’s Disappearing Pinwheel. It’s a project that looks complex, but the truth is, it couldn’t be easier! Click HERE to watch the tutorial!