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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!

Science Jars Quilt

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My quilting laboratory is stocked with all sorts of spooky specimens, thanks to Tula Pink’s De La Luna fabric. Time to make a Halloween jar quilt! I use my mini rotary cutter, the Shark Applicutter, to fussy cut creepy apothecary jars filled with eyeballs, skeletons, bugs, and bats. This is a super fun project with tons of room for creativity, so let your imagination run wild as you concoct this spine-chilling quilt!

Man Sewing Crazy Cat Star Quilt

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It’s the big winter games, and the best athletes in the world are competing for top honors. The best human athletes, that is… Because if we’re being honest, in a contest of the most extraordinary physical feats, you’d have to include the common house cat. A domestic cat can run 30 miles per hour. (That’s faster than gold medal runner Usain Bolt, folks.) They can jump seven times their own height, and 90% of cats can survive a five-story fall. But perhaps most impressive, the average cat sleeps 16-18 hours a day. (You may have observed this impressive talent in your own home.) This weekRead More →

Pineapple Peekaboo

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  We love following trends. In the 70s it was bell bottoms and disco. The 80s brought perms and acid wash to the masses. Grungy jeans and flannel were all the rage in the 90s. And today? Well, it’s all about pineapples! Pineapples are everywhere in fashion and decor. I’ve seen lamps, socks, earrings, and even a little pineapple-shaped dog house for your pampered pup. The whole world is in love with these golden fruits, and it’s no wonder; pineapples represent sunshine and warmth and far-off adventures. This week I’m making a reverse applique pineapple quilt using fantastic batiks and my trusty Shark Applicutter. ThisRead More →

FMQ Simple Squares Motif

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I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed with this new FMQ motif, so I’ve prepared a couple of questions to help you gauge whether you are up to the challenge: 1- Can you sew a straight line? 2- How ‘bout kinda-sorta straight? If you answered yes, you’re ready to tackle Simple Squares! To create this motif, simply follow a chalk grid. No curves. No corners. Just long, straight lines. And when you’re done, you’ve got an awesome “plaid” design that can be further embellished or left alone. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

Hypnotic Hexagons

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  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 createRead More →

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There’s nothing cooler than a map – especially if it’s a location you know and love. You can point out a spot and say, “That’s where I first picked up a surfboard.” and “There’s my old college town.” I’m a California guy through and through, but Missouri is my home away from home. So this week I’m putting together quilts dedicated to each of those great states – and I get to show off some fantastic precuts in the process. Join me and I’ll show you how to appliqué an awesome homage to your favorite state, too!

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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!

Create a Cork Adventure Journal

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Welcome to 2018! Where will this new year take you? Whether you plan to scale a majestic mountain peak or conquer a new quilt pattern, you’re sure to face an adventure or two worth remembering. This week I’m stitching up a Cork Adventure Journal using two of my favorite materials: cork fabric and Kraft-tex paper “fabric.” This journal is durable enough to accompany you on any safari, sea voyage, or quilting retreat. And when you fill it up with memories and mementos, you can swap out the pages for fresh sheets. Click HERE to learn how to make your own Adventure Journal!

Quilting a T-Shirt Quilt

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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 touchesRead More →