with Rob Appell
Have you ever looked out an airplane window and thought, “Hey, those fields look just like a patchwork quilt!”
Rob certainly has, today he’s turning the tables. Fields From Above is a patchwork quilt that looks just like…a bunch of fields! Click HERE to learn how to make this cool aerial 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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
The half-square triangle is one of the simplest elements of quilting; I can crank out entire stacks in my sleep! But the really cool thing is how versatile they are. No doubt a thousand years from now, we’ll still be using half-square triangles to make new and innovative designs, (Of course we’ll probably be able to control sewing machines with our minds by then.)
Today I’m working on the Stars, Stripes, and Diamonds Quilt. This design is packed with action, but it’s as easy as laying out your half-square triangles in the right order. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
A fidget quilt is outfitted with a variety of textures and moveable parts: prairie points, ric rac, pockets, velcro, zippers, you name it! It’s purpose is to occupy restless hands and soothe anxious minds – all while keeping your legs warm.
Fidget quilts can provide tons of comfort to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and fiddling with those little parts and pieces is great exercise for the mind as well as the hands. (They are also great for kids and adults with ADHD, ADD, or autism.)
These quilts are super fun to make, and they bless the lives of those who receive them. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!