Maranta leuconeura is probably the most reverent plant on earth. Every night at bedtime, its leaves fold up like praying hands. Combine that pious personality with crazy good looks, and you’ve got a plant worth quilting! This week Rob is working on a Prayer Plant quilt using layers of batik applique and Quick Bias Tape by Clover. Click HERE to learn how to make your own tropical masterpiece!
There are so many fun hobbies in this world. Sports, cars, sewing, music, you name it! And for every collection, pastime, or talent, there’s sure to be a quilt to match! This week Rob Appell demonstrated how to make an amazing chess-themed quilt. Best of all, the chessboard background is an easy-to-make optical illusion. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
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!
Are you on Santa’s nice list? If so, we hope he leaves a Shark Applicutter under your tree this year! That pint-sized rotary cutter navigates curves and tight corners with ease. This week Rob used it to fussy cut dozens of little fish for his freestyle applique Coral Reef quilt. This tropical quilt pattern leaves lots of room for creativity, and it’s a blast to put together! Click HERE to learn how to sew up your own tropical ocean scene! (Be sure to watch to the end for some great tips on free motion quilting!)
You might cry over spilt milk, but spilt paint? Never! Even accidental plops of rainbow-hued pigment can turn out awesome – especially on quilts! Inspired by his own painting projects, Rob started this quilt with a patchwork of newsprint fabric to create the illusion of a newspaper “drop cloth.” Then he layered on big ‘ole drips of applique “paint” in nice, bold colors. Click HERE to watch the vid!
Yep, it’s true. Real men sew. But that’s not all. We cook, too! Some slave over 5-course feasts, and some stick to frozen pizza, but all of us need a cool, custom potholder to protect our manly hands. Rob’s new potholder pattern allows you to slide your hand right inside, and it can be made with fabric of any style: Classic cars, galloping stallions, Star Wars, sports prints, you name it! If you’re looking for a killer gift idea, this is it! Throw in a matching Applique Tea Towel or a BBQ Utility Apron, and you’ll be the king (or queen) of the Christmas exchange.Read More →
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!
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.
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!
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.
