quilting – Page 3 – Man Sewing

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 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!

October 29, 2017October 27, 2017

English Paper Piecing with Violet Craft

Imagine, if you will, a quilting superhero. She has out-of-this-world sewing skills, creative talents that defy description, and the superhuman ability to simplify even the most intricate projects.

Folks, I’m here to tell you that such a person does exist, and she has a name befitting her talents. Ms. Violet Craft is in the studio today to share her knowledge of English Paper Piecing. Click HERE to watch the tutorial and pick up your “The Lion” kit. This is one project you won’t be able to put down!

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.)

October 1, 2017September 29, 2017

Stars, Stripes and Diamonds 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!

September 3, 2017September 1, 2017

Free Motion Quilting: Seasonal Pumpkins and Holly

Rev up those sewing machines and get ready to stitch, cuz I’ve got two new FMQ motifs that are going to rock your holiday socks off!

Pumpkins and vines are perfect for all kinds of festive quilt projects. So crank up your favorite Halloween/ Thanksgiving/Christmas mix tape, and have a blast whipping up these cool little designs! Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

August 27, 2017August 25, 2017

Reflective Stars Quilt

Half-square triangles are as basic as it gets, but that doesn’t mean they are boring. Those little easy-to-make blocks are so amazingly versatile, I’ll never stop building with ‘em.

Today’s project, Reflective Stars, is a modern mashup of simple and complex design elements. But because we’re using half-square triangles, construction is a cinch! Click HERE to watch the tutorial.