with Rob Appell
A quilt top, no matter how intricate, doesn’t have a ton of texture. It’s just…flat. That’s where FMQ comes into play. Because with a little planning, your stitch patterns can force the batting to puff – or crush – exactly where you want it.
Last week I pieced together a Mariner’s Compass, and this week I’m finishing it off with an action-packed session of free motion quilting. Click HERE to learn how to give your compass quilt tons of 3-dimensional character with a few basic FMQ motifs.
Ahoy there! Don’t be afraid! Rob’s Mariner’s Compass Quilt may look like a doozy, but he’s got a secret weapon: The Quiltsmart paper piecing pattern with printed interfacing.
This genius product will guide you every step of the way with sea-worthy accuracy – just like a real compass! Click here to watch Rob put together this gorgeous 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!
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!
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!
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!
I’m here to tell you, no matter who you are, you need a bag! Today I’m working on a lined Foldover Bag with a zippered pocket, a heavy-duty strap, and a super durable cork fabric bottom. This bag would look awesome on a man or woman, and construction is a blast. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
(You may remember that I used cork fabric in my Streamline Wallet tutorial. Cork fabric is a high-quality product, so you pay a little more upfront, but it wears like leather so it’s an investment worth making! Plus, you can order one roll and get two awesome projects out of it!)
I love making handmade gifts for my friends and family, but it can be a struggle to come up with something cool for the hard-to-buy-for crowd. But this year, I’ve got a pretty good solution!
My Flannel Infinity Scarf is stylish, practical, and totally customizable. Your fabric choice can make this project great for men, women, or even teens. It’s easy to make and super soft. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
I’ve been lucky to travel all over the country to share my love of quilting. After so many trips, I’m pretty good at packing my gear quickly, but waiting for the iron to cool off can really slow me down!
That’s why I made this week’s tutorial, the Hot Iron Travel Cover! This little insulated cover slips right over the hot plate of your iron! Click HERE to watch the vid!
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!