Machine Quilting Quick Tips
Good Morning, Quilters! Do YOU remember those old bumper stickers… “I’d rather be fishing, or swimming, or skydiving or… of course, quilting! In my stash, I found a fat quarter sandwich with the step-outs for The Fish tutorial. One “housecleaning morning” I filled it with more fish and other designs. (Because I’d rather do anything…
Machine Quilting and more
Good Morning, Quilters! I think the vast majority of us began to learn free motion machine quilting well after we learned how to cut, piece and applique quilt tops. THE MACHINE QUILTING MYSTIQUE I have observed that in some circles, there is a certain mystique about machine quilting–that machine quilting is mysterious and harder to…
Design and more
Good Morning, Quilters! Part of the art of machine quilting is learning how to combine motifs effectively. Closely quilted motifs like The New Leaf often look great next to more open motifs like Circle Pop. This combination of patterns works especially well because of the contrast between the straight lines in the leaf and curves…
Design and more
Good Morning, Quilters! Just time for a quick visual tip…. Our New Leaf motif looks great when combined with any flower motif! Here I combined it with The Crabapple Blossom machine quilting motif. The densely quilted leaf contrasts well with more open motifs like flower and give them “POP”. My first book, Free Motion…
Creativity and more
Good Morning, Quilters! Several weeks ago, I created a large whole cloth quilt sandwich (44 x 36″)…(Warm and Natural light weight cotton batting). I’ve been using this piece to try out new motifs like (The New Leaf) and experimenting with motif combinations. I’ve also been using this piece to clear my head… YOU know, those…
Machine Quilting and more
Good Morning, Quilters! I always have a stack of quilt sandwiches of various sizes sitting by my sewing machine. I use them for warm up exercises, to try new motif ideas and sometimes to create small quilts. The sandwiches range in size from 10 inch layer cake squares to 44 inch square. I LOVE having…
Machine Quilting Quick Tips
Good Morning, Quilters! Thank you to all who pre-ordered personalized, signed copies of More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 from my Etsy Shop. YOUR enthusiasm is heartwarming! MORE is selling like hotcakes–Thank YOU!!! The first book of motifs is a best-seller–please help me make More a bestseller too! BOBBIN THREAD COLOR Last week we discussed how…
Machine Quilting Quick Tips
Good Morning, Quilters! TRUE OR FALSE?: Always use the same thread in the top and the bobbin. The conventional wisdom: by using the same thread top and bobbin, it is easier for the machine to create a well-balanced stitch. This is probably true…. But, what if we are using very heavy 12 wt cotton on…
Machine Quilting Quick Tips
Good Morning, Quilters! We have a busy week here at The Inbox Jaunt–including a BIG Announcement–so stay tuned… Today–a machine quilting Quick Tip…one that seem sooooo obvious once you see it… Some machine feet are “open”-like my favorite for machine quilting, BERNINA’s #24 Free Motion Embroidery Foot. Other feet have a slit in the front…
Design and more
Good Morning, Quilters! Are YOU ready for St. Valentine’s Day? You still have time to create a quick mini-quilt for your Valentine! Today’s Quick tip: Use negative space to create a design. Draw a heart shape on the fabric and quilt around it. The trick to this technique is to really fill in around the…
