Tutorials

which patchwork project suits your scrap collection?

The wonky star block has a sort of organic twinkle. The irregular points flash with personality. It’s my favorite block for using up triangle scraps, as each block uses 8 triangles - one for each star point! This tutorial is flexible for making block of diverse sizes.

My first coins are really hitting the spot! I barely have to think when I match up two fabrics for a strip of coins, especially since my sewing recipe is quite relaxed. Here’s my recipe for a quick, scrappy coin quilt sewn from string scraps.

Next up: the Rectangular 18-Patch block. It’s a scrap-friendly quilt block that sews up fast via strip-piecing and sub-cutting. Here are my sewing tips and a batch of blocks for destined for charity as a do. Good Stitches collaborative quilt.

Enjoy this free, fancy string block pattern! When multiple Monument blocks are nested together, the stripes form concentric squares, bringing to mind the rhythmic steps and layered facade of a classical building. The block is foundation paper pieced and 8” finished.

The economy block is quick to sew and offers fun fabric play. This free tutorial yields an 8” finished block via traditional piecing methods. Margin-for-error is built-in, since some pieces are oversized to allow for easy trimming of the finished block.

The Cross block is an improv patchwork classic. It’s easy to sew and super scrap-friendly. If you’re new to improv piecing start here! There are just enough decisions to feel free and relaxing, but never overwhelming.

Join the Kingfisher Stitch-Along! This summer we’ll be creating a hexie flower quilt combinging English Paper Piecing, applique and machine piecing. It’s the perfect, portable summer project!

Rosie is a 12" finished block with an on point, open center.  She's ideal for showcasing a large scale print as the background fabric.  The center of the block is pieced traditionally...

This month I hope you'll sew-along to make a quick and easy picnic blanket.  It makes a great gift, if you're thinking ahead for the holidays...

Ever tried to sew a scrappy quilt with all your scraps and ran into trouble? This kind of wild scrap sewing was supposed to be effortless and still look fantastic, but - - hmmm - - it looks a bit like mud? Here are my secrets for All Colors In scrap quilts.

So, you’ve finished that special quilt. Hurrah! Now photograph it, while your enthusiasm is fresh. You don’t need a special camera or a professional set up to take good quilt photographs. I hope that these tips will inspire you to document your creativity in all its original glory. Your quilt is totally worth the trouble!

The main goal of scrap fabric organization is simple: Access. Here is my recipe for happy scrappy organization. What to save, when to trim and how to sort by color and scrap type, depending upon the size of your scrap collection.

So you’d like to try English Paper Piecing, but (understandably) don’t want to tackle a whole quilt project right from the start? Over the years, I’ve made a handful of short-term projects with the technique. These projects and resource links will help you figure out where to begin with EPP.

Typically my fabric shopping process is indeed a thoughtful, intentional one. But not always. At times it’s good to simply be moved by the heart. Here’s how chance encounters and persistent attractions also play into my fabric shopping process.

As you delve deeper into the hobby of quilt making, you will build up some history with the craft. Soon you will find that there are are certain styles you’re drawn to again and again. Here’s how considering the past and the future can make you an extra smart shopper.

My fabric stash is my artist’s palette. I can only create with the colors and forms which I have on hand. What can I add that will help me create quilts from the heart? How can I express my truest self? What additions will spark joy?At the root of each answer is Color. That is why my fabric shopping always begins there.

I love scrap quilts! Each one is special and totally unique. Here are some tips for planning a scrappy sampler quilt like Pas de Deux. Start with Your Scraps, Combine Colors, Develop a Theme and Avoid Total Overwhelm!

If your quilt-in-progress has blocks that interact with each other you need some way to stay organized so that everything will match up at the end. Don’t have a design wall? No worries. Here’s how to easily organize your quilt project so it can be packed away, while keeping everything where it should be.

If you find yourself losing steam after your patchwork quilt top is made, you’re not alone. But wait! Finishing that quilt is going to be soooo rewarding. Here are some ideas to help you push on to make that quilt backing.

After attaching a border, have you ever noticed that the outer edges of your quilt are wavy? I’m going to show you how to fix that! Learn to sew a quilt border properly, without fullness.

Are you considering sending your large quilt in for professional quilting service?  Let's get it ready for longarm quilting.  Here's how to prepare your quilt top and backing.

Your batting choice will make a huge impact on how your quilts feels and washes.  Batting can make a quilt feel puffy or flat, heavy or light, warm or just barely-there. 

What kind of quilt do you want?

What works best as backing for your big bed quilt?  Here are some important considerations:  substrate, fabric width, color and print.

Is the quilting stage your biggest obstacle to finishing a large quilt?  I'm not surprised!  Even if you typically quilt your own quilts, finishing a big bed quilt is intimidating for good reason.

As soon as you try to choose a pattern for your bed quilt, you'll bump into the size question.  To plan your ideal quilt size, you need a measuring tape, the bed in question and a note pad.

It's a pretty common scenario.  You prepared a backing for your quilt top, with plans to quilt it at home.  Now you've decided to send it out for longarm quilting, but the backing is slightly too small.  What to do?

Working scraps into a rainbow is a classic approach to the scrap quilt. Want to make your own?  Here are some tips for arranging your scraps in rainbow order. 

6 Tips for Choosing Fabrics for English Paper Piecing. What fabrics work best for fussy cutting? What else is important? From transformative fabrics to directional fabrics - let’s explore how to use fabrics creatively for EPP.

Yes, you can take a sewing machine as carry-on baggage by train or airplane. The trick is to check the regulations of your particular travel provider to ensure that your machine is neither too big or too heavy to make the trip.

As busy parents and working professionals, many of us must fit sewing into the corners of life.  Use these tips for making time to sew in small bites of time.

If you’re like me, color is your friend, but all my experiences with using color in clothing and quilts don’t seem to translate to home decor. I had to learn the hard way by painting lots and lots of spaces over the years. Maybe I can save you a bucket or two of paint?

Patchwork curtains are a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite fabrics every day. They add so much personality to your space! This tutorial is designed to help you sew patchwork curtains in whatever size will suit your needs. Happy decorating!

Potholders are a fun little gift to make. They’re always useful and easy to personalize with the right colors and fabrics. Enjoy this free machine paper piecing tutorial!

Do you know what I love? Using patchwork to recover dining room chairs. It’s makes them so fresh and full of personality, and is rather easy to do. Here are the steps to make it happen!

When the weather turned quite chilly, I noticed our back door has a bit of a draft. What a good excuse for some patchwork! Nothing makes a living room more cozy, right? This simple tutorial creates a long, cylindrical draft stopper pillow.

Before I left, I made love note bookmarks for my parents and closest friends. I chose a word for each of them that captures something I appreciate about who they are. My mother is strength…

This simple tutorial creates an elastic headband to fit a baby or child, up to approximately three years old.  Turn a fabric scrap into a sweet headband to tame that little one's locks! 

Looking to add more patchwork to your home?  Rather than finishing your patchwork as a quilt, you can stretch it like a canvas and hang it as wall decor!