Guest Post @ Diary of a Quilter ~ How to Calculate a Scalloped Quilt Border

Valentine Handkerchief Quilt made by Shawn T.  

What an honor to share a guest post with Amy Smart over at Diary of a Quilter today!  

How to (Quickly) Bind a Quilt

How to (Quickly) Bind a Quilt

This little clip is featured in my NEW BOOK!

Ultimate Binding & Edge-Finishing Guide for Quilting & Sewing

Ultimate Binding & Edge-Finishing Guide Book - it's almost here!!

photo courtesy of Fox Chapel/Landauer Publishing

I am thrilled and just a little bit giddy that my book is coming SOON!!  February 6th is the publication date.  I am on pins and needles!!

While in Houston at the International Quilt Market last fall, I met up with Amelia Johanson, the Acquisitions Editor I spoke with at last year's Market to propose my book idea.  A few weeks later came the message "We have a book!"  Then to see a sample of it on their shelf - well...  my face...

Cuddle Buddies - Felix the Fox

Felix the Fox Cuddle(R) Blanket and Stuffie

When I spied this adorable "Cuddle Buddies" kit over at Missouri Star Quilt Co, I knew it was the perfect thing to make for my newest grandson, born just a month ago.  

Two-color Binding Tutorial

Here's a binding technique I had never tried before - a two-color pieced binding with joints on. the. corners!  Good Challenge!

TGIFF = An Appli-quilted Finish!

Hi, and welcome!  It's time for Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday!  So glad you stopped by!

This little gem of a quilt has been sitting in my "Box of the Unfinished" for about 8 years now!  I'm so happy to show you this finish and link up with  TGIFF.  We'll also have a little giveaway! (details below).

Practically Perfect Paper-Piecing! A Tutorial + Tips

Kaleido-Medallion with "Practically Perfect" Paper-Pieced Pretty Points!

Oh, how I love precise, pretty points in quilts, and foundation paper-piecing is my favorite way to get that to that happen.

How to Roll & Store Binding

Here is my favorite way to ROLL & STORE quilt binding, using a "Figure 8" technique!

Years ago, I watched a gal at the cutting station in a fabric store rolling lace in this figure 8 manner and asked her to show me how.  That was a fun way to store it, but later on, I realized that when you turn it over and pull the strip from the center, it comes out straight!  Wow, I was amazed!  

How many times have you started to add the binding to a quilt - especially a large quilt - and because the binding has been stored by rolling it into a circle, it pulls off in a corkscrew and you have to unroll the entire 450 or so inches of binding down the hall, through the house and down the stairs?   I exaggerate.... a little!  I know you know what I mean.

This trick of "pre-twisting" will fix that!

There are some super-cute binding storage gismos out there, but the binding is usually wrapped around these in a circular fashion as well, causing the same issues.  Cute, yes.  But I am all about finding easy, practical, economical solutions to common issues, and this figure 8 technique doesn't cost any extra!

A figure 8 roll is handy for storage, too.  Sometimes I'll slip one of the loops over a hanger that holds the backing and quilt top, keeping the set together and ready for quilting.

When I'm ready to use the binding, I set the roll on my lap or on the floor by my chair and it simply pulls out from the center, ready to apply without twisting!  

Leftover binding strips can be re-rolled and used for smaller projects, or pieced together for a fun scrappy binding.

Or, just keep them in a large jar to decorate your quilt studio.  It's a beautiful thing.  And, it makes me happy.  And when I sit down to bind a quilt, I have a smile on my face.

Happy Binding!

Deonn

Tips, Tricks & Tools, Part I: What's in Your Sewing Kit?

This is Part I of a 3-part series of my favorite Tips, Tricks & Tools when it comes to quilting. 

One thing I was advised when I first started quilting:  Always use the best tools and supplies you can find and afford: sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutting equipment, fabric, needles, thread, even good quality pins can make a difference.  

TOOLS 

Here are a few of my favorite tools and toys in my quilting arsenal:

Those Who Wish to Sing...

I came across this Swedish Proverb a few years ago, and kept that saying in my mind.  When Carla @creatininthesticks put together this "Music" blog hop, I knew it was time to transfer that saying into a little quilt.

"Those who wish to sing always find a song."

How to Bind a Quilt by Machine

Teaching my Binding & Alternate Endings Lecture today at Garden of Quilts!  Join me today at noon in the gardens.  But if you can't, here's a quick little binding video I threw together.

I ♥ LOVE ♥ Appliqué - Video Tutorial Series

I'm excited to announce that I am doing a virtual class for the Utah Quilt Guild's Spring "Remote-Fest"!

Tutorial ~ How to Bind a Scalloped Edge

Love is in the air!  This "LOVE-ly" gorgeous quilt was made with vintage Valentine handkerchiefs by my quilt customer, Shawn T.  She always has wonderful, creative ideas, and this was no exception!  

Oh, My Stars, Marthie! That's Good Pie!

Oh, My Stars! (& Garters) 24" x 24" Topper, 
featuring Give Thanks fabric by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs

Finished quilting this sweet little topper, just in time for Thanksgiving!  

I was recently reading a story about my great-grandparents.  Grandma Martha was an excellent cook, and Grandpa Henry was quoted as saying, "My stars, Marthie!  That's good pie!"  I don't often make pies, and this year's pie was a frozen Marie Callender's that you bake at home, but it tasted good too! 

Oh, My Stars! (& Garters) Quilt Class

 Lake Powell Quilt Retreat 2021!  

Taught a fun group of delightful quilting Hooligans one of my favorite quick quilt blocks!  

"Oh, My Stars! (& Garters) pattern uses a couple of simple-to-make "Insta-Block" techniques where we make four "no-waste" flying geese and eight half-square-triangles at the same time (like magic!), then add a few squares and rectangles and, oh my stars, success!  Just look at the smiles!

I love that the center allows for some fun embellishments - fussy cut fabrics, embroidery, applique' or a combo of techniques to add pizzazz to the quilt!  

And now, for your entertainment, here's a little Oh, My Stars! showcase of projects and previous classes:  VIDEO  

Insta-Blocks: "Magic Eight" Triangle Squares!

How to make multiple HALF- and QUARTER-SQUARE TRIANGLES all at once!

PLUS a little "Quilter's Math"

Color Therapy: Iridescent Stars

Iridescent Star featuring scraps from my stash!

She's a cute little quilt!  Sorting through my stash and sewing these happy fabrics provided some much-needed color therapy!  The way the colors play, it almost looks translucent in some areas, and I just love how the colors sparkle in this quilt!  If you are in need of a little therapy yourself, the pattern is available as both a download and paper copy at Quiltscapes' Etsy Shop.

Fresh Squeezed ~ An RBD "Grove" Project Design

Toddler Ensemble made by Deonn Stott featuring Grove Fabric
by Jill Finley @Jillily Studios for Riley Blake Designs.

Do these fabrics make your mouth water? I've just finished this tasty little ensemble for my granddaughter, and now I'm craving a fresh lime soda!

"From the Heart" Blog Hop ~ A New Batch of "Snippets"!

Carol@JustLetMeQuilt has organized such a fun hop this week!  We're sharing our favorite small hand-made gift ideas.  I immediately thought of making a batch of my favorite little "Snippets"!  Perfect little gifts "from the heart".  

A "Shabby" Chic! + Tutorial

"A Shabby Chic" (or is it Chick?)  Mini Quilt, 28" x 28"
featuring Shabby Basics by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs

I had a lot of fun playing with some new fabrics to make this sweet Purdy Bird.  "Shabby" was first introduced in September of 2018 and is a wonderful textured blender and great basic to have on hand.