Today we offer a triple treat of quilting trivia. From understanding mitered corners, to explaining fussy cuts, and finally, navigating the width of a quilt border. Grab your rotary cutter and let’s patch together some knowledge that’s as snug as a perfectly quilted blanket! How wide should a quilt border be? A quilt border can […]
Quilt Border Patrol
When you finish the center of your quilt, there’s always the last sprint to the finish to add the border. Borders add a frame to the quilt and make it larger than the perhaps intricately pieced center section. They also provide a wonderful place to showcase running quilt designs and fussy corner motifs. Quilt borders […]
Quilting Quandaries
Should quilt bindings always be double? Quilt bindings can be single or double layer, depending on preference, but it’s worth noting that single-layer bindings do not offer as much “protection” to the quilt edge as double-layer ones do. If a quilt is going to be used regularly and/or washed, the added layers of a double […]
Matching Points
Nothing causes quilters more angst than getting perfect points on their blocks. With multiple small pieces often combined into a single block, keeping points and seams aligned can be tricky, but there are a few tricks that help with the task. If you’re not a quilter, never fear, these same principles can apply to garment […]
Working with Pre-Cut Fabrics
If you’re a quilter, chances are you’re familiar with pre-cut fabric groupings, but if you’re not a quilter, the term may be new to you. Pre-Cuts Explained Most manufacturers offer their lines in coordinated groupings of various numbers of fabrics—often including prints, solids and perhaps dots or stripes that all go together. For those reticent […]
Quilting Terms: Quilting, Borders and Sashing
This article is part of a two-part Quilting Basics series. Part one is available here. Quilting Quilting is the stitching that holds the quilt top, batting, and backing together. The quilting (stitching) of the three layers of fabric can be done simply by tying the three layers together with yarn or heavy thread. Most quilts […]
Quilting Terms: Backing, Blocks, and Batting
What is a Quilt? This is Part One of a two-part series. Part Two will be published on March 26, 2021. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (such as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs A quilter’s definition is simply […]
What I’m Embroidering: Tile Embroidery
Gorgeous! Amazing! Exquisite! So detailed! But how LONG did it take? Diana Latino of the Princeton Chapter is getting used to comments like these that come every time she shares one of her completed tile embroideries. And she has a number of them done already. What’s Tile Embroidery? Tile embroidery is a complex design done […]
Quilting Quandary
You’ve spent hours, days or weeks (OK, maybe years) tediously piecing your quilt top. It’s layered, basted and ready to go. It doesn’t matter if it’s a traditional look or totally mod, the next step toward the finish line—how to quilt it. You can, of course, hire a longarm quilter to do it for you. […]
An Easy and Precise Technique for Hand Quilting
This easy technique for hand quilting requires limited skills and mimics the precision of machine quilting. 1. Load the machine, both top and in the bobbin, with water soluble thread. 2. Set the machine stitch length for the desired hand-stitch length. For the stitches to show up in this demonstration, the stitch length will be […]
Create a Smooth Quilt Binding Join
I consider myself a very novice quilter although others have said I’m more intermediate to beginner-advanced. I’ve been sewing for years, I can read a pattern, sew an accurate seam allowance, and love using software and a long-arm to do my quilting. My goal has been to “perfect” (for my little quilting world) a quilt […]
