Quilting with a sewing machine isn't an impossible task since quilting and sewing machines are mostly similar. The truth is, they are both sewing machines.

Want to know the correct sewing machine settings? Learn everything you need to know about the stitch length with this detailed sewing tutorial.

A cat lovers dream, Cats on Cats is a beginner friendly look at simple quilt techniques and chain piecing. Featuring fabric from Kitty Garden and Jenny's Basics by Jenny Ronen.

I just finished this little quilt for a customer... She wanted me to make the flowers look more like pansies. I'm hoping I achieved her request... This is how I started. Then I added some yellow thread... Still needs some background fill in the white... And finished... One more... The colors changed in each picture as the sun got lower in the sky...

Hand quilting is the technique of sewing together the three layers of a quilt (batting between two layers of fabric) in a decorative freehand stitch.

This quilt was for the same customer as the pink and green quilt in the previous post.... They are both wedding quilts for weddings coming up this next week! I don't usually do 2 custom quilts in one week.... usually it takes me at least a week (or more) to do 1 custom quilting job! But I did it and my customer is thrilled! I didn't get finished pix of this sampler... customer arrived at my house before it was off the machine. I'm sure she would of waited for me to take pix but we had plans for the afternoon and her husband was waiting in the car... I know, excuses, excuses! You are just going to have to use your imagination for the rest of the quilt... LOL

Finished your quilt top and ready to quilt? Continue reading for 10 quilting designs for beginners perfect for your first quilt!

Hello Everyone, It was a marathon week of machine quilting Country Courthouse. I didn't keep track of my exact machine quilting hours, but it was about 35 hours of quilting over the past 6 days. I would spend about 5 to 6 hours a day at the long arm. I stitched in every ditch which created this look on the back. The back is also where I could spot my mistakes once I took it off the long arm.....and there were more mistakes than I care to discuss! With the anticipated snowstorm barreling down our way, I'll have lots of time to work on binding. We were going to head to the city house to spend time with the kids, both big and little. We are rethinking our trip, and may just stay put and enjoy the snow, and decorate for Christmas while humming, "I'm dreaming of a white Thanksgiving". When we made an early morning trip to the grocery store yesterday, we only bought the ingredients for the dishes I was going to make to take with us. I had absolutely no intention of making a full-blown turkey dinner, since we didn't think we were going to be here. Two dinners were planned between our two sons, one Thursday and one Friday. Turkey on one day and barbecued brisket on Friday. I made a comment to Mr. Joe yesterday about the one and only frozen turkey in the freezer compartment at the store. Now, I wish I'd put that bird in the cart! As with a lot of mountain communities, when the shelves are empty, they don't get refilled right away. We may have to go dumpster diving in our own freezer compartment to come up with a meal. Not to worry, this quilter is prepared to put a nice meal on the table. It may be a non-traditional meal, but it will be tasty. I'm finishing up writing the directions for Country Courthouse. I can work on it if the power goes out. Quite often the first major snowstorm of the season knocks us off the grid. Mr. Joe's dream is to be stranded in a mountain cabin with the woman of his dreams. In his daydream, he pictured the woman several decades younger! To that I say DITTO! Soon, Lynn

You only need FOUR things to quilt your own quilt. Yep...that's it!Years ago, I was doing exactly what you're doing; trying to figure out how to quilt the first quilt I had worked so hard to create! I'd come this far...I definitely didn't want to send it off to someone else to finish! The task sounded so daunting. I honestly wasn't sure where to start. I spent hours online digging through resources and even more time on YouTube watching people tell me what to do and the endless supplies that I w

Quilting for Beginners teaches newbies how to quilt from the basics, start to finish. This 5 part series walks you through each step of quilt making.

Hello Everyone, Last Tuesday, twelve of us gathered in the classroom at Independence Hall in Arnold and started making my Country Courthouse pattern. The Independence Hall Quilt Guild is going to offer this quilt as our Scholarship Quilt for 2021.  Everyone is still smiling after a long day of cutting and stitching. Our goal was to get a good start on making (401) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" nine patch sections for the blocks. We all had our homework assignment to make about 35, then we will exchange 9-patches in a couple of weeks and start making blocks. I brought in a lot of fabric, and the girls got busy making strip sets. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to graduating seniors from Bret Harte High School for their continuing education. Students have to apply, and go through an interview process before the scholarships are awarded. This finished quilt is our goal over the next few months. I will let you know when tickets become available for this 81" x81" heirloom quilt.  Have a great quilting weekend! Soon, Lynn

This super simple tutorial for a patchwork gingham quilt will create a fresh modern quilt that comes together fast! Includes free printable PDF pattern.

How to make the Quilted Sewing Machine Cover. Free Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

This beautiful quilt comes in three different sizes -  5x5, 6x6 and 7x7 hoops .  This is a machine embroidery design and all sizes are included in your purchase. There are two different blocks.  The blocks are sewn in the hoop and then joined and backed with your sewing machine. Instructions are provided to create your own quilt of any size. Full photo instructions and directions on how to make the quilt are included with your purchase.   It is our intention to offer you the best service always and for our designs to be of the highest. Designs come in all formats except ART. Bernina's can use EXP. Formats pes, hus, sew, xxx, jef, vp3, vip, mit, dat, dst, exp etc. All formats are included with your purchase. FCM and SVG files are included for the Brother Scan n cut and the Silhouette. Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs Cutting Files Disclaimer - click here Instructions are included in English and German We test and review each of our designs to ensure the highest quality. Depending on what hoop, fabric and stabiliser combination you are using, results may differ. View more

Hello Everyone, I love to receive emails and pictures from quilters around the country who've made my patterns. When I opened this email from Dena in Wisconsin, my jaw dropped, and I uttered an audible gasp. This is her gorgeous creation of my Heritage pattern. Here's Dena's email: I just wanted to say thank you for this beautiful quilt pattern! It was very easy to follow. It is the first quilt I have finished and kept for myself! I tend to make quilts and give them as gifts. Some I have gotten very attached to, but I would never have been able to give this one away! The colors were picked by my husband and I together. I made it approximately 100" x 100", and hand quilted the entire top in between other projects. It was on my frame for nearly 3 years! I have received so many compliments! Well, I couldn't give this quilt away....ever. Take a close look at her incredible hand quilting. This level of detailed quilting would be hard to do on a long arm. I'm not a bit surprised that she has received many compliments on this show stopping heirloom quilt. I love to see my patterns made in different colors. The selection of batiks is just perfect for this design. Thank you so much Dena for sending me the pictures. On another note, I've been receiving emails asking if everything is okay since I've been so quiet over the past few weeks. I do appreciate your concern. I've been doing a lot of secret sewing, pattern writing, and shop guide writing for the block of the month for Marcus Fabrics. Just as soon as I can show you what I'm working on, I will. I'm also trying to establish some balance in my life, and spend more quality time with Mr. Joe and Mazey. We still go on our daily walks and stay out a bit longer than usual. Sometimes the walls of my sewing room start to close in on me, and I need to step away from the machine. While I've been doing so much sewing, I've been listening to Podcasts. My favorite podcasts are American History Tellers and History That Doesn't Suck. I was always a good student, but I'm surprised at how much information I didn't retain. The two podcasts refresh my failing memory...I do have a lot of tree rings at this age! The narrators make history interesting through their storytelling format. So I'm off to my sewing room for the day after I fill my Etsy orders. The orders have top priority every single morning. Soon, Lynn

So, you bought a fancy sewing machine with all of the bells and whistles, and you’re determined to learn how to quilt with it. If you’ve never learned how to quilt on a sewing machine before, there’s no need to panic because the process is really much easier than you think. Quilting on a sewing […] Read more...

More Learn to Sew Tips and Techniques: Before there were sergers, people who sewed knew how to Finish Seams without a Serger. Learn How to Finish Seams.

Double Pinwheel & Peeping Cats Quilt Blocks. Free Pattern and Tutorial

This video provides some helpful tips on machine quilting for beginners. Watch and learn for a few techniques that make the process much faster.

Sewing tricks from professional seamstresses. Your sewing is about to get easier and more efficient. Grab a project to test them out!

Learn to sew a Ladder stitch (invisible stitch) by hand. The Ladder stitch is great for closing seams and repairing holes in clothes.

Hello Everyone, My little Inching Along is officially a flimsy. I may even call it Cuter Than a Button! I'm completely addicted to creating the blocks from my stash.  It is going to finish at 31" x 31". I could add borders, but it fits this table nicely just the way it is. I can just picture it in Christmas fabrics too. I can also picture it surrounded by an applique border. This will be the first in a series of Sweet Sapling patterns from Sew'n Wild Oaks. I already have an idea for the next one! I also want to make a large quilt with this design. Too many quilts, not enough time. Soon, Lynn

Hello Everyone, Cute as a Button is now available as a pattern in my shop on Etsy. There is an Etsy button on my sidebar which will...

Hello Everyone, An absolutely delightful group of women gathered together at Friends Around the Block in Colusa last Saturday for my Heritage class. By the end of class, the girls had some beautiful blocks completed. I can't wait to go back and see everyone again. The magic begins when the pieces are placed on the block layout sheet which is included in each pattern. (Unless my pattern stuffer, Mr. Joe, forgets to put one in!) The dynamic mother-daughter duo went to town on their blocks. I love seeing this quilt made in blue!  Sharon has an eye for detail in her log cabin blocks. Working with directional fabrics in a Log Cabin block on point, can be a bit tricky.  All of the blocks were so different and so beautiful! Here are my scrappy blocks that I made before class. My new version is going to look so different from the original. I find that when I make my patterns in an alternative colorway, the pattern has a longer shelf life......especially if I make a scrappy version. I may, just may, have to tear myself away from my quilt show preparations and make one more block today. I find them so addictive, that I can't make just one!  Here's the original Heritage. The pattern is available in my Etsy shop.  During class, Mary showed us a quilt top she just completed. This quilt uses Rachael Remembered fabrics. Love the quilt, the fabrics, and her precision.  Gail and I had a delightful time at Friends Around the Block in Colusa. Let me tell all of you that this shop is well worth a road trip. The shop is packed full of goodies and fabrics that I haven't seen in other shops. Carol, the owner, and the staff are just delightful. (Note to self.......when we go back to Colusa during duck hunting season, I must remember to pack my camouflage outfit.....especially if we go back to Rocco's on the River for their delicious fish tacos!) Soon, Lynn

A step by step guide to the star stitch

2012 Scrap Quilt Challenge !! finished size about 60 x 84 inches or so ( didn't measure since I only got it done 1 day before the deadline !!! ) all made from different scraps ; jelly roll strips were left over from some other project or 2 ! I Quilting was done by Michaela on her longarm . phewwwww ; made it !!

I finished my last RSC quilt top on the very last day of the year. Nothing like a self-imposed deadline to get you motivated! At the beginning of 2016, I picked 4 different blocks to help me work through my stash of scraps. And by the end of the year that stack of blocks was huge! I spent most of December either preparing for or entertaining company. Once everyone headed home on the 29th, I realized that I only had 2 1/2 days to turn that pile into 4 quilt tops. Motivated by 3 weeks of not sewing and determinations I got to it. I picked the easiest first. I ended up with 38 birch tree blocks. So I could take 2 out and make it a 6x6 layout or make 4 more to make it a 6x7 layout. Since this one was smallish, I decided to make the extra blocks. Luckily these don't take too long and this went together quickly. So fun and colorful! And a great way to use up those random solids and tiny little pieces that I can't bring myself to throw out. Next up was my stack of wonky stars. I had 37 blocks. These blocks are pretty big and a little more time consuming to make since they are made from slabs of tiny scraps, so I quickly decided to leave one out and make it a 6x6 layout. No sashing involved so it was another quick finish. Next up was the medallion log cabins. I had exactly 56 blocks, so 7x8 layout it was. Yay! I had fun playing with the layout. And it went together quickly since again there was no sashing. So much fun to look at all the different fabrics. And finally, my Geese Migration quilt. I saved this one for last, since it might take a little longer to put it together. But once I cut the sashing and triangles it went together very quickly - just 7 diagonal rows. Don't tell the others, but I think this one is my favorite. :) Hopefully they will all be quilted by the end of 2017. I can't wait to see what the new year brings. My mind is already coming up with ideas for RSC 2017. See you next year!! Tracy Visit me on Instagram @tracysbitsnpieces

quilt-as-you-go, QAYG,

Hand quilting adds vintage charm to your quilts and projects. Learn some of the basics so you can start hand quilting your projects today!

Whether you're an experienced sewist or a beginner just starting out, here are 15 sewing tips and tricks you need to have in your arsenal.

The idea came to me when I was reading about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and walking on the moon. I wanted to make a quilt that

A cat lovers dream, Cats on Cats is a beginner friendly look at simple quilt techniques and chain piecing. Featuring fabric from Kitty Garden and Jenny's Basics by Jenny Ronen.

I was playing with Prairie Points so I thought I'd share a little tutorial for anyone interested.

Hello hello! I've been lucky enough to have had the chance to play with Tilda's new fabric range Harvest over the past few weeks. It's such a pretty collection of colours and prints and today's the day I get to share what I've been making as part of the Blog Hop 2 Green

Whoever made up the phrase, ‘I can’t sew a straight line,’ makes it sound easy. On the contrary, sewing a straight line is one of the hardest things to master. I’ve been sewing for too many years to count. When I'm having a bad day, I can’t sew straight either!

A couple of weeks ago, one of my fibre arts guild confrères gave me a lovely upholstery sample featuring an Indian elephant. At first I thought I'd make a conventional, geometrical quilt block with it. Then I decided that, because I am probably one of the worst, most imprecise quilters in the world (just ask my sister), the sample would be perfect for a crazy-quilt block. Crazy quilting is less a type of quilting—quilting being the pattern of stitching that binds the layers together—than a type of patchwork. Crazy quilts rarely have an internal layer of batting, and are perhaps more conventionally considered a type of textile art. Framed crazy-quilt block by Janet Stauffacher. Source: http://www.vintagevogue.com/html/crazy_quilting.html In crazy quilting, various pieces of fabric are combined in a pattern that has less to do with a preset design, and more to do with creating something that is visually pleasing. Once the base fabrics are arranged and attached—either by hand, or with a sewing machine—the individual patches and seams are heavily embellished with embroidery, braid, buttons, beads, ribbon and anything else that takes the designer's fancy. This is what gives crazy quilting its charm. Crazy quilting is thought to have been inspired in the United States by the Japanese Exhibit at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Intrigued by the asymmetrical Japanese art in the exhibit, women began experimenting with fabric placement in their quilts, and crazy quilting was born. During the 1880s, crazy quilting became something of a, well, craze. Women's publications featured articles both for and against. Shops offered packages of random fabrics, and even pre-embellished pieces, for sale. For the first decade or so, crazy quilting usually featured fine fabrics such as silk, velvet and lace, and the quilts were heavily embellished. As time passed, women began making crazy quilts using everyday fabrics, and little or no embellishment was added. The benefit of crazy quilting for thrifty women was that it allowed them to use odd-shaped scraps of fabric left over from various sewing projects. Today, crazy quilting has entered the realm of fine craft, and is often the subject of museum and gallery exhibitions. In addition, early crazy quilts have become highly collectible, and there are numerous books and websites devoted to both collecting and creating crazy quilts. Crazy quilt from 1892–1893. Source: http://www.crazyquilts.ca/CQGallery.html I've been thinking about making a crazy quilt for years, and have all kinds of scraps of fabrics such as silk, velvet, satin and lace waiting to be used. Because I'm so terrible at regular quilting, I suppose I've been a bit daunted by the idea of quilting anything, but since I have a bit of extra time today, I thought I'd give it a try. For today's elephant, I'm using the sample given to me by Frances as my inspiration and starting point. The sample measures 24 x 17.5 cm (approx. 9.5 x 7 inches), with the main interest obviously being the elephant. But I also like the partial frame around the elephant, so I'm going to try to incorporate it somehow. I decided to sew the fabrics together on a sewing machine, as I expected the embellishment to take a great deal of time. I wasn't planning on a huge block, as I only have a day to work on this, but I thought that about 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 inches) would be a good size. I dragged out my boxes of velvet and silk scraps, and started choosing colours that I thought worked well with the original sample. These are more or less what I chose, although I reserved the right to change my mind. To start, I pinned on a strip of red dupioni silk, then stitched it, folded it right way out, and ironed it. Next, I did the same with a strip of lime green silk. After this, I just kept adding pieces of silk and velvet, until the elephant was surrounded. Once the elephant was surrounded, it was time to finish the block. Since I wanted it to be 30 cm (12 inches) square when completed, I made it 33 cm (13 inches) square. This would leave me a seam allowance all the way around, in case I should ever decide to actually sew it to something. To end up with a square, and to make sure the elephant was dead centre, I measured 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) from the centre to each side, and to the top and bottom. I needed to add fabric, so I pieced the edges together until I had more than enough. I then cut a muslin square measuring 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 inches), and sewed it to the back of my pieced quilt block, making sure to centre it over the elephant. I then trimmed all the edges. It was now ready for trims and whatever other embellishments took my fancy. I pulled out a bunch of ribbon, passementerie, sparkly things like sequins and beads, exotic embroidery threads, lace, and whatever else seemed to go with the patchwork block. I wasn't sure what I would end up using out of all this, but it was a place to start. To begin the embellishment phase, I added a scrap of tasselled trim. Next, I added some jaquard ribbon to one of the seams. After this, I added ribbon to a few other seams, although I reserved some joins for embroidered embellishing. Pretty much anything goes when it comes to crazy quilting, so I added whatever appealed to me—from whatever I actually had on hand. Next, because crazy quilting usually has embroidery on it, I began by embroidering a couple of seams. I'm woefully out of practice when it comes to embroidery, so it's not as extravagant or as neat as it could be. I embroidered a few more seams, added a flower, added some beads, and then ran out of time. I like the final result well enough, although it doesn't feel anywhere near finished yet. However, this took me most of the day, so finishing it will have to wait for another time. If you had a lot of time, this would be a great way to use up scraps of fabric, bits of trim and so forth. But it's definitely more time-consuming than I expected it to be. And I think it would look a lot better in combination with other blocks to offset some of the, well, craziness. Elephant Lore of the Day It is generally accepted that elephants are among the most intelligent creatures on Earth—and apparently they sometimes have a sense of humour to match. One of my favourite stories tells of a bull elephant named Charles, who was trying to push over a large tree in a Kenya reserve. A group of conservationists watched Charles for awhile, laughing at his frustration. Perhaps realizing that he was the source of their amusement, Charles suddenly stopped what he was doing, walked over to the conservationists and knocked down a smaller tree, sending it crashing onto their landrover. Charles then tossed its head and walked off into the bush. To Support Elephant Welfare World Wildlife Fund World Society for the Protection of Animals Elephant sanctuaries (this Wikipedia list allows you to click through to information on a number of sanctuaries around the world) Performing Animal Welfare Society Zoocheck Bring the Elephant Home African Wildlife Foundation Elephants Without Borders Save the Elephants

With the trend toward slow stitching, it’s only natural that more and more needle crafters embrace Sashiko as a meditative decorative hand stitch.

Jane Austen patchwork quilt design, inspired by the historic coverlet at Chawton House England! Quilt size: 83” by 87” (211cm x 220cm) UK standard king size. This pattern is written for a quick method & it was designed to be chain pieced by machine rather than using paper templates for piecing. Material requirements: 5½yds (5.00m) or 20 x 10” (25cm) long strips of assorted vintage style fabrics (reds, blues, pale blues, beiges) FQ of feature fabric for the large centre diamond 4½yds (4.00m) light sashing fabric ¾yd (70cm) fabric for double binding, same as sashing fabric. Backing fabric – the amount depends on the width of the fabric. If the fabric is 42” wide, you will need 5¼yds (4.8m) Batting, Piecing thread 100% cotton, Quilting thread for hand or machine A 24” long quilt ruler with 30° and 60° angle lines Template plastic or cardboard Optional, but helpful: 60° Diamond template/ruler * This is a DIGITAL print-at-home PDF sewing PATTERN * Thank you for visiting my Etsy shop.

Sometimes it's the simple things that need to be given a little thought, and that includes pinning.

Melody Crust talks on her blog about the importance of selecting the right quilting pattern to make the most impact on your quilt top. Calling straight line quilting elegant, click HERE to learn mo…

A cat lovers dream, Cats on Cats is a beginner friendly look at simple quilt techniques and chain piecing. Featuring fabric from Kitty Garden and Jenny's Basics by Jenny Ronen.