Category Archives: Quilting

Black Star Quilt

This was a fun one to work on. Wanda K’s quilt was a flourish of tan and taupe squares with a beautiful black star off center. This quilt was talking to me and calling out for something special. So I created faux shapes (similar to the middle of the star) and quilted those at random places within the quilt. The top and bottom borders were a bit larger than the sides, so I emphasized those by quilting in a different shape there. Threads were matched as best as possible to the black and tan areas.

Happy quilting!

Barber Pole Table Runner Completed!

I I finished it! And other than the fact that I didn’t make a bias binding, and it drove me nuts going around the inside “crevices,” I think it turned out pretty well. Steam is our friend, ladies!

Let that be a lesson. When I made the binding, using my very cool binding-making tool (click on link below image to purchase one!), I cut the strips on the straight of grain to make the binding. This was WRONG! I should have cut the strips on the bias and that would have made it easier. Duh. Up to this point I haven’t done a lot of bias bindings because I’m usually doing straight edge type of work. When I first started sewing I made all my bindings on the bias, but then quickly when to the straight edge type because they were easier to cut out. But now that I’m getting into different projects, I will now remember to use a bias binding instead. Can I just say “Duh!” again?

Bias tape maker

Clover Fusible Bias 1/2-Inch Tape Maker, 1 EA

The good news is that the table runner turned out fun, and it’s even reversible as you can see from the photos. It’s pretty whimsical because I chose dot fabrics (I’ve decided this is my new trademark!) and to only put pom-poms on the outside points and along the edge. Another intended design element, you say? Nope. Another mistake! I only purchased 4 yards of pom-poms and it wasn’t quite enough. But out of this “mistake” came a different interpretation and I love it! So chalk one up to the design mistake gods!

I will definitely make this table runner again because I love the way the strips are sewn together. If I’m in a hurry, I might just cut off the points and make the piece a rectangle….a traditional barber pole design….and a lot easier to bind!

Download the free pattern now! Really, it is pretty fun!

Happy quilting!

Springtime Baby Quilt

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My customer, Wanda N. created this quilt and it is just so cute and colorful. The large-scale prints really stand out in her blocks, and she put a lot of solids in it which are an opportunity-waiting-to-happen as far as I’m concerned! So we decided it had spaces for some really fun quilting patterns and so that’s what I did. Wanda really thinks outside of the box and so it’s always fun to see what she has come up with.

So……the lesson here? Solids are in and fashionable again, so use ‘em ladies! They are really neat spaces that let your quilting shine!

Happy quilting!