Member of the Modern Quilt Guild? Join me tonight, Thursday, February 8th at 9pm EST/6pm PST. I will be discussing different strategies for cleaning and stabilizing vintage fabrics to use in your quilts. One of my favorite things to do with vintage fabrics is incorporate them in my quilt designs, but they often need a little help to make them clean, strong, and ready to be used in a quilt design.
I was asked by my good friend Bari J to create a quilt pattern to celebrate Wild Bloom, her newest collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. I don’t usually create quilts for full fabric collections. Sometimes, though, I get inspiration from work I truly love, like Bari’s. Her beautifully floral and happy world of Curated Maximalism makes me smile whenever I see it. So, inspired by her world of blooms and Wild Bloom, this is what I came up with.READ MORE
Quilt binding is like putting your beautiful quilt in a frame. Sometimes it matches, sometimes it contrasts, but it should always be done well. Its what the user will often handle and see, the edges.
I have a video up on my YouTube channel showing my favorite method for creating and sewing on quilt binding. If you struggle with this step, don’t worry, so did I.READ MORE
DIY holiday ornaments are my favorite, but I also like to buy unique handmade ornaments, and to exchange them with friends. In fact, I probably have an ornament problem. But I can’t stop!READ MORE
Some of you may be looking at the Outback Value Quilt at Quilt Market in Houston right now. If you are, will you hug it for me? I love this quilt so much, due in no small part to the amazing fabrics that it is made with. It is made with Outback Wife, a beautiful new line of fabrics created by Cathi of Gertrude Made for Ella Blue Fabrics.
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These upcycled pin cushions are the perfect touch to make for yourself, or as a gift to a friend who sews. Try sticking in some pre-threaded needles, all ready to go for everyday mending. Or maybe some pretty glass head pins. They are made from scrap fabric and those little sake cups and tiny little ceramic cups and vessels I see often at the thrift store. There is usually just one of them, and I thought this was a fun way to use them.
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(photo by Armstrong Pitts Studio)
One of the most popular, most remembered DIY crafts from my first book is the Zombie Barbies for Halloween, in the Fall Chapter of the book. In each of the 4 seasonal chapters, I wanted to create a variety of projects, from fun to more long-lasting. I felt it was also important to have projects that could be done in an afternoon, as well as some that might take a little longer (creating some nice quiet hand sewing moments in our otherwise busy lives).READ MORE
(Photo by Armstrong Pitts Studio)
Another project I did for a client a few years back. An easy way to unify mismatched thrift store glasses for your DIY Halloween party. With spooky drawings done with a black paint pen.
This is a fun wreath to make with the kids and decorate the house for Halloween. Find black and dark gray (or your favorite Halloween color) t-shirts at the thrift store, or perhaps upcycle some from your closet. Note: I cut all the strips I needed from two men’s shirts. Cut them into strips measuring roughly 1-2″ wide x 3-5″ long. Bend a wire coat hanger into a circle and just start tying strips onto the wire. Keep the strips close together and vary the shades a little for a more interesting look.READ MORE
