DIY - Wise Craft Handmade

June 18, 2018

Bari J’s Indigo and Aster Fabric Collection

Indigo and Aster blog tour

Little known but widely done- I spend many days in my studio not talking to anyone. Its the very essence of working “remote”. Except for the occasional sputter of profanity that I’ve been known to unload when I experience a computer crash, or a very wrong quilting error, I don’t really talk to anyone on those days. But I have people that mean alot to me that I text with often. They are in other parts of the country, likely doing very much the same thing I’m doing- quietly working hard at home.READ MORE

April 29, 2018

Make May Day Cones

(Photo by Armstrong Pitts Studio)

Have you heard of May Day Cones? Little cones, often paper, filled with a small bouquet of blooming flowers from the yard, hung on the front doorknob for friends and neighbors on the first day of May. The perfect way to announce “Spring is Here”.READ MORE

March 14, 2018

Floraison Quilt featuring Indigo and Aster by Bari J.

My friend Bari J has a new fabric line our for Art Gallery Fabrics, called Indigo & Aster. As always, it is full of her lush, signature florals. She asked me to design a new quilt to go with it, and of course I said yes. Especially when I saw the menagerie print full of her sweet animal portraits!READ MORE

February 8, 2018

Modern Quilt Guild Webinar this Thursday

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.

October 18, 2017

Splendorous- A New Free Quilt Pattern for You!

Splendorous Quilt Look book
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

January 12, 2017

How To: Calculating and Sewing on Quilt Binding

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

December 29, 2016

Inspirational Wall Art DIY

inspirational wall art
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December 12, 2016

DIY glass ball ornaments two ways

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

October 29, 2016

The Outback Value -A Free Quilt Pattern For You

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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October 26, 2016

DIY Upcycled Pin Cushion

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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