Category Archives: Quilting 101

Instructional posts and how-tos for building your quiltmaking skills

QM Shorts: Batting Repurposed

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Diane Harris

QM Shorts: Thoughts, Tips or Tricks in just a few paragraphs! *     *     *     *     * When I finish quilting a project, I trim the backing and batting even with the quilt top and am left with a pile that … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Little Things Make a Big Difference

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Diane Harris

I spent much of Thanksgiving weekend at my sewing machine, and I was reminded of a few basics I return to time and again. They’re little things about sewing, quilting and machines that make a BIG difference. I hope you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101 | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Elm Creek Quilts: Tips for Caroline’s Bouquet

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Peg

By Peg Spradlin Author and quilt designer Jennifer Chiaverini’s Caroline’s Bouquet is included in Quiltmaker’s Small Quilts & Gifts. It’s a lovely little wall hanging which ties into the plot of her newest Elm Creek Quilts novel which just appeared … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Easy Design Wall Tutorial

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Diane Harris

  A few weeks ago I moved my sewing “stuff” into a new space. In the process I rehung my design wall so I wanted to show you how quickly, easily and inexpensively it was made. A design wall is … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 29 Comments

Value-able Lessons from Ruth’s Linkin’ Logs

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Diane Harris

Value for a quilter means the lightness or darkness of a fabric, especially in relation to the fabrics that surround it. Contrast is the amount of difference between the fabrics.  The ideas of value and contrast go hand in hand. … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Easy Breezy Borders

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Diane Harris

Borders the Perfect Length Without Rulers! 21⁄2″ x  92 5/8″,  21⁄2″ x  87 7/8″,  41⁄2″ x  100 1/8″… When faced with border dimensions like these, my mind glazes over quickly, so I devised a system for cutting border strips which … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

How to “Clip & Flip”

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Diane Harris

• Fact: It’s great when all your seams nest together because you pressed correctly. • Fact: No matter how you press, sometimes there will be a place where the seams won’t nest. In the photo below, you can see that … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Back to School Party – Tips for Pressing

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Paula

Have you ever been in a quilting class and had the question of “pressing” come up? I’ll bet you have, and I’ll also bet that you heard a few different opinions on the matter. Pressing seams to one side, pressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Freebies, Quilting 101 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Color Tools for Quilters

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Diane Harris

The color bible for me is Joen Wolfrom‘s 3-in-1 Color Tool from C&T Publishing. I use it more than any other color gadget. This handy doodad has guided me through the color selection process many times. I have an older … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 117 Comments

Quiltmaker’s Hummingbird Update

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Peg

Peg Spradlin is an award-winning quilter from Cozad, Nebraska. As a member of Quiltmaker’s sewing team, she creates many of the quilts you see in our pages. She also teaches machine quilting, contributes a block to each volume of Quiltmaker’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Quilting 101, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments