Thanks to all of you who took my 6 question survey about how you feel concerning Fall quilting events: Quilt Shows, Guild Meetings, Classes. I had 349 responses and I especially appreciate the thoughtful comments that most of you shared. As you know, I make my living by quilting. First, by being a quilt magazine editor. Then as a freelance teacher and speaker. I dabble in sharing my patterns online via Etsy. As I like to say: "I'm only as good as my next quilt." Before I share the results, I will show you one of the quilt samples I created for my Seven Sisters Variation workshop. (I create at least 7 new workshops a year for guilds and conventions/shows that they can select from). And, because I believe my students like to see more than one quilt, I made two quilts and a set of blocks! 7 Sisters Variation Quilt Large, easy to piece blocks with NO y-seams. 3 Seven Sisters Blocks And one I shared a few months ago using a Benartex collection called Geo Pop. ...

More parts explained! Here's my quilt example and a few more defining terms. Once we stitch a block (pieced or appliqué), we can "tilt" it so the points of the four corners are North-South-East-West. Today I want to talk about BLOCKS ON POINT. Here is a simple, single block that is turned 45 degrees. I call it Four Buds and it's from 2002. I think I paper pieced this. Four Buds Mini Quilt Here's what the block looks like before it was turned on point: Four Buds Block The addition of four CORNER triangles cut from TWO squares sets this block as shown above. There is a formula for doing this and I've shared it here several times before. You can find it again further down this page. What about setting a block not quite on a 45 degree turn? I call this my Tilt. These squares use a different angled triangle. If you have a Tri Recs ruler set in your sewing room, the Recs ruler is what I'm referring to. "Rec" refers to half a rectangle. ...

Year # 11 for teaching with the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo! I love being able to create new workshops annually; it really animates me to do new things with new fabric for old and new students. What's happening in  Lakeland, FL  March 15-17, 2018? Well, here are the classes I'm offering. Big Block Lone Star : Thursday, March 15, 8:30 - 11:30 am Big Block Lone Star . Block: 29" x 29". Quilt with borders: 40" x 40" Make a Lone Star Quilt in a day! No need to tediously cut out templates when you can simply rotary cut and strip piece for accuracy with NO y-seams. This is a wonderful BIG block (29”) and makes a great wall or child’s quilt (40” with borders).  Bring your own fabric, see supply list for details. And just to show you that this is one of my "go-to" patterns, a few other quilts made with this VERY easy technique. No y-seams, btw! Big Block Lone Star appeared in my Supersize 'Em Quilts book (2009) And, of course, the...

Back again for the 11th year and I thoroughly enjoy getting to Atlanta and my many students who make my teaching so worthwhile! The Atlanta Original Sewing and Quilt Expo is March 8-10, and there is a special Day Before on Wednesday, March 7th. Check this out because I teach two classes on that day. Wednesday, March 7: 9 am - 5 pm  More the Day Before with Machine Quilting and the Gretchen Quilt We learn beginning Machine Quilting in the morning, have a lunch break (lunch provided) and then the afternoon is spent making my easy Gretchen Quilt! We start with the basics in Machine Quilting, including some stencils. We learn about stencils  And my Love Dove is traceable and then we doodle inside: I have LOTS of samples to inspire and teach!                                                             ...