As much as the rotary cutter improved cutting for quilters, the Stripology rulers take fast, accurate cutting to a whole new level. Today, we’ll talk about how the Stripology XL ruler works, its pros and cons, and a few patterns that are perfect ways to practice using this amazing tool.     The Stripology ruler series, designed by Gudrun Erla, is made to lay over a piece of yardage and make it easy to cut multiple strips of fabric without moving your ruler. This allows you to cut strips and even squares faster and more accurately. I have and use the largest ruler, the Stripology XL ..read more

Once you finish cutting all your yardage into squares, rectangles, triangles, etc, it’s finally time to sit down and piece your quilt top! However, without good project organization, it will quickly become difficult to keep track of which fabric correlates to which color in the pattern, which piece is which, etc. Let’s talk about how a bit of labeling and a good ol’ project tray can save the day.     To be honest, I’ve always been a bit of a “piler.” My belongings are generally tidy, but often in piles. When I started quilting, though, all my happy little “piler” energy finally foun ..read more

Lanterns of Hope is a modern traditional deconstructed log cabin quilt set on point. It has very large setting triangles, and much smaller block centers, as well as a whopping eight colors. Let’s use the key principles of value, color, and scale to discuss ways to choose colors and fabrics to make your Lanterns of Hope quilt.     In my experience, eight colors is a lot for a quilt. As a shop owner, I observe that many folks get overwhelmed if a quilt needs more than five colors or fabrics. Since I had the audacity to write an eight color quilt pattern, I’m also here to help make the ..read more

Lanterns of Hope is a beginner-friendly, modern traditional quilt featuring a log cabin block that “deconstructs” as the lantern shape rises up across the quilt. The pattern includes four sizes (wall hanging, small throw, large throw, and bed), and it’s a perfect excuse to play with colors for ombre or transparency effects. Let’s make Lanterns of Hope together!     Last week we re-released my most popular pattern, Lanterns of Hope. I also teased that I was going to host a LOH Quilt-A-Long, and today I'm excited to share some details! This pattern comes together pretty quickly, but t ..read more

Labeling your quilts is a wonderful way to document the details of your quilt both for yourself but also for the sake of broader quilt history. Putting a label on a quilt can be quick and easy, and it’s a valuable habit to build into your quilting practice. (This post contains affiliate links)     I get it— by the time you get to the binding and stuff, sometimes you just want to be DONE. But labeling your quilts is important for your own records, for the recipients of quilts you give away, and for the sake of broader quilt history (think of all the times you’ve seen a quilt from a t ..read more

Are you curious about how to quilt your quilts and other projects at home? Maybe you’ve been “quilting by check” for years or you’re a newbie quilter who doesn’t want to spend money for someone else to quilt your project. Maybe you’d just rather quilt it yourself! Today, I’m going to give you a quick tour of the four ways you can quilt your projects at home: walking foot quilting, free motion quilting, ruler quilting, and hand quilting.     Video Resources PATTERN: Star Island Quilt CLASS: Intro to FMQ VIDEO: How to Bury Threads SHOPPING: Fabric & bernette sewing machine ..read more

‘Tis the season for family and friend gatherings, which means it’s also the season of bring food and treats to share. Let’s make an adorable pie/ casserole carrier together!     Whether you’re headed to a family holiday party, the church potluck, or any other gathering, sometimes the trickiest thing about bringing food to share is knowing how to carry it! This easy and lovely pie/ casserole carrier makes is easier to transport your dish and can even double as a host gift— huzzah! Supplies 1 yard of quilting cotton 1 piece of batting: 30 x 18 inches coordinating thread Cuttin ..read more

Proper care and cleaning of your machine is vital for the life and performance of the machine-- keep reading to learn the basics you need to keep your best sewing pal purring like a kitten! (This post contains affiliate links) In the British TV series, Endeavor, Inspector Thursday pauses on his way to work to observe his son polishing his shoes. He nods approvingly as he says, “Take care of your shoes…” to which his son replies, “And they’ll take care of you!” Your sewing machine is the same way. It’s a faithful little machine, happiest when it’s humming along. Taking just a little bit of reg ..read more

Drawstring bags are a fun way to practice some fundamental bag making skills on a beginner-friendly project. They’re perfect for toting a knitting project, some handsewing, or even a book and a snack while you’re on the go. Let’s make one together! (This post may contain affiliate links)     Whether you are brand new to sewing, new to bag making, or just looking for a quick, fun project, this tutorial is for you! These drawstring bags are perfect for carrying small projects, a book, as a wristlet purse, or even as a gift bag. You can totally customize the size for your exact needs ..read more

When sewing your own clothes or cosplays, properly finished seams add additional polish to the completed item and extend its life. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a serger to have gorgeous seams— let me show you how! (This post may contain affiliate links)     In February of 2020, I went to QuiltCon with my (then new) friend Darcy. At the time, Darcy didn’t quilt. She was (and is) an accomplished knitter and garment sewist. Throughout the show, she would inevitably find the other garment sewists in the crowd, and they would discuss all the details of their me-made outfits ..read more