We have created almost every single state in the union for a sew a long. Do you like to paper piece? To tell you the truth, it’s not my favorite form of piecing. However, there are so many things that you can only accomplish with paper piecing that you can’t accomplish in any other way. There are many, many great tutorials on line about how to paper piece. If you

Cuddle is the most amazing fabric. It’s also very forgiving. When a new type of substrate comes out, people are initially shy about it. But once everyone really starts sewing with it, it it’s good, it sticks. Think about polyester. I know, it conjures up all sorts of visions of leisure suits from the 70s, and dresses from the 60s. But hey. We’ve done so much more since then! Think

I love this pattern. Because of the way that it is designed, it makes any fabric drape beautifully. We made this piece using double gauze. Double gauze, if you don’t already know and sew with it, is an amazing substrate. This is Embrace, from Shannon Fabrics. They make the best double gauze. It has nice drape but nice substance. You would think that garments made using it would be see

You know you always have those days when you’re home in the garden, and suddenly, you need a bottle of wine or some coolers because someone is going to drop by. Or, you know there’s a great cocktail party coming up, and you wonder what you’re going to wear? Or, have you gained a little more weight than you thought you should have this winter, and now you’re invited to

The exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago was very well received. We had 13 quilts in total at the festival. The quilts were made by various quilters from around the country. The challenge was to make a quilt using a pattern from my first book, or my second book, or both combined. It was also acceptable to use the 3 1/2, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 inch templates

A great time was had by all on Friday, March 16th. Saturday’s events were cancelled due to a lack of participation, but we will try again next year. The classes were a huge success. Amanda Jean Nyberg, of Sunday Morning Quilts and No Scrap Left Behind (C & T Publishing) came to Ripon College to teach. Cathy Roeder, a local, expert seamstress and long-arm quilter of Catz Quilts also gave

It’s true. The quilt “Blended Hexagons” from Rainbow Quilts for Scrap Lovers (C & T Publishing) has set in seams. Do you see where the top hexagon sits just on top of the two lower ones? Well, that is a gentle set in seam. In my video I give clear instructions on how to do set in seams with some fabulous tips on how to make them turn out absolutely perfectly!

For those of you that don’t understand this reference that is the title of this post, I need to tell you that it’s a reference to a cartoon. There was a cartoon called Yogi Bear. It was created by Hanna-Barbara in the 60’s. I can barely remember it…yeah, right. Yogi was always trying to teach Boo Boo about the fine art of stealing a picnic basket. Well, fortunately we don’t

It’s January. January brings us inside. If you live in a climate with seasons you will totally understand this post. It’s the time of year where you can find yourself hibernating and hibernating causes you to intensely scrutinize your surroundings. Just like the changing of the seasons when you find yourself appreciating a new leaf on a tree, a new shoot coming up from the ground….you will find yourself indoors