“There are a multitude of quilting rulers on the market, all in a different price range. Which one is the right one for me?” Here’s a comparison of the 24″ rotary cutting rulers available from us. I do believe that a 24″ rotary cutting ruler is an essential tool for every quilter: The length is …
We’re still in lockdown in South Africa, and personally, I have been struggling. How have you been coping? Do you have kids at home, young ones, older ones? Are they doing their schoolwork? I must admit that I am really lucky in that my kids are doing their schoolwork, and then enjoying the outdoors (we …
Hello Week whatever of lockdown – Weekly update 21 April 2020 Read More »
Leftover quilts are what I call those tops made from bits and pieces of patchwork blocks, binding and fabric that didn’t make it to the original quilt. Kinda like stash-busting doing improv piecing, but using the fabric that coordinates and is too much for the scrap bucket. The quilt I’m featuring in this post had …
Positively positive plays with the plus block that is simple to make using strips of light and dark fabric. I had a set of half metre fabrics in my stash from the same collection, and I decided to use those for this project. 6 half metre fabrics that coordinate 2 dark 2 light medium/dark for …
Racing around to get a quilt for a gift, or just something to do in an afternoon to keep you out of mischief? This is the one for you. Better known as a Jelly Roll Race, this is the easiest quilt you will ever make! The finished size is approximately 61″ x 52″ What do …
The twisted log cabin is a modern adaptation of the traditional log cabin. The log cabin design represents the log homes made in the prairie. Each block is usually sewn on a thin foundation fabric. Traditionally the log cabin block was not quilted. The piecing was done with scraps of fabric that had different textures …
Dresden plates have different variations all featuring a blade design around a central point. It is usually finished with a central circular shape. The block first appeared in the 1920s but publications did not use the name consistently. It was more familiar in the 1930s as the Dresden plate. Blades can be pointed or rounded, …
Patchwork in-the-hoop is the method of creating patchwork blocks using your embroidery machine. It is a matter of hooping stabilizer or background fabric, and then following the instructions to create a patchwork block that looks like you made it the traditional way. Essentially, patchwork in-the-hoop is a form of foundation piecing with your embroidery machine. …
Virginia Reel is a variation on Snail Trail. It was first published by Mountain Mist. The Virginia reel is also a folk dance that dates from the 17th century. Its origins are Scottish and related to the Highland reel. There is perhaps also influences from the Irish Rinnce Fada. Generally, people consider it an English …