Tracing design and Echo quilting!

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Make a baby quilt out of “cheater fabric” and practice outlining and Echo quilting.  Cheater fabric is fabric that already has a quilt design on it.  This fabric has the Dresden Plate quilt block printed on it.  A baby will absolutely love it!  Practice tracing the design then go around the outside of the design using your free motion quilting foot as a guide.  You should try different types of batting to create the look you are striving for.  Polyester batting gives a fluffy blanket look and cotton gives a flat antique look to the quilting.  You can use a long arm machine or your home sewing machine to create this adorable quilt!  You get to practice your quilting skills and a baby gets a quilt; it’s a win-win!

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Machine quilting multiple small quilts back to back!

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

While quilting multiple baby quilts for my friend Ruth I discovered a quicker way to quilt multiple quilts on the quilting frame. By adjoining one long backing fabric and attaching it to the frame, then adding the batting. I then place the quilt top on the batting. I baste and quilt. Then I add another quilt at the end of the first one. Baste and quilt. Easy to quilt them back to back!

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Wedding prayer flags made into a quilt

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

A young lady getting ready to get married decided to make flags out of fabric to be displayed at their wedding. She cut the fabric flags and mailed them to her family and friends and asked them to write a prayer or encouraging words for them on their special day. They mailed them back and she hand embroidered the words, saying and/or pictures. The prayer flags were displayed on their wedding day. What a way to save memories of a special occasion!

She took some of the flags and framed them to hang in their new home. Then two years later, the family asked me to make them into a quilt for them. I was so honored to be able to create this special memory quilt.

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Micro Quilting Circles

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Micro quilting circles is a great filler for quilt blocks.  Micro quilting circles are small circles touching each other and continuing around  until the block is full.  You can micro quilt circles on your regular sewing machine by dropping the feed dogs and moving the fabric in small circles.  Or on a long arm machine in free motion moving the machine around the fabric.   A great way to learn micro quilting is by practicing making circles with your machine in free motion on a 12×12 sandwiched with fabric, batting and backing until you feel comfortable to tackle your quilt top.  Try different types of batting to see what look you like.

Check Video tab for the demonstration.

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Crazy over Trapunto!

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Trapunto is Italian for “to quilt” and I added “with a punch!”  It is also called stuffed technique due to the process of stuffing or adding extra layers of batting to the design.  I find it easier on the long arm machine because I am adding an extra layer of batting to an area as I roll the quilt on the frame.  Then I add a design and micro quilt around it. This really made the butterflies pop up off the fabric.  This quilt has poly batting then I added another poly batting to the butterfly squares. IMG_0196 IMG_0199 IMG_0200 IMG_0356

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Binding is still binding!

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

I did not mention another type of way to bind in previous post and that is because I do not encourage the method.  It is where you take the back fabric and fold over to the front.  Binding wears first and it is best to have the double layer of fabric on the ends.  It can be repaired.  Attached is a picture of a quilt that had the back folded to the front and it had to be repaired. But, as I always say, “it is your quilt, you do as you please.”  There are no rules.  Life is short, just quilt!IMG_0227

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What is Edge to Edge quilting you might ask.

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

To those that are unfamiliar or new to long arm quilting terms let me explain what is edge to edge quilting refers to.  Edge to Edge quilting is just what it says, it is quilting from one edge of the quilt to the other edge.  Then to the next row, starting at the edge and quilting across to the other edge.  By turning the quilt on the frame and continuing quilting from edge to edge until the entire quilt is quilted.  The entire quilt will be finished with an over all design.  Sounds simple enough right?

The hard choice is what design to quilt from edge to edge and the density of the design. Another deciding factor would be if the quilt would benefit from an edge to edge design. Only the owner of the quilt can make that decision. I can make suggestions, but the owner of the quilt has the final say, they are the ones that will enjoy the quilt for years to come.   Quilts that are very busy could benefit from an edge to edge quilting design. Edge to Edge quilting is less expensive than custom quilting because it is less time-consuming.

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Binding….that B word!

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

So many different ways to bind.  The traditional way is to sew the binding strips to the front of the quilt then press to the back and hand sew the binding to the back side of the quilt.  This is time consuming yet relaxing.  The quick method is to sew the binding strips to the back of the quilt then press to the front of the quilt and sew the binding to the front of the quilt.  This is fast and no hand work.  Binding takes practice and patience!  The binding should contain batting.  Remember the binding is the first part of the quilt to wear out so take your time and finish with care.  Have fun with the B word!

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To wash or not to wash the fabrics

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

I get asked all the time if I pre-wash my fabrics before making the quilt top.  My mentor taught me to always wash the fabrics.  Now that being said, I don’t always wash my fabrics because I like the crisp look of fresh fabric.  Washing fabric is recommended for many reasons like removing any dirt, germs, excess dyes or shrinkage.  I say it is your quilt and your decision because you are the quilt-maker.  The most important decision is to have fun and enjoy the process!

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A New Beginning!

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Today is a new beginning to the second half of my life.  I left a career I had been in for over 25 years to start fresh in another direction.  I love to finish everything I start so starting a business in finishing other people’s quilts is a perfect fit.  I can help other people finish what they started. I love seeing the quilt come alive in the quilting process. I fall in love with each quilt as they enter my studio and after it is quilted I love to admire the finished work.  If you like to piece the quilt but find the quilting part exhausting I can help by completing the quilting part for you.   A toast to new beginnings!

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