How to Reduce Bulky Quilt Corners - Step by Step Video

Tired of having thick, lumpy quilt corners? Or fighting to pull enough fabric to the back because of multiple fabric layers in the corner? Want to learn how to avoid that? 

 

All that's needed is a simple change in stitching the binding at the corner, a snipping of a bit of fabric, and that corner binding will fold nicely, making flat, beautiful quilt corners!

I learned this fabulous binding trick several years ago, and it's how I finish all of my binding corners. I've demonstrated this technique several times to members of my guild, most recently via a Zoom meeting. After several quilters tried it, many raved and excitedly thanked me for sharing how easy it is to now make beautiful corners - this corner binding trick is certainly all the rage!

Having recently posted my favorite binding tutorials, in the written-with-photos form, I thought of an even better way to share them: by making a video! With a video, it's more than a front row seat - it's the opportunity to see exactly how I'm demonstrating the technique, right on my own quilts. How awesome is that??

Have a look at the first video in the binding series, How to Reduce Bulky Quilt Corners - Step by Step. It's full of up close, detailed video footage showing how to sew the binding at the corner, and clipping the excess fabric. Just check out those beautiful flat corners in the picture!

I'm excited to bring my tutorials to video, to share with everyone quilting techniques that not only save time and frustration, but to also show new or different methods to advance everyone's quilting skills. 

And now it's time to share! Here's the link to How to Reduce Bulky Quilt Corners - Step by Step video! Feel free to share this with your quilt friends, and please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel. There's more quilting tutorials I plan to share!

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

Zen Garden

It may have taken two months, but I have certainly fallen in love! Have a look at my finally finished Zen Garden quilt and tell me you aren't in love too!

Made from the Zen Garden pattern in Jo Avery's book, Patchwork & Quilting Basics (affiliate link) from C&T Pub, 

I'd say this is one beautiful garden quilt!

Using the multi-colored floral fabric as my color inspiration, I pulled oranges, reds, yellows, and greens from my stash. 

And this pattern is perfect for including those bold striped fabrics. Paired with quieter blenders, they all play well together. 

As for construction, once I had all the pieces cut, the two different sized blocks were easy to put together,

especially during an early morning chain piecing session!

When it came to the layout though, I didn't follow Jo's exact instructions. Instead, I put all the blocks on the floor following the quilt diagram in the book. That way, I could be sure I wasn't putting the same fabrics together, OR putting too much visual weight in one area by value, OR creating pattern clashes. I want the crickets to chirp and the birds to sing about my garden quilt - can't you hear them? 

Once I had the top assembled, the idea of how to quilt it didn't take long. Though the blocks are along the lines of a traditional log cabin, the overall layout of this quilt says modern, which meant Zen Garden needed a modern quilt design. And I found the perfect pantograph, Bebop, full of repeating circles, which is not only a modern design, but in itself is quite zen.

Just look at the contrast those circles create with the squares on the quilt - the perfect pantograph indeed!

Can you tell I really have fallen in love? I'll be keeping this one as another summer/fall quilt for display in the living room, and for the occasional snuggle when the nighttime temps fall.

As for Jo's Patchwork & Quilting Basics book (affiliate link), I just can't say enough. Patchwork & Quilting Basics (affiliate link) is not just for those who are new to quilting - it's perfect for any quilter. The book is full of simple patterns using traditional techniques and blocks but with a modern twist - the types of quilts I'm drawn to, and the style of quilt I try to design. I found several of her quilt patterns I'd like to make, such as the Stream Quilt,

or Dancing Pandas. Both are simple, yet eye-catching.

Even though you may have plenty of quilt books on your shelf, if you're looking for a more modern quilt sewn with traditional techniques, this book is for you!

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

Celilo

Introducing Celilo, 

a super easy scrap quilt pattern. In this baby version, the sunshiny yellow is just perfect for the Stitching Sunshine Blog Hop, hosted by Carla of Creatin in the Sticks.

                                                           

I'm usually one to shy away from yellow, but paired with these pretty medium to dark blues, this quilt  just says sunshine! 

There's certainly a happy vibe from this quilt, but with those diagonally cascading blues, I'm also reminded of a powerful waterfall, which leads me to tell you how Celilo got it's name.

Recently, hubby and I were out for a walk in a different part of our neighborhood. We came upon a street named 'Celilo', and I thought what a great word - it would make a really great name for this quilt. 

But what does it mean? Is it the name of a person? A tree? Some location? It's good to know what the word means to make sure it fits in with the quilt design. With a bit of Google research, Celilo just happens to be the perfect name for this quilt. What are the chances of that happening???

Turns out, there used to be a waterfall called Celilo Falls on the Columbia River, until it was submerged by The Dalles Dam in 1957. (Side note: two parallel streets over from Celilo is The Dalles Ave - someone on the street naming division for my city had a fondness for northern Oregon).

The cascading diagonal design on Celilo is just so reminiscent of a waterfall - who knew that a chance street name sighting would turn into the perfect name for this quilt! Serendipity indeed!

Of course, the Celilo quilt pattern can be made in any two colors. The trick is to keep the values of each color in the same range. Putting a limit on the variation of value within the blues or the yellows (or whatever chosen colors), keeps the design on track. Here's a pretty purple and aqua version.

And with a bit of planning, this could even be made in a rainbow of colors, with a pale gray background - oh so modern!

The rainbow shown is the lap size (56" x 72") and looks awesome - I'll have to make one!

Not only is the Celilo pattern a great scrap busting pattern, it also comes in four sizes: baby, crib, lap, and twin. Fabric quantities, instructions, charts and diagrams are all included for the two block sizes that make up baby/crib and lap/twin quilts. And as a Stitching Sunshine blog hop special, from now till June 27, 9pm PST, the Celilo pattern is half price in my Etsy shop.

Be sure to visit the other Monday creators for the Stitching Sunshine hop. And over at Creatin in the Sticks, there's the full list for the rest of the week - lots to see over the next few days!

Monday, June 22nd

Just Let Me Quilt

VroomansQuilts

Quilt Schmilt

QuiltFabrication
Life in the Scrapatch
Karrin's Crazy World
Just Because Quilts
Quilting Gail

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

Patriotic Quilting Ideas

 

I love anything with red, white, and blue! And with July 4th just around the corner, I'm in the mood to celebrate! Check out these fun patriotic quilt patterns, in a variety of styles, sizes, and skill levels, some free and others for purchase. There's something here for everyone this 4th of July!

                                       Patriotic Wave, my personal favorite

                                        Patriotic Love from Coats and Clarks

                                 4th of July table runner from Or So She Says

                                     Salute table runner by QuiltFabrication

                                      Stars and Stripes table runner by Jen Daly

                                         United table runner by QuiltFabrication

                                         Flag Map Mug Rug by Trillium Design

                       Holiday Stars place mat and runner by QuiltFabrication

                                Fireworks wall hanging by QuiltFabrication

                                           Fourth of July by Bonnie K. Hunter

                                       Star Quilt from Maple Cottage Designs

                                   Yankee Doodle Stars quilt by Calvert Quilts

                              Yankee Doodle Dandy flag quilt by Maker Valley 

For more red, white, and blue patriotic inspiration, visit my Patriotic Quilts Pinterest board. 

Enjoy the Fourth of July!

My Favorite Patterns

Zen Garden Blocks

Yeah! I managed to sneak in some time this week to get a start on the blocks for the Zen Garden quilt - so far, so good!

This is just a small portion of the layout, as I don't have enough room on my design wall for the full quilt. But I'm happy to finally have the blocks done after some very early morning chain piecing yesterday. 

Now they'll have to wait again, as I'm busy quilting Andrea's 85" x 85" quilt with lots of ruler work in the stars and a bit of freehand work in the setting triangles. Took me 2 hours just to stitch a 14" section all the way across but it's turning out nicely, which is well worth the time. 

I left off with the echoing around the applique, and will add horizontal straight lines in the background. Hoping to finish this quilt up sometime today or tomorrow.

Then I can get back to the Zen Garden - nothing like staying busy.

Have a wonderful weekend quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

RSC2020 June Blocks

My heart is all a-flutter! The June RSC color is my favorite - pink!

Yep, another 12.5" pinwheel block to add to the collection. This one would probably look great next to last month's olive green.

Wait! What happened? That rascally kitty, Winston, photo bombed my pinwheels!

Here's what that combo really looks like.

Hmm, quite pretty! But I didn't think so back when I was 12. We were moving into our new house, and my mom wanted to decorate my bedroom in pink and green. Being an obstinate pre-teen, I said no way! and we did the room in rust and green instead. Oh so stubborn, trying to break free and make my own decisions. But really, what the heck was I thinking? Though I love orange, it's not a color that I wear well, which took me years to discover. Finally, sometime in my mid-20's, I figured out I look best in pinks - sorry I was such a pain mom.

Anyway, back to the scrap blocks. Piecing together small bits of fabric to make blocks, or sometimes even larger hunks that get cut to size, with or without a foundation, is one of my preferred ways to use up scraps - I've made many quilts with this technique. My all-time favorites include Scraplicious Floribunda, 

 

Regatta,

 and Crumble Jumble Blue. 

Stitching little pieces together to create a larger piece is so rewarding: not only do the scraps disappear, but the resulting fabric has more dimension, and a deeper, more interesting look to it. Wouldn't you agree, seeing these square blocks?

I do wish I could spend more time with my overflowing scraps right now, but I must move on to the Zen Garden quilt. Maybe next month?

Happy Quilting!