This video shows how to make a quilt making blocks with collected theme fabrics.  Turns out very easy and cute, and the video is so good you can probably make it from just watching the video.  You can also find the pattern and her website to learn more.  There are a lot of patterns and ideas on her website.  She is in New Zealand, but her patterns are instant downloads.  To see her website,   Click Here

One of our members, Linda V., found this video that she found interesting.
The lesson gives a method for ruler cutting curves (circles) with the least amount of waste.
Video by Karla Alexander via Creative Grids

This fabulous group of pro Quilt Teachers keeps giving us more great content to watch and learn.  You won't want to miss their current series of Studio Tours by some of their teachers!  All free and available on their website.  Click Here
--Ann
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Ready for a studio space makeover/reorganization? Be sure to check out Global Quilt Connection brand NEW Studio Tour videos featuring the creative spaces of these quilt artists/teachers:
 Jenny Lyon @jenny_quiltskipper
 Patricia Belyea @okanarts
 Michele Crawford @flowerboxquilts
 MJ Kinman @mjkinman_textileartist
 Cindy Grisdela @cindygrisdelaquilts
 Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill @wholecirclestudio

I always love improv techniques, and I certainly love how this one looks.  I thought it might spark come creative ideas for other quilters too.  Enjoy!
PS- If you are interested in knowing more, this pattern is in Karen Eckmeiers book "Wiggles and Waves" available on Amazon.com.  

An interesting story and a wonderful quilt!

I thought some of our quilters would enjoy knowing about this product.  How fun it would be to custom color and write your information on the label, each one unique.  They remind me of the beautiful coloring books that are popular.  Besides, we spend many hours making our quilts creative, so why not the label too?

I have recently taken an online course on Walking Foot Quilting, and love how quick, easy, and beautiful it can be.  This short video shows 4 designs that you might consider to do some yourself, or catch up on your projects.
I would like to add that in the course I took, they suggested a stitch length of 2.75, and of course you don't have to make the lines so close together.  For a bigger project, I often use straight lines that are 2 or 3 inches apart, or sometimes even more. You still get the great look if appropriate to the dimensions of the project, and it takes a lot less time.
   --Ann

Thank you to one of our members, Mary Ann, for suggesting this video on cutting fabric for bias binding. The video is easy to follow and gives you another technique to make your project easier.

Global Quilt Connection is a wonderful group of quilt teachers that offer classes to quilt guilds and individuals online.  They just released these Studio Tours by 9 of their teachers. There are 3 teachers per video. Included are tips they learned along the way building their sewing area.   You can learn more about them at www.GlobalQuiltConnection.com.

Great tip for a tool that can be used for both binding and borders.  They also now make an XL version for larger borders and it does a lot also! See the second video below for a demonstration of that.

I stumbled across this video recently, and enjoyed watching it so much.  I am normally drawn to bold and bright quilts, so I found it rather ironic how much I loved these quilts limited to just 2 colors.
It is a display from the 2019 Houston Quilt Festival, greatly beloved by most quilters and missed so much by us during the pandemic.
​Enjoy, Ann

These tips are some solid information to handling your sewing machine and getting the best performance.  Even though I have sewn my whole life, I learned a few things too!  What did you learn?
​ ---Ann

There are many ways to make a half-square triangle (HST) but the most common way is to make two at a time.  This video does a great job of showing how to make them, chain piecing them to save time, and how to square them up so they are the perfect size.  Good info for the first time you make one, as well as a reminder for those more experienced.

I love this beautiful baby quilt using a free pattern designed by Christina Cameli.  In additional there is a video below where Missouri Star Quilt Company shows the simple steps to make the pattern, with suggestions for if you would like to make the same pattern in a larger size.
   By the way, I have been taking free motion quilting classes with Christina on Craftsy. I have also recently taken a couple of on-demand classes on her website www.ChristinaCameli.com about free motion quilting, and a terrific scrappy quilt. If you are looking for something like that, I highly recommend her classes and books.
​--Ann

I love buying Jelly Rolls, but then sometimes struggle to find a cute pattern to make a quilt.  Both of these patterns are free, and I love how they look.  I thought some of you might want to use them too!
​-Ann

DIAMOND TRIP PATTERN
​The first one from Jordan Fabrics can be made with scraps too.  Here is a link to their website and the free download with the pattern instructions and details: ​https://jordanfabrics.com/pages/diamond-trip

SUMMER CAMP PATTERN
​The second jelly roll pattern is from Jenny Doan at Missouri Star Quilt Company.  The video instructions are clear enough to make the quilt with just that, but if you prefer a written pattern, they do sell one for a small cost.
​Link to Download pattern:
https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/digital-download-summer-camp-quilt-pattern-by-missouri-star

I have struggled most of my life with being unable to keeping my home and  my arts & crafts organized, including sewing and quilting! A couple of years ago, I found my solution, and that is to understand my organizing personality style and approaching things with that in mind.  This is the You Tube channel that opened my eyes to that idea.  I am far from perfect now, but I enjoy my quilting and art room so much with the changes.  I hope it helps those of you that it will help also
--Ann
PS - If you haven't guessed it after watching the video, I am a total "Butterfly" type!

Some times finding an easy way to do something crosses your path in unexpected ways.  That happened to me with this tip.  I'll be honest, I don't bother to bury my threads when I quilt.  I don't enter competitions and I am still in the learning stages.  So, I just clip those threads and move on.
Recently I was watching a live video from one of my favorite online quilt teachers, Helen Godden of Australia, and she mentioned she clips her threads except when she is quilting for a competition. Then she uses the Lasso method since it is much easier and faster.  Wait, she had my attention.  She stopped and quickly showed us and it was brilliant.
So I searched You Tube and found this short video that shares the method and I wanted to pass this along in case any of you don't know about it.
Thanks, Ann

A big thanks to one of our members, Susan K, for sharing this video.  It is detailed instructions for sewing a flange binding and getting good results.  

There are actually some great tips in the video, but I have to admit that it is just fun to watch the interaction and laughing as these two family members discuss the topic.  Fun!