Uncategorized478 Videos

February Block of the Month

Some fun behind the scenes news. I got new lights for shooting the video tutorials. That means really clear video for you, and I can shoot at night after the baby goes to sleep. I hope you enjoy this month’s tutorial. This month we are making eight blocks. It is the most we’ll make in […]

An afternoon with Carol Doak

It’s been a crazy month since my class with Carol Doak, and most of it was spent without Internet at home. I don’t know what I would have done without my Blackberry. Carol was a great teacher, she made paper piecing very easy although it’s not fool-proof. I cut through the paper pattern a couple […]

I’m spoiled by the long arm

Occasionally quilting really frustrates me, and now is one of those times. When I first started quilting I finished everything myself on my home sewing machine. But then I discovered Quilting By You in Bettendorf, Iowa, where you can rent time on a long arm machine and I’ve been spoiled ever since. On a long […]

Starburst Galaxy Block 1 video tutorial

O.M.G. this video took FOREVER to upload! There are two reason for that. One … my Internet provider has a monopoly in the area, which means they don’t actually have to be any good. Two … this video is almost 30 minutes long! Yes, 29:54 with no commercials. That’s longer than watching an episode of […]

Amish quilts: Striking solids

The Iowa Illinois Quilt Study Group was held at the Kalona Historic Village, which features a nationally known quilt and textile museum. There also is an Amish population near Kalona, Iowa, so the museum has a gallery dedicated to traditional Amish quilts. I love the look of Amish quilts. The solid colors are so simple […]

Sewing room reno update

I used to be a DIY addict. When my husband and I bought our home, it had pretty much stood still in time since 1980. There was a lot of work to be done and we did it. Kitchen renovation, new flooring, tearing down walls and gallons and gallons of paint. Five years later, we’re […]

Behind the scenes: Unpacking a quilt exhibit

The 34 quilts that are part of the National Quilt Museum’s next exhibit, Food for Thought from SAQA, have finished their week of rest and rods are being inserted in preparation for their big debut on Friday, April 10. It seems like a strange concept, allowing an inanimate object to rest. But laying the quilts […]