Of all the embellishment techniques you've used in your quilting, have you ever tried laminated imagery? I know I haven't. But when Stella Belikiewicz submitted her tutorial for using lamination to embellish her art quilts, we were captivated by the results.

Here's a little exercise that gives you a chance to flex your mixed-media stitch muscles and produce a little piece of fabric art.

Our foremothers knew how to make a quilt using only what they had, from scraps of fabric to natural dyes. But, quilt making the frugal and eco-friendly way was easier for them:

Did you ever have one of those quilts that was almost finished, but just needed a little something? A little sparkle, a little more texture, a little oomph to catch the eye? Chances are, what the quilt needed was some embellishment.

I may have mentioned that binding a quilt is my least favorite part of the quilt-making process. But I've realized that if I'm going to reduce the number of UFOs in my studio, I'm going to have to learn how to bind a quilt in a way that I enjoy.

Fiber artist Deborah Boschert and I share a love of hand embroidery. Although hand embroidery stitches are often associated with antique and vintage textiles, Deborah uses classic embroidery stitches to add interest and texture to her contemporary quilts and fabric collages.

It's easy to get down these days, with all the tough times people are having. Especially if you're the one who's having the difficulties. But this is why I think it's so great to be an artist: you have a creative outlet for your woes.

Machine and hand embroidery are the hallmarks of art quilt design and construction. Depending on the stitch and the thread or fiber used, embroidery techniques can give your quilts a contemporary edge or vintage charm.

In this free eBook, Essential Embroidery Stitches: Free Hand and Machine Embroidery Designs and Techniques, we've assembled four of our best articles on machine and hand embroidery techniques.