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For me, this is the hardest time of the year to inspire myself to get into my studio. The weather is warming up, the days are longer, and I want to spend more time outside. That being said, I think that it is important to get crafting at least once a week; it is just good for my brain. One thing that...
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You know the saying, "A picture's worth a thousand words"? I find that's true most of the time. But sometimes when I'm designing a quilt another phrase comes to mind: "Get it in writing." Detail of Deborah Boschert's quilt "In the Moment." The word "Moment"...
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With summer fast approaching, many parents with kids are scrambling to figure out how to keep their kids entertained for the summer—without letting them indulge in hour upon hour of screen time. Enter this wonderful book by Heather Swain, a mother and former teacher. The book, Play These Games...
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I'm past the stage where I am making baby quilts for my children. This picture shows the first baby quilt I ever made-for my baby Sam (now 13 years old). I love that this quilt is worn and stained. I love that it is well-used and cherished, and that it carries my special message to my baby boy written...
Posted to
Quilting Daily
by
Vivika_Blog
on
23 Apr 2012
Filed under:
Filed under: How to Quilt, Baby Quilts, Quilt Blocks, Quilting Supplies, Quilting Designs, Fabric Art, Quilt Patterns, Art Quilts, Quilting Techniques, Quilted Gifts, Handmade Quilts
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Whenever I visit my local quilt shop, I delight in the displays of fresh new fabrics, all cut and folded in beautiful and unique ways. Jelly rolls? I have them at the ready for strip quilting and quick patchwork projects . Fat quarters? They are tucked into baskets in my studio. 'Nine Patch Rearranged'...
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This time of year, I am “nest obsessed.” The birds are chirping outside my office window, and the robins especially are actively searching for blades of grass and small twigs to use in their nests. These architectural wonders may seem like random assortments of sticks, but actually have a...
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I will be the first to admit that quilt binding is not my favorite part of the quilt-making process. I understand that binding a quilt frames it and, done correctly, enhances the design of the body of the fiber art piece. And of course, if you're going to use a quilt (rather than hang it on a wall...
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If you've wanted to learn how to quilt but didn't know where to begin or didn't want to take on a big project, our new free downloadable eBook, Quilting for Beginners: 5 Easy Quilt Patterns Plus Lessons on How to Quilt for Beginners , is for you! This eBook offers you basic quilting techniques...
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I'm so looking forward to meeting with the fiber art group I belong to, Sisters in Cloth, this coming weekend for our annual extravaganza. It is a sort of party where we get together on a Saturday, have a great lunch, do a lively show and tell, have a speaker or technique demonstration, and sew together...
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Sometimes an idea for surface design is so simple, you wonder why you never thought of it before. That's how I felt when I first saw Rose Hughes' tutorial on using crayons — the kind kids use, nothing fancy-as a resist method with fabric paint. Fabric painting with crayon resist by Rose...
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I love the new modern patchwork quilt designs with improvisational piecing and simple, clean lines. And I'm not alone: these graphic, contemporary quilts with off-kilter blocks and wide expanses of solid colors appeal to a wide range of quilt artists. Jacquie's 'Sea Glass' quilt uses...
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As I explore the possibilities of surface design, one of the things I've noticed is that you can use paint, foil, dye, and so on to make your fiber art look like it has appliqué quilt designs . "Ginkgo" quilt by Stephanie Forsyth. One of the easiest ways to apply this faux quilting...
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Echo quilting is a sewing technique that can add lush texture to art quilts. It is one of those quilting techniques that can take some practice and patience to learn, but it's well worth the effort. And a bit easier to do if you know a few tricks of the trade. Nancy G. Cook uses a dense echo quilting...
Posted to
Vivika's Blog
by
Vivika_Blog
on
22 Feb 2012
Filed under:
Filed under: Embroidery, Quilt Patterns, Quilting Designs, Hand Sewing, Sewing Techniques, Machine Quilting, How to Quilt, Quilting Techniques, Art Quilts, Hand Stitches, Quilting Stitches
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Recently a coworker brought in a treasure she'd acquired while visiting a friend in the Midwest: six vintage handmade quilt squares. Each one had been carefully pieced using the tiniest of hand stitches. My inherited handmade quilts. Everyone in the office gathered around and oohed and ahhed at the...
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Last week, I asked for advice on exploring surface design techniques . A lot of you said I should just relax, have fun, and play with different materials and techniques for designing fabrics. I agree! Lisa Kerpoe's prayer flags designed with fabric paints and dyes. From "QATV" Series 800...
Posted to
Vivika's Blog
by
Vivika_Blog
on
1 Feb 2012
Filed under:
Filed under: Embroidery, Fabric Art, Surface Design, Hand Sewing, Sewing Techniques, Machine Quilting, How to Quilt, Embellishment Techniques, Quilting Techniques, Hand Stitches, Fabric Painting