[Contest Closed and the winner has been notified. Thank you for participating! Wishing you success in your endeavors this year!]
It’s officially the start to 2019 and the new year brings new resolutions! Whether your resolution is to finish your unfinished objects of 2018, organize your sewing area, or discover new projects, here are some quilty new year’s resolutions we got from our quilty friends that you can get on board with this year! Be sure to read to the bottom to see the details about a New Year’s Resolution GIVEAWAY.
2019 Quilty New Year’s Resolutions
1. Repurpose your scraps – Rather than store the scraps from your quilt in your stash, give your hand at transforming them into a Patchwork Pinwheel! Kimberly is planning on making a Patchwork Pinwheel from each of her finished quilts from this year and then making all of those into a completed quilt. This is a great way to see all of your quilts in one place at the end of 2019! Watch the tutorial Kimberly did on her livestream where she uses 1″ Half Square Triangle Paper to make them.
Happy New Year from your quilty family at the Fat Quarter Shop! 2018 was a great year full of new ideas, new videos, project inspiration, and so many beautiful quilts! We are so thankful for your continued support of Fat Quarter Shop and we hope that you have a safe and happy new year! We can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!
Winter has blustered in and we are here to ‘keep you warm’ by revealing the contents of our December Sew Sampler Box. The soft color palette is sure to set the mood for this lovely time of year. If you’re not already signed up for this exciting membership, do so by visiting our website!
Butter soft yellows, greens and pinks are anchored with icy blues and poinsettia reds. The 2 1/2″ Mini Origami Squares are a bouquet of florals, paisleys, hearts and butterflies basking in sunshine. They are perfect for the Avondale Tote Bag, or to keep your stash warm!
With the Avondale Finishing Kit, you’ll have a sweet bag that will sparkle right on through the New Year!
Sewing = Love in our book! Wear your heart on your scissor handles with this set of Cherry Gingham Heart Snips by Jera. Small and sharp, these scissors are great for detailed handwork or simply snipping threads. With its adorable design, they also make a heartwarming gift for friends (though you may need to double up for yourself).
This cool, blue thread will simply melt into your Woodland Rose fabrics from this month’s box. We have hand-selected Aurifil thread for its superior quality, which is ideal for piecing, quilting and more!
This iridescent Swiss style set of tweezers from Tula Pink Hardware is the best little helper in your sewing drawer, though you’ll always want to keep it out! Use the pointed tip for precision tasks, like pulling threads, or as a stiletto, then flip it over to grasp and maneuver buttons and other embellishments.
Sew Sampler members received this item first!
Avondale Tote Bag Pattern
Snowflakes melt away, but this one will stay forever! A beautiful star made from 2.5″ squares is set into a beautiful on-point block that we have turned into a classic tote bag. More 2.5″ squares make up the handles for a unique accent.
Finish at 16 1/2″ square, this bag will carry plenty of your holiday loot!
Join us as we travel the countryside and make twelve unique and inspiring Barn Blocks! If you are sewing along with us, be sure to share your quilt with us on social media using the following hashtag: #BARNBLOCKQUILT
We’ve been counting down to the New Year on our Instagram and Facebook with the 2018 Fat Quarter Shop Rewind! This year’s rewind consisted of the top 10 YouTube videos of the year (check out the entire playlist here). If you are not subscribed to our YouTube channel yet, be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you can stay up to date with all things FQS. We even have channel membership where you can view exclusive content (outside of our regular content on our channel) and behind the scenes!
Whether you aspire to use a longarm sewing machine yourself or want to learn more about the art and craft of quilting, this post is for you. In our monthly series on longarm quilters, we called on Amy Bouchard, owner of Cascading Quilts, to find out more about how she got started and her process for longarm quilting. Here’s what she had to say:
1. How long have you been longarm quilting?
I have been long arm quilting for 8+ years. I purchased my first longarm in 2010. I had zero experience with longarm quilting, although I had a huge interest and did as much research as I could possibly do. My husband was still active duty military at that time, and quilting is a passion of mine that could move with me wherever we went, so why not take it to the next level! I currently own an APQS Lucey on a 12’ Deluxe frame.
Amy Bouchard of Cascading Quilts. Her studio has ample windows and skylights, providing the most natural light possible. “I love that I can quilt while overlooking our backyard.”
2.What made you get into longarm quilting?
When I was a young girl, I hand pieced together some fabric to make a blanket for a baby doll that I had. I hand quilted those layers together and still have that little “quilt” today that my daughters got to enjoy with their dolls. I have always loved the way quilts look and the purpose of keeping us warm. I grew up on a farm in Northern Ohio and we only had wood heat, so the house would get cold in some of the rooms. When I returned after living in England for 2 ½ years, I purchased a new sewing machine and started quilt top piecing with the assistance and knowledge of my sister, Cheryl. She taught me different techniques to piece the tops quicker. I have pieced many quilts over the years and paid others to quilt them, however, I never seemed to be able to get the custom designs I wanted in my quilts. I always had a vision but the quilters always did meander designs and didn’t even give me a thread choice. I wanted more!
(L-R) The flower snowball/nine patch quilt uses an all over design to accent the flowers in the fabrics. Roxy was quilted with a Slip Stitch all over design.
3. What is your favorite technique to use when longarm quilting?
I love ruler work. It is very therapeutic for me. I know it takes a lot more time, but I just relax and get into my zone when doing it.
4. Can you share a longarm quilting experiment you did that you liked the results?
I was stitching out a Judy Niemeyer Mariner’s Compass quilt and used a feather design on it. After finishing I took a step back and really didn’t like how the feather design looked and then spent 3 hours ripping out the entire design. At that moment, I decided the quilt needed to have ruler work to enhance the piecing of the quilt top. The straight lines looked incredible, and the quilt’s owner was extremely happy with the outcome.
The Starburst close up is part of a Judy Niemeyer quilt that was featured in Quiltfest Destination Savannah in 2014 and used in their advertising campaign for the 2015 show.
5. Any tips for people who would like to start longarm quilting?
Be patient with yourself. Practice a lot, read as many books on longarm quilting and watch as many videos as you can find. See if you can visit with another longarm quilter in your local area or take a class at a quilt show to see if you really like it or not. That visit or class will either get you hooked or save you from purchasing a longarm and regretting it later. Check out the many Blogs on the web or the many groups on Social Media that will let you join to learn more too! Do have a philosophy that there are enough customers to go around. Never speak ill of any other quilter, we all had to start somewhere.
My Kai 4” curved scissors to trim threads, a pair of good strong tweezers (to get a pesky thread to trim), high-quality threads, a water-soluble blue ink marker, and of course lots of quality rulers. My 6” ruler is my absolute favorite!
A Jacqueline de Jonge design, along with a few of Amy’s favorite supplies. Amy says, “This quilt is a wall hanging I just completed and plan to enter it into shows this coming year.”
7. What is the scariest/most exciting part of the process?
Many quilting projects appear to be risks for me. I have lots of customers that just say, “do what you want, I know it will be great!” I view that as a lot of pressure and always worry if they will really like the quilting style I choose for that quilt or not. I also like to go “out of the box” with a thread choice to make the quilt “pop!”
“The Bali Wedding Star was the very first quilt I placed on a longarm machine. It is entirely free motion on a Gammill Vision 22-10 as I had no computer system at that time. This quilt was Awarded the Most Popular Quilt at the Ohio Outdoor Quilt Festival in 2013,” says Amy.
8. How would you describe your style of longarm quilting?
I love the look of the modern designs as it brings quilting into a new generation. Straight, curved lines and circles give the quilt needed texture and a contemporary feel. I do like to keep the classic quilts in their traditional style and have tons of fun doing custom quilting! I also enjoy custom quilting popular foundation pieced quilts.
9. What is your favorite motif to quilt?
My favorite motif is a circle. No matter what the quilt, a circle is versatile to use in block specific designs or modern quilts. I can make them large or small and change their shape and style to fit the quilt. Most quilts are pieced in straight lines, so a bit of curvy quilting enhances the quilt, one stitch at a time…
Marmalade Dreams quilt
10. What advice would you give someone who is using a professional longarm quilter for the first time?
Thread selection is very important. I will only use high-quality threads. Each quilt will speak as to what type is to be used on it, and the thread weight also plays an important role. I like to use a low sheen thread on a more traditional quilt and higher sheen on a modern quilt to give it emphasis. Some quilts really need to show the thread and others do not. I do a lot of thread changes, and I don’t always match my top thread to the bobbin. I also adjust the stitch length to complement the quilt.
Says Amy, “The Double Diamonds I pieced at a semi-annual quilting retreat that I attend in northern Ohio. I wanted to play off the diamond shapes with the quilting design which also has circles in the outer borders of all the diamonds.
11. What is your current goal for longarming?
Ask as many questions as you need to! No question is a bad question. Let your quilter know of any ideas for how you want your quilt to look and its function. Follow all directions from your quilter in preparing your quilt for them. These directions help with the process of getting you a beautifully finished quilt. Your quilter should be willing to communicate with you in any way that you need. You should make sure that if you have a question, even while you are piecing your quilt that you can call them or send a message to get assistance if needed.
Thank you, Amy, for taking time out to do this interview and sending all the photos of your work! To see more of Amy’s work, be sure to check out her website and Facebook Page.
Mini quilt mania is here and we cannot contain our excitement! The perfect cure for mini quilt mania is of course the Eighth Simple Whatnots Miniature Club by Kim Diehl and Henry Glass Fabrics. This club runs from January 2019 to August 2019 and each month you will receive a pattern and fabric to complete a miniature quilt (binding and backing are included).
This year’s Simple Whatnot Club features eight brand new, exclusive to the club miniature quilts designed by Kim Diehl featuring her Wit & Wisdom collection. Each of the gorgeous reproduction themed projects can be made by quilters of all skill levels and the finished mini quilts can be used as decorative wall hangings, table toppers and much more!
Around the Bobbin’s Coaster Ride Coasters are a fun and novel way to make coasters that are color-coordinated with your décor! They’re cute for your home and they make a nice housewarming gift, too.
You can make your own designer silicone coaster set that protects surfaces against hot, cold and wet beverages. The set of four silicone coasters comes with instructions for completing the coasters with fabrics of your choice and a coaster holder for the set.
1/3 yard Cotton woven fusible interfacing , such as Pellon Shape Flex
Basic supplies:
Fabric clips Walking foot (optional) Rotary cutter, mat and ruler with 45 degree angle marking Fabric marking pen Spray starch Heavy duty sewing machine needles (such as Schmetz Microtex 90/14 or denim needles) Thread
The Coaster Ride Coasters kit has the full pattern with detailed instructions. We’ve also provided some pictures of the process…
Using the template provided, make a fabric-stabilizer-fabric sandwich. Place it on the bottom side of a silicone coaster. Mark 4 quarter marks on the coaster bottom and fabric sandwich. Line up your quartered off bias binding with these four points and attach with binder clips.
Sew the binding to the fabric sandwich and silicone coaster with a scant ¼” seam. Turn the coaster over and finish attaching the binding. Here, you can see basic steps in coaster construction.
Repeat for each of the other three coasters. Then follow the instructions in the pattern to make the Coaster Holder.
Next time you’re looking for that perfect matching set of coasters for your home or a DIY gift to whip up in an afternoon, check out the Coast Ride Coasters from Around the Bobbin!
We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season! We’ve loved having all of you as part of our Fat Quarter Shop family this year!
Made a list, checked it twice, and realized we had one BONUS Countdown to Christmas deal:
$10 OFF emailed gift certificates of $50 or more!
Did you forget anyone on your list? Get them the perfect gift with today’s BONUS Countdown to Christmas Deal, $10 OFF emailed gift certificates of $50 or more!
**Recieve $10 off the purchase of $50+ emailed gift certificates. Not valid with other offers. One use per customer. Fat Quarter Shop reserves the right to cancel orders not adhering to Terms and Conditions. One day only, offer expires at 12/24/2018 at 11:59 PM CST.
Once again, Thank you to everyone for participating in our Countdown to Christmas 2018! Have a great holiday season and Merry Christmas!
