Since I am a long-arm quilter I am often asked for tips or hints for sending  your quilts to be quilted. I taught a class about this a few years ago, so I thought I would give you the “run-down” on everything you need to know about long-arm quilting!

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That’s my son’s name for the internet! I like it. I also really, really like the internet! There is so much great quilting information out there, and there are all kinds of freebies.

Today I’m going to tell you about some of the sites out there for downloading block patterns. These are all free, and many of them come with instructions on how to make each block.

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I love bias binding! In fact, its the only kind I ever use. I actually have some reasons for this! I know people think that bias binding is harder than straight binding, but I actually find it to be much easier. Bias binding is more forgiving, and I have fewer problems with bumps, etc. than I do with a straight binding. Bias bindings also wear better than straight bindings. Straight bindings tend to wear with the grain, which is on the edge of the quilt.

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Ah, borders. They make or break a quilt, so to speak. The way you put borders on your quilt can help make your quilt more “square”, or even-sided. The following is my favorite method of applying straight borders on your quilt.

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One of my favorite quilting-related web sites is FabShopHop.com. Its a fun online shop hop, which I did once. (I even won a $5 prize from one of the shops!) You have to find “the bunny” at the linked online stores. When you get them, you qualify for prizes. A fun little time-waster!

What I really love this site for, however, is its search engine. It has saved me numerous times! You can type in a particular fabric line and it will link to the store where you can purchase it. I was also looking for a particular batik that had cats on it, and I typed: batik, cats, and it found it in an online store! It has photos with the search results, too, which makes it really easy. I’ve also searched for books and patterns. Love it!

They also have videos you can watch with new products and quilting techniques. If you’ve never been here, give it a try!

This is a technique that is helpful when piecing blocks that form a 4-patch when completed.

 

 

 

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One hint you will hear with quiltmaking is that you need to “press” not “iron.” This means that you pick the iron up and set it down on the seams instead of moving the iron back and forth on the seams. The reason for pressing is to keep your seams from stretching or becoming misshapen. This will give you better results when putting blocks together, and finishing your quilt top.