The Nutcracker
Cute and easy holiday quilt.

Quilting 101
Want to learn to quilt?  This is the class for you.

Quilting 102
This is a wonderful class to increase your quilting skills.

Frosty Friends
Charming Snowman Quilt

Quilting Tips  
A few of my favorite tips.

On-Point Setting Chart Are you setting your quilt blocks on-point? Here is a chart to help.

Free Pillowcase Pattern
Learn a clever way to make a pillowcase with all seams enclosed.
New Pattern!

Free Sewing Machine Organizer Pattern

Quilting Fun
Quilt crosswords and word search

Correct pressing technique for quilt seams

1.  Place the pieced unit on your ironing board unopened, just as it was sewn, with the fabric that the seam allowance will be pressed towards facing up. Usually you will press towards the dark side!  Set the iron down along the unopened seam to "set" the threads.

2.  Turn the top fabric back gently, opening the unit by using your fingers to fold it away from the bottom fabric along the seam line.

3.  Place the edge of the iron on the lower strip and very gently work it towards and over the seam. Allow the weight of the iron to press the seam flat. Lift and lower the iron along the entire length of the seam to finish pressing.  Remember you are pressing not ironing.

Should You Pre-wash Your Fabric?

There are two different opinions on whether to wash or not wash your fabrics before cutting and sewing. Unwashed fabric retains that new look.  For wall-hangings you may not want to pre-wash because it won’t be washed frequently, if ever.  If you wash the fabric before working with it, it helps to remove excess dyes that may get on other fabrics in the completed quilt. I always wash dark colors and batiks.  I’d rather be safe than sorry if the dark colors decide to bleed into lighter colors.  Also, washing before hand will get rid of any extra sizing in the material.  Many people are allergic to the sizing in fabric.  I happen to be one of them.  I can always tell if there is sizing in my fabric.  I usually have to have Kleenexes close by.  Also different fabrics will shrink at different rates. For example, you may have two 12" squares of fabric. When washed and dried, one piece may measure 11" square, the other may still be 12" square. When the difference is great, it can affect the look of the finished quilt. However, sometimes you may want that look. You may want the quilt to look wrinkled and "old" when it's done. The shrinking after sewing may help to create this look.  I recommend either washing all fabrics, or don't wash any before cutting and sewing.  That way, if there is shrinkage, it will hopefully shrink at the same rate.