A Modern Guide to Quilting: Tips, Tricks, Patterns + How-tos
So it is finally here, photographed and ready for you to see! We moved about 2 months ago and I had to reconfigure my whole sewing room again! Just FYI, Here is my sewing space in our old house. 🙂 [Fair warning, this post has A LOT of photos 🙂 ] First of all, I…
Hey there! We know to iron your quilt seams as you sew… It is a really big deal – like, non-negotiable for some people, right? But what if you’re new to quilting and you’re asking yourself… Why? Why do I HAVE to iron my seams? – I hate ironing. DO I HAVE to iron my…
Charity Quilt shows are wonderful events! Read more about the activities and what you should expect when you attend a local quilt show!
Stuck on what to do to the back of your quilt? Here are 5 ways to make the back of your quilt interesting plus a video with more ideas!
Hey! If you are just starting out with quilting and find that you’re overwhelmed with the sheer talent of almost everyone else around you, it is totally ok! I know exactly what you’re going through and I can help you get down some of the basics! Today I’m sharing my favorite Beginner Quilting 101 tips!…
Heres the thing… sometimes it isn’t all sunshine and roses in my sewing room! Sometimes its a messy fight to the end with the seam ripper… and “UGH! WHY CAN’T THIS JUST WORK?!” Today I’m going to share with you what to do when your WIP quilt will not cooperate with you. Heads up, WIP…
So the other day… it happened. I heard my first Christmas song on the overhead speakers of the grocery store we were shopping in for 2019. I’m not even going to lie… I got giddy! I love this time of year! Ok yes… November 7th is a little too early to be starting the Christmas…
What a fun and amazing weekend I just had in Houston at the International Quilt Festival 2019! If you ever have the opportunity to attend this show… you have to. That’s the rule, ok? I don’t care if you’ve barely picked up a needle and thread or you’ve been sewing for years and years or…
Isn’t it great when the things you own can pull double duty? Here are 8 Office supplies you can use in your sewing room! I try not to own a crazy abundance of stuff in my home. I like the sleek minimal look. However, I tend to throw out all of those aspirations when it…
Let’s get one thing straight… I’m the mom who will spend 2 hours at target because we needed toothpaste and somehow come home WITHOUT the toothpaste! It is kind of a curse, but also kind of a whole lot of fun, because you never know if I’ll actually remember what I needed to go shopping…
Sometimes I manage that amazing superpower of keeping a clean sewing space!… where everything has a place and the tabletops are clear of clutter… ahhh, It is so nice to know that creativity could happen at any moment! However, more often than I like to admit, my sewing room used to look like a tornado…
Ten Great places to Donate Quilts! Feeling extra generous with your beautiful talents? Want to share the Quilt Love? Check out these Amazing places!
I’m always looking for more ways to manage my schedule more efficiently. Time spent in the kitchen is one area that continues to amaze me. One thing I know for sure is that less cooking time = more quilting time! I’ve learned that by working more efficiently in my tasks around the house, I can…
I love that most Quilt patterns are available online for instant download. Isn’t it just great?! What a time to be alive right? …Well… I love it until I realize that the amount of ink that I’ll have to use for the pattern! Yikes. Today I am going to tell you how to print your…
I thought I would put together a list of my favorite Quilty Christmas Gifts to get your brain going today! I know its August… but it is hot and I’m wishing for the crisp fall and winter temps instead of the 3 digits we’ve been dealing with lately! So… Christmas is right around the corner…
I thought I would give you a peek into my own to-do list for the rest of 2019… There are A LOT of Quilts I want to sew this fall. A LOT. Granted, this is my GOAL… what will actually happen is another matter all together! Cross your fingers with me, Quilters! Note: We’ve had…
Hello Sunshines! I’ve been tossing around ideas and sketches for a new quilt pattern lately and I finally just decided to quit drawing and start sewing! Today I’m going to share my Lemon Quilt with you! Its a super easy quilt pattern! I found this lemon fabric a while back on clearance and I didn’t…
“Christmas already? Is she crazy?” Let me stop you right there and say that yes. Yes, I am a little crazy, ok? 🙂 But I absolutely have my reasons! Stick with me here. You’ll be glad you did! I’m going to show you how 10 minutes of prep-time today will save you long countless nights…
In the beginning days of your quilt journey, every single step of the quilt-making process is new and kind of confusing. You marvel over details of beautiful stitching and perfectly matched pieces! I’m going to show you how to create a mitered corner in your quilt binding. It is actually really easy once you know…
Why wait for years and years to be a better quilter? What if I told you that you can start being a better quilter TODAY!? Too often we get super busy with the day to day tasks of life that it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes, we can’t imagine…
Today I’m going to share with you a fun little trick! You’re going to love it. It works every single time without fail. Here is how to get really flat seams when you sew! I bet you even have everything you need in your house right at this very second… *announcer voice* Are you tired…
When life gets super hectic and beyond controlling stress levels… I crave sewing time. Do you ever feel the same way? Like if you could just lock yourself away for a little bit and hyper-focus on something else you could clear your head? To make room for all of the extra tasks at work and…
If you haven’t joined in on the fun of finishing up your WIP and UFO pile… you HAVE to check out this post. I made a vow to work on my unfinished quilts and document it so you can see that it IS possible. We all have piles of unfinished craft projects or quilts that…
I am all for a good quilting trick to get more done in less time. You know that. Today we’re going to dive into the most popular ways of making HSTs – Or Half Square Triangles. More Piecing in less time! For more quilting terminology, check out The Quilter’s Code Unlocked. Sometimes you need to…
Have you ever considered shopping back to school sales to organize your sewing/craft room? Today, I’m going to share my favorite finds from the Dollar Store back to school sales and I promise you won’t ever look at the chalkboard and locker shelf displays the same way again! First of all, I’m a nerd, ok?…
It’s so easy to get caught up in the big sales online, isn’t it? Big Box stores can offer big deep discounts when they want to… And you never even have to leave your living room chair. With all the ease, it might be easy to never leave your house! Check out the bottom of…
Hey hey, quilting friend! Raise your hand if you have a few WIPs & UFOs (works in progress and unfinished objects) in your sewing room! (Obviously, MOST of us do!) Are you seeking motivation to vanquish your WIPs & UFOs from your space? Maybe you are wishing for a secret phrase to leap off this…
I’m switching things up just a bit. I found a better way to organize all the deals. Please visit the page below to see those deals! Disclosure: To maintain this website, some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that use personally and/or believe…
I didn’t really NEED a new Pin Cushion. What I really wanted was a fun creative DIY project and the satisfaction of turning one cheap thing into a completely different and useful other thing… the result was this DIY Pineapple Pin Cushion from the dollar store! And know what? I LOVE it turned out! A…
Every single year when I visit the International Quilt Festival, I love to visit the Cherrywood Fabric’s Quilt contest display! This is an image from last year. The theme was Prince… obviously. It is absolutely amazing to see the sheer talent that other quilter’s posses, isn’t it? If you aren’t familiar with Cherrywood’s fabric… Each…
Have you ever wondered “What do your quilt colors mean?” What is the psychology of quilt colors behind each quilt? Colors and the feelings that they inspire are so ingrained into our brains that often times we don’t even think about it anymore! Think about just a few colors for example… Sunny Yellow – feelings…
Hey hey! I have more FREE gift tags to share with you today! It is a good day sewing sisters! Before you click on over to the download button, allow me to share a little bit about these tags, will you? A reader emailed me last week with a really sweet request… “Do you have…
Thats right… did you know you actually can make more time for sewing and quilting in your day?? No magic potions required. Just a proven strategy to add in more of what you love. You may be thinking… ‘But I’m super busy, Christen!‘ I would be so rich if I had a dollar for every…
Whether you’re looking to sell your quilts or you’re just curious how much your skills are worth… I’m sure you have at one point or another asked yourself…”How much is my quilt worth?” Sometimes you can’t put a price on your creativity because the feeling of joy you get from it is priceless, but there…
I am beyond excited to share this Painted Ladies Quilt reveal with you! And I hope you’re ready to see tons of pictures because I couldn’t pic favorites! I started this quilt and finished the majority of the house blocks while I was on my mini quilt retreat a few months back. (72 hours of…
Hey hey! There is nothing like the day that you decide that you’re ready to upgrade your sewing machine… You might be a little sad to see your current machine go, but that doesn’t mean that you can be super excited for all that your new machine can do for you! Today I am going…
I thought today we would take things a little differently. Why not answer some of your questions about ISeeStarsQuilting and of course, me! Hi, I’m Christen – By day, I am a busy wife, momma, homeschool teacher, taxi driver, wanna-be chef, queen of the dishes and laundry and of a course happy quilter! And by…
Want better piecing? – You don’t have to wait until you have years of experience behind you! You can totally be better today with these few tips!
I’ve been running around here like a mad woman these past few weeks and instead of just falling to the floor and having a good cry (my usual go-to) or eating a whole pint of ice cream while wearing my pajamas and listening to Adele (also valid)… I channeled my craziness into something that has…
Whether you just purchased a brand new sewing machine or you’ve had yours for a while, eventually the question is bound to come up… “How much does it cost to get my sewing machine serviced?” and “Do I need it? How often should I go?” The recommended answer is that you should take your machine…
We all could use more of these fun projects in our arsenal of future projects, right? Like, I know there aren’t already enough hours in the day to finish what I want to sew… but yes, I still need more ideas so I can have options. Options for more quick sewing projects to suit my…
You’re a busy quilter, I’m a busy quilter… How often does this conversation play out between you and um… any other person that crosses your path?? “Hey! How are you?”“Good! But OMG, I’ve been so BUSY!” I don’t see that adjective, “busy” changing anytime soon, do you? I’m also a super busy mom of 2…
I shared a fun DIY project last week that was so successful and I had such great feedback that I decided to share another fun and easy DIY project this week again! And this one is a scrap fabric buster! – All those pretty little leftover bits can get repurposed into these lovely little easy…
I made something fun yesterday. *Spoiler alert* It’s not a quilt! (gasp, I know) and I just had to share it with you because it is so simple and so quick that you just HAVE to block off your schedule. There I said it. Forget your adulting responsibilities or whatever you have and make these…
Are you ready to have the ultimate sewing space? I shared pictures and all the details on my office/sewing space and it got me thinking about what exactly was essential for it to function well. Like, if I were to help someone else set up their perfect sewing space, what would you HAVE to have?…
I thought today we would take a quick detour from the typical quilting and how-to posts. Today, I am inviting you into my space and giving you the grand tour of my sewing room! This is where all the fun fabric magic happens! I am so blessed with the space I have. We have a…
I love to go shopping for fabric!… (and like a lot of quilters I know…) maybe a little too much? ….. ha… Just kidding… you can never have enough fabric, right? 😉 I have done my fair research of the best places to buy fabric online! I love love love fabric. Don’t you just love…
Sometimes I wish for the simplest things in life – like sewing a line with your sewing machine and expecting it to be straight. That shouldn’t be too much to ask, right?… wrong. – But fear not! – For today I am going to share with you my tricks to sewing straight seams! When it…
I just had to share this pretty queen sized jelly roll quilt with you that I recently finished. Its almost too pretty to be the on the back! Here is the front of the quilt. It is a quilt for my daughter’s bed. She is 10 and *loves* unicorns… I mean, who doesn’t, right? I’ve…
Yay for you! The decision to buy the right quilting tools is a big step towards being a really great quilter! But “which quilting rulers should I buy?” is often the very first questions most people ask. *If you are more advanced in quilting, I have suggestions for FMQ (free motion quilting) and longarm quilting…
I love love love to design my own quilts. And I ALWAYS do it on graph paper… well, actually MOST of them are on graph paper. Some of my favorite quilt ideas are scrawled on the back of a grocery receipt because creativity doesn’t often wait until you have the time and supplies to let…
13+Free Quilt Patterns to tickle your quilting fantasies! You can snag these 13 FREE modern Quilting Patterns TODAY and be sewing before you know it!
I absolutely adore quilting. I can’t picture what my life would be like without this outlet that I have (actually, yes, I can… but it is not very pretty) I love to share all the tips and tricks with you that I learn through my experience (i.e. – when I learned how NOT to do…
Hi there! Do you know what it feels like to have it all together? Like really, all together… Your life is perfect. It is amazing! You have the time to quilt and you’ve already learned all the skills to perfection. YOU are a master quilter now! Do you know how perfect that feeling is!? ……………………..
So you’ve got your quilt 85% complete and you are rocking this whole “quilting thing”! Congratulations! … now it is time for the binding. You may be feeling a little uneasy about it all, possibly even dreading this step because you haven’t figured out a method that really works flawlessly for you, yet? Would you…
How wonderful and sweet the gift of a handmade quilt is! It is the gift that can live on for a lifetime… Today we’re going to discuss how to wash and care for your quilt so that it does last a lifetime! I’ve also included a FREE printable card with quilt instructions that you can…
I can’t speak for how people in other parts of the world answer the question “how are you doing?” but here (and for a while now) the answer has been “busy, but good!” I hear other mamas say it to me all the time! And honestly, life IS good. But we’re always on the go…
Look, I admire the quilting women of generations passed who just needed a needle (and it didn’t even have to be all that sharp) and some fabric to create a beautiful work of art…. but I just can’t do that. I LOVE all my modern quilting tools! There are so many that make my life…
Today, I am going to share with you this Easy Triangle quilt (and a free pattern too!) Do not let the triangles scare you! This is really an easy quilt! This quilt is one I made for a sweet young girl in my family. The fun colors of Tula Pink’s Fabric and a love of…
This is powerful-quilt-skill-altering-stuff here today, happy people! We’re going to learn one of my favorite tricks in quilting: How to Nest Your Seams. (If you’re impatient, there is a quick video at the bottom of this post!) Are you ready for this? Because It is going to be great! We’re going to dive into the…
We all have dreams of a big beautiful sewing room that is stocked with walls of gorgeous fabric and beautiful shiny fancy tools. Oh *big puffy pink heart eyes* all the counter space and shelving of pretty threads! ooh! and big glass french doors to close the mess off from the rest of the house!…
I’m on a mission this year. It’s 2019 and maybe its because I’m reaching my mid-30s *gasp, yes I just totally told you how old I am… how un-lady-like of me!* But here the thing… I’m on a mission to really cut out the extra fluff and do more for my readers, but I need…
Do you like to make a difference? Do you like knowing that you’re contributing to the greater good of this world? – I knew that I liked you. 🙂 I really love making things for all my loved ones but I also like what I like to call “sewing for good”. Sewing for good is:…
Ah! Can you feel it? The anticipation of a new year is right around the corner. This year I’ve accomplished a lot but I think I could do better at getting around to my WIP (work in progress) quilts. I say this all the time, but this time I mean it, I swear! I’ve been…
As we get close to wrapping up another year, I’ve learned a few things… I’ve learned to be more realistic with myself. Would I like to finish 27 quilts? Yes. I certainly would, but reality is that is not going to happen. I can shoot for the moon and aim high, but I can’t beat…
I got this question in my inbox the other day and I thought I would answer it today: How do you get the motivation to finish your quilt? you know, the ones in time out that you’re sick of and don’t want to sew anymore. Haha, first, I have yet to meet a quilter who doesn’t…
Hey there! Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re like me, the calendar timeline is beginning to feel a lot shorter than I would like it to be! If you’re looking for some great last minute sewing gift ideas, I’m here to rescue you! Each one of these ideas is a super winner…
Today I’m going to share with you some tips for piecing the perfect quilt top. If you’re looking to improve your quilting skills there are a few things you should keep in mind. With these 10 tips, you’ll be on the road to better quilting in no time! The very first quilt you make will…
Are you in the market for a new sewing machine? Or maybe you’re thinking about it? Perhaps you have a decent machine but it isn’t capable of doing all the wonderful things that you would like it to do? I was on amazon earlier *because Christmas shopping while sitting on my couch in my jammies,…
Drawing a blank when it comes to something fun and creative for the quilter in your life? Or maybe you’re gathering ideas for your own wish list? You’re in luck! I’ve scoured the internet top to bottom! Take my advice… these 20 Amazing gifts for quilters are going to rock those cute little socks right off…
If you’re looking for a great little handmade gift, you’re in the right place! How cute and fun are these wine bottle bags? I’ve linked to several Wine Bottle Bag DIY Tutorial posts from some of my favorite other bloggers… you’re sure to find one that is just right for your tastes and skill level! Have…
Hey hey hey! I have something fun for you today! I designed some Crafty Christmas Gift tags! These are perfect for quilters and all those little homemade little goodies that you’ve been working on in your sewing spaces as the holidays get closer! I’ve been working my tail off on a few gifts, myself. Every year…
I had the pleasure of making another sweet baby quilt recently! And I’m sharing the sweet baby quilt pattern with you! It is super simple. You’re going to love it! I just fell in love with everything from the fabric to the quilting while making this one. It was simple and perfect, just like the little…
You may have found this page because, in a moment of pure panic, you turned to google because your lovely beautiful quilt is bleeding fabric dye where it shouldn’t. How do you stop a bleeding quilt? — It is all going to be ok! I might live under a rock at times… I think all…
I got bit by the holiday decorating bug this past weekend and got to work creating several little touches around my house that marry my love of Christmas with my love of quilting! I created some Quilter’s Christmas decor that I’m absolutely in love with! And the best part is… it was so easy! I…
Check out this little Snowman Wall Hanging Quilt I made for my mom! Ack! I’m in a cute snowy daze just looking at how happy he looks! If you follow me on Instagram, you got a sneak peek at the work in progress this past weekend. My mom has been “hinting” several times that she…
This is Part 2 of a few blog posts I’ve written recapping my experience at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas in Nov. 2018. To read part one, click here (you can still come back and keep reading 🙂 These are the most popular questions I get regarding the International Quilt Festival: “Is it…
I have found myself in this position before. It is kind of a circular theme in my life. And I may have overcommitted myself… again? Yay Adulthood! I promised a lot of quilts by the end of the year… and when you look at “just one more” it isn’t so bad, but 5 of those just…
Whew! Did you happen to get the opportunity to go to the International Quilt Festival in Houston? Or were you stalking everyone on Instagram and facebook wishing you were there? (no shame!) I’m lucky. I’m so lucky… this big glorious crazy quilting event is right here in my hometown. Spoiled, I know. I’ve been several…
I can’t even put into words how much fun my trip to Paris was! I don’t mean to sound like a stereotypical children’s book but…. whatever, I’m going to say it anyway. This trip was absolutely magical and such a dream come true! — I totally mixed business with pleasure (which is technically all pleasure),…
This is a post that I’ve wanted to share for a while. I’ve got 10 FREE patterns to grow your skills as a quilter. Why am I itching to share this with you? Because the #1 thing I hear people tell me when I talk about quilting is “I love it, but I could never…
Quilts are wonderful gifts, aren’t they? It is a gift that keeps on giving through chilly nights and can be passed down from generation to generation to show more and more love. There are four Important Things to Include When You Gift A Quilt! (don’t skip #4, ok?) Most people don’t know of the behind…
I’ve got a bit of a different project for you today. This Walker bag pattern came into being because of a sweet sweet dear friend of mine. God Bless her, but she isn’t one to sit still for very long! When she made the courageous decision to have back surgery, I knew I had to make…
This week, I found myself in need of a quick hostess gift. I came up with this Quick Quilted Table Runner, and I’m sharing it with you today because it was so fun and so easy to make. I’m also going to share a quick tutorial on the simple way to make HST for blocks….
Hey, sewing friends! I just realized that I made this little Animal Baby Quilt last spring and I never shared it with you. Say what?… yeah. I’m sorry. I know we don’t have any secrets. I think it was because it was the end of school and actually, I don’t remember, but I’m making up…
I love when I learn something that is completely new and transforms my thinking brain! This half square triangle/HST Scrap trick just… yeah, I have to tell you about it and share it with you! You know those moments where you learn something and… woah. It just blows your mind? *Boom!* This was me the other…
If anyone else tells you that Quilting is cheap… they obviously live on a delirious pink fluffy cloud away from reality… or maybe they just don’t know any better. The truth is that quilting can get expensive real quick… even for the most money-conscious crafter. Here are my tips for quilting on a budget. 8 Tips for…
Hey there! Guess what? I made a cover for my sewing machine! I have seen a few at sewing events that I admired. Last weekend, I decided that it was my time. I knew that I wanted a DIY sewing machine cover and that I didn’t want to make a plain jane boring boxy cover……
This is how you DIY a quilt ladder. I’m going to tell you how I took a $150 Blanket Ladder and recreated it for less than $20!… Absolutely no rocket science involved. You can do this too! It happened the other day… I fell hard in love with a quilt ladder that I saw…
Did you know that we quilters and sewists alike have our own language? When I first started quilting, I had no idea what all the short-hand and code words were… It felt like I was reading some cryptic message. I muddled my way through because wasn’t about to risk looking like I had no idea what…
Hello, my sewing friends! I’m going to share with you today this DIY binding hack that I touched on in my previous post, but I’m going to go into a little more detail today. I guarantee you have everything you need for this easy hack in your house, right now. So I recently attached the…
I’m going to share with you today another quilt that I’ve been working on in secret the past few weeks. It is a Stack and Wack Quilt, and it is finally finished! And I can share it with you because this one was a gift and it has now found its home, and I will not…
I shared pictures last week of my double throw sized Waterfalls Pattern. (If you didn’t catch it, you can read it here Waterfalls Pattern) Today, I’m going to share the pictures from the regular throw sized waterfalls quilt that I recently whipped up to give as a gift to a nephew! *static noise* Mission: Create…
The Waterfalls Quilt Pattern is finished, and I’m sharing it with you now! If I could cover you all up in this quilt with me in one big giant snuggly quilt nap, I absolutely would. The Waterfalls Quilt Pattern started out as a simple creation to showcase this amazing jelly roll fabric that I found…
Between the kids, the housework, the planning, and the scheduling… it doesn’t seem like there are many hours left in the day to sew or be creative. It is one of my on-going challenges to make sure that at the end of the day I still have at least a few minutes to fill back up my…
You know the nights when you get the itch to sew but you don’t know what project to start next? Which quilt pattern should I use? Should I go with an old favorite or try something new? Do I even dare browse Etsy or Pinterest for something new to work on? What if I end up…
The other day I was talking to a friend of mine about this zipper box pouch tutorial and how I’ve been making a bunch of them because they are so fast and fun and I’m going through my big scraps like water. It is just perfect, right? And the time to complete each one has…
If you’re looking for Cheap sewing room Storage Ideas, I have the perfect list for you! I compiled all my favorites into one place for you! But first, I need to get something off my chest today. Sewing is not a cheap hobby. Did you know? – I hate to be the one to tell…
Are you a beginner quilter? Feeling overwhelmed with the sheer amount of knowledge out there that you have no clue about? Listen up. I’m going to tell you the 8 sewing skills every quilter should know. If you are looking towards improving your skill as a quilter or are a beginner quilter, you are going to love…
Do you love a quilter? Are you looking for gift ideas? Maybe it’s gift swap time in your quilt group and you need some fresh ideas. I’ve compiled a list of gifts that quilters will go absolutely crazy for! These gifts are guaranteed to be winners! Quilting is a passion that stitches it’s way into nearly every…
Have you ever walked down the batting isle at the craft store and immediately wanted to crumple into a ball on the floor or walk away? I mean, yikes… sometimes too much of a selection isn’t a good thing. I’m going to demystify quilt batting for you and help you choose the right quilt batting…
Is summer coming to an end already? Yikes… Meet the teacher is next week for us. I love to spoil my kid’s teachers because honestly… their dedication is worth celebrating every.single.day. I had a brilliant idea to create these little TLC bags AKA One-Hour Zipper Box Tote for the kid’s teachers on the first day…
There is a time when every single quilter that I know throws up their hands in the air and lets out a good “AAARRRGGGGHHHH” because they just-can’t-take-it-anymore. If this is you, you’re not alone. Today I’m going to share with you the 10 things I hate about quilting because it has been one of those less…
Think you’re too busy to quilt? Does a time-consuming pattern leave you feeling less than inspired to quilt? Wish there was a way you could make your quilting look impressive without the added confusing pattern or learning new techniques? The Busy Momma Busy Baby Playmat is your answer! This Busy Momma Busy Baby Playmat Pattern is a…
Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tools and notions at the craft store? (or excited perhaps?) What do you choose that is really going to be useful in your sewing room? – This list of 13 Must-Have Tools in the Sewing Room will guide you to the ones you actually NEED…
This project is my absolute favorite thing that I’ve ever made to take on vacation! There are many DIY Vacation Accessories out there, but this one will take you less than 15 minutes! Say What? AND it is a momma’s sanity saver! Yes, it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish. Super quick & fun…
Today is the first in a new series here at ISeeStarsQuilting. Q&A with Quilting Stars is a look into the creative minds of the fabric manipulators and visionaries that put in the work and late nights. These beautiful people are Quilting Stars. You can check out my Fave Fabric Friday posts here for more interviews and…
Hey there happy quilters! As promised, here is a full review of the Atomic Starburst Quilt Pattern from Violet Craft. Plus I went ahead and shot a video to share some tips with you on the paper piecing process. You can purchase the pattern from Violet Craft’s website and download it immediately, or I’ve seen this pattern…
When I first started sewing I quickly picked up on the fact that sewists have their own terminology and a catchy clever phrase for just about everything related to our craft…. like a secret club language if you will. As a newbie, this can be overwhelming and confusing… but nothing tops the day I heard…
Hey there quilters and sewing friends! I’m starting a new inner circle at ISeeStarsQuilting called the BetaStars. Read on to find out more about this opportunity and if this is a good fit for you. I absolutely am blessed to get to know so many sweet and wonderful people in the quilting community through this blog. I…
Have you been waiting for this Sewing Room Challenge reveal like I have? – I’m really excited to share this with you! Let’s spill all the goods and all the pictures on the 3 latest projects that I’ve been working on! Give this page just a second to load because I promised I would be…
Hi, I’m Christen and I’m an absolute fabric hoarder.. you know what? I love it. Once I started collecting beautiful fabrics, I couldn’t bring myself to let go of the small scraps… It wasn’t long before I was faced with a bit of a problem. Scrap Fabric Storage… so many options… and I needed it asap. What is…
Today I’m going to share with you my absolute No-fail Quilt Binding Formula secrets. Whether you like to make your quilt binding the star of your quilt or you prefer it to just hold everything together and be more subdued… you need to know how much of it to make. Making too much binding is frustrating…
Raise your hand if you’re busy! Uh huh… I’m not about wasting time or doing things a certain way just because “that is how they are done”. I need to know why. I need reasons and facts and usually visual proof as to why it has to be done that way. So when it comes…
All too often I think when we dive into sewing supplies everyone gets hung up on which sewing machine and what percentage of cotton thread etc… which iron should you be using never comes up! This one is THE BEST Iron for your sewing room! I’ve had a few over the years and this little…
Are you up to your ankles in tiny things? Toys, Legos, and shopkins (why oh why?) from the kiddos, sewing supplies and thread from you, oh who knows what piles from the rest of the family!… Let me introduce you to… The Perfect (Easy!) Catch-the-MESS Fabric Bin I have a way to contain the mess…
Organic Fabric?… really? What makes fabric organic? I get “organic” at the grocery store. If you can afford it, you opt for organic produce… if you can’t well… you either don’t sweat it or you say an extra prayer and know life understands you’re doing the best you can. – At least that’s the way…
How long has it been since your machine had a good cleaning? Being mostly self-taught in the sewing room, there once came a day when I asked myself this question. “How often should you clean your sewing machine?” It was very quickly followed by a huge sense of dread… Clean? Um… Oops. (The absolute horror… I know!) Yikes… If…
How is it summer already? I promise I’ll get back to writing quilting posts again next week. I’ve had a few things weighing heavy on my heart this week and if my words save one girl from losing it in the midst of life’s insanity moments, then my words are worth it. I care about…
You know those days… where you want some stress relief to sit at your sewing machine and make all the pieces fit together perfectly BUT… the kids get sick, you forgot about a project you volunteered for, a spontaneous playdate at the park eats up a whole afternoon, your 15-minute dinner took 45 minutes somehow,…
Hey there! Today we’re going to talk about this super quick and easy project I did over the weekend. It’s so simple, but I am so pleased with the results that I just had to share it with you! I even remembered to take pictures along the way to create a tutorial. (yay me!) Here is…
The quilter’s community is such a beautiful group of people. So many of us are generous creators who not only love the joy of making crafts and quilts but also have a heart that is happy to serve others. If you’ve been thinking about donating a quilt or looking for a way that you can…
I’m such a fan of online shopping for everything. So why not shop online for fabric as well? Is it the same quality? How do you know you’re getting the right fabric? I love shopping at the quilt shops and the local fabric stores. I like to waltz through to pick out my fabrics in person….
Things have just been really…really… busy lately. Like, crazy busy. I feel like my head barely hits the pillow before the alarm goes off again and I have to get up, put on some concealer, and start the day. There are work duties and mom duties and “oh &$*@ I forgot to do_____!” duties. Does this sound like…
This post contains affiliate links. I would never suggest something to you that I didn’t already use or own myself and absolutely love! It’s that time again! It’s Fave Fabric Friday! – Time to take a bit of a break from the everyday quilt tutorials and sewing tips… I love to give credit where its…
Ok, So I’m going to put this out there. I’m absolutely drowning in unfinished quilts. You obviously don’t HAVE to join me… but this is where I am right now and I NEED a sewing room challenge! Do you want details? Keep reading, I would love to have someone else join me on this! I’m…
This post contains affiliate links. I would never suggest a product that I didn’t completely love! What do you need for shopping when you’re making a quilt? Some of us can’t just pop over to the quilt shop every single day ( I would be absolutely broke) or if you’re shopping online, you don’t want…
This post may contain affiliate links. As always opinions are completely my own and I wouldn’t recommend a product that I didn’t completely love! What stitch length you should use varies by project. Here are the most common stitch lengths so you can use the right one. Sewing machines indicate stitch length in millimeters. A 2.8…
It is no secret that sewing language and jargon can be extremely confusing when you first start sewing. Hold onto your hats, girls because I’m about to lay down some super helpful cheat sheets for quilting that is going to de-mystify some of the confusing terms for beginners. It is so hard to keep it all…
Riley Blake Challenge share time! Hey there! Bonus post for the week! I wanted to share some quick pictures of a project that I’ve had to keep secret for a little while… unless you follow me on Instagram, because I couldn’t help myself and I did share a few sneak peeks of the the quilt…
Of all the significant Modern fabric collections on the market, Cotton + Steel was my first love. Imagine back to when you were a kid, and your family went on their first vacation out of state, maybe even an airplane ride… Your mind is just completely blown with the new knowledge that there is so…
The Gadget Girl’s tools have been my absolute saving grace in learning to be a precise quilter! You may or may not know that I lean way more towards what I like to call a “free spirit” quilter – where rules do not apply and everything will work out in the end… sometimes (ok usually…
First things first. ‘What is a mug rug’? It is a small quilt essentially. An English person might call it a coaster. A typical American sized coaster is just enough room to hold your cup and nothing more. A mug rug is just a little more substantial with enough to keep a drink and a cake or cookies….
Hello, my sewing people! We’re going to get to some really great discussion on one of my favorite secrets today! Craftsy… have you heard of it? I have some really great deals to offer you today too! (yay deals!) This weekend was a bit of a whirlwind around here! We had a garage sale because in…
Every other Friday, I like to get off my normal love of quilting and technique writings and go a little deeper into spotlighting some of the fabric artists behind the scenes. These are the people who make our modern quilts possible. When I ran across this particular fabric in my local quilt shop I kid you not,…
To “stitch in the ditch”, or not to “stitch in the ditch”?? Let me back up for just a minute… “Stitch in the ditch” (also referred to as Ditch Stitching) is a catchy name for a simple quilting technique. It is one of those bits of sewing terminology that make beginner quilters look at you…
Ok… so… we need to talk. I’m about to tell you why it is time to step out of your comfort zone in quilting. (Yes, I’m talking to you.) Why you should challenge your quilting skills is exactly this… That simple design that you have tried on your first several quilts? They were good and…
I always send two things with my quilt. Small little tokens, if you will. A handwritten written card with messages of hope for a healing quilt or maybe well wishes for a sweet baby play quilt. Just something personal. My quilt labels stitched into the binding I got my quilt labels on Etsy. They weren’t…
100 Modern Blocks – A book Review As a busy momma (and wife and all the other hats we wear as adults) I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy projects. Projects that I can work on in small chunks of time and will not take over my office space for 6 months. You know…
What Quilting Actually Teaches You… Can you really learn full-on life lessons from a box of scrap fabrics? This will be quick but backpedal with me for a moment back to when I had my first brush with sewing skills. My mom taught me how to hand sew when I was about 7 or 8…
You know how much I love a great quilt pattern… and bonus points if it is a freebie! This particular quilt that I am sharing with you today is a pattern of my very own and totally my Favorite FREE Quilt Pattern! I love my quilting friends and I’m happy to share all my internet…
Summer Quilts + Colors on the brain! It’s March now and spring is full of blooms and buds. It’s already in the low 80s temperature, but spring is so grossly full of pollen that one can’t help but look forward to the warmer summer months ahead – yes, sans the pollen. Quilts in the winter…
Is there really a smart way to fabric shop? Don’t you just love when you’ve got inspiration in your soul and you walk into your large personal fabric storage armoire and your fingers glide effortlessly to exactly the right piece you were needing? Is she serious? …The Answer is no. I’m not at all. And…
Quilters are some of the most generous people with their art. They want it to be used, to be loved and cherished. Charity quilts are huge in the quilting circle for many different organizations! I’m going to share some images from one of my latest quilts because I’m happy with it, ok? That’s totally ok…
Do you have a get-away planned in the future? Looking to take a long a few handmade items on your trip? Here are my favorite top 5 Things To Sew For Vacation! Vacations are the best…. One of my favorite things to do before vacation is to procrastinate packing… anyone else with me, mommas? Oh,…
Are you feeling like me this week? Looking around for some free weekend quilt patterns to sew away the stress? It’s been one of those weeks! Whew! I never could get caught up enough with normal chores to get to where I thought I could sit and relax (I should know better by now, right?) ……
If you’re new to my blog, Fave Fabric Fridays are the days where we take a break from the quilting how-tos and the pattern breakdowns and we look at the genius minds behind all the modern fabric designers that we love so much. My hope is that you’ll find someone or something new and enjoy…
Let’s talk Fabric, shall we? More specifially, Choosing your quilting Fabrics! This step, for me, usually begins before the picking of the quilt pattern, sometimes before I even have a quilt recipient in mind. You know when you see that one fabric that gives you those heart eyes and… *boom* its love inspiration. (ok ok it’s totally…
What the what? Yes, a walking foot (also known as an even-feed foot). I’ve had questions about this tool before. Why I use it and if it is truly a necessity for beginner level quilters. Here is a bit long, tell it all, post on the Walking Foot. Answers to your Walking Foot Questions Is…
Seam Rippers. Ugh. You know its real when you have to pull it out to correct a seam. But what is the best seam ripper? Do you have a timeout corner somewhere in your sewing space? Maybe its known by another name, but you know what I mean… you sewed something wrong, or the bobbin…
How do you find the best pins for quilters? There’s like a jillion different kind of pins at the craft store. There are cheap pins and expensive ones. There are ones that are long, short, silver, gold, some are glass, some are butterflies. AH! Does it all just come down picking your favorite color? Or…
Why do you need quilting rulers? Which ones should you buy? Did you know that quilters of past generations used to use cardboard templates and scissors to cut their precise pieces of fabric? I’m amazed at the accuracy they achieved with that! I don’t know about you, but I feel like its ok to admire their abilities and…
I love Fabric. Like, love. it. so. much. I want to put the spotlight on one of my favorite fabric designers because she is a total rock star. The one and only – absolutely amazing… Anna Maria Horner! Anna Maria Horner I am obsessed with her new line. The woman can do no wrong when it…
What do you do with all your scraps? – Turn them into scrappy Table Decor! I have a few dear quilting friends that I share scraps and fabric odds and ends. (Bless those girls!). We share quilting knowledge and desserts too. – good, sweet girls. One of them gave me this Valentine themed scrap of fabric….
The quarter inch seam. One of the most tedious techniques to master in quilting. I can’t stress enough what a difference it makes when your seam allowances are consistent and your pieces are precisely trimmed! That alone can make the difference of a professional looking quilt vs. an amateur. Why is it Important to Sew…
Hey there! We’re going to talk pincushions today: An essential tool in the sewing space. More importantly, a DIY Giant Pin Cushion! I have a pin problem. I love them all and it doesn’t matter how many I have, I always seem to run low on the big projects. So then I just NEED to…
Hi, I’m Christen and I have many obsessions. Quilting, for me, was the answer for finding a way to channel all those passions into one field and find a place for the chaos. Do you know what passion is defined as? A “strong and barely controllable emotion”. If that doesn’t describe the way I see…
