Free Motion Quilting in Five Steps – Yes You Can!

I have been sewing since my 7th grade home economics class, and I’ve always tried to have my stitching be “perfect” with straight lines and even stitches. So as I made more quilted projects over the years, I would only add lines that I could make with my regular presser foot and selected stitch length. My pieces seemed to lack the personal touch I saw in quilts lovingly stitched with free motion. Recently I’ve been making items to sell in our church holiday bazaar and to give as gifts for friends and teachers. Most of the time they…

How to Sew a Printed Fabric Wall Hanging (A Great Project for Multiples!)

Over the past five years I have been involved with our church craft group and have sewn many fun and beautiful projects to sell at our church holiday bazaar. It has been a wonderful experience to get to know other crafty ladies from the church, and a great way to support non-profit groups in our community with profits from the bazaar. These little wall hangings that feature our church cross, the church façade, or even a favorite Bible verse are successful sellers. They can also be made as any kind of personalized gift for family, friends, and teachers…

How to Sew a Disappearing Nine Patch Table Runner

Making a table runners using the “disappearing nine patch” block pattern is a simple project that can be made in an afternoon. I love this block because it is made from 9 simple squares of fabric, but it deceives the eye into looking much more complicated. I also enjoy mixing fabrics in different ways to create beautiful patterns across the table runners. You can choose to use the same fabric for each nine patch, or use a different mix of fabric in each. A great time saver for both cutting and fabric selection is to find a 5-inch square…