Cat Naps

Meet Cali, my babycat.  Isn't she precious? :)  This is her favorite place to nap-in the middle of my quilting projects!

CUTE!  But inconvenient.  So I decided to make Cali her very own kitty-cat quilt for snoozing.  She was not too thrilled at first.  (Attitude!)

But she eventually came around.  Now she loves it!  And I can finish my quilts!

Need to make one of these for your precious sidekick?  

Follow the instructions below:

CAT NAP QUILT

Materials: 

2 coordinating Fat Quarters

Batting - 18x22 batting

1/8 yard coordinating fabric for binding and

The essentials: (thread, sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, etc.)

Steps: 

1.  Sandwich the Two Fat quarters with the batting with safety pins or basting spray.

2.  Quilt!  I used a free motion swirl throughout.

3.  Trim and square up (if needed)

4.  Bind!  I used two 2.25 inch strips (which was more than enough) of turquoise!  Need a binding tutorial?  Click HERE!

5.  Enjoy!

Happy Quilting,

Angela

Free Motion for Me

So, you're a newbie.  You started quilting about 1 year ago (or two or three).  You have mastered the art of sewing pre-cut charms together.  (Woohoo!) You have stitched in the ditch.  Now you are ready for some free motion quilting.  Well, here we go!

What you need:

1.  Quilting Bobbin Case like this:

Why?  Switching to a quilting bobbin is beneficial for several reasons, but most importantly, it helps regulate the proper tension for free motion quilting, meaning less hang-ups while quilting.  When your thread snaps every 45 seconds with your regular bobbin, you'll then be convinced this specialized bobbin case is worth the $25! A good way to distinguish a regular bobbin from a quilting bobbin--a quilting bobbin has a blue dot at the bottom of the case.

2.  Free Motion Quilting Foot like this:

(What I use for my Janome machine.)

Or like this:

(The Brother SA165 foot looks like this).

If you are unsure about what type of quilting foot will suit your machine best, ask a local quilt store representative for help.  These feet run between $25 and $50.  (Excuse the pun.)

3.  Quilting Thread
Any color is fine; it's your choice.  It can even be Nylon invisible thread if you want your stitches to blend into the fabric.  But be cautions when using Nylon threads, as they can become brittle with heat (an iron or dryer) and can turn yellow.  I stick with mercerized cotton for my quilts.  Cotton thread blends well with cotton fabric, obviously, but it what is also great is that is wears at the same rate as your fabric and won't prematurely pop like Nylon may.  Want to learn more about different types of thread? Click here:  A Guide to Thread

4.  Space
Maybe we should just be friends.  Just KIDDING!  Not that kind of space! You will want a large, cleared surface to quilt, so you have free range to maneuver your quilt!

5.  A Practice Piece
Please, please, pretty please, make a quilt sandwich to practice with before you start on your quilt.  I recommend a piece that is at least 1/4 yard x 1/4 yard.  While you are at it, make a few so you can practice before every new quilt you decide to free-motion quilt.  You will thank me later.  Now . . . go practice.

Don't know how to even "practice" yet?  No worries.  Check out a video tutorial online.  Then, the best thing to do is just get started on your practice piece.  Soon you will get the feel for it, and you can add free motion quilting to your list of major life accomplishments, right behind successfully making macaroni and cheese from a box and tying your shoes, because it is THAT EASY! You can do it!!

Free Motion Tutorial

Leah Day - Free Motion Tutorial

Missouri Star Quilt Company - Free Motion Tutorial

Hope this was helpful!  Have a comment or suggestion? Please comment below. We love to hear from you! 


Happy Quilting,
Angela