My best tips for buying a sewing machine

Looking for a new sewing machine but don’t know where to begin? Start by reading this blog!

I regularly receive emails seeking advice on the purchase of a sewing machine to make quilts. I always take the time to answer as best as I can in private, however I see that this is becoming quite a regular question. That’s why I have decided to write a blog featuring my best tips for buying a sewing machine so that I can help more quilt enthusiasts with this great purchase!

Tips for buying a sewing machine

I contacted several sewing machine vendors as I wanted to get some help when giving advice reflecting what’s available on the market today. I was really happy to have two businesses interested in collaborating on my project. You might wonder why I reached out to vendors? Because the first thing you should do when purchasing a sewing machine for quilting IS to find a store specializing in the sale of sewing machines in order to ensure that you receive adequate assistance following your purchase.

My 3 quilt challenges for 2021

This blog is all bout my 3 quilt challenges for 2021 and why I’m doing them. Much to my surprise, I’ve never blogged about the quilt challenges I set for myself every new year! It’s a ritual that I’ve been doing for several years to push myself to become better at it! If you read all my blogs carefully, you will see that I still talk about it on a regular basis.

“I always set myself a few goals at the beginning of the year. I choose completely different projects to push me out of my comfort zone!”

You can laugh… or raise your eyebrows thinking that’ it? … but believe me, it may be very simple yet it’s highly effective.

Continue reading “My 3 quilt challenges for 2021”

Working on a serie of quilt can help you improve your skills

If you’re bored and looking for a new challenge, might I suggest working on a series of quilts to improve your skills. That’s what I realized when I decided to work a my rainbow series. But little did I know that it wasn’t just the piecing of the quilts… it was also a learning experience for the quilting.

Continue reading “Working on a serie of quilt can help you improve your skills”

Aurifil Artisan April Showcase: Favorite Thread Weight

I am really excited to present you my Aurifil Artisan April Showcase featuring my favorite thread weight. It’s taken me so long to finish this project but it was perfect timing for this month’s showcase.

Continue reading “Aurifil Artisan April Showcase: Favorite Thread Weight”

Hate the color of that fabric? Use it!

If you’re still having trouble finishing a quilt, I want to show you how creating with a colour you hate can actualy help you finish a project.

I have been giving you tips and tricks since August to increase your creativity. And this one I am sure you’ll love to hate.

It’s quite simple! If you really hate the colour in your fabric, you won’t focus so much on how nice it HAS to look. You’ll just want to get it done and move on to another project.

It’s exactly what happened when I made this project.

Continue reading “Hate the color of that fabric? Use it!”

Behind the seams of Some like it hot

I thought I should give you a behind the seams look at my latest piece: ”Some like it hot”. It’s presently featured at the Fall International Quilt Festival in Houston in the IQA exhibit A world of Beauty.

How it all started

I started this project during March break. I had sent out my Remembering Sochi quilt for the Spring International Quilt Festival in Chicago and realized I had no quilt to show during my April lectures! On the very first Saturday of March break, my son was sleeping over at a friends’ house… So I woke up at 5 am as I realized I had the basement all to myself! I worked on the project till the rest of the household awoke. It was the most productive hours ever! Continue reading “Behind the seams of Some like it hot”

Fall Foliage: Behind the seams

If you’re attending the Fall Quilt Market in Houston you simply have to stop at Banyan Batiks booth#614 to take a look at my latest creation. I would have loved to make the trip once more to Quilt Market, but life got in the way! I am posting this blog at the same time so you get a behind the seams look at my quilt entitled Fall Foliage. Continue reading “Fall Foliage: Behind the seams”

How a challenge can up your quilting skills

Another great way to be more creative in your studio is to participate in a challenge! Being a regional rep for the Canadian Quiter’s Association , I agreed to participate in the annual Trend-Tex Challenge this year. That’s when I realized that a challenge can up your quilting skills!

Now this is very interesting . The Trend-Tex Challenge is an annual event at Quilt Canada. Participants purchase a kit of 5 fat quarters of Trend-Tex fabrics and make a wall size quilt. All finished quilts are displayed at Quilt Canada and are sold by silent auction to raise funds for CQA/ACC programs and projects. Continue reading “How a challenge can up your quilting skills”

Sometimes all you need is a cool new bag!

Cause sometimes all you need is a cool new bag right? That’s this week’s tip to get you motivated to go to your studio and whip up something new.

If you live in canada, you are about to have a long weekend! This means you have an extra day to do whatever you want. I strongly suggest to grab a Gem Bag pattern and get started on this cool bag! You can say it’s a new bag for Trick or Treating later this month… Whatever excuse you need to give your familly so that they leave you alone works! right? Continue reading “Sometimes all you need is a cool new bag!”

Stepping out of your comfort zone to make great quilts!

I urge you to try to make a quilt out of your comfort zone!

I was so happy to hear the news that my niece was expecting that I just had to make her a quilt! But I almost backed out when she requested it to be in gray, black and white tones. That’s when I remembered that my best work was done when I was stepping out of my comfort zone. Continue reading “Stepping out of your comfort zone to make great quilts!”