by GillyMac | Jul 14, 2021 | Beginners, blog, free, GillyMac Community, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
I enjoy using Pinterest to give me visual prompts. However, I find it incredibly frustrating when searching for links to the source documents, and they aren’t there. It can be such hard work. Consequently, once I find great people to follow, I tend to go back to them...
by GillyMac | Jun 30, 2021 | Applique, Beginners, blog, Patchwork, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
Following on from last week’s tutorial on raw edge applique, let’s have a look at using invisible thread. This tutorial follows some of the processes to create my Flower Power Quilt. Last week, with raw edge applique, we sealed the edge with thread. If the thread had...
by GillyMac | Jun 23, 2021 | Applique, Beginners, blog, Patchwork, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
This tutorial covers raw edge Applique. Next week, I will cover turned edge machine applique with invisible thread, often called invisible machine applique. With all machine applique, there are three steps. Preparing the applique piece Providing the first fix of it on...
by GillyMac | Jun 16, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
My criteria as to what makes a quilt pattern suitable for a beginner is The project shouldn’t be too big The pattern should have lots of diagrams and simple steps to follow or be accompanied by a good video. The project should teach you something new, but not too...
by GillyMac | Jun 9, 2021 | blog, general, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
Stabilising a quilt happens once the wadding and backing are sandwiched onto the quilt top and held temporarily in place by glue, pins, tack or thread. Stabilising the quilt is the starting part of the quilting process. What is Stabilising A Quilt? Stabilisation is a...
by GillyMac | Jun 2, 2021 | Beginners, blog, free, Patchwork, Patchwork Block, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
In last week’s blog, we learned how to make Half Square Triangle Blocks. This week I have written an easy baby quilt pattern using them. My Super Quilt Baby Quilt is a simple quilt that is a winner every time. Each block is half colourful and half plain. You can...
by GillyMac | May 26, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Patchwork, Patchwork Block, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial, Uncategorised
Half square triangles (HSTs) were one of the first patchwork blocks I learnt to make. They are easy to make and the design is really versatile. I have used HSTs in many different projects including bags, cushions, table runners, pouches and quilts. One of my absolute...
by GillyMac | May 19, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
Quilters have been layering and basting quilts for centuries, and as there are lots of different methods. One thing to be clear about is that layering the quilt and temporarily holding it together before sewing, typically referred to as basting, are two different...
by GillyMac | May 12, 2021 | GillyMac Doodle Challenge, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Uncategorised
Let’s get stuck in quickly to solving these problems. Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) does not need to get complicated, and the common issues that arise are easy to fix. You can find details of the set up for FMQ I recommend here. The most common Free Motion Quilting...
