How to Bind a Quilt + Jolly Bar Sale + Mother's Day Printables

It's been a busy week around here! Good things: a quick, inspiring trip, and 3 of my 4 kids visiting. In the mean time I've also been less productive than I'd hoped. Such are the realities of life!

As I mentioned I was able to attend the H+H Americas trade show in Chicago. Oh my goodness - so much eye candy and inspiration. This is a show for vendors from the Sewing, Quilting and Knitting industries to share their upcoming products and collections for the coming year to shops and consumers. (It's an industry event for vendors only and not open to the public.)

I was there to show fabric and product samples from my next fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs called Mary Catherine that will arrive in shops in September! I had plans to come home and write a big reveal with lovely pictures for the blog, but instead, I came home and crashed. So, more pictures and details to come about Mary Catherine next week, but for now here's a sneak peek!

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If you want to see a sample of some of the other trends and products I saw at H+H, you can see more of my pictures in my latest Instagram post and under the H+H stories bubble.

Back to Basics: How to Finish a Quilt, Multiple Options

Are you new to quilting, or maybe you know someone who is? One of the things I was most intimidated by when I started quilting was how to finish the quilt - particularly how to add a beautiful binding. It looked so tricky to me!

The great news is that binding a quilt is so much easier than it looks. I've got a full tutorial here about how to Finish a Quilt. It can be helpful if you want a look at my favorite method, need a refresher, or you can share it with a friend!

Another method for finishing a quilt is called Quilt Facing? Are you familiar with this one? (In all honesty, this one was new to me only a few years ago.)

A quilt facing technique is used when you want a clean, modern edge without the visible frame that traditional binding creates. It’s ideal for art quilts or wall hangings where you want the design to extend fully to the edge without interruption.

Click below for a tutorial for Quilt Facing by guest contributor Shereece Nicole.

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Fun Finds on the Web for Spring!

This fresh, modern quilt Amy Friend has been on my "to-make" list for years now. A great project for scraps or learning Improv Paper Piecing. She even has a free pattern!

Tara Reed has a new tutorial showing how to make a cute and handy garden apron with pockets.

I love the look of these cute Color Block zip pouches - tutorial from Melissa at the Polkadot Chair. Perfect for coordinating with your spring wardrobe or making for Mother's Day gifts.

​It's Jolly Bar Day at the Fat Quarter Shop with 25% off all Jolly Bars (aka 5" x 10" precuts) today only (May 10). These precuts are SO versatile and each one includes a free pattern! The Fat Quarter Shop also has lots of great pattern books for using Jolly Bars.

​SALE - this weekend from SOJO Fabric. 10% - 40% off most fabric in the shop including Tula Pink, Ruby Star, and even my Albion collection. Sale ends 5/12.

This weekend is Mother's Day here in the US. Which can bring all kinds of different emotions.

I really love the work of artist Paige Payne for obvious reasons. I've shared her work before, but it's just so perfect for quilt-loving-women, that I'm sharing her work again.

Here is the description of the painting on the left, entitled "Pieces of You, Pieces of Me" by the artist:

"When I think of mothers and mother-figures, I think of quilting. So many of the important women in my life have been quilters. I thought that this held beautiful symbolism for what different women in my life have meant to me. I am made up of hundreds of strong, beautiful, incredible women who have shared their love with me. Each has given me a piece of their heart to carry with me. I wanted to make a piece that captured this feeling - something that can remind you of your mama, or other important women in your life who have shaped you. They carry pieces of you with them, and you carry pieces of them with you."

So beautifully said!

Paige also has a couple of free printable Mother's Day cards if you're looking for something lovely, last minute.

Here's to all of the women out there who nurture anyone or anything, who sacrifice and serve and cheer people on and try and cry and love.

Grace and hugs to all of you.

And lots of deep breaths. And hopefully a good nap now and then.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

xo,

Amy

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