Straight Line Quilting Tips + Fall Acorn Coaster

Greetings friends!

I hope you are enjoying September. It's been a busy, but fun week around these parts.

This week I've got some Machine Quilting tips to share + some fun small projects perfect for Fall.

Tips for Straight Line Machine Quilting

What are your thoughts about Machine Quilting? To be honest, it's not the strongest skill in my quilting-wheelhouse. In fact, I'm not confident at all when it comes to free motion quilting. As a result, straight line quilting is my go-to when it comes to finishing quilts on my own machine. So I've put together a bunch of tips if anyone out there is feeling the same way!

In this post I've shared about straight line machine quilting on your home sewing machine and specifically talking about sewing machine feet that help with this process. I'll walk you through the process of the steps for preparing the layers of a quilt for quilting on your own machine and the benefits of using a Walking foot or a Dual-Feed foot - depending on your sewing machine's capacity.

I can't recommend enough investing in a Walking Foot - they're useful for SO many things besides quilting including sewing on a binding, piecing a quilt back, or working with slippery fabrics such as velvet or corduroy.

Also, the Lori Holt kit I made in this post is now marked down! Click below for all of the details:

​

Fall Acorn Coasters

In the mood for a fun little fall-inspired project, but not enough time to take on a big quilt? Here are a few ideas

Nadra of Ellis & Higgs shares the cutest fabric acorn ornament tutorial. They could also be used for adorable fall coasters.

You may remember Nadra's popular Strawberry coaster tutorial last summer. This version is perfect for fall gift tags, decor. And using a variety of fall-inspired scraps would make so many cute options.

Coming Soon: A New Quilt Along with Riley Blake Designs

Riley Blake Designs has another low volume fabric collection releasing in October called Hush Hush 4, and they are celebrating with a new FREE quilt pattern!

This gorgeous quilt is going to be a sew along too, starting in October and going through December. Each week RBD will share instructions for the 6” block in the center of the log cabin, but as a bonus, one or two RBD Designers will be sharing optional blocks. It’s going to be super fun!

You can find out all the details on the RBD Blog!​

Fun Finds on the Web - More Fall Project Inspiration

Jennifer Long from Be Sew Inspired shares a darling tutorial for these scrappy, stuffed apples.

Melanie Collette has a selection of darling free-printable sewing-themed art cards. Would be cute for your own sewing room or to give to a friend.

I'm thinking this quilted water flask holder would come in handy on my hikes. ​Hydro Flask holder tutorial by Bayhill Studio.​

Also coming this week:

​Missouri Star Quilt Company is celebrating their 16th Birthday this month with a party and festivities in Hamilton, Missouri. But even if you can't make it to Hamilton, you're still invited to celebrate!

Also, watch for an Instagram giveaway this coming week for National Jelly Roll Day - I've got a bunch of goodies from Missouri Star - including 2 Jelly Rolls! - that I'll be giving away there.

I got my scrappy log cabin quilt top finished and off to Melissa at Sew Shabby Quilting this week! Excited to get it back and out for an official fall photo shoot.

In other happenings, a couple of weekends ago my husband and I went to our first football game. It was the perfect game for me. A beautiful late-summer evening while playing an opponent they were likely to beat comfortably. (My favorite games are blow-outs. Less stress. 😉)

My family is particularly excited when Football Season starts. Which I support since it means time they're entertained while I head for my sewing room. :) I can always cheer from the next room, come in and watch a replay if something exciting happens, and not get stressed out if it's a tight game.

I always loved watching sports while growing up, but over the past few years I've started realizing that I needed my downtime/hobby to be doing things where the outcome is fully within my control instead of my emotions at the mercy of someone else's best efforts or bad day. I feel lucky that sewing fills that need for me and stays within my own control. Most of the time. haha.

We've also officially aged out of our kids playing sports. I miss going to my kids' games but at the same time, not having games to go to definitely frees up a lot of time on Saturdays. So at this point, I'm not too sad about it. :)

Hope you have a great week.

xo,

Amy

If you would like to stop receiving this content, please click unsubscribe below.

​Visit my Pattern Shop

​

​​​​

​