How to Bind a Quilt + Jolly Bar Sale + Patchwork Tote Bag

It's been a busy week around here! 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 had big plans to write up some of the things I learned and share lots of pictures of what I saw, but instead, I needed to crash. 🫠 So more details on that next week. But if you want a sneak peek of some of the trends and products I saw at H+H, you can see my pictures in my Instagram stories 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.

Make a Quilted Tote Bag from Any Quilt Block

Have any orphan quilt blocks left over from projects where you changed the plan or ran out of steam? Tamara Darragh of Remi Vail Studio shares a detailed step by step tutorial for making a quilted tote bag you can customize using any quilt block.

I'm feeling inspired to make a couple of new tote bags for gifts (and/or for myself) this spring! Tamara also has an adorable quilt pattern using this block.

Fun Finds on the Web for Spring!

If you're looking for a cute little last-minute personalized gift for Mom, check out this little mini Mom magazine free printable.

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 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.

​*SALE* It's Jolly Bar Day at the Fat Quarter Shop with 25% off all Jolly Bars (aka 5" x 10" precuts) through Sunday 5/10. 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.

It's not too late to join the Fly the Flag quilt along! So far we've been gathering and cutting fabric. Sign up for all of the details here.​

The highlight of my week was getting to connect or reconnect with so many wonderful women. On Monday I went to lunch with an old friend. We were having babies at the same time 22 years ago and would take our kids on play dates and outings to the park or the zoo. We have maybe seen each other 1 time in the past decade. She's been through a rough breast cancer fight during that time. We are at a very different stage of life than we were back when we had mini vans full of little kids. Sitting down and catching up was balm to my soul - it felt like no time had passed. Those are rare and special friendships. It was the best boost.

I also got to see a lot of friends from the quilting world during the tradeshow in Chicago. Many of those friendships started as "online" relationships and over years of teaching at events together or interacting at these tradeshows they have become real life friends too. It was so good to see some that I hadn't even seen since before the pandemic! Also a treat to meet new friends as well!

If you're feeling in a funk, I highly recommend reaching out to an old friend. Even if it's just a text exchange. Old friends are a gift.

Finally, this weekend is Mother's Day here in the US and that seems to bring lots of different emotions for different women.

I've shared these images before - I really love the work of artist Paige Payne. You can probably guess why - it's just so perfect for quilt-loving-women.

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!

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