You're probably thinking it was an accident. Nope. It was intentional. Let me explain. I started the quilt in the picture just before our daughter graduated from high school. I was making her official graduation quilt (which I did finish on time), but as is often the case, I reasoned that if one quilt was … Continue reading I Chopped Up My Quilt!
Author: Ami Simms
Quilter, author, designer, dog lover, spaghetti freak, who talks to people in elevators, and is on a mission to shamelessly spoil her granddaughter rotten. (Search for me on Esty!)
Free Valami Face Mask Pattern
For those who want to make the superior fitting and very comfortable Valami face mask and didn't get a chance to snag the free pattern while it lived on the Valami website, click below to download it. The pattern (version 2.0) was last updated in June 2020. valami-mask-pattern-v2.0Download The pattern has clickable links to my … Continue reading Free Valami Face Mask Pattern
The Drawer in the Hall
One link led to another and I found myself on a real estate website with a search box. On a whim, I entered the address of the house where I grew up. We lived on Marlow Street from the time of my earliest childhood memories until the summer before I started 4th grade. It was … Continue reading The Drawer in the Hall
Valami Mask With Neck Strap!
If you wear a face mask intermittently throughout the day and can't keep track of where you put it after you take it off, you'll find a neck strap incredibly helpful. Hang your mask around your neck when you get dressed in the morning. Then, when you need to wear it, just flip it up … Continue reading Valami Mask With Neck Strap!
NEW: Kid Sizes for Valami Mask!
The Valami Face Mask has just been updated to include face mask templates for kids! At this point it's unclear how schools are going to proceed in the fall, but if kids will be wearing face masks, we've got you covered. Child SMALL is for ages 5 to 8 and Child LARGE is for ages … Continue reading NEW: Kid Sizes for Valami Mask!
The Valami: A Better Fitting Face Mask
Valli Schiller and I have created a better fitting face mask, and it's called The Valami. It sounds more like a sub sandwich, but it makes more sense when you know that the "VAL" comes from Valli and the "AMI" comes from (wait for it...) Ami. So, Valami. I suppose it could have been The … Continue reading The Valami: A Better Fitting Face Mask
Measuring Stuff
When I was little, I remember my mother measuring fabric. She'd hold one end out as far as her arm would go and then she'd bring the other end to the tip of her nose. She would announce that the fabric measured "about a yard." I was so impressed. I thought she was smelling how … Continue reading Measuring Stuff
Sew How’s That Retirement Going?
Ami updates after her first year of retirement.
Opulent Ornaments: A Delightful Rabbit Hole
I went off the deep end about a year ago after I accidentally came across instructions for Paula Nadelstern's Opulent Ornaments and decided I needed to make one. Or a dozen. Get her directions here. (Embrace the bling; resistance is futile.) I spent a long time collecting sequins, pins, beads, and other shiny objects and … Continue reading Opulent Ornaments: A Delightful Rabbit Hole
Locker Hooking Tutorial: Make a Rug From Recycled Men’s Shirts
This tutorial is for quilters---who have sewing machines, thread, hand scissors, and rotary cutting tools---and know how to use them. Most of the photographs can be clicked to enlarge them. Back arrow to return to the text. Step 1: Fabric Procurement & Preparation Head for your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, Purple Heart, second hand, resale … Continue reading Locker Hooking Tutorial: Make a Rug From Recycled Men’s Shirts
Through The Eyes Of A Quilter 