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

Old Dog #2

Adding another quilt today in the Old Dog: New Tricks Series. The original block, from my now de-constructed quilt, ended at the edge of the blue background and the bottom of the dog. I added a busy floral border and a simple cross-grain applied binding. To clarify, to make the binding I fold my fabric … Continue reading Old Dog #2

Origami Folded Fabric Ornaments

Kevin MacLeod made a great video showing how to make origami folded fabric ornaments. Thanks to his video I've been having a blast making Christmas ornaments! Take a look and then come right back for my tips below. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VwvNU1pGd-Y Ami's Tips 1. Pre-wash your fabric. I know, I can hear the moaning already. If you … Continue reading Origami Folded Fabric Ornaments

Old Dog #1

Here's the first quilt created in the "Old Dogs, New Tricks" series. Pretty basic stuff. I'm just getting my feet wet. I added a blue border and bound it with a 1/4" binding. It measures about 14" square. New Tricks 1. Believe it or not, I don't ever recall making a bias binding using striped … Continue reading Old Dog #1

Old Dogs, New Tricks

I'm developing a new workshop called Beautiful Basic Binding for Beginners. I know; that's a lot of B's. Apparently I'm into alliteration. In preparation for my "guinea pig" class this spring I needed samples. I had originally thought of putting some really nice bindings on pre-quilted muslin squares (ick) but I just couldn't bear to … Continue reading Old Dogs, New Tricks

In Search of the Perfect Bib

My granddaughter spits up a lot and might be starting to teethe. She goes through a lot of bibs. Most bibs are too small, too thin, and the plastic backing rips and tears after multiple trips through the washing machine and dryer. Fastening a bib at the nape of the neck requires a third hand. … Continue reading In Search of the Perfect Bib

Scooter Did A Bad Thing

It's me, Scooter. I did a bad thing. I wanted to go out last night, you know, to be OUTSIDE. There are things outside that I like. One of them was furry and soft with a long tail. Mom couldn't see it, but she didn't know where to look either. I was barking at it … Continue reading Scooter Did A Bad Thing

Baby Watch

Grandmotherhood awaits! As a quilter, I think it's appropriate that I'm "on pins and needles," don't you? At this moment, we are Due Date Minus THREE Days. We're having a baby! No idea if it's a boy or a girl, we're just praying for healthy with the full complement of fingers and toes. Sweet anticipation. … Continue reading Baby Watch

Quilt Labels: Make It Personal

The tradition continues, but this time with a twist. I've shared that I make quilts for nieces and nephews. Now we're on the second generation, quilt #2. This is Lee's Quilt and I added something a little different. I "signed it" with a QR code. A what?! A QR code, or Quick Response code, is … Continue reading Quilt Labels: Make It Personal

Back to the Beginning

My quilting career began almost 40 years ago in an Amish home in northern Indiana. I thought the women gathered around the quilting frame in the living room were sewing on a trampoline. I was clueless. They asked me if I wanted to quilt too. Of course I said yes. I wanted them to like … Continue reading Back to the Beginning