Freemotion by the River: Quilt tutorials

Hi Reader Can you believe that May is almost over? I'll be taking part in a blog hop next week and I can't wait to share my quilt project! When I'm looking for a fast and easy quilt project, I always think of mug rugs. They make a wonderful gift with a coffee cup from the Dollar store. To help you spend less time searching, sorting, and second-guessing, here are 10 of my favorite mug rug tutorials. Mug Rug #1 Mug Rug #2 Mug Rug #3 Mug Rug #4 Mug Rug #5 Mug Rug #6 Mug Rug #7 Mug Rug #8 Mug Rug...

Hi Reader It is another hot, steamy day in Iowa which is a great time to just stay inside and quilt. Do you enjoy applique? How about raw edge applique? I don't know why I don't do more of it because I really enjoy the beautiful things you can make. I was looking through my blog posts and saw this quilt I made with dragonflies. I'm thinking of remaking it in different colors, what would you pick? Twilight Dragonflies It is the 15th of July, we are half way through the month, are you working...

Hi Reader It is Monday and I'm back to quilting, I must be a little rusty though as I made a big mistake on my July UFO, you'll have to read my new blog post to see what I did. Also I have a Backing & Binding calculator that I hope you will try out and let me know how it works, the link is in my blog post. Happenings #12 In My Studio I am happy to say that Rusty did very well during the fireworks over the weekend, I think the 2 nights of storms with lightening and thunder made the fireworks...

Hi Reader I don't normally send out a email every day but I had several people email me asking where the July UFO blog post was and I now have it live plus a video is up for you. Guess what my July UFO is! If you missed it, I also uploaded the July Color Challenge post, I think you'll like how the quilt blocks I've made look. July 2026 Color Challenge Don't forget to download your July Quilt Calendar. I am running a sale on all of my quilt patterns at 25% off. Etsy will show the sale price...

Hi Reader It is the 1st of July and still sweltering here in Iowa as in many parts of the country. I spent a long day downstairs yesterday emptying out all of the stuff in the closet and dresser of the "guest bedroom". I moved it all into my quilt studio room before I figured out where everything should go. Obviously I have way too much "stuff" which makes me a normal quilter and crafter. I think I would have to live to be 125 in order to use everything. Of course that would only be if I...

Hi Reader Can you believe the heat? It has been sweltering here in Iowa, I have the air-conditioning set high but my quilt studio in the basement is still freezing most of the time. I guess this is a good time to work on computer stuff. I might put on a coat and gloves and get my July UFO and Color Challenge posts done. There will be fireworks in our town on July 3rd and 4th. I plan on sitting with poor Rusty most of the time. Every once in a while we hear one go off and his ears perk up....

Hi Reader I hope you had a wonderful weekend, I got a little quilting done and the rest of the time I spent working in my office. The good thing about that is I get to watch the squirrels, ducks and now rabbits in our yard. The bad thing is I do get distracted. Do you enjoy making small quilt projects to use or gift? Finishing a quilt (no matter the size) always feels so good. Mug Rugs are definitely one of my favorite quick quilt projects and I thought I would share a few of my favorite...

Hi Reader We are having some beautiful weather with low humidity, I plan on taking a walk as soon as I finish this. I am getting caught up on things, I mailed a box yesterday with 5 quilts in it to Island Batik, Lumin Fabrics for my fall signature collection. It feels so good to have that done. I still haven't finished the pattern for the small quilt I made with the Sunflower Spice collection so that is the next thing on my list. I do have a name for the quilt picked out and I'll shared that...

Hi Reader I have been quilting up a storm working on deadlines to finish quilts for Island Batik, Lumin Fabrics that I won't get to share with you until next year. I have one last quilt to finish before I ship them to Island Batik. I also have 5 or 6 quilts with my new signature batik collection Feather & Flair that will be in stores soon. I can't wait to share those patterns. I have a new baby quilt to share with you! I used my Hopscotch quilt pattern, this is one of my favorite quilt...