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 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...

Hi Reader We have had hot, humid weather and storms the last couple of days but this morning it has cooled off and it is beautiful. I might even be able to open the windows! Everyone is getting ready for the 250th Anniversary and I wanted to share some tutorials. These are great if you just want to make a red, white, and blue quilt project. I also have a post showing 20 other DIY projects. My red, white, and blue quilt tutorials Here are 20 other 4th of July DIY projects Patriotic Placemat...

Hi Reader I have been busy working on all sorts of quilt projects. Some I can share soon and others you won't see until 2027. I just finished a blog post showing what I've been doing which also includes spending a lot of time watching and photographing the wildlife in our yard. I'll be heading back to my quilt studio once I post this. Take a peek - Happening in my Studio #11 Sunflower Spice Blog Hop and Giveaway I have been updating my Sunflower Spice blog hop post every day to make it easy...