Freemotion by the River: Quilt tutorials

Hi Reader Good morning from chilly, snowy Ankeny, Iowa. This is the perfect time to spend time quilting and cardmaking. I have 2 new blog posts to share! I finished my last challenge as a Island Batik ambassador for 2025 and it is Another Disappearing 9 Patch Table Topper and Tutorial. I still have a couple of Island Batik quilt projects to share this month. I also just finished posting my Monday Happenings 30 In My Studio, you'll find Advent Calendars, Rusty and also find out why it is great...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, Iowa. We had our first snowfall over Thanksgiving weekend and I got some exercise 3 times going out and shoveling. It then got windy and buried everything. Then we had someone clean all of that. I'm pretty sure we're supposed to get snow again this weekend. Rusty is loving diving in the snow! He then pops up and looks at me with snow on his face. So cute! Rusty was supposed to have his dental cleaning Monday morning and I cancelled it. I'm a chicken and...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, IA, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are actually getting together today for our dinner. It sounds like we will be getting a ton of snow, I guess winter is finally here. We have our outside Christmas lights up and will keep the bird feeders full. We also have the heater in the bird bath and it is so much fun to watch the squirrels get a drink. Lumin Fabrics (Island Batik) is having their monthly Viewer's Choice contest going and you could...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, IA, I have all kinds of quilt projects going on, some I can't share and a bunch that I will be sharing. Be sure to read my blog post. I have the January 2026 Quilt calendar ready to download and also a Black Friday sale begins today! My Monday Happenings in my Studio post Green Fairy - All Jelly Rolls - 35 - 50% off - this is a great sale! Fat Quarters Shop - Flash Sales Accuquilt - Black Friday sales are happening now! Connecting Threads - 30% off Store...

Hi Reader Good morning from foggy Ankeny, IA, I'm glad I get to stay home today and don't have to drive in it. Table runners are always fun to make and look beautiful on your table. I also enjoy making table toppers which work great on round tables. Decorating with Christmas quilt projects is a great way to bring the holiday spirit to your home. I have quite a few quilt tutorials that are perfect for the holidays. Christmas Quilt Tutorials One of my favorites is this table runner and placemat...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, IA. I am excited to share with you the quilt that I made this month as an Island Batik ambassador. The challenge was to create a quilt using at least 5 traditional quilt blocks. I thought a Row Quilt would be the perfect quilt to make using the new Garden Gate batik collection. Have you ever made a Row Quilt? This is a great way to practice making quilt blocks. My daughter has mentioned that she would like to learn to quilt which is exciting for me and I...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, IA. Do you like to make small quilt blocks for pillows or table runners? I love little 4" blocks but it can be tough to get everything cut correctly. That is when I love my Accuquilt Qubes. I have all of the sizes except the 5". I might have to add that to my Christmas list. Can you see all of the little pieces? Everything sews up perfectly. I wrote up a blog post showing this block and two other ones. AccuQuilt GO 4" Qube - on sale! AccuQuilt has all of...

Hi Reader Good morning from Ankeny, IA. The days are getting cool and the leaves are starting to fall. We have 2 locust trees that have almost lost all of their leaves. The squirrels and birds are really going through the peanuts and sunflower seeds. We'll have to put the heater in their water bowl soon. Someone has a birthday and it isn't me - it is Rusty! He has just turned 10, I have a couple of cute photos of him in today's Monday Happening post. Monday Happenings 28 In My Studio Island...

Hi Reader Do the kids go trick or treating in your neighborhood? Tomorrow night we will be passing out candy and I hope it won't be too cold or rainy. It is always fun to see the kiddos in their costumes. Have you seen my Vibrant Joy quilt? I had so much fun making this quilt that I made it with a white background and then again with a black background. I still can't decide which I like better. For a limited time, I have put Vibrant Joy on sale in my store, I hope you like it. Vibrant Joy -...