American Patchwork & Quilting April 2022

Simple strategies can make a difference. I’ve been a quilter for 32 years and part of the editorial team of American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine since 2007. I am exposed to new products, fabrics, tools, gadgets, and sewing machines every week. As part of the “research” I do for my job, I purchase a lot of these items. But if I’m honest with myself, I bought them because I wanted them, not because I needed them. The topic of how much stuff we have as quilters came up on the American Patchwork & Quilting podcast, episode 524, when art director Elizabeth Stumbo and designer Carole Lyles Shaw (carolelylesshaw.com) talked about using a fabric stash in a thoughtful and sustainable way. That made us want to dig a little deeper into the topic…

search: American Patchwork & Quilting @allpeoplequilt QUICK & EASY QUILTS To make a quilt in a hurry, choose one of our simple designs. AllPeopleQuiltcom/131 Join the Fun! International Quilting Day is March 19. Celebrate by joining our all-day virtual quilt retreat. We’ll have fun questions, photo prompts, and special surprises on our social media accounts. Get details at AllPeopleQuilt.com/132. QUILT AS YOU GO Try a technique that lets you finish a quilt as you piece it. AllPeopleQuilt.com/133 More Online PRECUT STRIPS Use coordinating 21∕2"-wide strips to create beautiful quilts. AllPeopleQuilt.com/134 PLACE MATS Set your table in style and protect it at the same time. AllPeopleQuilt.com/135 SPRING QUILTS Sew seasonal projects that feature fresh colors and motifs. AllPeopleQuilt.com/136…

I have the instructions that come with specialty rulers laminated at my local copy center so I don’t wear them out folding and unfolding them. I store all of them in one box, giving me a single place to look when I need a set of instructions. TINA WITHERELL Pendleton, Oregon There was a time when I couldn't afford to buy template material so improvised. I still make templates from cereal boxes because they are thin and easy to cut. HEATHER MARTIN Eugene, Oregon Giving handmade quilts to family and friends can elicit both joyful and disappointing reactions. To keep myself from getting discouraged, I string the thank-you notes I receive along the window above my sewing machine. It’s great motivation for those days when I need an extra push to get things done! KARLA…

Keep Fabric Free of Pet Hair If your pets like to jump on tables or shelves, crawl inside cabinets, or explore closets, it’s a good idea to keep your fabric and even works in progress stored in enclosed containers or on high shelves to keep them hair-free. Dust and vacuum your sewing room frequently to eliminate excess hair in the space. If pet hair continues to be a problem, go straight to the source and groom and brush your pets frequently to reduce shedding. Protect Finished Quilts It’s a personal choice whether to allow your pets on your quilts and may depend on your home’s aesthetic, your pets’ training, or your pets’ cleanliness and habits. Here are some ideas for protecting and keeping your quilts clean, no matter your choice. • If you want…

I like to hand-piece when traveling and these prewound bobbins make it easy. I can fit several different colors in my sewing kit.Jody Sanders, GROUP EDITOR LISTEN IN! We chat with Jenny Doan on Episode 533 of the American Patchwork & Quilting podcast. AllPeopleQuilt.com/listen I find that wool pressing surfaces make it easier to get crease-free fabric and flat seams.Lindsay Mayland, PRODUCT EDITOR 1. FULL BEGINNER EMBROIDERY GUIDE Download a PDF containing stitch instructions, step-by-step photos, and embroidery basics that will guide you through how to do 14 different embroidery stitches. Practice with the included sampler pattern that can be framed in a hoop and hung in your sewing space for reference. $7.53; etsy.com/shop/NeedlessDesigns 2. 4" MULTIPURPOSE PERFECT SCISSORS Karen Kay Buckley’s straight blade stainless-steel scissors comes in a new smaller size that is ideal for cutting fabric,…

QUILTERS HAVE LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: saving the smallest scraps, “making do” in projects, repurposing clothing or feed sacks, and creating quilts that last for generations. As green living continues to become more popular and more important than ever, it’s no surprise that many quilters are asking themselves what steps they can take in their sewing lives to make a difference. The good news is that sustainable sewing doesn’t need to be costly or intimidating. It begins with an awareness of the impact quilting has on the environment. “People are shocked to learn that millions of tons of textile waste goes to landfills each year,” says Patty Murphy, co-founder of Create and Sustain. “As consumers, we’ve been inundated with fast fashion, new fabric lines, and cheap goods. Once people…