Here is part one of my step by step binding tutorial.

I always find this the hardest part of writing instructions and patterns, so I decided to take step by step photos as I did the binding on the Modern Triangle Sampler. There are many different approaches to binding but this is the method I have tweaked over the years to suit me.

Binding 101

Part One - Trimming your quilt

Once the quilting is complete, trim your quilt. If there is a handy seam close to the edge, I use a ruler and measure from this seam to the outside so that I can keep this distance the same. Cut with a rotary cutter. Here I can see that if I use the 4 1/8" line on this border, I can trim the outside edge close enough so I won't see any batting when I sew on my binding.

Line the ruler against the border seam and trim

When you get to a corner, use the ruler to keep everything square. Square corners will be your friend!

2. Preparing the binding strips

First you need to work out how many strips you...

I am so excited to announce my Quilt Party!

Sheila's Quilt Party is my membership subscription site where you will be joining a community of quilters, all learning and growing as they try out new techniques and make exciting projects.

I want my members to feel like they are coming to class with me, so even though we won't be in the same place, we will be working together to help YOU develop your quilting skills in the way you want to. I love to experiment with different techniques, and try out new ideas. I hope I will inspire you to do the same.

Memberships are quite a new development in the online world, and there are some great benefits to you with this one:

• LEARN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. Classes are on video and available to view at any time.
• GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. Progress through the steps when you are ready.
• MEET LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. Join the group discussion, share your work and chat to other quilters around the world.
• TAKE LESSONS FROM ME WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD. No travel...

COMING SOON!

I am so excited to announce my Quilt Party!

Sheila's Quilt Party is my membership subscription site where you will be joining a community of quilters, all learning and growing as they try out new techniques and make exciting projects.

I want my members to feel like they are coming to class with me, so even though we won't be in the same place, we will be working together to help YOU develop your quilting skills in the way you want to. I love to experiment with different techniques, and try out new ideas. I hope I will inspire you to do the same.

Memberships are quite a new development in the online world, and there are some great benefits to you with this one:

• LEARN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. Classes are on video and available to view at any time.
• GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. Progress through the steps when you are ready.
• MEET LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. Join the group discussion, share your work and chat to other quilters around the world.
• TAKE LESSONS FROM ME WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE...

Tomorrow I will be teaching another free class in my Triangle Block Party facebook group. These classes are always available in the group after the facebook live, just go to the video section to view them.

In Lessons 1 to 3 I teach you how to make this Wonderland Table runner, using my triangle patchwork techniques. Once you have taken these lessons you are going to want to make more triangle based projects!

I hope you enjoy the classes.

Here's where to join

Are you ready for a new Adventure?



Every year since 2013 I have designed at least one Mystery Quilt, and this year is no exception. Since last year, as well as my traditionally pieced Mysteries, I have a special Mystery pattern that includes my triangle piecing techniques. I call these Mysteries 'Trendsetters', and they are quite different from anything you will find in other Mystery quilts. You will be using my Creative Grids Half Sixty ruler and the CGRT60 ruler, and learning my triangle patchwork techniques, with lessons, hints and tips included along the way.

Here's Alex Anderson and I in my Quilt Show episode last year, in front of last year's Trendsetters Mystery.



Filming was done in August, and because the Big Reveal isn't until November, we had to ban the audience from photographing the quilt!



This year I am making my sample quilt from Alison Glass fabrics. I love saturated colours, but you could choose any fabric from your stash or go out and find a beautiful range to pick...

While we are all stuck at home I've been experimenting with doing some online classes.

It's been lots of fun and the classes are now up online (free of charge) and available to view. All you have to do is click on the images below and join the facebook group for each class. You will find the first videos in the groups already.

Back to Basics is a beginner course in making a simple quilt. So far I have covered information about choosing fabrics, selecting tools, cutting and getting a good 1/4" seam. Next Tuesday 7th April 2020 at 10am (New Zealand time) I am doing the second session on sewing on your sashings and borders.

On Thursday 9th April at 10am NZ time I will be teaching the second class in my Triangle Block Party. Join me to learn my triangle patchwork techniques.

To get the correct time for your location, here is a link to a world clock

As well as the classes, the patterns for each of the class projects are included and can be downloaded from the Units sections of...

Do you love big blocks and big quilts? I love a quilt that covers the bed and doesn't get fought over on a cold night!

Topsy is a quilt that is great fun to make and comes in two lovely big sizes, but if you're not into big quilts  I have drawn up options for making it in a smaller format (see below for two bonus formats).

 This was one of the few quilts of mine that got it's name really early in the process of making. The blocks grew so fast I was reminded of the saying 'growing like topsy'

This is a great quilt for mixing and matching unexpected prints. Stripes look great as the 'petals' in the blocks, and they also work in the sashings. Bright pops of colour for the central parts of the blocks are fun as well. Try combining spots, stripes, large and small prints. The important thing is to get contrast in each block.

I used a half yard pack of Art Gallery fabrics from various lines for my quilt. The teals and pinks worked beautifully together and there are stripes,...

With the launch of my new Creative Grids Half Sixty ruler I have designed a number of patterns to go along with this great tool. One of these is Slice it Up, a really easy layer cake (10" square) friendly pattern.

At Quilt Market in Houston last October I purchased a pack of 10 inch squares of Gridwork, the gorgeous new range by Christa Watson @christaquilts for Benartex. This range is just hitting the shops now, so it's a great time to nab yourself some of this lovely fabric.

I started designing Slice it Up by cutting blocks and playing with them on my sewing room design wall.

Nice - but I always like to let me blocks 'sit' for a while before finally deciding how to put them together. So a few days later I tried this idea, this time with the whole set of blocks in my living room where I am very lucky to have an 8 foot square design wall. Now that is much more dynamic!

With the addition of a solid colour, I was finally happy with the design and got the quilt completed, and...

Over the holidays we closed the shop and I had time to relax a little. I always have to have something to do, and this year I spent time learning to draw on my new ipad. The result is this fun Mandala pattern which is perfect for stitching (or just colouring in!).

Since I don't have time at the moment to turn this into anything bigger I thought I would share it with you as a free pattern and I would love to see what you make from it. Will you put it into a quilt block, make a cushion or maybe a bag?

I am stitching mine up with a combination of Eleganza and Razzle perle 8 and Glamore 12 weight from Wonderfil threads.  These are great threads to use as they stitch so nicely and don't have to be separated into strands. The background is Manchester cotton from Robert Kaufman, which has a great texture.

I'm sure this adventure will take me somewhere quilt-wise soon!

Click here to download your free stitchery outline.

Happy Stitching!

Sheila

Today is the launch day for my Creative Grids Half Sixty Triangle ruler. I've been doing so much secret sewing, so I'm really excited to share these patterns with you and show you the ruler!

This ruler is a half equilateral triangle, so it's perfect for setting your triangle quilts. The measurements go up to 12 1/2" and are in divisions of 1/4". Grips on the back mean you won't be slipping when cutting your fabric. Creative Grids rulers are available in local quilt shops and in web stores.

Here's the demonstration video

With the Half Sixty ruler you can make any of these new patterns. Look out for both in your local quilt shop.

My patterns are also available for download in my Payhip store.

Arrows is fun to make with a collection of fat quarters. These lovely bright colours are from Jennifer Sampou's Chalk and Charcoal range. Backgrounds are Inkwell from Windham.

I bought a couple of fat quarter packs of Carolyn Friedlander's Instead range at Quilt Market. Together with...