I love making sample quilts. I like the variety, the challenges and how playing with value can give you totally different results. So I’ve made a lot of them and I’m sharing my best tips. Grab your coffee and enjoy. The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/justgetitdonequilts07211
So you are going to think I am completely crazy but I have a question. I tried to do a quilt a while back via a pattern. It seemed to go okay but....something happened and my blocks did not turn out the right size. NONE of them did. I don't know what I did wrong. Now I am wondering if I am following the wrong mark on my machine. I thought it was a quarter inch. I measured it to make sure it was a quarter inch. I follow your ironing techniques. My half square triangles always come out fine but this pattern did not have those. Could you please tell me exactly where the quarter inch mark is on the machine so I will know for sure? I know this sounds weird and it should be simple, but the machine has a quarter inch mark in a really weird spot on the machine so I think I got confused. All my other quilts came out okay. I am not sure here I went wrong. Thank you!!!!!!!!
@@ravensmokedancer8242 I had the same issue, one of the ladies at my quilt shop had me put a ruler under my needle and manually place my needle point on the quarter inch mark, then leave the ruler in place while I placed tape/strip of moleskin so I had a little bumper guard to butt my fabric up against..made a huge difference
@@ravensmokedancer8242The important measurement is not 1/4" but the size of the fabric after you press. Most of the time it will be a little less than 1/4". Cut a 1 1/2" x 18" strip of fabric, cut it in half and sew and press. Then cut that in half, sew, press and then do it one more time. You should have a strip about 2 1/4" wide but the important measurement is it should be 8 1/2" long. If it is not your blocks will not be accurate. Adjust your seam allowance until you get the strip exactly 8 1/2" for the perfect seam. A small difference will not show up in one or two seams but with the 8 strips it will be obvious when the seam allowance is wrong.
A friend in our quilt guild had the best idea. She kept a collection of Christmas fabrics. When we had a class with an instructor, or when she wanted to try a new block, she used her Christmas fabrics. She ended up with enough for a sampler quilt.
I’d like to suggest another reason for the tradition of making sampler blocks. If a quilter saw a block she liked in a friend’s quilt, she might make a “sample” block to try it out and give her a record of it. That accounts for the number of quilters in the “old days” who left behind a pile of mis-matched blocks of various sizes and techniques. This idea occurred to me as a very young fiber artist. We had an aunt who was an avid crocheter and one year she gave my younger sister a “doll afghan”. Turns out she’d seen an afghan a friend made and auntie made up a “sample” so she could learn the pattern. She later made herself a full-size version and the “sample” was just the right size for a doll afghan to give as a gift.
I am a longarm quilter. My granddaughter is coming to live with me to “learn the business”; she is 22. The first thing I will have her do is watch all of your basic videos, with the goal of making a small scrap quilt a week for charity. Thanks a lot, Karen.
What I love about your thinking as it comes through on your videos/tutorials is the reinforcement that these are OUR quilts..... permission granted to make changes, and to forgive mistakes. Thank you! 😊 ❤️
I'm not a quilter, but I'm dealing with the snow in Northern California, and watching your videos cheers me up and helps me forget my troubles for a while.
Karen, I just love you! You offer such easy but seriously helpful tips. You put a positive spin on everything and with such common sense (like if you don't like one of the blocks change it to the way you want). I use at least one of your helpful tips every time I sew whether it is your cutting technique, ironing technique, or in my 1/4" seam allowance which I am more careful about now which makes my quilting journey so much easier. I can't say enough how lucky we are that you so generously share your time and talents with us every week. :)
I've never done a sampler quilt because it felt somewhat daunting and I didn't feel that my skill was up to the task. Watching this video has encouraged and inspired me as well as given me some useful tips to use whether I decide to try a sampler quilt or not. Thank you.
I finished my sampler quilt 2 days ago but started it in a class 30 years ago, now I discover this video! The challenge was it was a techniques class and blocks varied for 6 " to 14" fans to Cassiopeia blocks drunkards path etc. Now it's done I am inspired. Thanks for all the New idea.
Thanks Karen! Another great and informative video! I just recently pulled out a UFO to work on that I must have put into storage about 3 years ago. I was amazed to find that my skills have improved so much since making these blocks that the imprecision of them bothered me. Some of them I had to "unsew" and re do because they were so wonky. I am not going to be discouraged though, I am encouraged that my precision has improved. : )
Good for you Rebecca! I found the same thing going through UFOs last year. I could tell myself I now had the skills to make a gift one I wanted to do when skills seemed ready. A nice surprise to see and then say it out loud to hubby and good friend.
I am in the middle of a sampler quilt as we speak! You gave me two new tips: yellow, and fussy cutting for bed making. Both will be included. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks 😉 My tip: white/cream backgrounds in your sampler don't have to be a solid or tone on tone. I have now learned to use that white with little flowers fq that never quite fit in as a background. I love scrappy quilts and this enhances the scrappy 😁
I ALWAYS say, "Yaaaaaay!!" When I see new videos of yours! I rewatched you all day yesterday, well 12-6:30, while I was hand quilting, including the three you mentioned. LOL🤣 I love sampler quilts! I participated in a block swap, then added different blocks to make it large enough for a larger throw. I have to sleep in my recliner and snuggle to sleep under it every night. It's so funny that I use a block of Texas in the middle to see if I have it longways or crosswise. 😆 THANK you for the effort you put into all of your videos!! It's definitely appreciated!! 💕💓❤️💓💕 I really loved your interviews, too! AND your Fourth of July quilt really encouraged me as I signed up for a Block of the Month to do the Rainbow Stars quilt(by Chris Stiansy). I've never paper pieced on the machine before, and I will learn it through this class. I'm VERY excited to be learning a new skill. It's one of my goals in my bullet journal. (Which I started because of you! It's been a great help and joy to me!) Make it a great day!!
I just rewatched this video for the third time, and I keep hoping to see the video you promised on sashing. It's a technique I don't use often because I like quilts with secondary patterns [that don't happen with sashing], but sashing is a technique I would like to know more about. Thanks, Karen, for all your valuable video tips. I've started an index of your tips so I can remember when/where I heard them and can go back and find them again. I just wish TH-cam hadn't quit putting the original play date on the videos.
I repeatedly watch your videos and learn something new each time. I love your down to earth personality! I love to see your puppy who has grown so much. Thank you for your information, tips, and tricks!! Love you website too. Definitely a go to site for me,
I truly enjoy your talks so informative you make things so understandable and helpful. Thank you for taking time to do these video’s they are very much appreciated from Collingwood Ontario🙂
Your practical and technical advice has completely changed my quilting. I am still conquering mt scrap more with scrappy quilts. I have made 2 lap size and i am finishing my 2nd king size. Mt scrap more still fills way to much of my space, but i am continuing the challenge of down sizing and cleaning my space. Thank you so much for the positivity and encouragement to make the quilts and just get it done!!
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts this reminded me that I hadn't yet commented to say the same - since discovering your videos I've finished two quilts and I'm currently quilting a third from one of your layer cake stashbuster patterns. I hadn't even touched a walking foot before! So many thanks for everything you do here :D
Thank you Karen! Your videos are the first on my list to watchas soon as it posts! I appreciate your kind way of teaching 🙂 Praying for you, your business and your family
I've not tried a sampler quilt as yet. But have been taking my thin strips( 1 inch or smaller) and sewing together, essentially making my own fabric. Whatever comes from it will be one interesting, hopefully awesome creation. Love your channel. Cheers from. Australia
Wowie! This was very helpful and insightful. The square-up dashing tip and yellow warning tip were particularly helpfully for me. And yes, please, can’t wait for sash our blocks vid. Thank you!
This video has come at a perfect time for me since I just started two sampler quilts. Both will have sashing so I’m looking forward to the sashing video since I haven’t really done much sashing at all. Thank you for sharing all your tips, tricks, and knowledge in a fun and easy format! I have gained so much by watching your videos.😄 Thank you for all the hard work it takes to produce each of these videos!😊
This was great! Started a sampler several years ago, and put it away because "it just didn't work". I recognize a couple of things I can go back and correct.. ThanksKaren!
I also have one I put away that wasn't working; will get it out now and play around with some orphan blocks as well. The sashing is what was missing I think.
I have made one quilt and plan to make more. I watched your cut, seam, and iron technique videos with relish. Thank you so much. I love the straight forward, immediately applicable advice you give. It gives me courage.
I need to reunderstand what I knew before my stroke- starting a sampler is a great idea once again! i also would like the video on sashing is a great idea. . soon😂. i can't imagine a Block per day- but samplers are great!
Perfect Timing as I am doing Pat Sloan's FREE Block of the Week Quilt Along...have not ever done a sampler quilt or a quilt along...thanks for the tips!
I absolutely love your u tube videos. Your presentation is so awesome. I made a quilt. And then did the quilting. Gee what a job. Will go for blocks now. Is quilt as u go easier and how do u join blocks without strips in-between. My machine is a Singer Heavy Duty but space is limited for quilting Thank u so much. U are a ray of sunshine. Maureen Muller. South Africa
One of the first quilts I made was the Gypsy Wife quilt. I bought all different colour and print fabrics without any thought to match it to each other. I would pull my fabric for each block simply by looking at the block and what fabrics I thought matched. I did make fussy cut blocks also. I love this kind of quilt because all the blocks are different.
I find that I’m more successful making sampler quilts when I have a target theme in the case that I’m not focusing on a color. Either that or I’m using my own stash as opposed to a coordinated fabric line collection. Here’s what I mean. I set out to make a quilt where “I can see, feel and smell the ocean. I made one where my focus was “sweet” to reflect a special grown niece. One to best encompass my father to gift to my brother. I used color, prints with pencils, books, squirrels. etc and linear, graphic visually as he was an engineer. Oh, and one favorite was for a friend who is jubilant, bubbly and bursting with goodness. That quilt was light, bubbly, and very bright with blocks chosen to reinforce that idea.
I love samplers too. Sometimes I find I love making block so much, I will make a whole of one block that was fun to make. And for sashing, I picture frame each block so I don't have to anguish over sashing errors. I love your tutorial on this subject too! Your tips are great.
Building your skills as you go is a great tip, Karen. Actually, they are all great tips. I haven't done a sampler quilt as of yet. Your first quilt in the bright colors and light background is just yummy. Your use of color is so wonderful. The tip on the color yellow was very interesting too. Thanks, Karen!
I love your tutorials and tips. After watching your video about after quilts, I tried one and loved it so much that now I make sure I can add one to every quilt and often make a pillow cover to match the quilt. Please keep making videos.
This video is chock full of info. I am going to watch it again to be sure I got it all. I really enjoy your videos a lot. I am really trying to be a better quilter and enjoy it a lot. I thank you for all the info you share with us. I really appreciate it. Your fun and positive and creative attitude shines thru in each video. There are NO quilt police!!! lol Thank you for sharing your expertise!
This is a great tutorial! One reason I've not done a sampler was because I just couldnt really figure out how to use a fat quarter bundle, worrying that I'd run out of bundle fabric before the quilt was finished. Your tip to use at least one fabric from the bundle is brilliant! Now I'm going to move a few sampler quilts to the top of my queue! :)
Wonderful! Thanks for all your information! Please show more peaks for your Tula quilt! If no one has asked would you be willing to sell your scraps to me!?!?!?! I know, they probably have a home to go to but I’d love them! Hugs
I am also doing “100 days/Kinship” I would Love to see you do videos of your sewing and process. But I do understand the time and filming effort would be difficult. Just thought I would mention it, as I am sure many of your followers are also sewing this quilt. 😊
Hot tip - I'm just finishing up the Riley Blake Designs Quilt Block Challenge. It was a weekly release mystery block quilt and a hit through this our second Covid spring with four friends and I working on it together. Please check it out the finished sashing. It is really smart and really brings all of these odd blocks together.
Thanks for more great tips. I have 3 fabrics, probably about 3 yards total, that I bought a while back, and I absolutely hate it. I don't know what alternate reality I was living in when I bought it. I'll never make a quilt out of it, so every time I need to make a sample block, I put that awful fabric to good use.
Amazing, I'm so thankful for this video, I bought the farmers wife book recently and I will now look through and plan better because of your advice, thank you Karen.
I love your videos! I've been using your No Fail Layer Cake quilt using 14" x 14" squares cut from my "what was I thinking?!" stash of fat quarters to make a sampler type quilt. It's coming along quite nicely, and the offcuts will go to make scrappy binding and a coin quilt back!
My attention span is short so I absolutely love making blocks. Different blocks with lots of fabrics (every piece of background may be a different fabric!). These are great tips. Another tip....don't be afraid to let it all mature on a design wall for a long time. Pull this block entirely, change the placement of that one. At any one time I have 400-500 blocks made mostly from scrap and I donate 90% of them to charity quilters for childrens' charities. A very few make it into my own quilts but all are fun to make and test out value, fabric placement and fussy cutting techniques.
I'm doing #100days100blocks2021. I printed my digital pattern and put it a binder. I am preparing pieces for each block and pinning to the pattern. I prep 2-3 weeks at a time. I pin the finished block to the pattern. So far this system is working great. And since I'm using scraps, I only have a scrap mess every couple of weeks when I design and cut pieces.
Karen, Always something so valuable in each and every video. I will be starting my first (yikes) sampler quilt this fall as a winter project. I know I’ll be referring back to your videos often!! Love from Ohio…👍😎
When I make a quilt I make all the blocks, then square them up to the smallest one. Then I Sew by rows. Then do the same thing with the rows as the squares. Then sew all together and I'm ready to Pancake the batting and backing.
Karen, I so enjoy your channel! You are so practical and real! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world! Several months ago, I watched one of your videos that talked about your lemonade quilt due to a cutting error! What video is it? I’ve searched and rewatched videos without finding it. Thanks for taking the time. Marlene
I followed the ModaBlockheads3 quilt along (a block a week) in 2020 but have yet to add the sashing & finish it - other projects taking priority. You can still find the sew-along from that year and previous ones on the Moda website. You can also do a search of sew-alongs. Have fun!
I am about 23 blocks shy of a 156 block sampler. I once swore I would never do applique, but now am open to delving into this technique. I am looking for a number of applique designs with which to finish this quilt.
Thank you for all your tips and tricks. I’m a little confused on #4, to small. Could you explain it a little slower in a future video or live? Many thanks for all you do 😘
I think she is essentially marking the finished size of the block on the back so you can sew on those lines (or dot to dot) and still have your block come out the correct size even if your seam allowance is too small. Of course, this won't work if your block is way too small. You still need to have some seam allowance to hold the block together.
Another great video, Karen! What tips do you have for quilting a sampler quilt? I’ve got several tops made, but am overwhelmed by choosing how to quilt them? Different designs for each block that highlight their construction? Straight line quilting? An all over edge to edge? And easier is definitely better since I’m not a great free motion quilter! Thank you!
I have an heirloom quilt (150+ years old) that is in need of restoration. My great great grandmother made it, so it is only fitting that I, a quilter as well, am the one that makes the repairs. Any advice or plans to interview someone that restores quilts professionally?
Really great practical advice!!! I would also highly recommend 'Setting Solutions' by Sharyn Craig if you don't already have it in your quilting library. There aren't really quilt patterns, but lots of ideas on how to set sampler blocks and blocks that you have received in an exchange that don't all measure exactly the same or the colors don't look like they would blend. Amazon has lots of inexpensive used issues or your guild or library may have a copy.
Do you have tips for sewing on the bias? I have a quilt exclusively using diamonds that is all cut out and ready to sew but I am struggling with them stretching
The Daffodil block was the one I gave up on as a newbie quilter doing the Farmer's Wife SAL. I laughed to see it pop up in your video. Feeling inspired to dig that WIP out now!
I just finished a sampler quilt and will be hand quilting instead of machine quilting. Can you do a segment on different designs for hand quilting sampler quilts? Thank you for all of your advice. I use them daily in my quilting.
Oh yes please! I’ve just finished my first sampler quilt and want to get it finished for my daughter’s 40th in a couple of months but I don’t know where to hand quilt. I have 9 blocks and they are all sewn into a 3x3 top with sashing. What now?
I think so a good tipp is to use the same ruler to cut. I recognized in the past, that on one ruler a quarter inch is different to my other rulers... That wasn't funny... Some blocks dont come out as aspected.... 🤔🙈
Use the same machine to piece as well. I once made a quilt using three different machines to piece the top and then came unglued when it came to the time to put all the blocks together. Not all 1/4 inch seams are equal!
I found "Ask Me a Question Feb. 1, 2020" answered that and it is explained in the video "Sew Up Your Stash Feb 16, 2019" th-cam.com/video/OfKbHQFGgvE/w-d-xo.html. I think it is strategy #3, it's near the middle anyway.
![เปิด อาณาจักร หมื่นล้าน "สาระตั้ม" l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3XE0nPF4YkQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I love making sample quilts. I like the variety, the challenges and how playing with value can give you totally different results. So I’ve made a lot of them and I’m sharing my best tips. Grab your coffee and enjoy. The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/justgetitdonequilts07211
So you are going to think I am completely crazy but I have a question. I tried to do a quilt a while back via a pattern. It seemed to go okay but....something happened and my blocks did not turn out the right size. NONE of them did. I don't know what I did wrong. Now I am wondering if I am following the wrong mark on my machine. I thought it was a quarter inch. I measured it to make sure it was a quarter inch. I follow your ironing techniques. My half square triangles always come out fine but this pattern did not have those. Could you please tell me exactly where the quarter inch mark is on the machine so I will know for sure? I know this sounds weird and it should be simple, but the machine has a quarter inch mark in a really weird spot on the machine so I think I got confused. All my other quilts came out okay. I am not sure here I went wrong. Thank you!!!!!!!!
@@ravensmokedancer8242 I had the same issue, one of the ladies at my quilt shop had me put a ruler under my needle and manually place my needle point on the quarter inch mark, then leave the ruler in place while I placed tape/strip of moleskin so I had a little bumper guard to butt my fabric up against..made a huge difference
I’m especially eager for your tutorial on SASHING! I’m definitely lacking with my skills in keeping my sashing from having a “wave”.
🙏🏻♥️😘
@@ravensmokedancer8242The important measurement is not 1/4" but the size of the fabric after you press. Most of the time it will be a little less than 1/4". Cut a 1 1/2" x 18" strip of fabric, cut it in half and sew and press. Then cut that in half, sew, press and then do it one more time. You should have a strip about 2 1/4" wide but the important measurement is it should be 8 1/2" long. If it is not your blocks will not be accurate. Adjust your seam allowance until you get the strip exactly 8 1/2" for the perfect seam. A small difference will not show up in one or two seams but with the 8 strips it will be obvious when the seam allowance is wrong.
A friend in our quilt guild had the best idea. She kept a collection of Christmas fabrics. When we had a class with an instructor, or when she wanted to try a new block, she used her Christmas fabrics. She ended up with enough for a sampler quilt.
Genius
I do this too.
I second the genius reply
This is genius! I can use my xmas fabrics for test blocks and have coordinating blocks instead of a box full of orphans!
great idea.
I’d like to suggest another reason for the tradition of making sampler blocks. If a quilter saw a block she liked in a friend’s quilt, she might make a “sample” block to try it out and give her a record of it. That accounts for the number of quilters in the “old days” who left behind a pile of mis-matched blocks of various sizes and techniques.
This idea occurred to me as a very young fiber artist. We had an aunt who was an avid crocheter and one year she gave my younger sister a “doll afghan”. Turns out she’d seen an afghan a friend made and auntie made up a “sample” so she could learn the pattern. She later made herself a full-size version and the “sample” was just the right size for a doll afghan to give as a gift.
I am a longarm quilter. My granddaughter is coming to live with me to “learn the business”; she is 22. The first thing I will have her do is watch all of your basic videos, with the goal of making a small scrap quilt a week for charity. Thanks a lot, Karen.
That is awesome! What a team you will be
THAT is so COOL!! What a LOT of memories y'all will be making! I'm sure she appreciates your letting her do this. WHAT a loving relationship!
💕💓❤️💓💕
What I love about your thinking as it comes through on your videos/tutorials is the reinforcement that these are OUR quilts..... permission granted to make changes, and to forgive mistakes. Thank you! 😊 ❤️
It's your quilt. 🤗
I have been modifying quilt patterns since my very first one!
I'm not a quilter, but I'm dealing with the snow in Northern California, and watching your videos cheers me up and helps me forget my troubles for a while.
what a genius idea to mark the back before adding sashing to even everything out!
If you ever had the time or energy, I’d love you to do a quilt along sampler series.
I agree @ just get it done quilts
I agree! And now I bet we are all looking forward to it!
Oh, yes please. I look at so many sampler quilts and ever know whee to start. Having Karen do a sampler series would be wonderful
I have found my happy place! Karen,
I could listen and get inspiration from you non stop!
That Yellow trick is fascinating!! 😀 thank you!!
I had never heard this before. I will take notice as I work through some started ones ☺️
Karen, I just love you! You offer such easy but seriously helpful tips. You put a positive spin on everything and with such common sense (like if you don't like one of the blocks change it to the way you want). I use at least one of your helpful tips every time I sew whether it is your cutting technique, ironing technique, or in my 1/4" seam allowance which I am more careful about now which makes my quilting journey so much easier. I can't say enough how lucky we are that you so generously share your time and talents with us every week. :)
I've never done a sampler quilt because it felt somewhat daunting and I didn't feel that my skill was up to the task. Watching this video has encouraged and inspired me as well as given me some useful tips to use whether I decide to try a sampler quilt or not. Thank you.
I appreciate the tip/trick to fix a square up size issue with the sashing…always learning from your videos.
Glad it helps
Hi Kathy, how’s your day going with you?
Great tips. Your sampler is beautiful and the maple leaf does jump out at you.👍🇦🇺
I finished my sampler quilt 2 days ago but started it in a class 30 years ago, now I discover this video! The challenge was it was a techniques class and blocks varied for 6 " to 14" fans to Cassiopeia blocks drunkards path etc. Now it's done I am inspired. Thanks for all the New idea.
Thanks Karen! Another great and informative video! I just recently pulled out a UFO to work on that I must have put into storage about 3 years ago. I was amazed to find that my skills have improved so much since making these blocks that the imprecision of them bothered me. Some of them I had to "unsew" and re do because they were so wonky. I am not going to be discouraged though, I am encouraged that my precision has improved. : )
It's hard to work on some of those old UFO's. You just need to forgive your younger self
Good for you Rebecca! I found the same thing going through UFOs last year. I could tell myself I now had the skills to make a gift one I wanted to do when skills seemed ready. A nice surprise to see and then say it out loud to hubby and good friend.
Love the idea of using fabric from a bundle in each block. Your quilt is beautiful and I will try this.
It's a short cut that saves you frustration in the end
I am in the middle of a sampler quilt as we speak! You gave me two new tips: yellow, and fussy cutting for bed making. Both will be included. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks 😉 My tip: white/cream backgrounds in your sampler don't have to be a solid or tone on tone. I have now learned to use that white with little flowers fq that never quite fit in as a background. I love scrappy quilts and this enhances the scrappy 😁
Great tips, I am just putting my toes into the quilting pool. I find your videos so helpful and they give me the courage to start something.
Tip four is a game changer! Dear Jane stitching here I Come!
🤗🤗🤗
Hi Jo-Anne, how’s your day going with you?
I ALWAYS say, "Yaaaaaay!!" When I see new videos of yours! I rewatched you all day yesterday, well 12-6:30, while I was hand quilting, including the three you mentioned. LOL🤣 I love sampler quilts! I participated in a block swap, then added different blocks to make it large enough for a larger throw. I have to sleep in my recliner and snuggle to sleep under it every night. It's so funny that I use a block of Texas in the middle to see if I have it longways or crosswise. 😆
THANK you for the effort you put into all of your videos!! It's definitely appreciated!!
💕💓❤️💓💕
I really loved your interviews, too! AND your Fourth of July quilt really encouraged me as I signed up for a Block of the Month to do the Rainbow Stars quilt(by Chris Stiansy). I've never paper pieced on the machine before, and I will learn it through this class. I'm VERY excited to be learning a new skill. It's one of my goals in my bullet journal. (Which I started because of you! It's been a great help and joy to me!)
Make it a great day!!
Using directional fabric to mark orientation - mind blown, seems so logical now you point it out. 🥳
Used a MOLA block on our bed of cat. Works perfectly 15 years.
I just love sampler quilts. Thank you for posting this!
Good morning. Hope you are having a great week. Thank you for another tutorial
Oh! Now I have never made a sampler quilt! Now I can't wait to start one! Thanks for this great video!
Always a pleasure to watch your videos. I’m a huge fan !
Glad you like them!
I just rewatched this video for the third time, and I keep hoping to see the video you promised on sashing. It's a technique I don't use often because I like quilts with secondary patterns [that don't happen with sashing], but sashing is a technique I would like to know more about.
Thanks, Karen, for all your valuable video tips. I've started an index of your tips so I can remember when/where I heard them and can go back and find them again. I just wish TH-cam hadn't quit putting the original play date on the videos.
Thank you Karen! You always have the best tips 😘 I usually rewatch the video a few times just to make sure I don’t miss anything.
You are so welcome!
I learn so much from your videos. Thank you.😊
I repeatedly watch your videos and learn something new each time. I love your down to earth personality! I love to see your puppy who has grown so much. Thank you for your information, tips, and tricks!! Love you website too. Definitely a go to site for me,
Hi Karen, I have learned so much from watching your videos . Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge and experience .
I truly enjoy your talks so informative you make things so understandable and helpful. Thank you for taking time to do these video’s they are very much appreciated from Collingwood Ontario🙂
Agree. And I'm ftom Australia. Xxx
I love all your videos. They are so well constructed and informative. I think you are brilliant. Thank you.
Your practical and technical advice has completely changed my quilting. I am still conquering mt scrap more with scrappy quilts. I have made 2 lap size and i am finishing my 2nd king size. Mt scrap more still fills way to much of my space, but i am continuing the challenge of down sizing and cleaning my space. Thank you so much for the positivity and encouragement to make the quilts and just get it done!!
So glad that they make a difference. We are all in this together
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts this reminded me that I hadn't yet commented to say the same - since discovering your videos I've finished two quilts and I'm currently quilting a third from one of your layer cake stashbuster patterns. I hadn't even touched a walking foot before! So many thanks for everything you do here :D
You are so practical! Thanks for your advice.
Thank you Karen! Your videos are the first on my list to watchas soon as it posts!
I appreciate your kind way of teaching 🙂
Praying for you, your business and your family
Thank you. I just finished a beginner class for a sampler and had plenty of the issues you mentioned.
I've not tried a sampler quilt as yet. But have been taking my thin strips( 1 inch or smaller) and sewing together, essentially making my own fabric. Whatever comes from it will be one interesting, hopefully awesome creation.
Love your channel. Cheers from. Australia
Great tips, Karen. Thanks a bunch!
Wowie! This was very helpful and insightful. The square-up dashing tip and yellow warning tip were particularly helpfully for me. And yes, please, can’t wait for sash our blocks vid. Thank you!
This video has come at a perfect time for me since I just started two sampler quilts. Both will have sashing so I’m looking forward to the sashing video since I haven’t really done much sashing at all. Thank you for sharing all your tips, tricks, and knowledge in a fun and easy format! I have gained so much by watching your videos.😄 Thank you for all the hard work it takes to produce each of these videos!😊
Hi Sara, how’s your day going with you?
Love your videos! You feel like a friend talking to me :
This was great! Started a sampler several years ago, and put it away because "it just didn't work". I recognize a couple of things I can go back and correct.. ThanksKaren!
I also have one I put away that wasn't working; will get it out now and play around with some orphan blocks as well. The sashing is what was missing I think.
I have made one quilt and plan to make more. I watched your cut, seam, and iron technique videos with relish. Thank you so much. I love the straight forward, immediately applicable advice you give. It gives me courage.
I need to reunderstand what I knew before my stroke- starting a sampler is a great idea once again! i also would like the video on sashing is a great idea. . soon😂. i can't imagine a Block per day- but samplers are great!
Good for you returning to the physical, mental, and spiritual therapy that is quilting. Best wishes to you,
Sandra!
Perfect Timing as I am doing Pat Sloan's FREE Block of the Week Quilt Along...have not ever done a sampler quilt or a quilt along...thanks for the tips!
Have fun!
Love the peppy tune!!
Thank you Karen. I appreciate all your information and videos. Love you humor and seeing your puppy
I absolutely love your u tube videos. Your presentation is so awesome.
I made a quilt. And then did the quilting. Gee what a job. Will go for blocks now. Is quilt as u go easier and how do u join blocks without strips in-between.
My machine is a Singer Heavy Duty but space is limited for quilting
Thank u so much. U are a ray of sunshine.
Maureen Muller. South Africa
One of the first quilts I made was the Gypsy Wife quilt. I bought all different colour and print fabrics without any thought to match it to each other. I would pull my fabric for each block simply by looking at the block and what fabrics I thought matched. I did make fussy cut blocks also. I love this kind of quilt because all the blocks are different.
I find that I’m more successful making sampler quilts when I have a target theme in the case that I’m not focusing on a color. Either that or I’m using my own stash as opposed to a coordinated fabric line collection.
Here’s what I mean. I set out to make a quilt where “I can see, feel and smell the ocean. I made one where my focus was “sweet” to reflect a special grown niece. One to best encompass my father to gift to my brother. I used color, prints with pencils, books, squirrels. etc and linear, graphic visually as he was an engineer. Oh, and one favorite was for a friend who is jubilant, bubbly and bursting with goodness. That quilt was light, bubbly, and very bright with blocks chosen to reinforce that idea.
They sounds wonderful
I love samplers too. Sometimes I find I love making block so much, I will make a whole of one block that was fun to make. And for sashing, I picture frame each block so I don't have to anguish over sashing errors. I love your tutorial on this subject too! Your tips are great.
Building your skills as you go is a great tip, Karen. Actually, they are all great tips. I haven't done a sampler quilt as of yet. Your first quilt in the bright colors and light background is just yummy. Your use of color is so wonderful. The tip on the color yellow was very interesting too. Thanks, Karen!
I love your tutorials and tips. After watching your video about after quilts, I tried one and loved it so much that now I make sure I can add one to every quilt and often make a pillow cover to match the quilt. Please keep making videos.
Thank you, I look forward to every TH-cam. I have learned so much.
This video is chock full of info. I am going to watch it again to be sure I got it all. I really enjoy your videos a lot. I am really trying to be a better quilter and enjoy it a lot. I thank you for all the info you share with us. I really appreciate it. Your fun and positive and creative attitude shines thru in each video. There are NO quilt police!!! lol Thank you for sharing your expertise!
This is a great tutorial! One reason I've not done a sampler was because I just couldnt really figure out how to use a fat quarter bundle, worrying that I'd run out of bundle fabric before the quilt was finished. Your tip to use at least one fabric from the bundle is brilliant! Now I'm going to move a few sampler quilts to the top of my queue! :)
Thanks for the tips.
Wonderful! Thanks for all your information! Please show more peaks for your Tula quilt! If no one has asked would you be willing to sell your scraps to me!?!?!?! I know, they probably have a home to go to but I’d love them! Hugs
These tips came at the right time. I just started another sampler quilt along. Thanks sew much!
I need the video on adding sashing properly right now. How about a bonus video soon?!
I am also doing “100 days/Kinship” I would Love to see you do videos of your sewing and process. But I do understand the time and filming effort would be difficult. Just thought I would mention it, as I am sure many of your followers are also sewing this quilt. 😊
I’m doing it too!
I'm also doing it. I"m enjoying any vids related to the 100m Days.
Hot tip - I'm just finishing up the Riley Blake Designs Quilt Block Challenge. It was a weekly release mystery block quilt and a hit through this our second Covid spring with four friends and I working on it together. Please check it out the finished sashing. It is really smart and really brings all of these odd blocks together.
Hi Melissa, how’s your day going with you?
Wonderful video and timely for me as I’m about to start The Farmer’s Wife. Thanks so much Karen for all your tips and tricks. Always helpful.
Thanks for more great tips. I have 3 fabrics, probably about 3 yards total, that I bought a while back, and I absolutely hate it. I don't know what alternate reality I was living in when I bought it. I'll never make a quilt out of it, so every time I need to make a sample block, I put that awful fabric to good use.
Amazing, I'm so thankful for this video, I bought the farmers wife book recently and I will now look through and plan better because of your advice, thank you Karen.
unfortunately the directions in the book are very poor. Sorting them by block type will make it easier
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts thank you so much. ☺
I love your videos! I've been using your No Fail Layer Cake quilt using 14" x 14" squares cut from my "what was I thinking?!" stash of fat quarters to make a sampler type quilt. It's coming along quite nicely, and the offcuts will go to make scrappy binding and a coin quilt back!
Hi Heather, how’s your day going with you?
My attention span is short so I absolutely love making blocks. Different blocks with lots of fabrics (every piece of background may be a different fabric!). These are great tips. Another tip....don't be afraid to let it all mature on a design wall for a long time. Pull this block entirely, change the placement of that one. At any one time I have 400-500 blocks made mostly from scrap and I donate 90% of them to charity quilters for childrens' charities. A very few make it into my own quilts but all are fun to make and test out value, fabric placement and fussy cutting techniques.
Wow...what a design board
I'm doing #100days100blocks2021. I printed my digital pattern and put it a binder. I am preparing pieces for each block and pinning to the pattern. I prep 2-3 weeks at a time. I pin the finished block to the pattern. So far this system is working great. And since I'm using scraps, I only have a scrap mess every couple of weeks when I design and cut pieces.
Karen,
Always something so valuable in each and every video. I will be starting my first (yikes) sampler quilt this fall as a winter project. I know I’ll be referring back to your videos often!!
Love from Ohio…👍😎
This came at just the right time. I just finished the first block of my first sew along. Thanks 💕
Excellent
When I make a quilt I make all the blocks, then square them up to the smallest one. Then I Sew by rows. Then do the same thing with the rows as the squares. Then sew all together and I'm ready to Pancake the batting and backing.
Have you done a video on batting I can't find one and would love to hear your knowledge on it. You see the things I forget to see.
th-cam.com/video/0fgXTUAM1Yo/w-d-xo.html
Karen,
I so enjoy your channel! You are so practical and real!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world!
Several months ago, I watched one of your videos that talked about your lemonade quilt due to a cutting error! What video is it? I’ve searched and rewatched videos without finding it.
Thanks for taking the time.
Marlene
I haven’t actually made a video about how to make it
Your color choices are gorgeous. Thank you for all the info you have given on that. Really s
Excellent -- thank you!
Love this video! Thank you Karen
Thank you for the video. I will be watching for the video on how to do sashing.
Inspirational. Thank you.
I've discovered I need 'permission' to change a block. Not sure where that came from but you've helped me over that kink. Thank you
It's that a funny thing. We are adults but somewhere we have been taught that breaking rules is bad
I would like to make a sampler quilt. That seems fun. 💕
I followed the ModaBlockheads3 quilt along (a block a week) in 2020 but have yet to add the sashing & finish it - other projects taking priority. You can still find the sew-along from that year and previous ones on the Moda website. You can also do a search of sew-alongs. Have fun!
Those are great tips thank you
I am about 23 blocks shy of a 156 block sampler. I once swore I would never do applique, but now am open to delving into this technique. I am looking for a number of applique designs with which to finish this quilt.
Hey Karen .... Have you ever made the sashing video ... looked for it but could not find it ... will keep looking ... THANKS
Thank you for all your tips and tricks. I’m a little confused on #4, to small. Could you explain it a little slower in a future video or live? Many thanks for all you do 😘
Look for the sashing video coming up. I'll doing it a bit slower then
I think she is essentially marking the finished size of the block on the back so you can sew on those lines (or dot to dot) and still have your block come out the correct size even if your seam allowance is too small. Of course, this won't work if your block is way too small. You still need to have some seam allowance to hold the block together.
Another great video, Karen! What tips do you have for quilting a sampler quilt? I’ve got several tops made, but am overwhelmed by choosing how to quilt them? Different designs for each block that highlight their construction? Straight line quilting? An all over edge to edge? And easier is definitely better since I’m not a great free motion quilter! Thank you!
I have an heirloom quilt (150+ years old) that is in need of restoration. My great great grandmother made it, so it is only fitting that I, a quilter as well, am the one that makes the repairs. Any advice or plans to interview someone that restores quilts professionally?
thanks for the tips
Yep. Tula Pinks City Skyline meets Blade Runner. Crossing my fingers choosing color palettes is also covered!
👍
Really great practical advice!!!
I would also highly recommend 'Setting Solutions' by Sharyn Craig if you don't already have it in your quilting library. There aren't really quilt patterns, but lots of ideas on how to set sampler blocks and blocks that you have received in an exchange that don't all measure exactly the same or the colors don't look like they would blend. Amazon has lots of inexpensive used issues or your guild or library may have a copy.
I agree. Sharyn’s book on settings is great. Great inspiration for putting blocks together.
Thanks for recommending this book. I will definitely look for this. 💕
Thank you for sharing
Ooh. I have that book in my collection. An oldie but a goodie.
Thank you!
Do you have tips for sewing on the bias? I have a quilt exclusively using diamonds that is all cut out and ready to sew but I am struggling with them stretching
The Daffodil block was the one I gave up on as a newbie quilter doing the Farmer's Wife SAL. I laughed to see it pop up in your video. Feeling inspired to dig that WIP out now!
Just head scratching how she put that one in ...LOL. Im glad it wasn't just me that thought so
I just finished a sampler quilt and will be hand quilting instead of machine quilting. Can you do a segment on different designs for hand quilting sampler quilts? Thank you for all of your advice. I use them daily in my quilting.
Oh yes please! I’ve just finished my first sampler quilt and want to get it finished for my daughter’s 40th in a couple of months but I don’t know where to hand quilt. I have 9 blocks and they are all sewn into a 3x3 top with sashing. What now?
Hi Karen, what are your favourite rulers and templates? Your must have recommendations.
Hi Alexandra, how’s your day going with you?
I didn’t understand about marking the corners. If you have the opportunity, I’d love for you to explain that.
I think so a good tipp is to use the same ruler to cut. I recognized in the past, that on one ruler a quarter inch is different to my other rulers... That wasn't funny... Some blocks dont come out as aspected.... 🤔🙈
That's smart.
Use the same machine to piece as well. I once made a quilt using three different machines to piece the top and then came unglued when it came to the time to put all the blocks together. Not all 1/4 inch seams are equal!
@@mishac6857 oh yes!
Okay, I didn’t quite “get” the technique for fixing the block if it turns out a little bit small. Will you cover that again in your washing video?
I had a little trouble understanding this as well
OK
Off topic but do you have a pattern for the wall hanging that hangs behind you? I love it and would like to make one.
I found "Ask Me a Question Feb. 1, 2020" answered that and it is explained in the video "Sew Up Your Stash Feb 16, 2019"
th-cam.com/video/OfKbHQFGgvE/w-d-xo.html. I think it is strategy #3, it's near the middle anyway.
How in the world do you quilt an sampler house block quilt? It seems you would just detract from the houses, trees, vines, etc in the blocks?