Quiltdom

10 Best Quilting Tables [Updated 2024]

There comes a time in every new quilters' life where they need to make the transition from the kitchen table to a quilting table.

Aside from the fact that the kitchen table will never do a good job containing all our sewing supplies, it does not provide comfortable support for our bodies.

Long periods of sewing at the kitchen table inevitably lead to sore neck and shoulder muscles.

The best solution for successful quilting with storage solutions and ergonomic comfort would be a sewing or quilting table or sewing cabinet.

21 Purr-fect Free Cat Quilt Patterns For Feline Lovers

by Keri Weichert

Calling all crazy cat ladies! Are you looking for the purrrfect cat quilt project to make for yourself or your other kitty-loving friends?

Look no further because I have scoured the internet for the best cat quilt patterns for you.

The best part about these cat quilts is they are all free.

You will find a fabulous cat pattern for your next quilt project, regardless of your skill level.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into the patterns, shall we?

15 Magical Labyrinth Quilt Patterns You Must Try

by Miriam Ronne

Today we’re going to go on an adventure through the winding paths of different labyrinth quilt patterns.

Before we dive into this mysterious pattern, let’s go over some basics.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a labyrinth as “a maze formed by paths separated by high hedges.”

But how is that translated into a quilt pattern?

The answer to this question is what I’ll reveal in this post.

So buckle up and don’t get lost in this beautiful maze of fabric and thread.

15 Eye-Catching Optical Illusion Quilt Patterns

by Miriam Ronne

Have you ever seen a quilt that seemed to play tricks with your eyes, and you had to stop and wonder, “How did they do that?”

Optical Illusion quilt patterns have a wonderful mixture of artistry and creativity; many times, they are much easier to create than they seem.

In this post, we will thoroughly discuss illusion patterns, beginning with what they are and ending with 15 gorgeous examples of these fun, quirky patterns.

17 Free Scrap Quilt Patterns For Your Next Project

by Keri Weichert

Every quilter knows that leftover pieces of fabric are inevitable.

While some people throw these scraps away, others are quite conscientious and look to make something from their scraps.

However, scrap quilting is not a new concept.

Looking back to the Victorian age, we find that the production of crazy quilts by upper-class women was a way for them to show off their wealth and knowledge of stitching.

The fabrics used were often brocades, silks, and chintz.

These scrap quilts were not made for utility but more for bragging rights as they were often draped across the chair in the front parlor for visitors to see.

Scrap quilting with cotton fabrics became popular during World War II when to waste something was unAmerican.

Out of necessity quilters recycled feed sackcloth and clothing to produce a scrap quilt.

These quilts were then donated to the American Red Cross or soldiers' homes.

9 Best Sewing Machines For Quilting [Updated 2024]

by Keri Weichert

When it comes to quilting sewing machines, you’ll find a different style for each sewing need.

From simple mending to making dresses, from embroidery to quilting – there’s a quilting machine for it!

When it comes to sewing machines for quilting, how do you decide which one is right for you?

First, decide what your quilting plans and projects will be. Are you only going to be piecing quilts, or do you want to do the top quilting as well?

If you’ll be doing free motion stitching, you’ll want something with a larger table area (also called the throat).

Then, decide what you are willing to spend. If you feel you need a top-of-the-line, computerized machine that does everything but the dishes, you can expect to spend thousands of dollars. (The Janome Horizon Quilt Maker Memory Craft 12000 can set you back over $5,000.)

Once you have a good idea of what you need and what you can spend, it’s time to talk to other quilters.

What sewing machine do they use? What machine would they like to have for quilting?

Serious quilters are going to invest in a heavy-duty machine, such as the Bernina 770 QE (around $6K), the Baby Lock Destiny II (around $8K), and the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QCP (around $2K).

All three of these come with high recommendations from professional quilters.

Serious hobbyists also had recommendations for sewing machines for beginners; after researching them all, we put together our list of favorites.

But first, let's review the types of machines you might consider as you develop your sewing and quilting skills.