APQS – Couching with Your Longarm

A piecer wanted the brightly colored fabric (shown in the photo below) to stand out more clearly, and wanted it to appear is if it were “floating” on top of the other fabrics. To accomplish this, a technique called “couching” was used. … Read more »

APQS – Fusible interfacing and quilts

Fusible interfacing has transitioned from a staple in sewing rooms to a valuable tool for many quilters. Interfacing is often confused with “stabilizer” when quilters talk about special techniques such as thread play. However, stabilizer is meant to be removed from most … Read more »

APQS – How Do You Secure Starts and Stops?

Quilters for generations have used needles to bury the beginning and ending thread tails on their quilts. However, you may not need to use that extra effort, especially if you would be burying a dark thread inside a light quilt!

APQS – Quilt As Desired…A designer’s epitaph!

How many of project patterns have you come across that contain the words “Quilt As Desired?”

Shop owners aren’t in the habit of studying the pattern instructions to see how far the designer went in providing a truly “complete” quilting experience, including quilting directions. Both the shop owners and the pattern designers want to sell the pattern…and in nearly all cases the actual quilting designs can’t even be seen in the cover photography!

So, … Read more »

APQS – Football Fridays…bleacher quilts

Every mother and father whose child has shown an interest in sports is very familiar with “Bleacher Bottom” – those seemingly permanent creases across one’s backside that develop from hours and hours in the stands.

Whether it’s soccer, football or another sport, having … Read more »

APQS – Blanket stitch with a longarm?

Yes, it is possible! With a little practice, you can do a satisfactory job that can speed up your piecing as well as your quilting by combining two steps into one. Autumn presents the perfect time to put a small project together … Read more »