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Longarm Quilting

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Rows of colorful heart patchwork quilt

by kustomkwilts

Finding time to give back #quiltsforpulse

 In the midst of tragedy, I am relieved that I belong to a group of people that goes out of their way to show love for others.  The group I'm talking about is the Modern Quilt Guild.  And even  more specifically, the San Antonio chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild.  The Orlando MQG organized collections to accept in progress quilts and completed quilts to show support and love for some of the people affected by the Pulse night club shooting.  I hate that I'm even writing a post about this, because it's so disturbing the amount of violence we hear about on a daily basis on the news...but I want to focus on giving back and showing support for our fellow human beings.  The SAMQG members are SO giving and generous with their fabric and time, that we've had a plethora of blocks constructed (most using the Heart pattern tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew).  A few charity sew-ins, and we've finished (I think) 5 quilts!  I had the great opportunity to quilt a few of these, and wanted to discuss charity work in this industry.  I've done a little bit of charity sewing in the past, but not really donated much of my time or resources prior to getting my longarm.  And once I started donating my quilting, I kind of just rushed through the process, doing a stipple or some quick meandering design to get that top off my frame as quickly as I could.  But one night, I started thinking about the recipients of these rushed through pieces I had worked on.  Was I proud of the work I was doing on them?  No.  Absolutely not.  I was just FINISHING THEM.  There was nothing special or generous about what I was doing to add to the quilt.  And maybe those recipients don't even look at the quilting.  But it really got to me that I was doing about 2% of my best work on something that was supposed to be making someone happier.  I decided to start doing my best work on every quilt top.  Whether it was a paying customer or not.  If I'm going to commit to working on something, why would I give anything less than my best?  And besides, if you want to look at it from a really selfish angle, it's great practice and helps develop your skills even further.  I really love the graffiti quilting style, and chose to do that on this quilt.  These blocks were pieced together by so many different people, with such love and compassion in their hearts.  It really does give me a little bit of hope for humanity.Anyway, my two cents for the day is to think about where your heart is when you decide to do charity work.  If it's in your heart, put your best foot forward and really give all you have.  Otherwise, what are you wasting your time for?  

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Two women standing next to each other in front of a wall.

by kustomkwilts

Get your Graffiti Quilting on!

more https://youtu.be/vXTB15Hm_EU If you're ready to add another tool to your quilting arsenal, graffiti quilting is an awesome one to have. A few years ago (when I was prego with Gemma), Karlee Porter visited our guild to teach her Graffiti Quilting workshop. Also, I love Guns N Roses. I just saw them in concert a few days before this, so the shirt I bought there was getting some heavy use! Ever since I found Karlee, I've been a serious fan girl--so I jumped at the chance to take the class. I learned so much from that workshop and the techniques Karlee taught stuck with me and influence my personal quilting style. Karlee Porter and me in 2016 at her Graffiti Quilting workshop for SAMQG A SWEET DEAL Since COVID has busted into the room and ruined everyone's in person plans, now is the perfect time to sign up for Karlee's Graffiti Quilting Master Class ONLINE! July 1 registration opens, and the class is the cheapest you'll be able to get it for. So it's best to sign up early! Karlee has given me a coupon code to share with you for an additional $50 off KKGQ50 (good through Sep. 11, 2020). Seriously, this is the best deal ever. No travel expenses, you get to learn in your pajamas if you want, you don't even have to brush your hair--it's basically heaven on earth! Class starts September 12, 2020--keep reading for the full class details. I took some time out yesterday to play around and grabbed my favorite Glide Threads and some grey Kona cotton to do some Graffiti Quilting. I took some time lapse videos and combined them into a short little youtube video (top of the post). This video will give you a tiny glimpse into what you'll learn from Karlee. There is no instruction in my video--you'll get all of that from the Masterclass (and so much more). My fun Graffiti quilting practice from yesterday :) Graffiti Quilting Masterclass Details *EARLY BIRD TIERED PRICING! SAVE UP TO $75!!!*July: $325August: $350September: $375 In this class you'll receive:-Graffiti Quilting Vol. 2 Book-Graffiti Quilting Coloring Book-Zinger lapel scissor holder-Mini snip scissors courtesy of Famore Cutlery-A printed syllabus and schedule, list of supplies and recommendations-A comprehensive coupon book containing discounts and promotions from our amazing sponsors (see list below)-Homemade Caramels from Karlee's kitchen-Access to Private Facebook Group for the duration of the class, as well as at least 3 months after the 8 weeks have ended-First priority social media correspondence from Karlee for the duration of the class Sign up for the Class I can't say enough good things about Karlee and her teaching style. You can read all the details and sign up for her class here. Even though I quilt mostly on my longarm, I took this class using my domestic sewing machine. Here's part of what I created in class that day, with Karlee's expert guidance: My first Graffiti quilting in 2016 on my domestic sewing machine in Karlee's class This type of quilting is so freeing and fun--I know you'll love it. If you'd like to see some of the ways I've used graffiti quilting, you can check out these posts below: Graffiti Quilting Honest Fabric When I went to Karlee's workshop Charity Quilts for Pulse Have fun and go get your Graffiti Quilt on!!

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Signature patchwork quilt featuring boat blocks

by kustomkwilts

How to quilt feathered swirls

Have you ever wanted to combine a couple of different quilting motifs, but didn't know where to start? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use feathers and swirls together to quilt feathered swirls! Learning how to quilt feathered swirls will give you another great tool for your quilting tool box and you'll be able to tackle that negative space in your quilt in no time at all! Video tutorial - how to quilt feathered swirls https://youtu.be/MBSbQyV8BPE more Using feathered swirls in you quilt Here are some examples of quilts I've used feathered swirls in. I'm showing my successes and not so successes in these, so you can see how these look in different quilts. Example quilts Antique quilt with feathered swirls This first quilt is an antique quilt that my lovely friend Amy picked up at an estate sale. It was in relatively good condition for being around 80 years old, and it needed a fairly dense all over. The feathered swirls work really well in this top because you can see the quilting, but you also see the quilt first and foremost. Modern quilt with feathered swirls This second quilt is a good example of a pattern that is pretty complex and has lots of prints. If I'd had more time, I would have custom quilted this one and used some straight lines and ruler work. You can see the quilting, but it tends to try to compete a little with the fabric and quilt pattern--and that's not usually the outcome I like to have. Live and learn, right!? Also, I used hot pink thread on this, and a blending thread--maybe a silver would have been a little more subtle. Now this third quilt is the jackpot. The background is a nice light solid, and the quilting motif does a good job of adding texture, but not overdoing it so much that you don't see the piecing work. My sweet friend Loretta pieced this darling elephant quilt as a baby gift. You can also scale up the design and make it larger so the quilts are more luscious and soft. And this fourth example is kind of a mix to me...the pattern is really busy and the fabrics are too. Straight lines would have been superb on this to help the quilt pattern stand out, but the client opted for this motif--which is okay!! She loved the look of it, and it does add a bit of a feminine touch to the quilt. The quilting can't really be seen in the center, but it is seen on the outer borders where the fabric is more low volume. Putting it into practice I hope you'll take a look at these quilts I've used feathered swirls on and take them into consideration when deciding to use feathered swirls. Think about the end product and what the complete quilt will look like. It is a really great fill when using solid fabrics, or filling the space in the background of a block. And it's perfect for an easy all over that you want to use to add texture. Have fun with it and go practice those feathered swirls! Other free motion quilting tutorials If you like feathered swirls, take a look at the basic components. I did some video tutorials of feathers and swirls separately that you might be interested in before trying this one out. You can see more videos at my youtube channel. Until next time, happy sewing!! -Joanna

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A quilt with different colored triangles on it.

by kustomkwilts

How to quilt stacked swirls

Good Monday morning! I'm so excited to share a new video tutorial with you this morning. I just LOVE to quilt stacked swirls in the background of quilt blocks and in negative space. They create amazing texture and fill up a space without a lot of thought and concentration. This video will show you how to quilt stacked swirls and how to navigate to the spaces you want to quilt. more Quilting it I used Kona Cotton Splash (the Kona color of the year) and white Glide thread by Hab+Dash for high visibility quilting. Typically, I would use a blending thread color when quilting this in the background of a block. I like to use blending threads because I want the quilting to show, but not compete with the design and piecing of the quilt. Contrasting thread colors definitely have their place, and should be used with discretion. After all, this is YOUR quilt, and YOU should get to decide the thread colors, right!? Check it out :) I hope you'll take a quick look at this tutorial and see how easy it is to quilt this fill. Quilting round motifs is very simple and repetitive. These are easy to perfect with just a little practice, and you will probably find that you won't even have to doodle for very long before your swirls look great! How to quilt swirls video tutorial https://youtu.be/RYTFxdpWBis Quilts that I've used this fill on I thought I'd show some practical examples of quilts I've used this fill on so you can see it in context. Stacked swirls are a great way to add texture without drawing the viewers eye away from the focal point of the piecing on the quilt. Check out some of these quilts I quilted with stacked swirls: Cheeky Churn Dash This first quilt is my Cheeky Churn Dash quilt. It's a great quilt for using layer cakes or 10" precuts. If you want to really show off a fabric line, this is the perfect pattern for it! You can see that I really love to pair stacked swirls with simple ruler work. You can see the quilting but it doesn't stand there shouting, "HEY!!! Look at me and not the fabulous quilt!" As a pattern designer, I would hate for the actual quilt to not be seen for the quilting on it. We spend so much time piecing our quilts that time and thought really needs to go into planning the quilting motifs used. And as a longarm quilter, I love for my quilting to be seen, but not at the expense of the maker's work. It needs to be an equal relationship where both parts can be valued and appreciated. Cheeky Churn Dash Katelen's Applique Now below are a couple of pics of my dear friend Katelen P.'s quilt. Katelen is SO talented and creates these amazing appliqued animals. Quilting the stacked swirls behind her applique really makes the animals pop and helps them stay the focal point of the quilt. It's really important when picking quilt designs that you don't upstage the maker's work on the quilt. Quilting is there to help the quilt shine and not overpower it (that's just MY opinion ;). Dreamer's Star This is my Dreamer's Star quilt that I quilted stacked swirls in the background of. The swirls pair so nicely with a little ruler work to really show off the quilt design and the gorgeous fabrics used. Dreamer's Star Above is a close up of the stacked swirls. You can see how much texture it adds without taking away from the quilt design. One of my favorites!!! I hope you'll give this motif a try. Quilting stacked swirls is just a breeze, and I know you'll get in the groove of them in no time! Happy sewing!

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A pattern of fish and bubbles on a white background.

by kustomkwilts

How to quilt words with free motion

more Okay, so you just got an invite to a party--maybe it's a housewarming/baby shower/wedding shower/etc. You fill in the blank. This person is super special to you and you just want to give a gift that is really cool and not a lame bottle of wine they probably won't even like (I'm not a wine drinker ;). Aaaaaaand, you want to show off your fancy schmancy free motion quilting skills, amiright? Let's learn how to quilt words with free motion to make your text POP. I absolutely LOVE taking a baby name and using this technique to jazz it up a little and make a sweet wall hanging for when the parents bring their new babe home. I made a similar one for my daughter before she was born, but I incorporated a little embroidery into hers as well. The great thing about this gift is: It's quick and easy Even solid fabric will look good (and fancy) It's PERSONAL. Capitalized. You can use a name, phrase, initial, literally WHATEVER you want You probably already have the things on hand you need for this and don't have to run to the fabric store. Materials-What do you need? This is a super simple project. Unless you want to piece some fabric and get a little more intricate, all you need is some solid fabric. And, to be honest, this technique looks best with solids. Patterned fabrics will sometimes take away from the relief quilting, unless it's a really subtle pattern. I have a lot of LOUD, busy prints. So solids for the win for me! Solid fabric for the top or front of the wall hanging--I always make this piece a little bigger than I want my finished piece to end up so I can cut it down to size. Solid fabric (or a print) for the back of the wall hanging. This piece needs to measure 12" bigger on width and height. If your top fabric is 12" x 24", this piece needs to measure 24" x 36". Quilting thread that is at least slightly contrasting to your top fabric. Stencil made from your favorite font (you can also freehand whatever word you want) Erasable fabric marker (I like Frixion pens for this) Longarm needle Longarm or domestic sewing machine (whatever you have and are comfortable using for free motion quilting) 2 pieces of batting the same size as your backing fabric Binding fabric for the finish. Watch the tutorial on How to Quilt Words https://youtu.be/BnRFpYWASVA Give it a go! Now that you're an expert, give it a try! When I was a beginner quilter, I would buy some really cheap flat twin sheets and practice this kind of stuff on that. I built up my confidence a little on the cheap sheets and then wasn't so afraid to try it with good quality quilting cotton. Think of what a hit your gift will be at the next wedding shower when you give the happy couple a wall hanging with their new last name (if they are using the same last name :), or for whatever occasion, this can be personalized in so many ways. Be creative and have fun! And don't forget to spice up your free motion with themed shapes. For the "Summer" wall hanging, I threw in a few whimsical starfish here and there. Have fun and give it a shot! Happy sewing! -Joanna

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A close up of a yellow quilt with blue stitching

by kustomkwilts

Inspired Free-Motion Quilting (and giveaway!)

This has been such a busy and exciting week for me! I had a little time away from sewing celebrating the Christmas season with our family (and our daycare was closed for almost two weeks--insert the screaming face emoji here ;). All joking aside, it was wonderful to get to spend so much time with the family and remember what's important in life! I hope you were able to rest, recharge, and be around the people you love. Photo courtesy of C&T Publishing One thing I'm super pumped about is Amanda Leins and Bill Volckening's new book Inspired Free-Motion Quilting. The book is described as "90 Antique designs reinterpreted for today's quilter". I do a lot of custom quilting, and this book is really inspirational, as far as brainstorming designs goes. There are pages of antique quilts with really amazing quilting designs, along with step-by-step instructions on how to execute and master each design. It's a great reference for seasoned quilters and beginners alike. I'm so excited to be a part of the Inspired Free-Motion Quilting blog hop and team up with Mandy Leins and C&T Publishing to give away one free PDF copy (that means the giveaway is open internationally!!!) of this awesome book! Read to the end for details on how to enter. As soon as I was able to flip through Inspired Free-Motion Quilting, two designs immediately caught my eye that I knew exactly what I wanted to use them for. My two favorite motifs from the book are "Double lines and orange peel" and "Echoed Crosshatch". I really enjoy making bags (in addition to the quilting I do), and I like to add a bit of decorative quilting to the exterior of the bag, if I'm able to. I had a new pattern I was really excited to try--The Gloss Cosmetic Bag by Sew Sweetness (Sara Lawson). The pattern is available with purchase of the Minikins Season 2 pattern bundle on Sara's site. This is a really great way to spice up some solid fabric--and solid colors show off the quilting with less distractions than prints. I cut the green linen-canvas fabric I had slightly larger than the pattern called for and quilted it prior to assembling the pattern. I loved the instructions and diagrams that are included with the book--they really leave no room for error, even if you're just starting out. I'm really thrilled with how impactful the design is that I selected from the book. I chose "Double Lines and Orange Peel" for a classic motif that would really look great on a cosmetic bag. I love the definition and texture it gives the solid--in what would otherwise be a really boring cosmetic bag. It's not as easy to see in the picture, but I opted to skip the orange peels on the patterned fabric on the bottom of the case, and only quilted the echoed crosshatch. I quilted the bag components on my longarm, but it would be easy to do this sort of quilting on a domestic. Just pop on a walking foot and measure out your straight lines, and follow the simple instructions for free-motion quilting the orange peels between the lines to finish up. I used a slightly contrasting thread color for a little pop, but I'm dying to make another in black canvas with black thread for subtle texture and style. Amanda and Bill do a fantastic job of sharing some amazing antique quilts and their in depth knowledge of how to reproduce the motifs, and I highly recommend Inspired Free-Motion Quilting as a must have reference for quilters! Make sure you read below to enter the giveaway, and check out the other blog hop participants' posts for more chances to win! January 7: C&T Publishing, Bill Volckening January 8: Amanda Murphy of Amanda Murphy Design, Kim Lapacek of Persimmon Dreams January 9: Teri Lucas, Lynn Harris, Debby Brown of Debby Brown Quilts January 10: Robin Koehler of NESTLINGS by Robin, Mary Abreu ofConfessions of a Craft Addict , Patty Murphy of Patty Murphy Handmade January 11: Joanna Marsh of Kustom Kwilts, and Amanda Leins of Mandalei Quilts Giveaway Details Here's what you came for!! C&T Publishing has so generously allowed me to give away one PDF copy of Inspired Free-Motion Quilting. All you need to do to enter is like my Instagram post and tag a friend in the comments OR leave a comment on THIS blog post telling me why you're excited to get a copy of this book! The giveaway is open internationally and will close Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM, CST. The winner will be notified by me soon thereafter. Good luck!!!  

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Four sewing thread spools on pink cupcake fabric

by kustomkwilts

Quilting a "Letters from home" quilt

A couple of months ago, I had the awesome opportunity to quilt one of my customer's "Letters from Home" quilt (pattern by Heather Givens/Crimson Tate).  Now, I have to preface this post by saying that I'm barely wetting my toes in the waters of custom quilting.  But I am super-duper proud of the quilting on this quilt.  I'm going to take you through the process. I like Glide's thread for a little pop of sheen on a quilt.  Plus, it quilts like a DREAM.  I selected a few different thread colors for the quilting on this quilt.  Mainly, I changed thread colors to help them blend with the fabrics they were quilting on for a more subtle pop.  I used Quilter's Dream batting for this quilt, as I do with most of my client quilts. Glide Threads selected  Some people might have you believe that once the quilt was loaded and the threads picked out that the quilting just magically happened with a wave of their wand.  Here's my dirty little secret:  This quilt sat on my frame for a week.  An entire WEEK.  I had sketched out at least a dozen ideas for quilting, and each morning I would go out to my studio, ready to attack.  But then I would end up standing there, staring at the quilt top.  I changed my mind so many times, and then decided on the most difficult (or most time consuming) design I had drawn up. Beginning to mark and quilt the borders So I broke out my water soluble marking pen and trusty ruler and started marking some guidelines for the quilting.  I did some straight line quilting on the borders after marking them, and then marked the rest of the quilt as I went.  Each pass on the longarm took me about an hour to mark with the ruler and pen. More markings, filled in with some quilting The thing about the design being quilted, is that it isn't complicated.  It's just a bunch of straight lines and loops, but the way they are put together really leaves you with a huge impact.   I have a black light on my longarm and seriously think it is SO cool.  This shows the texture a little better. I really wanted to focus on the texture on this quilt, and so I chose to stitch in the ditch around the envelopes and the focal fabrics so they would pop out more.  My client selected Japanese import fabrics from Bunny Designs (out of Austin, TX), with a backing out of an adorable cupcake pattern (see the first photo in the post).  The attention to detail and her impeccable piecing made this quilt one of my all time favorites to quilt.  The quilt pattern by Crimson Tate is SO cute, and an ingenious way to showcase focal fabrics. So, aside from me just talking about how much I loved this quilt, my other point is that sometimes it isn't second nature to just come up with quilting designs out of thin air.  And it's okay if the quilt has to sit on your frame for a week while you change your mind a hundred times about the quilting design (as long as your client has allowed you to do so!).  And while it is my favorite thing ever for a client to say--I want custom quilting, and the design is up to you--it can also be the most challenging (and rewarding) part of my job.  I think this is a great way to grow your skill set and think about how many different ways there are to quilt a quilt.  (Quilt construction and fabric selection by Debra Barnes)

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