I found an amazing deal on a secondhand Babylock Evolution. I love it! But it has some writing in Sharpie that I wanted to remove. After the dry erase marker didn't work, I got lots of suggestions and tried them all.
Which one worked best? Click the video to see how each did!
]]>Though many people think of traditional décor when they think of decorating with quilts, modern-style homes can also benefit from the warmth and texture quilts bring.
A bold, modern quilt can speak volumes. Especially when it’s hung in a clean and modern way. Whether you've made it, inherited it or discovered it, display your favorite quilts like an expert while staying true to your style.
With the clean look of a curtain rod, your quilt will be the star of a room. You can hide the rod behind the quilt, or let the finials peek out.
Want a breezy no-sew option? A curtain rod is a modern-looking way to hang your quilts, and it’s so easy. Added bonus: this method allows the quilt some gentle movement in a breeze.
Purchase a curtain rod the same width as your quilt, and buy enough matching drapery clips to support your quilt. You want enough clips that the quilt won’t sag between them. Start with one clip every twelve inches and add more if needed, depending on the weight of the quilt.
For small quilts, you can sew corner pockets into the back of the quilt and hang the quilt with a wooden dowel. You can find wooden dowels at most hardware stores. Choose a dowel around 1/2” in diameter.
Decorative thumbtacks are quick and easy, and they leave very small holes in the wall. (Bonus for renters!) This is a great option for smaller quilts. Push one tack through each corner and add enough spaced across the quilt that it won’t sag between tacks.
To elevate the artistry of a quilt, hang it inside a decorative frame. You can use thumbtacks to attach the quilt to the back side of the frame.
Your favorite quilts are an expression of who you are. Showcase them like a pro in a modern way that suits your home and your decorating style.
Want any of these quilts for yourself? Grab the patterns and start creating.
]]>Younger Me called Valentine's Day "Obligatory Romance Day." (Yeah, I wasn't always very fun to be around.)
Luckily for those close to me, I've outgrown my love rebel phase. Instead, this year I'm using Valentine's Day as an excuse to enjoy the ones I love.
There will probably be some cherry thumbprint cookies involved, and maybe we'll light a candle or two over a mac-and-cheese dinner with the kids.
And believe me, I'll be spending some romantic one-on-one time with Her Highness, my pink Singer featherweight. While the oven preheats, she and I will be working on a love-themed quilt together.
If you're in need of a quilt pattern to enjoy the holiday with, keep scrolling. I've got your back.
Lots of Love is one of my original patterns. Use ombre pinks or any color combination you want in this no-fuss foundation-paper-pieced wall hanging quilt.
I designed Work of Heart during lockdown when I was desperate for some color and happiness. Make yours rainbow like mine, pink and red, or the colors of your quilting space. A great stash quilt!
However you celebrate (or reject) Valentine's Day this year, I wish you meaningful relationships and a hobby that brings you joy.
xo,
Tacy
When we think of memory quilts, we often think of special fabric from clothing we used to wear, or photos of our favorite moments from the past. But for me, a lot of memories are tied to the cameras that took the photos.
]]>When we think of memory quilts, we often think of photos of our favorite moments from the past.
For me, a lot of memories are tied to the cameras that took the photos. I grew up during a time before smart phones. Cameras then had unique shapes and were instantly recognizable.
When I was little, my parents had a Minolta with a big flash attached to the top. I knew my dad brought it out to capture special moments. Seeing the camera emerge was a trigger to my child brain that this was a happy time we wanted to remember forever. Smiling up at my dad with that Minolta in front of his face made me feel happy and loved.
While it's easy to remember the big picture of an event (the Christmas my mom surprised us with homemade Cabbage Patch dolls), the small details are easy to forget. And those small details are what help me remember the feeling of the moment. Seeing my brother, so small next to his doll, brings back the squeak in his voice during that time. We loved playing with those dolls together.
Seeing the picture of my sister and me on horseback in my grandparents' yard reminds me of my grandma's flower garden with all the hummingbirds. One year for July 4th she lilt sparklers for us to wave around. Every time we visited, she had a new craft for us to make.
In middle school, I had a few of my own cameras - the point-and-shoot kinds. This time, I was the one behind the viewfinder, calling my friends together and capturing their smiles. I brought my camera to birthday parties, school events, bike trips to the pool, and sleepovers. One afternoon I even convinced my siblings to dress up in costumes and pose in goofy ways. (I'm the one whose face you can see in the photo below.)
I designed my quilt pattern Selfie to keep all these memories in focus, by showcasing special photographs and the cameras that captured them.
Selfie is a modern throw-size memory quilt. Keep yours on the couch or hang it on a wall. Included in the Selfie pattern are no-fuss applique instructions for four different camera styles. Easily print your photos onto printable fabric and frame them with special prints and colors. You could even use pieces of clothing.
You know a few of the stories behind my Selfie quilt. What stories will your Selfie quilt tell?
Get your copy of Selfie today.
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Peek inside my studio to see a day in the life of a professional quilter.
]]>Today I'm squeezing in a couple sewing projects before the Thanksgiving cooking and baking begin. With a shop full of my clients' unfinished Christmas gifts, my long arm has been quilting up a storm.
Peek inside my studio to see a day in the life of a professional quilter.
Get your quilt tops to me by December 3, 2022 for guaranteed completion by Christmas.
Have a happy and full Thanksgiving.
xo,
Tacy
We quilters and fiber lovers know fabric. We can check quality with the touch of a hand. We know how to choose color, contrast and pattern. We can imagine how a fabric will look cut up and paired next to other fabrics.
But pause for a minute and look closely. What do you see?
The detail of the fibers, the pattern of the weave, open spaces between the threads?
How densely woven are the threads? Do they vary in color or thickness as they flow through the fabric?
Or slide underneath a quilt at night and look up through it. Do you see a constellation of pin-pricks in the stitches?
We're trained to look at things in a specific way. But there's more to see and appreciate. If we slow down and shift our perspective, we find details we never knew were there.
My new quilt pattern, Loosely Held, invites you to pause and admire the overlooked.
Loosely Held is designed to look like a close-up of a beautiful piece of fabric. The foundation paper-pieced stripes are like the threads that weave together to make the fabric.
Loosely Held is a reminder to be curious and see things with fresh eyes. Even things you think you already know.
The pattern is also an invitation to play and create. Choose any colors to "weave" into the stripe. Make the "threads" of your quilt two-toned, chambray, rainbow or scrappy. It's up to you.
Now that you see what fabric looks like up close, you can create your own, from the fibers up.
And while you do, remember that life is as much about perspective as it is about what you thought was there.
Loosely Held will be available this month. Make sure you're on my VIP list for first access (and get a free pattern for while you wait).
And stay curious, friends.
]]>One of the hobbies I picked up during lockdown was refining my closet and creating a capsule wardrobe. After deciding on color, fiber content and silhouette, flannel shirts definitely made the cut.
As I learned about capsule wardrobes, I also learned about clothing's environmental impact.
In the 90s, I had no idea how many resources are used to make a single flannel shirt.
Water to grow the cotton, CO2 released by weaving the fibers into fabric, more water to dye the fabric, more CO2 to sew and ship the garment, and even more CO2 when it breaks down in a landfill.
This awareness is what inspired me to make quilts from second-hand clothing. If cutting fabrics apart and sewing them back together again (a quilter's specialty!) can give more life to some of these environmentally expensive fibers, I'm more than happy to do it.
After sharing the quilts my sons and I made, many of you reached out saying you were inspired to start upcycling fabrics into quilts, too. Some of you asked my advice, so here are my top 5 tips for making your own upcycled quilts.
For a quilter, this may seem like obvious advice. But many of us have made memory quilts for ourselves or family members. Some of these special fabrics don't necessarily coordinate with each other, but they need to be included for sentimental reasons.
However, an upcycled quilt doesn't have to include that one t-shirt in a random color, or a pattern that you don't love. Feel free to choose fabrics and garments that look beautiful together, and save the unmatched pieces for a different quilt.
Start by cutting the garments into flat pieces of fabric. Cut off sleeves, collars, tags, zippers and anything else you don't want to include in your quilt. Cut the side seams to separate the front from the back.
If any of the fabrics are thin, fraying, or more stretchy than you're comfortable working with, fuse a non-woven stabilizer to the back of the fabric.
Then, with a rotary cutter and ruler, cut the sides of the pieces straight and square. Cut as wide of widths as you can. You can always trim down later.
Next, cut the top edge as high as you can, and the bottom edge as low as you can. Use your ruler to make sure all the corners are 90 degrees.
Most quilts are made by sewing together blocks into horizontal rows. But for upcycled quilts, I like to sew vertical columns instead. This gives me more flexibility to use as much of the garment's length as possible.
Measure the widths of your pieces and sort them into groups of similar widths. These groups will be your columns.
You can sketch on graph paper, write down lists of measurements, or lay the pieces out on an open space of floor. Whichever method works best for you to divide and organize the pieces.
Once you know your layout, trim the widths in each column to match, sew the pieces into columns, and then trim the columns to the same length.
Add sashing between the columns if you want to separate them, add a border if you want, and your upcycled quilt is all set for quilting.
Will you try these tips? What's your favorite advice for sewing quilts from clothing? Leave a comment and let me know!
]]>Last week, I finally enjoyed my five days of crafting and business classes. It was everything I had hoped it would be. To summarize, I met some people, learned some things, and left feeling empowered.
But my favorite thing I took away from the conference was a jacket.
]]>I'd been looking forward to the Craftcation conference in Ventura, California. Five days of crafting and business classes and evenings alone to work on my quilt patterns was exactly what I needed.
Instead, I turned my home into a COVID bunker for my family, setting up virtual school spaces, grocery shopping alone for a month at a time, and devouring news like my life depended on it.
Though stressful, it was a welcome detour. I very much needed to feel safety and the closeness of my family during this time.
I'm happy to report that things are beginning to get back on course. Last week, I finally enjoyed my five days of crafting and business classes. It was everything I had hoped it would be. To summarize, I met some people, learned some things, and left feeling empowered.
But my favorite thing I took away from the conference was a jacket.
Thursday morning a group of us met Marisa from New Dress a Day outside the Marriott by the Ventura Pier and set off for a day of hunting in the several thrift stores in downtown Ventura.
I was on the mission to find a vintage quilt, and I found the perfect one: a double wedding ring made from pretty pastel fabrics. The workmanship was flawless, but years of love had worn the fabrics beyond repair. Peeking through the frayed pieces was the soft flannel blanket the original quilter used as batting.
Like I said, perfect.
With this quilt in hand, plus an inexpensive sweatshirt, I met the group again in a room full of sewing machines.
Using the sweatshirt as a pattern, I cut pieces from the quilt and turned it into the quilted jacket from my dreams. Watch the video to see my process.
I'm so happy with how it turned out. Tell me what you think! Would you make a jacket from a quilt?
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Once a quilter, always a quilter.
Even though we we sometimes tuck away our sewing machines for a while, quilters always seem to return to quilting.
Sometimes our passions pull us in different directions, and we have to choose between quilting and the other things we care about.
(Think gardening in the spring instead of quilting, baking nonstop the week before Christmas, or chasing after our kids or grandkids for a few years until they start school.)
But sometimes we get lucky, and our passions come together.
My newest quilting adventure is doing just that. It combines quilting, my kids, and helping the environment all at the same time.
We call it "Sewing Up Together."
These quilts have been made entirely from fibers rescued from the landfill.
Upcycling existing fabrics reduces water usage, carbon emissions, and potentially even deforestation.
And my boys and I are creating these together.
I've done the quilting, binding, some of the piecing, and the cutting. My 10-year-old helps with the math and the piecing and keeps track of the finances. And my 6-year-old is our creative consultant and lead conversationalist :)
My boys and I would be honored if you claimed one or two to bring into your home or to share with your friends and family.Since the pandemic began, it seems we've all been rethinking our lives in one way or another. This is especially true this Christmas season. I think we're all craving less busyness and deeper connections now more than ever.
In podcasts, web articles and social media posts, I'm seeing new ideas for refreshing traditions. Some people are avoiding stores this year for health reasons, or to opt out of the holiday chaos.
Others want to give extra special gifts so they are turning to handmade, either crafted by themselves or a local artist. Some are focusing on more sustainable gifts by buying secondhand.
Whatever change you're craving this year, it'll take a little creativity and probably some patience to redesign your Christmas.
While you're seeking ways to bring deeper meaning to your holiday, take the time to dust off your sewing machine. Pull out your favorite quilt pattern, or check out my pattern shop.
My quilt patterns can be downloaded instantly and printed at home. Most of them are scrap-friendly, so you can shop your stash to make a more sustainable gift. And of course, a handmade gift feels good for you and your loved one.
Instead of fighting crowds and traffic, let's all spend this weekend making our sewing machines hum. Doesn't that sound cozy?
It can be so hard to part with a beautiful quilt. From choosing the fabrics, cutting and stitching the pieces, and watching the pattern emerge, we put a bit of ourselves into the quilt.
As quilt makers gifting a quilt, it's our blessing and our struggle. And it's mine, too, as a long arm quilter.
As I press each quilt and pin the pieces onto my long arm machine, it speaks to me. It tells me what design and thread color it wants, and I quilt each one into their best version.
So sometimes it's hard to let them go home.
Here are some of my favorite quilts from the last couple months. All have been pieced by my talented clients, and quilted by me.
Now is the time to bring your quilt tops to me for quilting before Christmas. As with every quilt, I'll listen closely to what it wants to become, and give you back a completed masterpiece.
Request a free consult, and I'll see you soon.
I can't wait to fall in love with your quilt.
I've always been better at crafts than keeping plants alive. Maybe you can relate?
But last year changed that. Being cooped up inside an apartment during lockdown made me want to bring some outdoors in.
]]>I've always been better at crafts than keeping plants alive. Maybe you can relate?
But last year changed that. Being cooped up inside an apartment during lockdown made me want to bring some outdoors in.
So I bought a Sansevieria at the grocery store.
Caring for this plant, watching it grow and flourish, was so rewarding that I totally caught the bug. Now I'm a proud plant mama.
And because everything I do is filtered through the lens of quilting, here are some of my favorite plant-inspired quilts! If you're a plant lover too, I know you'll find your next project here.
Smarty Plants by Hissyfitz Designs
Bloomin' by Hunter's Design Studios
Bird of Paradise by Kohatu Patterns
Mary's Contrary Garden by Tamarinis
Dogwood Dreams by Flying Parrot Quilts
Cultivate by Lizard Creek Quilting
Trees from the Forest by Magic Little Dreams
Cabin Leaves by Cut Loose Press
Rococo Gardens by Patchwork Posse
Pollinator Blooms by Felice Quilt Designs
Spring Flower by Southwind Designs
Perennial Beauty by Phoebe Moon Designs
To Plant a Garden by Blueberry Backroads
Spring in the Suburb by Quilt Fox Design
Orchid Quilt Block by Always Expect Moore
Botanicals by The Crafty Nomad
Carrots & Peas by GeoQuilt Designs
Colleen's Garden by JoAnn Hoffman Designs
Berry Picnic by The Inquiring Quilter
Whimsy by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Sarah's Succulent Sampler by Sarah's Softies
Pineapple Twist by Slice of Pi Quilts
Fall Harvest by On Williams Street
Holly Berries in the Snow by Kissed Quilts
Here in Southern California, it's officially summer. School is out, the pool is open, and the grill is fired up!
For my kids, their full year (plus) of virtual school is over. I'm so proud of them for thriving during this strange year.
And I'm proud of myself.
This past year, I've risen to the challenge of a pandemic in ways I never thought possible. 2020 has forced me to rethink my habits and my values on so many levels: fitness, entertainment, family relationships and finances.
Even though it's been hard, I'm better because of it.
Now it's time to take a breath. And as I make my way out of crisis mode, I'm realizing how exhausted I am.
I designed my pattern Cutting Corners because I needed something calm and low-fuss and happy.
Seeing this quilt stitch together has been like a deep cleansing breath again and again. Every time I look at it, I feel my stability restoring.
Cutting Corners is a carefree, calming, colorful quilt pattern. It begs for your favorite colors, and is made by putting a twist on a basic quilting technique.
You can download yours today. I hope it brings you as much overdue energy as it's brought me.
xo,
Tacy
How there was a chance the digital world would come crashing down when computer calendars reset the year to '00? And then everything was fine?
Let me just say that ringing in 2021 felt even better than 2000!
But before we purge 2020 from our memories altogether, let's appreciate some of the shared good that has come from our collective challenges:
I hope some of these have been true for you. They definitely have been for me.
Most of the extra projects I've been lucky to work on have been quilts. And so, here are my top 10 quilts of 2020.
Sometimes, when you make a project, it turns out even better than you imagined. My Work of Heart pattern was like that.
The rainbow version was so well-liked that I made a Christmas version, too.
If you haven't grabbed your copy of this pattern yet, download it free here.
Pre-Christmas can get hectic. And there are so many cute holiday quilts to make! What's a quilter to do?? So I designed a Christmas block of the month, to let us enjoy the magic of Christmas all year together.
The blocks all use foundation paper piecing.
Eleven more cuties on the way! Come share the magic.
Here's a commission piece I made for a Star Wars fan's birthday, who is also a graphic designer. I took his image of the Mandalorian helmet, turned it into an applique pattern, and stitched it onto a 12" square.
Hand quilting rows add a rustic texture and make the sleek helmet seem to rise out of the quilt.
This is the way.
Proof that no quilt is too small for gorgeous custom quilting.
I gave the star rows fancy treatment, with waves on the borders and swirls on the panel background.
As a quilter, I love how the texture shows on the Minkee. The front of this quilt is adorable, but I can't stop staring at the back 👀
A stash busting quilt for every personality! My Leftover Night pattern uses fool-proof floating triangles and comes in 5 sizes.
With or without a Christmas flair, my Wobbly Tree pattern was well-liked this year. This simple pattern is great for the beginning paper piecer.
A dramatic lap quilt (and a trusting client) made for a perfect playground for some fun custom quilting.
In all the craziness of living in pandemic and social unrest, cherishing our family and children has been a uniting theme.
My Sew Big Growth Chart Quilt pattern is a colorful reminder to savor the precious moments.
Another popular quilt off my long arm. Thanks to my client's beautiful color selection, this quilt seems to move as you look at it.
My quilting design blends the colors together and adds to the soft, cool, leafy feel of the quilt.
Sometimes a simple, quick project is just what we need to unwind the stress of the day (or week or year).
This year, I designed Breezy Charm Quilt, a throw pattern for your 5" squares. It's free for you to download free and whip up something cute.
So 2020 wasn't all a bust. Here's to cherishing the good and looking ahead to even better.
Be healthy, stay connected.
xo,
Tacy
]]>"Next year I'll be ready for Christmas on time!" Sound familiar? Meet my newest pattern, a cutie you don't have to finish by Christmas. Let's share some holiday magic all year!
]]>Sound familiar?
I do make plans. I have good intentions. I even get started in early November.
Then starting Black Friday, I see so many adorable projects to make. But I never have time to finish them before Christmas.
What is a quilter to do?? 😩
Meet my newest pattern, 12 Days of Christmas, a cutie you don't have to finish by Christmas.
Make just one block each month, and next year you'll have a modern Christmas wall hanging to enjoy the entire season. Here's how it works:
Every block uses Foundation Paper Piecing, one of my favorite techniques for making quilt blocks. It's is a fun way to create unique and modern quilts.
Need a refresher on Foundation Paper Piecing? Check out my tutorial: How to Foundation Paper Piece the Easy Way.
My five-year-old son helped me brainstorm block ideas, from a snow boot and a knit hat, to a gift-wrapped package and a stocking.
These blocks celebrate everything we love about this cozy, sparkling holiday.
I can just hear the jingle of little bells!
Follow along with other quilters working on the project, with the Instagram hashtag #TacyGray12daysofChristmas.
Together, we'll embrace a little Christmas magic throughout the entire year.
So pick up some Christmas-colored scraps, hop over to my shop, and treat yourself to an adorable quilt you can finish in a breeze!
]]>With the spirit of giving, I have a new energy to sew for my friends and family. But of course the projects need to be quick and cute. Take a look at these free quilt patterns you can download today.
]]>Slow-motion pandemic year is nearing an end, can you believe it?
The days are getting shorter, and the weather is cooling. At the Gray home, we're all about the cozy sweaters, candles, and baking.
Oh, and quilts.
And gifts! Our living room is starting to turn into gift-wrapping station, and I couldn't be happier.
With the spirit of giving, I have a new energy to sew for my friends and family. But of course the projects need to be quick and cute.
Take a look at these free quilt patterns you can download today for free.
They're all designed by talented friends of mine, so be sure to check them out and show these women some love.
Until next time, stay crafty, stay cozy.
xo,
Tacy
]]>You and I are quilt lovers. But we are so much more than that. We are the caretakers. The makers. The bringers-together.
]]>We all know the fight-or-flight response to stress and danger.
And we’ve seen a lot of the fight side lately. It looks like division, hatred, arrogance, bullying, shouting without listening.
But what if we aren’t doomed to either fight or flee? What if we have another option?
When faced with fear, we can also respond by taking care of each other and spending time together. This response is called "Tend and Befriend.”
You and I are quilt lovers. But we are so much more than that.
We are the caretakers.
The makers.
The bringers-together.
We’ve been taught our entire lives that the way to get ahead is to conquer, destroy and dominate. But we don't believe this.
We can tend and befriend.
We can encourage the people around us. We can embrace our similarities and celebrate our differences. We can help each other.
Even those who don't agree with us.
Because power is not a finite resource to be hoarded. Power is infinite. It grows as we work together to bring meaningful change to the world.
Be a voice for good with me, by making and giving and nurturing and caring.
Let’s show the world how powerful kindness can be.
xo,
Tacy
P.S. To learn more about Tend and Friend, read this. And listen to this. And definitely read this.
When I write a new pattern, one of the things I love best is putting my vision into the hands of other quilters and seeing what happens.
Suddenly my pattern blossoms into something I never imagined.
Together we create something completely new and unique.
This is especially true when I ask them to use their quilt scraps, which is exactly what my Leftover Night pattern is designed for!
As my friends started sending me their versions, each one blew me away. They burst with personality and remind me why I love each of these quilters.
I've quilted dozens of Anne's quilt tops, so I know her style well. She sticks with an autumn color theme: golds, browns, greens, and creams. Her Leftover Night scrap quilt shows off some of her favorite stash fabrics.
Can you just smell the fall leaves and hot apple cider?
Colleen chose a blue and white palate for her Leftover Night quilt. Because she picked out several different blues and creams, the end result is crisp yet blended. So classy, Colleen!
Rossanna had a couple bold turquoise prints in her quilt stash. I helped her find two other fabrics to go with it. To make the most of her favorite print, we reversed the lights and darks. The end result is like stars in the night sky.
She and Bonnie teamed up to make this quilt for Bonnie's granddaughters.
Pink may be my favorite color, but I like to play with others, too. I found these bright fabrics in my stash. My Leftover Night quilt is full of energy and diversity.
What colors jump out when you look at your own quilt stash? Pull out a group of your favorites and get ready to show them off in a brand new way. Then grab your copy of my Leftover Night pattern drops very soon!
I can't wait to see what your scrappy Leftover Night will look like!
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Simple, complex, intricate, basic, you name it ... I get all starry-eyed.
For all the nearly endless ways to make a star, every star needs star points.
And to make a star point, you need a triangle.
If you’ve made a few star quilts, you may be familiar with Half-Square Triangles (also called HSTs). They're a super popular method for making triangles and star points.
There are a few different methods for making half-square triangles. Here’s my favorite:
Like Half-Square Triangles, Floating Triangles can be used to make star points, but they are so much more forgiving. This makes them perfect for beginning and carefree quilt making.
See how the seam doesn’t go through the block’s corners? If your seam is off a little, no one will ever know. It doesn’t get much more carefree than this!
Here's my method for making Floating Triangles:
Get your hands on my new pattern, Leftover Night, which uses Floating Triangles for fool-proof star points.
]]>
I thought I’d gotten the hang of life and parenting in COVID times.
Throughout the summer, I had taught the kids some new chores and they were helping out around the house. I was exercising in the morning and meditating at night. I was sewing every day, quilting for clients, and working on new patterns.
I felt like the Quarantine Queen.
Until virtual school started.
Two kids in virtual school is like juggling fire to help them get into their live classes on time, figure out when to make lunch, and find where to check on homework.
And once things begin to catch fire, everything was up in flames. My routine vanished. I was too tired to exercise, and I lost my quilting time.
After a couple days of this, I knew I needed to restore my inner self.
I began going into my sewing room, even on the days I didn't have time to sew, just to touch the fabric I had on hand.
As I did, I found in these scraps memories of earlier times and special relationships.
To savor these memories, I began turning the scraps into blocks for my new quilt pattern, Leftover Night.
I found harmony in the fabrics as they came together to create something new. And watching the stack of blocks grew reassured me that I wasn’t standing still.
I began to feel grounded again.
When I began designing my Leftover Night pattern last year, I had no idea a pandemic and quarantine were coming, and how much I’d need this pattern to connect me to myself during this challenging time.
Looking for a bit of solace in your scraps, like I did? Grab my Leftover Night scrappy quilt pattern today!
xo,
Tacy
P.S. Don't miss early access to all my patterns! Join my VIP list to stay in the loop.
]]>For over 6 months now, two adults, a 9-year-old, a 5-year old, and our two dogs have been living every aspect of life in our tiny Southern California apartment.
There is no doubt we are lucky to have a safe place to shelter in while the virus runs its course. I know not every family is this lucky.
All this closeness has been nice, for the most part.
But I’ve realized this past week that though we have plenty of time together, we’ve lost a lot of the fun of being a family.
No adventures to amusement parks, beaches, playgrounds, or even out to dinner.
The pool in our community has opened up by reservation with limited capacity. To reclaim some fun moments, I’ve been taking the boys swimming on weekends.
Here they are, tangled in noodles:
As we walk the quarter mile to the pool, we fall into a pattern. My 9-year-old trots ahead. His eagerness and independence put him in the lead.
Our 5-year-old wants desperately to be big, but he also needs someone to tell his every thought and observation to. So he bounces between trying to keep up with his big brother and hanging back with me.
And I follow behind, steady and efficient, keeping everyone safe and on the right path.
The three of us form a line like a family of geese in the spring.
As much as we need a variety of activities to keep family life fulfilling, the variety of our personalities make our family life rich and interesting.
My block for October’s Quilt Block Mania embraces the beautiful complexity of family life.
Download “Flying Geese Family,” my free block pattern. Then make a full quilt with 28 other free block patterns from the #QuiltBlockMania crew (below).
Be healthy and have a happy fall.
Flying Geese Family by Tacy Gray
Warming by the Fire
Paper Chain Family at Slice of Pi Quilts
Family is Love
Family Quote Pineapple Block by Blockofthemodotcom
Family Pumpkin Pickin' Day
Family Crest at Always Expect Moore
Old Rocking Chair at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Love@Home at Stash Bandit
Sisterhood by Michelle Renee Hiatt
Glimpse of Home at Scrapdash
We Are Family by Heidi Pridemore
Family Trees at Pretty Piney Quilts
Family is the Heart of Home by QuiltFabrication
Gathering by Blue Bear Quilts
Sister's Choice at Perkins Dry Goods
Every Family Has One at Patti's Patchwork
Orange Blossom Quilt
Wonky Nesting Hearts
Family Photo Block
Celtic Trinity Knot by Appliqués Quilts and More
Scarecrow
Family Ring at Devoted Quilter
Tartan Block at True Blue Quilts
FindSewingStuff.com
Family Heart by Amarar Cracions
Maybe you've been doing traditional quilting for years. Maybe you've been wanting to learn to sew. Maybe you're an innovative artist and don't want to make quilts like Grandma's. Enter Foundation Paper Piecing, your new BFF.
]]>I totally get it.
When you finally have time to sew for a bit, the last thing you want is frustration, errors, and more ripping than sewing.
But on the other hand, it's easy to get into a creative rut by doing the same thing over and over.
I've been there too.
Maybe you've been doing traditional quilting for years. Maybe you've been wanting to learn to sew. Maybe you're an innovative artist and don't want to make quilts like Grandma's.
Enter Foundation Paper Piecing, or "FPP."
FPP is your new BFF. Because of the way the patterns are designed, they can be super playful and one of a kind. No more boredom!
And once you get the hang of the process, you settle into a rhythm and watch the block emerge as you sew. Nice and easy!
The right tools make FPP even more fun and easy.
After taking dozens of FPP classes and trying dozens of different patterns, I've landed on a flow that really ... well ... flows.
A big part of this flow is the tools.
See any you're missing? Grab them here. Or better yet, take home my Foundation Paper Piecing Starter Bundle.
If you haven't yet, check out my step-by-step video tutorial on how to Foundation Paper Piece.
Then give it a try with my free Work of Heart Mini Quilt Pattern:
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When you open the lid on a box of chocolate hearts, do you read the card to know what you're biting into? Or do you embrace the surprise? Whatever your chocolate-eating style, variety and surprise are both key elements of creativity.
]]>When you open the lid on a box of chocolate hearts, do you read the card to know what you're biting into? Or do you embrace the surprise?
Whatever your chocolate-eating style, variety and surprise are both key elements of creativity.
Isolating during a pandemic is tough on creativity. There are definitely days I feel isolated, bored, and uninspired.
Enter the "edge effect" theory.
Scientists have found that innovation is more likely when diverse ideas come together.
When we spend time getting to know people from different backgrounds, our minds are more inspired to dream up fresh ideas.
After all, creativity is all about thinking outside the box.
Like a box of chocolate hearts, variety and surprise make our lives bright and colorful.
My "Work of Heart" mini quilt will remind you to embrace the different people in your life and cherish our differences.
Want to see how this quilt is made? Watch my step-by-step video tutorial.
]]>If so, you're missing out on one of my favorite techniques for making quilts! Once you have a few basic tools and know the steps, we can make some really fun designs together.
When we Foundation Paper Piece (also called "FPP"), we sew onto a paper pattern. When the block is finished, we tear the paper off.
Why I love Foundation Paper Piecing:
Because of these, Foundation Paper Pieced blocks can be playful and expressive. Which is why I love it so much!
To help you get excited about learning (or maybe re-learning) Foundation Paper Piecing, I've created a step-by-step video tutorial.
Then, keep reading for simple instructions, a walk-through of all my favorite tools, and a free Foundation Paper Piecing pattern!
First you need print or copy your Foundation Paper Piece block patterns.
If you're printing from a digital file, make sure your printer is set not to scale (or scale 100%).
Shorten your stitch length to 1.7-1.85 mm.
Once you get into the flow, you can settle into a really nice rhythm. You can say these steps, like a mantra:
Place the fabric
Flip the pattern
Sew on the line
Trim the seam allowance
Press the seam
Foundation Paper Piecing doesn't require anything special. All you really need is fabric scraps, a printer, and a sewing machine.
(My inner high school crafter on a swim instructor budget totally loves a no-special-tools project!)
But, there are a few helpful little gadgets that I like to have on hand. These tools make my blocks even more fun to sew together, and the blocks turn out so so nice.
Think of this next list as "How to Foundation Paper Piece Better."
Because we sew onto paper patterns, you need ... paper!
In a pinch, you can use whatever basic paper you have in your printer. But whenever I can, I use Foundation Paper.
Foundation Paper feeds easily through your printer so you can print the block patterns. And after you're done sewing, the paper tears off cleanly and is gentle on your seams.
To hold your fabrics in place on the paper, any straight pin will do. I've even some people use staples or clear tape when they Foundation Paper Piece.
Gotta love that personal flair!
My favorite, though, is a Flat Head Pin.
These pins are long and sharp, and the flat head doesn't make any bulk when you flip the pattern over and sew.
This cute little ruler has a 1/4" lip underneath. This makes it quick and easy to trim off the extra fabric after each seam.
The Add-A-Quarter Ruler comes in different lengths. My favorite is 6" long.
And of course, mine is pink!
To use the Add-A-Quarter Ruler when you Foundation Paper Piece, fold back everything but the excess fabric from the seam you just sewed. The lip on the ruler catches onto that bulk, leaving a perfect 1/4" edge. Then trim off the excess with a rotary cutter. So slick!
For a crisp, precise seam when you Foundation Paper Piece, you'll want to press after every seam.
Feel free to use the iron across the room when you're counting your steps. But for cord-free pressing right at my sewing table, I love using a Seam Roller.
Lay your block on a flat surface and simply roll the Seam Roller across the seam a few times. You'll be amazed how flat your seams get with this little tool!
So now you know that Foundation Paper Piecing is easy, quick, and fun! Ready to try it out yourself?
Download my free WORK OF HEART mini quilt pattern and give it a try today!
]]>The first Halloween I can remember, Minnesota had a blizzard for the history books. Over the next four days, snowfall accumulated to an unbelievable 37 inches.
That night, my brother and sisters and I got dressed up in our costumes, put our winter coats, snow pants, boots, hats and mittens on OVER the costumes, and waded out onto unshoveled sidewalks.
Needless to say, our candy haul was nothing to brag about.
Years of bitter cold Halloween nights have led me to embrace a more cozy (read "indoor") Halloween.
Think of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, Garfield's Halloween Adventure on the television, and piles of quilts and dogs on the couch.
So the quilt block I've designed for #QuiltBlockMania is a nervous little kitty who could really use a cuddle. Download this pattern for free and make your own adorable Halloween quilt block.
Then click the links below to find even more free Halloween quilt block patterns from my #QuiltBlockMania friends -- enough to make your Halloween quilt in any style you prefer.
Scaredy Kitty by Tacy Gray
"Which Hat?" at Pretty Piney
Black Cat at Inquiring Quilter
Ring of Pumpkins at Always Expect Moore
Haunted House at Powered by Quilting
Three Treats at Sew Brainy
Bat at Slice of Pi Quilts
Day of the Dead Skull at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Gypsy Wagon Fortune Teller at Orange Blossom Quilt
Monster at Seams to be Sew
Patchwork Pumpkin at Quilted Diary
Stacked Pumpkins at Perkins Dry Goods
Spooky Star at Block of the Mo .com
Leaf Ghost at Off the Wall Quilt
Leaf and Vine at Quilt Moments
Frankenstein at Around the Bobbin
Bat by Heidi Pridemore
Candy Corn by Quilt Fabrication
Dark night by Cotton Street Commons
Pumpkin by Sew on the Go
Pumpkin and Bat by ScrapDash
Pumpkin Chain by Stash Bandit
Happy Jack-o-lantern by Patti's Patchwork
Foundation Pieced Eyes by Amarar Creacions
Spooky Trees by Aunt Em's Quilts
Upside Down Witch by Appliques Quilts and More
Sun-Boo-Net Sue by Blue Bear Quilts
Spider by Oh Kay Quilting
Candy, Pumpkins, and Witch Hat by Utah Quilt Appraiser
Have you ever pieced together an entire quilt top, stepped back to admire your work, and then asked yourself, "Why did I put those two blocks together?" Or "Why didn't I rotate that corner block?" Or "Why is that one row of star points up-side down??"
]]>This exact thing happened while I was working on a memory quilt for my high school swim team friend, Michelle.
When I make memory quilts, I make a point to get my clients' approval of a rough layout, to be sure I'm including all the special elements.
After I snapped that photo, I shuffled some things around and took another.
Later, when I opened my email app to send her a photo, I flipped back and forth to decide which was better. And...
Lightbulb moment!
Have you ever pieced together an entire quilt top, stepped back to admire your work, and then asked yourself, "Why did I put those two blocks together?" Or "Why didn't I rotate that corner block?" Or "Why is that one row of star points up-side down??"
(In case you're wondering ... yes, I know this from personal experience!)
Turns out, shuffling blocks around and trying to remember which you like better isn't the most reliable process. Instead, I snap photos of the different layouts and compare the pictures to choose my favorite.
This is even true if you have a design wall to stick your blocks to.
Here are some options I played with for a new upcoming quilt:
And since I have the photos, it's also super easy to get a friend's opinion!
Give it a shot (pun intended)! The next time you're ready to lay out your quilt blocks, take photos and see how your options look on the screen.
I'd love to hear your favorite method for choosing a block layout you're sure you'll love!
P.S. Here's the final version of Michelle's memory quilt. Looks like it's kid-approved!
When I was in ninth grade, my family moved to a new home. That summer, I remember stretching out in the hammock in the back yard.
While a book sat unopened on my lap, I watched as sunlight peeked through the trees and listened as the leaves whispered in the breeze.
My boys have been enjoying this summer in their own ways. Elaborate LEGO creations cover every inch of bedroom floor.
Bike/scooter/skateboard rides around the neighborhood are our daily outing. They both have their own hiding spot for sticks, for no reason that I can figure out.
They don't realize it yet, but the start of the school year is just around the corner - a time of fresh starts and new challenges.
I'll start talking to them about school soon, but for now I want them to enjoy these carefree days.
To help you get excited about back to school, I've teamed up with some other pattern designers to give you 37 school-themed quilt block patterns for free!
Click the links below to grab your gifts.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, whether you're exploring nature, playing with toys on the floor, or sewing a fun new project!
The death of George Floyd marked a national crisis inside a pandemic. While I've been working on figuring out life with COVID-19, the events in Minneapolis have made me rethink my values and actions.
George Floyd's unnecessary death is not the first of its kind. This tragedy has shined a light on our country's history of violence against people of color.
As people of all colors have raised their voices in protest, I've been realizing how little I know of the discrimination and suffering that impacts minority communities. Honestly, I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I've spent so much time thinking that injustice against other communities is not my problem.
So I've been learning, listening, and looking in the mirror. I've been absorbing podcasts, exploring the works of black artists, and investigating my own implicit bias.
It's been a few weeks since George Floyd was killed, and the protests have calmed down. Even social media conversations have drifted back to "normal." Though it can be easy to forget, I'm doing my best to make some lasting changes in my life.
What are your favorite ways to get involved? Do you have a favorite cause or charity? I would love to hear how you speak out and lend a hand.
Above all, my friend, be safe, be kind, and don't be afraid to question your beliefs. We are only free when we're all free.
]]>For those of you who (like me!) are quilting through the crisis, I am here to help you finish your quilts with my long arm and binding services. To support social distancing guidelines, I have a new procedure for you to safely send me your quilt tops.
Box up your quilt top and backing fabric (and binding fabric)
Log in or create an account at USPS.com
Choose "Click-N-Ship"
Fill in the required details
Print your shipping label
Schedule a pick-up. Leave it at your front door for contact-free pick-up
When I'm finished with your quilt, I'll ship it back using the same method. I'm currently accepting payment via check by mail, Venmo, or PayPal. During the quarantine, I'll cover the return shipping costs.
So let's make some quilts together! Contact me for an email or phone consultation, and we'll make some beauty during this strange time.
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- J.R.R. Tolkien
Until today, I'd known this quote only as "not all who wander are lost," a pretty phrase lettered above a camping design on a throw pillow.
I love the full quote. More than simply refuting a negative, it gives permission to explore in the moment without having to run straight into the future.
Plans are great. But they can be overrated. This quote gives us the freedom to be in the moment, without needing a plan or direction.
I love this quilt, too, for it's hopeful confidence. Amy chose clear solid fabrics against the white arrows. The equally bold custom quilting design highlights the quilt's shapes and personality.
Have fun and wander lots, Amy!
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