Sew Help me!
Tips, Tutorials, and Techniques for Quilters
Here are the Quilt Making Techniques that quilters need to finish their quilting project. The answer to your question is here! This page lists free articles and how-to information on a number of quilt-related topics, including quilting and sewing tips, terms, and techniques for the beginning quilter.
Be sure to see our How to Make page and our Tutorials page for more tips and techniques.
Quilt Making Techniques
5 Reasons to Say Woo Hoo! to School Glue by Mel Beach of Piece, Love, and Happiness
7 Ways to Use a Laser on Your Sewing Machine by Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts
Accurate and Attractive Machine binding by Jen Strauser
Accurate Stitch-and-Flip Corners by Tara Miller
Adding a border
You have finished your quilt top. Now how do you decide what borders to add? Here are some guidelines for choosing the perfectly straight, pieced, mitered, or scalloped border and methods for creating it. An illustrated two-part article on how the border affects the look of the quilt.
Applique techniques and tips
These tips will have you appliquéing like a pro in no time! Here are tips for both hand and machine appliqué by needle-turn, freezer paper, fusible and more.
Applique using Fusible Web
Just learning fusible applique? Here are some tips and techniques to make this quick method a bit easier. Lots of inspirational pictures!
Basics of ruching (a vintage fabric manipulation technique) by Cheryl Sleboda
Bias Binding Basics
This tutorial discusses not only three types of bindings and when they should be used but also six other edge finishes.
Binding Basics
This article answers the questions, “What is the difference between straight grain, cross grain and bias binding? How do I apply them and what do I do about the corners?”
Includes a chart on fabric requirements for both bias and straight-grain/cross-grain binding. for various size quilts. This is a handy chart to print and save to calculate the amount of fabric needed to bind a quilt.
Calculate the amount of fabric needed in a quilt.
Answering the age-old question, “How much fabric do I need for my quilt?” This is a great little calculator to estimate how much quilt material you will need if you are creating your own quilt If you aren’t sure how big to make your quilt, there is also a chart of a standard mattress, pillow, and quilt sizes and a free pattern for making a “hot dog” pillowcase with all seams enclosed.
Catching the Muse
Unleashing your own creativity to create a quilt design that represents your unique style.
Challenge Yourself
Stretch those quilting wings! Here are some tips for getting out of your comfort zone one small step at a time.
Choosing quilting designs for your quilt by Raylee Bielenberg
Choosing the Perfect Sewing Machine
Tips for choosing the machine for you, including a list of questions for your dealer to print out and take with you.
Color in Quilts
What makes one quilt sing and another just hum? Here is a three-part article on choosing the color and fabric that will make your quilt special.
- The Colorwheel can help
- Common Color Associations
English Paper Piecing
by Gnome Angel
Establishing a Quilt Guild
Do you know a group of people who would like to form a quilt guild? Perhaps you are interested in converting your existing informal quilting bee into a formal guild. It’s a bit of work, but worth it in the end!
Fleece Facts
How to sew with fleece
Fussy cutting tips and techniques by Angie Wilson of Gnome Angel
Foundation Piecing
The same as paper piecing, but different. Use a preprinted panel to make this Christmas Stars Tablerunner.
Getting started with English Paper Piecing by Laura Chaney
Getting started with Hand Quilting by Sandra Starley
Hanging your Quilt
This article explains how to make and attach a hanging sleeve to a quilt.
How to Fracture a Quilt Panel
This tutorial will show an example of how a fractured quilt can be made.
How to use a Quilt Panel
21 Ways to easily make an amazing quilt from a preprinted panel, large scale print or border.
How to use Bubble Jet Set to put photos on fabric
Use this chemical to treat cotton, flannel, and fleece in quantity for fabric transfer.
How to Make a Controlled Scrappy Quilt
How to Make a Quilt Top with Borders that Lie Flat
Do your borders wave at you? Here is a quick tutorial with a video for avoiding wavy borders.
How to solve loops in free motion quilting by Suzy Webster of Webster Quilt
Jelly Roll Ideas
You love the jelly roll you just bought – but what to do with it?
Joining Binding the Easy Way by Susan Arnold of Quilt Fabrication
Labeling your quilt – How to make a quilt label
A quilt isn’t finished until it is labeled. Here is the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of making a quilt label.
Machine Quilting Basics
An overview of the process
The Magic of Glue Basting by Sarah Ruiz
Making a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear
Using antique and vintage quilt blocks in new settings.
No-Marking: Know your sewing machine by Andi Stanfield of True Blue Quilts
Organizing kits for on-the-go sewing by Kathy Bruckman
Paper Pieced Quilt Projects for Beginners
18 links to projects and tutorials assembled by Rachel of Kohatu Patterns
Planned Improv Piecing by Sarah Goer
Pre-assembling fusible applique by Cherry Guidry
Ruffling with Elastic
Tuesday Tip by May Chappell
Save your money for quilt fabric!
Here are great tips for using everyday items in original ways to save time and money in quilting.
- Dryer Sheets Uses for new and used dryer sheets.
- Using Freezer Paper for quilting
Say YES to Y-seams by Bobbie Gentili of The Geeky Bobbin
Setting a Quilt or Block on Point
The Seven Deadly Sins of Paper Piecing.
Okay, maybe they aren’t deadly but mistakes are sure annoying! Here are tips on how to avoid them and become a Perfect Paper PIecing Person.
Sewing with Flannel
Tips and Tricks for washing, cutting and sewing flannel projects.
Complete with a no-math chart.
Spray Baste your Quilt by Jen Frost
Starch and starch alternatives by Teresa Coates
Three Dimensional Quilt Blocks
Start with the basic 3D Bow Tie and go to the Dimensional Square-in-a-Square, the Faux Catherdral Window block, and the Dimensional Pinwheel
Using Leaders and Enders by Joanne Harris
Ways to stop your ruler from slipping while cutting by Jen Shaffer
What is a Scant 1/4″ Seam?
by Lo and Behold Stitchery