Diary of a Quilter – a quilt blog

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  • Perfectly Pretty Patchwork – Vintage-Inspired Quilt Book

    I’ve had fun working on some projects behind the scenes that I’ll be sharing throughout this month. One of them is this cute little…

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  • Meet SoJo Fabric Online Quilt Shop

    I’m excited to introduce you to a really fun new online fabric shop, Sojo Fabric. They specialize in quilting cottons, quilt kits, curated bundles,…

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  • Update – Sewing Room Storage and EPP

    An update on what’s going on around here. First of all: a sewing room update + a handy (and super simple!) quilting ruler storage…

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  • Irish Chain Nine-Patch Quilt Tutorial

    I recently finished a classic nine-patch (or Irish Chain) quilt for a baby gift. I went with neutral, low-volume colors making it both timeless…

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  • Tip: How to Resize a Quilt Block that is Too Small

    Have you ever ended up with a quilt block that is too small? Don’t you hate that? Today Leila Gardunia is sharing a simple…

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  • Thank you, Sewing

    So much for my hope for 2020 to be boring. We are not off to a boring start. Thankfully, Sewing has been my sanity…

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  • Meet Online Shop Simply Love Fabrics

    Today I’d like to introduce you to one of my newest sponsors, Simply Love Fabrics, an online fabric shop specializing in contemporary quilting cotton…

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  • Fabric Butterfly Wall Art by guest Sedef Imer

    I always get excited when it’s Sedef’s turn to share a guest tutorial on Diary of a Quilter. And today is no different. Sedef,…

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  • Two Baby Quilts (and a Baby)

    I’ve been working behind the scenes on two baby quilts. Now that they are gifted I can share them! One made with more Economy…

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My Bluprint Class: 7 precuts quilts

Video classes for 7 quilts made with precuts
30 Ideas and Tutorials for Spring and Easter Sewing
25 patterns made with Charm Packs - precut 5" squares
How to make a Manx Quilt Block
Gifts for Quilters and sewing lovers
Patchwork on Point Crib Quilt Tutorial

Ideas for Charitable Sewing

Ideas for Charitable Sewing

Star Baby Quilt Tutorial

Star Baby Quilt Tutorial
Fast Shortcuts to make multiple Half-Square Triangles

My Riley Blake Fabric Collections

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  • Log Cabin Quilt Block Tutorial + Inspiration
  • How to Help + Alternatives to Elastic for Fabric Face Masks
  • Churn Dash Quilt Block Tutorial
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Copyright 2008-2019 Amy Smart/DiaryofaQuilter.com.

FTC Disclosure: This blog accepts paid advertising and uses affiliate links for which I receive compensation.

 

I occasionally receive free fabric, books, or notions in exchange for posting an honest review. All reviews are my own opinions and I write all of my own posts unless specifically clarified.

 

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  • This week on the #rbdblockchallenge: Log Cabins! @citrusandmintdesigns shared a great tutorial for making a traditional Log Cabin Quilt Block in 6” or 12” sizes. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ» I’m also sharing lots of other Log Cabin quilt inspiration. You can find the kinks to all of them in my latest blog post. πŸ˜ƒπŸ€œπŸ»πŸ€›πŸ» #logcabinquilts #logcabinquiltblock #rileyblakedesigns
  • I have been very lucky to work with @babylocksewing for the past few years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the various machines I’ve used - they really do have the perfect machine for every level and budget. 🧡 Baby Lock recently sent me one of their new, smaller machines, the Jubilant from their Genuine Collection. This machine has over 80 stitches and multiple functions, including button holes and feed dogs that drop for free motion quilting. It also only weighs 14.4 pounds, making it the perfect, portable machine for classes or guild events. 🧡 You can read more about the Jubilant machine on my blog - and thanks to the generosity of @babylocksewing I have one to give away! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ’• Visit my blog to enter. (Link in profile.) #babylocksewing #sewingmachine #ad #sponsored
  • This week @rileyblakedesigns announced a fun little classic quilt block challenge. Each week we’ll make a traditional quilt block. This week is the Churn Dash block and I’ve got a quick, shortcut tutorial with 6” and 12” options. You can find the step by step photos in my Story Highlights πŸ‘†πŸ»or my latest blog post. I’ll be back each week to share the latest blocks. I’m making mine with #sugarhouseparkfabric. πŸ₯° #rileyblakedesigns #churndashblock #rbdblockchallenge βœ‚οΈ
  • Well this was perfect timing for a fun distraction! Last fall I had a great time digging through years worth of my favorite scraps to make this cheerful quilt. And now that the latest issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine @lovequiltingmag is out, I can share! πŸ™ŒπŸ»πŸ˜ƒπŸŽ‰ 🌈❀️ This quilt is called Scrap Happy and it uses up a LOT of scraps. πŸ€œπŸ»πŸ€›πŸ» I’ve also got a coordinating bonus project - the half-square triangle cushion (or mini quilt option) on the cover. πŸ™Š Quilting on this one by Melissa of @sewshabbyquilting. πŸ’• #scraphappyquilt #lovepatchworkandquilting #useyourscraps #scrapquiltsarethebest #scrapquilts #diaryofaquilter
  • Sewing folks are the best. πŸ’™ It's been amazing to see people rally to help those requesting fabric face masks. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € Last night I made my first round of fabric face masks using the tutorial by @made_everyday. I found elastic deep in my notions drawer and I chose to use an unused sheet because of the tighter fabric weave with some leftover @rileyblakedesigns flannel on the back. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € This week on my blog Lee Monroe of @maychappell shared some helpful tips if you are out of elastic for making handmade face masks. (link is in the profile) β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € If you have reservations about making masks, that's totally okay! There are still lots of other sewing needs if you have time on your hands and want to keep busy helping. And if your hands are already plenty busy managing everything (and everyone) going on in your house and you need your limited minutes of sewing time to be relaxing for your sanity's sake, then that's important too. πŸ₯° #selfcareisimportant β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € Hang in there everyone! We're all just doing the best we can in our own sphere, and for now, that's good enough. πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™
  • For my first #quarantinedquilters finish, I present the Economy Block Crib quilt I made using Pemberley Fabrics by @citrusandmintdesigns for @rileyblakedesigns. 😻 I have a tutorial for the 8" x 8" Economy Quilt Blocks on the blog (link in profile). Quilted by @SewShabbyQuilting. ❀️ β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € I continue on the crib/baby-size quilt roll. :) It always feels good to have a finish, but even more so in these weird times where so much daily stuff is out of our control. How are you handling this new, weird 'normal'? I admit to consistently feeling the whole range of emotions - sometimes within a very short time frame. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € I'm a homebody and sometimes I like the thought of just being home, sewing and taking care of my house, knowing my family is safe with me. Other times I feel totally overwhelmed with all my kids at home, trying to figure out how to keep them constructively busy, not on screens all day, and not eating all of the snacks too quickly. 😬 β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € Yesterday we woke up to an earthquake in Utah (incredibly unusual!) and that threw a whole bunch of new emotions at all of us. 😳 (We are safe and sound, but it was one more thing to put us on edge.) β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € I'm trying to just allow myself to feel how I feel in that moment. I hope you can too. This is uncharted territory for most of us. Give yourself permission to feel the overwhelm and fear sometimes. It's normal AND it's better to feel it, than to resist it - that only makes it worse. Also give yourself permission to turn off the news and social media. Going for walks and doing spontaneous yoga has helped me too. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € And give yourself permission to not be constantly busy or productive. I think even as recently as last week I was gearing myself up to make this time super efficient and productive. And that only added to the stress and even drained my desire to sew or do other things that typically bring me comfort. I'm purposely letting go of that intensity and just taking life one day at a time. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € Hang in there friends! xo ❀️
  • How is everyone out there doing?? Is your sanity surviving the Corona Virus Pandemonium? Has it been the weirdest week (year!) or what? β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € I've always loved this quote from Grace Coolidge. πŸ’• This sewing love of mine has been a stabilizer for me for years - and particularly in the past few months as we've navigated some upheaval in our family's normal routines. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € This feels so even more relevant as now we're collectively facing unusual and uncertain times as a global community. That's such a disconcerting feeling. It's a blessing to have a stabilizer πŸ§΅βœ‚οΈπŸ§Ά to ground us a little and keep our hands busy. And maybe even do some good while we're at it. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € I know in the long run, my family be fine. I'm a bit of a homebody anyway. πŸ˜‰ Plus we've got food, toilet paper, the internet, fabric and thread. And my people that I love. And all of you that I can still connect with from home. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € My worries and heart and prayers do go out to those at risk, those who are alone or without a support network, those for whom this upheaval poses a serious challenge, and those doctors, nurses and first responders we'll require so much of. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € It's a humbling time. β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β €β € Stay safe out there my friends! 😘Wash your hands. 🧼 Use this time to put some good into the world. Maybe teach a child to sew. xo πŸ’•πŸ§΅βœ‚οΈ
  • I finished my mini quilt using the Mill and Stars pattern from Kristyne Czepuryk @prettybyhand’s new book Perfectly Pretty Patchwork. I’ve always wanted to make this block and thoroughly enjoyed playing with prints for this mini. πŸ’• #miniquilts #perfectlyprettypatchworkbook

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