I wanted to pass along an easy way to quilt a rope cable border without any backtracking!   This is the rope cable stencil from my Ultimate Borders collection.  Generally when you quilt this design there is double stitching on every other hump of the cable in order to keep it continuous.  Here's a different solution... Work the cable from left to right.  Start at the top of a cable (first pink arrow on the left) and stitch all the way down.   Now kick back up from here and "echo" the stitched curve until you get back up to...

I'm working on some new class samples for the Ultimate Backgrounds as well as the brand new Ultimate Borders  so thought I could share some tips along the way This is the triangles/diamonds background stencil.  You can use all of it or parts to create your own custom designs.  Because I want to create a Chevron design I am only going to use one zig zag line.   I've copied the sheet from my handbook showing how this design is created.    Take your ruler and draw a straight vertical line.  Now mark a dot where you want the lines...

After nearly two years of "thinking about it" I'm thrilled to let you know that the Ultimate Borders set of stencils is finally done...YAY!!! This is a 20 piece stencil set that includes six border designs in three different sizes as well as 12 motifs in three sizes each. Each border design has the halfway line cut as well as the corner 45 degree angle cut.  This ensures that each time you mark/repeat the design it is perfectly centered and the corner is spot on.  Repeats are also marked with dots so you can get accurate repetition of your design....

I  have some dedicated time  at home and can start indulging in more tutorials and posts.  I wanted to share how you can use TWO of the Ultimates to easily create quilting designs. Most of you are already familiar with the circle and square Ultimate Stencils.  You may or may/not be familiar with the newest addition to this collection, The Ultimate Shape.  I explain to my students that these Ultimates are TOOLS...you use  parts of them to create lines, curves and designs.   The Ultimate Shape comes in four different sizes, i.e., 2", 4", 6" and 8".  This provides four...

While in Houston this past fall with my exhibit I became inspired by the beautiful hexie quilts across the aisle and got sucked into the English paper piecing hook, line and sinker!  Of course I needed to do one with vintage hankies and silks.   I rummaged thru my hankie stash and chose several that I loved...I decided to use initials that represented my favorite daughters Jenny & Emily (they're my only two), and my initial and our last name initial and throw in a couple more designs for interest.  I stabilized them and then cut out a 6 1/2"...