When you want to resize an applique block in Electric Quilt, there is an easy way to do it…if you know the secret! Once you have an applique block drawn in EQ, or a series of blocks like in this sampler quilt, you may decide you need a different size background on your applique blocks. […] Read More
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Applique Borders: Designing Applique Quilts in EQ, Part 2
This quilt was designed in an applique block design workshop with my guild. I drew each block in EQ by taking a photo of each block, importing the photo into EQ, and tracing the shapes using PatchDraw. The border design was created as a “Motif” a floating applique design that can be added and moved […] Read More
Designing Applique Quilts in EQ, Part 1
Designing Applique blocks and borders in EQ When you tackle a quilt like this spring flowers quilt, the first step is to design the basic quilt structure in Electric Quilt. I like using a large block size for applique blocks. Floral blocks tend to get pretty big when you are working with 2 1/2″ and […] Read More
Let Go of Perfection to Achieve Perfection!
Let go of perfection to achieve perfection! This is the advice I have been giving the members of “Ahead of the Curve” this week. They are learning to free-motion quilt with Leaves Galore. I’d like to share these same words of wisdom with you. Study the MASTERS! Watching someone quilt is no substitute for doing […] Read More
Feathering your Nest
Many of us have had the experience of “Nesting” while expecting a child. Nesting is the female’s natural instinct to clean, organize and prepare the “Nest” for Baby’s arrival. Lord knows at 55, I am definitely not “expecting”, so why am I “Nesting?” You heard last week about how I reorganized my small sewing room. […] Read More
Saving Grace
Since I picked my word of the year, Grace, I have noticed how many times people say that word! One of the most common phrases is “Saving Grace”. Vocabulary.com says: A saving grace is something positive in an otherwise bad situation. The saving grace is the good thing that redeems, or saves, a negative experience. YOU have been my Saving Grace! This […] Read More
THE SEWING ROOM BLUES: Organizing a Small Sewing Room
DO YOU EVER GET THE SEWING ROOM BLUES? If you have a magazine-ready sewing room, count your blessings! If you suffer from the “Small Sewing Room Blues”, I feel your pain. You will never find my 12 x 14 foot sewing room in “QuiltFolk” magazine. Over the past weekend I spent an entire day emptying […] Read More
Instagram, and the IG Quiltfest 2021 CONTEST
I have joined the 2021 Instagram QuiltFest! For the rest of March, I’m going to post one photo a day that relates to a list of writing prompts. I love this type of challenge! It’s a fun way to get to know lots of different quilters. Both professionals and non-professional quilters are joining the March […] Read More
Fusible Flaws: When Fusible Applique is NOT the Best Option
Fusible applique is the method I use for MOST of my applique quilts. There are times when fusible applique may not be the best method FOR YOU. Nine years ago, I came across one quilt that I was really excited about making. I found this old quilt at an antique shop on Rt. 66 when […] Read More
Cultivating Culture
When Netflix gets old…there are some wonderful lectures and presentations from the International Quilt Museum. To get to all the museum’s online resources, go to the website: internationalquiltmuseum.org, then follow the Visit tab, then Virtual Experiences. There are many wonderful programs to discover! My favorite virtual resources are the “Textile Talks” from The Quilt Alliance, SAQA, Surface Design […] Read More
Podcasts and Love Letters
Are you into Podcasts? I love listening to podcasts while I sew! One of my favorite podcasts is “Happier”, with Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft. Liz and Gretchen challenge us to find ways to be Happier and offer hacks and thoughts on bringing joy into your life. Liz and Gretchen have challenged listeners to read for […] Read More
GRACE
Last week I celebrated my 55th birthday, and I want to thank everyone for the e-mails, cards and personal messages on Facebook and Instagram. I am feeling loved! This morning I got this card from Donna, Penny and Joanne who work with me here at Sue Pelland Designs. Many of you know my amazing team of Suzettes, but […] Read More
BIG Daddy Clam Shells
Big Daddy Clam Shells is finished and quilted! I just love what Pam at the Quilted Seahorse did with this quilt! The quilting pattern is perfect. Big Daddy uses a TON of fusible web to make this large scale clamshell quilt in the fastest, easiest way possible. The clamshells are fused, cut and fused […] Read More
Free Motion Monogramming
Once you wrap your head around Free Motion Quilting (like we did in the Inner Circle Workshop) it is easy to transfer that skill to Free Motion Monogramming like I did on My Grand Nephew Liam’s stocking. I use Iron Off Marking Chalk in a Clover Marking Tool, then write the name in cursive […] Read More
Finish “My Magical Garden” quilt in 2021
Even if you hate to get your hands dirty, you can quilt a Magical Garden this year! We are planting a new crop of “My Magical Garden” quilts in 2021. Whether you join My Magical Garden today or you started three years ago, every member of the My Magical Garden Group is invited to join […] Read More
Was it really just December 25th?
It’s still the Christmas season, even though the big day is over. It was a little odd having Christmas alone at home this year, but I did my best to bring on the spirit of the Holidays. We got a real tree, covered it with lights and baubles. I truly wish I could bottle up […] Read More
Won’t You Be My Quilting Neighbor?
Last week we had a snowstorm and I snapped this photo as I was writing my newsletter. As I took this photo outside my front door, I thought to myself: “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!” This quote from Mr. Rogers brought me back to my childhood. I am not embarrassed to say that I grew up watching Mr. […] Read More
A practical guide to fusibles, interfacings and stabilizers for Quilters
Many of you know me for fusible applique. There are times, however that I dabble in garment making, home decorating and crafts. You might find me making a personalized fabric handbag, a basket or bin to hold my quilting tools, or pretty journal cover that hides a boring notebook. When I veer off the path […] Read More
2021 Workshops for Quarter One
Are you ready for 2021? We have some great things in store for friends of Sue Pelland Designs! Here is the list of workshops that will be offered in the first quarter of 2021. The workshop list for Quarter One of 2021 is here! If you would like to take any of the workshops, they […] Read More
Buttonhole Stitching Video
When you want more information about buttonhole stitching, There are some great tips and techniques in this video: https://www.facebook.com/SuePellandDesigns/videos/286552678906036 This is the most requested video I have made, and I wanted you to be able to find it easily. Keep on stitching! Read More
2021 Workshops and More Membership News!
Penny and I have been working on an all new list of ZOOM workshops for 2021. We have chosen dates and times for the first quarter of 2021. There will be something for everyone in 2021! We are kicking off the new season with a guest teacher, Tina Dillard The membership is looking at a […] Read More
Big White Transdoodle Transferring Applique to Fabric
Tip #1 What is the best way to transfer an applique design to the background fabric when you can’t see through the fabric? I like using Transdoodle but Mistyfuse discontinued Transdoodle Jr. in blue, yellow and white. What is a quilter to do? I have just discovered that we can get four big sheets that are 18” […] Read More
Are you a football widow?
I am one of the millions of stereotypical women who on Monday Nights, Thursday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays, are left to our own devices. My husband is no longer skulking around the sewing room, saying, “Are you finished?…When is dinner going to be ready?… Do you want to go out for a ride??? In […] Read More
Want to Learn Applique?
So you want to learn applique? Whether you love applique, or you have had a bad applique experience, no one can deny the beauty of a traditional applique quilt! If you would like to discover a faster way to applique, you have come to the right place! I’ve developed a simple method for fusing, cutting, […] Read More
Sue Pelland welcomes Tina Dillard, a SPD and Deb Tucker Certified Instructor and Quilt Pattern Designer
Hello, My name is Tina Dillard, the designer behind Quilting Affection Designs (quiltingaffection.com). I’m also a Sue Pelland Designs and Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor. When I became a certified instructor for Sue Pelland, I want to bring the world of raw edge applique and the precision of the Studio 180 Design tools together. My […] Read More
