Here’s a quick and easy project, Bali Pops Tutorial. I love these fabrics, and this pattern is sure to come together very quickly. Sometimes we all need a project that’s just straight stitches and no fancy points to worry about… or is that just me?

In addition to instructions using 2.5″ strips, Rachel also provides measurements if you are using Fat Quarters, Jelly Cakes and Sweet 16 Rolls.

There are some beautiful free patterns and blocks over at Quilt in a Day. There’s also some great instructions on using their rulers. All are in PDF format, for easy downloading and referencing later.

Need to make a quick home-made gift or need to take a break from that big project you’re working on?

Here are a couple of great tutorials on making Pot Holders and Cloth Napkins.

I was browsing the wonderful Doll Quilt Swap 4 creations earlier and saw this great, Wonky Butterfly Tutorial. I adore butterflies (and dragon flies), so I’m adding this to my list of projects to do one of these days.

If you decide to make some, please be sure to post on Lynne’s blog as she’d love to see what you come up with.

Lenna from the Stitching Cow has written a couple of really great posts on Hand Quilting.

• Tips for Beginning Hand Quilting
• Perfect Hand Quilting Without Pain

After reading her many tips, even I feel confident to try hand quilting again. I’d love to hear some advice on the most preferred batting to use for hand quilting. I remember years ago trying to use the Warm & Natural batting I bought by the yard from Joanne’s, with horrible results and lots of pain. It was just too hard to quilt through. I can’t remember now who it was but someone told me that particular batting is for machine-use only.

What batting do you use for hand quilting?

Lenna’s photo used with permission… thanks!

It’s no surprise to anyone that knows me that I love purses and tote bags. So, I was thrilled when I stumbled upon this great tutorial on how to make a Classic Tote from Sew, Mama, Sew!.

The photo instructions are superb. I’m definitely adding this to My To Do List.

You have to check out these simply gorgeous Gift Tags made by Jo in NZ. I adore these…the fine detail is outstanding.

While emailing with Jo, she sent me this great tutorial, Quilted Tags by Gail Odegaard as featured in the CQMagOnline.

I love crazy quilts and was very intrigued by this great tutorial, Vintage Windows Crazy Block Tutorial which is a wonderful way to use up those scrappy bits and pieces we all have. Also check out the completed quilt that inspired this technique, Vintage Windows.

Many thanks to Quilting Blogger, Jacquie for her submission. I’m always thrilled to post tutorials and projects that others have created.

Emma, a Quilting Blogger from Australia, has created this great picture tutorial on how she invisibly hand-stiches binding to the back of a quilt.

This is very useful for those of us that have never hand-sewn a binding before… one day I’ll have to give it a try.

From thejaxcollection are two great videos explaining how to do Traditional English Hexagon Patchwork created by Jackie Wills.

There are other videos by thejaxcollection worth checking out, including Part 3 that shows how to remove the paper backings from the hexagons.

From TLC Stitches, here’s a great tutorial showing a unique way to create those wonderful Nine Patch blocks.

I’m sure this will be faster than the traditional method and more accurate too. This might even inspire me to use Nine Patches in my Doll Quilt Swap.

Further to my post last week on Sewing Ergonomics, Marguerita sent me this post she wrote on making your own Custom Sewing Desk - Cheap.

While not the prettiest to look at, this idea definitely has potential for me. I am loving free-motion quilting, but finding the stress on my shoulders and upper back prevents me from sewing as much as I would like.

I need to find out if I can buy adjustable legs from Ikea for my existing table, then I’ll look into getting some foam core. I have some spare paint, and might even try painting the foam core… we’ll see how ambitious I am.

I have some concerns about the static, as my apartment is very dry in the winter with electric heat and concrete walls. Does anyone have any ideas? I wonder if I can eliminate the vinyl altogether and instead use a paint that has some slick-ness to it. I think a phone call to my Dad, the Handyman is in order.

Contest Update: I have had three wonderful donations offered for the upcoming contest… you’re going to love them. Details will be posted in the next couple of days, so stay tuned.

Newsletter Update: If you missed the first edition of the Quilting Gallery Newsletter, it is now available on-line: Issue #1 - June 2008 - Are you a Quilting Blogger?.

Here’s a handy tutorial on Joining Batting pieces together that will help you save money and help the environment all at once.

My sewing machine has a zigzag stitch (called double ZZ) that puts three stiches in each zig and zag. I think this would be a great stitch to use for adding strength and durability, if you have it available.

Did you know?

I’m always looking for tutorials, tips and techniques and free patterns to post on here. If you’ve written something and would like it featured on this site, please don’t be shy, send me the information, and if it’s relevant, I’d be pleased to post it and throw you some extra link love.

Did you see?

There are now 748 Quilting Bloggers, representing 29 countries, 47 American states and 5 Canadian provinces. WOW! Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful support, seeing all the blog posts about the directory, makes those late nights developing it all worthwhile, and I think judging by the responses, you do too. Please keep spreading the word, I think reaching a thousand by the end of June is well within reach.

There’s a great article over on the Lemon Tree Tales’ web site, Sewing Room Ergonomics or why does it hurt when I sew?.

My sewing machine and table set-up are my problem. I really need to lower my machine, about 4 inches, but can’t afford to buy a new table right now. I can raise the chair, and will try that again, with the presser foot on some boxes. I found the presser foot kept falling off the phone book I was using in the past. I only feel the stress when I’m doing the quilting part, no problems with piecing or regular sewing.

Here’s a completely unrelated link to a blog post a friend of mine made earlier tonight, Saving the Environment by Renovating the Little Red Golf. Please forgive the intrusion… we’re testing some Googleze to see what happens. Us web developers always have to stay on top of such things.

I’m resurecting an old post of mine, Magical Machine Quilting, as the video has recently become available again for viewing. It is the BEST video I’ve found for Machine Quilting. My sister and her family gave me the book for Christmas last year, and I love it.

So, grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy. It’s a long video but worth it, in my opinion. Let me know what you think.

In case you’re wondering, I found this on Quilter’s TV, which has some awesome free programming. Be sure to check out anything by Billie Lauder or Joanne Middleton, they are fantastic. I actually orderd the Tiger Tape from Billie’s store, as I was unable to find it up here. I’m hoping to attend her lecture in Nashville, but that’s a story for another post.