Week in Review 3/17/25-3/21/25

Monday 3/17/25 Weekend Stitching Recap, How to Build a Scarecrow Quilt, The Stitchuation Room

On this St Patrick’s Day, I pulled out the only kelly green t-shirt from Allie M Quilting Theme T-shirts for the holiday. I’m celebrating having completed the quilt How to Build a Scarecrow! I am so happy I almost (emphasis on almost) did a jig. But instead, I gave a grand tour of this huge (74″ by 86″) quilt by Lori Holt. I had just gotten it off the long arm this past weekend.

This is a combination of pieced blocks and applique. I avoid hand stitching like the plaque, so my Snapplique™ method to convert the applique patterns from Laurie Holt to a machine embroidery piece changed my life. I just love the way the applique pieces add to the quilt’s ‘personality.’ With the Snapplique method I can achieve perfect blanket stiches every single time.

The blanket stitches are perfect, thanks to Snapplique method.

I added buttons to his overalls with machine embroidery and even added red lines to look like buttonholes.

I can even easily quilt right over the applique as you see here.

This scarecrow has everything going for him. If he only had a brain.

I will be doing a lot more Snapplique this year, so really consider buying the software and we can do some projects together.

Monday, 3/17/25 The Brightly Sampler Quilt, Kaleidoscope Block

This episode is a demonstration of the Kaleidoscope Block from the Brightly Sampler from the Family Favorites Quilt Book for Patterns. I’m using the Moda fabric collection called, Strawberry Lemonade.

I’m in week 14 of the Brightly Sampler Quilt Along. Here’s a link to the schedule, in case you want to jump in. There are five blocks used four times, so it’s a great quilt to practice with. It works well to sew all the same blocks in one or two sittings. But friends, even if you are not doing the QAL, I share tips and tricks along the way about thread choices, feed-dog woes, etc. One of my favorite tools for example are the Presser Bar & Clappers. These are one of the secret tools of the garment industry that quilters are never disappointed with. I am using my Classy American Design Wall. What I did without this design wall is a mystery! This is a wonderful tool for your designing journey.

This block is SO pretty!

I demonstrate how to get perfect corners, and maintain the integrity of the larger fabric, so that when you are finished, your blocks measure exactly what you want them to measure. Quilty-goodness, Quilty-magic!

Tuesday, 3/18/25, Creative Notions Quilt Shop Box Reveal, March 2025, the Stitchuation Room

My Creative Notions Quilt Shop Subscription Box came in over the weekend, and I was excited to share its contents with you. Creative notions has been around a long time and they put together a consistently wonderful collection of goodies, that arrives every other month. Carol A.Thelan is the designer of the main projects in each box. There’s fabric for an entire quilt (except for the backing) and a mini charm pack for a small project, and even pattern and fabric for a third block to display. Boxes are scheduled to ship in: Feb, April, June, August, Oct, and Dec. They ship to Canada, UK and Australia too!

If you like my t-shirt, check out Allie M Quilting Theme T-shirts . It’s one of those ‘go crazy shopping experience. One shirt is cuter than the next!

Wednesday 3/19/25 Adding Quilt Borders, the Stitchuation Room

Sashes, and borders, and cornerstones, oh my! Borders are different then sashing. There are inner and outer borders, but I show you examples of each and clarify how they are different. On today’s program I demonstrate how to stitch a border on a quilt.

I also give an update on the Quilt Alongs I am doing with the Fat Quarter Shop. Pictured below is the Snowball block (top left) for the Quilted Snowman. Sweet, isn’t it!

And below is the snowfall block. I just love this fabric combination.

These are two of the Ohio star blocks for Firm Foundation Quilt Pattern (Etsy) that’s part of the Things Above quilt from the FQS. I am making for my son, who is a pastor. He has a wall already dedicated for the quilt as soon as I can get it to him! The Ohio stars are the roofs for each of the churches on the quilt.

Here’s a picture of one of the churches. I am excited about this quilt!

Wednesday 3/19/25 #LegitKits Sewphia BOM Quilt, Month 1 Pt 2,

Watch the replay of my husband Keith’s Sewphia tutorial. Maybe you can watch it with a man and get him inspired to become a quilter, so that he too can be a #legitkitguy! I am so proud of Keith for embracing this creative adventure.

Thursday, 3/20/25 ByAnnie Show and Tell! The Stitchuation Room

I hope you will catch the replay of the live demonstration Keith did for the second block of the Sewphia from Legitkits. He hopes these lives inspire men to go sew something. Then they too can be #legitkitguys!

Today’s video was SO fun for me! I met two friends, Michelle and Laura who are part of our PTWT Nation. We are all attending the Embrilliance Academy with Lisa Shaw. That always makes me happy! Laura is a prolific ByAnnie Bag maker and wow does she inspire! We looked at her Power Trip for all her electronics on the go, tablet case, oh she’s got them all done and they are fabulous! Michelle is a machine embroiderer, so you know she’s welcome in the PTWT family too! Wait ’til you hear her list of her sewing machines! Fun! She had a care package for me too that we looked at. We compare some of the digitizing software that’s out there, and why we are happy to be here in San Antonio to learn about Embrilliance. We chat about the good, better and wonderful of this amazing software program!

Friday. 3/21/25 Prairie Home Quilt BOM, Giveaway Friday, the Stitchuation Room

Well, I did the LIVE on Friday from my hotel room in San Antonio, where I have been attending workshops to learn about Embrilliance software. Here’s a link for the FREE Embrilliance Express. The Express is free so you can play with it a bit. They often have discounts, so check back here often to use the link I will post when they offer another discount.

I sewed part of the next block on the Lori Holt Prairie Home quilt from her Pattern Book called the ‘tumbleweed.’

Did I have my Yazzi bag (Use coupon code PTWT10 for 10% off!) and EZStax with me? I don’t leave home without them!

I hope, if you usually look at the replays that someday you can join me on a live. Fridays is giveaway day.

Hey Folks, in this crazy world I count you all as blessings. You keep me focused and I always look forward to sharing my stitching journey with you! Go sew something!