Basic Skills and Techniques

March 25, 2011 Header Featured 56 comments
  • Scrap Buster! Make Easy Table Runner Using the Binding Tool! (5)March,2013Transcript:
  • How to Make an Irish Chain Quilt (2)March,2013Transcript:
  • How to Make a Circle Quilt (20)August,2012How to Make a Circle Quilt from MissouriQuiltCo on Vimeo. Transcript:
  • The Grinch Tumbler Quilt (15)August,2012Transcript: The Grinch Tumbler Quilt Hi it’s Jenny from the Missouri Star Quilt Company. I’m here with the Grinch. We have some great new fabric. The Grinch Stole Christmas Fabric. It showed up in this fat quarter bundle like this. And Natalie had an awesome idea with her Tumbler ruler to make this quilt. She…
  • Friendship Braid Quilt Idea Using Half Hex Ruler (14)August,2012Transcript: Friendship Braid Quilt Idea Using Half Hex Ruler Hi it’s Jenny from the Missouri Star Quilt Company. For those of you who have the Half Hexi Ruler, we’ve got a new idea for you. It works with the big or the small. Take a look at this. This is like a braid, a friendship…
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  • Claire M. Crawford

    Thank you soooooo much for all your wonderful tutorials!!!!!  I am new to quilting.  My granddaughter wanted me to make a T-shirt quilt for her.  I have used your lessons to
    help me each step of the way.  I am just beginning to sandwich it.  Every tip you give
    has been valuable!!!  I want to know if you have a “stitch in the ditch” tutorial?
    Thank you again!!!!

  • Donna

    I just love your tutorials videos get so much from them keep them coming

  • Marlene Dana

    I used one of your tips on making quick pinwheels for a quilt from a class you gave.  My problem is in squaring up the pinwheel squares to all the same size.  Is there a tip you might have on the best way to do that?  I would so appreciate it.  Thanks.

    • Sarah

       To square up a pinwheel, you want to measure from the center out. Try not to cut off too much as you will lose your points.  This is where your 1/4 inch seam is really important, and make sure your cutting is true and you shouldn’t have to square up too much.Let me know if this helps…Good luck, Jenny

  • janet

    In your tutorials – can you tell me the kind of sewing machine you use. I am currently looking to purchase one and I am trying to figure out which one to buy (that isn’t too costly).
    Thanks
    Janet

    • Anonymous

      Mom loves her Janome, though she has a singer in the shop, she doesn’t love it. Do you have a specific model you are looking at?
      Have a great day!
      Sarah

  • Linda

    I love your tutorials!!!  You are so easy to understand and my family is amazed when I finish a project.  Keep them coming:)

    • Sarah

      Great to hear!!  Thanks for the sweet comment!  Have a great day!!

  • Bert

    I saw that you had a new tutorial on free motion quilting but I can’t find it! I think your tutorials are amazing…I watch them multiple times and always learn something!  Thank you so much!

  • Anonymous

    Do you have a tutorial on how to cut the backing fabric for a quilt so that it has a bias seam instead of vertical or horizontal seams?

    • Sarah

      Not yet, but that is a great idea!!  Thanks!

  • Rchorine

    I am a beginner quilter, I have the front of my quilt finished but I have to piece two pieces  of fabric together for the back.  My fabric is 48″ wide.  How do I make sure and get this right so I don’t mess this up.

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

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      ## Jenny Doan replied, on Mar 1 @ 3:08am (UTC):

      It depends on what size the quilt is.  But I generally cut it in half and sew the 2 halves together, to make a piece that is as wide as
      you need it and now it will be about 90 inches long.  I hope this helps.
      Have a great day!
      Jenny
      Doan
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888)
      571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

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  • Ruth Schuemann

    Ich love the tutorials and PW Videos from your Company.  They are great!

    • Sarah

      Thank you!

  • Sankiakal

    My blocks for my quilt are 8×8 and I want to add the batting to each one seperately.  If I do that how do I sew them together so I can add the backing when completed?

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

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      ## Jenny Doan replied, on Mar 25 @ 3:58am (UTC):

      Try sashing them just like you would regularly….That should work….I think….haha!
      Have a great day!
      Jenny Doan
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888) 571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

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      ## Conversation started by Disqus, on Mar 23 @ 11:34pm (UTC):

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  • linda higginbotham

    Hi I am old school and just recently back to sewing…I was taught in school to press open all my seams, however some one told me to press all seams in the same direction for quilting espically for stitch in the ditch…HELP

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

      ———————————————————–
      ## Jenny Doan replied, on Mar 27 @ 2:34am (UTC):

      I am like you and I learned to sew clothing and we always pressed open the seams. In quilting it used to be that they pressed the seams together so the batting wouldn’t poke through. They then discovered the seams were stronger and for hand quilting it it was easier to quilt in the ditch as the knew where the seams were. Now generally in quilting all the seams are pressed together and pressed to the dark side, when ever possible. I hope this helps.
      Have a great day!
      Jenny Doan
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888) 571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

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      ## Conversation started by Disqus, on Mar 26 @ 4:57pm (UTC):

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  • Imanewfi

    Is there a tutorial for faux chenile quilting?  I’ve seen this type of quilting but am interested in how to proceed.  Do you need to use only flannel fabric.

  • Iris

    I am new to quilting and I just want to let you know that your tutorials are the best.  I have learned so much just by watching them. You have made them so enjoyable to watch & easy to follow & understand.  Please keep them coming.

  • Mamaforhim2004

    How do you know what color thread to use? Should it match the backing or the front or does it really matter?

    Also, what if you want to trace a design ? Do you do that on front or back of quilt and what do you use? Disappearing ink? How long does that last if you can’t do your whole quilt at one sitting?

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

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      ## Jenny Doan replied, on Jun 4 @ 2:34am (UTC):

      Hi, I am assuming you are talking about machine quilting…when you mark a quilt for quilting you mark on the front and if you use a pen like the frixion pen it will stay on until you remove it with heat. When I choose thread i lay several options across the quilt and see which one disappears…I like my quilt to show and not the thread. I hope this helps!
      Have a great day!
      Jenny Doan
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888) 571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

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      ## Conversation started by Disqus, on May 25 @ 4:58am (UTC):

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      Mamaforhim2004 (unregistered)

  • Ytucker324

    I love your ” How to quilt as you go” tutorial. I really want to know the pattern of the quilt that is hanging on the wall behind the ironong board. It is all solids with black and I love it and want to make it. Thank you for your help on this.

  • Craftyscrapinn

    Jenny  I’m a beginner and just love your tutorials they help me a lot. I was wondering if you could do a tutorial on how to do a ladder stitch for bindings on a quilt. Thanks

    • Sarah

      Great idea! I’ll try to get that on our list!!  Thank you!

  • Leta

    My backing for my quilt is 44″ wide and I need to add 4″ to each side to have fo border etc.
    Do I piece it with a strip 4″ on each side or would it be better to cut it and piece down the middle?  Does this make sense?  Thanks for your advice.
        Leta

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

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      ## Sarah Galbraith replied, on Jun 1 @ 9:56pm (UTC):

      Leta,
      It doesn’t really make much of a difference. We would most likely put the seam down the middle. The edges will look a lot better seamed down the middle.
      Have a great day!
      Sarah Galbraith
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888) 571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

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      ## Conversation started by Disqus, on Jun 1 @ 9:27pm (UTC):

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  • Mary

    I am like the others also, this new site is hard, i wanted to search for the Star Strata table  Runner, so went to the search engine to type in what i am looking for and it doesn’t work, you can’t click on the box so you can’t type in what you’re searching for, can you fix that please???

  • Candykisses31061

    How come when you sew 3 colors of the jelly roll it in  together after you cut them into 6 inches! squares! If you turn in the opposite direction you have a 6 1/2 square? I made sure that I sewed 1/4 inch combining the three strips and measures on my ctting board 6 inches….this has me so puzzled, and Im making a king size quilt.

    • Anonymous

      – Please reply above this line –

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      ## Jenny Doan replied, on Jun 27 @ 2:33am (UTC):

      Dear Candy…After you sew your strips together, you should always measure how tall your strip set ends up and then cut it that width. You are wanting it to be square. What usually ends up happening is that all presser feet are different….Don’t stress over what it should be just be consistent and cut them into squares, and you will be fine!
      Have a great day!
      Jenny Doan
      info@missouriquiltco.com

      (888) 571-1122
      http://www.MissouriQuiltCo.com

      ———————————————————–
      ## Conversation started by Disqus, on Jun 23 @ 10:37pm (UTC):

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      Candykisses31061 (unregistered)

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HYQZRL2FKB3M2UXYOVGQ5TF24A Nancy

        Jenny,

        Thank you and your are the greatest I watch your videos all the time!

        candykisses31061
        Nancy Ritchotte

  • Cheryl

    I am starting to quilt and in watching your X’s and O’s tutorial I am not sure how to measure the corners you trimmed off with the ruler on the diagonal.

  • Lois Hoover

    can you tell me how to use the 5: Half-Hexagon template?  I am having trouble making it line up

    • Natalie

      Hi Lois, 
      Here is a link to the hexagon tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7c1ewoQV24&feature=plcp
      Enjoy!

  • Kwjclj

    I am looking for the tutorial on how to make an apron…..I just bought the tea towels but now I can’t find how to make them! Please help…what page are they on and what location.

  • Irene Dingey

    Jenny, my name is Irene, I live in Australia, I am a beginner, I have learnt so much from your Tutorials, I leave my laptop right beside me  and go step by step with you.  I am retired, am 68 yrs young he he.   I have looked at other sites but they do not compare to you. I like you the best…Cheers  amd Happy Sewing

    • Natalie

      Thank you so much! I am so glad that you found us and that you are enjoying the tutorials! Happy quilting to you too, and let us know if you have any questions! 

  • jacqui

    I am a beginner I love your tutorials they are brilliant I saw one a few weeks ago on making a quick baby receiving blanket where you showed how to do the mitred corner really quickly by just sewing the two pieces of fabric together in a special way and pressing it . Now I need to make one as a gift and I cant find the tutorial again. Can you tell me where I can locate it please.jacquimachin@gmail.com

  • Mia

    Jenny, I too love your tutorials. Your obvious passion and joy for quilting and teaching are what have kept me from falling asleep during the lessons – lol. Let’s be honest. Quilting is fun but watching someone else do it is akin to watching paint dry. Your joie de vivre when teaching has taken this hand piecing, hand quilting, snob into the world of machine quilting. Gladly I go . . . Thank you.

    • Jackie MSQC

      Thank you as well!!

  • Vicki

    I know this may sound unusual but I have trouble cutting down big yardages of fabric. I’m afraid I’m going to cut it crooked and ruin the piece. Any tips?

    • Natalie

      Hi Vicki,
      Not to worry, we cut large pieces of fabric all the time. We try to fold the fabric as straight as we can, using the selvege edge as a guide. Then line up your long ruler with the bottom of the fabric, and use the marks on the mat as a guide to make the cut. We usually try to leave a tiny bit extra so we can straighten it again if we have to, once the piece is smaller. I hope this helps!

  • http://www.facebook.com/rmullen3 Rosemary Mullen

    I love watching your videos, but cant find one on cutting fat quarter squares that you buy from the store

    • Natalie

      Hi Rosemary,
      We haven’t done a video that shows what to do with a fat quarter! I will add that to our list of great ideas though, and maybe soon there will be some instruction on that! Thanks!

  • Luiza

    Hi, Jenny!! I’m from Brazil and found your tutorials on youtube!! I’m so glad I found it and I’m learning a lot with your “virtual classes”!! I’m a beginner, but I’m sure I’ll become a pro with your tips!! Thank you so much for sharing it all with us!! The only thing I didn’t liked is that you are so far away from me, and I can’t buy all the fabrics I see on the tutorials! lol
    Hope you have a great week!!
    Thanks again!

    • JackieMSQC

      Hello Luiza! We are so glad you found us, and that you have been enjoying our tutorials!! Have fun, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

  • Annie Watkins

    Can anyone show me how to do Missouri knots. Do I have the term right?
    Thanx, Annie Watkins

    • Natalie

      Hi Annie, I am not sure what a Missouri knot is..I googled it and didn’t find anything quilting related, so if you could describe it to me that would help a lot! I will keep researching and see what I can come up with! Thanks, Natalie

  • Jenna

    i am new to all of this… do we have to finish the edges of the squares for the star quilt?

  • quiltmimi3

    Do you do a tutorial on paper piecing?? I need to see it done before I start a project. Help…Reba

  • Terri

    Do I need to wash my fabric before I cut out the quilt pieces?

    • MissouriQuiltCo

      We don’t prewash our precuts, but some people like to, we’ve never had trouble though. It’s a lot of personal preference I think