Binding by Machine Video Tutorial

 I had a chance to film and edit the second "class" in my binding series. In this video I show how to sew the binding on a project completely by machine. First sewing the binding to the front of the quilt and then stitching in the ditch along the edge of the binding on the front to catch the binding on the back side of the project.

As I mentioned in the video, this is just ONE way to attach binding completely by machine. There are several other methods and in time I plan to film them all.

If you are looking for an excellent book about binding The Quilt Binding Bible is fabulous! The book covers 25 ways to bind something. Some of the methods involve hand sewing others are done completely by machine. It's full of great information with good written instructions and lots of full color photographs. Want to learn how to bind with prairie points? It's in the book. Want to add a ruffle as binding? It's in the book. Want to do a facing, this technically isn't binding but, it's covered in the book. Got something with weird angles along the outside edge? The book goes over several ways to finish those edges. Want to just wrap the backing fabric around to the front and have it look nice? Those corners can be tricky but it's in the book. Do you need to cut your binding on the bias or will straight grain be fine? All that is covered in the book. Can you tell I really like this book?

I ordered quite a few copies of this book but they are selling rapidly. I've already ordered more so if you click the link and it says "sold out" - I've got more ordered. You can contact me and I'll hold a copy for you then let you know when your copy is here.

Star Bright Pattern Free for 48 Hours Only

 Did you sew along with my shop or one of the other Mystery Five-0 retailers on March 29th to make a Star Bright quilt? If yes or no, keep reading!

Below is the version of Star Bright that I made.

If you would like to get a FREE copy of the pattern you need act quickly. I am only allowed to offer it for FREE for 48 hours - April 5, 2025 at 8am through April 7, 2025 at 8am Mountain Time USA. Use the coupon code W4RTV5VAQYVW at checkout. You will receive an email after you place your order with a download link. If you miss the deadline to get a copy of the pattern for free, you can purchase a copy for $5.99 using the same link below. 

But, if you join my private Mystery Five-0 Facebook group, the pattern will remain free in the group as long as the group is active, which will be years. Just look in the FILES section of the Facebook group.

Get the Star Bright PDF Pattern

There is another Free mini mystery coming up on May 31, 2025. Join my private Facebook group so you can get in on the fun! Be sure to answer all three questions and agree to the group rules so that I can let you into the group.

Join Mystery50 Alamosa Quilt Company Facebook Group

You could also like/follow my business Facebook page to keep up with all the fun things we have going in the shop. Information about programs, clubs, customer show and tell and new products are shared daily on the business Facebook page.

Alamosa Quilt Company Facebook page

Strip and Flip Quilt Pattern is Free for a limited time

 My next free pattern is available! It's called Strip and Flip Jelly Roll Quilt and it's a digital download.

The following link will take you directly to the pattern: Strip and Flip Quilt Pattern

When you check out you will need to add the coupon code FreePatternStrip&Flip2025 to get it for free. The code will work from now through April 10, 2025 at 6pm US Mountain Time.

This is a great pattern for that random jelly roll you purchased without a plan. One jelly roll will make the whole thing, including binding. Or you'll need 27 2 1/2" strips, 1/4 yard of contrast fabric (the two white vertical strips in the photo above) and 1/2 yard for binding.

FREE Burrito PillowCase PDF pattern and a video tutorial

 My newest FREE pattern is the Burrito PillowCase PDF pattern. This one is just plain free, as in the price $0.00 - no coupon code required.

I also filmed myself making one. You don't need a copy of the pattern as I give you all of the information you need in the video, but if you are someone who likes to have a printed pattern you can get a copy for free. The fabric requirements also listed in the video description on YouTube. 

If the embedded video doesn't work on your device here is the link to video on my YouTube Channel: Burrito Pillowcase Video Tutorial

If you watch the video on YouTube please consider subscribing to my channel. That's a free way you can support my shop.

Chinese Finger Puzzle PDF Pattern :: Free for a Limited Time

 I'm offering another free digital download pattern.

What I love about this pattern is that the top is made with only a jelly roll. You need 1/2 yard for binding and 3 yards for backing.

The pattern is available for free until March 13, 2025 at 6pm Mountain Time. To snag a copy for yourself click the following link: 

Chinese Finger Puzzle PDF Pattern 

You'll need to use the code FreePatternFingerPuzzle2025 to get the pattern for free. 

If you are reading this after March 13th at 6pm, you can still get a copy of the pattern for $4.99. It's a digital download and you will get a link to download the pattern right after placing your order.

My Favorite Binding Method :: A Video Tutorial

 I often tell my customers that there are at least 15 correct ways to do binding. I don't know if there are exactly 15 ways to bind a quilt, but there are definitely a lot of correct ways to bind a quilt. My favorite method is to sew the binding to the front of the quilt by machine and hand sew it to the back of the quilt. In this video I show you how I do this process.

As I say in the video, this is just ONE way to bind a quilt - my favorite way. If you do it differently that is just fine.

If the embedded video above does not play for you or you would just prefer to watch it on YouTube, click the following link: Lynn's Favorite Binding Method Video Demo

While you are over on my YouTube channel, if you wouldn't mind subscribing to our YouTube channel that would be nice. If you don't want to subscribe, no worries, but more subscribers tells YouTube that my videos have value, which can help my shop in other ways besides sales. Essentially, it's a free way for you to support the shop.

Proper Way to Fold your Fabric for Cutting

 Have you ever been cutting fabric strips for a project only to open them up after cutting and realize that they are slightly bent at the folds? These are called "fabric elbows". Nobody wants a fabric elbow. When you are cutting straight strips you really need them to be truly straight. 

So why does this happen? Well, it's all in how you folded the fabric before cutting it. You didn't fold it straight with the grain of the fabric before cutting. In this video I show you two methods for finding the straight grain of your fabric so that you don't get fabric elbows.

If the embedded video above does not play for you then click the following link to go to my YouTube channel and watch it there: Eliminating Fabric Elbows Demo Video

If you go to my YouTube channel to watch the video, please consider subscribing to my channel. And thank you if you do that or if you already subscribe to my channel. 

If you have watched any other recent videos I have done, would you let me know if the sound quality on this one is better or not? I have had complaints that even with the volume all the way up the sound is not loud enough. I realize that this is frustrating, but if you told me nine years ago when I opened my shop that I would need to learn how to make and edit videos I would have thought you were crazy. Yet here we are! I finally feel like I have a good camera set up - it takes three cameras to do most of my videos, but I'm still struggling with the sound quality and editing of the videos. 

Basic Zipper Bag PDF Pattern :: Free for a Limited Time

 I finished up my personal sewing project for the month!

This is what I chose for the lining.

I filmed the process of actually sewing the bag and currently am offering the pattern I wrote for this bag for FREE. Click the link below and use the code FreePatternValentine2025 to get a copy for free through Thursday February 13, 2025 at 6pm Mountain Time USA.

Basic Zipper Bag PDF Pattern

To view the video you can watch it embedded right here or click the link below the video to go to it directly on my shop YouTube Channel. If you are so inclined, please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. I have lots more instructional videos planned. I hope that it will become a good resource for folks.

Basic Zipper Bag YouTube Video

I give a couple measurements in the video but not enough to actually make the bag so you will need a copy of the pattern to be able to follow along and actually make one yourself. Note that the pattern is only for the actual bag. There are no instructions for the hexagon designs or the hand quilting/embroidery work. 

If you happen to be reading this after the coupon code has expired, the pattern will still be available for $4.99. It's a PDF download so you'll get the link to download the pattern within a few minutes of placing the order.

Square in a Square Pillow Pattern :: Free for a Limited Time

 I have a new pattern with companion step by step video tutorial. I'm offering the pattern for FREE for a short time. Use the code FreePatternJAN2025 to get the pattern for free through Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6pm USA Mountain Time. If you are finding this after the free time period, all the links below should still work and the pattern is still available, it's just not free.

If you'd like to snag yourself a copy of the pattern then click this link: Square in a Square Pillow Pattern. The pattern is sold as a digital download only. If you want a printed copy of the pattern then you'll need to purchase a kit: Square in a Square Pillow Kit. All of the kits will include a printed copy of the pattern. The digital pattern and the printed pattern both include the link to the free video tutorial.

Here are photos of the pillow cover without a pillow form inside.

First is the front side:

Back side:

Here is a link to the step by step video tutorial. Note that I do not give any measurements in the video so you really need to have the pattern in order to follow along with the video instructions.

If the embedded video doesn't work for you here is a direct link to the video on my YouTube Channel: Square in a Square Pillow Video

Mystery Five-0 :: Do you like mystery quilts?

 

We’re Part of Mystery Five-0!

The excitement is building! We’re thrilled to be part of the Mystery Five-0 program and can’t wait to reveal the theme for this year’s mystery quilt adventures.

The team at Mystery Five-0 have invited us to a Theme Reveal Party, just around the corner, where we’ll learn the theme for the upcoming mysteries. Trust us—this is going to be a thrilling journey for quilters everywhere!

Stay tuned—YOU could be part of this mysterious and creative experience starting this July! Keep an eye out for your exclusive invitation to join the fun.

Are you ready to solve the mystery with us? Let the intrigue begin!

I can't share too much yet, but we are participating in a very fun mystery program this year. You can participate if you are local AND if you aren't. Sign up information will be available soon. In the photo above you can see the clues I received in the mail for our Shop Owner Only Theme Reveal party. The shop owners got to open the clues during our Zoom meeting. It was so much fun!

Personal Sewing :: Side Two of the Project

 I'm making progress on the second side of my little hexagon bag project.

For this side I decided to just applique the hexagons down to my linen base in a pattern. I have more to add, but this is as far as I got yesterday afternoon while watching the NFL playoff games with my hubby.

I took a photo of the pre-made hexagons and the embroidery floss my friend gave me. I wish I had thought to take of photo of the hexagons before I started using them! They looked so pretty all laid out in rows that it took me a while to be able to use them.

If you missed my first post about this project you can view it by clicking the following link: Personal Sewing 

Personal Sewing

 Every January I like to try to make something just for me. So I started this little project. It will be a zippered bag when it grows up.

The hexagons were a gift from a friend from several years ago. She went to the big quilt show in Tokyo, in 2019 I think. She purchased these pre-made 1/2" hexagons and few small pieces of Japanese fabrics and gave them to me. I have 100 of these little hexagons and I'm finally using them! This is side one of the bag. I'm not sure what the other side will look like just yet, but I'm working on it.

I pieced the hexagons together, pulled out the papers then appliqued it to a piece of linen. There is a piece of fusible fleece on the backside of the linen. I quilted through the two layers and added some embroidery too. The colored embroidery thread was also part of the gift she brought me from Japan.

I'm just playing with no real plan, just doing what feels right in the moment.