Quilts – Quilting my way through life!

Welcome to Day 11!

It’s been fun seeing the finished tops you’re all showing!

Seeing your use of different fabrics is my favorite part!

Guess what today is?

Quilt it day!

I have to say that the actual “quilting” of a quilt is my least favorite part.

I’m a “quilt by checkbook” kind of quilter!

Since I didn’t have enough time to send this one out, I quilted it myself, & I didn’t hate it!

I’ll show you how I did it.

I started by basting it with basting spray.

It was easy since it’s so small.

The lines were “drawn” with a hera marker, using my 6″ x 24″ ruler to align the first line only.

Notice the 60 degree line on the ruler, aligned with the bottom of the quilt.

Then I used a hera marker to draw the line that I wanted to quilt. I have a few on my website that you can find by clicking here.

It really just makes a dent in the quilt sandwich, it leaves no permanent line to erase.

I sewed that line, then slipped the guide into the back of the foot & used it to create the spacing between the quilting lines.

Again, no markings to erase!

I sewed a line of quilting in both directions through the middle of the quilt first, to help stabilize it, then I filled in the rest of the quilting in both directions.

Easy & fast too.

It probably took me 20 minutes to quilt the entire quilt!

Next, I trimmed it up & put on the binding,

but the binding is actually your work for tomorrow, the 12th Day of Christmas…

This could also be easily free-motion quilted. You decide!

Show us your finished top on my Sewing With Susan FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

12 Days of Christmas 2025, Oh Holy Night, Day 7

January 1, 2026December 31, 2025 suznquilts

Happy New Year!

& Welcome to Day 7!

In case you want to sew before you go to bed tonight…

We’re half-way through these 12 Days of Christmas already!

It feels good to slow down with a bit of sewing each day, doesn’t it?

Do you know what today is, besides January 1st?

It’s perfect little circle day!

I LOVE making fabric circles.

But, only because I’ve found the perfect tools is it so easy.

Apliquick Bars are my favorite tool because they help me make perfectly round circles.

My happy place…

I use a tiny blind hem stitch with thread to match the circle fabric for nearly invisible stitches.

SUPPLIES FOR TODAY:

-Freezer Paper

–Apliquick Bars– Highly recommended

–Glue Pen for circle seam allowances

–1 1/2″ Circle paper cutter – recommended only if you’ll make lots more later

– Roxanne™ or other fabric glue to glue circles to plates & plates to blocks

-Thread(s) to match Dresden fabrics

I typically make 1″ circles for my Tiny Dresden plate centers, but I decided to use a bit bigger circle this time to make the Tiny Dresden plate look more like an “O”.

You’ll want to be sure to print the instructions at “actual size” or 100% depending on your printer setting.

Day 7 Center Circle for Tiny Dresden plate Download

Show us your finished blocks on my Sewing With Susan FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

12 Days of Christmas 2025, Oh Holy Night, Day 5

December 30, 2025December 29, 2025 suznquilts

Welcome to Day 5!

Thanks to Cynthia Holman, Bonnie Slanker Wilson, Rita Gastaldo Herzberger, Janet Baker Smith & Nicole Sender for sewing & sharing their first 3 Days of Christmas sewing with us on my Sewing With Susan FB group. They will each receive a free Suzn Quilts PDF pattern of their choice! (Even more blocks were shared yesterday!)

The steps have all been quick & easy, haven’t they?

Today is more of the same.

It’s time to sew together the units you’ve made so far & sew the inner border on too.

Do you ever struggle with fabric choices?

Sometimes I do…

Would you like to see some of them & how I conquered the fabric fear?

I started by wondering if I could piece a wool tree with my Mini Tree template set & guess what?

YES, I CAN!

AND DID!

But I really wanted to use these pretty Christmas doodads & the doodads didn’t show up on the green wool I’d chosen.

The cute doodads can be found here on my website.

So, I decided to change out my tree fabric.

Keep in mind this was December 18th. I needed to be shopping, wrapping, cleaning…

Ahh, much better! And the inner border was a no-brainer…

Then the outer border… a snap!

But then my flying geese were looking too much like a tree

& I only wanted 1 tree…

Much better with the Tilda red polka dots in the corner! & by turning some of the flying geese, it made a home for the little “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” plaque.

You can find them here on my website.

This was what my brain wanted!

Sorry for that tiny glimpse inside my head…

I really like how it turned out.

Again, no templates on this PDF today, so no worries on print scale.

Oh Holy Night Day 5 Asssembly & inner border Download

Show us your finished blocks on my Sewing With Susan FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

Join me at The O’Sewpersonal Stitchfest 2025

January 16, 2025 suznquilts

Join us Thursday, February 27 & Friday, February 28

Optional Classes on Saturday, March 1

At the Marriot West, 660 Maryville Center Dr., St. Louis MO

Two Days of Stitching Fun! Get ready to thread the needle of excitement and creativity with us! Immerse yourself in hands-on sewing, embroidery, and quilting workshops! Learn from nationally known expert educators who will transform your skills stitch by stitch! Don’t miss out—come join the fun and create your next masterpiece! Grab your tickets now and let’s sew some memories together!

You will have a total of eight sessions over the two days!
We will supply the machines and all materials!
Hands on classes and lectures!
Lunch is included both days!
We’ve got a bustling vendor mall lined up, brimming with the latest and greatest products for you to discover. Enjoy additional demos and take advantage of the shopping spree! Best of all, access to the Vendor Mall is absolutely FREE for all class attendees. Come ready to shop and be inspired!
Lunch is included both days
Craving more in-depth instruction? Dive deeper with us! On March 1, we’re hosting a full day of comprehensive classes. It’s your chance to dedicate more time to the topics you’re passionate about or eager to explore further. Come ready to immerse yourself and elevate your skills!

Our Stitch Fest 2025 Expert Educators:

Amy Bradley Designs – Embroidery Designer, Fabric Designer
Donelle McAdams – Westalee Ruler Educator
Karen Montgomery – Pattern Designer, Rulers, Fabric Designer
Pam Mahshie – Serger Expert
Shannon Cuddle Experts
Handi Quilter Educators
OESD Embroidery Educators
Creative Grid Ruler Experts
Suzn Quilts – Dresden Expert

You can find more info & also sign up by clicking here.

I’ll be giving Dresden plate demos & also showing you all of my tips & tricks for perfect plates!

I’ll have lots of quilts with not only Dresden plates of all shapes & sizes, but also my 3 sizes of tree template sets.

Come out & join the fun!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Giveaway!, A Quilt Along

12 Days of Christmas 2023; Day 12

January 6, 2024 suznquilts

Does your Dresden Home need some decorating?

I chose these embellishments to complete our Dreden Home.

First, a wreath for the Dresden plate center.

Next, a house number.

And finally, a door knob or sorts, of course!

I knew right away that the “13” would be the perfect house number for me!

The package comes with tiny brads to use to attach the plaquettes.

Attaching it was easy by first poking holes in the fabric then using the enclosed tiny brads.

They’re a bit hard to see, but this is the back of the quilt with them applied.

And Emma loved them all but was very intrigued with the door knob. lol

I actually painted it so it would contrast with the door fabric. It also attaches with the little pre-attached brad.

Lastly I glued the wreath over the center of the Dresden plate center, yes glued! I was skeptical too but this stuff is awesome! I’ve used it several times now & am thinking of other ways to add ~~junk~~ “cool stuff” to my quilts now!

I contemplated gluing the wreath on the door… I would have needed to paint it too though so

we decided it looked good here on the Dresden plate.

It was fun playing with the bits & bobs that morning.

I just noticed it was still dark outside.

Emma & I are good early morning workers thankfully!

We’re pretty happy with our results.

Now I need to decide where to hang it & get the appropriate sleeve or hanger for it.

You can now find these embelishing items on my website by clicking here.

I hope you will be encouraged to finish

& hang your Dresden Home for 2024 very soon.

Show us your progress on my Sewing With Susan FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan

My give-away today is this set of embellishments to the first to complete their Dresden Home quilt (if you want them that is).

I can’t wait to see how everyone else will decorate their Dresden Homes.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Giveaway!, A Quilt Along

12 Days of Christmas 2023; Day 7

January 1, 2024 suznquilts

Happy New Year 2024!

Don’t forget to show us your 12 Days progress & thanks for those that commented on yesterday’s post for the chance to win the rotary cutter blade 2 pack.

Rita is (again!) the winner of the 2 pack of 45mm rotary cutter blades.

I already have your snail mail info so no need to send it again. lol

Time for some more fun!

Since many of you probably stayed up late to welcome in 2024, I decided an easy sew day was in order. Today you just need to make the final Tiny Tree block, but use the “2024” cream fabric for the background.

In case you lost that download… follow the instructions from Day 1 or Day2!

No need to stress, this should be fun!

Show us your progress on my Sewing With Susan FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan

Comment here the title of your favorite Suzn Quilts Pattern.

I’ll be drawing for a prize!

The prize today is your choice of any Suzn Quilts pattern!

Comment here before I post Day 8 homework tomorrow & you will be entered in a drawing to win any Suzn Quilts pattern you choose.

Just Keep Sewing,

Susan

My Life

12 Days of Christmas 2023, My Dresden Home Revealed

December 20, 2023 suznquilts

All of my previous 12 Days of Christmas quilt-alongs have been mysteries,

so this year I decided to switch it up.

If you prefer to be surprised delete this post! Lol

But who can resist this cuteness?

I made & completed the quilt with the help of my quilter, Tamara Lynn,

& I have it here for you to see with the help of my protege Emma!

With a cute house, a few trees & some signature Tiny Dresden plates (just 1 1/2!) this little 17″ x 26″ quilt will be fun to make for you or a friend.

Won’t it look cute on your front door welcoming guests all year!

I’m envisioning some embelishments here & there,

but I want you to make your Dresden Home your own.

I’m really looking forward to seeing all the variations you come up with

so let’s all go to my Facebook group, Sewing With Susan

& show our progress there, shall we?

Between now & December 26th, when the true 12 Days of Christmas & my quilt-along starts, you can make fabric choices & collect the supplies you’ll need including the plastic templates that I’ve used in case you want to get those as well.

Paper templates will be provided but the plastic templates are more fun & accurate to use.

If you want to use the fabrics I’ve used,

they’re Renee Nanneman’s Tradewinds collection by Andover fabrics.

Unfortunately Renee’s web store has just closed until the new year so that she & her hubby can get away for a few days, but if you have your heart set on them perhaps you can find them at your local quilt shop or another online shop.

Fabrics & Supplies

You’ll need 1/4 yd. of each fabric, fat or regular, except the brown you’ll need 1/3 yd.

-Grey fabric for background & transom

-Cream fabric for house & “HOME” background

-Cream fabric for “2024” background

-Red fabric for roof & chimney

-3 Red fabrics for Tiny Dresden plate (yes you could use 1 but that’s no fun!)

-Green fabric for trees (not Tradewinds, but also one of Renee’s greens)

-Floral fabric for “lawn”

-Blue fabric for “2024”

-Brown fabric for letters, door, tree trunks & binding.

You’ll also need:

-1/3 yd. fusible web

-Freezer paper

-Threads to either match or coordinate with appliqué fabrics.

Optional:

-Tiny Dresden plate template #216

-Tiny Tree Template Set #286

Let’s prepare for some fun!

There are sure to be some give-aways too!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New Magazine Quilt, quilt as you go lap quilt

Simply Vintage Winter 2020 Is Now Available

November 20, 2020 suznquilts

Another Quiltmania publication is now available!

I have a lap quilt & a table runner in this issue!

Simplify is a quilt-as-you-go lap quilt.

The adorable runner can also be made

quilt-as-you-go.

When I designed & made this,

I let the appliqué stitch also be the quilting.

If you look closely you’ll see clouds in the sky.

They add quilting in those areas.

I know clever, right? lol

Although this quilt is an earlier pattern of mine,

I think it speaks to these times right now.

It’s definitely the time to simplify life, now!

Stay home & stay safe.

Spend the holidays not sharing COVID

so we can enjoy many more holidays together, please!

Find Simply Vintage on newsstands now or

at Quiltmania by clicking here.

Something I love about Quiltmania magazines

is that they’re so much more than just a magazine.

Simply Vintage #37

Feature: Amana Colonies, Iowa
Meet Els Feteris, designer of Bobbin
More than 15 projects

It’s available in digital download too.

No need to leave the house!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Christmas Sewing, New Magazine Quilt

Simply Moderne Issue #23 Is Now Available

November 16, 2020 suznquilts

Another Quiltmania publication is available today!

Yes, I’m a fan of this magazine family

I have 2 quilts in this issue!

Sharing My Joy

is a quilt-as-you-go table runner.

How cute this will look on your Christmas table!

It will also look great on your friend’s door or wall.

Through The Pines

is a quilt-as-you-go lap or wall quilt.

Wrap yourself in Christmas spirit this year

& for many years to come!

If you already have my new Tiny Tree Template set,

you will have these tiny trees made in no time

& have a snugly Christmas quilt

to enjoy all those Christmas movies during this holiday season!

Find Simply Modern Issue #23 on newsstands now or

at Quiltmania by clicking here.

If you’d like the optional Tiny Tree Template Set

it can be found on my website by clicking here.

Just Keep Sewing…for Christmas!

Susan

My Life, Quarantine Quilting

Second Quarantine Quilting UFO Finish

March 23, 2020 suznquilts

The second UFO that’s been on my list for almost a year…

Robin’s Wreaths,

a 5-part quilt designed by my good friend,

Robin Koehler of Nestlings By Robin.

It was featured in

AQ Magazine 2018-2019.

I had the 6 blocks complete pretty much on schedule

with the release of each of the magazines.

The tiny leaf templates were all cut out

& fused to the leaf fabric.

That’s where I stalled out when I got too busy with market prep this time last spring…

So this is where I began.

Trimming seam allowances & gluing.

Starting with the smallest of leaves,

then the little bit larger, small leaves.

It’s my own fault!

I thought it would be so cute made miniature.

I actually made the templates from the printed

size templates in the magazine instead of enlarging them 200%.

Next, to glue the tiny leaves to the 6 finished blocks.

An issue which came with making a smaller version of this quilt is the fact that I had to improvise parts of the design that were just too small to incorporate into this scale.

Some I turned bias strips into stitched vines & some I left off completely.

The blocks are still very full of applique!