It’s just been a month since the launch of my new Craftsy class, Startup Library: Quilting, and already I’ve taught hundreds of students how to make a complete quilt from start to finish!! I love how the Craftsy platform allows me to interact with my students and see their progress, even though we might be thousands of miles apart! For those of you who are new to the blog, or Craftsy, let me tell you a little more about this class. Then see the end of this post for a giveaway to get you started!!
Click here to get 50% off Startup Library: Quilting (valid thru 10/8/17)
In class, you’ll explore a range of key tools and techniques as you learn to make a quilt from start to finish. I’ll guide you step-by-step through preparing your fabric, cutting out the pieces and sewing them into blocks, as well as basting, machine quilting, and binding to help you finish your quilt with ease. Plus, when you learn with Craftsy you can work at your own pace and ask me questions as you go. By the end of my class, you’ll be quilting with confidence in no time!
WHAT YOU NEED
Lesson 1: Fabrics & Tools (28 min)
It’s every quilter’s favorite part of project prep: shopping! In this first lesson, I’ll explain the fundamentals of quilting and what to keep in mind when shopping for supplies.
Lesson 2: Know Your Machine (24 min)
Understand what type of sewing machine best suits your needs, including the features worth splurging on (or not!). Then, get familiar with your machine as you learn to thread it, wind a bobbin and keep an accurate seam allowance.
SETUP
Lesson 3: Working with Patterns (9 min)
Follow along as I go over the information included in your quilting patterns. Find out how to work with patterns as you piece your tops, plus get tips for successfully choosing projects.
MAKE IT
Lesson 4: Cutting the Pieces (38 min)
Before you begin sewing, you’ll need to cut the pieces for your blocks. Learn to work with a rotary cutter and mat as you cut yardage, fat quarters and more.
Lesson 5: Chain Blocks (24 min)
Get right into action by sewing up your first quilt block, the Chain! Find out how to keep track of all nine pieces as you sew and press the first block, then make quick work of the piecing by sewing several blocks together at once.
Lesson 6: Star Blocks (32 min)
Ready to throw some half-square triangle units into the mix? Here, you’ll sew the second block of your quilt. Find out how to tame stretchy edges and ensure all of your star points face the right direction.
Lesson 7: Assembling the Quilt Top (27 min)
Now, it’s time to have some fun! Arrange and organize your quilt blocks before you sew them together. Then, sew blocks into rows and rows into the inner top – you’ll love my method for keeping blocks in order as you sew!
Lesson 8: Borders (27 min)
Your quilt top is almost done! All you need to do is add the solid and scrappy borders to set off the design. Learn how to piece and add each border, and fix it if it’s slightly too long for your quilt.
Lesson 9: Backing & Batting (11 min)
In this lesson, you’ll prepare the remaining layers for your quilt. Learn how to choose and prepare batting — the center layer of the quilt — and piece the backing fabric.
Lesson 10: Basting (8 min)
The secret to quality quilting? Basting, which holds all of the layers together securely. I’ll teach you how to spray-baste the layers and assemble your quilt, explaining why pressing helps you ensure solid results.
Lesson 11: Find Your Quilting Path (38 min)
Quilting — the stitching that holds layers together — can really accentuate your piecing work. Discover different ways to accomplish this, from working with a long-arm quilter to using your domestic machine. And, see how to stitch-in-the-ditch and apply decorative wavy lines using your walking foot.
Lesson 12: Free-Motion Quilting (23 min)
Ready to dip your toes into free-motion quilting? This method allows you to move your needle in any direction. If you’d like, stitch a stipple and continuous curve design on your quilt, or practice for your next quilt project.
Lesson 13: Binding (13 min)
Finish the edges of your quilt by applying a binding. I’ll show you how to prepare for this step. Learn to cut and piece the strips to create the binding, calculate the length you need for any quilt, and square up — or trim — your quilt.
Lesson 14: Binding the Quilt (37 min)
You’re almost there! In this final lesson, find out how to sew the binding to the quilt and finish it by hand. Easily turn with the corners and join the tails with my expert instruction, then get ready to enjoy your quilt!
For a limited time, you can get 50% off the regular price of my class when you use this link. The regular price will show on the home screen, but once you click “add to cart” you’ll see the discount. Just for comparison, this class is approximately 2-3 times longer than a “regular” Craftsy class, so it’s a tremendous value, especially when you get it on sale!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Here’s a behind the scenes secret to share: as I was making the quilt, Craftsy sent me extra fabrics just in case. I ended up with enough fabric for an extra kit. Since I’ve already made the quilt twice (once ahead of time to test it, and a second time on video) – I don’t need to make a third, so I’d rather pass the extra fabric along to you! The kit includes one fat quarter bundle + background to make the quilt top and binding as shown in the class.
This giveaway is open to all (int’l winner just pays shipping). To enter, leave me a comment letting me know how many UFO’s (Unfinished Fabric Objects) you currently have! Once you take my class, you’ll be armed with the skills to finish them up! The giveaway will remain open through Sunday night, Aug 13, 2017 and I’ll choose a winner first thing Monday morning.
Click here to learn more and watch a preview video for Startup Library: Quilting
Update: Winner Selected and Comments Closed
Congrats to Susan M. who has been contacted via email.
Christa Quilts 
Right now I have only 3 UFOs. All need to be basted and quilted, but I tend to start lots of projects in the fall for the holidays. I’d love to win your class. Thanks for the giveaway, grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
As my husband says, ” Are you gonna be alive to start, let alone finish, all the projects you have bought, planned started and put down ?”. My response ” I’ll never know if I don’t try it or at least buy it!” After 30 years, I have more than most can imagine but the challenge is to keep on trying to get to all those UFO’s.It’s also good to have a friend who is in the same canoe, paddling up the same river.
Like most every one here, I have way to many UFOs. I know I have more than 10 and probably less than 20. My goal since Fall of 2016 is to finish things I have started. I have been doing a great job of doing that except I keep starting new projects. I am currently working on two mystery quilts at the same time, and I committed to doing a few projects for a couple of people by Christmas. Hmmm……
If you count quilt tops that need to be quilted, I have around 25 UFOs. I am always thinking of the next project when I am in the middle of the one I am working on and get easily distracted!
I have approximately nine UFOs waiting to be finished…but perhaps there are a few others that I missed. I have so many ideas, and am always excited to make a new baby or charity quilt when the opportunity presents itself…I’d love to be the recipient of your generous offer! Thanks foe the opportunity!
It looks like eleven UFOs for me at all different stages.
I’m a relatively new quilter, so I only have 2 UFOs. Piecing is fun, but the actual quilting scares me.
I have 6 UFOs. But this no longer includes tops done but not quilted. Since I am now being brave and quilting all of my blankets with FMQ and the walking foot.
I’m an experienced quilter with at least 10 UFO’s but your quilt is lovely. I’d love to win the beautiful giveaway fabrics. Thanks.
I’m a finisher. But, I do like to have 3 or 4 projects going at the same time😎
I am embarrassed to say that I have 14 UFOs and I have 100+ in my head waiting on me. I am now calling my UFOs my security blankets instead of UFO…not that it makes it any better but it doesn’t sound so negative. 🙂
Well, I bought your class awhile back, but haven’t started on it yet, because I have at least 5 UFO’s! Getting the fabric for the class would be awesome and prompt me to move on and get-‘er-done! I have been quilting for 20+ years but have never made a quilt for our queen size bed–but have started and in the process of quilting it now! YAHOO! You have been a huge inspiration and motivation!
I have 11, i know, SHAME, SHAME SHAME. I am self taught and i think I do really well actually. i think. But i get to free motion and, in the box they go. I have done a couple, but i am never thrilled. I dont really know where to start, what to do. I know my skills will get better over time as i do more and i have practuced on quilt sandwhiches like crazy so i can do it, i know i can, but you get the big quilt there and now what. As for the quilting process, i dont know if i am ACTUALLY do it all right or not, but it doesnt look baaad or anything. I just needed something to do when i had to retire as a nurse because of my lupus. I just recently was on a 4 month break because my father had cancer and i was his only caregiver in my home while he was on hospice, but i can go back to the quilting room now as of two weeks ago and desperately want to. I hate those boxes of UFOs!
Currently there are 3 huge piles in my stitching room…one queen size quilt that needs immediate attention which makes everything else daunting. I love being in there, just haven’t been very productive. Plus, there are always NEW things I want to do!
I have four UFO’s ready to sandwich & quilt! FMQ is my hold-up-need more practice!
I have 4 tops ready to be sandwiched and quilted. Plus other little projects.
I’m a new quilter so I only have 1! But I just bought this class a few days ago and have been looking at fabric for it, so the timing is perfect!
I have at least 5 tops waiting to be quilted, and 2 quilts being pieced. And I am sure I have others projects, like baskets, and bags that have been started.
I wish I had your class years ago when I started. A lot of trials and errors along the way. Thank you for the giveaway. I hope I win hehe:) lets see, I am down to six now. Been making some progress. That had been my challenge this year.
Okay, so doing a quick count in my head, I know of at least 10. After reading all the comments so far, I have to ask why we jump from one project to the next before the current project is completed. Is it boredom, or is it the thrill of letting our imagination view what the next project will look like, and the next and so on. Sometimes for me, I get quilters block, not making the commitment to a quilting pattern to complete a project. I’m thinking we need an intervention group to help with completing these beautiful works of heart that we put such effort into.
I have no UFOs. This will be my first quilt! Hope I win the kit! Thanks for the giveaway!
great to have start to finish class
I have 3, one over my personal limit. I have a postage stamp top I have been piecing since 1989. I prefer to think of it as a WIP(work in progress).
I have at least 5 or 6 projects half finished! Some need some fixing before I can continue!
I’d guess I have around 10 UFOs. Some of them have been sitting around for years!
I have three tops waiting for quilting because my big sewing machine is in the shop. I’ve been piecing on my Featherweight, and thank goodness I have it. Otherwise, I’d be having withdrawals 🙂
I only have two! But they’re promised and need to be finished…
Ouch! Let’s see, I have 4 tops waiting to bevquilted, 8 quilts waiting for binding, one BOM in progress and three quilts in various stages of being pieced
I only have three ufos right now. They are layered and ready to quilt. But I have enough fabrics for hundreds more…….
One major one which I keep putting off quilting. So many I want to do, just keep adding to the list. Love the colours of this quilt. Thanks for this offer.
At least 15 at last count not including the patterns I have bookmarked and printed for new ideas 🙂
I have about 5 unfinished projects right now. Only one is stalled because of uncertainty about how to proceed. Thanks for the chance to win this great prize!
I probably have at least 10-15 things that are in various stages of being done. I think I get stuck after taking a class, setting down to go back to what I was working on before the class, and then losing interest….I am working on slowly trying to work through the pile before starting something new, but you know how that is!!! Thanks for sharing the awesome giveaway!
I have at least 10 projects in various stages of completion. I always want to start more.
I don’t want to count them it might depress me. I do have 3 quilts that have to have the binding put on them by Oct for our quilt show and at least 15 that need to be quilted for donation. Maybe by Jan?
Far to many I confess and then other quilters give me their UFOs because I make Project Linus quilts!! Their guilt becomes mine…
that would be telling, but i have 5 that i’m working on right now at the same time, depending on what type of work i feel ike doing at any moment. [or more to the point, how much time and concentration i have available at any given time!!!] on my list of what i want to start soon is your quilt color crystels. i’ve had the fabric for the longest time and have loved it since the first second i was it. thank you for all the teaching and encouragement you give!
shoshana
I have 2 UFO’s right now. I tend to be a one project at the time girl but sometimes those UFO’s just happen! Thanks for the fantastic giveaway! I really enjoy your books and classes and always learn so much!
I have at least 10 unfinished. What a fabulous giveaway. Thanks!
haha I have 2 colums on a Word doc page of UFOs that are quilt related- and who knows how many clothes/purse/bag ones. But it is always fun starting something new. Thanks for the chance to win Christa!
Christa, there are 6 I’ve recently started and left in UFO status. I have deliberately left them snuggling next to the machine so they will not end up in bags/boxes/on the shelf and forgotten. For those who I have nicely stored, there are 7 or 8 that were halted in the piecing stage, probably as many in the quilting stage, and some I’m considering re-homing to be completed or maybe struggling through to complete them for charity quilts. So, more than I wish, less than I started 2017 with, and an awareness the UFO fairy might be make-believe! I would love to be the recipient of this generous give away and promise if I am chosen I will not rest until it goes from fabric pieces to finished quilt without other projects distracting me. To hold me true to my word, I will post photos of the process beginning to end!
Wow..only have 2,and that’s because I can’t decide how to quilt them!
I’m embarrassed to say….20 legit….and probably another 2 dozen not even started, supplies or kit bought.
I don’t think I can count that high…..I stopped at 32 that are basted and ready to quilt….that doesn’t count tops, kits (bought and put together by me), and then there is all the fabric I have….
I have a stack of jeans I want to make into a quilt, 4 vintage quilt tops I bought at estate sales, and another dozen creations brewing. Yikes!
I probably have at least 8 ufo’s right now. Some just seem to get stuck.
Ha! I have 5 UFOs! I’m working on one of them right now!
I currently have about 3 UFO s. I try to work on them and finish up but get carried away doing other courses, or procrastinate if at a spot in the quilting process that I don’t particularly like.
I have too many UFOs to count, but fewer than at the beginning of the year.
Oh dear. I’d guess that I have twenty, if that includes tops waiting to be taken to the longarmer. Likely there are more, given that I just started three little table runners when I got excited about my new log cabin ruler…I tend not to count. But this last year I’ve been finishing things up in addition to starting new projects, so that’s progress, and I’m fine with it.