Category: Christa’s Quilts

Answers to Your Machine Quilting Challenges – part 3

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As we continue on with this series of trouble shooting your machine quilting challenges, be sure to read part 1 and part 2 for more helpful advice. And now, onto more suggestions:

Christa Watson of Christa Quilts

My goal is to help you love machine quilting as much as I do!

Problem: keeping size consistent on large scale designs
My suggestion: I have found that when it comes to domestic machine quilting, it’s much easier to quilt smaller scale designs because you have less room to work on the bed of the machine, compared to a long arm. If you want to quilt a larger scale design, I suggest marking it. Or if you are quilting a large scale textural filler, keep something nearby that is roughly the same size (such as a drawing of the motif, or a 3D item) so you can constantly refer to it for scale.

Problem: maintaining good speed control
My suggestion: free-motion quilting requires you to balance the speed of two things at the same time: the rate at which you push the quilt through the machine, and how fast your machine stitches. It’s like driving a car with a manual transmission for the first time – it takes some getting used to. Work on starting with a slower speed and aim for smooth stitches. Be sure and take a few “test drives” on practice scraps before you head out on the highway (quilting the real quilt)! Once you are comfortable with the process, then try to increase your speed.

Problem: I can’t get smooth curves
My suggestion: try a more modern, geometric design such as square boxes, triangle texture, or a more jagged stipple. Some people seem to have a natural inclination to quilt either curving or geometric shapes. If you struggle with either, practice quilting one design on a large section of the quilt with blending thread and don’t criticize yourself too harshly. It will get better with practice. Also, spend time sketching out your design on paper so that you can practice drawing the smooth, fluid shapes.

Triangle Texture and Pebble Quilting by Christa Watson

Try quilting both curves and angles to see which you like best. This is detailed quilting of “Broken V” from my book Machine Quilting with Style.

Problem: skipping stitches, nesting issues, thread breakage
My suggestion: these problems are usually caused by one or more of these factors – wrong needle size for the thread you are using; bent, nicked, or dull needle; incorrectly threaded upper thread; tension too tight; bobbin inserted incorrectly; machine not oiled or delinted often enough. Be sure to always thread with the presser foot up and then trouble shoot each of these issues one by one. A tiny silicone disc called a Magic Genie bobbin washer can also help on machines that don’t have built in bobbin sensors.  If all else fails, it may be time to take your machine in for service.

Problem: I don’t like free motion quilting
My suggestion: that’s perfectly fine, you can quilt tons of designs using just a walking foot! In my Craftsy class and in my books, I show how you can quilt several differnt quilts completely using walking foot techniques. Also, Jacquie Gering just wrote a fantastic new book called Walk that goes deeper into this subject.

Walk by Jacquie GeringClick here to preview Walk by Jacquie Gering.

Problem: I don’t know how to quilt a quilt that has a lot of blocks, like a sampler.
My suggestion: I’d go either super custom or super simple. An allover design either quilted with a walking foot or free motion is the easiest and would be quilted regardless of the piecing or block designs. This type of quilting adds a layer of tecture to the piece, and if done with a blending thread, becomes secondary to the overall design of the quilt. However, if you want to draw attention to the individual blocks, then custom quilting each one and treating it as a separate element is the way to go.

Free Motion Quilting a Sampler

I’d suggest taking a look at Leah Day’s Craftsy class, Free-motion Quilting a Sampler as a great place to start!

Problem: getting stuck in corner, missing areas in allover designs, getting boxed in 
My suggestion: Contrary to what the quilt police might think, it’s reall okay to stitch over previous lines of quilting, or cross over your lines if needed. I usually like to sketch out a quilting plan on top of a picture of my quilt top. That allows me to plan out the direction I’ll take to quilt each section of the quilt.

I hope you are enjoying these machine quilting tips. I love being a cheerleader for “do it yourself” quilting and I try to make the process as approachable as possible. I’ll be back again next week with more suggestions!

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My Rainbow Zigzags Quilt Pattern – Free from All People Quilt

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I’m excited to reveal a quick and easy quilt I made as part of the Scrap Lab challenge in each issue of Quilts and More Magazine, a sister publication of American Patchwork and Quilting.Free Rainbow Zig Zags Quilt pattern by Christa Watson of Christa Quilts

It’s called Rainbow Zigzags and was created from a bundle of Moda Grunge fat eighths.

Moda Grunge Fat Eighths from The Precut StoreModa Grunge Bundle of F8’s is available from The Precut Store.

In each issue, three designers create three different projects using the exact same fabrics. You can see one of the other projects on the cover – a set of patchwork pillows made by Sheri McConnell. Jeni Baker made the third project, a cute patchwork bag.

Quilts and More Spring 2017 cover

Click here to see other projects from the issue. Photo courtesy of Meredith Corp.

I quilted my quilt using one of my new favorite quilting motifs, what I call “jagged stipple.” I think it’s a fun modern alternative to regular stippling and is easier, too!

jagged stipple free-motion quilted by Christa Watson on Rainbow Zigzags

I quilted each row of zig-zags using a matching thread color from my Piece and Quilt collection of Aurifil thread. It was super easy to do: I stitched in the ditch to anchor quilt each diagonal row, then free-motion quilted one row at a time starting and ending off the quilt so I didn’t have to tie off a single thread!

Piece and Quilt Aurifil thread by Christa Watson

Click here to get my Aurifil thread collection from The Precut Store.

Here’s a pretty image of all three scrap lab projects as seen in the Spring 2017 issue of Quilts and more. As a bonus, All People Quilt is offering my pattern for free when you register for their newsletter. I think that’s a pretty great deal, don’t you??

Scrap Lab projects featured in Quilts and More by Christa Watson, Jeni Baker and Sherri McConnell

Get the Rainbow Zig Zags pattern free. Image Courtesy of Meredith Corp.

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A Gallery of Award Winning Quilts from 2013 to Present

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I’ve been reorganizing my blog and decided to create a page showcasing my award-winning quilts since 2013. This was a turning point in my quilting career because it’s when I began entering modern quilts into national shows. Up until this time I had been making mostly traditional quilts and entering them into my local guild’s show. But after entering and attending QuiltCon back in 2013, I came home on fire, wanting to write books, travel to teach, and compete nationally. It’s been a fast-paced but fun 4 years!!

I created this page mostly as a means for me to keep track of which quilts have won awards since then. Please enjoy  this walk down memory lane with me:

Facets

From my book Machine Quilting with Style

Facets Quilt

  • 2nd Place, Modern – AQS Quiltweek, Paducak KY 2016
  • Teacher’s Choice ribbon, Lori East – MQX Quilt Festival Midwest 2016

Fractured Puzzle

A modern remake of my free Puzzle Box quilt pattern

fracture_puzzle_2nd_place_ribbon

Plumb Lines

From mine & Angela Walters’ book The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting

HMQS quilt show

Modern Logs

Individual Pattern Available

modernlogs

Colorful Chevrons

Individual Pattern Available

colorfulchevrons

  • 3rd place, Single Entrant Small – DQN Quilt Show, Las Vegas, NV 2015
  • Founder’s Award – MQX Quilt Festival Midwest, 2014
  • 3rd Place – Modern – AQS Quilt Show Paducah KY, 2014

String of Pearls

Individual Pattern Available

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Now I can’t wait to make and enter more of my work. I enter a lot of quilts, and most of them never receive any kind of recognition. So why do I do it? In all honesty, it gives me a deadline to shoot for, or I’d never get anything done. When one of them actually does win a ribbon, that’s like icing on the cake!

My Craftsy Class is Now Live – Save 50% on The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It

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My class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It is now available online. I’m so excited for you to join my classroom where you’ll have direct access to me – 24/7!! And the best part is, for a limited time, you can save 50% using my exclusive instructor discount! But here’s the catch: it’s available only from me using this link and you won’t see the discount until you actually put the class in your cart. So be sure it shows up before you check out. 🙂

the-quilters-pathClick here to add The Quilter’s Path to your cart and save 50% off the regular price!

As you view the videos, you can take notes, ask questions, and upload images of what you are working on. It’s a great place to get quilting advice from me, or to trouble shoot any issues you are having. My Craftsy class is a dedicated space where I can help you one on one, and I’m really looking forward to it! I like to think of it as 2+ hours of engaging video, along with unlimited coaching. 🙂

navy-pinwheels

Learn how to quilt an easy but effective wavy grid using your walking foot! This is just one of the many quilting motifs I’ll show you how to do with your walking foot, free motion, or both!

In The Quilter’s Path, it was very important for me to show you how to quilt on real quilts and blocks during class, so the class materials include a free pattern for the Pinwheels quilt. I’ve made it in three different colorways (navy, pink and teal) so that you can see how changing the fabrics and the quilting can totally change the look of the quilt!

pink-pinwheels-quilting

You can easily quilt your own quilts when you find your quilting path!

Here’s an actual screenshot from class so that you can see what the platform looks like. There’s a detailed menu bar where you can find the lessons and class materials, as well as take notes and post projects. On the right hand side of your screen, you can ask questions and read the Q&A of other class members. You can also hide this part of the screen if you don’t want to view it.

video-screenshot

The best thing about asking a question and interacting on the platform is that all of the other students can see your projects and discussions, too. I honestly think you learn as much from the Q&A as you do in the class itself! And remember, my philosophy is that the only dumb question is the one that is never asked!

During class,  I show how to quilt effective designs using a walking foot (or dual feed), free-motion techniques, and combined designs to create a truly custom look.

Click here to enroll in The Quilter’s Path and let me help you become a better quilter!

the-quilters-path

Quilts from my Craftsy Class, and Your Chance to Win it Before You Can Buy it!

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My Craftsy class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It is scheduled to launch next week!! Whoo hoo!! It’s all about showing you how to quilt some of my favorite motifs using your walking foot, free motion, or both. To celebrate, one of you lucky readers will get a chance to win it before you can buy it. 🙂

Update: Congrats to winner Linda B! The class is now live and available for purchase!

Click here to save 50% off The Quilter’s Path through April 4, 2017

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Win My Class!

To enter, first click here to sign in or register for a free Craftsy account (if you don’t have one yet). Then leave me a comment letting me know if you’ve ever taken a Craftsy class before.

If you are a regular Craftsy user, I’d also love to know what you love best about the class platform. As for me, I love being able to interact 24/7 via the Q&A sidebar in each class. 🙂

The giveaway will be open to all and will run through the end of the week. I’ll draw a random winner on Saturday and will contact them via email.

Pinwheel Quilts from Class

I used Craftsy’s Boundless precut strips in three different color schemes to make the 3 full-sized pinwheel quilts shown in class. With careful cutting you can actually make 2 quilts from each set, or make one larger version. The free pattern will be included exclusively as part of the class.

Here’s closeup shots of each of the pinwheel quilts I share in class:

pinwheels-navy

The Navy/30’s Pinwheels (with walking foot quilting) was made from 30’s prints and navy solids. I actually show two versions of this quilt in class, the finished red/white/blue version shown above, plus the pastel version shown below. I separated the precut 2 1/2″ strips into two color schemes to make both quilts. I used a contrasting thread on the pastel version that I actually quilt on during class, so you can see what I’m doing.

pastel_quilting

Click here to purchase Boundless 1930’s Delights 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Navy 2 1/2″ precut strips.

For the Pink/White pinwheels, I free-motion quilted a fun and easy edge to edge design that gives the quilt lots of texture. This is a fast way to finish that looks amazing on your quilt!
pinwheels-pink

During class, I teach many more quilting motifs than shown in these three samples, but I still quilt them on real blocks so you can see how the designs will look before you commit to a full quilt. For the pink/white version I used some of the leftover solid pink strips to make a scrappy binding. I think it adds such a fun look to a quilt!

scrappy_binding

Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Tickled Pink 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Bright White 2 1/2″ precut strips.

For the grand finale, I show how to combine both walking foot and free-motion techniques to create a truly custom look with your quilt, as shown in the Teal/Gray Pinwheels quilt.

pinwheels-teal

There’s plenty of leftover pieces in each bundle that you can use to whip up sample blocks to practice on like I did. It always amazes me how different a quilt can look, once it’s quilted!

pinwheel_block

Click here to purchase Boundless Blenders Aura Coastal Escape 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Nickel 2 1/2″ precut strips.

In class, I also share several of my other finished quilts for inspiration, explaining how I apply the quilting to each of these quilts. My goal is for you to not only learn the designs, but feel comfortable quilting them on any quilt. Once the class launches, I’ll be back with a detailed class summary, along with an exclusive discount available only from me. I can’t wait!!

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Craftsy Holiday Sale and a Sneak Peek of my Upcoming Class

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While I excitedly await the release of my Craftsy class in January, I’m paying much more attention to all of the great deals the company is offering. For example, I just saw that ALL classes are on sale for under $20, now through the day after Christmas (12/26 at 11:59 PM MT).

holiday-sale

So now that you are done with your gift shopping, why not reward yourself with a gift of learning? Click here to view all quilting classes on sale.

Speaking of learning, here’s a behind-the-scenes shot of me quilting for my upcoming Craftsy class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It.

pinwheel_quilts

The best part of filming was getting to quilt on a BERNINA. I felt right at home!

See those pinwheel quilts? The main focus of the class is showing how to quilt the same quilt in different ways depending on the look you are going for and what your skill level is. My students have been asking me to show them how I physically move an actual quilt under the machine; so most of the class is spent quilting real blocks and real quilts, using both walking foot and free-motion techniques. I also wanted to give as much value as I could, so the Pinwheels design is included as a free pattern in the class. 🙂

bernina_dualfeed

Tip from class: If your machine has built in dual feed – you DON’T need a walking foot!

I’ll be telling you much more about my class as it gets closer to launch day in early January. In the meantime, be sure and grab the other quilting classes you’ve had your eye on, now while they are on sale. I highly recommend taking as many different classes as you can, from as many different instructors as you can. We each put our own spin on the material, and you never know when one of us will say something in a way you’ve never heard before. I sure love teaching, but I’m still always learning, too!

Click here to view all Quilting Classes on sale. And remember, every class site-wide is on sale, too! (Note: this post contains affiliate links, so thanks for your support!!)

New Pattern Release – Nested Pinwheel

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One of my goals for the next year is to release a series of new quilt patterns that have I’ve been dying to complete. Over the last couple of years  I’ve written 4 print patterns, 7 PDF patterns, 2 books (with a third coming next fall), and created numerous quilts for magazines and compilation books. Now that the rights are beginning to revert back to me for the one-off publications, I can finally start releasing them on their own. It’s a big task to be sure, but one I’m looking forward to.

Without further ado, here’s the first of hopefully many patterns – Nested Pinwheel!

nested_pinhweels_finished_large

Nested Pinwheel designed and made by Christa Watson, 27″ x 27″

I originally created this design as part of a larger designer bundle of smaller projects. It finishes at 27″ x 27″, perfect to use as a mini quilt, table topper, wall-hanging, or newborn quilt. In the 2 page pattern, I’ve also included a diagram showing what it would look like if you wanted to create a larger, 4 block 54″ x 54″ size.

I’m experimenting with an idea I saw another blogger do recently. When I first release an individual quilt pattern I’ll offer it as a PDF only, for a super low price. This will allow early adopters to get the best deal, and it will help fund the printing process, if I choose to take it to print later. This will also help me gauge the interest of a particular pattern before I introduce it to the masses via the quilt shop distribution network.

photo-3

Right now I don’t have a set schedule for when I’ll release patterns, but the more often I do it, the easier the process will become. In every pattern, I’ll include some hints or tips on how I did the machine quilting, such as the photo above. After all, my goal with releasing patterns and teaching machine quilting is to help others finish their quilts quickly, and have fun doing it!

Click here to grab your copy of Nested Pinwheel, just $2.95 through the end of the month!

Share your progress while making this quilt, or anything else from my books and patterns in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa. I’d love to see your progress, and offer support and encouragement while you create!

I Love Churn Dashes – Book Winners

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Just a quick note to say congrats to the two winners of I Love Churn Dashes – the latest compilation book from Martingale/That patchwork Place. Kim S. won the downloadable e-copy and Gloria C. won a signed physical copy.

Click here to read more about my contribution to the book.

i-love-churn-dashes

For those that didn’t win, you can pre-order your copy online here.

Thanks to all those that commented and went with me on a journey to revisit all of the quilts from Machine Quilting with Style. The giveaways are now over, but you can click here to see all of the quilts in the book, and click here for links to all of the re-colored versions.

machine_quilting_detail

Detail of quilting from Machine Quilting with Style.

One final note – after a crazy busy couple of years of non-stop work that left little time for blogging, I should be able to start blogging more on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to it!

My Quilt From I Love Churn Dashes

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I’m so excited to finally reveal a secret sewing project I made last year! If you followe me on instagram  (@christaquilts), you can check out the hashtag #secretsewingchrista to see sneak peeks of my progress while working on this quilt, plus several others that I can’t reveal quite yet. Makers gotta make and sharers gotta share!

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce Churn Dash Slide, my contribution to I Love Churn Dashes, the latest book in the Block Buster Quilts series by Martingale/That Patchwork Place.

churn-dash-slide-by-christa-watson

Churn Dash Slide, by Christa Watson, 72″ x 78″. Photography by Brent Kane.

Although this book is more about the pieced design of the quilts rather than the machine quilting, I still loved quilting the heck out of it! I used a simple elongated swirl, quilted edge to edge across the quilt.

Here’s a machine quilting tip: when working with busy prints, where your quilting is NOT the star of the show, choose a simple quilting design that adds texture, but is relatively quick and easy to do. I used a light green from my Piece and Quilt thread collection from Aurifil to quilt it.

machine-quilting

I love adding texture to my quilts with lot of machine quilting!

So here’s a bit of trivia I learned when reading I Love Churn Dashes: The term comes from the design’s resemblance to the staff or pole (referred to as the dash) that’s used in a traditional wooden butter churn. I’ve also heard the block called by other names such as Monkey Wrench, or Hole in the Barn Door, but I think Churn Dash is the cutest name, don’t you??

i-love-churn-dashes

Partial quilts on the cover (clockwise) are from Amy Ellis, Me, Jo Morton, and Carol Hopkins.

I Love Churn Dashes include 15 fabulous designs from 15 well-known quilters (plus a bonus quilt in one of the patterns – so really, 16 quilts)! Plus it includes detailed instructions on making a basic churn dash block right at the beginning of the book. Once you have this block down, the variations are endless! In addition to the eye catching designs shown on the cover, here are a few more of my personal favorites:

block-party-by-jackie-white

Block party by Jackie White – I love those white solids and the modern design!

in-reverse-by-kate-henderson

In reverse by Kate Henderson – the book includes intrucctions to make two quilts at once – this version, and an inverted version with a pieced background and solid block!

wavy-churn-by-gina-reddinWavy Churn by Gina Reddin – this one is all machine applique!summer-dash-by-april-rosenthalSummer Dash by April Rosenthal – so fresh and sweet!

I tend to go for the lighter brighter versions, but the book is so versatile. It includes several more traditional-looking Churn Dash designs, too. There’s truly something for everyone! Be sure to follow Martingale/That Patchwork Place’s blog for more fun announcements and new releases.

FYI, here’s the complete list of designers included in the book:

  • Tanya Alexander
  • Laura Beohnke
  • Kim Brackett
  • Kari Carr
  • Kim Diehl
  • Amy Ellis
  • Kate Henderson
  • Carol Hopkins
  • Kimberly Jolly
  • Jo Morton
  • Gina Redin
  • April Rosenthal
  • Tammy Vondershmidt
  • Jackie White
  • And ME!

Click here to pre-order your copy of Churn Dash Slide using my affiliate link. Thanks!

Machine Quilting with Style: Pearl Gray Re-imagined

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We’ve come to the end of the quilts in my book Machine Quilting with Style! Thanks so much for going on this journey with me, taking another look at all 12 quilts in the book. Writing this book was a dream come true, and as a successful quilting author once told me, “writing a book will change your life.” That’s the truth!

pearl_gray_cover
Pearl Gray at my local guild’s quilt show in 2016 – 1st place, single entrant category.

Pearl Gray shown above is a remake of my original String of Pearls quilt shown below. I made the newer version slightly larger and switched up the background to create a checkerboard effect. I also went with a softer palette in the remake compared to the brighter original.

20140404_stringofpearls_dqn

String of Pearls at my local guild’s quilt show in 2014 – 1st place, single entrant category.

I love sharing my quilts in quilts shows and every now and then one of them snags a ribbon. However, for this quilt to get the same ribbon in the same category at the same show 2 years apart was definitely a feather in my cap.

Pearl Gray Re-Imagined

Since I designed the quilts in the book in EQ7, it was so fun and easy to switch out the fabrics to give you some new ways to imagine how these quilts can look. Let’s explore a couple of options for Pearl Gray, using some newer fabrics that are available now.

pearl-gray-tula

I recolored this fun version above with Tula Pink True Colors. If you’ve been hoarding some pretty prints, this is the perfect design in which to show them off! Play around with different background and contrast colors to see how the design pops!

The design below shows off Sherri and Chelsi’s line, Desert Bloom from Moda. No matter which fabrics you choose, they are sure to look great!

pearl-gray-sherri-chelsi

Click here to see all of the quilts from Machine Quilting with Style re-imagined.

Click here to see all of the original quilts in the book, with more options.

Click here to get your signed copy of my books.

Christa Watson Books

Yes I love writing books. Yes, there will be more!

Giveaway Time!

And now, for the last giveaway! I really, really enjoy writing books. Like really! Although it takes a ton of time to write all the patterns and make all the quilts, the process is so much fun. What’s also enjoyable is being a part of someone else’s book. It’s a smaller time commitment but still very rewarding.

For the last present to celebrate the one year birthday of Machine Quilting with Style, I’m giving away two copies of I Love Churn Dashes. The release date is Dec 20th, so you can win it before you can buy it!

i-love-churn-dashes
Pre-order your copy of I Love Churn Dashes here.

This book is the latest collaboration from my publisher, including 15 fabulous quilts, all from different designers. Come back on Friday for a full peak into this book and the reveal of my quilt! For now, see that orange and gray block on the cover near the logo? That’s mine. 🙂

Martingale/That Patchwork Place will send an e-copy to one international winner, and I’ll send a signed, physical copy to one US winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite quilt book ever (other than mine!!) I’d also love to know what makes it special. I’ll select the winners on Monday and notify them via email.

pearl-gray

Pearl Gray by Christa Watson, 66″ x 77″. Photography by Brent Kane for Martingale.

When you make any of the quilts from either of my books – I’d love to see them! Please share your in-progress photos and finishes in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa.

Now – go make some quilts!