Published – Welcome Neighbor Table Topper

Posted in Finished Projects, Gift Ideas, Home Accessories, Published by lorimillerdesigns

In the August 2020 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, you will find my latest design. It is a table topper of little rainbow paper pieced houses. I used a linen background and colorful fabrics from my stash to make this little cutie. It is a great gift idea to celebrate a new home, welcome new friends or just spiff up your own table.

Here is the cover of the August issue to look for, there are lots of fun projects in this issue just in time for summer sewing.

I designed my topper in EQ8 Quilt Design Software. It is a foundation paper pieced design that would be great for an intermediate quilter or a dedicated beginner. I find starting on paper pieced projects that are smaller is a great way to try out this technique.

I played with a lot of different color ideas, EQ8 Quilt design software makes it easy to do that, try on different fabrics and styles. Here is another color way that I played with in EQ8.

I used foundation patterns created with #EQ8 to make each of the eight sections of the quilt. This section is the top of the house.

i just took my time carefully pressing and trimming. I did not want to handle too much to keep the linen edges from fraying.

I always think it is a little weird to sew upside down and backwards, lol, but the precise stitching lines it creates are so worth it.

Here is one of the 8 little house wedges all put together. Ignore my well used ironing board cover. I will have to make a new cover one of these days.

I did assembly line sewing for each section. I just love how they take shape.

I stitch the wedges into pairs aligning the seams. Then I sew the four sections of the block together to make half of the table topper. I then sew the two half together and press seams open.

I used a combination of walking foot quilting and free motion quilting on the topper. It is small enough that you can experiment with some detail to get the lovely texture.

I would love to see your version, just tag me on facebook or instagram @lorimillerdesigns

I love a good table topper. Check out my other designs on these posts.

Welcome Home Pineapple Topper information can be found HERE.

If you are new to paper piecing, you might like to try my Stardrop Table Topper first. I have a free tutorial HERE.

Please tag me on instagram @lorimillerdesigns or on facebook @lorimillerdesigns. I would love to see your version!

Happy Stitching!

16Nov2018

Published – Connect the Curves (Cirque)

Posted in Finished Projects, Published by lorimillerdesigns

My Connect the Curves (Cirque) quilt has been published in the December 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting

There are a lot of amazing quilts in this issue and I am so proud to be a part of it.

As usual, I designed this bold quilt with Electric Quilt design software. I started with a regular drunkards path block, super sized it and then made a few adjustments to create the swirling effect.

I used templates that I created with #EQ8 to cut out all of the curved pieces in my quilt. I generously received beautiful fabric from American Made Brand fabrics.

Stitching the curves on these 10″ blocks is easier than you think because of the size.

I use a 3 pin method and stitch from the outside to the center. Then I flip and stitch from the other end to the center adjusting the curve if needed.

The individual blocks come together to create a 20″ wide swirling center.

Does this happen to you? I can piece all day in quiet, but as soon as I start quilting, I get a furry helper. Cookie, you make it a little difficult to use the walking foot!

I tried some echo quilting around the curves of the center quilting about 1 ” apart to accentuate the motion.

Then I did some free motion feathers and free motion fill to finish up the negative space on the sides. You know I love the texture!

I hope you enjoyed getting a little behind the scenes view of my process on this lovely quilt.

Happy Stitching!

17Jan2017

Published – Clockwise Pillow

Posted in Finished Projects, Home Accessories, Published by lorimillerdesigns

Photo Courtesy of AllPeopleQuilt.com from Quilts and More Spring 2017 Magazine

It is January, but I am thinking of spring with my new Clockwise Pillow published in the Spring 2017 issue of Quilts and More. It is a rainbow of arrows pointing in a clockwise direction and I could not be more pleased.

Here is the current issue of Quilts and More, I even found it at my local Kroger store. In my store, the magazines are opposite the aisle from the eggs and butter, those people shopping thought I was a little strange when I discovered this magazine and yelled “Yay” out loud right in the store.

I started out designing my pillow with Electric Quilt 7, quilt design software.

I usually print out a picture of my project and some of the rotary fabric cutting suggestions. Then I use my own favorite assembly methods and scribble, make notes and write all my updates all over the papers to create my pattern.

Then I start to assemble the blocks trying the ways I think I want to put it together.

Here is the red and orange block coming together. I used different low volume grey prints for the backgrounds.

I really like how it has that clockwise rotation and movement in just the first block.

This is a pretty large block. I love large blocks, less to sew and a they really make a big impact! I am grooving on this apple green.

Here is the top all pieced. The assembly directions are really straight forward and they went together in a jiffy.

I decided to try quilting a large spiral for this pillow. It is a nice look and the texture is great. If you have not tried quilting some spirals, you need to add it to your list. A pillow is a nice size to start and practice spirals. This stunning pillow will be going in my family room.

This is why it took me a long time to spiral quilt this pillow. Oh Cookie cat!