Published – Cool Waters Quilt

Posted in EQ8, Finished Projects, Published by lorimillerdesigns

I am pleased to share my Cool Waters Quilt that is published in the January 2021 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine. This throw size quilt is a block full of triangles. It is easy to piece and I love the calming color way.

This is the cover of the January issue to look for. It is packed with great projects to sew this winter.

Here is the full Cool Waters quilt in all its glory. I loved the way a secondary pattern appeared in the design as the blocks were sewn together. By limiting the fabric choices, I think it seems crisper and simpler even with all those triangles.

I designed my quilt with EQ8 Quilt Design Software. It is a regular pieced quilt block. It makes it so easy to try different fabrics and combinations of colors. I could add or remove blocks until I got the size of quilt that I wanted.

Here are all my stacks of pieces. EQ8 gave me a handy rotary cutting guide to help cut all the patch shapes. I print it out and scribble all over it as I cut things out and take notes.

I Pieced the larger triangle modules first to make it easier to assemble.

This is a common scene when I am in the middle of a project. Pieces of fabric and notions everywhere!

I used free motion quilting to quilt a paisley all over design on this quilt to finish it off. I usually quilt on a Bernina domestic machine.

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

Happy Stitching!

5Jun2020

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!

15Dec2017

Published – Beach Glass Quilt

Posted in Finished Projects, Published by lorimillerdesigns

I am so excited to be published again. This large block quilt in beach glass hues captures the feel of sand and surf while the snowflakes swirl outside.

And I was surprised to find that I am a cover girl too. Beach glass was featured on the cover of the 2017 International Quilt Festival Magazine.

I designed this large 18″ block with Electric Quilt Software. I wanted to show off the turquoise and sea green colors of the fabric with larger pieces. And I wanted a pretty simple block to put together.

Here is an assembled block. It really shows all of the low volume grey fabric scraps I was using. They just had to be a lighter grey and I used both cream and white tones.

I started out with this large quilt design but ultimately decided to downsize it to a throw that was 3 x 4 blocks.

I hand marked the quilt with ideas I had for quilting. I just use a water soluble marker to put the designs on the fabric. If I am going to quilt right away, I sometime use the disappearing ink one.