Happy Sunday!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Just want to share my latest posts in case you missed them. I've been back in my sewing room and getting back into quilting. It's my happy place and I'm sure it's yours too!

I experimented with a very simple Churn Dash quilt block but tried to make it more modern. My finished block is 17" and you don't need a special square ruler to make it. Just follow the instructions to make this 9-patch block using HSTs, rectangle units and one center square. It's the perfect beginner pattern to use more than one skill. Simple, fun and easy sewing to make a quilt fast!

Include block information to make baby quilt to queen size quilt and a cheat sheet to make different size blocks.

When you finish your quilt, you may want to try another beginner friendly machine quilting method called "Stitch in the Ditch". Let me show you how to stitch with this technique plus a link to a beautiful scrappy quilt pattern I purchased on Etsy. It's another great pattern for beginners and packs a big punch on charm and holiday vibes.

I know it's only May but I was asked on Christmas Eve last year to make a holiday quilt for my nephew's fiancé. Of course I said yes but my brain was mush and I didn't want to design a quilt. This quilt kept popping up in my searches so I bought it. It's just a fancy charm square quilt with some HST units. Can a beginner make this? Absolutely.

The newest post is from this morning and it's for all the book lovers who also love to quilt. Let me share my latest Fiction Books About Quilting and books on my TBR list. That's "To be read" in case you aren't familiar with this term. Perfect for summer time reading which is just around the corner.

I didn't know this genre of books existed until late last year and I've already purchased 6 books. If you don't have time to sit and read, no problem. I'll show you a free app to listen to free audiobooks and you will find some of my suggested books available there.

Pick a free pattern from my Pattern Index and make a cozy quilt to lay under a tree or on the beach while you read your book. Pick up one of my handmade small tote bags to stash your book in along with your essentials and head out on a road trip or the local coffee shop.

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New to Quilting (Part 5)

This newsletter has the final part of the "Make Your First Quilt Series" and that's attaching the binding.

In Part One we covered buying fabric, how to pick your first pattern, how to cut fabric with rotary cutter, how to sew simple squares together and how to make half square triangles.

In Part Two we covered picking a pattern but only using 2 - 5" Charm Square Precut packages. And following the free Charm Square quilt pattern and tutorial to complete the quilt top. It is just for practice and to make a quilt from start to finish.

In Part Three we covered backing fabric, batting and basting.

In Part Four we covered actual quilting of your quilt sandwich either with your sewing machine, by hand or tied.

Before we move on, how did it go? What was challenging, where did you struggle?

The final step is attaching the binding and then you are DONE!! Square up your quilt before attaching binding, trim the excess batting and backing using your rotary cutter and straight line ruler. There are several tutorials in my quilting binding posts to help you every step of the way.

1. ​How to make binding strips​
2. ​How to attach binding with your sewing machine​
3. ​How to join the ends and how to finish the second side​

I always use 2.5" binding for quilts and 1.5" binding for smaller quilting projects like table runners, placemats and potholders.

My first quilt was done by sewing the binding onto the first side of the quilt and then hand stitching on the other side. Now I use my sewing machine to attach binding to both sides. I'm fine with the line it will leave on my quilt and it's much faster and efficient use of my time but you can also attach by hand.

Next time we will discuss how to wash it and label it.

New to quilting?

Check out my new "Learn to Quilt" page that contains all the information you need to sew a quilt from start to finish along with tutorials for each step. Print the patterns for a nice clean ad free copy so you can have it on your sewing table to refer back to. Patterns without ads are only $3.​

Just remember, take breaks if you are getting tired, frustrated or are making a lot of mistakes. You can do this. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions or need help by sending me an email at nikki@sewnikki.com.

I'm Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you'll find easy to follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. I'm here to make the process fun and stress free. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let's create something beautiful together!

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