Melissa Martin

The Secret to Borders That Behave: Measuring Your Quilt in Three Spots Let’s be real, adding borders is one of those steps that sounds easy, but can trip up even the most seasoned quilters. If you’ve ever wondered why your borders sometimes get a little “wavy,” you’re definitely not alone! Here’s a simple trick that’s made a world of difference in my own quilts: measuring in three places before cutting your border strips. Why Measure in Three Spots? Quilts shift and stretch. Measuring in just...

“Guess what you don’t see? You don’t see how I cut the fabric wrong the first time in some places and had to sew pieces back together so that I could cut them again. You don’t see how many of my points don’t match up. You know why? Because I’m not pointing them out.” If you’ve hung around quilters for more than five minutes—online or in person—you’ve probably heard: “You’re quilting wrong.” Sometimes it’s said out loud. Sometimes it’s just a look. Sometimes it’s buried in a “helpful” comment...

My Go-To Ways to Snag Quilting Deals Have you ever felt like tracking down good quilting deals is a bit like a treasure hunt? I do! Some of my favorite finds happened just because I was in the right place at the right time. Here’s what works for me: Newsletter signups:  I always join the email lists for my favorite quilt shops. They’ll send out secret coupons or early heads-up about sales, and I’ve saved a ton this way. Social media:  I follow quilt shops and fabric brands on Instagram and...