This log book began out of care and necessity. When my husband served as the executor of a dear friend’s estate, we quickly realized how important it is to have everything written down—organized, accessible, and in one place.
Inside you’ll find:
Alphabetical pages for easy access
Space for websites, usernames, passwords, notes
Simple layout—perfect for all ages
For home or office
A practical gift idea for:
Anyone wanting to stay organized and secure
Seniors or caregivers
Executors of estates
Families managing household accounts
See All I Do, beside Quilt Pattern Books BethAnnDoing.com
My Great-Great Grandmother’s Quilt This quilt was a gift to my mother from her Great Grandmother. And then a Gift to me from My Mother. Making it by, GREAT-GREAT Grandmother’s Gift to ME ! Well…That’s how I like to look at it.
I never met her and my mom only remembers helping with the peddle sewing machine. I use this quilt and love sleeping under it. It goes in the washer and now living here in Florida and not having a clothes line it does go it the dryer….Yes… it bothers me too, but…. the colors are still very bright, but the Florida sun won on these photo’s.
Perfect for:
Those who haven’t opened a Bible in years
Anyone whose faith has frayed a little around the edges
Quilters who find peace in the rhythm of making, sewing and reading 24 days of Luke + 25 quilt block patterns
This book isn’t a task to complete, it’s a rhythm to return to. Available ONLY here
This past Tuesday Thread was how to do quilt squares, HERE
And this is one of the best ways to learn to do square this quilt pattern is for you. This quilt pattern is easy and it’s ONLY a square. Making nine patch quilt block This is just the next step in a nine patch quilt block. Finished Quilt block is ten inches.
Tuesday Thread, Let’s start to Sew that Quilt Block
Always remember that quilting has been done for hundreds of years and all the new gadgets are great. You can still do things very simply and fill your sewing closet with new innovations as your talent grows.
No need to purchase a rotary cutter and mat your first time out. Take your time and enjoy the sewing process.
My Quilt Patterns on Etsy, and NOW on Amazon
Things needed to start a quilt project:
A sewing machine that sews a straight line, borrow one or purchase one at a large chain store. No need to spend hundreds/thousands on a machine to straight stitch. OR Hand piecing can be done too. Everything is the same as a machine, but you hand stitch using the same ¼” seam allowance. I will share how to soon.
1)Graph Paper 2)Freezer Paper – Plastic coated paper, like the butcher’s wrap meat in. You can purchase it at your local store or if you ask they may give you some at your butcher counter 3)Glue stick 4)Iron 5)Gray thread 6)Ruler 7)Pencil 8)Basic sewing supplies, Scissors, thimble, sew riper, etc. 9)Needles – for hand piecing Sharps size 7-12, for quilting Between needles size 10-12 10)Sewing Pins 11) Fabric and Batting
Cutting – Rotary cutter, mat and ruler can be used if you have them. If you are new to quilting and are not sure you want to buy all these supplies try Freezer paper. It may be purchased at any grocery store. You will notice that one side is shiny, one not.
Draw the pattern pieces on to graph paper, the finished size, Add a ¼ inch seam allowance around the entire outside edge –the cutting line, the – – – line. The – – – – will be the sewing line
(example – 2 inch finished size cut square 2 ½” x 2 ½”) Cut pattern out
With a glue stick. Paste the pieces to the NON-shiny side of the freezer paper.
Cut the pattern out.
You can now iron the pattern to your fabric, shiny side down. This pattern can be used over and over. It will leave no film on your fabric.
At this point in quilting classes, it’s time to make a quilt block! Use the method, ruler/cutter or freezer paper.
Here is how to make a quilt square – A 4-patch quilt block
Cut 2 squares the same size (finished size of square plus 1/2 inch) example cut 2 ½ x 2 1/2″ inch seam allowance, sew Good side of fabric to good side of fabric Trim threads Open and Press to the dark
1)sew seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance,
you may need to mark your machine with this measurement.
2) You can chain piece a few at a time Cut thread and open
3)sew these together
Watch your color placement, sew good side to good side.
The simple Log Cabin quilt block is one of the most beloved and timeless patterns in quilting. Built around a central square, this block grows outward with strips, or “logs,” added one at a time. I have changed it a bit with the added squares in the colors. A Log Cabin block brings warmth, tradition, and a comforting sense of home.
This a simple quilt pattern that has a finished size of eight inches by eight inches. All 68 of “The Ladies” quilt patterns are HERE
Fabric colors are always on a Quilter’s mind, And here is the way that I was taught, years and years ago. Last Week I shared how I do color using a photo, post is here for you.
1) Start with one fabric. Take this one fabric and work from it. Is that one fabric, a dark, medium or light color?
This is a Dark
Add the light and medium. Move and change it until you like it.
Lay them out in front of you.
Then add, a dark medium, a light medium, until you have the mix of what you like.
2) Choose colors and patterns you love. An average a twin size quilt will take me about a week to piece together, and if hand quilted another, 3-4 months. If tied or machine quilted 3-4 weeks, you have so much time and cost involved you have to love it.
3) Natural or background colors. These are the corner stone. More often than not the background color is your light color. Your background color helps bring the blocks together. It does not always need to be a light either, dark or medium work well to, any color can be used.
4) Color Wheel. I’m not a big fan of the color wheel, I do like when colors pops and on most of my quilts the start fabric is not the most prominent color used it in, it is just a starting point.
5) Make one block. This should always be done, a Quilters practice, cut only fabric for one block and live with it for a few days. Especially, if it’s something you’ve never tried before. Most times you will know right away if you like it or not.
6) Have fun. This is the best way I’ve found to pick colors, enjoy the process, your quilt will be fantastic.
The Edison Tree Quilt – Only $2.50 at My Etsy Shop!
Every quilt has a story—and this month, it’s bursting with color! I’m thrilled to share myAugust 2025 Quilt Pattern of the Month: the Edison Tree Quilt, a celebration of creativity, color, and all things triangle! This pattern features a vibrant, rainbow-inspired tree made from four bold quilt blocks, each measuring 16″ x 16″. When stitched together, your quilt will finish at 38″ x 38″—but I’ve included optional borders to size it up to 42″ or even 42″, just in case you like your quilts with a little extra flair.
Fresh, modern design that brings energy to your quilting
Step-by-step instructions for easy cutting and piecing
Works beautifully in rainbow fabrics—or any palette you choose
Exclusive digital download available only in my Etsy shop – Complete instructions and getting started section
Just $2.50 all month long!
Get it instantly: The Edison Tree Quilt Pattern is available only through my Etsy shop and is priced at just $2.50 for the month of August. It’s a fun, affordable way to add something fresh and colorful to your quilting lineup.
One of the best things about quilting is the Wonderful Fabric’s you get to purchase, lots and lots of fabric. Sign up top right of this site to receive notice of new posts, I will NEVER send a newsletter, etc. I just don’t like them!?!
And with that I have to add,
This is the way I do my fabric, you do you ! Purchasing fabric is fun, please, always buy the best fabric you can afford and what you like. For quilts you will use 100% cotton fabric. Fabric will cost between $6 and $17 per yard. If you are just purchasing for a maybe project, I do mostly cuts 1 to 2 yards. If you have a quilt pattern, follow the recommendations, but as I say in my books, “Please think of purchasing more fabric than needed, as a pattern designer I have no idea how you will cut and use your fabric.” Purchased cotton yardage, I wash, dry and iron my fabric before starting any project. Please think of purchasing more fabric than needed, a pattern designer has no idea how you will cut and use your fabric.
When talking about fabric it always brings up the conversation of washing fabric. Here is what I do,
I wash and dry all my fabric BEFORE sewing cutting and piecing a quilt. You only have to pull out one finished quilt from the washer and see bleeding to know you must/should wash all fabric.
Cotton fabrics bleeding means, the dyes used on the fabric will become loose when washing. It’s said that it’s common is cottons, but all fabrics can bleed. Dyes will/can stain other fabrics in a prewashing, the biggest problem is the dye transfer after a quilt is finished. Last weeks Tuesday’s Thread HERE
When cotton fabric is made it is stretched on a loom, pulling the fibers straight. A stabilizer is applied to keep fabric straight and that is what you are washing off. Washing allows the fabric to relax and return to a more natural state. A dryer lets the fabric relax or shrink. All cotton fabrics are different you cannot know the amount any fabric will shrink.
Knowing a cotton fabric will not bleed and not shrink is worth a bit of time for the perfect quilt in the end.
When prewashing quilt fabric, I use my daily machine washer detergent, the same type that will be used when the complete quilt is washed. Same with the dryer, use the setting that will be used when the quilt is completed.
With 100% cotton fabric after washing and drying you will need to clip away all the threads that have twisted. If fabric is wrinkles you can shake it to smooth out more wrinkles, or press the fabric with a dry iron.
It’s a habit for me to wash/dry as soon as I purchase fabric. You will develop YOUR way of caring for your quilt fabrics.
When using/cutting the fabric I will press and starch it BEFORE any cutting and square up the fabric so that all cuts with a rotary cutter are straight. I use what I use for clothing as my starch just plain old Niagara brand, it makes it just a bit stiff and will washed very easily.
All this being said, “I do not EVER wash contest quilt fabric before sewing, or quilting the quilt.” That is just me, you do YOU !
Welcome to my Tuesday Threads: Quilt How-To with The Quilt Ladies! Every Tuesday, I’m sharing simple, step-by-step quilting techniques straight from my sewing room to yours.
I have so many brand new to quilting or if you just want a quick refresher, these posts are here to help. Grab your fabric, pour a cup of something cozy, and let’s get stitching, one technique at a time!
I am starting with pressing because I see SO many new quilters pressing as they would IF you were sewing a dress, with quilt blocks you do NOT press the seam open, you press to the darker fabric and here is why. NO Steam, a hot, dry iron.
press your quilt block to the darker fabric, here the redseam opened and how the nest into each other
When you press both layers of fabric and the seam allowance all to one side, you’re giving that seam more fabric layers to support it. This extra layer of fabric over the stitching line helps protect your thread from wear and tear over time.
As your quilt gets used, loved, washed, and tugged on, the seams take a lot of stress. By pressing to one side, you’re wrapping that stitching line in a little fabric shield. The thread sits just under the fold, with fabric on top of it and underneath it. This extra cushion means the thread is less likely to snap or break down over the years.
Press to the Dark Side… Always (Well, Almost Always)
I HOPE you have heard this rule a hundred times: “Press your seams to the dark side.” But why?
It’s not just some old quilting superstition. There’s a real reason for it!
When you sew two fabrics together—especially a light fabric next to a dark one—the seam allowance can show through the lighter fabric if it’s pressed the wrong way. This is called “shadowing.” Nobody wants to finish a quilt top, hold it up to the light, and suddenly see dark seam lines peeking through those lovely light fabrics.
By pressing your seam allowance toward the darker fabric, you’re tucking that extra bulk safely under the dark side—where it stays hidden.
Press, Don’t Iron: Up and Down, Not Side to Side
Now let’s talk about the motion of pressing. When you’re at your ironing board, it’s tempting to treat your quilt block like a wrinkled shirt and slide the iron back and forth. But don’t!
In quilting, you want to “press,” not “iron.”
That means setting your iron down straight onto the fabric, holding for a few seconds, then lifting it up and moving it to the next spot.
Why?
Dragging your iron side to side can stretch the fabric, especially along diagonal seams (the bias). This leads to wonky blocks, wavy edges, and points that don’t quite match later.
This a little thing, but the pressing of the quilt block the right way can make your quilt pop just a little more, and last a bit longer.
