Welcome to Ships & Violins

Despite the pandemic, the TorontoMQG has been able to offer a variety of virtual workshops and lectures to its membership. I proudly serve on the Board, and took every opportunity to attend and participate in its offerings. When I first began quilting, I binged a free Craftsy workshop series by Gail Kessler, Piece, Patch, Quilt, in a single afternoon, and then jumped right into the making, and quickly into pattern writing. I was too consumed with my own crafting journey to attend workshops that would expand my skills. So, when I joined the TMQG I knew capitalizing on its workshop offerings...

UFOvember Follow 30 crafters and makers during the month of November as they write about and share progress on their UFOs (unfinished objects)! Each day of November will feature a new maker; you can plan your tour using the schedule is below. I'll be writing about  rehoming my UFO on November 26, 2020, so be sure to stop by then! Enjoy! - Cristina De Miranda  Date Name Blog URL Sun, Nov 1 Bobbie Gentili http://geekybobbin.com Mon, Nov 2 Becca Fenstermaker https://prettypiney.com/blog Tue, Nov 3 Joanne Kerton https://canuckquilter.com Wed, Nov 4 Sue Griffiths https://www.duckcreekmountainquilting.com Thu, Nov 5 Ashli Montgomery http://www.meandcoach.com Fri, Nov 6 Anne...

The Mondrian Curves Mini Quilt Tutorial I shared a tutorial on sewing inset half-circles during the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild’s virtual sewcial this weekend. I used my blocks for the guild’s QuiltCon Community Outreach Quilt as examples, and a fun, modern mini quilt revealed itself as I worked my way from block to block. I couldn’t stop myself from sharing it with you. Who doesn’t love a free sewing tutorial, anyway?  Share your version on Instagram by using #mondriancurvesminiquilt or join the "Ships & Violins Quilt Patterns" Facebook Group and share with the SAV community! If this pattern is a breeze, and you...

Designer Lynn Carson Harris shared her tips on reducing bulky seams when sewing four patches together. The technique helps to disperse the seam allowances so that the bulk is shared, rather than congested in a single area of the seam intersection. 

I've shared how to apply this technique to key ares of the Butterfly Waltz below.