Learn how to self-bind any quilt top in the latest tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The first time Jenny Doan made a self-binding baby quilt, her husband was skeptical. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to work, dear…”
Undaunted, Jenny replied, “Just you watch!” And guess what? It did work, and it was fab-u-lous!
Jenny Doan demonstrates how to self-bind a quilt in the latest tutorial from Missouri Star.
Over the years, Jenny’s Self-Binding Baby Blanket tutorial has been watched millions of times. (Imagine all the babies who have been wrapped in those sweet little quilts!)
But, after dozens and dozens of easy-peasy baby quilts, Jenny started to wonder…would the self-binding technique work on larger quilts, too? (Spoiler alert: It does!)
In this week’s new tutorial, Jenny demonstrates how to stitch a self-binding backing to any size quilt.
People often find quilting in times of need to help them through difficult situations – that’s how The Quilting Marine first discovered his love for quilting. After serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, The Quilting Marine found quilting as his therapy for PTSD related issues. Now, he has a new goal and his YouTube channel says it best, “I taught myself to quilt and would like to help you make quilts that you can admire for years to come.”
What is your favorite part of the quilting process?
My favorite part is piecing the blocks together and giving the quilt away for someone else to enjoy. It’s the building of the quilt for me and is my therapy. I don’t get wrapped around the wheel on everything else. I live behind the mantra of “it’s only fabric” and “it’s only thread”.
Who are your favorite fabric designers?
Robert Kaufman; Michael Miller; Riley Blake; Brother and Sister Design 2009
What notion or sewing tool are you most dependent on?
I depend mainly on my omnigrid rulers, rotary cutters and my machine, the Brother PQ1500sl. And if I had to throw something else in, it would be the Oliso iron.
How were you introduced to sewing and quilting?
I taught myself around the time my grandson was to be born. I wanted to create something for him that was one of a kind.
The Quilting Marine at work on another project.
What was the most frustrating sewing project you ever worked on?
The one for my grandson was my first quilt and was the most frustrating because I entered a world that I had no idea about. Once I realized that there wasn’t much to create a quilt, that is one of the reasons it attracted me. The repetitiveness of building a quilt keeps me sane. Even though the process is repeated, the result that comes from it is different every time.
What do you do to find inspiration/encourage your creativity?
I find my inspiration from watching other quilters and add or take away from what they have created to make it my own. I love using a lot of color when building my quilts. Colors to me bring out the quilt.
What occupation would you like to try if sewing/making wasn’t an option?
I would love to be a hard hat diver/saturation diver. They get paid handsomely to do what they do and the risk is tremendous.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
The Punisher. He is a normal guy who has no superpowers and takes on the responsibility of fighting crime. I like normal guys who do extraordinary things.
A beautiful example of The Quilting Marine’s artistic ability and craftsmanship.
What fabric have you been hoarding/saving the longest?
Batiks are my all time favorite and whenever subscribers send me fabric, I will hoard Batiks until I find something that the fabric is perfect for. I don’t normally like flowers, I’m not the flower guy but the 2009 Brother Sister Design Studio Fabric has me hoarding it too. This one is super hard to find now so I hoard it as much as I can.
Describe your perfect day.
A day on the beach in the Caribbean with my wife, a fishing rod with a line in the water and no hook and a cool drink. Sleep, wake, piece a block and repeat. Maybe some eating in there somewhere as well.
Want to know more about The Quilting Marine and his incredible journey into quilting? Join us on Missouri Star LIVE, June 1st, 2021 at 11:00 am CST, as he joins us as a special guest! Until then, be sure to follow him on Instagram and Facebook and don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube channel to keep up with his journey while learning more about the art of quilting.
The Breezy Windmills quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Quilters on the American frontier were inspired by the world around them. They stitched up log cabins, rail fences, bear paws, and flying geese. And, of course, they stitched up windmills.
You see, windmills dotted the Great Plains, pumping water from deep underground. When dry spells left the earth parched, a windmill could pump enough water to cook, bathe, wash, and water crops. Now that’s a quilt-worthy feat!
This week Jenny is whipping up a simple Breezy Windmills quilt using precut 2.5 inch strips. It’s a pretty jelly roll pattern that comes together quickly with strip sets in every color of the rainbow!
The Vintage Blossom quilt from BLOCK Volume 6 Issue 3.
This year for Mother’s Day, give mom a gift truly from the heart by stitching up a new quilt just for her. We celebrate our mother’s because they have always been there for us; they are both our providers and protectors. This year instead of the traditional route of flowers, blanket her in the warmth and comfort of a quilt to let her know that when she needs you most, you’ll always be there to comfort her.
We’ve picked out five great quilting projects that are perfect for mom. From vintage classics that will remind her of her youth to new exciting designs that incorporate the imagery of Mother’s Day, no matter what her style is we’ve got a solution for you!
The May Day Baskets quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
You know what they say, April showers bring May Flowers. May is the perfect time of year for home gardens and flowers and therefore, has become a symbolized by beautiful bouquets of flowers. Put a spin on the classic gift from the garden this year by presenting mom with a May Day Baskets quilt, blooming with beautiful buds that will never wither away.
The Vintage Blossom quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
If this project looks familiar, you may know it by a different name such as Grandmother’s Flower Garden! This traditional quilt pattern not only will be stitched with love, but will be a nostalgic gift that reminds mom of a simpler time. Not only will you be covering mom in a gift of love, but you’ll be creating a new version of a quilt that is rich with history to be passed down to future generations.
While any precut will do, Jenny demonstrates how to make this quilt in her tutorial by using layer cakes (10″ squares of precut quilting fabric). When selecting your layer cake, we suggest you follow in Jenny’s footsteps and locate a vintage or reproduction fabric such as Jane Austen at Home 10″ Stackers by Jane Austen for Riley Blake. These fabrics offer a vintage and more muted color palette that will give this quilt the classic ambiance it deserves!
The Mother’s Choice Remake quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
This project is simply in the name, Mother’s Choice! An easy jelly roll quilt, this project is made up of easy half-square triangles, snowballed corners and flying geese. When gifting this quilt to mom, you may be surprised to learn that this beautiful creation is actually a classic block known as the Dove in the Window, Fringed Square and Laurel Wreath!
We adore Jenny’s fabric choices for this project, so if you’re in a pinch when selecting what fabrics to use, go with what works! Jenny used The Emporium Collection The Tudor Rolie Polie by Liberty Fabric to create the elegant and delicate design of this quilt. This fabric features florals, intricate vines, feathers and much more in a lovely pink, black and cream color scheme.
The Turnabout Granny Squares quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Talk about a classic! The Turnabout Granny Squares quilt is a blast from the past that makes a great option for a Mother’s Day gift. This creative block can be found in a multitude of crafting mediums; you may be more familiar with it as a crochet pattern. Regardless of how it’s used, this simple block creates a great quilt that is full of traditional elements.
Once more, you’ll need to use 2.5″ strips to create this masterpiece. But what if mom enjoys traditional elements from her youth AND is a modern maker who enjoys a splash of color? Go bold with this project to perfectly blend two periods of time by selecting a vibrant and bright fabric such as Jazz Batiks Strips by Bella Nonna Designs for Island Batik.
The Grandmother’s Fan quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Whether you’re celebrating mom becoming a grandmother, or stitching up something to appreciate grandma as well on Mother’s Day, the Grandmother’s Fan quilt is a classic curved project that she will be sure to love! This dresden based pattern comes together in an absolute flash by using the Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template for 10″ Squares.
Handy Andy is a traditional 19th century quilt block. It’s sometimes called Footstool or Mrs. Jones’ Favorite. And, truth be told, it’s ALWAYS made with bajillions of tiny pieces. (Bajillions!)
But don’t worry! You can count on Jenny to make it easy!
Using 2.5 inch precut strips and our beloved Clearly Slotted Trimmers, Jenny whips up scores of little half-square triangles and hourglass blocks without breaking a sweat. Best of all, the leftover scraps become a piano-key border!
We’re calling this charming jelly roll quilt Handy Dandy, but whatever the name, this pattern is an absolute joy to make!
