My name is Michelle and I have been a maker and creator for as long as I can remember. Inspired and taught by my mom, I learned to knit, crochet and sew at an early age. My mom was always sewing and I grew up in the heart of southern Ontario Mennonite country, so quilts were everywhere. I started by hand quilting whole cloth quilts and eventually moved to machine piecing and quilting.
Today, quilting is my passion, creative outlet and stress management strategy. I love the play of colour, design and texture in quilts. Scrap quilts with their variety of colour and fabrics are my favourite and the inspiration for Bits & Pieces.
Visit my website at www.bitsandpiecesquilting.com, follow me on Instagram at: bitspiecesquilt, subscribe to my KZread channel and send me your thoughts and ideas for additional content.
Enjoy the process and make the most of your fabric bits and pieces. Happy Quilting!
Пікірлер
I’m going to try
AMAZING EASY FUN TAS TIK
Thanks! I love the optical illusion of this one. Thanks for watching.
You have patience…I’d have just snowballed the corners and had cathedral windows with diamonds lol
You guessed it! That's exactly what next week's video will show! How to get a similar effect, but much easier. That didn't occur to me until I was deep into this effort. Stay tuned to this Thursday for the easier project.
Awesome! I hope no question os to dumb. 😊 Does a cathedral windoge quilt get a backing?
Hi Glenda! No silly questions - all good! A very traditional cathedral windows block does not have backing or batting (and no centre seam, like mine have). It is multiple layers of fabric all folded into the beautiful window shape. But in this instance, we're cutting a bunch of corners. So the back of my blocks are unfinished. I decided to add a backing and a batting. I wanted something for the seams to sink into so a batting was essential. It is a heavy quilt, but as I've recently moved back to Canada, a little extra weight and warmth seemed like a good idea! Thanks for watching.
Wow.. that was Amazing!! I will be doing this project sometime ❤❤
Hi Jennifer! I hope you give it a try. The planning is necessary, but so worth the effort. Thanks for watching.
Oh...WOW!!! That was SENSATIONAL!!! ❤❤❤
Thanks Jacqueline! It turned out really well and while it is a bit more challenging than my usual beginner-friendly designs, it isn't truly that hard. It just takes a bit of patience. Thanks for watching.
Holy cats and kittens! What an endeavor!
Thanks Lisa! I did wonder for a moment what I had gotten myself into, but the effort really was worth it! Thanks for watching. 🐈🐈⬛🐈😹
Wow! Incredible! Can't wait to try this.
Thanks J! I hope you do give it a try. Once I had my brain tuned in to the process, it was just a matter of lining up the pieces and being a bit patient. It's worth it! Thanks for watching.
That is amazing! Love your fabric choices too :)
Thanks Freddie! I love how bright and sunny it turned out, even with a black background. Thanks for watching.
Wow! I think when I try it I will stick to your original plan!
Hi Sara - the main windows are a great option and the large secondary circles really attract the eye. Tune in to my channel this week for a slightly easier option that might appeal to you. Thanks for watching.
Genius
Thanks Elaine! It was a bit brain bending, but I'm glad it worked out in the end. Thanks for watching.
Wow that’s beautiful. I would love to try it, would be quite the undertaking. A block a week lol
Hi Zorina! It is a bit of an undertaking to add the secondary windows, but worth the effort! Stay tuned to this week's video where I offer an easier option.... maybe that will be a good place to start? Thanks for watching.
I love this block! I need to buy that ruler...
Hi Becky! There are a bunch of ways to make pineapple blocks and while I enjoy using this ruler, it is not the most precise way. You might want to see if you can borrow one and give it a try before you commit to buying it. It is not as accurate as I would have expected a ruler like this to be. Thanks for watching.
This is amazing! I’ve done this basic technique before but never thought to do the smaller ones! Kudos to you for your ingenuity! It is a stunning quilt!
Thanks Jeanette! The technique was totally new to me and fun to play around with. It took a minute to figure out how to make the smaller ones work, but I'm glad I did. I hope you give this a try. Next week's video will use this technique but take a simpler approach to overall construction. I hope you'll tune it. Thanks for watching.
Showstopper!!!! ❤
Thanks Rene! It was a design challenge for me and a bit brain bending. I'm glad it worked out and really happy with the results.
Wonderful
Thanks Nicole! Thanks for watching.
I was pleased to see that fabric you used. It's Australian, as you pointed out and it's lovely. That artist has made some lovely fabrics and I have a good selection, but I was amazed by the echenacea fabric - I will have to get some of that. Lovely bag and thank you for the clear instruction.
We loved our time in Australia and I have a lovely collection of indigenous prints that I brought home with me. And I love the Jocelyn Proust designs - I have a few more of those too! The echinacea is Anna Maria Horner and it is available in an number of different colourways - it is a spectacular print!. Thanks for watching.
Hi Michele, That's just crazy!!!! Crazy gorgeous that is.... It's beautiful!!! Thanks for providing a pattern too!!! xoxo e. NB 🇨🇦
Thanks Vee! It was a bit crazy during construction, but I'm glad it turned out well. Thanks for watching and hope you are well.
Ima hv to make this. Bucket list quilt. I made one by hand in very dull colors years ago. Skill builder and fabric update! Thanks!
I'm so glad you like it! It was fun to stretch my design skills and work with a new-to-me technique. I've always loved a cathedral windows quilt, but have only ever made a wall hanging in a more tradition technique. Thanks for watching!
Love this! Thank you!
Thanks PJ! I'm thrilled with the way the quilt turned out and it's always great fun to learn a new technique. Thanks for watching.
So beautiful. Another lovely idea!
Thanks Jojo! I hope you give this a try. It is a great technique.
Just wonderful explanation of technique. I’m really excited to see your other version. It is a stunning quilt.
Thanks so much Frances! The next one should be coming next week. Stay tuned and thanks for watching.
Spectacular quilt! Now, how will you quilt it? ( I want to make one but need suggestions. )
Hi Susan! I decided that even though it was heavy with lots of fabric, I still wanted backing and batting so the seams would sink into the batting. I tried to stitch in the ditch and that didn't work (too hard to get the thread to match and stay accurate), so I ended up putting free motion quilting in black thread through the background. I wiggled my way around the windows. And then FMQ'd across the border as well. You can see what that looks like if you look carefully at the quilt behind me during the intro. I can't find the photos I took of the finished quilt, and it is currently on a boat from Australia.
@bitspiecesquilting thanks for the quick reply. My phone wouldn't zoom in to see the quilting. I think you chose the best way to quilt it.
Wow! That's amazing!! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thanks Wanda! I'm thrilled with the way it turned out and stay tuned to next week - it's a similar project, but simplified. Thanks for watching.
I actually am in the process of making a 3 seam block quilt which is essentially the same thing you’re doing here. However, I’m putting the 3 layers together and then sewing the folded over edges to make the window and that will quilt the quilt at the same time.
Hi Heather - a quilt as you go approach would be a great way to further advance this design. Not sure how I'd make that work exactly, but definitely worth some consideration. Your project sounds like it's going to be beautiful. I think I need to look into more fabric folding designs. They are really appealing. Thanks for watching.
Brilliant! I loved watching it come together❤
Thanks Kathryn! It was a fun project, but I don't think I anticipated how much work would be involved to add the secondary windows. It was worth it in the end. Next week's video will revisit this idea with an easier approach. Stay tuned!
Could you not also sew down the diagonal edges as you quilt? Just thinking about doing that with the free motion foot.
Hi Kitiara - this is a great idea. I hadn't even though about doing that as part of the quilting process. I did add a batting and backing, so I doubt a free motion foot would work. Given the smooth curves, I would try a walking foot. Although it would also involve a lot of quilt wrestling to go around each window and the ones in the middle might be challenging. It would definitely be worth a try on a small project. Thanks for the suggestion.
Darn, I really wish I had that many scraps. Pretty quilt.
Hi Sally - scraps seem to multiply in the night.... start saving them and you'll be amazing how quickly they accumulate. Thanks for watching.
I try to make 2 quilts a month. I don’t let mine accumulate. I set three bins, one for salvages, one for cut offs, and finally “leftovers” after the quilt is done. The cutoff/wastes are used to fill up donated dog beds. You would think i would have so much based on what I sew. None of my threads go in the trash. Every “bit and piece” gets used up about every two months.
This is my next quilt, in Christmas fabrics. So beautiful. Tfs
Love it!!!! Thanks for the pattern!
Thanks Lynda! I hope you give it a try! And next week's video will be similar, but with a completely different look and a bit easier. Stay tuned!
I must be learning! As you were pressing the third example I knew it wasn't going to work if the seams were pressed opposite. I sensed that they needed to be pressed to the same side! I'm proud of me for knowing that and that means that you guys are all great teachers because I have been learning all the things from a select few of you KZreadrs! And and yes, this is a great technique and a beautiful quilt. I will be trying to make it at some point too. Thank you!❤
Sewing intuition developing; good job!
Well done Nancy! It took me much longer than it should have to figure it out!! 🤣 I've been quilting for about 20 years and still learning! KZread has been amazing for inspiration and education. Thanks for watching.
@@bitspiecesquilting thanks. It's good to know that we can continue learning after so long. It keeps it fun and interesting. Besides, I'm sure that as you are filming you have so much on your mind that it's logical that some things will slip your mind momentarily. It's understandable,! Thanks for your videos. I'm really learning so much!
@@launderedcotton8070 thanks! I patted me on the back with this one! 🙂
This is fascinating and so beautiful! ❤
Thanks Nancy! It was a bit brain bending for a moment, but I'm glad I was able to sort out how to make it work. Thanks for watching.
Nice! Looks incredible!! I have some fabric cut for this method. Also for another method that you probably already know but thought you'd be interested. kzread.info/dash/bejne/oo5ry9mRgK6onag.html
I'm so very excited about this tutorial! I can't wait to start. Thank You, Jean McDoniel
Hi Jean - so glad you like it! And I hope you do give it a try. Stay tuned to next week's video where I'll show a slightly easier version for you to consider as well. If you dive into this one, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thanks for watching!
Really well explained and will be my next mini project with black and batik. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Ruth! Reach out if you have any questions once you start your project. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching.
What a great bit of engineering, this is truly unique. Thank you.
Thanks so much Pug! It took a minute to work out how to do it and stretched my design skills a bit, but I'm glad it worked out!
You are such an enabler, LOL. Your cathedral window is Spectacular and I agree, so worth your time and effort. Normally CW quilts have no batting as they are warm enough. But adding those borders, which elevate the quilt another notch has me wondering how you're going to tackle the batting issue? I'd probably use a QAYG method which would a.low me to leave the CW part without batting. What are you going to do?
Hi Annette! Happy to be of service to the quilting community! 🤣 I decided that even though the quilt is really heavy with lots of fabric, I would still use batting and a backing. I wanted the seams to sink into the batting for a smoother finished and now that we've moved from Australia to Canada, I think the warmth of a heavy quilt will work well. I tried (for about 2 seconds) to stitch in the ditch along the rows, but that was a total fail. I couldn't find the right thread colour for the windows and the black background. In the end, I did some free motion quilting in the background (with black thread) and just wiggled my ways around all the windows. I put more FMQ through the borders. If you look at the quilt behind me during the intro and conclusion, you might be able to see that it's quilted. I took photos, but can't find them and the final quilt is on a ship in the middle of the ocean somewhere!
That is absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing your thought process. This is going on my bucket list!
I hope you do give it a try! The results are worth it! And stay tuned to next week (hopefully) - where I'll post the slightly easier version that might be worth considering. Thanks for watching.
It it spectacular! I made similar cathedral window pillows for my mom's living room but the tutorial I followed used a square for the window, which was sewn between 2 background squares on one folded edge and between 2 other background squares on the other folded edge. Than I did smaller window squares between like you did. It was definitely a challenge but so worth the effort.
Hi Danna - there are a few different ways to make cathedral windows - and they all seem to use a ton of fabric!! I'm sure your mom loved her pillow! Thanks for watching.
Love this pattern. I want to try it - it does seem challenging but looking forward to finding the right fabric and making it.
Hi Craig! It is a really fun project. Try making a few block with scraps and see how you like the technique. Thank for watching!
Great tutorial!! Love the black background. I made a bag with a simple cathedral windows a lttle different method. Instead of sewing the bias, i quilted the bias. I hope it makes sence. Yours is beautifull 😍 Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks Anja! A few others have suggested some sort of quilt as you go technique, or sewing the curves as part of the overall quilting process. Both have intriguing possibilities! Thanks for watching.
Excellent good goes to show you hard work pays off.
Thanks Susan! I'm pleased with the results and hope you give this a try. Or stay tuned for next week for a slightly easier version! Thanks for watching.
Wonderful!
Thanks Susanne! It was a fun project to stretch my design skills and try a new technique.
Hermoso tutorial,!!!!!muy laborioso, pero vale la pena 👍👏👏👏🤗
Gracias! It was worth the effort! Thanks for watching.
WOW What a fantastic quilt. The time you took to work it out is genius. I love the way you really take time to explain how and why you do things.
Thanks Claire! This was a good brain stretching exercise for me and I love how it turned out. Thanks for your kind words and ongoing support. I hope you give this a try. And next week (hopefully) will be a slightly simpler version of this project.
Stunning!
Thanks so much! It was fun.
Very beautiful! Can I ask what your plans are for basting and quilting it? Will you even use wadding, as it is so heavy?
Hi Katy - I have finished it. I always spray baste my quilts, so that's what I did here. And I decided to use a backing and batting. It is really thick (and heavy), but I like the way the seams sink into the batting (or wadding). I felt like it wouldn't be cozy without the batting. And thick and warm and heavy are perfect for Canadian winters. I free motion quilted with black thread in the background spaces. If you look closely at the intro or the end of the video, the finished quilt is behind me. I can't find the photos I took of the finished quilt and it is currently in the shipment back to Canada. Thanks for watching.
@@bitspiecesquilting thank you for replying! I love the quilt, must have been so much work but so worth it <3
Very stunning Michelle. Have you quilted it yet, and if so, was it problematic?
Hi Donna! Thanks so much. It was a bit of a challenge to decide how to quilt it and I ended up machine quilting with black thread across the background spaces (and wiggling my way between the blocks and shapes). It was too thick otherwise. If you pause the video at either the beginning or the end (no idea why the lighting is so bad for those bits), you might be able to see it quilted. I thought I had some photos of the finished quilt, but can't find them and the quilt is currently on a long slow boat from Australia to Canada!
This is beautiful! I would have to make larger windows.. lol
Hi Jeanne - now you have me thinking!!!!! Imagine a baby quilt with really large windows.....🤔 There might be some real potential there. Although you would need some really big pieces of fabric....🤔 Thanks for watching!
So unique and clever! Enjoyed feeling your brain stretch! Creating this way is fun and trying new things is so satisfying. Thx for all your inspiration!
Thanks so much! It really was brain stretching - and then trying to write a pattern that would makes sense to others added another dimension. Thanks for watching!
Stunning.
Thanks Becca!