Tis the season for looking back over the year and taking a good hard look at what I’ve done. I think it’s fun to take a look at all the statistics for the year and see what posts have been the most popular for 2018. I’m always surprised to see old posts resurface and I’m excited to see that my blog is a helpful tool for crafters, sewists, and quilters!
I’ve made a collection of my top 10 performing posts for 2018 below, make sure that you check them out and pin them for later.
Getting a Perfect Pinwheel
My tutorial on how to get flat, perfect pinwheels has been my top-performer for 2018! It’s done really well on Pinterest and even won me first place in the Fall 2018 Tips and Tutorials Festival put on by Meadow Mist Designs and Quilting Jetgirl! I’m pretty excited about this post, although the technique didn’t originate with me, I’ve found that many quilters don’t know this simple trick for pinwheel blocks and it changes their whole outlook on Pinwheel Quilts, like Breezy!
Squaring Up a Quilt Block
I was rather surprised to see my tutorial on Squaring up Quilt Blocks as my second most popular post for 2018! This one was actually released in late 2017, so it must have taken a little while for it to pick up some speed. This is a great post for those times when your quilt block turns out just a little too small. Definitely a life-saver when you need it!
Getting the Perfect Corner Binding
Another late bloomer from 2017, this binding tutorial is a great intro to my favorite binding method. It’s quick, simple, and gives you a chance to get a little hand sewing into your quilt finish! If you’re baffled by what angles to use on odd-shaped projects, make sure you check my other binding tutorial out, that gives you what you need for those odd-ball angles. If you need real-life pictures and simple descriptions, then this quilt binding tutorial is just the thing for you.
The Magic 8 Method Revealed
This Pinwheel Block Tutorial is rising in popularity this year along with my Perfect Pinwheels post! These two are a dynamic duo and a perfect read for when you’re getting started on a pinwheel quilt. This isn’t just a plain-jane tutorial though, it also includes a helpful Half Square Triangle Chart, which shows you what size squares to cut when using this method.
A Guide to Basic Quilts
This post surprised me! I’ve found this year that I get a lot of traffic from search results on sites like Google. I’m glad that so many people want to learn more about quilting and I’m even more glad that my post of the basic types of quilts has been helpful to so many!
Christmas Tree Napkins
I love this tutorial and I’m so glad that my readers do too! This free napkin tutorial shows you how to create what is essentially a half-circle napkin. Then I show you all the different ways to fold it, the most popular being the Christmas Tree! Pin this for later and make some for your next big dinner.
Cutting Fabric Larger Than Your Cutting Mat
This tutorial is a must-read for anyone making my Timber! pattern or any design that requires long, straight cuts. I get how it is with limited space and small cutting mats, so I thought I’d show you how to get nice straight cuts even without a giant cutting table. I created a tutorial much like this for cutting large bias triangles as well!
Newborn Gown (a free pattern!)
Coming in at number 8 is my knotted onesie tutorial! I designed this when I was pregnant with my daughter. Unfortunately for my outfit, but fortunately for my little girl, she was a chunky monkey and never got to wear this sweet little thing! It’s the ideal pattern for a favorite onesie and some coordinating knit fabrics. I’d love to see what combinations you come up with!
My Favorite Tool: The Fons & Porter Binding Tool
Binding isn’t one of my favorite things about quilting, but the Fons & Porter Binding Tool is! This nifty tool is great for getting just the right measurement for a perfectly flat binding. You can read the whole tutorial before you pick up your own!
How to Sew with Cork
Last but not least, we’ve got my tips and tricks for sewing with cork fabric. I wrote this tutorial for those of us who might be a little nervous about taking the plunge on this pricy new material, because once you try it, you’re going to love it.
It’s been a great year for me and I look forward to what is coming up in 2019. What were your favorite posts this year? What are you hoping to see in 2019? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
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So much fun that some of these basic tutorials and techniques were so successful for you. It seems to me people are always looking for some of this information and that different people’s ways of presenting can help the lightbulb go off.
Wishing you a happy 2019!
What a great selection of posts, wonderful tutorials! Thanks for linking up!
Hello Rachel…I stopped at your booth at the Houston Quilt Festival and loved your work. My friend purchased the pattern for the baby quilt with the little bear in the center (Its pictured in the picture at the beginning of this email), and we have been searching for the background fabric since then. That fabric, with heart shaped trees, is absolutely perfect for this quilt. Can you provide us with any information about this fabric? Manufacturers? Designers? Place to purchase? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks Susan,
I’m thinking she just emailed me about this this morning, unless it was someone else and a coincidence! That was a Michael Miller that isn’t in print anymore, it might be on a shelf at your local quilt store, but I haven’t found any more on the internet. Let me know if you find any more 🙂