Two Tip Tuesday – Changes

Posted on December 10, 2025 by debbiewendt

YES, it has been a while since I have written any quilty news and tips. I need to start with personal changes. We have a contract on our beautiful home in Massachusetts and are building a log home in Texas. I’ll share progress photos of the log home another week. We have been 22 years in MA, much longer than we ever thought. Our yard has been inspiration for many quilting tips through the years. This is one of my favorites…

I will dearly miss the friends I made. Quilting has been a great way to meet people in each new place I have lived. Joining a quilt guild, actually I joined two guilds, kept me busy. I’ve shared stories, laughs, tears and lots of fabric. The first person I met when I moved to MA was a quilt shop owner. Terri welcomed me into her quilt group. I even taught classes for her before she closed the shop. The BEST TIP I could ever give…..find a quilt group! You’ll have an instant connection with quilting anywhere in the world you may go!!

I have had a little time to sew/quilt. My nephew and his beautiful wife are expecting and I made the Woodland theme quilt shown below.

The simplicity of this quilt really showed off the woodland fabrics. It shows what I have often said, SECOND TIP: you don’t need a fancy pattern to show off wonderful fabrics! Keep it simple and let the theme shine through!

To my MA quilty friends, I’ll be back. To all my wonderful followers, I’m still here and quilting. Things are a bit hectic and moving has been and needs to be my focus right now. I will continue to post, teach, and vend at shows!!! Two Tip Tuesday is not going away, just has to take a back seat for a while. I’ll “see” you soon right back here!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Busy, busy, busy

Posted on November 5, 2025 by debbiewendt

It has been a very busy couple months. I’ve been to Houston for the International Quilt Market and Festival, teaching and vending. Then to Florida to teach at the Seaside Piecemakers Quilt Guild. All fun tines! I’ll keep my words short and get straight to the photos!

I was greeted on my first morning in Florida to this amazing CAMEL cloud! And here he is close up. Of course, camels are my favorite!!

That day I did a lecture on “Teaching the World to Quilt” and taught “Become a Brilliant Binder“. It was a long FUN day. The following day I taught Diamond Tipped Tools Quilt. We use Brilliant Bindings as a template to cut the trapezoids for this fun quilt. I love that the “block” is rectangle and it has different looks whether it is layed out quilt style (offsetting the “diamonds”) or straight for a table runner. We have lots of sewing, laughs and great progress! These are in no particular order. Ladies…well done!

That evening I was treated to a Rocket launch!! How fun to see it from the balcony and watch it light up the ocean.

Tips from class…

! – Don’t be hard on yourself if you points don’t always match. They will get better as you sew more blocks!

2 – Sometimes you are having so much fun you decide you want to change from a table runner to a quilt. YAY!!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Lancaster Customer Results and a Marking Tool

Posted on September 16, 2025 by debbiewendt

It was good to be back in Lancaster. I love when customers come back and share results of quilts they have made with my patterns!! I had not one, but two show me pictures of their quilts. First up is Diann Trotman making a Tool Box quilt. She used a focus fabric from the Rainbow Fish on this baby quilt.

I LOVE how she quilted it with bubbles to keep with the theme of the quilt. And look at the pink bubbles background fabric! Sweet!

I enjoyed her comment about the pattern Tool Box, “It came together so easily and the pattern is so versatile! Thank you!” A big that you to Diann for sharing her quilt with me so I could share with you!! Well done!! You can find Tool Box on my website, HERE. It uses Brilliant Bindings as a cutting template. You don’t have to have the tool to make the pattern, but it is so much easier to cut around acrylic than a paper shape. Brilliant Bindings is also on the website, (click on the blue highlight) http://www.wendtquilting.com

I had another customer come by the booth to see what was new. She told me she was working on Won’t You Be but calling it her condominiums instead of a neighborhood. Kelly Hollis showed me a picture of her quilt and you can see why….

SO CLEVER, Kelly! She also said she is not finished. She might add more houses and borders. I’m looking forward to seeing where she “builds” next!! Great job! I loved seeing these results!

As many of you know, Houston International Quilt Festival is early in October this year. Oct. 9 – 12, 2025 with preview night on the 8th. So, I’m madly preparing for my Machine Sewn Bindings class, the Wednesday Sampler demo, packing quilts, getting my patterns ready and getting everything lined up for the 4 day drive! PLUS Quilt Market (for shop owners and industry professionals, not the general public) is the weekend before Festival from Oct. 4 – 6.

I got a late start on my latest quilt pattern (and with the show being earlier), I’m sorry, I doubt it will be ready for the show. I’m hoping it will be later this fall. You’ll be the first to know!

I did some prep work last week on the new quilt. I was marking my 1/4″ corners. My vendor neighbor in Lancaster sells these neat boards for marking fabric. Deb Eggers of “the Cottage Rose” uses her Rough Board II for marking applique shapes. It was the perfect size to mark my Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. pieces!

I was working on this gorgeous grape batik and using my favorite white marking pen by Clover. In moving my Jr. template around on the fabric, the board would rub the template. SO, I layed a Hex-a-ma-jig half hexie next to the pieces I was marking…wa-la…no more rubbing! The template slid smoothly across the fabric. I love the Rough Board II and glad I found a fix to not scratch my Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. template.

You can find the board at Deb’s website… cottagerosequiltshop.com

Hex-a-ma-jig and Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. are over at my website!

#1 – Show off your quilts! Designers LOVE to see what you have made with our patterns!

#2 – Tools HELP the process! I really glad I bought Deb’s board. She uses it to mark applique and the paper shape is place on the fabric. When I was using my acrylic template, I needed a way to move the acrylic smoothly across the board. The extra fabric next to the piece I was marking helped! Most often, there is a solution and a tool for THAT. (whatever THAT may be!!)

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Hello Lancaster

Posted on September 9, 2025 by debbiewendt

I’m set up and ready for the opening day of AQS Quilt Week in Lancaster, PA!! Sept. 10-13, 2025 I’ll be presenting in the Learning Center on Thursday at 11:00. “Patterns and Tools to BUST a Move on Your Stash”. In the booth during the show, I’ll be doing demos on bindings and hexies. I’m looking forward to a week of quilty fun! Come see me in booth 1337.

The booth is ready… (except my sign needs to uncurl!)

I’m next to the winner’s circle, so I’m easy to find. Here is the side of the booth…

Tips are slim pickin’ s with being at a show. I did cut out 2.5″ strips for a new quilt pattern. I’ll be sewing in the evenings after the show ends for the day. Soooo, what do you do “after show hours”? Dinner? Shopping? (quilt fabric shopping, of course) Sewing with your quilty friends? Evening events at the show? Straight to bed? Or??? Let me know in the comments about your favorite after show hours happenings.

Speaking of after hours show tips..

#1 – Take an evening class or event! It is a great time to relax, laugh, have fun with like minded peeps!

#2 – Meet up with your quilty friends or have a grand time meeting new quilt friends.

I hope you’ll stop by and we’ll see you at the show!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – on Wednesday

Posted on August 27, 2025 by debbiewendt

Another week, another day and a day behind. When show season is in full swing, tips get pushed to the back of the line. Not intentional, but it happens.

I was thrilled to be in Grand Rapids this year. We were on the first isle and it was great to see so many attendees! Many conversations about quilting tips and help given. I love talking quilting! Ann R came by the booth and said she finished her quilt from my Hexie Flower Garden class from a couple years ago. I’m excited to share her quilt. She said she is a new quilter, but you will see she doesn’t look like a beginner! Well done Ann!!

We ALL were beginners at one time. Please give yourselves credit for starting and doing! Quilting and sewing are a great craft/art and I’m happy so many people are doing what I love best.

I had several quilters tell me they only have done squares, no shapes like Hexagons. Expand you skills, try hexies and trapezoids!! Just because a shape is not square does not mean it is more difficult to sew. These shapes are still sewn with straight lines and go together in rows or blocks. No curves.

Do I like curves? Yes! They are fun but that discussion is for another week. Look how simple sewing half hexies can be…

Grandmother’s Flower Garden, made with half hexagons. All sewn together with horizontal rows. I challenge you to give them a try!

Tip 1 – Try a new shape, half hexagons are a great place to start. Hex-a-ma-jig templates can be found on my website…HERE

Tip 2 – When cutting and sewing hexagons, Hex-a-ma-jig templates have the “bunny ears” lopped off. This makes it easier to line up the edges to sew.

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Hello Grand Rapids

Posted on August 19, 2025 by debbiewendt

What a few days! I am in Grand Rapids and have spent the last two days setting up my booth. I missed this show last year, so I’m looking forward to seeing all my local quilting buds! My booth (see below!) is number 1019. I’m on the end of the first isle before the show quilts. I hope you will come by and say hi. I’ll be doing demos and talking all things quilting. I’ll be doing the Learning Center demo at 4pm tomorrow, Wednesday on “Patterns and Tools to BUST a Move on Your Stash”.

I’m right across from my friend Diane of Graphic Impressions/Toy Lady. Soooo, many fun items! Plus, we always try to have fun at show….we’ll be laughing… ALWAYS!!

My feet are tired (concrete floors in the show hall) and I need some rest before the show opens tomorrow. So where are the tips…..in the quilt show! And a few for going to the show…

#1 – Wear comfy shoes! Always!

#2 – Take time to look on both sides of the vendor isles. There are so many good things to see, I’d hate for you to miss any. And if you have time, walk the show both directions. Things always look a little different for another angle.

And hug your quilting friends EVERY time you see them. We lost a 92 year young member of one of my guilds. I always got the best hugs every time I saw her. She will be dearly missed and always had the best positive, cheerful attitude. Thinking of you Bea!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Reposting Quilt Toss

Posted on August 5, 2025 by debbiewendt

YES, more travel and HOUSE things continue to put quilting on the back burner. I am reposting the Quilt Toss below. I hope you enjoyed it! I was remiss in posting the designers. I have included them below. I hope you will look for them and shop your favorites!! It was a joy to be included in this project!

QUILT TOSS

Warning: These quilts may cause sudden inspiration and mild jealousy. Proceed with awe. 😉✂️ Want a closer look? See below to follow each designer’s page and get inspired by the full story behind every stitch ⬇️

1️⃣ Plumicorn by @Wildeandpurdy

2️⃣ Goodie Two Shoos by @dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

3️⃣ Study of Stars by @slightlybiasedquilts

4️⃣ Deco Glam by @Gingerlyquiltco

5️⃣ Never Strikes Twice by @debbiewendtquilting

6️⃣ Florals by @ronatheribbiter

7️⃣ Yellowstone Sampler by @emerald_falls_quilts

8️⃣ City Windows by @marlene.kissedquilts

9️⃣ Velaris by @palm__creations

1️⃣0️⃣ Split Diamonds by @ourcraftylifellc

1️⃣1️⃣ Ypsilon by @quilcscapades

1️⃣2️⃣ Wild Wallflowers by @craftystaci

1️⃣3️⃣ Petal Blossom by @jennbquilts

1️⃣4️⃣ Smashing Petals by @bykellyrenay

1️⃣5️⃣ Luminary by @jamiebrightquilts

1️⃣6️⃣ Moonlight and Moss by @aleebcreative

1️⃣7️⃣ Andean Echoes by @shadowvalleyquilts

1️⃣8️⃣ Focus by Hidden Stitches

1️⃣9️⃣ Soaring by @cozyquiltdesigns

2️⃣0️⃣ Mod Irish Chain by @seecassiemake

On a personal note… Our log house has started! A log cabin quilt has always been a favorite and soon my studio will be in a log cabin!!! The photo below left is the backside of my studio and the right is the studio end!

I’m home for a while before the Grand Rapids AQS Quilt Week, Aug.20-23. Will you be at the show? I love quilt shows, but this has always been a favorite. My booth number is 1337. I’ll be doing a Learning Center presentation on Aug. 20 at 4pm (Wednesday, the first day of the show). My topic – “Patterns and Tools to BUST a Move on Your Stash”. I love scrap quilts and have ideas to share!

Tips for quilt show prep…

1 – Comfortable clothing and shoes! Do you have a quilty jacket? Show it off!

2 – AQS posts the show program ahead of the show. Check it out and mark your favorites, (booths, Learning Center presentations, take a class).

Bonus – Bring your favorite bag for ease of carrying your purchases. (or more than one bags!! GRIN)

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Life gets in the way

Posted on July 23, 2025 by debbiewendt

Yes, life! Sometimes it gets in the way of posting. It did last week and almost this week. The sorting and boxing and clearing out has started at my house. We are building a log home in Texas and so that means our house in Massachusetts needs some care and major sorting! Unfortunately, this means that quilting has to take a back seat. I still carry my EPP Flower Garden project with me, but my big sewing machine got put in a box last week. No worries, I have a couple featherweights so I can do piecing! Plus the longarm is still going to get a workout.

So, this week I want to talk about sorting fabric…and washing fabric….and packing fabric. BUT first…did you see the Quilt Toss I was in with 19 other quilt pattern designers? It was amazing. The link is below. Please support these small businesses and enjoy the show!

QUILT TOSS

My Never Strikes Twice quilt was the one I “tossed”. It is available on my website HERE. Thank you to Lyndsey of Wilde and Purdy for putting the Toss together!!!

Washing fabric. I have washed all my fabric that has sat for a few years in my basement. It got that basement smell and I did not want to move any fabric like that. Hours of washing and drying. I’m happy I’ll be able to move clean, fresh fabric! I wash my fabric on normal cycle with natural or unscented laundry soap. Then dry until just dry, usually on a lower heat. Take it out of the dryer, smooth and fold. If I’m quick to get it out of the dryer, it doesn’t even need ironing. I measure and label with easy peel stickers, so no gummy mess is left on the fabric. I stack like fat quarters together. Larger pieces that I will use for backing go in a separate plastic bin. Yes, plastic. I made the mistake of storing t-shirts in paper boxes and they have brown stains from the box. Other yardage goes in my wire baskets by style of fabric. (my homespun bins are overflowing!)

I hope you find fabric treasures in your stash and can use the tips above for washing, sorting and storing fabric.

AND for all you Maine Cabin Masters fans….YES I am! I got to go to their Lobster Bake on Sunday. My husband gifted me/us tickets as my birthday present! The Cabin Masters are all so nice! We got to meet them and have a photo op! LOVE!! It rained the entire event, but that didn’t stop the smiles!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Treasures

Posted on July 9, 2025 by debbiewendt

I’ve been doing some sorting and found treasures. Here is just a start of fabric.

Now, the treasures…I found a Patricia Cox pattern in amongst my fabric. It is called Eagle Creek Red/Green. The front and back of the pattern. I’m amazed at her productivity, see 255 on the bottom right block? That is just a “few” of how many designs she has drawn!!

And the quilt! It was hanging in Pat’s exhibit at the Minnesota Quilt Show I talked about a few weeks ago.

Another treasure hanging in Pat’s exhibit is Teddy’s World. It was always a favorite when I helped Pat in her booth at Houston! So sweet!

What will you find when sorting your “stuff”, I mean treasures? I have so many, I need to think about letting other people finish them. grin! I’m learning, just because you purchased it does not mean you have to make it. However…..it is there if I decide I want to!

Tips…#1 – Go through you treasures to see what TREASURES you find! Hot summer days are a good time to stay cool and do some sorting.

#2 – Now, about the things that you find that you wonder why you have them…it is okay to give them away. Not that you need my permission, but if you want permission, I give it!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – New and Old

Posted on July 1, 2025 by debbiewendt

First, the NEW! I treated myself at the Minnesota Quilt Show to a new thimble. I’ve been using the plastic and metal ones in more recent years. This beauty is silver by “Thimbles for You“. I love the new design as it flairs a bit at the bottom. It fits my finger with the bump. Most thimbles hit that spot and doesn’t make wearing a thimble comfortable. I love wearing a thimble so I’m thrilled with this find.

Second, the OLD…The Grandmother’s Flower Garden in plaids has been in the making for MANY years! AND it is still in the making. I’m adding the background round and getting closer to having all the flowers done. When I say MANY years, I did some quick math and can you say 25 years?…YIKES! This needs to be done. For years I carried it any time I travelled as my take along handwork. It hasn’t been travelling lately. It needs to! It is English Paper Piecing (EPP) with 1″ paper hexagons from Paper Pieces.

On a different note…what do you do when some deep cleaning happens in your basement and that is where your longarm lives??? Well, you wrap it up! I used a plastic floor paint “cloth” to literally wrap around the machine and table. The plastic was 108″ square, so I had to add extra pieces to each end. It kept the machine and table free from dust. It worked better than just draping the plastic over the top. I see my takeup bar handle snuck out of the plastic. It was covered when cleaning.

Where are the tips, you ask?

#1 – Treat yourself to a thimble that fits. Jan of Thimbles for You makes sure you get a good fit and works her magic on her beautiful thimbles.

#2 – Get out those UFOs! Finish if you can. I’m not bent out of shape that my Plaid Flower Garden is not done, but I’m revisiting it to get it closer to DONE.

Bonus – Protect your longarm or domestic machine from dust and cleaning products. Cover it, and even wrap it in plastic!

in quilting,

Debbie

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