Category: How To


Article Archive

+  2024 (38)
+  2023 (37)
+  2022 (27)
+  2021 (16)
+  2020 (16)
+  2019 (32)
+  2018 (15)
+  2017 (9)
+  2016 (3)
+  2015 (23)
+  2014 (37)
+  2013 (2)


Welcome!

Hello and thank you for stopping by. We hope you will find this blog site full of great tutorials and creative ideas for your upcoming projects.

Bear Creek Quilting Company

2023 Maywood Studio Maker
I am a 2023 Maywood Studio Maker!

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 6

Posted on December 4th, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 6

Hello and welcome back!  This is our final month together for the Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along.  This month is all about finishing up our quilt top!

                                          
Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along
If you are creating the Summer Picnic Quilt following Susan's book instructions, you ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 5

Posted on November 6th, 2024 at 1:39 p.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 5

Wow!  I am running a few days late getting this posted.  It has been a crazy few weeks and now the election is over.  YEAH!  Time to settle back into a normal routine that does not include watching an ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 4

Posted on October 2nd, 2024 at 8:53 a.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 4

Welcome to October!  The season has certainly changed here in Oregon, and I am loving the warm days and cool nights.  My thoughts are turning towards decorating for fall and the upcoming holidays.  It seems like just last week summer ...

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2024

Posted on September 17th, 2024 at 9:55 a.m.

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2024! 

Project Jelly Roll is an annual celebration held on the third Saturday of September, and this year it’s on September 21, 2024!

It's the perfect time to grab your favorite Jelly Roll and turn those strips into something truly special. Whether ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 3

Posted on September 4th, 2024 at 3:58 p.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 3

Welcome to September!  Labor Day weekend has come and gone and the kids are headed back to school.

This month, as I continue with my Summer Picnic Quilt , I am excited to see progress as I finish up all the needed Flower ...

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2024

Posted on September 1st, 2024 at 7:24 a.m.

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2024

It's Back!  By popular request, our Project Pillowcase Challenge is back for a 3rd year.

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2024
Our goal this year for the Pillowcase Challenge is to collect 1500 pillowcases for local area charities; Women's Shelter, Foster Kids, Police & Fire Department, Veteran's Home ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 2

Posted on August 7th, 2024 at 11:10 a.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 2

Hello!  Thank you for all the "Get Well Wishes" and your patience in my delay in this post.  While the walking boot on my right foot is a bit cumbersome, I am learning to handle it and mobility is getting easier ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 1

Posted on July 5th, 2024 at 1:57 p.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along:  Month 1

Hello!  Apologies again for being a few days tardy in getting going.

Let's jump right in.....
Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along
The Summer Memories pattern book has the fabric requirements listed for the Summer Picnic Quilt on page 30.  They are also listed on the ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 8/9

Posted on June 14th, 2024 at 9:33 a.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Oops, I labeled the past two articles the wrong week numbers after that Catch-Up Week.  Because I have them posted in various places, I am not going to change it.  Sorry for any confusion.

Hello! Hello!!

Are you still with me?  One ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 7

Posted on June 7th, 2024 at 9:57 a.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Hello again!

We are quickly coming to the end of the Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along.  If you are creating the Lap size, this is your final week.

This week, we are putting those beautiful Log Cabin blocks together for a border.  Follow the instructions ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 6

Posted on May 31st, 2024 at noon

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Hello and Welcome back! 

Planning that Catch-Up week right at the Memorial Day holiday weekend was a nice break.  I hope it allowed you time to finish getting your blocks created.

For the Sew-Along Schedule, I divereted from Deb's instructions just a ...

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along

Posted on May 26th, 2024 at 6:38 p.m.

Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along!

Starting Soon - Save the date - starts July 4th, 2024!

******************
7/3/2024:  Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along (Update)
 
My deepest apology. I was supposed to kick-off the Sew-Along today and “life happened” this week and I am not completely prepared. Time spent with a family ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 5

Posted on May 17th, 2024 at 8:25 p.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Welcome to our third block tutorial, the Creative Grids 6" Log Cabin Block, for the Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along.

I created the block tutorial in scrap fabrics so please do not get confused why these fabrics look different.  You can see my Bluetiful Log Cabin ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 4

Posted on May 10th, 2024 at 12:55 p.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Welcome to our second block tutorial for the Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along.  Deb refers to this block as a HST (Half Square Triangle) Variation Block.

I created the block tutorial in scrap fabrics so please do not get confused why these fabrics look different.  ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 3

Posted on May 3rd, 2024 at 12:10 p.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Welcome to our first block tutorial, the Creative Grids Cat's Cradle XL Block, for the Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along.

I created the block tutorial in scrap fabrics so please do not get confused why these fabrics look different.  You can see my Bluetiful Cat ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 2

Posted on April 26th, 2024 at 9:36 a.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Welcome back!  This week, we are cutting our "bluetiful" fabrics.

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along
Deb did a great job of listing the cutting directions for the whole quilt for each size for the Bluetiful Quilt in the Creatively Yours Pattern Book.

You have several choices when it comes ...

Bluetiful Quilt Sew-Along: Week 1

Posted on April 19th, 2024 at 6:31 p.m.

'Blue'tiful Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Hello!  Have you created a Deb Heatherly quilt? 

Her pattern writing is easy to follow and she is famous for her mystery quilts.  Deb created the Crossroad Mystery, Sparkle Mystery, and Woven Stars Mystery quilt patterns, if you participated in those with ...

NICU Baby Quilt Challenge 2024

Posted on April 15th, 2024 at 11:14 a.m.

NICU Baby Quilt Challenge 2024!

We have exciting news!  We are starting a new challenge to help little ones and their families by giving them the comfort of a quilt.

                                   
NICU Baby Quilt Challenge
Fabrics pictured above are Honeybloom by Moda.

Quilts are such an amazing creation of love that are so ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: FINISHING

Posted on April 9th, 2024 at 7:36 a.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  FINISHING

Welcome back to our final week!

This week, we are finishing our Plot Twist Quilt!

This will conclude this Sew-Along.  It has been so much fun watching your progress in the Facebook Private Group.  If you are still working on your quilt ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: QUILT TOP ASSEMBLY

Posted on April 1st, 2024 at 10:56 a.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  QUILT TOP ASSEMBLY

Welcome Back!!  How's your progress coming along?

This week, we are putting all our Plot Twist Quilt Pattern blocks into rows to create our quilt top.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along
Follow Andy's instructions in your Plot Twist Quilt Pattern under Quilt Top Assembly ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Posted on March 25th, 2024 at 12:34 p.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Welcome Back!! 

My favorite part....this week we are piecing blocks for the Plot Twist Quilt Pattern.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along
Follow Andy's sewing instructions in your Plot Twist Quilt Pattern under Block Construction.  The instructions are well written and are very clear to ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: CUTTING

Posted on March 19th, 2024 at 1:20 a.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  CUTTING

Welcome Back!! 

This week we are talking about cutting your fabrics for Plot Twist Quilt Pattern.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along
Andy did a great job offering the cutting diagram layout in the Plot Twist Quilt Pattern.  The cutting goes really fast.  I love creating big ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Posted on March 11th, 2024 at 2:33 p.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Welcome Back!! 

This week we are talking about the Plot Twist Quilt Pattern Fabric Requirements.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along
                                      
Plot Twist Quilt Sew Along
Andy from A Bright Corner gives plenty of useful fabric requirement options for her newest quilt pattern.  You can use yardage, precuts, scraps....almost whatever ...

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along: INTRO

Posted on March 4th, 2024 at 3:46 p.m.

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along:  INTRO

Welcome!!  This is Introduction Week!  It never fails that we launch a new Sew-Along and we have many that join at the last minute. 

This is your Friendly Reminder.....order your pattern today so you can start on time!

Plot Twist Quilt Sew-Along
                                      
Plot Twist Quilt Sew Along
I ...

Betty Quilt Sew-Along

Posted on January 2nd, 2024 at 1:07 p.m.

Betty Quilt Sew-Along!

Happy New Year!  For those that expressed interest in another Just Two Charm Pack Quilts book sew-along...."Betty" won the majority vote!

So, gather your fabrics!  Cutting starts on 1/23/2024.


Just Two Charm Pack Quilts
Just to be transparent, this Sew-Along was not on my program schedule but ...

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along: CORNER UNITS

Posted on October 22nd, 2023 at 3:42 p.m.

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along:  CORNER UNITS

Welcome back!  Ah, we are starting to get a rhythm going now.  Check below for tips and tricks.

(The Just Two Charm Pack Quilt is required to participate.  The book is available HERE.)

Follow the "Corner Units" piecing instructions in ...

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along: TRIANGLE UNITS

Posted on October 15th, 2023 at 2:47 p.m.

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along:  TRIANGLE UNITS

Welcome back!  Yippee....Let's get to sewing our first units!

(The Just Two Charm Pack Quilt is required to participate.  The book is available HERE.)

Follow the "Triangle Units" piecing instructions in your Just Two Charm Pack Quilts book for ...

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along: INTRO

Posted on September 24th, 2023 at 6:05 p.m.

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along:  INTRO

Yahoo!  It's almost time.  Who's ready to get started?  I am!  I am!

Consider this your final reminder to get your book ordered in time to start next week.

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along
                      
Some questions have come up over the last ...

National Sew a Jelly Roll Day 2023

Posted on September 15th, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2023! 

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2022
A big "Thank You" to Moda for offering four new jelly-roll friendly patterns to celebrate today!  You can look back at previous blog posts for past year's free jelly roll patterns.


Click on the image below for this year's ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 6

Posted on August 19th, 2023 at 8:10 p.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 6: Layout and Assemble Quilt Top

                     
Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along

You made it!  Week 6 is here and you have been a rockstar with this sew-along.  Last week was a week to catch up and get things ready for the final sewing of this quilt ...

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along

Posted on August 18th, 2023 at 2:23 p.m.

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along!

Coming Soon - Save the date - starts September 25th, 2023!

Diagonal Joy Quilt Sew-Along
Have you seen Cheryl Brickey's newest book - Just Two Charm Pack Quilts?  We had the amazing honor of Long Arm Machine Quilting many of the quilts photographed! 

When her book released a few months ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 5

Posted on August 12th, 2023 at 8:10 p.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 5: Catch Up Week & Give-Away for participating members

(Looking for related posts?  Check the Sunday Mornings Sew-Along category HERE.)
         

Check in week.  What do we have left to do from previous weeks?  All caught up?  Need a week ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 4

Posted on August 5th, 2023 at 7:42 p.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 4: Assemble Half Triangles and Corners

(Looking for related posts?  Check the Sunday Mornings Sew-Along category HERE.)
        
Sunday Mornings Sew-Along

Can you believe the Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along is halfway done already?!  What?!  Time is flying by.  Can you see things ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 3

Posted on July 30th, 2023 at 1 a.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 3: Assemble Block Two

(Looking for related posts?  Check the Sunday Mornings Sew-Along category HERE.)
        
Sunday Mornings Sew-Along

Hello everyone!  How did last week go?  Are you ready for Block 2?!  This block lends itself to so many color combinations and that’s ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 2

Posted on July 23rd, 2023 at 4:35 a.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 2: Assemble Block One

(Looking for related posts?  Check the Sunday Mornings Sew-Along category HERE.)

       

Happy Sunday to you from Sewing Corals!

Did you survive picking fabric and cutting everything out last week?  I feel like that is the hardest part ...

Maywood Studio Maker - Precut Party Parade

Posted on July 18th, 2023 at 9:23 a.m.

Precut Party Parade - Round and Round the Block Quilt Pattern

I am back with my 2nd Maywood Studio Maker Challenge Project.

Maywood Maker

Our 2nd challenge project was all about Precuts!    The Maywood Studio Makers were invited to use our favorite precut of Maywood Studio's Fall and Winter themed fabric ...

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along: Week 1

Posted on July 16th, 2023 at 1 a.m.

Sunday Mornings Quilt Pattern Sew-Along!

Week 1: Fabric Pull and Cutting

  

Hello and welcome to the Sunday Mornings Quilt Sew-Along!  I’m so glad you are here and hope you’re ready to have a blast over the next 6 weeks as we create this beautiful quilt.  Each week ...

Clean Your Sewing Room Challenge 2023

Posted on January 1st, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.

Clean Your Sewing Room Challenge 2023

Happy New Year!  Out with the old and in with the new!

Are you one for New Year's resolutions?  I am not.  I figure why wait for a certain time frame to take action and make a positive change; if ...

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2022

Posted on October 27th, 2022 at 10:31 a.m.

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2022

Another year, another chance to bring comfort to those in need.

Project Pillowcase Challenge 2022
It is that time of year where GIVING is in air.  Maybe it's the changing of the seasons, with the rustling of fallen leaves and wanting to snuggle inside.  Maybe it's ...

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2022

Posted on September 16th, 2022 at 1:48 p.m.

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2022! 

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2022
 
National Jelly Roll Day Free Quilt Pattern
National Jelly Roll Day Free Quilt Pattern
Free Jelly Roll/Strip Roll Quilt Pattern:  Chain of Fools
(click on above image for pattern)
 
 
National Jelly Roll Day Free Quilt Pattern
National Jelly Roll Day Free Quilt Pattern
Free Jelly Roll/Strip Roll Quilt Pattern:  Cross the Line
(click on above image for pattern)
 
 
National Jelly Roll Day Free Quilt Pattern
Free Jelly Roll ...

Quilter's Tip: How to Choose Batting

Posted on May 18th, 2022 at 10:12 a.m.

Quilter's Tip:  How to Choose Batting

Quilter's Tip

Note:  All statements are based on information gathered from Quilter’s Dream Batting website or the opinions of Bear Creek Quilting Company and their customers. We recommend doing your own research to ensure your needs are met.

General Tips

  • Order from thinnest ...

Quilter's Tip: How to Prepare Your Project for Long Arm Quilting Submission

Posted on May 6th, 2022 at 11 a.m.

Quilter's Tip:  How to Prepare Your Project for Long Arm Quilting Submission

Quilter's Tip
Note:  These tips are only in regard to submitting a project to be machine quilted by Bear Creek Quilting Company Long Arm Machine Quilting Service. We cannot speak to preferences of any other quilter or ...

How To Match Fabric Colors

Posted on October 14th, 2019 at 2:42 p.m.

How To Match Fabric Colors Using Your Fabric Selvage Dots

Fabric Selvage
What is a Fabric Selvage?
A selvage is the edge produced on woven fabric during manufacture that keeps it from unraveling or fraying along the LENGTH of fabric.  The LENGTH of the fabric is also the Warp or Straight ...

How To Never Miss Your Favorites!

Posted on August 21st, 2019 at 8 a.m.

Coming Soon Products and Email Notification of Arrival

Pretty Bunnies by Riley Blake Designs
Did you miss out on the arrival of Pretty Bunnies by Riley Blake Designs?

Winter Whimsy by Henry Glass & Co., Inc.
Or how about Winter Whimsy by Henry Glass & Co.?

Boho Owls by 3 Wishes Fabrics
And let's not forget about the playful Boho Owls by 3 Wishes Fabric?

Bear Creek Quilting Company Coming Soon
These collections, plus many ...

How To Prepare Your Quilt Top

Posted on August 13th, 2019 at 8:16 a.m.

How To Prepare Your Quilt Top for Machine Quilting

Well hello! It’s Keelyn from The Night Owl Quilts and today I am going to share with you a few secrets to help you be one of your longarm quilter’s favorite clients! 

Preparing your quilt top is simple and will ...

Ideas On How To Display Your Quilts

Posted on July 19th, 2019 at 2:10 p.m.

You just spent all of your efforts choosing fabrics, choosing a pattern or making your own pattern, cutting, squaring up the pieces, sewing, (possibly ripping and resewing), basting, quilting, and binding.

FINALLY! All of your hard work has paid off.  The quilt is done.  It is ready for ...

Free Motion Quilting Fun Tutorial

Posted on October 11th, 2014 at 11:36 p.m.

Free Motion Quilting Fun
Greetings Fellow Quilters!  It’s Karen from Redbird Quilt Co. and Karen’s Quilts, Crows, and Cardinals blog.  It’s a pleasure to be guest posting here at the Bear Creek Quilting Company's blog.  Ready to have some fun?!

Free Motion Quilting Fun Tutorial
Have you wanted to learn to ...

How to...Piece a Strip Set

Posted on February 3rd, 2014 at 2:06 p.m.

 

How to...Piece a Strip Set

How to Piece a Strip Set Tutorial

 

When piecing together a set of strips it can get a little wonky, right? 
You thought you were on track and then when it comes time to cut
or piece...well, things are a little off and not lining up or ...