Monica Curry Quilt Design

I love Mary Ellen's Best Press Spray . It helps my blocks press crisp and there's no starchy residue. The only downside is that it's way too expensive, especially here in Canada. Also, I don't like the smell of most of their scents; the lavender-scented spray smells like cheap men's cologne. I thought of using the scent-free Best Press, but it costs more than the scented. So, I decided to try making the homemade version of Best Press and I was pleased with the results. I wanted my spray to have a nice scent but most of the recipes I found called for lavender essential oil and I didn't care for it. So, I tried the citrus essential oils (i.e. lemon, lemongrass, bergamot, orange, etc.) and loved the fresh citrusy scent. I use bergamot exclusively now. Bergamot is a fresh, uplifting Italian orange oil used for cosmetics and perfumes. Below is the recipe for the DIY Citrus Best Press that works just as well as the real deal.        DIY CITRUS BEST PRESS (Makes 3 cu...

This post is a supplementary tutorial for the Quick Block Calculator . When using the shortcut methods to make Hourglass and Pinwheel blocks, you often have to " square up " the block to the correct size you need. If these blocks are not squared up properly, you will end up with very wonky looking squares that will only be good for the scrap pile. In this post, I'll show you a simple method for squaring up Hourglass, Pinwheel, and Half Square Triangle blocks that doesn't require a special ruler. MATERIALS Square quilt ruler at least 8" x 8". Rotary cutter Masking tape or transparent quilt ruler tape . INSTRUCTIONS Hour Glass Divide the desired block size in half, e.g. 4½"÷ 2 = 2¼" Find this number on the ruler. Place a piece of tape horizontally and vertically on the ruler to mark the center of the block. Line up intersecting point of the tape with the center of the block. Line up the 45º angle with angle of the block. 6.  W...

I've been published!   Check out my modern quilt wall hanging, Coral Gem,  published in the new Leisure Arts Publishing  Quilted Wall Hangings: 11 unique projects for quilt lovers .   "Coral Gem" Wall Quilt by Monica Curry BUY BOOK HERE!

Apple Cider Market Tote aka Winslow Market Tote I first saw this tote pattern in the 2018 issue of Make It! Patchwork. It was designed by Kathy Mack and was showcased on the Quilting Arts TV Episode #601. It was originally featured as the Winslow Market Tote and has since been renamed the Apple Cider Market Tote . Apple Cider Market Tote made by Monica Curry Pattern Design by Kathy Mack I haven't made many bags, but I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it. I wasn't sure, however, what fat quarters to use for it. When I finally dug through my stash, I found the perfect fabric for this tote ─  Into the Garden by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake. I bought this fat quarter bundle several years ago and loved it so much I didn't want to cut it! I also wanted to make pretty matching straps for this bag, but I wasn't sure how to make bag straps. I heard you could use quilt batting for straps and thought that this would be a great way to use up my batting scraps. After...

If you have a round dining table, why not make of these elegant-looking "round" placemats. They fit beautifully on a 42 inch round table. The placemat patterns come in three styles that are very easy to make: a reversible, seven-spoke, and nine-spoke placemat. All the templates are full page printable.

French Fold binding is one of the most popular quilt bindings and for good reason. Because the fabric is doubled, French Fold binding creates a durable edge for your quilt. It's particularly good for quilts and quilted items that are going to get a lot of laundering. It's a very simple binding to make. I use it on all my quilt projects. If you want to add a little flair to your French Fold binding, see my tutorial on French Fold with Flange binding. HOW TO MAKE FRENCH FOLD BINDING 1) DETERMINE THE BINDING LENGTH YOU NEED   EXAMPLE : Finished quilt size = 54" × 60" (54" × 2) + (60" × 2) + 10" = 238" (10" extra is added for finishing the binding). (238" ÷ 36") = 6.6 yards You will need 6.6 ≈ 7 yards of binding for a 54" × 60" finished quilt. If making bias binding, cut your fabric strips on the diagonal before making your binding. 2) DETERMINE THE BINDING WIDTH YOU NEED Decide on the binding width you need, then refer t...

I love flange quilt binding. It gives quilts an elegant and finished look. I don't use it on all my projects, but sometimes a quilt needs that extra pop. Flange binding takes a little extra work, but it's well worth the effort when you see the finished result. I made the following tutorial as comprehensive as possible and hope it will help you give flange binding a try. INSTRUCTIONS 1)  CALCULATE THE LENGTH OF BINDING YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR QUILT EXAMPLE: Finished quilt size = 54" × 60" (54" × 2) + (60" × 2) + 10" = 238" (10" extra is added for finishing the binding).  (238" ÷ 36") = 6.6 yards You will need 6.6 ≈ 7 yards of binding for a 54" × 60" finished quilt.  2)  WIDTHS TO CUT FOR FLANGE AND MAIN COLOUR STRIPS Decide on a binding width you need. Use the chart below to get the widths to cut the strips for main colour and the flange. 3)  ASSEMBLING & ATTACHING BINDING Sew both strips together lengthwise with a 1/4...

Here is my newest table runner pattern, Garden Breeze, just in time for summer. I designed this project using the half-hexagon whirligig block in floral prints. The whirligig block is a traditional favourite and so simple to foundation piece. Anyone new to foundation piecing will love making this table runner. MY GARDEN My hubby loves to garden. We don't have a big yard, but he turned it into a little piece of heaven. This is the pond that we put in a few years ago. Here is Teddy taking a dip in the pond to cool off. This little guy is a real character!

Easter is coming up quick and I was so glad to get this beautiful pattern Easter Blessings launched before the celebrations. This is a very simple project if you have basic skills in foundation paper piecing. The optional tabs are a nice touch to create a banner for your home or church.

Like most of you, my studio had humble beginnings but, over time, evolved into a creative sanctuary. As in any good studio, there are special items that keep me inspired, grounded, and working efficiently. In no special order, these are the Top 10 things in my studio I would never part with. 1.  MY ART QUILT ON THE COVER OF  QUILTING ARTS MAGAZINE This framed  Quilting Arts  magazine cover featuring one of my art quilts helps to remind me that hard work and perseverance can pay off and that even though I've created some epic fails, I've also created some beautiful work that others can appreciate. In 2012 my art quilt Mother Ship was selected to be published for the  Quilting Arts  magazine Readers Challenge. I was even more excited when I was told my art was going to be on the front cover of the magazine. The Readers Challenge was to create an art quilt interpreting the phrase "What If." Being a UFO/alien buff, I wondered "What if I saw a UFO over my house...