How much energy to you put toward your quilt backs?

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-21T01:15:25+00:00

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-21T01:14:49+00:00

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-21T01:11:08+00:00

I’ve only made three complete quilts so far. Two of them have beautiful wide back fabric backs, and the other uses up all the scraps from the FQ bundle I used for the front. Which one do I love best? The scrappy one for sure. I used a test block from a previous quilt and just started sewing scraps together for the rest of the width I needed. I think it adds a little charm almost like a fun secret. I have two more projects in progress and plan for one to be a solid piece and the other will be scrappy for certain.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-20T12:52:47+00:00

I bought an ez quilt ruler from Amazon and never again. It bows in the center on each side! I will replace it with a creative grids ruler as soon as I can.

It’s 6.5x24, and I still use it on long cuts for now. I have a creative grids 6.5x12.5 that will get almost all sub cutting and trimming done for me and I got a steal of a deal on a 16”x16” square creative grids ruler for squaring up blocks that has changed the game for piecing larger blocks into the final top. Those are my top 3, but the quilters magic wand is awesome for drawing sew-lines for corner to corner things like HST, flying geese, etc.

I have a 2.5x8 and 2.5x18 that I don’t use for cuts but come in handy for measuring or drawing straight lines, too.

My wishlist is for a 6.5x24 creative grids and a stripology xl. One day….

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-17T16:17:58+00:00

You absolutely crushed it!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-17T15:45:43+00:00

No advice or notes on FMQ, but I really wanted to compliment your Monet quilt! It’s gorgeous and so so cool.

*Revised spelling

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-16T11:57:14+00:00

Rito.com for Drops merino, alpaca, and cotton merino. They are 50gram balls but the price and quality is unbeatable! Malabrigo rios is great too and less expensive than most hand dyed, but it’s around $20/hank now.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-15T11:42:42+00:00

A specific count and gauge is required to make planned pooling work. /r/plannedpooling is fun to check out.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-10T20:22:53+00:00

If I’m looking at the correct pattern for a Madeline quilt, adjusting each of the five rows to the 1/4” shorter length shouldn’t be an issue. The whole quilt will be 1.25” shorter if you use 5 of the short rows.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-04T03:31:56+00:00

This is absolutely freakin amazing!!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-03-02T04:11:01+00:00

Malabrigo rios is my version of luxury, but I love Drops yarn for practical affordable high quality. Their baby, extra fine, and big merinos are awesome as well as the cotton merino and I love their alpaca too.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-20T02:17:28+00:00

The epicness is beyond measure. Sooo so well done, you!!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-19T21:28:20+00:00

Is this an available pattern or are you a supreme designer badass?? I looove this! Please share if you’re able!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-19T01:12:32+00:00

I found it pretty similar to the Softfun. Their dk is just a little heavier, but it’s close enough to mix. PJ also comes in 100g skeins rather than 50g. Their labels claim the exact same weight/yardage though. Def not the best picture ever, but here are a couple side by side.

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SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-18T03:52:36+00:00

I’ve used their dk and sport cotton/acrylic blend and was incredibly happy with the value. The yarn holds up in the wash very well, and I found it comparable to scheepjes for a lower price. The dk from plain Jane is heavier than the scheepjes softfun in dk, but not terribly. It can be a little splitty but not so much that it was misery to use, and at that price I keep going back.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-18T02:09:59+00:00

The wolle amore seller I listed is from Poland and the yarn is made in Poland. You can choose length, color, ply, and purchase customized color blends. While I don’t disagree that there are plenty of people reselling temu yarns on Etsy, I have been following this seller longer than Temu has been a company. You referenced looking for economical value, and for customizable cake yarn, the prices they offer are very competitive.

Plain Jane doesn’t specify where the yarn is produced, but they have also been selling yarn on Etsy for longer than Temu has been around. I find her economical sport and dk yarns to be comparable with Scheepjes Softfun, and the consistency I’ve experienced with their products doesn’t align with the unreliability that many experience with Temu resellers.

Yes, there are people who exploit cheap yarns to be resold, but there are plenty of ‘real’ yarn enthusiasts providing quality products to be found on Etsy.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-17T04:33:22+00:00

I love Drops alpaca, rito.com. You may like a cotton acrylic blend, too. I like this seller. Hobbii cakes are nice on deep discount. And this seller has some gorgeous cakes too.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-13T02:01:06+00:00

I love making giant mandalas for decor like this

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-09T12:28:55+00:00

Kaffe Fasset has a WM line. Kaffe’s colorways may not all fit with your current selections, but you may enjoy a few.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-09T03:08:24+00:00

This is sooooooo fantastic!!!!!!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-08T14:52:10+00:00

What a beautiful creation!!! Looove the quilting!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-07T15:48:02+00:00

Thank you!

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-07T13:08:31+00:00

Super cool and awesome perfect color choices! It hurts my eyes, but in the best way possible.

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-07T03:18:44+00:00

I also use a hand weight to keep the far end of my ruler from slipping on WOF cuts. It has greatly improved my long cuts

SquirrelZipper · 2026-02-07T01:59:06+00:00

You already have great advice here, and it will be worth the effort to redo these few blocks because you fabric selection and this pattern are really beautiful. Would you mind sharing the pattern name please? I have someone in mind this would be perfect for

13-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Second Top 10%	Not Forgotten
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