If you’re a new Pro-Stitcher quilter, chances are you’ve already figured out that the software is powerful- and confusing. You can see all the possibilities—custom layouts, beautiful designs, perfect placement. But turning all of that potential into actually quilting your own quilt can feel overwhelming.
That’s exactly why I created this video.
This isn’t a “do everything perfectly” kind of tutorial. It’s a let’s get you quilting video.
In the video, I walk you through the basics you truly need to know to move from building the edge to edge design in Pro-Stitcher to actually stitching it out! You will gain the skills to stitch your quilt with confidence. No fancy tricks. No complicated setups. Just the practical steps that help you understand what Pro-Stitcher is doing and why.
I even have a FREE handout for you. All you have to do is click this link
One of the biggest hurdles for new Pro-Stitcher quilters is fear—fear of clicking the wrong button, fear of thread breaks, fear of messing up a quilt, fear that they should “know more” before they start. This video gently removes that pressure. It shows you that you don’t need to master every tool or menu before you quilt something beautiful.
You’ll see how the process fits together, how designs get from the screen to the quilt, and how manageable it really is once you break it down into small, logical steps. More importantly, you’ll see that you can do this.
If you’ve been practicing on scrap fabric but haven’t quite worked up the nerve to load a real quilt… If your Pro-Stitcher screen feels intimidating instead of inviting… If you’ve thought, “I just need someone to explain this in plain English”…
This video was made for you.
Your longarm is an amazing tool, but it shines brightest when it’s used—not admired from afar or used as a fabric stacking station. My hope is that this video helps you take that first real step, quilt your own quilt, and start building confidence with every stitch.
Because the best way to learn Pro-Stitcher isn’t by memorizing everything—it’s by quilting.
January is my birthday month. . . in fact, TODAY is my birthday! As I have gotten older I realize that is is better to give than to receive, so I try to do something that will help others. The first couple of years I did things on my own, but I soon realized that if I involved my friends, we could do even more good. The first year my friends got involved, we made 405 pillowcases for the One Million Pillowcase Project for children in foster care. The past two years I have made quilts for my guild to gift to a local charity that helps single moms get back on their feet. With the help of many of you we were able to donate 11 quilts last January.
This year I decided to make quilts for veterans. As a Military Daughter and a Military Mom I appreciate what sacrifices our military makes to protect our country and I also understand the toll it can take on them. I also understand that many of our older veterans were involved in the Vietnam War and were not treated as well as they should have been.
I am collecting blocks to put together into quilts for the vets and I would love it if YOU helped out. I am collecting 12.5″ blocks made in red, white and blue. I have already received 6 in the mail and I have made some, so I am well on the way to getting one quilt done.
I decided that I am going to make at least one star quilt because I just love all star blocks. Although Ohio Stars are my favorite blocks, I am going to focus on Sawtooth Star blocks this month. Here is how I am making them. I don’t always make them with a blue center and red star legs- pretty much anything goes.
Cutting Instructions:
Center- (1) 6.5″ x 6.5″
Star Legs- (4) 4″ x 4″ (on wrong side of fabric, draw a diagonal from one corner across to the other corner)
Triangle between Star Legs (Goose)- (1) 7.25″ x 7.25″
Corners- (4) 3.5″ x 3.5″
Sewing Instructions
Lay two of the Star Leg squares on the large “Goose” square as shown. Pin the smaller squares to the larger squares, so things don’t shift as you sew 1/4″ on either side of the drawn line. Photo 1
Carefully cut on the drawn line. Press toward the smaller triangles.
Lay a marked 4″ square on the triangle, pin, and stitch down each side of the line.
Cut on the marked line and press toward the smaller piece.
Lay out all your pieces.
Sew each row together. Press toward the “plain” squares.
Nest seams as you put the rows together. Press the seams OPEN.
Make more!!!
If you would like to donate the blocks you make, please email me at Kaye@OhKayeQuilting.com with a photo of your blocks and I will give you my address.
Here are some sizes and mock ups of quilts using this block. For Quilts of Valor the Throw or Twin Size will be appropriate.
Sometimes you might need a quilt in a hurry to give a person comfort or let them know you are thinking of them. You can always go to Walmart and buy a blanket if it is just for warmth. . . a quilt is about the emotional support. This quilt in the photos was made for someone very special to me whose wife decided that being a wife and a mom wasn’t as fun and exciting as partying with friends and being on her own. It was a rough time. To be honest. . . it is still rough. But he knows that I love him every time he looks at the quilt.
I know what you are thinking. “I can’t make a quilt!” But you CAN.
This is seriously made out of squares. I cut 10″ squares out of three different fabrics. If you don’t have the capacity to cut accurately, you can buy an item called a “Layer Cake” or a “10” Square Pack” which usually come in sets of 40 or 42 different squares of assorted fabrics. All you have to do is sew them together.
I made a VERY SIMPLE pattern that will tell you how many squares you need for just about any size quilt. (A comfort quilt does NOT need to be bed sized!!!) You can get the pattern FREE by clicking HERE.
I made this quilt out of flannel so it is super snuggly and warm, but you can do it out of any fabric. Most quilters use what we call “quilter’s cotton” which is a mid-weight 100% cotton fabric that wears well with washing.
If you have a quilter in your life, you know it is hard to buy them gifts because it appears that they have everything they need. . . and they probably do! But, there are always lovely gifts that you can buy that will be appreciated and, more importantly, used!
Now, I know that a lot of people like to receive gift cards but we also know that gift cards and gift certificates often do not get used. I shudder to think how many Joann gift cards are still floating around and never got used. Buying an actual item shows that you have put thought and effort into choosing a gift for your special person.
#5 Quilting Clothing or Jewelry
Coming in at number 5 is something the quilter can wear. If they are a t-shirt aficiando, your job is easy as long as you know their shirt size. The same goes for hoodies. I get chilly sitting still and quilting, so I am often wearing a hoodie and warm socks- but I don’t recommend socks because many quilters (not me!) enjoy sewing barefoot! If you are not sure of their size, there is a lot of sewing related jewelry available that would probably be appreciated and worn. Think earrings sporting sewing machines or quilt blocks. https://amzn.to/4is2gwZ
#4 New cutting mat
Yes, your quilter almost surely has a cutting mat, but they do wear out and most of us are slow to replace them. There are lots of options on the market but be aware that large, self-healing cutting mats can get expensive. I do recommend a self-healing mat and I like the ones that are two-sided with two different colorways so that I can choose a contrast when cutting a project. https://amzn.to/48vy1Rf
#3 Seam Ripper
I am NOT talking about a cheapo seam ripper from Walmart. . . every quilter probably has three of those!!! Seam ripping is one of the least enjoyable tasks that we perform as quilters and I can tell you that when I have a lovely tool to use, the task is way more fun! My favorite seam ripper is from Etsy and was made from a knife handle. I also have some lovely ones that were turned on a lathe from wood or acrylic. All of these will be used before the dreaded Walmart ripper.
#2 Fabric
I know buying fabric is scary, but think about what the quilts look like that your quilter makes. Are they scrappy with a lot of different fabrics in them? If so you could buy an assortment of “Fat Quarters” in their favorite color or in an array of colors. You can buy Fat Quarter Bundles that are curated and attractively bundled together and we quilters love them. If your quilter tends toward a more modern aesthetic and uses a lot of solid color fabrics, buy them 1 yard cuts of different values of the same color- like light blue, medium blue and navy blue. This will get used and actually is very useful.
#1 Scissors
My top place pick for a gift for a quilter is a new pair of scissors. Even a new pair of Fiskars would be used and appreciated but be aware that scissors can be pricey! My son and daughter-in-law sent me scissors from Amazon a few years ago and it was a treat to have a super sharp new toy to use. We ALL use scissors even if we have cutting mats and rotary cutters. I would strongly recommend the Karen K Buckley or Kai brands of scissors- they are really superb and can be purchased in many sizes which can affect the price. https://amzn.to/43Y23LT
Bonus Gift Idea- A class or experience
Quilting is a hobby of skill learning. There is ALWAYS a new quilt to make that does things a little differently or uses a new technique and classes, retreats and event virtual classes are a lot of fun for most quilters. If your quilter has mentioned that a certain teacher is coming to the area or that the guild is hosting a retreat, buying that experience for them will be both fun and educational. You may need to actually stop by the quilt shop or give them a call to facilitate this idea.
I hope this list has sparked an idea for you. Quilters are generally very kind and generous people so they will appreciate your effort and if they are gifted something they really can’t use they will probably pass it along to a beginning quilter- which you should consider a win/win.
The provided links are affiliate links. You will not pay any more for the product, but I will receive a small percentage of the sale.
