Welcome to the Solstice Sewing Classroom

Sometimes a little extra instruction goes a long way to helping make us successful quilters. Solstice uses lots of important quiltmaking skills, some of which may be new to you.  We hope these materials will help.

Curved Seams (NEW!)

In some of blocks, the completed compass is a circular unit that is pieced into the background using curved seams. Watch the video for a great overview and some reference materials. And here are some tips from Jinny to keep in mind:

  • match and pin the compass points to dots marked on the background pieces, then sew a careful 1/4-inch seam from dot to dot;
  • adjust your top and bottom pieces as you go; don't try to sew the whole seam without stopping;
  • remember that the stretch from the curves will help you fit the pieces together, but use a light hand so you don't stretch the pieces out of shape.

The pattern instructs you to sew each background piece to the compass, then to sew the short background seams. You might also try sewing the four background pieces together, then sewing the compass into the "hole" in the background. The best way is the one that works best for you.
View Curved Seams Video

Soft-Edge Piecing

Jinny created this hybrid patchwork/appliqué technique that allows you to put the full beauty of fabric designs on display in your quilts. The Block 2 pattern includes complete instructions on this technique which are also included below.  To see the process in action, watch Jinny demonstrate it in her video.
Soft-Edge Piecing Reference Sheet
View Soft-Edge Piecing Video

An Introduction to Border Print Fabrics

If you've never used Jinny's border print fabrics before, you'll want to take a few minutes to view this video.  Jinny shows you how to identify the seam allowance area on either side of the stripes and how to find mirror-image motifs. This will be important when fussy cutting patches from the border print fabric and from the paisley design.
View An Introduction to Border Prints


First Blocks - Getting Started

Jinny demonstrates how to make plastic templates and how to position them on border print fabric in the Magical Effects video. She also demonstrates the technique used in the Alternating Block -- how to cut four identical triangles to make a border print square.
View Magical Effects with Border Print Fabrics

For a detailed reference on making border print squares, check out this Jinny Beyer tip. You can also download a reference sheet.
Creating Border Print Squares


 
 

Foundation Piecing

Jinny gets perfect points piecing by hand but those of us who are mere quilting mortals love foundation piecing (also known as paper piecing). It take more time and fabric but is wonderfully accurate. Many of the Solstice patterns provide the option for foundation piecing at least some of the block sections.  The Solstice pattern assumes basic foundation piecing knowledge. If you need more detailed information, we think this video is one of the best. (We swear by the postcard/Add-a-Quarter Ruler approach!)
Foundation Piecing Video Tutorial