Over the years many of us have acquired access to the most amazing information through the internet. Luckily for us quilters and sewists, there is an abundance of ideas, visual distractions and fabric to easily purchase that we can “waste” a lot of time online!

When my daughter, Kate, first introduced me to Pinterest years ago, I could spend hours on that platform getting ideas for future quilts whether it was free patterns or even being exposed to interesting colour combinations or new designs. My love for DIY was taken care of there too…so many wonderful pieces of furniture were given new life by either sanding and painting or staining. I also took advantage of the many gift ideas there, making them for my own loved ones.

About 4 years ago Kate also introduced me to Instagram. Well, let me tell you, it was even better than Pinterest. Many of the websites I now follow are as a result of seeing them first on Instagram. Not only that, but as Program Coordinator for our quilt guild I was also able to secure some amazing guest speakers through Zoom that I was first introduced to on Instagram. These are the only two social media outlets that I take part in and I think it’s definitely because of the visuals.

The following sites are in no particular order…they are just the ones that I go to on a regular basis because I enjoy the content and ideas.

• The Crafty Quilter by Julie Cefalu: From reading her blog and checking out her great tutorials, it seems like Julie and I have a very similar teaching style. I really like her straight forward approach and conversational tone with her newsletter and information. Not only that, but her photography is excellent and she even offers tips for photographing your own quilts.

• Kitchen Table Quilting by Erica Jackman: I was first introduced to this website via Instagram. I fell in love with an amazing scrappy quilt that was featured there called Plaid-ish (free pattern if you sign up to the site) and have made it twice already. Erica has so many free patterns and tutorials that you’ll be certain to find a few that you want to make.

• Auribuzz by Aurifil Threads: As most of you already know, Aurifil is my fave cotton thread. This great spot on their website highlights work done by other fibre artists using their threads and also shows comparisons between the different weights of threads…very educational.

• Amy’s Creative Side by Amy Ellis: This is another website that I found on Instagram during the month of March two years ago. Every year Amy holds her own IG Quilt Fest where everyone is encouraged to post something each day of the month according to Amy’s prompts…some such prompts are “Favorite Tool”, “New Skill”, “Must Make Quilt” and many more. It’s up to you to take part every day or only a few times during the month according to your comfort level.

• Stitched in Color by Rachel Hauser: Originally from the US, Rachel now lives in the Netherlands, and her blog is filled with great tutorials and lots of great patterns for fun quilts. She often showcases her clients’ quilts showing the wonderful collaboration between the clients’ quilt top designs and her own longarm quilting.

• Sew4Home: This website is filled with a huge variety of free patterns for all kinds of sewing/quilting items. I have made the Cosmetics/Toiletry case so many times that I’ve lost count.

• Missouri Star Quilt Company founded by Jenny Doan and family: I’m sure that nearly every quilter has probably heard about the Missouri Star Quilt Company! Starting with humble beginnings, the town of Hamilton, Missouri, USA is now a destination place for quilters all over the world and boasts over 15 quilt stores in this small town. Our guild hosted a Zoom presentation by Jenny and she made us all feel like we were sitting around the kitchen table having coffee with a friend. Becky, Marg and their other guild friend Gail went there last month for a retreat and had a blast. They have a great YouTube channel and offer a multitude of tutorials.

• Canadian Quilters Association: This is Canada’s national “quilt guild”. I’ve been a member for many years and always look forward to the quarterly magazine/newsletter. It keeps us on top of what’s happening in the quilting community all across Canada. As Program Coordinator for our guild I’ve also found some great guest speakers through this website too.

• Just Get It Done Quilts by Karen Brown: This wonderful Toronto quilter has a bajillion informative and entertaining YouTube videos that will keep you busy for hours. Just like Jenny Doan, she makes you feel like you’re sitting down chatting with a friend with her inviting, conversational style.

Instagram Eye Candy:

• Rock Baby Scissors by Kristy Stelly: OMG! You know I love bright colours…the more the merrier…and no one does it better than Rock Baby Scissors. You will be blown away by the bags that Kristy makes and sells on her Etsy site.

• Schnig Schnag Quilts and More by Iva Steiner: Iva is a quilt teacher and longarm quilter based in Switzerland. Her quilting is to die for whether it’s done for her clients or on her own quilts…gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

• Saija Elina: From Finland, Saija uses clear, bright colours in wonderful designs for her quilts, and then because she is also a professional photographer, takes amazing photos of these quilts to share with us on Instagram. I am currently working on one of her foundation paper piecing patterns using diamonds. I’ll definitely share with you when I’m finished.

Canadian Vendors:

• Troll Brothers Quilt Designs by Stacie Wilson: I first found Troll Brothers (based in Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, British Columbia) while looking for Canadian suppliers of English paper piecing supplies. Well, not only do they have great EPP supplies, but as a bag maker I found out that they also have some great zippers and hardware. My most recent purchase from them is to the right…some yummy zippers and triangle rings in the most gorgeous colours.

• Emmaline Bags by Janelle MacKay: I first came across this company (based in Spruce Grove, Alberta) while working at the Ultimate Sewing Centre. At the time, the Necessary Clutch Wallet was a very popular class being taught there by Tracey, who now owns Whirls’N”Swirls Quilting. I think I’ve made about 6 of them! They also have a great free pattern for the Retreat Bag 2.0 that me and my friends have made countless times.

• Zipper Valley by Alex: I was looking for a Canadian supplier for a rainbow zipper with a black tape and this company from Ontario came up on my search online. It was gorgeous and I used it for my personal set of bags that you’ve seen in a previous post.

It really is amazing when you get to see the amount of talent in our wonderful quilting/sewing community and to have the opportunity to support these businesses. Enjoy visiting these websites…I know you’ll be drooling over the photos! LOL.