The Quilter's Toolkit

We are so excited to share Gudrun’s brand-new FREE Block of the Month program, Building Blocks! This year-long quilt-along is designed with new quilters in mind, but even seasoned quilters will find plenty of tips, techniques, and aha moments along the way.

If you’ve ever inherited a box of thread from your mom, grandma, or stumbled across a great-looking spool at an estate sale, you may have asked yourself: Does thread go bad?

The short answer is yes—thread doesn’t exactly have an expiration date, but it does have a lifespan. How long it lasts depends greatly on how it’s stored. In her recent Tipsy Tuesday episode, Gudrun shared some eye-opening tips on keeping your thread strong, reliable, and ready for your next quilting project.

Quilting is a craft that combines creativity and precision, and at GE Designs, we love making it as easy and enjoyable as possible. That’s why Gudrun Erla has taken classic quilt blocks and Stripologized them—simplifying the process using Stripology rulers and techniques to make cutting and piecing faster, more accurate, and more fun.

At GE Designs, we’re always searching for the highest-quality tools to help you create quilts you’re truly proud of. That's why we're thrilled to officially spotlight Madeira Thread, a German-engineered powerhouse of premium threads, in production for over a century. This thread delivers flawless stitches, vibrant colors, and exceptional performance—whether you’re piecing, quilting, or adding delicate details.

Choosing the right batting for your quilt is just as important as selecting fabric or thread. Batting affects everything from how your quilt feels and looks to how it holds up over time. With so many options on the market, understanding terms like loft, drape, needle punching, and fiber content will help you make the best choice for your project.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the essentials of quilt batting—what it’s made of, how it behaves, and what to watch out for when making your pick.

Faster than Fast & Furious? Hard to imagine, but it's true. With a little creativity and a minimal amount of work, you can turn the 16" Wide Toweling into some fabulous home decor pieces. These projects are an inexpensive way to give your home a little refresh and make perfect holiday and hostess gifts. Add some embroidery for a personalized gifts, too.   

Achieving precise quilt blocks begins with mastering seam allowance. This crucial factor ensures accuracy, consistency, and professional-quality quilting results. Let’s dive into the key aspects of seam allowance, tools, and techniques to perfect your piecing.

A well-chosen quilt border enhances the design, frames the central blocks, and ties the entire piece together. Selecting the perfect border color can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can create a harmonious and visually appealing quilt. Here’s how to make the best choice for your quilt border.

Quilts are not just functional items; they are also decorative pieces that can transform the look of your bedroom. However, achieving the perfect fit for a bed quilt requires thoughtful planning and consideration. On Tipsy Tuesday, Gudrun explored the key aspects of designing and sizing quilts for beds, from standard dimensions to customization tips.