Notes from the Studio

Welcome to my weekly newsletter

Here I'll share tips, tricks, techniques, behind the scenes, new projects, and more from the studio.

Take Your Quilting Passport on a Global Adventure

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1"> Want to take a quick creative trip without packing a bag? In my blog po...

Jan 20, 2026 bold color contrast global quilting traditions inspired by traditional textiles layered appliqué meander quilt guild molas quilting inspiration reverse appliqué textile techniques textile traditions

Your Most Creative Year

As we move into a new year, I want to invite you to slow down for a moment — to pause, breathe, and gently consider what you want this year to become. It’s so easy to rush into planning mode, filling our calendars and setting goals before we’ve checked in with ourselves. But creativity doesn’t be...

Jan 08, 2026 bold color contrast global quilting traditions inspired by traditional textiles layered appliqué meander quilt guild molas quilting inspiration reverse appliqué textile techniques textile traditions

Exploring Molas: Reverse Applique From Panama

This week, I want to share something that completely fascinated me — a quilting technique so intricate, symbolic, and bold that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Sometimes stepping outside our own creative traditions is exactly what helps us see our work (and possibilities) more clearly. That’s ...

Dec 17, 2025 bold color contrast global quilting traditions inspired by traditional textiles layered appliqué meander quilt guild molas quilting inspiration reverse appliqué textile techniques textile traditions

The Color Rule I Wish Every Quilter Knew

Have you ever stood in a fabric store holding three bolts of fabric and thought… Do these go together? Am I messing this up? Is this even allowed? If that sounds familiar, today’s lesson is for you. One of the most freeing color discoveries I ever made is this: there are no forbidden color combin...

Dec 10, 2025 beginner quilting tips choosing colors for quilting color balance in design color confidence color theory for quilters color wheel for fabric fabric color combinations fabric stash tips harmony vs contrast colors how to choose quilt colors quilt color palettes quilting color tips

The Perfect Satin Stitch

If you’ve ever tried satin stitch, you know it’s one of those deceptively “simple” techniques… until you sit down with your fabric and thread and end up with puckering, uneven edges, or stitches that don’t quite shine the way you imagined. Over the years, I’ve refined a handful of simple tweak...

by Shannon Brinkley — Aug 28, 2025 applique easy finish how to machine quick satin satin stitch zig zag zig-zag

Meet my current quilt obsession: Moths

Every time I look at these quilts, I fall in love all over again… my Scrappy Appliqué Moths collection. For this bundle, I chose three absolutely breathtaking species:🦋 The Giant Silk Moth🦋 The Spanish Moon Moth🦋 The Sagebrush Sheep Moth Each one has its own unique flair — some bold and colorful...

by Shannon Brinkley — Aug 28, 2025 animal applique baby butterfly fun how to ideas inspiration magical moth quilt quilting scrappy scrappy applique simple unique wall hanging witch witchy

Quilt Top in 23 Seconds!

I wanted to give you a sneaky peak at our Sasha quilt pattern. Here is a time lapse of my husband and I fusing the top of this Scrappy Applique pattern, Sasha. It's so fun to see her come together so quickly! The video is only 23 seconds, but the actual process took about an hour... still quite q...

by Shannon Brinkley — Aug 16, 2025 animal applique baby boy child easy girl how to pink quick quilt quilting sasha scrappy scrappy applique tiger

My Secret Fabric Formula

One of the most overlooked secrets behind a beautiful quilt—especially a collage quilt—isn’t the pattern or technique. It’s the fabric palette. The types of prints you choose will dramatically affect the texture, depth, and personality of your finished piece. That’s the magic of Scrappy Appliqué:...

Aug 07, 2025 applique baby quilt collage color easy fabric how to palette quick quilting scrappy selection simple technique texture

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