New Tools for Creative Quilting

Fresh Inspiration and Essential Care: New Arrivals at Constantine Quilts

Hello! I hope your needles are sharp and your creative juices are flowing. There is nothing quite like the feeling of stepping back into the studio after a little break—whether that was a quick trip to visit family or just a weekend away from the machine—and seeing a stack of fresh possibilities waiting for you.

As many of you know, my mission at Constantine Quilts has always been to provide the very best tools, notions, and inspiration specifically for machine quilters. Whether you are navigating a large-scale project on a Longarm or perfecting your free-motion technique on a domestic machine, having the right supplies isn’t just a luxury; it’s the key to enjoying every single stitch.

Today, I am thrilled to walk you through some of our newest arrivals. We have everything from whimsical Australian-themed wide backings to essential maintenance tools that will keep your workspace running smoothly. Let’s dive in!

Australian Charm: May Gibbs Gumnut Adventures

There is something deeply nostalgic and heartwarming about the work of May Gibbs. We’ve just added the May Gibbs Gumnut Adventures 108″ Wide Backing to our collection, and it is a true showstopper.

The Design: This fabric features the iconic Bush Babies, koalas, and kookaburras in a beautifully detailed, whimsical scene on a soft blue background.
The Practicality: For those of you who loathe piecing backings (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), this is a 108″ wide-back fabric. It’s designed to cover even your largest quilts in one seamless, beautiful piece of Australian heritage.
Quilting Tip: When working with a busy, illustrative print like this on the back, I recommend using a fine, blending thread like Decobob or a 50wt Konfetti. This allows your beautiful quilting motifs to show on the front without “fighting” the adorable gumnut characters on the back.

Texture and Movement: The “Earth Tone” Series

If your style leans a bit more toward the “modern-traditional” or you love organic textures, you have to see our new Earth Tone wide backings. These come in two stunning, sophisticated tones: Sage Green and Soft Grey.

These fabrics feature a flowing, rhythmic leaf design that mimics the movement of feathers or long grass.

Versatility: These are perfect for art quilts or modern designs where you want the back to look just as professional and curated as the front.
Design Tip: Use the directional lines of the leaf pattern to guide your quilting. If you are using an Intelliquilter or another computerized system, these textures pair beautifully with “Edge to Edge” (E2E) designs that have rounded, organic shapes.

Studio Maintenance: The Magic of Iron Cleaner

We often talk about the “fun” stuff—the fabric and the thread—but a frustrated quilter is often one with a sticky iron! If you’ve ever accidentally run your iron over a bit of fusible web or noticed a “drag” on your delicate silks and cottons, our new Iron Cleaner is about to become your best friend.

Why you need it: Over time, starch, sizing, and fusibles build up a residue on the soleplate of your iron. This can transfer brown marks onto your pristine white fabric or cause the iron to catch, creating unwanted tucks in your patchwork.

How to use it effectively:

Apply a small amount of the cream to a thick cloth while the iron is at a warm (not scorching) temperature.
Rub in a circular motion to lift the residue.
Wipe clean with a separate, damp section of the cloth.
Pro Tip: Always test a small “dummy” scrap of fabric after cleaning to ensure all cleaner residue is gone before touching your actual quilt project!

Expanding Your Creative Horizons: Intuitive Color & Design

For those of you looking to push your boundaries this year, we have restocked and added the Updated 2nd Edition of “Intuitive Color & Design” by Jean Wells.

Jean Wells is a master at teaching quilters how to move away from rigid patterns and toward a more “painterly” approach to quilting. This book is a staple for anyone interested in Art Quilting.

What’s Inside: It covers everything from line work and color value to creating “adventures in art quilting” through contemporary piecing techniques.
Teacher’s Tip: If you find yourself stuck in a “colour rut,” try the exercises in Chapter 2. They help you look at your scrap bin in a whole new light, focusing on value (how light or dark a color is) rather than just the color itself.

Essential Tools for Precision

No studio update is complete without a nod to the “engine room” of quilting: your rulers and marking supplies. We continue to stock an extensive range of Australian Made Rulers, including circles, ovals, and the ever-popular “No Frills” line. Plus a variety of rulers/templates from other designers that are chosen for their quality and usefulness.

If you are transitioning into more complex machine quilting, remember that templates are your best friend. They provide a physical guide that ensures your curves are smooth and your “Clamshells” are consistent every single time.

Upcoming Events to Note

Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

IQ Summit: We are looking forward to delivering our next live class on Sunday 24th May at 9am. Our previous events have been hugely popular, and there are always bonuses to download. This is valuable for anyone owning a computer quilting system in understanding the process and adapting to your own system. Intelliquilter is what is demonstrated however. Join me for The Blue Ribbon Hexagon class!
Intelliquilter Support: For my Intelliquilter owners, remember we have a wealth of training resources on everything from Maintenance & troubleshooting, to custom quilting skills on Machine Quilting Academy
Become a Gold Member of Machine Quilting Academy to learn more on running a Longarm Quilting business and be supported by many experienced members to be the best you can be!

Final Thoughts

Whether you are finishing off a gift for a loved one or starting a masterpiece for a show, having high-quality tools makes the journey so much more joyful. I invite you to browse the “New Arrivals” section of the website to see these beautiful fabrics and helpful notions for yourself.

Thank you for being part of the Constantine Quilts community. Your passion for this craft is what keeps me searching for the very best products to bring into the shop.

Happy Quilting!

Have a question about which backing would suit your current project? Or perhaps you need advice on which ruler to start with? Feel free to reach out via our contact page or give me a call—I’m always happy to help a fellow quilter!

Online education, Product Reviews