How to Quilt Faster & Get Those Holiday Gifts Done!

Hey Quilty Crew!
It’s that magical time of year — no, not December — Christmas in July! ✨

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a list of quilted gifts you swore you’d finish by Thanksgiving… but somehow it’s the day before the holiday party and you’re still binding.
So, let’s break that cycle this year! Here’s how you can quilt smarter, not harder, and get ahead with ruler quilting. And my favorite gifts – the smaller projects

Why Ruler Quilting Makes You Faster

Ruler quilting gives you beautiful, precise lines — without marking everything by hand.
Once you get your setup dialed in, your designs flow together quickly. Whether it’s straight lines, grids, or simple curves, rulers keep you on track and speed up the quilting process.

Must-Have Tools for Faster Quilting

Here’s my favorite gear for efficient quilting — with direct links so you can stock up and get stitching this week:

✅ Ruler Foot for Your Machine — Make sure your foot is compatible with your machine. If you don’t have one yet, check with your dealer!

My Juki TL-18 — This powerhouse helps me fly through quilting jobs.
👉 View the Juki TL-18 here

Creative Grids Rulers — I love Angela Walters’ designs for quick, pro-looking lines.
👉 Check them out on Fat Quarter Shop

Quilting Rulers — For beautiful curves and motifs, you’ll love these.
👉 Silly Moon Quilting Co.
👉 Amanda Murphy’s site

Meander Ruler — One of my favorites for flowing, easy designs!
👉 Grab it on Amazon

✅ Grippy Spray — Keeps your rulers steady so you can stitch faster with fewer slips.
👉 Find it on Amazon

✅ Slip Mat or Quilting Gloves — For better control, try a slip mat or my go-to gloves.
👉 Slip Mat at Sewing Parts Online
👉 Quilting Gloves on Amazon

✅ Quilt Patterns — Sometimes the slowest part is deciding. Grab a ready-to-go pattern you love!
👉 See new patterns at Fat Quarter Shop
👉 Try Quilter’s Candy Quilt Pattern Writing Course if you want to write your own!

Speedy Quilting Tips

💡 Batch your tasks: Prep all your quilt tops first, then baste in one big session.

💡 Keep your tools ready: Replace your rotary blade for great cuts, replace your sewing needle and put in the right needle for the right project!

💡 Use simple, repeatable designs: Grids, straight lines, and gentle curves quilt up in a flash.

💡 Practice! The more comfortable you are with ruler work, the faster you’ll fly through it.

Master Quilting with Rulers

Want a simple setup that helps you quilt faster?
👉 Join the Quilting with Rulers Academy!

Small Projects Are Your Secret Weapon

One of my favorite ways to stay sane during the holiday rush? Smaller projects!

This is when I pull out my stash of cork and vinyl from Sallie Tomato — they’re perfect for gifts like wallets, pouches, and bags. Quick to sew, super giftable, and no big quilt bulk to wrestle with.

I’m also a Sallie Tomato Certified Educator, so if you want to learn how to make cork or vinyl projects, I can teach you virtually. Grab your supplies and let’s stitch up something special together!

👉 Shop cork, vinyl, bag hardware & patterns at Sallie Tomato

Your future holiday self will thank you!
Stay cozy and keep stitching, Quilty Crew!