Hi ,

This week I have a excellent interview with Patsy Thompson about machine embroidery. Patsy is an award-winning quilter, and she's also a self-published author, and you've probably seen her DVDs in your local quilt store. She has this really unique style of free-motion quilting, her thread colors especially.

In this podcast we talk about how machine embroidery works and how Patsy uses her machine to create stunning applique blocks. The best thing about machine embroidery is it can make you feel very efficient. You can be stitching out designs with one machine, then be quilting another project entirely and  everything is getting done at the same time!

This is our 4th episode of the Hello My Quilting Friends Podcast and I've really enjoyed sharing in this new way. You can find all of our episodes linked together right here plus it's also available on the iTunes podcast app and Google Play.

2016 has been a terrific year and we've had a great time quilting along with you each month. But right here at the end, and especially during December, it can be hard to find time to put the blocks together and finish your quilt. How about we give you a little push to finish your Sunshine Surprise quilt this year?

To help you finish your Sunshine Surprise quilt this month we're running a simple challenge. Here are the rules:

1. Piece and quilt all 12 blocks of Sunshine Surprise.

2. Connect them together with binding strips. Click here to watch a video tutorial.

3. Bind the edges of your quilt to finish it. Click here to watch a video tutorial.

4. Post a picture of your finished quilt on the Block Party Facebook Group. There will be a pinned post at the top of the group for you to share your picture.

5. Post by December 31, 2016 and you will receive the Block #1 pattern for the 2017 Machine Quilting Block Party for free. Everyone that posts a picture of their finished quilt will win!