I Sew For Fun Sewing Spotlight with Morgan Mahon and Her Machine Embroidered Dragon Quilt

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I Sew For Fun Sewing Spotlight with Morgan Mahon and Her Machine Embroidered Dragon Quilt

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Our sewing friend, Morgan Mahon, read a book series about a family of dragons. She fell in love with the story and was inspired to make a quilt about dragons. She sketched out her ideas and talked with her mom, Designer Joi, about sewing a quilt. Morgan shares her creative journey, today on the NZP Blog.

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Morgan’s overall goal was to make a quilt based on one of her favorite book series (completed 2018). This is probably Morgan’s biggest 4-H project and she wanted to do it right. Morgan had the goal of getting advice from many different people so that she would have a keepsake for many years to come. Morgan sought out advice from a quilt store, an award- winning quilter, took a quilt class, and worked with her mom.

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Morgan had the goal of designing the pattern and quilt layout—all on her own. This included selecting the right number of embroidered blocks. She wanted to use embroidery to represent the different dragons and selected four designs to represent the four main dragons. Morgan’s goal was to learn more about quilting. She learned a lot, but she shared, “There was a lot more to learn, including many types of quilting.”

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The four books each feature a solid color (blue, red, yellow, and green). Morgan knew she wanted to include that idea in her quilt. The goal was to represent the book colors and select coordinating fabrics. Morgan wanted to embroider the quilt blocks to represent the dragons. She looked on embroidery design websites to find just the right designs. She found the dragon embroidery designs through Amazing Designs Dragon’s Lair, and her mom purchased the embroidery collection for her. Morgan did not realize at the time, but she had an unintentional goal of learning about embroidery stabilizers to create the dragon blocks. This goal took Morgn seven hours to complete.

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Morgan’s goal in designing was to select elements such as color, thread, and fabric—that complimented one another. She learned to sew and design with quilting fabrics, notions, and batting. Morgan practiced sewing techniques on a small-size project before sewing a full-size quilt. She also wanted to make a matching pillow for practice.

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Morgan’s accomplished her goal of learning to do pieced binding with mitered corners and matching different colors of binding correctly. Morgan also had access to a table top quilting machine and was able to quilt this project on that machine, making it look professional and be more durable. Morgan’s Future Goal: To create more quilts based on different book series, and she’s currently working on a design for next year’s fair!

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Great job, Morgan! We’re so proud of your talents and accomplishments. Keep up the great work.

Here is the Amazing Designs Dragon’s Lair Collection Morgan used for her quilt project.

Dragons Lair Embroidery Designs

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To win a NEW!I Sew For Fun Spring Tape Measure or NEW! Clip ’n Glide Bodkin from Clover, please leave a comment below telling us about a sewing or quilting project you have done with your young sewing partner.

ISFF NEW Tape Measure and Clip n Glide Bodkin

Check out our I Sew For Fun sewing notions including the NEW! Clip ’n Glide Bodkin and NEW! Spring Tape Measure by Nancy Zieman Productions for Clover. The new Clip ’n Glide Bodkin provides a firm hold on elastic, ribbon, trims and cording, for pulling through casings with ease. Exceptional flexibility ensures a smooth passage along straight and curvy areas. The Spring Tape Measure is 60″ in length (includes metric and inches) and retracts with the push of a button.

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The randomly selected winner of a copy of McCall’s M7655 Knit Overlay Tunic Pattern is Sunni.

Knit Overlay Tunic Dress | McCall Pattern Company M7655 | by Nancy Zieman | Sewing With NancyHer comment is: View A. I just bought a lovely charcoal grey knit with no project in mind; just loved the fabric. There probably isn’t enough for a dress but I’d be very comfortable with the top. Thanks!

Happy Quilting and Sewing,

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46 Comments

  • Gail Beam
    December 22, 2018

    I helped my granddaughter make purse linings for the little purses that she had hand woven on her homemade loom.

  • Pamela Kay
    December 22, 2018

    I helped my granddaughter sew her prom dress. She had previously sewn an apron and a skirt but the prom dress was a much larger project. She did a fantastic job and I will always cherish the memories of working and guiding her through the project. A very proud moment for us both that brought us closer together.

  • Pamela Smith
    December 22, 2018

    My first great grandchild is due in April. I would love to make the dragon quilt for him.

  • Joan Deaver
    December 22, 2018

    The youngest Granddaughter made a doll quilt. She entered it in the county fair. It went to State Fair and then she wanted to donate it. It was put with a bear that was donated to Pine Ridge for a Christmas gift.

  • Terry Miller
    December 22, 2018

    I was showing y 5 year-old grand daughter how to sew on the sewing machine by stitching on paper copies of quilt blocks from my books. She was doing so well, we decided to stitch up some scraps. Abby thought it would be nice to make her dog a blanket, so we did. I think he (the dog) really enjoyed it knowing that Abby made it for him.

  • diane c
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughter is too little yet (can’t even sit up) but I already have plans to get her interested in sewing

  • Leslie Marling
    December 22, 2018

    I have influenced all 3 of my daughters with my sewing/quilting. My oldest daughter now sews items for her home and family, and to sell.
    My middle daughter sews gifts and also items to sell. My youngest has made pillowcases for charity, gifts and to sell. I am very proud of all their talents. It is a hobby that we all can share, help, and understand each others sometimes frustrations with a project.

  • Louise King
    December 22, 2018

    My neighbor girl became interested in sewing from me making costumes for her and her sister. She asked her grandmother for a sewing machine for Christmas one year and then I taught her how to make tissue holders. She made gifts for all her family using fabrics she picked out from my stash. We both enjoyed the process and her family enjoyed their gifts!

  • Pat Roediger
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughter has been sewing with me since she was 5 years old using my sewing machine. Like many of those addicted to sewing and quilting, I owned more than one sewing machine including 2 I had inherited from my mother. I recently gifted Savannah who is now 8 years old with one of them. She immediately came up with her own designs for everyone in the family for polar fleece pillows for Christmas. She has made 8 pillows including one for a classmate for a gift exchange. The gifts for the exchange were to be homemade. She did such a great job that some of her classmates thought she bought it instead of making it. I am so proud of her. She is going to pass me up with her design skills in no time.

  • Terri D'Ambrosio
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughter and I made a quilt for her doll. Kyra was 5 at the time. I had her pick out the fabric and helped me cut out the squares for the quilt. She stood in front of me at the sewing machine and did the sewing. I was there for support if she had trouble.

  • Sandra C
    December 22, 2018

    If that young lady lives anywhere near Madison, Wisconsin, she should consider entering her dragon quilt at Quilt Expo. She certainly learned a great deal in making her quilt. She’s an inspiration to us all!

  • Anne Z
    December 22, 2018

    My niece and I made pillows.

  • Terry Mcclintock
    December 22, 2018

    Congratulations Morgan on a beautiful quilt! I really admire your thoughtful approach to learning. You are building a solid foundation for your many future projects. I hope you share your next projects with us. Best of luck, and enjoy!

  • Portia McCracken
    December 22, 2018

    In addition to the Quilt Expo suggestion, Morgan should also consider sending photos of her quilt and pillow to the author of the books that inspired her. She could include a short note explaining how the dragon books inspired her, how she conceived of the pattern, and any specifically book-related ideas that helped her make the quilt special. If true, she could also tell the author she plans to read other books by her and hopes to design and make a quilts inspired by each of them.

  • Sandra N
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughter is 6 and will be just starting her first project. I will be helping her make a pillow!

  • Elaine Wong
    December 22, 2018

    I can’t wait to teach my new granddaughter (1 month old)
    how to sew & enjoy one of my favorite hobbies.

  • Ellen
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughters live a long way from me so I suggested a project that would teach a nearby 6 year old to machine sew. Even though we did not make a quilt she made a zipper bag and a quilted storage sack with great success. She was and is full of design ideas and I expect her to continue sewing for herself and others for years to come. Another one catches the bug!

  • Deborah Whaley
    December 22, 2018

    My seven year old grandson started asking me to let him sew last year and we began by making embroidered Christmas towels for him to give as gifts last year. He then wanted to help me sew quilts. I make quilts for the hospitals, shelters, etc. and he wanted to learn how so he could help me. I started him off by making a jelly roll race quilt. He loved it and every time he comes over, he has to work on a project. Just last weekend, his six year old brother asked me to teach him how to sew so he could make things too. I love it. My four year old granddaughter likes to sit in my lap while I sew and push the buttons on the sewing machine when they are needed. I love it because my daughter has absolutely no interest in sewing or quilting. My seven year old told me he wanted my sewing machine for Christmas.

  • RITA
    December 22, 2018

    When my daughter was 12 we both began learning to quilt. She had started sewing when she was about 8 and learned to sew pajama pants. For her 4H project when she was 13 she made a quilt using triangles which was a learning project for both of us and earned her a purple ribbon award!

  • DebbieW
    December 22, 2018

    We always need extra notions to carry w/ our portable projects.

  • Teri c
    December 22, 2018

    Pillowcases have been the main projects I have been able to help my young friends make so far. Would love to make a quilt with them.

  • Marilyn Jade
    December 22, 2018

    We sewed mini doll pillows my granddaughter and I she got her very own sewing machine later that year. Thank you for achance. Mgj

  • Ms. Bi
    December 22, 2018

    I helped a young relative learn to thread a needle and hand sew a rip in her favorite pants.

  • Berenice
    December 22, 2018

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the quilt!!

    At our daughters’ service organization’s annual convention I have set up 5-7 sewing machines and a serger and teach 1st time sewists to make a super simple reversible cross body bagor tote bag. No zippers or pockets, we only have about 4 hours to get a many girls on the machines as possible, but it is amazing to see the smiles on those young ladies faces when they carry out their new bags that they made themselves!

  • Karen Poole
    December 22, 2018

    My husband and I have been watching our two youngest grandsons since they were 6 weeks old (while Mom and Dad are at work) so the boys grew up I watching me sew and sitting with me at my machine. They both became interested in seeing and are both really great at it! I do charity sewing with my quilt group and the boys wanted to help out! So both of them have been making charity quilts for the past several years! They’ve done a great job and I have photos of each of their quilts, both have actually picked all the fabrics and done the designing of the quilts as well! I’d love to have them featured in a story too!! In fact both boys are the inspiration for starting a Youth Sewing Guild here in my town! We have 16 members who are ages 8-14!

  • margie cook
    December 22, 2018

    I am helping my grand girls to learn how to sew. I taught there older sisters, and as one said its there turn. one is six and the other is eight. they love there American girl dolls , so I started them out on a sleeping bag for there dolls. the pattern called for a zipper but I changed it to ribbons to close them. all straight lines , even the cutting. we also made pillows and pillow cases to go along with it. it took two days but they are so proud of themselves. and I am so proud of them. of course my daughter does not sew.

  • Bonnye
    December 22, 2018

    I have been teaching my granddaughter how to sew. We have been sewing 2 1/2″ squares together to make quilts for pets.

  • Rosie
    December 22, 2018

    I have made lots of doll clothes, with little help from them. My 4 granddaughters are just getting to the age to sew. I’ve been watching them sew squares together to make pillows for their dolls, and pillowcases for them. I’m enjoying this greatly, and so are they.

  • Rebecca Christie
    December 22, 2018

    Love the quilt, but I want to know the name of the series she loved…

    • Joi Mahon
      January 4, 2019

      The book series is the Inheritance Cycle.

  • Nadine O'Malley
    December 22, 2018

    I have 5 grandchildren, ages 10,10,6,4 years and a 2 month old.
    They oldest 4 have all done pillows,pillow cases and stuffed animals with me.I may get a sewer out of this group.

  • Karen
    December 22, 2018

    I worked with my niece she made a convertible bag/backpack.

  • Mary Nasvik
    December 22, 2018

    I would really like to use these items and to increase my sewing/quilting supply!

  • Linda Charles
    December 22, 2018

    I’m working on t-shirt quilts with my granddaughter and grandson.

  • Marilyn
    December 22, 2018

    My granddaughter and I made a stuffed rabbit. She wanted a embroidered wreath on its ankle for a tattoo. She calls her rabbit Wreath because of the shape of the tattoo . Really cute pink and white plaid .

  • Mary Carlson
    December 22, 2018

    I took a sewing class with my 12 year old where we each made a pillowcase, I made a simple top and she jumped right into making a lace shirt!

  • Janine A.
    December 22, 2018

    I have helped my young niece learn to see and we have made pillowcases so far.

  • Bonnie Favorite
    December 23, 2018

    I helped an entire class of 4th graders make their own individual quilts. They had a blast, and we’re so very proud of their finished quilts!!

  • Luann Stone
    December 23, 2018

    I have a 5 year old granddaughter – she loves to watch me sew and helps all the time. Still too small to use machine she helps me design clothes for her dolls.

  • laura Kalk
    December 23, 2018

    I taught my 10 year old neighbor how to use their sewing machine. Her mom doesn’t see and she wanted to learn.

  • Kelly Brown
    December 23, 2018

    My 8 year old daughter and I made a pillow and a purse so far. Just getting her comfortable with the machine, and how to read easy patterns

  • Pam Landolt
    December 23, 2018

    Awesome job on this fantastic quilt Morgan! I love the distinct qualities and impressed at how you went about educating yourself before taking this on. Love your idea to do this based on a book series and how you grouped the colors. I can’t wait to see more from you in the future!

  • Shirley Lemanski
    December 23, 2018

    I showed my grand daughter how to sew when she was 4. We made a pillow case in princess fabric for her first project. She loves it!

  • Donna Lake
    December 23, 2018

    Granddaughter is10. We’ve made & embroidered a skirt, pantalettes, two dresses, and 6 embroidered water bottle carriers.She is doing an increasing amount of the work, both design decisions and execution. I’m starting her with my diigitising software.
    WHAT IS THE DRAGON SERIES? She likes dragons as much as I do.

  • Vickie Shivler
    December 25, 2018

    I love the dragon quilt! My grandsons would love it! Last weekend, my granddaughter made her first machine embroidery project – a reading pillow for her friend. She did a fantastic job & her friend loved the pillow. She’s now hooked on embroidery projects!

  • REBEKAH LILLY
    December 26, 2018

    My seven year-old daughter just received many of the “I sew for fun” sewing accessories. She is so excited to continue learning to sew using these and my first sewing machine that I handed down to her for Christmas. She would love to add the measuring tape or bodkin to her collection!

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