Penny Halgren
Penny Halgren began quilting more than 28 years ago and enjoys sharing her knowledge with quilters around the world.
Penny’s daughter, Stephanie, is also a quilter, and they enjoy attending quilt shows together where they confer about trends in quilting and tools that might be of interest to our internet quilting community.
Stephanie helps educate children through Teach for America – supporting the pre-kindergarten program.
Penny’s son, Bob (she and Stephanie call him Bubba) is an engineer for Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan. Bubba has had significant input in the design of several of Penny’s quilts, and currently helps with website design and product development.
m. mouse is the official diabetic, toothless, How-to-Quilt.com Siamese kitty. He enjoys sharing his perspective of quilts with newsletter subscribers.
Penny serves on the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Board, the board of management of the East County Family YMCA, and is an active member of the La Mesa Rotary Club.
She also manages quilting websites that provide other quilting-related information:
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com – a membership site that includes video, audio, and specific quilting instruction
www.Fabric-Postcards.com – home of Penny’s Postcard Posse
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com – quilt block patterns in multiple sizes
July 23, 2009 at 00:50
Just looking for information on how to bind a quilt that has scalloped edges. Can you help?
October 12, 2009 at 16:09
Greetings, Janet.-
I finally have the product ready:
http://how-to-quilt.com/creative-binding.php
Happy Quilting!
Penny
July 31, 2009 at 04:35
I have a White sewing machine that did not come with a walking foot–is there a generic one that I can use. It is a low shank machine.
August 6, 2009 at 22:33
Greetings –
I am not sure, but my friend, Rosie, probably would know. She owns Rosie’s Calico Cupboard, and you can contact her through her website: http://www.rosiescalicocupboard.com/
Happy Quilting!
Penny
August 7, 2009 at 06:06
Thank you for your help.
September 1, 2009 at 02:14
Thank you Penny for being.
I learn so much from your blog & the
newsletter I get.
September 21, 2009 at 06:20
How do you join your blog to receive it everyday. I really enjoy reading your messages about all of quilting.
October 24, 2009 at 18:04
I would like to recieve your webmail. A friend sent it to me to read and I cant seem to find anywhere to subscribe to it. Please advice. Thanks, Phyllis,
November 14, 2009 at 13:35
Hi Phyllis and please accept my apologies for being late in responding. By going to our website, http://www.how-to-quilt.com, you can sign up for our daily emails and weekly newsletter. You’ll find the sign-up area on the float-in box that appears when you first arrive at the site.
You might also want to explore our coaching site at http://www.thequiltingcoach.com. This is a membership site that offers even more extensive information and opportunities to develop and perfect your quilting skills.
Please check us out Phyllis, and happy quilting!
Penny
January 14, 2010 at 07:42
Dear Penny, I love your newsletters. Thank you for all the hard work. You had a article about copyright and the writer but can’t find it on my net. Would appreicate it if you can re-send it to my e-mail adress.
Kind regards,
Ina from South- Africa.
February 24, 2010 at 20:14
There are several articles on my site that relate to copyright issues.
The gal who spoke to us is Sylvia Landman Rasmussen
Hope that helps.
March 22, 2010 at 07:19
Oh….I’m so excited to find your site. I’m from Midland, MI. Live in Mineral Wells, TX now. Always looking for new quilt patterns. My hand quilting skills are not what they once were but I still love it and continue to sew for friends and family.
April 18, 2010 at 09:40
Greetings –
Welcome aboard! My son now lives in Midland – what a small world!
A hand quilted quilt is amazing, however the stitches look!
Happy Quilting!
Penny
March 28, 2010 at 07:50
Hello from one Penny to Another,
I love your blog. I have been quilting for almost 30 years. Quilting has allowed me to be a stay home mom, supplementing the house hold budget selling my quilts and teaching classes. I have had a pattern published and it is doing well on the market. It is so nice to see another Penny quilter.
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog.
Peaceful Piecing.
Penny
Troy, PA
April 18, 2010 at 09:29
Greetings –
Send me a link and I would be happy to let quilters on my list know about your pattern.
Happy Quilting!
Penny
April 23, 2010 at 06:35
Hi,
I have been quilting for 13 years and am starting to blog. I really like your site and it gives me lots of ideas about what I might be able to do.
Shelbe
April 24, 2010 at 20:33
Welcome aboard! Have fun.
Happy Quilting!
Penny
May 29, 2010 at 01:37
How odd I am in a beginners class for Internet Marketing, creating a Blog was my assignment and of all the books I have I chose to write about Sashiko by Mary Parker.
Good Luck
May 30, 2010 at 08:59
Greetings !
Nice! You can get more information about an internet business here: http://www.QuiltingWebsiteOwners.com/
Best of luck in your work!
Happy Quilting!
Penny
June 16, 2010 at 07:37
Hello from one Penny to Another,I love your blog. I have been quilting for almost 30 years. Quilting has allowed me to be a stay home mom, supplementing the house hold budget selling my quilts and teaching classes. I have had a pattern published and it is doing well on the market. It is so nice to see another Penny quilter.Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog.Peaceful Piecing.PennyTroy, PA
July 7, 2010 at 04:22
Dear m.mouse, my computer was playing up and have just read of your operation and I as a committed cat owner and lover am glad you are getting back to normal. Thank you Penny for all the information you supply as I’m not a very good quilter yet but have sewn clothing for my children up till they left school. now I do the same for my grandchildren plus a few complete wedding outfits. I look forward to all your information, thank you so much.
July 28, 2010 at 22:43
thank you so much for your kind words. i am feeling soooooo much better. my little tummy is getting bigger (i lost 3 pounds when i wasn’t feeling well), and my fur is nice and thick and soft now (it was kind of ratty – well not like a rat animal, but i’m sure you understand).
anyway, i am looking and feeling like a normal kitty now.
happy quilting!
m. mouse
August 4, 2010 at 22:35
Penny, I just read your kind review about my book,Terrific Tee’s… I can’t believe it’s a T-Shirt Quilt. I am so happy to hear you were able to use ideas out of my book. Thanks again for your mentioning the book.
August 5, 2010 at 12:33
Great book – gave me some wonderful ideas for t-shirt quilts, and an idea for a product: http://how-to-quilt.com/tshirtquilt.php
Happy Quilting!
Penny
January 8, 2011 at 02:34
Hi Penny,
I really look forward to your great e-mails. I am a new quilter and have really ‘got the bug’! I read all I can and have the fabri-calc from you so it will help no end. It is great to hear about your family and diabetic ‘pussy’! Many thanks from Adelaide, Sth Australia
January 18, 2011 at 10:37
I am so happy that I stumbled across your site. It has been many years since I have done any quilting but with the addition of a granddaughter to our family, I thought it a good time to pick it back up. I am pleased with the information available and the ease of finding just what I need. I look forward to getting back into the groove of things and am very excited about the ‘treasures’ I will be creating for my family and friends. In my opinion, nothing says ‘I love you’ like something made with your own hands. Thanks again for all the work you do to help those of us who share in the joy of quilting, Deanna, Kentucky
January 31, 2011 at 04:57
Penny, I receive your newsletters and wanted to offer my condolences on the loss of M. Mouse. I know it’s hard to lose a beloved pet. I’ve enjoyed his posts as well as yours.
February 1, 2011 at 00:20
Thank you, Ann.
Each day is a little better, and it’s been so fun sharing him with you.
Penny
February 2, 2011 at 11:57
I am a ‘Hallgren’ from Varmland Sweden, Vermont and Maine. I make crazy quilts that are “genealogy portraits”.or “memory quilts”..i.e. I pick fabric scraps that relate to something in the family history and then embroider info or dates etc. on the fabric and them give them to family members. Fun making them and fun giving them.
February 3, 2011 at 12:51
Hello Penny! I didn’t know how else to get in touch with you on a non-qulting subject. Together with many other people I also want to offer my condoleances for the loss of m.mouse: we’ve always had not less than four-five cats around the house-and in our bed, for that!-so I know what it means to loose a most beloved pet. M. mouse is now playing somewhere in a beautiful garden with all our/your cats and dogs who have left us. Augusta Maria from Hungary
February 3, 2011 at 23:33
Greetings Augusta,
Thank you so much for your kind support. Each day is getting a little better and it has been such fun sharing him with all of you.
I’m working on getting Jackson trained to take over Mickey’s duties here at how-to-quilt.com
Again, thank you and happy quilting.
Penny
February 6, 2011 at 12:21
I was very sad when I read about m. mouse. I know what you are going through, because I’ve gone through it 3 times. The first time was 20 years ago, and while I think fondly of Sparkle quite often, it still hurts a little, even after all this time. Yes, it’s the best thing and yes, we don’t want our beloved animals to suffer needlessly, but each one has a very special place in our hearts that can never be completely filled. We just make that empty space a little bit smaller by making room for another wonderful pet.
February 28, 2011 at 07:38
Hi
Being a beginner in quilting, I find your articles an inspiration. I recently acquired a lot of material that my mom had in her store (she was a seamstress) and am still sorting them out. You are a true inspiration. Thank you!!! I just received the link below and now I think I am more inspired than ever to actually start a project.
This woman is amazing and very inspiring in many ways–not just quilting!
Click on the following link to check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ
March 3, 2011 at 12:50
This really is inspirational! If a blind gal can make these beautiful quilts, we can, too!
Happy Quilting!
Penny
April 22, 2011 at 09:18
Hi Penny, I attended last nights webinar, and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. All the best to you and yours!
October 7, 2011 at 04:52
Quilting 28 years! That is long time. Last year Exhibition of Finn Quilt 20 years celebrated its existence.
Happy quilting!
October 30, 2011 at 18:28
Are you familiar with the Accuquilt GO? I received one as a retirement gift and the the cutting Die 55018 GO Small Vaule Die. It has a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square, 2 1/2x 2 1/2 square and 2 (point to base) x 3 1/2 (corner to corner)Triangle. Looking for a pattern to use by scraps to make using the mentioned piece sizes..Any suggestions? Thank you for all your blogs and websites..you have taught me so much that Thank you is not enough….
October 30, 2011 at 21:59
Nice! What a great gift. I am familiar with it, and love mine. You might want to check out my QuiltBlockLibrary.com site. There are hundreds of quilt block patterns to choose from – and many are free.
October 31, 2011 at 06:57
Thanks…I can find patterns for the 2 squares but the triangles are giving me the grief…may just put them to the side and use them later on or in something. Love the newsletter!
October 31, 2011 at 10:05
You could try an Ohio Star – those are fun and pretty easy.
Happy Quilting!
Penny
November 12, 2011 at 10:44
Hi Penny I have a question please, I am making a t-shirt quilt and I was wondering, since I am not quilting the quilt, but simply tacking it at the corner of each shirt, can I use a sheet instead of cotton fabric?
Also is a high loft batting too much for a t-shirt quilt? Is a lower loft batting better?
Thanks so much for your help Jennifer
November 12, 2011 at 11:22
Sure – a sheet would be ok. You might also consider flannel. It makes a nice backing that has somewhat the same feel as the t-shirts.
The type of batting you use is completely up to you, especially if you are planning to tie the quilt.
Have fun with it!
Penny
November 12, 2011 at 11:24
Thanks so much Penny for your help. I appreciate it so much. I didn’t think about using Flannel..great idea..Thank you again..Jennifer
November 12, 2011 at 11:39
Happy to help!
November 30, 2011 at 22:54
Hi Penny
Well I just wanted to let you know that I finally finished my t-shirt quilt and it turned out wonderful..Thanks to all your tips, it was a breeze. My Husband is just tickled pink and now wants another one..LOL
Thank you again for all your help. And btw I love the tips to avoid common quilting mistakes..They are such a big help..Best Wishes..Jennifer
Ps. below is a link to photos of the quilt if you would like to see it..
November 30, 2011 at 22:54
sorry forgot the link.. sorry
http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23960106
December 1, 2011 at 19:42
Greetings –
Thanks for sharing! It’s fantastic
Happy Quilting!
Penny
December 1, 2011 at 20:36
Thank you so much Penny..
December 30, 2011 at 18:13
Penny my husband bought me what I thought would be a great little machine that would help with “perfect” strips for my quilts, only to find out that it takes longer to use this machine that to use my rotary cutter. Do you know of any type of machine that will work for cutting straight lines?
Thank you
January 10, 2012 at 21:51
Hi – sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I like my June Tailor cutter. It isn’t a machine, but it is about 18 inches square and has slits every half inch. You place it on top of your folded fabric and cut whatever width you need. I can easily cut up to 4 layers – therefore an entire width of fabric.
I will be posting a video article next week showing the “ruler” and how to use it.
Enjoy!