The Design Principle That Will Instantly Make Your Quilts More Beautiful

March 11, 2026 Brigitte Heitland

Learn how negative space in quilting creates calm, modern quilts. Get simple design tips, the 40% rule, and background fabric ideas to make your quilt blocks stand out.

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I’m on the Quilter on Fire Podcast!

I recently joined Brandy Maslowski on The Quilter on Fire Podcast for a conversation that starts with a six-year-old girl in Germany waiting for the sewing machine pedal — and travels all the way to Zen Chic, color, simplicity, and modern quilting.

Quilting in the Garden: Fabric, Friendship and an 11/10 Cake

Come along to Nähen im Garten in Siegen for modern quilts, fabric design insights, relaxed hexagon sewing and a wonderful quilting community.

Precision Without the Drama: BERNINA the Zen Chic Way

See how I use the BERNINA 790 ULTRA’s Laser Pinpoint and 3-Point Placement for precise quilting and embroidery on a modern geometric pillow.

From Grandma’s Pfaff to the BERNINA 790 Ultra — and a Little Ampersand Magic

Join Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic for a behind-the-scenes look at the new BERNINA 790 Ultra, the FreeSpirit Live recording, Ampersand and WHISP fabrics, and the Between the Lines auction quilt winner.

One Hour, One Glasses Case — and the Second One Practically Sews Itself

Sew a chic quilted glasses case in about an hour using Mira scraps—no zipper, no fuss. A modern, giftable mini project with links to patterns + free tutorials.