About.com Quilting

NEW: Fabric Postcard Show & Tell

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:41:41 +0000

The new Show & Tell feature is pretty cool. There are four categories so far, with more coming. The most recent, added just yesterday, is a place to submit your fabric postcards. The link in the title leads to the actual submissions, but you'll find a button within each of those pages that takes you to a form you can use to submit your own. I still have to approve them, but it's an easier process than what I use for our galleries (I have been sorting through about 400 photo submissions this morning and plan to work on those over the next several days).

There are just a few postcards so far, so please consider adding yours to the batch. Lots of quilters will be working on cards during the next few weeks -- your photos can help inspire someone who's trying to jump into a new project.

More Show & Tells
First Quilts
Most Memorable Quilting Ah-Ha! Moments
Quilts Made from Swapped Blocks or Block Lotto Wins

NEW: Fabric Postcard Show & Tell originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:41:41.

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Easy Pillowcase Pattern with French Seams

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:57:34 +0000

You can make this easy pillowcase in no time at all. Its seams are all enclosed, with no ragged edges to fray out in the wash. French seams are used to contain the frays along the side and bottom of the case, and a folded-over cuff does the trick at its opening. The steps to create enclosed seams might seem confusing if you've never used either technique, but the methods truly are simple.

Make a novelty pillowcase for a child or adult, or stitch cases that coordinate with your quilts. Use the pattern to become accustomed to the basic construction method, and check back for a pillowcase with a patchwork cuff.

Easy Pillowcase Pattern with French Seams originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 07:57:34.

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Beverly's Variation of the Pitchers for Tildy's Cabin Quilt

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:54 +0000

It's fantastic to see the results when someone takes one of my patterns and makes it her own. Like this little quilt from Beverly. The original is designed on-point, with partial Courthouse Steps blocks used as setting triangles. Beverly straight-set her quilt blocks, which completely eliminated the need for pieced triangles. Her color value placement is just right -- it makes some pitcher blocks appear to be on-point and gives visual movement to the pitchers in general, because they no longer appear to be in a straight-as-a-string line. And notice how the dark Courthouse Steps logs form Ohio-like stars across the surface of the quilt. Great job, Beverly!

This little quilt pattern has been popular. Take a look at the original pattern (and a larger photo of Beverly's version). Can you see more ways to alter the design?

_{Quilt by Beverly Long}

Beverly's Variation of the Pitchers for Tildy's Cabin Quilt originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 07:00:54.

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Christmas Orchard Quilt Pattern

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Christmas Orchard is made from two traditional blocks, Snowball and Practical Orchard. It's super easy to assemble -- even if you're a beginning quilter. The size works well for a child's quilt, so change the fabrics if you want to alter the theme. You might also shift some of the color values around to make different components pop out in the quilt. Like the yellow squares and/or triangles -- the quilt would look very difference with a dark fabric sewn in those positions, especially if you lighten-up the squares that are currently green.

Christmas Orchard Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 17:11:00.

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Stretching to the Stars Quilt Pattern

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:50:02 +0000

Stretching to the Stars is an easy quilt that's assembled using strip piecing and quick piecing techniques. The design is a good choice when you want to stitch a patriotic quilt, but a simple fabric switch can make it suit any theme. My sister made a cuddly baby quilt from the pattern, using soft pastels and neutrals. You'll assemble two block sizes, one 8" square and the other 4" square, to help you practice working with smaller and larger components. Beginning quilters might want to brush up on their rotary cutting and pressing skills before beginning.

_{Quilt by Janet Wickell}

Stretching to the Stars Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 06:50:02.

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Scrappy Basket Quilt Blocks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:30:40 +0000

Quick pieced half square triangle units make up the majority of this scrappy basket quilt block, with rectangles and single triangles completing the mix. The block goes together quickly and pieces are small enough to cut from patches in your scrap bin.

_{� Janet Wickell}

Scrappy Basket Quilt Blocks originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 08:30:40.

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Baby Chains Baby Quilt Pattern

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:40:20 +0000

I received lots of positive emails in my response to the question, would you like a baby quilt version of the Cozy Chains quilt. So here it is. Called Baby Chains, the quilt is made with 6" square blocks (half the size of the original) and finishes at 36" x 48" with a border, or 30" x 42" if you omit the border.

I see several more of my larger quilt patterns that could be converted to baby quilts, and might spend a bit of time working on that.

Baby Chains Baby Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 09:40:20.

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Missouri Puzzle Quilt Pattern

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:25 +0000

I'm from Missouri, so I wanted to write a pattern that shows off one of the blocks named to commemorate the state. This one is made with Missouri Puzzle, and is a square quilt with sashing and cornerstones between blocks. The blocks finish at 11-1/4" square and the quilt itself is about 66" x 66". I'm adding directions for a single 30" square Missouri Puzzle block, but have to run a few errands before I get that online. I've had requests for more big blocks, so watch for them throughout the year. You can use big blocks for wallhangings, table covers, (big) throw pillows, medallion centers or in any other decorative way.

Missouri Puzzle Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 15:45:25.

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Pretty in Pastels Baby Quilt

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:15:16 +0000

Pretty in Pastels is a 30" x 42" baby quilt that's made entirely with the traditional Clay's Choice block. I felt that pastels suited the design, but you can change the quilt's character by working with vibrant colors. Place darks or very warms where my blues are, and then use cool colors for the outer squares of each block -- the design will shift significantly with those simple changes.

_{Janet Wickell}

Pretty in Pastels Baby Quilt originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:15:16.

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Cozy Chains Quilt Pattern

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:04:36 +0000

Cozy Chains is a layout that's somewhat like last week's Easy Framed Nine-Patch Quilt. The two are made with different quilt blocks, but are similar in that the same block is used throughout each one (in two different colors to create definition where the blocks are sewn together). The Cozy Chains quilt has dark squares than run diagonally through all of the blocks, adding another bit of visual texture.

Quilt blocks finish at 12-inches square, and the quilt measures 70" x 94". I included half-size blocks for the Framed Nine-Patch, and (if there's an interest) could add those instructions for this quilt too -- the result would be a baby quilt that measures about 25" x 35" (for a quilt without borders).

_{� Janet Wickell}

Cozy Chains Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 13:04:36.

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