Quilters From Across The Country Honor A Stranger In The Most Amazing Way

Nine patch quilt block with sashing video tutorial

Frolic! A Quiltville Mystery

Who doesn't love a great mystery?  Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville, the queen of scrap quilts has announced a winter mystery quilt, Frolic!  You can find all of the introductory information here.  The next clues to the mystery will be on Friday, November 29th.  (Black Friday....who wants to shop anyways, I'd rather sew!)
If you love scrappy quilts, you will love this mystery I'm sure, although she assures that it will look lovely using yardages instead.
Bonnie also offers lots of free patterns that are loads of fun and good scrap burners.  Check out here site, you can spend a lot of time there!

Hello Autumn!

If you are looking for a small autumn project you will find one here.  There are printable instructions for you. This cute fall leaf project called "Hello Autumn!" is sponsored by Olfa and designed by Pat Sloan.
The Olfa site also has a section called Projects & Inspiration which you might like to check out.  There are so many ideas out there for you to explore!
Pat Sloan is a fun designer that has been around for quite a while.  She has nice blog that offers lot of Free Stuff for you as well.  Take the time and check it out.
Happy Quilting!

Disappearing Blocks

I have heard of the disappearing 9 Patch and and 4 Patch, but this morning I ran across A Day In May Blog and saw this Disappearing Pin Wheel Block.  Hadn't seen that one before, and you can even make two different variations from it.  I started to wonder how  many "disappearing" blocks there were and found this listing of fifteen on Patchwork Posse.  Some are offered as free patterns, some with videos.  Worth checking out.  I especially like the Disappearing Hour Glass tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company, which they have a link for you to check out.

Celtic Squares Block

Just ran across this neat pattern called Celtic Squares Block.  I think it would be a fun one to make and looks fairly simple.  Fabric selection would be key to make this block shine!

Pat Sloan's Flag Quilt & Others

Here is a fun pattern from Pat Sloan called Flag Quilt.  Once you get the the page you will need to scroll down a bit to find the free downloadable PDF pattern.  I thought it would make a really nice veteran quilt, if you have some red, white and blue fabrics you would like to use up!
And if you have some time to look a while here is a link to Quilt Inspiration and a whole collection of patriotic quilt patterns!
Laurie

AQS Paducah

A group of us attended the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah last week.  It was a wonderful show with lots of vendors.  Here you will find the winners from this year.  If you look at the picture of the polar bear quilt that won on Viewer's Choice, it looks like a photograph.  Each individual hair was done with thread, it was quite impressive!
It was green and lovely in Kentucky, and was hard to come back home to the brown and cold!

Half Rectangle Triangle Block

Good morning Ladies!  Here is the posting I promised you last night.  You will find much inspiration here to work with the Half Rectangle Triangle.  Below is a video tutorial from Jordan Fabrics using the same technique I showed you last night.

Also, you will find a tutorial  on the same technique that I demonstrated last night from Buttons and Butterflies. She shows several techniques to make the Half Rectangle Triangle, so be sure to scroll down to TECHNIQUE 4.  I printed this one out at first to take to my sewing room with me, so I could refer to it as necessary.  (But that was before I'd seen the wonderful video above!)  Buttons and Butterflies is the designer of the Twizzle Quilt that I had talked about last night, and that pattern can be purchased.

Another idea a I showed you was inserting the square into the center of your diamond shape.  I got this idea from Bonjour Quilts.  She uses a different technique to make the diamond shapes then I showed you last night, so don't be confused by that. (she cuts the rectangles diagonally and then sews them together)  Just scroll down a bit and you will see how she inserts the square into the center of the diamond shape.   I think her block colors and idea for the square in the center is a fun idea. You can get lost in her blog looking at all of her wonderful ideas!

Last but not least I took a few pictures of possible layouts for the block.  Hope you enjoy and are inspired to play with the diamond block a bit!

Laurie

Easter Projects

Easter is fast approaching, but there is still time to whip up some of these cute ideas.
Here is a very sweet Easter pillow from She Quilts A Lot.  It features a nice tutorial with an applique technique you might like to try.  It looks simple and fun to make and such a sweet Easter egg!  If you are interesting in doing this same design, but would like to make a table runner you will find a tutorial from Sew Mama Sew.
If you like working with felt and doing a little hand sewing you can make this little soft bunny with a carrot sleeping bag.  If you are sewing for a little one, you will find a very cute Marshmallow Bunny Skirt  at Dandelions and Lace.  She even has a link to several size patterns for the marshmallow bunnies, which could be used in other projects if you didn't want to make a skirt.
There are just so many cute Easter projects out there for free.  While looking at these blogs be sure to check out all of the other things to see.

Easy Herringbone Quilt

Just a little tutorial I found today on the Easy Herringbone Quilt from Hello Melly Designs.  Hope you enjoy the simplicity of this one.  I think it would be a nice one to do with scraps!
Maybe a nice one to start tomorrow as we brace ourselves for the upcoming storm!

Dresden Plates

One of my favorite blocks to make is the Dresden Plate.  There are just so many options of ways to make them.  From mug rugs, Christmas Tree Skirts and quilts, the possibilities are endless!
Here is a Giant Scrappy Dresden Plate block, complete with tutorial that you might enjoy.
The Chunky Dresden Plate is another nice tutorial.  This one has 10 blades to it instead of the normal 20 blades.  There is a template for the blade if you don't have a 30 degree ruler.
If you don't feel like doing a big project, here is a Dresden Color Wheel Mug Rug for you!  A little fun tutorial from Terri's Notebook.
There is a lot more exploring to do on this block, so take a little time and look to see what you can find.

Tulip Time....Well Almost

As we look forward to spring I thought it would be fun to find some cheery quilting ideas to pass on to you.   What is more cheerful then a bright spring tulip!
First I found this Amsterdam Quilt, which is a free pattern from Cloud 9 Fabrics.  A nice project to brighten your home.
Next if you are looking for a very sweet wall hanging project check out this lovely called Tulip Time.  While on Inspired by Fabric, why not check out all of the other free tutorials.
From All Spice Abounds here is a free printable PDF quilt pattern.  It is very sweet with little birds scattered about!
From Podunk Pretties you can piece this sweet tulip.  She has a very detailed tutorial.  Here you will find out her final plan for these little yummy tulips.
And last but not least, Pat Sloan is doing a quilt TulipFest quilt along.  You would need to purchase her book to follow along.  Even if you just want to look, the block is just darling and she has many wonderful things to check out on her site.
Enjoy, and think spring!  It will be here some day!

"Fractured" Panels

How many of us get drawn into buying panels?  We get them home and are not quite sure what to do with them.  Here are a couple quick and easy ways to "fracture" your panels.
The first idea is from Timeless Treasures Fabric and is called Scenic Snowfall-Fracture, but I'm sure it can be adapted to other panels as well.  You will find a printable pattern for your convenience.
The next is from Jordan Fabrics, it is the Secret Window Panel.  There is a free printable pattern, but if you are more of a visual learner you can watch the video below as well.
I am sure there are plenty more patterns out there for you to use panels, do some exploring....you might find the one that is just right for you.

Moda Love Layer Cake Quilt

I stumbled across this quilt the other day and I thought how fun is this!  A quilt made out of just one super sized block.  It is called the Moda Love Layer Cake Quilt, and it is just fabulous.  Go to the link and you will find a free PDF pattern to print.  It is nice because the first pattern option is made with layer cakes (10"x 10" squares), which yields a 72"x 72" inch quilt!  The second option uses charm squares (5"x 5") and you end up with a quilt that is 32"x 32".  Could be the start of a nice baby quilt?  The third option is a mini quilt that ends up 12"x 12" by using mini charms that at 2 1/2" square.
Check it out and also the other wonderful patterns they offer.  If you would like to see the quilt made in different color ways, (other than the grey they show on their website) just do a search for the Moda Love quilt and you will see some of the wonderful colors people have chosen.

"Charmed" I'm Sure

I really do enjoy buying charm packs.  So much variety in fabrics, and they are just fun to play with I guess!
Today I have a fun quilt from Tamarack Shack.  Four Patch Charm Quilt is made using charm squares and some yardage too.  Just check it out here.  There is even a printable PDF pattern there for you to print.  When I looked at this pattern I thought how nice this would look in patriotic colors, perhaps a quilt for a veteran, but it would like lovely in any color you choose.
Another fun looking quilt from Moda Bake Shop using charms is Going Dutch.  It takes 4 packs of charms but makes a pretty big quilt.  While there be sure to check out all of the other free patterns they offer using charms as well as other pre-cuts.

Use Those Strips!

Here are a couple quilt ideas for using jelly rolls, or 2 1/2 inch strips.  I know some of you cut strips out of fabric leftover from projects.

Cluck Cluck Sew has a nice and easy tutorial on the Strip and Flip Baby Quilt.  A nice way to use up some strips.  While there check out all of the wonderful tutorials, so much to see.

Here is a wonderful video tutorial from Jordan Fabrics on the Step Ladder Quilt using strips as well.  Sheila H. did this one in patriotic colors, and I loved it when I saw it.  A nice veteran quilt.

Totes for This and Totes for That

Well seriously....who can't use another tote? Sometimes it's just nice to start a project that will not go on and on forever, one you can get done in an hour or two!
 Here is a lovely Library Tote pattern from Sweet Jane's quilting; how fun it would be to make some for the grand kids to "tote" their books home from the library!
Many years ago Diana did a demonstration on the Fat Sack from Atkinson's Designs, and it certainly has been a favorite of mine.  I have made many, have one in my car right now for shopping.  It would be fun to make them and use as a "gift bag" to hold someones birthday present.
From The Long Thread, you will find the Pleated Tote.  Let the fabric do the talking for you with this pattern. Go to the site and just click on the tutorial page and it will take you to a PDF instruction page to print.
The Scrappy Make-up Pouch from Noodle-Head is just so sweet.  And for those of you who have never done a zipper, no fear!  It is inserted in a very simple way. The pouch front is pieced, but you could just as easily use a single cut of fabric if you choose.
While you are on these sites, be sure to check out the other wonderful things to see.

Think Spring...Make a "Rose Garden"!

Hi Ladies!  I know many of you are tired of this snow and winter, and how wonderful to see the sun today!  There is hope that spring is on the way.  If you are looking for a new project to start, here is a new quilt tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  It uses a couple packages of charm packs and some yardage too.  Enjoy!