Table of contents for April 2020 in American Patchwork & Quilting

IT’S QUILT-ALONG TIME! We started our annual American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine quilt-along in 2014 with Tone It Down by designer Lissa Alexander. Since then, we have added a quilt-along Facebook group and an Instagram hashtag (#apqquiltalong), both of which make it fun to follow participants’ progress. For information on how it all works, visit allpeoplequilt.com/quiltalong. For this year’s quilt-along, we’re offering another scrappy quilt, Get Together, page 18, designed by associate editor Diane Tomlinson. Diane traded 3"-square Nine-Patch units with several quilting friends and used EQ8 software to design a quilt that incorporates the units into Double Nine-Patch blocks. She joined the blocks with foundation-paper-pieced Square-in-a-Square setting squares and Flying Geese sashing strips for an eye-appealing design. We have included tips for trading fabrics if you like the…

1 MAGNETIC TAPE Upgrade a crowded drawer with strips of magnetic tape on the often-unused interior sides. The tape can hold loose needles, pins, metal bobbins, clips, and other small notions. You can also cut the tape to the size of your cutting tools and place it on the drawer bed to keep the tools from sliding around as the drawer is opened and closed. Because the tape comes in a variety of widths and strengths, you can buy it to fit your needs. 2 SPICE DRAWER INSERT Keep items like spools of thread and small bottles of liquids visible and easy to reach with a spice drawer insert that has slanted dividers. The dividers will hold spools in place so the thread doesn’t get tangled and a closed…

Quilt tester Colleen Tauke added inner and outer pieced borders to a single Block 3 to make a 35½"-square wall hanging version of A Second Look. For the inner border, she used four solid cream 3×20½" rectangles and eight multicolor batik 3" squares to piece four sashing B units for short inner border strips. She joined solid cream 3" squares to each end of two short inner border strips to make two long inner border strips. For the outer border Colleen joined a green batik 3×8" rectangle to each end of two solid cream 3×15½" rectangles for two short outer border strips. She joined green batik 3×10½" rectangles to each end of two additional solid cream 3×15½" rectangles to make two long outer border strips. FABRICS are from the…

search: American Patchwork & Quilting @allpeoplequilt ONE MILLION PILLOWCASE CHALLENGE PILLOWCASE STORY: Last year Fran Wolf organized a pillowcase-sewing day with fellow quilters. They donated the results to the Davenport School, a residential treatment program for at-risk adolescent girls in Jefferson, New Hampshire. After receiving the pillowcases, many of the girls expressed a desire to learn to sew. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 907,763 pillowcases had been added to our counter. Join the eff ort at AllPeopleQuilt.com/822.…

For Your Singer Featherweight 01 | 360 ROTATING CUTTING MAT Rotary-cut fabrics and trim block units faster and easier using a 14"-diameter cutting mat that rotates. The mat has a nonslip rotating base, grid lines every ½", angle markings, centering guides, and a scalloped edge that makes it easy for fingers to grasp.$39.99; omnigrid.com 02 | LOG CABIN QUILT BLOCK FOUNDATION PAPER Piece accurate Log Cabin blocks using a pad of 42 foundation papers. The papers feature shaded diagrams for color placement, cut fabric sizes, and printed numbers. The sheets are available in 6"- or 12"-square finished sizes.Starting at $7.98; fatquartershop.com 03 | FOLDING FRIEND The key to foundation piecing is exact trimming, which benefits from a sturdy edge to fold the paper against. This 1½×10" tool provides just…

FINISHED QUILT: 54¾×77" MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. Fabrics are from the Flour Garden collection by Linzee Kull McCray for Moda Fabrics (modafabrics.com). □ 77—10" precut squares assorted prints in cream, aqua, blue, lime green, and gray (half hexagons) □ 1 yard gray-and-white stripe (binding) □ 4¾ yards backing fabric □ 63×85" batting CUT FABRICS Cut pieces in the following order. The Half Hexagon Pattern is on Pattern Sheet 3. To make a template of pattern, see Make and Use Templates, page 108. For ease in laying them out, keep matching half hexagons together after cutting them out. From each assorted print 10" square, cut: □ 2 of Half Hexagon Pattern From white-and-gray stripe, bias-cut: □ Enough 2½"-wide strips to total…

“TO MACHINE-QUILT THIS TOP, I CHOSE MAGNIFICO, A 40-WEIGHT, TWO-PLY POLYESTER THREAD FROM SUPERIOR THREADS, IN GOLD.”—Johnny Barfuss, HANDI QUILTER STUDIO EDUCATOR To speed up the finishing process on a 42½"-square table topper variation of A Star Is Born, associate editor Diane Tomlinson eliminated the pieced outer border of the original and instead cut a 4"-wide border strip for each edge. Johnny Barfuss, Handi Quilter studio educator, used two layers of batting, an all-wool and an 80/20, for this project. To complement the red, white, and blue palette, Johnny combined several Americana-theme machine-quilting patterns from Wasatch Quilting Designs to fill the open spaces of the red star, cream background, and blue outer border. FABRICS are from the Stars & Stripes Forever collection by Northcott (northcott.com). Free Pattern AllPeopleQuilt.com/828…

FINISHED QUILT: 99½" square FINISHED BLOCK: 27" square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. □ 3¼ yards solid white (blocks, sashing) □ 9 yards solid navy (blocks, sashing, border, binding) □ 9 yards backing fabric □ 108”-square batting “LARGE BLOCKS MAKE THIS PROJECT A GOOD ONE FOR BEGINNERS.”—Jessica Dayon, DESIGNER CUT FABRICS Cut pieces in the following order. From solid white, cut: □ 18—4¼" squares □ 162—3⅞" squares □ 9—3½" squares □ 72—3¼" squares □ 52—2½" squares From solid navy, cut: □ 10—5½×42" strips for border □ 11—2½×42" binding strips □ 24—2½×27½" sashing strips □ 72—2×9½" rectangles □ 72—2×6½" rectangles □ 18—4¼" squares □ 162—3⅞" squares □ 36—3½" squares □ 72—3¼" squares □ 144—2½" squares ASSEMBLE A UNITS Measurements include ¼" seam…

BACKSTITCH To backstitch, thread needle with perle cotton No. 8. Pull needle up at A (Backstitch Diagram). Insert it back into fabric at B, bring it up at C, and push it down at D. Continue in same manner to make the desired number of backstitches. FRENCH KNOT To make a French knot, thread needle with perle cotton No. 8. Bring needle up at A (French Knot Diagram), the point where knot is desired. Wrap thread around needle twice. Insert tip of needle into fabric at B, 1⁄16" away from A. Gently push wraps down needle to meet fabric. Pull needle and trailing thread through fabric slowly and smoothly. BLANKET STITCH To blanket stitch, thread needle with perle cotton No. 8. Pull needle up at A (Blanket Stitch Diagram).…

To give Bride’s Bouquet a modern look, showcase large-scale prints in vibrant colors. For this block, A and B pieces were fussy-cut to get a kaleidoscope effect. Using thread in colors that match the A, B, and C pieces in the bouquet unit, the quilt tester machine-appliquéd the unit to the foundation square with a zigzag stitch. A 2"-wide finished border, which incorporates the colors in the bouquet unit, completes the 16½" square block. FABRICS are from the Kaffe Fassett Collective by FreeSpirit (freespiritfabrics.com).…

I organize my quilting stencils by size on large loose-leaf BINDER RINGS that dangle from a BELT HANGER in a closet or from a wall hook in my sewing room.JUDI LEVENTHAL Humble, Texas When I’m assembling a project that has a lot of pieces, I use an EXPANDABLE LAUNDRY DRYING RACK to keep the pieces organized. Because the rack is collapsible, I can take it with me to quilt retreats, too.CHRISTINE CURIN Schaumburg, Illinois OUR LIPS ARE SEALED Once I finish a tube of lip balm, I run the insert back to the bottom of the tube and stash the empty tube in my sewing room as a repository for old sewing machine needles. Replacing the cap after each needle is added keeps the needles contained for disposal. KARI…

01 | DRESDEN QUILT BLOCKS REIMAGINED Create both traditional and nontraditional Dresden Plate blocks with this book from author Candyce Copp Grisham. She starts with instructions for a basic block, then customizes it with 25 design twists, including a variety of edge treatments.$24.95; ctpub.com 02 | FARM GIRL VINTAGE 2 Piece 45 quilt blocks inspired by author Lori Holt’s rural roots. The 6"- and 12"-square blocks can be assembled into 13 projects ranging in size from pincushions to quilts or mixed and matched into your own designs.$29.98; fatquartershop.com 03 | MACHINE-QUILTING IDEA BOOK Author Vicki Ruebel offers suggestions for machine-quilting 12 classic quilt blocks. For each block she provides up to six machine-quilting designs that vary in difficulty. Easy-to-understand illustrations make achieving the designs possible.$27.99; shopmartingale.com 04 | WHY…

FINISHED QUILT: 88" square FINISHED BLOCK: 10" square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. Fabrics are from the Kona Cotton Solids collection by Robert Kaufman Fabrics (robertkaufman.com). □ 7 yards solid pink (blocks, sashing, border, binding) □ 2⅛ yards solid white (blocks, sashing) □ 8 yards backing fabric □ 96"-square batting CUT FABRICS Cut pieces in the following order. From solid pink, cut: □ 3—8½×42" strips □ 5—6½×42" strips □ 9—5½×42" strips for border □ 7—4½×42" strips □ 18—2½×42" strips □ 84—3×10½" sashing rectangles From solid white, cut: □ 17—2½×42" strips □ 24—4½" squares □ 49—3" sashing squares ASSEMBLE SEGMENTS Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated. Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams.…

FINISHED QUILT: 80½×96½ " FINISHED BLOCK: 16" square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. To plan this quilt in a different colorway, use the Coloring Diagram on Pattern Sheet 2. Fabrics are from the Coastal Getaway Batiks collection by Monique Jacobs for Maywood Studio (maywoodstudio.com). □ 3⅓ yards navy sailboat batik (blocks, inner border) □ ⅓ yard each dark purple fish batik, purple pebble batik, and light purple flower batik (blocks) □ ½ yard each purple leaf batik and purple wave batik (blocks) □ ⅝ yard periwinkle fish batik (blocks) □ 3 yards multicolor flower batik (blocks, outer border, binding) □ ⅓ yard each blue sailboat batik and blue wave batik (blocks) □ 7½ yards backing fabric □ 89×105" batting CUT FABRICS…

FINISHED QUILT: 24½ square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. □ ⅝ yard mottled light blue (appliqué foundation) □ 3×11" piece olive green felted wool (stem and leaf appliqués) □ 3×6" piece dark green felted wool (stem, leaf, and leaf accent appliqués) □ 3×14" piece light green felted wool (stem and leaf appliqués) □ 3×8½" piece medium green felted wool (stem, leaf, and leaf accent appliqués) □ 3×6" piece lime green felted wool (stem and leaf appliqués) □ 5" square each fuchsia, coral, orange, gold, and red felted wool (tulip appliqués) □ 5" square black felted wool (bee stripe, flower stamen, and butterfly body appliqués) □ Scraps of assorted light and dark pink felted wool (tulip circle and bird wing appliqués) □…

FINISHED QUILT: 81½" square FINISHED BLOCK: 12" square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. Fabrics are from the Stilleto and Grunge collections by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics (modafabrics.com). □ 1 ⅛ yards black tone-on-tone (blocks, sashing, binding) □ 5½ yards cream tone-on-tone (blocks, sashing, border) □ 18—18×21" pieces (fat quarters) assorted prints in gray, black, tan, and brown (blocks) □ 7½ yards backing fabric □ 90"-square batting CUT FABRICS Cut pieces in the following order. From black tone-on-tone, cut: □ 9—2½×42" binding strips □ 9—1½×42" strips □ 25—1½" sashing squares From cream tone-on-tone, cut: □ 36—5½" squares □ 108—4½" squares □ 14—2½×42" strips □ 6—1½×42" strips □ 60—1½×12½" sashing rectangles □ 72—1½×4½" rectangles □ 72—1½×3½" rectangles From each assorted print, cut: □…

FINISHED QUILT: 85" square FINISHED BLOCKS: 25" square MATERIALS Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. Fabrics are from the Kona Cottons Solids collection by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com). □ 5⅝ yards solid white (blocks, sashing, border) □ 1⅛ yards solid aqua (blocks) □ 1¼ yards solid gray (blocks) □ ⅝ yard solid red (blocks, sashing) □ 1⅛ yards solid teal (blocks, binding) □ 7¾ yards backing fabric □ 93"-square batting CUT FABRICS Cut pieces in the following order. From solid white, cut: □ 9—2¾×42" strips for border □ 36—57⁄8" squares □ 8—5⅞" squares, cutting each in half diagonally for 16 large triangles total □ 76—5½" squares □ 36—33⁄8" squares □ 18—3⅜" squares, cutting each in half diagonally for 36 small triangles total □ 8—3×23"…