Table of contents for March - April 2017 in Quiltmaker

I’m not normally one to follow through on New Year’s resolutions. My intentions are always good, but as the year goes on I seem to lose interest or just forget. One of my 2016 resolutions was to finish 12 quilt tops and donate them to the fire department where my youngest son Tim works. That seemed reasonable—one quilt each month. I accomplished my goal and presented the quilts to Fire Chief Ron Bateman and Tim. It was very heartwarming knowing that these small gifts from my heart would be used to comfort victims of fires or other traumatic events. I hope to be able to do the same in 2017. I would like to give a big thanks to The Warm Company for their generous donation of batting to finish…

I like the challenge of using simple shapes to create unique and interesting designs. easy  Throw: 60”x 76” Finished Blocks: 14” materials Cream Print 2 ⅜ yards for blocks and border #’s 1 and 2 Assorted Prints 3 ⅛ yards total for blocks and border #2 Gold Print 1 fat eighth for cornerstones (a fat eighth is approximately 9” x 20”) Brown Print ⅞ yard for sashes Red Tone-on-Tone 1 fat quarter for border #2 (a fat quarter is approximately 18” x 20”) Black Print ¾ yard for binding Backing 5 yards Batting 68” x 84” cutting Cream Print for border #1 4 strips 1 ½” x 40” for sides 3 strips 2” x 40” for top/bottom 48 rectangles (A) 2” x 3 ½” 48 squares (B) 2” x 2”…

We recently moved to the country and I am just amazed at the number of stars in the sky. I used two simple blocks to create this striking star design. easy  Throw: 77”x 77” Finished Blocks: 14” materials White Solid 3 ⅞ yards for blocks and border Light Gray Solid 3 ¼ yards for blocks Blue Solid #1 1 ⅞ yards for blocks, border and binding Blue Solid #2 ⅜ yard for blocks Dark Gray Solid 1 ¾ yards for blocks and border Blue Solid #3 and Blue Solid #4 ¼ yard each for blocks Backing 7 ⅝ yards Batting 85”x 85” cutting White Solid 75 squares (A) 4 ⅜” x 4 ⅜” foundation patches Light Gray Solid 48 squares (A) 4 ⅜” x 4 ⅜” foundation patches Blue Solid…

Part 2 of 6 Throw: 45” x 45” Finished Blocks: 9”, 18”, 18” x 9” Dreaming of Spring is a series quilt presented in six parts. Part 1, in the Jan/Feb ’17 issue (No. 173) included the total yardage for the quilt and instructions for blocks R and S. Limited quantities of kits are available at quiltandsewshop.com. Part 3, May/June ’17 (No. 175) will include instructions for more blocks. The applique patterns are on the pattern sheet. 1 Making the Blocks Refer to the cutting instructions and assembly diagram for each block to sew the appropriate number of blocks. cutting Block T 9”x 9” finished for one block: Cream #2 Flannel 1 square (A) 5” x 5” 4 squares (B) 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” 1 square (C) 5 ¾”…

I know I could have purchased a pretty runner, but I wanted something that was uniquely ‘me.’ I love hexagons and English paper piecing because they’re such a portable project. easy Table Runner: 12”x 26” Finished Hexagon Side: 1½” materials Assorted Yellow, Blue and Cream Prints ⅝ yard total (2 hexagons can be cut from a 5” x 7” rectangle) Backing ½ yard Batting 16” x 30” Fabric glue stick (optional) Buttons 20 at ½” wide cutting Assorted Yellow, Blue and Cream Prints 48 template A 4 template B The templates are found on the pattern sheet. 1 About This Table Runner This table runner was hand sewn using English paper piecing. Purchase 1 1/2" pre-cut hexagon papers or create your own from the templates provided. 2 Making the Hexagons…

Every Bunny Every Bunny, March/April ’16 (No. 168) was perfect for my youngest granddaughter’s first Easter. All of the bunnies are chocolate (dark, milk, white and caramel) with some sugar chicks added for variety. The bodies are hand appliqued. The ears are three dimensional with one layer of cotton batting for body. The quilt is machine pieced and quilted. Sandra A. Weston • Fridley, Minnesota Lazy Sunday I made the Lazy Sunday mystery quilt from the March/April ’13-Sept/Oct ’13 issues (Nos. 150-153) using fabric from my stash. I struggled with how to finish it and kept putting it off. In December 2014 my son got engaged. The more I got to know my future daughter-in-law, Emily, I knew the quilt should be for her, as she loves color. The picture…

I think the scrappy pieced sashing makes this quilt unique. It’s a bonny tribute to the Scottish Highlands. easy  Throw: 57”x 66” Finished Blocks: 6” materials Tan Tone-on-Tone 1 ¾ yards for blocks and sections Red Tone-on-Tone 1 ⅞ yards for blocks and binding Assorted Prints 3 yards total for blocks and sections Backing 4 yards Batting 65”x 74” cutting Tan Tone-on-Tone 42 squares (A) 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”168 squares (C) 2” x 2”250 squares (E) 1 ½” x 1 ½” Red Tone-on-Tone 7 strips 2 ½” x 40” for binding168 squares (B) 2 ⅜” x 2 ⅜”42 squares (D) 3 ½” x 3 ½” Assorted Prints 388 squares (E) 1 ½” x 1 ½”224 rectangles (F) 1 ½” x 2 ½”388 rectangles (G) 1 ½” x 3 ½”…

Combining 2 similar blocks creates a cool, pixellating design. I love how the bright colors pop against the scrappy background. easy  Throw: 62 ½”x 62 ½” Finished Blocks: 12 ½” materials Assorted Light Prints and Tone-on-Tones 3 ½ yards for blocks Assorted Dark Gray Prints and Tone-on-Tones 1 yard for block Assorted Bright Prints and Tone-on-Tones 1 ¾ yards for blocks and binding Backing 4 ¼ yards Batting 71”x 71” cutting Assorted Light Prints and Tone-on- Tones (see Step 1) for each block Y: 1 matching set of: 4 rectangles 1 ½” x 3” (A) and 4 rectangles 3” x 4” (C) 4 matching squares 1 ½” x 1 ½” (B) 4 matching squares 4” x 4” (D) 4 matching rectangles 1 ½” x 2 ½” (E) 1 square 2”…

I wanted to try a design using curves. I liked the way the blocks are used to create borders in this medallion style quilt. intermediate  Throw: 70”x 86” Finished Blocks: 6”, 8”, 24” materials White Solid 3 ⅛ yards for blocks and borders White Print #1 1 ¼ yards for blocks and border #5 Yellow Tone-on-Tone ⅝ yard for block W and border #1 Fuchsia Tone-on-Tone 1 yard for block W and block Y’s Pink Print ⅝ yard for block X’s and border #6 Pink Tone-on-Tone ⅜ yard for block X’s and block Z’s Blue Print 1 ¾ yards for blocks and borders White Print #2 ⅝ yard for border #6 Aqua Tone-on-Tone 1 ¾ yards for borders Multicolor Stripe 1 ⅛ yards for border #6 and binding Backing 5…

Unlike traditional chevron designs that are made with Flying Geese or Triangle-Squares, this design is made from simple strips and squares. easy  Throw: 60” x 72” Finished Blocks: 8” x 10” materials Assorted Blue, Brown and Tan Batiks 2 ¾ yards total for blocks (see Step 1) Cream Batik 2 ½ yards for blocks Dark Brown Batik 1 ⅛ yards for border #1 and binding Medium Brown Batik 1 ⅛ yards for border #2 Backing 4 ⅛ yards Batting 68”x 80” cutting Assorted Blue, Brown and Tan Batiks 144 rectangles (A) 2 ½” x 10 ½” Cream Batik 144 squares (B) 4 ½” x 4 ½” Dark Brown Batik 7 strips 2” x 40” for border #1 8 strips 2 ½” x 40” for binding Medium Brown Batik 7 strips…

Imagining new variations for star quilts never gets old for me. I love putting patchwork inside patchwork for a fresh take on an old favorite, and this color scheme is so inviting! easy  Throw: 60”x 60” Finished Blocks: 18” materials Yellow Print ¼ yard for blocks and cornerstones White Print 2 ¼ yards for blocks Blue Print #1 1 ¼ yards for blocks and border Blue Print #2 ⅞ yard for blocks Blue Print #3 ⅞ yard for blocks and binding Green Print ⅝ yard for blocks Light Blue Print ½ yard for blocks Backing 4 ⅛ yards Batting 68”x 68” cutting Yellow Print 18 squares (A) 1 ⅞” x 1 ⅞” 4 squares (M) 1 ½” x 1 ½” White Print 18 squares (A) 1 ⅞” x 1 ⅞”…

June placed these two blocks on point with pieced setting and corner triangles. She extended the trellis throughout the quilt with a slight change to one block. The applique in the border adds a perfect finishing touch. materials Throw: 63” x 63” Finished Blocks: 12” Medium Teal Print ¾ yard for blocks and sections Pale Teal Tone-on-Tone 1 ¼ yards for blocks and sections Cream Print 2 yards for blocks and border Dark Teal Tone-on-Tone ¼ yard for blocks and sections Yellow Solid 1 ⅛ yards for blocks, sections and flowers Medium Green Tone-on-Tone 1 yard for vines Assorted Green Tone-on-Tones ⅞ yard total for leaves Assorted Pink Tone-on-Tones 1 yard total for flowers Light Teal Print ⅜ yard for blocks Dark Teal Print ⅝ yard for binding Backing 4…

Understanding the Grid It’s helpful to understand that most geometric blocks fit into a grid. We have placed a grid on top of Block A below. You can see that the grid is 4 x 4. For the original 12" block, the finished size of each square in the grid is 12" ÷ 4 = 3". To easily resize the block, pick a new finished block size that is evenly divisible by 4—let’s say 8". Then find the finished size of each square in the grid as follows: 8" ÷ 4 = 2". Each square of the grid for an 8" block is 2" finished. To resize the patches, add seam allowances to the new finished size as described in the next section. Another example is Block B. It is…

What do you do with all the scraps you save? “Use them!” declares Bonnie. In every issue, find Bonnie’s ideas for making blocks from your leftovers in Addicted to Scraps. Batik Baskets The fun thing about batiks is that any batik goes with any other batik. Just like playing with a box of crayons, the combinations of colors are endless! For a good variety of baskets, try both dark baskets on light backgrounds as well as light baskets on dark backgrounds. I used my Bonnie K. Hunter’s Essential Triangle Tool and 2" and 3 1/2" strips for the triangles in this block, all from one ruler. Rotary cutting instructions are given below. Quiltmaker’s instructions will guide you to make the block using traditional methods with stitch-and-flip without the ruler. Rotary…

We love to see quilts made from our patterns! Send us your photo and we’ll consider it for publication in Sew to Speak or Spotlight. Please send clear, focused photos with adequate lighting. Digital photo requirements can be found at quiltmaker.com . Include a photo of the entire quilt and a close-up of any interesting details. (Please note: photos cannot be returned.) Include your full name and complete contact information, the name of the pattern, the size of the quilt, a short note about why you made the quilt, any awards received and any other details our readers might enjoy. Send to: Quiltmaker Sew to Speak, 741 Corporate Circle, Suite A, Golden, CO 80401 or email to: sewtospeak@quiltmaker.com .…

I’ve been enjoying the great big blocks used in modern quilts so I decided to try this with a version of the Pickle Dish block. I also had lots of fun experimenting with string piecing while making the pieced segments. intermediate  Queen: 90”x 90” Finished Blocks: 18” materials Assorted Blue and Green Prints and Tone-on-Tones (see Step 1) 3 ⅛ yards total for blocks Yellow Tone-on-Tone 9 ¼ yards for blocks, patches and binding Green Print 1 fat eighth (a fat eighth is approximately 9” x 20”) for blocks Backing 8 ¾ yards Batting 98” x 98” cutting Assorted Blue and Green Prints and Tone-on-Tones 10 template A Yellow Tone-on-Tone 5 template B 10 template D 9 rectangles (E) 18 ½” x 36 ½” 2 squares (F) 18 ½” x…

Denise arranged Kay’s Sawtooth Log Cabin blocks and extended block elements into the border to create a stunning diagonal design. materials Throw: 59” x 71” Finished Blocks: 12” Medium Green Tone-on-Tone and Light Blue Tone-on-Tone 1 yard each for blocks and border #1 Light Green Tone-on-Tone and Medium Blue Tone-on-Tone 1 ¾ yards each for blocks and border #1 Blue Print 2 ⅛ yards for border #2 and binding Backing 4 yards Batting 67” x 79” cutting Medium Green Tone-on-Tone and Light Blue Tone-on-Tone from each 190 squares (A) 2 ⅜” x 2 ⅜” Light Green Tone-on-Tone and Medium Blue Tone-on-Tone from each 100 squares (A) 2 ⅜” x 2 ⅜” 20 rectangles (B) 2” x 3 ½” 20 rectangles (C) 2” x 5” 20 rectangles (D) 2” x 9…

Mark match points on the patches where indicated on the template. Fold the patches in half and lightly press the folds. Align folds and pin concave curve on top. To align match points, place an aligning pin through the marks on both patches. Pin close to the aligning pin. Repeat on other match point. Aligning raw edges, add several more pins. Using a stiletto to guide pinned patches, sew ¼" from raw edges. Completed seam. Press seam allowance toward concave patch. Finished and pressed.…

Wall: 25” x 34” Finished Blocks: 3” x 4 ½” materials Assorted Blue, Brown and Tan Batiks ¾ yard total for blocks (see Step 1) Cream Batik ⅝ yard for blocks Brown Batik ½ yard for border #1 and binding Blue Batik ½ yard for border #2 Backing ⅞ yard Batting 30”x 39” cutting Assorted Blue, Brown and Tan Batiks 144 rectangles (A) 1 ¼” x 5” Cream Batik 144 squares (B) 2” x 2” Brown Batik for border #1 2 strips 1” x 30” for sides 2 strips 1” x 22” for top/bottom 4 strips 2 ½” x 40” for binding Blue Batik for border #2 2 strips 3 ½” x 31” for sides 2 strips 3 ½” x 28” for sides Scott Flanagan works his magic by adapting…

I had fun designing this two-block quilt. I like the way the Chain Block adds movement and bounces in and out of the border. easy Throw: 54”x 72” Finished Blocks: 8” materials Dark Pink Batik and Light Pink Batik 1 ¾ yards each for blocks, cornerstones and border Green Batik 2 ⅝ yards for sashes, border and binding Backing 3 ¾ yards Batting 62”x 80” cutting Dark Pink Batik and Light Pink Batik from each 8 strips 1 ½” x 40” for bands 72 squares (A) 2 ½” x 2 ½” 9 squares (B) 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” 9 squares 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” cut diagonally twice to yield 36 triangles (C) (use 34) 17 squares 2 ⅞” x 2 ⅞” cut diagonally to yield 34 triangles (D)…

I gave a traditional pattern a modern vibe by making it in solid shades of blue, teal and bright green hand-dyed fabrics. easy  Throw: 78”x 90” Finished Blocks: 10” materials Blue Solid 2 ¼ yards for blocks and cornerstones Cream Solid 5 ½ yards for blocks, sashing, border and binding Teal Solid 1 ⅛ yards for blocks Green Solid 1 ⅛ yards for blocks Backing 7 ⅝ yards Batting 86”x 98” cutting Blue Solid 25 strips 2 ½” x 40” for band A's–C's 56 squares (B) 2 ½” x 2 ½” Cream Solid 10 strips 2 ½” x 40” for border 10 strips 2 ½” x 40” for binding 21 strips 2 ½” x 40” for band A 97 rectangles (C) 2 ½” x 10 ½” Teal Solid 4 strips…

Getting Started About our Patterns We recommend that you read all of the instructions before starting a project and that you cut and sew one block before cutting all of your fabric. Using a rotary cutter, mat and an acrylic ruler, cut the shape to the size indicated in the cutting list. Pressing tabs indicate the direction to press the seam allowances. Our patterns list finished block sizes, which are typically ½" smaller than unfinished block sizes because they do not include seam allowances. Basic Quilting Supplies • Rotary cutter and mat • Acrylic ruler: Many shapes and sizes are available; a good one to start with is 6"x 24" with ¼" and 1/8" markings • Scissors: A separate pair for paper and fabric • Sewing machine • ¼" foot…

“The simple shapes were easily resized to match the dimensions of my scraps. ” — Carol Lindsey Carol Lindsey of Clarksville, Tennessee named her version of Prints Charming March/April 2013 (#150) Win-Win. While out of town for a quilt retreat she bought a scrap bag at a quilt shop. The label indicated all proceeds of the sale would be donated to breast cancer research (Win #1). The variety of large, bright prints in the bag gave her an “instant stash” of fabrics that were outside of her normal colorway. Carol completed the top on a weekend quilt retreat with her sister, who lives 2,000 miles away. Good company in a beautiful setting made it a very enjoyable occasion. Carol plans to donate the quilt to a cancer center where…