Table of contents for December/January 2023 in Quick+Easy Quilts

Winter HOLIDAY Our December/January issue is always interesting to plan. We’re wrapping up 2022 and turning the page of the calendar with a fresh dose of enthusiasm. Our designers delivered an abundance of fabulous festive quilts for lastminute projects, and our special submission call with a Hanukkah theme added to the diverse patterns curated just for you. So, our holiday cup runneth over this year—and we couldn’t be happier. We were excited to see Emblem of Israel by TeriAnn Harms because it is a throw size. It is perfect for snuggling under with the kids as you read stories and pretty enough to drape on the couch for a festive touch. The fabric it uses is Happy Hanukkah Stonehenge by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Studio. On Christmas Eve by Kari…

I love sampler quilts. They are so interesting to look at. Scrappy is best! The more fabric, the better. With the different blocks and fabrics, you just have to keep looking at the quilt. I love the combination of applique, curved piecing, and classic patchwork. This quilt makes me think of a vintage quilt made with feed sacks. I love the farming and rural community that I come from, and the sense of history and family that this kind of environment brings. Kari Plan Get ready for our very first series quilt. Kari Mathews designed this beautiful sampler quilt and we thought it was the perfect design to teach a beginner to quilt, or to keep seasoned quilters engaged for a whole year! Look for lessons, tips, and tricks throughout…

1. Cut two squares ⅞″ larger than desired finished size of triangle-square. 2. On wrong side of one square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines 34″ away from each side of cutting line. 3. Place marked square on top of other square, right sides facing. Sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line. 5. Press seam allowances toward darker fabric. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square. Cut squares the finished size of triangle-squares plus ⅞″. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6″ x 24″ Fabric Ruler, and Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand and Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy™…

Tip 1: Use an accurate ¼″ seam—find it on your sewing machine or presser foot. Tip 2: Read your sewing machine manual and learn to thread your machine. Tip 3: Raise the presser foot up when threading the machine—this opens the thread tension disks so it threads properly! Tip 4: Set your sewing machine to a 2.5mm stitch length. This works for most machines—close enough to be strong, but far enough apart to pull out easily with a seam ripper. Tip 5: If your machine has speed control, slow it down until you feel more confident. This isn’t a race. Tip 6: Press to the dark—most of the time! Refer to diagrams for which way the seams should go. The direction helps the seams nest together and lay flat. Tip…

On Christmas Eve brings back so many cozy memories of the holiday when I was a child. I have a Norwegian heritage, and we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. Many of them were spent on my grandparents’ farm in North Dakota. I remember the drive out to the farm in the dark. We would have a big Christmas dinner, including lutefisk (a Norwegian dish of fish that is jello-like in consistency). We would sing Christmas carols as we walked around the Christmas tree holding hands. My cousins and I would put a Christmas program together about Jesus’ birth. Finally, it was present time, and we went around one by one—so we could see what everyone got. When Christmas was at our house, my mother would make Bavarian Cream for…

Become Our Next New Designer We invite you to submit your original designs to be considered for publication in Quiltmaker, McCall’s Quilting, Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting, and Fons & Porter’s Quick + Easy Quilts magazines. What we look for: • Traditional, contemporary, modern, whimsical, and seasonal designs. • Home décor items, totes, etc. • Techniques including appliqué, foundation piecing, and hand embroidery. • Sizes from table runner to bed size. • Quilts for children and babies. • Quilts designed for precuts like 2½″ strips, 5″ and 10″ squares. • Pattern writing experience is not required. We diagram the quilt and write the pattern. • Articles about quilting. Submission Guidelines All submissions must be original, unpublished designs. This includes patterns in the store in which you work, in classes…

While working on some freelance designs for a few fabric houses, I was inspired by Andover Fabric’s Festival of Lights collection with its beautiful menorah and twinkling star prints. The result is this table runner I designed with six-pointed star blocks—similar to the Stars of David shown in the border print. Krisanne Plan Your Hanukkah table setting will sparkle with this runner of bright golden stars. Paper foundation piecing will ensure your stars have perfect points. We recommend starching the blue star fabric to keep the setting triangles from stretching. Use an accurate W seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt ht together well. Handle all bias edges carefully to avoid distortion. Shop Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Blue…

As a modern quilter and a lover of free-motion quilting, I wanted to create my own modernized Christmas quilt that also afforded a canvas for free motion. I also wanted to make the design versatile with the potential to be used for other times of the year. Thus, I created Me to You! The gifts can be customized to fit so many holidays and special occasions with just a change of fabric— Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, birthdays, Mother’s Day, etc. Please enjoy and have fun! Shereece Plan There’s no time like the present to make a quilt full of…presents! This fun quilt uses 5 pink prints for the 9 gift boxes—but you could use 9 fat quarters to make each box unique. We suggest arranging the block patches on a small…

Below the surface of city streets, an intricate system of pipes and culverts supports the urban infrastructure. Imagine the many twists and turns they make along the way, all while carrying water to a thirsty population. This design mimics the twists and turns of those conduits in a modified zigzag pattern, complete with a bit of graffiti to add to the urban feel. Vivika Plan Create a zigzag of fabric pipelines for wall (or tabletop!) decor. This fun project will stretch your improv muscles as you choose pretty 5″ charm squares, cut them on the diagonal, and sew them back together again to create this artsy wall hanging. Vivika carefully chose and placed the gray fabrics to create the “pipes” in her piece. But you can choose fabrics of similar…

Rachelle Craig rachellehandmade.com Rachelle is a civil engineer by trade who enjoys the entire process of quilt making—from the spark of inspiration to the tangible quilt. She lives in Wonewoc, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats. Vivika Hansen Denegre quiltingdaily.com Vivika is the Director of Content at Quilting Daily and the Editor of Quilting Arts Magazine. In her free time, she's an avid crafter who loves to sew, knit, draw, and—of course—quilt! Susan Deshensky ladybluequilts.com In addition to being a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician, Susan enjoys community service, animals, and boating on Long Island Sound. She loves paper piecing and teaching and is a Quiltworx Certified Instructor. Susan resides in Westchester County, New York. Abigail Dolinger abyquilts.wordpress.com Abigail is the Children’s Ministry Director at her church and enjoys sharing…

1. From one light and one dark fabric, cut one square 1¼″ larger than desired finished size of hourglass unit. 2. On wrong side of light square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼″ away on each side of cutting line. 3. Place light square on dark square, right sides facing; sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line to make two triangle-squares. Press seam allowance toward darker fabric. 5. On wrong side of one triangle-square, draw a diagonal line perpendicular to the seam. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼″ away on each side of cutting line. 6. Place triangle-square with marked lines on matching triangle-square, right sides and opposite fabrics facing. Sew…

This quilt was designed around the colors and traditions of the Hanukkah celebration. The outer blocks represent the shapes and motifs of the menorah that are so important to the holiday. I combined traditional piecing techniques with a modern layout to make the quilt fun and enjoyable to work on as the gift-giving season draws closer. The title, Emblem of Israel, relates to the Hanukkah tradition of the oil lamp and the reason families light the menorah candles each night of the holiday. Teri Ann Plan A lovely selection of Hanukkah prints in blues and golds creates a stunning yet simple quilt. Joining 2½“ strips into bands speeds up the assembly process. TeriAnn designed the quilt with a mitered border 2. If you prefer not to miter your borders, cut…

I love designing and decorating for the holidays. I made this runner with a combination of fabrics from several of my collections with Andover Fabrics. The design is simple with a modern feel. I used traditional reds and greens in the runner, but I think it would look great in assorted Christmas fabrics as well. Kim. Plan This project is a fun way to use up scraps of red, green, and gold. Follow the steps in our Sew Easy Lesson for Fusible Appliqué to quickly add the trees and stars, and you’ll have a merry table runner assembled in no time! Use an accurate ¼″ seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Shop Fabric yardage assumes 40″ usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise…

1. Place fabric pieces larger than section 1 and 2 right sides together on back side of paper. Be sure fabric for section 1 is under that area and edges of fabric extend at least ¼” past stitching line. 2. Using 90/14-sized needle and a short stitch length so papers will tear off easily, stitch on line between two areas, extending stitching into seam allowances at ends of seams. 3. Open pieces and finger press the seam. Right sides of fabrics will be facing out on back side of pattern. 4. Turn unit over and fold back paper on stitched line. Trim seam allowance to ¼”. 5. Continue adding fabrics in numerical order, as you did with section 2. When all fabrics are added, trim excess paper and fabric along…

1. With right sides together, align corner edges of square and first unit as shown. Sew from center of square to left edge, creating a partial seam. 2. Working clockwise, join second unit, sewing entire length of seam. Press away from square. 3. In same manner, join third unit. 4. To join fourth unit, fold block over to align edges of fourth unit with square and first unit, pinning in place. 5. Finish by sewing from partial seam to outside edge of block. 6. Press seam allowance away from center square to complete block. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat. Fabrics from Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy™ Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Partial-Seams…

1. Place one small square on larger square, right sides facing and aligning raw edges. Draw a line diagonally on wrong side as shown. 2. Sew on drawn line.Trim ¼″ beyond stitching. 3. Press open to reveal triangle. 4. Following pattern instructions, repeat for remaining corners to complete unit. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter, and Havel’s 6″ x 24″ Fabric Ruler. Fabric from Garden Glory by Maja Ronnback collection and Abstract Collage by Ampersand collection for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy™ Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Stitch-and-Flip-Corners…

1. Mark centers of block and border strip. With right sides facing and raw edges aligned, match centers. (Strip will extend beyond edges; do not trim.) Join border strip, beginning and ending stitches ¼” from corners and backstitching at each end. 2. Press seam allowance toward border strip. Add remaining border strips in the same manner. 3. With right sides facing, fold block diagonally, aligning raw edges of adjacent sides. Open seam allowance; align a ruler along the diagonal fold. Mark from seam to raw edge. 4. Stitch on marked line, backstitching at beginning and stitching out to raw edge. 5. Trim seam allowance to ¼“. 6. In same manner, miter remaining corners. Press corner seams open. TIP: Before trimming, unfold the block to ensure the strips lie flat, correcting…

This festive table runner would enhance any Hanukkah celebration with its eight stars— like the eight menorah lights. But it would also work with a selection of red and green fabrics for a Christmas table setting. Plan Sew up this sweet, simple star runner in no time at all. The construction is fast and easy, and it will make your table look out of this world. Use an accurate ¼″ seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Shop Fabric yardage assumes 42″ usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Light blue batik, medium blue batik, and dark blue batik ⅜ yd. each for units • Pale blue batik ⅜ yd. for blocks • Yellow batik ⅜ yd. for blocks and border 1…

1. Trace appliqué motif onto paper side of fusible web, making a separate tracing for each appliqué needed. 2. Roughly cut out drawn appliqué shape and follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse to wrong side of appliqué fabric. 3. With small, sharp scissors, carefully cut out drawn shape. 4. Peel off paper backing. Position appliqué in place on background fabric, and fuse shape in place. 5. Using coordinating thread and your preferred stitch, machine appliqué outline of shape. 6. A satin stitch will completely cover the edge, but a blanket stitch or zigzag stitch will also work to secure edges. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat and Havel’s 6″ Serrated-Blade Fabric Scissors. Fabric from Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. TIP: To keep dark background fabrics from showing…

Creative Scrap Quilting: 18+ Quilt & Project Patterns to Use All Your Bits & Pieces by the Editors of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting Quilting Daily, 2022 You’ve got scraps, the editors of Fons & Porter’s have got the patterns to motivate you to finally use ’em up! Creative Scrap Quilting features quilt patterns from Liz Porter, Bonnie Hunter, Nancy Mahoney, and so many more. With a variety of designs, from contemporary to whimsical to modern, you’ll have tons of inspiration at your fingertips for years to come. There are also lots of tips and tricks from the experts about organizing your fabric stash, improvisational piecing, and scrap fabric selection to encourage you to better organize your “collection”. QuiltingDaily.com Freshly Stitched: Modern Embroidery for Absolute Beginners by Celeste Johnston…

My inspiration for this quilt was an assortment of colorful pre-cut 10″ squares. I like bold and bright-colored quilts with a dash of black and white. The bright batiks used in this quilt give it pizzazz—definitely what my design needed. Susan Plan Whether you use a colorful collection of pre-cut 10″ squares or find just what you need among your scraps, you can whip up this quilt in a jiffy! Before cutting, refer to the Assembly Diagram and quilt photo and sort the assorted bright squares into sets of similar color families, as Susan did. We suggest using a design wall or the floor to lay out your patches prior to sewing to keep everything in order. Use an accurate ¼″ seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the…