Learn How to Make a Perfect Economy Quilt Block with these simple instructions. Free downloadable tutorial instructions included.
The Whirlwind Quilt Block goes by a bunch of other names - Modern Envelope, Twin Sisters, Water Wheel, etc, etc. The traditional Whirlwind quilt block uses only 2 colors but I saw one on Facebook that had 4 fabrics and wanted to figure it out for you.
Think about you, quilting. Pair that image with your wildest, most wouldn’t-it-be-amazing dream. What does your marvel of a quilting experience look like? For astronaut Karen Nyberg, her quilting adventure was a literal out-of-this world event: making a quilt block in orbit, on the International Space Station. Wow! Inspiration doesn’t come on a scale much …
I indulged in a few long afternoons of playing in EQ8 recently. As usual, what I ended up with bears no resemblance to what I started with. This instance was rather extreme: I was thinking flowers and somehow ended up with a sailboat. Go figure! This block design ended up in my Sailing School pattern. For a tutorial about HRT, go here. After I drew it, I printed out the cut sizes the software suggested and happily started cutting and sewing, only to find that my sails were not turning out the size they should. I suppose I could have winged it and fudged all the other block parts to make it all fit together, but I'm really not an improv kind of quilter. I can appreciate a well-made improv quilt, but I don't particularly enjoy the process myself. I like to know what to cut to what size to make things fit in a predetermined way. So there. This of course meant that I needed to figure out why things weren't working out. I double- and triple-checked my seam allowance. I cut more fabric, checking my measurements. Nope, still not working. I finally figured out that my problem arose from having to guess how to line up the triangles when I sewed them together. I wasn't hitting the sweet spot. I thought I knew where to align one piece relative to the seam allowance on the other. I was wrong, though it would have worked if the geometry of that long triangle hadn't messed up the works. To make a long story short, in a HRT unit, if you want the diagonal seam to reach perfectly from corner to corner, you don't want the seam to be exactly on the diagonal of the unfinished unit. I drew it out on paper to wrap my mind around it. The paper is cut to the unfinished size of the unit and the drawn rectangle inside is the finished size. If you extend the line that runs diagonally from corner to corner in the finished size, you see that it does not actually cross the corners of the unfinished unit. Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do! I know there are rulers out there that take all this into account. In fact, I have one on my wall that would suit, except that it isn't large enough for the unit I needed. Also, the quilt design I have in mind uses just a few boat blocks, and I'd hate to ask folks to buy a specialty ruler for just a few blocks. I humphed and harrumphed and decided there must be away to make these a little larger and cut down to size so alignment wouldn't be such a bother. I took in ideas from various tutorials, and spent half the afternoon stirring them all together and finally came up with something that worked the way I wanted. I spent the rest of the afternoon figuring out the math to know what size rectangles to start with to end up with a given size. It would be a pain to use trial and error every time I want a different sized unit. There's a tutorial in the works to share the details. In the meantime, tell me, have you used HRT in any projects? If so, do you have any tips or trick to share? UPDATE: The tutorial is now available here!
Choose your favorite 5" charm squares to make you own cute and scrappy My Town quilt!
Jeanneke from the Netherlands led a group of quilters in making lots of scrap house quilts. You can see photos of all the quilts at BuildingHousesFromScraps. They used rubber stamps to mark the fabrics. These houses are tiny! They measure 3" square! (Thanks for that info in your Comments.)
This nicely complex block is a WHOLE lot easier to make than it looks. ( Edited to add: See the finished quilt here !) It's July, an...
Fast & Easy Scrappy Quilt using Polyester batting
In this post, we have collected some 3-yard quilt patterns you can for your next wonderful, timeless, classic quilt piece.
Three by Three Quilt Block Tutorial is a 9 patch quilt block that is very easy to make - the size of the quilt block is 18½" square shown in batiks.
New to string or strip piecing blocks? Check out video tutorials to see different ways to do the string piecing technique as well as some ideas for patterns and information to get you started.
It’s all the rage among scrap-using quilters. Search for it on YouTube and Pinterest and you’ll see what I mean! Video by Brenda of “Conquering Mount Scrapmore with Brenda” …
Make the most of your small fabric scraps by turning them into crumb quilt blocks! You can combine blocks to make a full crumb quilt top!
Description Imagine quilting your favorite dog breed tomorrow... Ask for the breed you want, I create them on demand and upload them here every week. Craft this Yorkshire Quilt Pattern, a delightful addition to your sewing projects! This meticulously crafted pattern features vibrant hues from the Robert Kaufman Kona Co
In my less-than-perfect world, I often have less-than-perfect quilt blocks. Learn how to square up a quilt block easily for your patchwork quilts too.
Use my mini string quilt blocks sewing tutorial to make use of even your smallest fabric scraps! No fuss blocks require no corner matching!
Dart Modern Quilt Pattern by Amy Ellis - The simple rectangle pieces make it fun to play with color and print in each block.
Village Quilt by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. – This Quilt is so bright and colorful!
Learn how to make the easy Morning Glory quilt block using quilt scraps or charm squares. You can also use 10-inch layer cakes.
Learn how to make these Amazing Potato Chip blocks with scraps to create a beautiful scrappy quilt. Free Printable Tutorial Download!
Printable Pineapple Pattern is a delightful and versatile design that can add a touch of tropical charm to various arts and crafts projects. Whether youre a seasoned crafter looking for a new pattern to incorporate into your creations or a pineapple enthusiast seeking a fun way to express your love for this exotic fruit, this printable pattern is perfect for you.
FREE QAYG ALONG PART 11We’re obsessed with string quilts! And they are super easy, super fun and beginner friendly, so we thought you might like to make one too. This week we were invited to make some short videos for Spotlight’s Quilting Expo, so we went totally over the top and made a 3 part series on how to make a quilt as you go string quilt from start to finish. This series is perfect for the very beginner or for those that want to try their hand at making a quilt as you go quilt. It’s full
Alright, my friends! I've shown you three of my Deco sample quilts so far, but before I show you the fourth, I want to take a moment to show you pattern tester quilts! In case you missed it, the Deco Quilt pattern is now available! If you haven't already read my initial blog post about the two-color Deco quilt that I made, be sure to check that out here. You'll find my inspiration, pattern sizes fabric requirements and other details about Deco. Every time I release a new pattern into the world, I love to do a blog post all about my pattern testers! This talented group of quilters generously give their time, energy and precious fabric to help me make the best patterns possible! Deco was especially technical, so I had a lot of dialogue around certain topics. We went back and forth on certain sewing instructions, diagrams and overall how the quilt comes together. Let's take a look at their beautiful Deco quilts! First, let's take a look at the testers who are carrying quilt kits. Many of my pattern testers conveniently have online fabric shops, which makes it really easy for you to quickly pick your fabrics and know how it will look before it's finished! QUILTS KITS Mary of @rosiegirlquilts used gorgeous jewel tones to create this masterpiece! They have kits in their shop to recreate this exact quilt, which can be found here. . Laura of @finleyfabric created the most stunning combination of fabrics. I absolutely LOVE the emerald background. I *almost* did something similar for my cover quilt, but I ended up going a different direction. I'm so glad that she took the plunge with this! It really paid off. You can find her kits here. . Claire of @thestitchsaloon is an Australian based shop that ships worldwide! She made a bright and cheery baby quilt and has kits for them in her shop! . LONG ARM DISCOUNT I was extremely excited to have a long-arm quilter test Deco for me! She is so generously offering a 20% off discount to anyone who sends a Deco quilt to her before July 9th. The coupon code is DECO20. Check out her Instagram, @browneyedquilter and/or website for more details. And isn't her quilt stunning? . . Next, we have Katie of @katesmakesandcreates created this gorgeous, kind of moody throw size Deco quilt. She used Kona Leather and Telio Swiss Dot in Rose. An alternative would be Essex Linen in Rose. I absolutely love how this turned out! . Now let's look at Cat, of @workinghandsstudio. She created this really fun baby quilt for the newest addition of their family. :) I really love how the subtle background print adds a little extra *sparkle*! . .Erin, of @lovesewmodern really knocked it out of the park with these colors! That darker background really makes everything else POP. . Claire of @claireandhercrafts helped me do a trial run of a certain concept that I was considering for the pattern. You might notice that her baby quilt includes only Block 3B, where as the final pattern calls for Block 3A. Essentially this means that her quilt is missing one of the tiny squares at the very corner of one of the blocks. I ended up changing my mind on this to add more drama to the quilt, and Claire was so kind to do a test run of the first version so that I could see how it looked. Her quilt is still equally stunning! . Now let's look at Nuria of @fabricstork's baby Deco quilt! She briefly had kits for this but they sold out within a day or two. And rightfully so, isn't this fun?? . . Robin of @seamedtobe created a gorgeous Throw size Deco quilt that is just STUNNING! I loveeee how this looks! She used Kona Leaf and Kona Haze as the background. . Next up, we have Nicki of @wovenandwoolly! She sewed up her quilt before I made a pretty big change in the pattern. If you can see where the corner of her little square are chopped off....that's totally my fault!! (sad day). If you make the baby size, notice that the solid background squares are 1/2
Have you ever looked at a tumbling blocks tutorial and wondered how to sew all the tumbling block units together? Wonder no more! Smart tumbling blocks quilts are not actually constructed of lots of tumbling blocks. Do not sew all the tumbling blocks for your quilt until you have read this tutorial, or you may be disappointed.
Instant download PDF 3 files. Finished size quilt block patterns in full size: Block Size 12" x 20" Block Size 16" x 27" PLEASE NOTE: Basic instructions are not included, but there is a description file and recommendations for enlarging and reduction of the pattern. THIS PATTERN IS NOT FOR QUILTING BEGINNERS. Basic Skills Necessary: Basic Cutting and Sewing of Quilts. It is easy to resize using the enlargement and reductions percentages chart provided. The PDF file for each size includes: 1. Photo of one quilt block. 2. Templates - patterns with seam allowances under numbering in full size. 3. Foundation Piecing Patterns. 4. Photo of a quilt (single bed quilt). 5. Yardage charts for single bed quilt. 6. Rotary Cutting Diagrams. IMPORTANT: To ensure pattern size accuracy when printing from Adobe Reader, either: Set "Page Scaling" to None or uncheck the "Fit to Page" box. The pattern/template is for personal use only. Do not copy, distribute, or sell the pattern to others without written consent from the pattern designer. This pattern is intended for personal use and small-scale commercial production. Click here to see all of my PDF QUILT patterns in my Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/de-en/shop/SBCreativeWithUs?ref=related&listing_id=1478545845§ion_id=42001790 https://www.etsy.com/de-en/shop/SBCreativeWithUs?ref=related&listing_id=1478545845§ion_id=42833687
Inspired by a quilt that my friend Mary shared with me from Pinterest, I decided to design an Ombré HST quilt mathematically. This was the result. I chose to use a gradient of eight different values, numbered 1-8 from lightest to darkest. I began by drawing a 7 by 9 rectangle in my graph notebook and ...continue reading →
I’m sorry I’ve been such an awful poster… I’m afraid I’m super intimidated by the blog thing, and I feel like I’ve done it wrong a dozen times… in fact, I know I’ve done it wrong several times because my posts don’t actually show up… SO. I’m writing this in word, and then I’m going to have it saved so I can post until I get it right. I’m sorry IF you get this 11 times. I debated about what I’d do for MY month of the NewBee bee… AGES and ages, and here’s what I’ve come up with. My little boys are 2 and 4 and just getting into dinosaurs and space. Dinosaurs = hard, and I have no interest in ancient reptiles. SPACE, so much fun. So. I want to make a quilt of Space… like this one, only better, of course, since it will be made by YOU. If everyone could make a big hunk of made fabric in Navy Blue/Black, and hopefully also a thing you might see in space a planet (any planet, real or imagined) Perhaps a star, or a spaceship, or an alien craft…. (this should be ideal for made fabric, don’t you think? A firey orange-red sun, a white and gray moon, green and blue earth, blue Neptune red mars) You are all so creative, I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with. Thank you! http://lehman.shutterfly.com/10283 This is Wesley, he’s four. He is the supreme authority on… all things. He could be talking to Stephen Hawking, and he’d interrupt to voice what he’d be certain is a better idea. http://lehman.shutterfly.com/10303 This is Grant, he’s 2, and also into super heroes right now. What does Krypton look like? That was a planet, right? Or wait… didn’t it get destroyed….? Who knows. (psst... not him)
Storm at Sea is a pattern that uses small changes in straight angles to create an optical illusion of rounded shapes. Here are some gorgeou...
Top US quilting blogger, Kate Colleran Designs, shares their Tutorial to make the Disappearing 4 Patch Block. Click here now!!
We’ve put together 9 incredibly easy quilt blocks that look difficult to make. So you can make an amazing quit even if you’re a beginner!
Quilts made with disappearing blocks are intriguing—and oh-so-fun! But just what are they and how are they made?
This is my take on a traditional Christmas Star block. It would look pretty great in holiday fabric, but I would hate to see it pigeon-holed as strictly that, so I'm calling it Ribbon Star. The tutorial makes a 12.5" block. Cutting:
Very Little Cutting is Required for These Charming Stars! This lovely quilt top will stitch together in no time. Just choose 3 charm packs and get started. There’s minimal cutting to do and it all goes together quickly and easily, even for beginning quilters. Quilt photo above and at the top of the page courtesy …
From the Louisville Courier-Journal, 1925 Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary For the children's room, here is an interesting filet pattern adapted from the old reliable Mother Goose. If you are very ambitious, you might consider making a crocheted spread of Mother Goose medallions, but for most people, one medallion in the center of a spread involves labor enough. The pattern will also serve as a guide for cross stitch.
To help you create your own 50 state quilt blocks, we've assembled a list of 50 free state block patterns we think you'll enjoy.
Make a striking pillow cover that has the look of woven fabric by orienting one easy block four ways. Fabrics are from the Imperial Garden collection by Teresa Chan for Paintbrush Studio.
I played with the arrangement and the colour flow off and on yesterday – I’m stopping with this layout: I worked at changing the block placement from linear on the diagonal to a more pa…
I originally had another denim stained glass pattern in mind but, our friend was small so wouldn't have been able to cut any 12" squares (unless I left some leg seams in them which I thought might make the quilt even heavier less comfortable). I saw the idea for this quilt for a similar style but with smaller pieces on The Flemings Nine blog. There doesn't seem to be a pattern for it but, color blocks are pretty popular these days so a quick search will give you plenty of free blocks patterns to choose from and adapt one to fit the size pieces you're able to cut from your jean pieces. Or, you can just check out the cutting info below for this one. The quilts I made are each composed of 48 blocks and measure 60" x 80" finished. Here are some photos I took as I was constructing the second one along with a breakdown of the size pieces I used. Press all seams toward the black fabric. Each block denim: 5" x 10" 5" square 5" x 2 1/2" (2) 2 1/2" squaresEach block black: 1" x 10" (2) 1" x 5" 1" x 2 1/2" Sashing: 1" x 10" between blocks (40 pieces for this quilt) and 1" x length of finished rows. The blocks should measure 10" but, I did have to square them up a bit before joining them because jeans had stretch fabric. If yours does too, measure the completed rows and use the average measurement before you cut the rows of sashing. I used 3 1/2" binding strips so the outside edge would be the same 1/2" finish as the rest of the black pieces in the quilt. Click on the photo to enlarge it. Begin by sewing black strips to the block pieces but, only sew them on half of the 2 1/2" squares. Sew 2 1/2" squares together. Sew the black edge of the 2 1/2" x 5" strip to the squares. Sew the black edge of the 5" square to the previous unit. Add the black edge of the 10" x 5" square to the side of the previous unit. Construct all of your blocks with the pieces positions in the same way. Next, sew your blocks into pairs by adding a black strip between blocks and rotating one block 90° counter clockwise. My rows are 6 blocks across (3 pairs of blocks). Add sashing to join pairs of blocks but do not add it to the beginning or end of each row. The binding strip will complete the design. (As mentioned above, I cut the binding at 3 1/2" so it would be a wide 1/2" finished binding.) All of the rows are construced the same. Just flip every other row upside down
Our newest pattern Orchard Stars is here! If you haven't seen, the Cover Orchard Stars is up on the blog too! Today, I am sharing our Satsuma Orchard Stars! This quilt showcases our Two Color Design option. I have always enjoyed a two color quilt and this design felt like it needed a two color option. It makes the cou
Our step-by-step instructions for the 54-40 or Fight quilt block include free downloadable patterns and helpful tips. Great for a beginning quilter!
