Picnic time is almost over and we will be moving inside and baking and cooking more with the coming of fall.  Of course, we’ll be sewing more (and sometimes the cooking will wait!) so let’s make some aprons for all that work in the kitchen.

Virginia May Patterns by Susan Thorup began with the patterning of old aprons she has been collecting for years and emphasizes the vintage style. Here’s a few of her apron patterns…

Mother’s Feed Sack Apron is so pretty you could even use it to decorate your kitchen so make a couple of them. Use fabrics to match you kitchen decor and you’ll fit right in.

How about an apron for your little helper (or if you are really lucky, helpers).  Children’s Apron Selection has five aprons from which to choose.  They are easy to make; perhaps your little helper can even help you to make the apron – they’ll love it.

Are you wanting just one more BBQ before you give it up for winter?   This BBQ Apron is a simple pattern. You’ll be able to whip it up right quick.

And now for something completely different.  Isn’t this Hankie Quilt the cutest?!

Here’s one more selection from Virginia May Patterns.  Cathedral Window is a traditional quilt that is mostly hand sewn so this makes it a great take along quilt project.

 
Virginia May Patterns are written in a clear and easy to understand step-by-step format. Traditionally inspired quilts, aprons and home decor items as well as apparel will continue to show up in Susan Thorup’s collection of designs.

While browsing quilt patterns and different designers, I came across Cabbage Rose by Barbara Bradenburg. WOW! She has so many beautiful projects. Her quilts look like they belong at a country estate surrounded by beautiful things. She has books, patterns for quilts, pillows, bags, pillowcases, table linens and more. Many of her patterns include more than one project.

Dandelions is a perfect example. There’s patterns for two totally different quilts and for several pillows. They all look great together and would add a lot of comfort to your family room.

From the family room, move to the kitchen or dining room…

Company’s Coming is a book with projects that include table runners, placemats, and napkins. After you get the table dressed, make the throw quilt.

If you want just quilts, the book Meadow Rose has several. There are both pieced and appliqued quilt patterns. They are of varying sizes and pillow patterns are included. As the name suggests the emphasis is on flowers.

The quilts is this book have varied looks to them and a few different color palletes but each one is prettier than the one before it.

And there has been a kitty sighting! Kitty Girl & Kitty Charmer are cute little kitties that you can make over and over and each one will have it’s own personality.

There are so many more designs and patterns, including some Christmas stockings and aprons and bags. Check out Barbara Brandenburg‘s home page. You can browse through all of her quilts. Be careful… once you get there you’ll spend lots of time looking around!

Are all your quilts comprised of straight cuts… strips, or squares or triangles?  You can make some stunning quilts with simple cuts.  But have you ever wanted to try a pattern with curves? Elisa Wilson of Elisa’s Backporch Designs makes sewing curves easy.  She takes the fear out of curves.  She has designed a complete line of curve templates made of plastic acrylic that make cutting your curved pieces easy too.  The templates have a quarter inch seam allowance built in. 

When you purchase a template set there is usually a pattern included that will get you started.  You can use your rotary cutter with these templates to cut your fabric. 

Here’s one example of Elisa’s patterns… Chocolate Go Round is made with the 3 1/2″ Drunkards Path, 2 charms packs and your favorite background fabric.  Here’s a chance to play with color.  Keep the dark sections but in the lighter sections use slightly darker shades as you go from the center to the outer edges of the quilt.  Or make the colors change as in a rainbow.  Or slightly darker from the center to the outside and the dark sections slightly darker from the outside in.  Play with it!!

Watch Elisa’s video “Cutting 20 Fat Quarters” on YouTube.  She’ll show you how to get the most out of your fat quarters using both the 8″ and the 3″ templates.  The 3 1/2″ template works perfectly on charm packs.

When you are finished cutting, you can sew your curved pieces together WITHOUT pins.  Watch Elisa’s video “Sewing Crazy Curves Without Pins” on YouTube.  Once you try it you’ll wonder why you waited so long to make a quilt with curves.  You’ll be amazed at your talent!

Our newest designer is Virginia Cole of Galloping Pony Studios.  While a lot of quilts can be also be art, Virginia goes a step further.  Her patterns give you instructions for a miniature quilt blocks and also for collage art which includes the quilt blocks.  You’ll be able to make very personal art pieces with her help.

Pretty Thing has instructions for a miniature quilt collage with two different size options.  This piece uses Log Cabin and Cracker Box blocks.

Quilt Study definitely is just what it says. Such an interesting piece! There are instructions for ten different miniature blocks and layouts for three different size collages.  After you make the art you can use your talents and the block patterns to make many different miniature quilts… your imagination is your only limitation!

Of course, we need to include something Christmassy… Oh Christmastime! has instructions for several different quilt blocks and for eight mini projects including gifts, cards, and tags.  Make a few gifts that are personal and something to treasure. 

Now, how about a purse? It’s big enough that you can pack up your pattern and supplies for one of the Galloping Pony projects and take it along with you.  The Side Pac Sack has LOTS of detail and will turn into a conversation piece wherever you go!

If you are new to miniature quilts, don’t worry about any mistakes you make… as the saying goes “if you can’t see a mistake in a quilt from a galloping horse, it’s not a mistake.” That’s where Virginia got the name for her studio… change the horse to a pony because she does miniatures.  Virginia says she enjoys the character of imperfections so think of your mistakes as adding character.  If you get hooked on miniatures, Joan Hawley has pictures and notes about a darling, and very detailed miniature sewing room.  You’ll also find many more quilt patterns available for miniatures; just enter “miniatures” in the search box and explore.  So, no more ‘neighs’ – get sewing!

New designer Eve Paige has lots of Christmas patterns from which to choose.  Beth Helfter is the force behind Eva Paige and her patterns are unique; they are not your ordinary one block over and over.  Highlighted below are a few of her patterns that are suitable for Christmas and winter time…

Syncopated Christmas breaks the rules! It’s made without exact measurement and with angled piecing.   Make two and there’s no chance they will look the same.  This quilt is finished off with an appliqued bow.  Of couse, you don’t HAVE to add the appliqued bow, but it sure finishes the quilt nicely, doesn’t it?

Winter Whites is a beautiful wall hanging that allows you to use your creativity.  The background is piecied and the white pointsettias really shine.  Or use cream for your background and make red pointsettias.  Whatever color scheme you choose, you can add beads, embroidery, buttons… let your imagination run loose.   If you enjoy this pattern, Eva Paige has a similiar summer design, Sunflower and Sky. 

Remember those paper snowflakes you make in grade school by folding the paper and cutting along the edges? It made you feel sooooo creative and talented didn’t it?  Well, check out Snowflake Sizzle.  These snowflakes are included in the pattern but get out that freezer paper and start making it snow!

When you are finished creating with scissors but still looking for snowflakes, there’s another Snowflake Sizzle pattern.  This one has more sedate snowflakes at first but then you can jazz them up with embellishments.

Eva Paige has much more than just Christmas patterns, and her designs are unique.   Have fun with your last jump into Christmas in July.  When you are ready to give Christmas a rest check out Eva Paige’s other designs and take a look at the others designers and their quilt patterns.

Wallhangings and miniatures are not the only sizes of Carol Hopkins quilt patterns, but she does have a nice selection of these. She designs her reproduction quilts for use with reproduction fabrics. But don’t let that stop you from experimenting! All of these quilts lend themselves to a scrappy look, so dig out your scraps and transform them.

Carol Hopkins is currently our featured designer at Quilters Warehouse, and she has a new quilt pattern called Hooker’s Hat Patch. What a nice wall hanging it would make – a perfect accent for a family room, or as the center of attention in your entryway. Tell your guests the name of the quilt and you have a conversation piece!