Three of the newest patterns at Quilters Warehouse take a step away from traditional and add a touch of whimsy.

Sound Waves is from the Back to Bargello series by Karen Gibbs of the Quilt Studio.  Karen’s bargello method is simple and her easy to follow instructions will make you an expert in no time.  Turn on your favorite music while you sew and watch it come to life.

Whales & Pails  is the perfect quilt to take to the beach.  Or spread it out on the grass after a swim in the pool.  This will be a favorite with the kids and one they’ll attach to lots of happy summer memories.  You can have so much fun changing things around. . . make a different sail for each boat . . . make fussy cuts or use different fun patterned fabrics for the pails.  Yes, I know whales are really blueish or grey, but use some poetic license and make them any color you want – or a different color for each one!  Go ahead.  Create a memory.

Wind Catcher is made from one single shape cut from two fabrics and laid out in different ways.  My personal favorite it the one with the dark border all the way around.  Hmmmm, I wonder what a small quilt made with several of these blocks would look like?  The pattern includes three sizes: Placemats: 15″ X 17 1/2″; Tabletoppers: 22 1/2″ X 26″ and 29″ X 33 1/2″.   Just two fabrics, let’s see.  Fourth of July: Red & White with blue stars.  Spring: Dark Green & a light floral.  Christmas, Fall, Winter, Summer.  This’ll be a pattern that gets used and used and used.

Enjoy these fun patterns or check out some traditional ones. . . so many quilt patterns, so little time.

If you are trying to be more aware of our environment and do what you can to be “green”, here’s a few patterns to help.  These will help reduce the need for plastic.

Try a fabric Checkbook Cover.   So quick and easy to make. You can make a few for yourself and change them with your mood.  Then you’ll be an expert at it and you can make a few for gifts.  You’ll be helping others “go green”!

Money Bags Purse-O-Nality is another pattern for a checkbook cover, plus a pattern for a tri-fold wallet with pockets for everything.  If you add a strap you’ll have a mini-purse.

Isn’t this just the cutest little wallet?  Wonder Wallet has room for all your credit cards, IDs and your cash.   Lots of pockets.

Purse-O-Nality Times Four has a coin purse pattern, a wallet, and two mini purses.  All easy to make.  Make a matched set or use coordinating fabrics.  Or what about a rainbow effect?  Blue mini purse, Lilac wallet, red change purse.  Or white mini purse with black accents and black wallet & change purse with white accents.  So much fun!

Here’s another great gift idea, a CD Wallet.   Quick and easy to make.  And so easy to personalize and jazz them up.

So many ways to be green.  Have fun doing your part to make the earth a better place!

Designs to Share with You has many quilt patterns with a variety of difficulty.  You’ll find plenty of patterns that are quick and easy.  But you will also find a selection of more challenging designs.   Puzzle Pieces is the newest pattern.

These Puzzle Pieces table runners will add a splash of contemporary design and color to any room.  One easy block, but your color choices and layout will really change the look and make for lots of fun.

 A Handful of Runners is set of 5 different patterns that are easy enough for a beginner, but with lots of variety and room to play with the fabric choices.  You’ll be able to showcase your favorite florals with these table runners.

Star Flowers will offer just a little more challenge.  Start with the table topper (35″ X 35″). Then move on to the lap sized quilt (53″ X 73″).  There are suggestions for three different bed sizes included with the pattern.

Now for a real challenge.  But what a pay off!  The Tree of Life is a beautiful wall hanging with a stained glass look.  There are instructions for hand work if you want to try that, but don’t let that scare you away! There are also instructions for machine work.

Cherry Blossoms will offer some more challenge. You will learn some new techniques (or get a chance to practice if you know them already!) and what a display you will have when you are finished!

IF you have any time left after checking out Designs to Share with You, browse the rest of the quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse.

Tray of the Month Series is a collection of patterns that are the size of a serving tray.  When finished you can showcase your project in a tray or hang it on the wall.  Each pattern has a different theme.  They are great for introducing you to different techniques, from applique to Karen’s “back to bargello” technique. 

The new pattern available this month is Sailing the Waves.  A colorful sailboat is surrounded by waves with rocks in the foreground.

And when the sun is hiding and the water is not from the waves you could try a Walk in the Rain.   This one is so colorful it makes you forget the sun is not shining!

The typical Morning Glory only lasts a single day, but you’ll be able to enjoy this Morning Glory as long as you want.   You don’t even need to get your hands dirty or do any watering.  Such pretty blooms.   A little bit of piecing, a little bit of applique and ta-dah! 

Of course there are winter theme Tray of the Month patterns.  We’re just trying to put that behind us for now.  But you know we’ll be making Christmas projects again any day now.  We just need to enjoy a little bit of Spring first. 

All of the Tray of the Month patterns have two sizes.  Small is 7 1/2″  X 11 1/2″.  And the large tray mat is 10″ X 16″.  They include graphic illustrations and Karen’s own “designer note”  where she shares her tips and random thoughts.  Enjoy!

Remember when aprons were commonplace.  Whether is was your Grandma, your mom, or you that wore the apron, it used to be that a woman wasn’t in the kitchen without an apron on.  Why did we stop using them?  They do their job protecting our clothes.  And they can be fun and stylish too. 

You know that you can find quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse, but did you know that there are Apron patterns to be found also?  Check out these patterns and maybe you’ll want to start wearing that apron again.

Fat Quarter Aprons by Seams & Dreams has instructions for five different apron styles.  And they are all fat quarter friendly.

Here’s a BBQ apron.  Choose a floral and you’ll have a nice apron for yourself.  Or maybe a food themed fabric (colorful chili peppers?) for a fun apron.  Use a bold stripe for the man in your life.  There’s instructions for a child sized apron too.  You could make the child sized apron in the same fabric to match mom’s or dad’s apron. It’s a simple pattern – you’ll want to make several.

These aprons won’t do much to protect your clothes, but aren’t they CUTE?!  The Pocket Aprons pattern comes in four different styles.  And a kid size too!

Here’s some more “Pretty Aprons” - these are pretty, they have pockets and they are big enough to cover your clothes.  Four different designs, each with five pockets and each with a different style . . . cute, cute, cute.

All right, you’re on your own.  I got you started.  Now I’m off to make an apron.  See you in the kitchen with my apron on.

Layer cakes (10″ squares) are delicious to look at and easy to sew.  Several patterns are available that make the most of layer cake collections.

One of the new patterns this week is for layer cakes and is by Lori Allison of Allison Quilt Designs.   Cake Eaters I & II has to be one of the easiest quilt patterns you can find. Sewing can begin without any cutting. There are two sizes: 48″ X 60″ and 44″ X 62″.  Praire Points provide the framing but you could always use a plain border instead.  Or, if you want to go ultimate easy just add binding.  Done!

Fruit Cake is another pattern by Lori Allison. Even easier! Just half square triangles make up this twin sized quilt. Again, framed with prairie points. Depending on the fabric you choose, this can be wild and crazy and just a bit fruity or it can be soft and subdued.

Who doesn’t remember playing Hopscotch oh so many years ago? One easy to make block that makes up this 55″ X 71″ quilt. The border matches the blocks. You’ll be snuggling under this large lap quilt in no time at all.

Ready for a bit of a challenge?  This quilt is a good introduction to curved piecing.  The circles in Lollipops are large enough that it’s relatively easy and you’ll be a pro by the time your quilt is finished.  Don’t you just love learning something new?

So, grab your favorite layer cake and start sewing.  You’ll be finished before you know it and will need to find another quilt pattern at Quilters Warehouse!