We all love to cut up our fabric in little pieces and sew it back together to create a whole new look.  That’s what quilting is all about.  But sometimes we have collections of fabric that are just so pretty that we want to show off larger pieces.  Here’s a few patterns that are perfect for doing that. . . .

In Galleria, your favorite fabrics are surrounded by darker borders, then light fabric all ’round. A few flowers are scattered for interest.  The sample shows a random mix of block fabrics and block border fabrics, but it might be fun to do it like a four patch, with the same colors in diagonal sections.

New Beginnings is simple to sew, and the pattern includes instructions for two sizes: a lap quilt (37.5″ x 55.5″) and a king/queen (101.5″ x 110.5″).  Strip piecing leads to quick assembly!

It only takes one large scale floral to really shine In My Garden.  The trellis look takes one print and makes it into a beautiful corner of the garden. “Shading” on the trellis adds dimension.  Applique butterflies can be added, but they are optional – it’ll be a gorgeous quilt with or without the butterflies.

Puzzle Box is shown with just one fabric and looks great that way, or you can use several different fabrics and it will still look great.  The interesting borders around the blocks look tricky to construct but designer Tracey Brookshier says they’re not!  Three sizes are included: baby, lap, and bed sized.

Heather Mulder of Anka’s Treasure has gathered together 11 quilt patterns for large scale prints into one book, Livin’ Large.  And when you finish these, check out Livin’ Large 2 for 9 more large scale print quilt patterns!

Kay M Capps Cross loves black and white, and sometime she adds a pop of color…. almost any color!  Many designers will move to a black and white quilt at some point, but for Kay, black and white is her mainstay and really sets her creative spirit free. Her quilts are sometimes geometric, sometimes wonky, sometimes arty, but they will always catch your eye and give you something interesting to look at.

Jailhouse Row is a fun wall hanging.  The cats are paper pieced and can be left as is (just black on a white background) or you can embellish away and dress them up.  Kay says this is an easy quilt, so start sewing and pretty soon all you’ll have all your kitties in a row.

Grab your scraps or use a favorite panel, either way this quilt-as-you-go project will finish quickly. Strong straps (‘cuz they go all the way around the bottom of the bag) and a very roomy interior (it holds a 24″ cutting mat!) will make this Scrap Bag your favorite large (we’re talking huge!) tote.

Paper pieced crisp points and the gold color turn an ordinary pine tree into “Royaltry“.  Be daring and try silk to make it elegant.  The border adds a special touch of interest.

Posy Set #1 is the first of four sets of posy patterns. Finish them all and you will have a 56″ x 74″ quilt full of posies.  Choose your accent color to match your room.

Be sure to check out the book Black & White Quilts by Design.  It includes a dozen patterns for a range of experience levels, with clear instructions for applique and paper piecing.  Browse all the Cross Cuts patterns and you will also notice that several projects are suitable for scraps.

Alene Ward designs a wide variety of patterns.  Her redwork ‘Me and Grandma’ and ‘Me and Grandpa’ designs are quite popular.  They are great for take along projects or evenings in front of the TV.  The Me and Grandma designs are also available on CD for machine embroidery.  Alene’s applique designs are inspired by nature, with flowers and birdhouses.

It’s a memory in the making, Me and Grandma in the Garden planting flowers.  This 9″ x 12″ (unfinished) redwork block can be framed and considered done, or make the rest of the Grandma and Me blocks for an entire quilt of twelve blocks all about “me and Grandma”.

Not to leave anyone out, here’s one of the Me and Grandpa blocks.  This, also, could be a simple little wall quilt, or part of a larger six block quilt all about “me and Grandpa”.

Irises for Grace is a beautiful wall hanging measuring 24″ x 42″. The flowers look three dimensional, don’t they?  These irises can also be a part of a larger quilt (86″ square) of the same name, Irises for Grace quilt pattern.

Nostalgic Fruit and Veggie towels will bring a smile to your face… and to anyone who enters your kitchen!  Cute sayings are on each of them appropo to the fruit or veggie shown.  Choose to stitch as redwork, match the towel border, or the color that suits the fruit or veggie.  These would make a great hostess gift.

One block of a large quilt called Nature’s Beauty, Roses Block #9 lives up to the claim.  Batiks would shine in all the blocks of this quilt…. lots of variations in color – just like in nature! Other blocks in the quilt include baskets, lilies, tulips, birdhouses, and more.

Designs by Alene also has a pieced Christmas table runner, a few combination pieced and appliqued holiday designs, plus a few patterns for practical items.

Becky and Me quilt patterns are suitable for all ages and skill levels.  Easy to follow instructions assure a quilting success.

Spring is captured in this log cabin framed quilt with a blooming flowers in a watering can. This 16″ square, cheerful quilt works as a wall hanging, a pillow, or part of a larger quilt.

Do you know any high school seniors that are headed to college next year?  Kitties might be a cute pillow for them to take with, especially if they have a kitty that they have to leave behind.  Another 16″ square project (Becky and Me has lots of these!) it will also work as a wall hanging.

Becky’s Bibs offers instructions in two sizes – 11″ infant & 14″ toddler.  The ribbed neckline is comfy and the appliques are cute! Alphabet applique is included so you can personalize the bibs. Great shower or new baby gift. The Flannel Softs Quilt Pattern includes these bibs and a pattern for a hooded receiving blanket.

Isn’t this little Sailor Bear adorable?!  Measuring 16″ tall, he’s fat quarter friendly and made from pieced squares. Becky suggests that you could also use pieces of old quilts.  Hmm, maybe even old clothes? Whatever you use, he is sure to be loved by someone special.

Today’s post focus was on little projects but, if you browse all the Becky and Me patterns, you’ll see several lap sized and larger quilts… most of them cheerful!

Angela Lawrence is an award winning quilter with a passion for needleturn applique. A degree in education has led her to share her passion through workshops that encompass beginner’s skills right through to advanced tecniques.

If you are new to applique, or just want a quicker project, Tantalizing Tulip has large pieces that translate into a stunning 24″x30″ wall hanging.  The border is made from scrap pieces and put together brick style.

The colors are what first drew me to Simply Paisley first, but the design is delightful.  This is the kind of pattern you’d want to do over and over again to explore all different color combinations.

With just nine blocks in a large quilt (62″ x 74″), this Folk Art Floral applique pattern allows the use of larger scale fabrics.  Each block is unique – good luck choosing a favorite!

Butterfly Boutique is a 47″ x 58.5″ beauty.  With 12 blocks you can do a block a month and finish this just in time for next Spring.  The colors Angela used for her sample certainly are vibrant!  Stick with vibrant or go for soft, subtle, pastels.  Either way, the end product will be a treasure worthy of handing down.

If you live in the midwest, or are traveling there for upcoming quilt shows this summer, you can meet Angela, and see her work and patterns in person.  She will be teaching and exhibiting at the Minnesota Quilters 35th Annual Quilt Show and Conference in Duluth, MN; exhibiting only at the 2013 International Quilt Festival / Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois; and teaching and exhibiting at AQS 2013 Quilt Show and Contest in Des Moines, Iowa.

If you aren’t traveling, you can browse the rest of the Applique After Hours patterns from the comfort of your home!

In our neck of the woods…  wait, let me rephrase that…. here in our corner of the prairie, we had a snow storm earlier this week and are now enjoying sunshine and warming temperatures.  Shoveling the snow revealed a few green leaves of tulip bulbs that had just broken the surface of the soil.  We should be enjoying colorful displays not too long from now.  In the meantime we settle for tulip displays on quilts.

Beautiful Coventry Garden Tulips in your favorite colors combines easy piecing and applique.  Your garden will bloom soon!

Just one Tantalizing Tulip, but that’s all it takes to brighten our day, just one.  Pull out your bright scraps and applique this art deco type flower.

Another lone bloom, Tender Tulip looks romantic and graceful.  Thoughtful selection of your background fabric makes this a dynamic little quilt.  Finishing at 9″ x 12″, it’s just right for a hostess gift, Easter gift, or “just because” gift.

Tulip Festival is shown with a light background, but it would also look great with vibrant colored flowers on a dark background.  This wallhanging finishes at 36″ square.

Here’s a quick project that you’ll be able to finish before the real tulips show up.  A pre-printed, pre-colored design Heirloom Tulips just needs embroidery to be finished.  The size is 4″ x 5″.

Enjoy stitching your spring garden.