Claudia has been sewing nearly all her life.  She was making her own clothes by the age of 12, so I wonder how old she was when she actually took her first stitch! 

Claudia’s patterns aren’t just for quilts.  She has several purse and bag patterns. 

I hate to pick favorites, but isn’t this just the cutest?!?!  Texture Magic gives those flowers some texture and makes them pop.  You’ll love carrying this Lizzie bag around.  

Here’s a great idea.  The Quick Change Bag pattern is for a reversible bag with a separate lining.   Pull out the lining, reverse the bag, replace the lining.  Ready to go!

And Claudia’s patterns aren’t just for cotton.  Her “Yard” patterns are table runners of beautiful flowers.  They are designed for wool, which gives a beautiful three dimensional quality to the finished piece. 

Hand embroidery and beading create additional interest on A Yard of Roses.  This quilt measures 10″ x 36″ when finished.

But, never fear, Claudia DOES have quilt patterns too.  And not boring, same old same old patterns.   Her quilt patterns are not each like the other.  Some of them are bold and graphic.

Sunflower Farm is a good example.  The design is striking, yet fairly easy to construct.  Four basic blocks and some simple applique… before you know it you’ll be snuggling under this quilt dreaming of Spring.

Ramblin’ Rose is another one of the bold, graphic designs and I’m excited to be making it over the next couple weeks…. I’ll share progress with you.

And then there are the beautiful, gently graceful quilts, such as Morning Star. 

Flowers in varying shades of purple flow across an ever so subtle pieced background.   Before adding the beads to embellish the flowers it might be fun to do a little free motion quilting on the flowers and leaves. 

So there’s a peek at a bit of what Claudia Atchison is all about. Be sure to check back with us over the next two weeks.   We’ll be posting an interview with Claudia and some pictures of where she creates, there will be progess on Ramblin’ Rose to report, we’ll look at some more patterns, and of course a giveaway!

(Don’t forget – leaving a comment on this post before Friday, January 21 at midnight (central time) will give you another chance to win three patterns from Prairie Sky Quilting!)

Here’s a few of my favorite patterns from Prairie Sky Quilting…

Presto Pinwheels seems to move as your eyes scan the top. I’d love to make this in bright bold colors. Maybe a very light blue for the background and then a bold bright blue for the pinwheels, a red for the squares and purple for the alternate squares. Or florals for the pinwheels and different greens for the alternate squares.

I love the monochromatic Lively Lattice Pattern and can see this in many different monochromatic colorways. It might also be fun to try a colorful small scale pattern for the background and a solid reading tone on tone for the lattice part.

Magnifient Medley includes instructions for crib, lap and twin size quilts.   Wouldn’t this look great in a crib size with these Cat in the Hat fabrics?!  The red stripes in place of the brown with the panel fabric fussy cut for the circles in the brown and then…. might need to play around with the rest of it, but how cute would that be?!  Perfect for hanging on the nursery wall.

I don’t know about your living room or family room, but in mine one quilt just isn’t enough.  I’d love to make Triple Expresso – Shake, Rattle & Roll all in the same fabrics.  Enough quilts to go around and it’d give the room a new look.

Well, it looks like I have lots of projects to add to my to-quilt list!  Do you have any favorites?

Three great patterns…

Fun & Done! Quilting Easy Diamonds Pattern is rated for beginners so it works for everyone. If you are more experienced this will be even quicker and more fun.   Try out this easy technique that yields a quilted project when the piecing done.  Bind the Fun & Done! way and you are finished!  I can see this pattern in different shades of one color with black or white sashing… a great visual impact.

Triple Expresso Hop, Skip & Jump quilt pattern gives you so many options.  Just three different blocks – the same three different blocks if that makes sense :)  – give three completely different layout looks.  And as if that’s not enough, there are instructions for five different sizes: crib, lap, twin, queen and king. 

The Eye Catcher, also known as the Spectacle Receptacle, will hold your glasses so you know right where to find them.  I need one of these. I spend (waste) so much time looking for mine!  This would make a great gift too.  Your rotary cutter or tv remote would also fit nicely in one of these.

So, do you want these three patterns?  You have until next Friday (January 21st) at 12:00 midnight (central time) to leave comments.  A winner will be selected with a random number generator.  One person will win all three patterns.

Leave a comment (just one!) on this post.  And for more chances to win, leave a comment on any other post made between now and next Friday.  That’s right, each time you see a new post on our blog, leave a comment and you have another chance to win.  Any comment on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook posts (between today and next Friday) will also give you another chance to win.  So let’s hear from you!

• only one comment per post
• only comment on posts dated between Jan 14 and Jan 21
• US residents only

A new year.  A fresh start.  While you are making resolutions and planning your goals for the year you may want to include learning a new quilting technique.   If you are a beginner, it’s the perfect motivation to expand on your skills.  If you are a seasoned, experienced quilter surely there is at least one technique you haven’t tried…. there are so many!

Most quilters start with pieced quilt patterns.    But don’t stop there!   Explore new methods!

Foundation pieced quilt patterns can give you extraordinary results.  Making intricate designs and realistic scenes is possible with this technique.  And you’ll discover a use for all those little scraps that you just couldn’t bring yourself to throw away. 

Tulips Spring is a relatively easy paper piecing pattern with which to learn this new technique.  You will be sure to finish in time to hang it up for Spring.

Applique is a very popular technique, probably second only to standard piecing.  After appliqueing these nine Scrappy Hearts, you will have a good understanding of applique.   Valentine’s Day is coming soon!

Quilt As You Go quilt patterns are just what they say.  Sew your quilt together on top of your batting and backing; when you are finished sewing you are finished quilting!   Try this method with the 9-Patch On The Go pattern for a quick table topper and placemats to match.

Or you can step away from your sewing machine and try some hand embroidery.  Just right for keeping your hands busy as you spend the winter evenings in front of the tv…. something to do during all those commercials!

So, step outside of your comfort zone and learn something new.  You will be glad you did.  And we’d love to see pictures of your projects on our Facebook page. Come share. We all love show and tell!

It’s that time again.  A new year is coming and a new Thimbleberries Block of the Month Quilt will be starting.  Unlike other BOM that you can start anytime, the Thimbleberries runs January to December.  So don’t miss it!   

There are two colorways…

Border Blast Southern Skies

Border Blast Northern Lights

You can also choose between a queen size (96″ x 112″) or a large throw size (74″ x 90″).  The queen size has an additional finishing kit in month 12 for $47.95.

Each month you will receive your block pattern and all the fabrics needed for $16.95.  Easy enough to made just one block a month, right?  When you are finished you’ll just need to purchase backing and batting (even the binding is included in the kits!).  

But, each month, you will also recieve a bonus pattern for a wall hanging that uses that month’s block.   That’s 12 quilt patterns!   If you make each wall hanging each month you will have plenty of Christmas gifts ready for next Christmas with no pressure, just fun!   Or keep a few (or all of them!) and hang one or two in the bedroom that uses the quilt and you can change them every once in a while.  

The block of the month ships around the 3rd week of every month and is billed when shipped.   If “someone” hasn’t found the perfect gift yet and wants to get you a really nice Christmas gift, but not pay for it all at once…. this just might be it!

Or treat yourself!