Time to make a quilt. Now that’s always an easy decision.  Then comes the hard part… choosing which size, pattern, fabric, etc.  

Did you ever stop to think how many different kinds of quilts there are? Art, applique, pieced, crazy quilts, quilt-as-you-go, embroidered, cross stitched, T-shirt quilts, photo, BOM, mystery quilts are a few.  Can you think of any others?  And within each of these types, there are so many, many different looks, different patterns.  Have you ever heard of Fraser Smith? He makes quilt sculpture from wood.  His pieces are very colorful and, at least in the photographs, look so real. 

Then there’s all the different sizes… baby blanket, crib, wall hanging, miniature, throw, twin, full, queen, king, quiltlet.  Even an EXTRA LARGE one - a quilt of North Dakota with each of its’ counties.  The quilt measures 85 feet by 134 feet – it’s so big they can’t find a place in North Dakota to put it on display. 

And the different ways to finish the quilt when the top is complete… tie it, hand quilt, machine quilt, random quilt pattern, in-the-ditch, shadow, leaves, flowers, lines… it’s impossible to name all the possibilities!

Now thinkabout the fabric choices, the thread choices, to embellish or not.

It just kind of boggles the mind to think about all the variables.  There’s no end to the experiences to be had with this hobby.  At least there is one other decision to make that really easy… where to go for your pattern.  Quilter’s Warehouse is sure to have what you are looking for even if you’re not yet sure what that is!  Enjoy browsing the quilt patterns.

These quilt patterns will be new later this week at Quilters Warehouse.                                  

Card Tricks All Around is a twist on the traditional ‘card trick’ block.  Almost all quilts change with the fabric choices you make, but this one looks like it would change dramatically.   It looks very pleasing with the monochromatic fabrics – even more closely matched fabrics would be interesting.  Wildly different colors would change the look entirely.  How about a wall hanging for a new college student in the school’s colors?

The Blue Cross Quilt will use up your scraps, or it works great with Jelly Rolls.  (mmm, brb, gotta refill the coffee n get a jelly donut)  Wouldn’t it be fun too make this quilt for that same college student with the same college colors.  It would be the perfect throw for the end of the bed, and it’d be great to take along to the football games.  A little piece of home while they are away.

Any new babies expected, or already here?  Baby Elephant Walk would make a great gift.  And no need to choose a pink or blue color scheme.  It’s works for either.  This is a paper pieced pattern – looks like a good one to learn with – you’ll get practice with the same shape.  The warning says it could be addictive!

Ready to learn a new technique? You’ll learn to thead paint with Painted Wreath.  You can test run all those decorative stitches on your sewing machine that you haven’t tried yet.  You can also add embellishments. Go for it!!  If you like it this pattern could be used to make a wreath for each season.

 There’ll be more new items later this week… USB wallet (sounds cute), a Carol Hopkin’s mini- quilt for your scraps, a table runner, and more. Enjoy!

Quilt designer Ruth Powers is the force behind Innovations.  Her quilt designs are anything but usual.  They are very artistic and even when they start with a traditional block they make a surprising finish.  Just as in life, a step at a time is the answer to completing even the most complicated quilts.  And even the simplest of designs doesn’t look simple when it’s done, it has a “wow” factor.  Here’s a sampling…

Goose on the Loose.  A simple block, flying geese, but what a way to fly.  And into the borders too!

The inspiration for this quilt, Starburst was Ruth’s AQS prize winning quilt called “Starmageddon”.  This design went on to become a prize winner too!  You can see the bright stars emerge from the pile at the bottom of the quilt. There are two options to choose from for the background.  This will make a nice quilt for laying under the stars, even on a cloudy night.

Traditional Tricks is made with nine patches, log cabin blocks, some squares, some half square triangles.  Back to basics really, but WOW!  Quite a statment for all it’s simplicity. Match the colors to your decor and you will have an outstanding piece of art to hang on your wall (better be a large wall) or turn your bed into the showcase.

Repetitions of one 12″ block make this scrappy beauty, Scrapmajic Stars.  Start with the baby size so you can see the magic happen fast.  You’ll have a gift that will be treasured by mom now and baby later.  Then move on and make one of the bed sizes for yourself.  (That is if you don’t get inundated with requests to make a quilt just like the one you gave the new mom at her shower!)

There are so many more projects by Innovations.  Also be sure to check out all the other quilt patterns at QuiltersWarehouse.