Do you need a project in between quilts?  Maybe a pattern that you can use to make a gift or two or three?  Try these out.

Grab some colorful scraps and make up a batch of Key Fob Pockets. So handy to carry any little thing… USB drive, a little cash, lip balm. They’d make a great extra little gift that you could tie to the bow of a Christmas package or stuff in a stocking.

Protect your electronics and show off your personality with a Laptop, Kindle, or iPad Cover.  They go together quickly so you can make a few extra to have on hand for gifts.  Almost anyone could use one of these!

Aren’t these just adorable?!  They look like a pinafore but they are really “pockets”.  Hang them up and use them to hold just about anything.  Great for a little girl’s room.  And they don’t HAVE to serve a purpose…. Pinafore Pockets could be hung just for decoration.

Now, ideally your sewing machine will never be idle long enough to collect dust.  But every now and then life gets in the way and we have to leave it be for a day or two (or more!).  Four Corners Sewing Machine Cover will keep the dust off and display your creativity at the same time.  The pattern includes instructions for three variations with patchwork, applique, and embellishments.  Have fun jazzing it up.

All these projects came from the same section.  When you are looking for something a little different, check out the Novelty Quilt Pattern section.  Lots of different projects and even a few out-of-the-ordinary quilts.

So you have your tools.  You have your pattern.  And now it’s time to choose your fabrics. 

Your pattern will list the fabric requirements usually with just a little bit of extra.  Not lots – you won’t have enough left over for another project or anything like that.  But you should have enough extra so that you can trim your edges straight before you actually start cutting.  If you are prone to errors, and can afford it, go ahead and buy a little extra.  You’ll never regret having leftovers for your stash!

The quilt pattern designer will sometimes make suggestions about the fabric, such as mentioning that a directional print won’t be best.  The fabric requirements will somtimes list light, medium, and dark yardages as opposed to actual colors. 

There are a few ways to proceed.  If you are in love with the colors and fabrics that the designer used, you can simply use the picture of the finished quilt as a guide.  You probably won’t be able to get the exact fabrics, but you can usually find something similiar.

Another option would be to select a fabric collection that you like and choose fabrics from within that collection.

 
For instance, Fancy Hill Farm is a collection by Robyn Pandolph for RJR Fabrics. Beautiful greens, reds, ivory, and tan in solids, large print florals and small print florals. You’ll find lights, mediums, and darks within the collection and you can be sure that all the fabrics will coordinate with each other.

Still another way to go would be to choose from a type of fabric.

If you limit yourself to reproduction fabrics, many of the print styles will work with each other. You’ll just need to be sure to select colors that go together.

Another option is to choose a print fabric you like that has several colors.   Say you like this dinosaur print but your pattern is for a living room table runner… and your living room decor does not run to dinosaurs!

Match the colors in the print with tone on tone fabrics and/or solids in the same colors.   Then you can use those fabrics without the print – you know they go together because you already like the color palette in the print.  Save the dinosaurs for the kid quilt.

Finally, you can skip all the above methods and just trust your artistic instincts (they really are in there).  It’s your quilt - express yourself!

Tools, pattern, fabric…. let the fun begin!

Our Pinterest Contest has come to a close.  Thank you to all who participated!  If you don’t already, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.

And the winner is….

Dennise Sheppard!

Check out her AWESOME Pinning My Next Quilt Pattern Project board.  You can tell she totally got into the spirit of the contest. 

Dennise said “I love quilting anyway so it was extra fun to go through each section and see what was new and different and building my room and making way for my Dream Quilt.”

Congratulations, Dennise!

 Rare is the quilter that doesn’t save her scraps.  Unfortunately, that’s as far as some of us get.  Break out of the mold, pull out your scraps and make a quilt!  Here’s a few patterns that might work for you.

This one is for the itty-bitty scraps.  Use them up in this Scrappy Nine-Patch.  A neutral background showcases all those little bits of color. 

Syncopated Ribbons makes use of your odd shaped scraps.  Instructions are includes for four sizes, from baby to queen.  Time to sort those scrap pieces into colors! 

 You won’t need many large scrap pieces for this one – you’ll be able to use up lots of your smaller scraps.  And it won’t matter how bright or subdued your fabrics are – Pinwheel Sampler will make them into a cheery quilt.

With Fiesta Wear by Sandy Klop, anything goes.  Prints, solids, tone on tones… use them all.  The black border and black sashing really accent the colors.

Little Big Star has the look of a Trip Around The World.  Your scraps, plus a little white and a little black will create this amazing quilt.

Scraps & More is a book full of patterns for your scraps.  Nine in all, including quilts, a pillow pattern and a table runner.

If you didn’t like any of these, browse the Scrap Quilt Pattern section of QuiltersWarehouse.  

Happy quilting!

So you are ready to make your first quilt.  Excited?  Of course you are!  Choosing just the right pattern for a first quilt will enable you to finish the quilt and enjoy your success.   It’s always a good idea to start small.  Go for a pattern that features simple blocks and only straight lines, squares and rectangles.  Save the triangles for your next quilt.   A table runner, baby quilt or lap quilt are all good choices for a first project.

You’ll learn about quick piecing with Ready, Set, Go and the seam matching is kept to a minimum.   Finishing at 45″ x 63″ it’s just right for tossing on the couch so it brightens the room. 

Easy as 10…11…12 is just that easy.  These three quick quilts are in three sizes.  The smallest is just right for a baby, the medium for a toddler and the largest for a preteen.  Finish all you and you are going to be so hooked on quilting!

Easy Bake isn’t quite as quick as a cake in an Easy Bake oven but it won’t take that much longer.   And it’ll be as bright and fun as the fabrics you choose. 

Turn The Table is a table runner pattern that is so easy but so striking that you’ll probably find yourself using this pattern over and over again.  Instructions are included for the “quilt as you go” method, or you can choose to finish it in the traditional way.

The Log Cabin Star is made with only straight cuts of fabric but you’ll see angles.  The log cabin block is so easy and so versatile…. so many different layouts are possible.  This quilt measures 22″ square. Use it as a wall hanging or a table topper.

My first quilt was a log cabin design and the time I spent playing around with the layouts is when I really became hooked.  I started too large – a queen size! – but I did finish.  The quilt is on the bed in our master bedroom and I still love it, mistakes and all!

Go ahead, if you haven’t already, take the plunge!  You’ll be so glad you did!

Are you new to quilting?  Always wanted to quilt but just haven’t taken the plunge yet?  Not sure what you need to get started?    Here’s a start on the tools of the trade.  While you don’t HAVE to have these items, they sure make the job easier.  Rather like a carpenter who can do the job with a hand saw, a screw driver and a hammer.  But he will have a much easier time of it if he has access to a power saw, power drill, and power nail driver.  The right tools make any job easier.

The only “power” tools you’ll need are the sewing machine and an iron.  Beyond that, three additional items will really help.

First, you need to cut, so you need a Rotary Cutter.  There are a few different styles available.  This one is comfortable if  you do a lot of cutting.  It can be locked in the safety position, but the safety position is the default.  Squeeze the handle and the blade is out and ready to cut; let go of the handle and the blade retracts. 

 Next, you need a ruler to guide your rotary cutter.  The Creative Grids 6.5″ x 24.5″ is an excellent all purpose ruler.  It has grippers on the bottom to help prevent sliding, and has plenty of clear markings for inch, half-inch and more (or should I say less ;)  ).  It even has angle markings that you can use until you start collecting specialty rulers.

 Third, you need something to cut on, so you need a mat.  Mats come in a few different sizes.  If you plan to make more than one quilt (and who wouldn’t?! – you’ll catch the bug!), the large 24″ x 36″ mat is well worth the investment.  It’s so much easier to cut your fabric if you can cut it the same way it comes off the bolt, instead of folding more to fit your mat.

That’s it.  These three important tools will prove to be invaluable to you in your quilting endeavors.  So start here.  You’ll discover many more tools that will help along the way, but you will always use these.

Happy quilting!