Jo Morton’s newest book, Coming Home, will be available in late May.  But you can pre-order now.

Jo Morton has been quilting for over thirty years.  Not long after that she began creating small quilts that were new, but had the look of “olde”.  With a long list of teaching experience to her credit at quilds, shops, retreats and shows, she has also appeared on Simply Quilts and Love Of Quilting. Her quilts are in public and private collections across the country. Since publishing her first book in 2000, she has written and published well over a dozen books. 

You have almost certainly seen her fabulous lines of fabric that she designs for Andover fabrics.  The new collections of Jo Morton fabrics will take you back to the 19th century with beautiful interpretations of period fabrics.

Coming Home is 92 pages of projects and inspiration.  With a new layout and revised directions to make it easier to follow, you will find pieced quilt patterns as well as applique quilt patterns.  Twelve quilt projects, plus two more from Jo’s Little Women Club 7 that are “Worth Repeating”.  

Pre-order now so you can get your hands on this one as soon as it is available!

Clothesline Quilts features traditional small and full size quilt patterns, table toppers, and craft projects for young and old.  The designer, Evonne Cook, has been sewing since taking a home ec class in 7th grade.   Many years later, when her mom learned to quilt (under a designated Master Quilter, no less) and a cousin’s wife shared her quilting, Evonne took notice and soon was hooked.  She has been quilting and designing ever since.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time speaking with Evonne the other day.  Here’s a bit of our conversation….

You have several patterns designed for grandma and a grandchild to use together.  How did that come about?   The coloring bag was the first pattern for kids.  I realized that grandmothers enjoy making something for their grandkids as opposed to just buying a gift. 

As a designer, what comes first for you… the fabric or the design?  Well, I owned a quilt shop for about ten years. Then, it was the fabric that came first.  The patterns were designed with the fabric in mind.   Now, the pattern is where I start… actually for the Civil War Battle Series research is done before the pattern is designed.  When I began the series I selected twelve battles from the Civil War.  For each quilt I would read about the battle, the location and the generals involved. I select a block that seemed appropriate.  For instance, the blockade block for the New Orleans quilt.  The quilt would then be designed around the chosen block.  In each case I discovered that the finished quilt always somehow also formed some reminder or representation of the battle.  As an example, in the battle of Gettysburg the soldiers charged so close to the enemy that they were actually under the cannon fire… the enemy was in front of them and cannonballs were falling behind them.  If you look at the quilt, there is an open section in the middle surrounded by a darker area. 

You say your business is based in your farm home.  Do you have a certain time of day that you prefer to work; do you need to fit your work in between chores?   If I could, I would work on my quilting and designing from morning ’til night.  I find that when you are so interested and involved that it’s necessary to force yourself away from time to time.  So I do make sure that I take weekends off .  But I love my work and happily spend as much time as possible at it.  I am sometimes asked to give presentations but I don’t do it very often as I would much rather be at home working. 

What are you currently working on? Do you have anything new coming out?  I have a new series Civil War Generals.  Lee and Grant will be the first in the series.  These will first make an appearance at Quilt Market in May.  In fact, while I am in the area I will be giving a presentation on my Civil War quilts for a local quilt guild. 

The Civil War patterns all include a brief history about the battle and a fictional letter from the battlefield.  They can be made in two sizes… a lap quilt or a full size bed quilt.  I wish I could be at that guild meeting presentation - hearing Evonne speak about her quilts was fascinating.

Jelly Rolls and Charm Packs are so tempting.  It’s wonderful to have a piece of every fabric in a collection.  Then you just have to find a way to show it all off.  Fortunately there are plenty of Jelly Roll quilt patterns and Charm Pack patterns available.

Sittin’ Pretty placemats make good use of any charm pack.  This will sew up fast and look so pretty with all the coordinating fabrics.  Designed by Amy Cotham of Black Cat Creations these are 13″ x 18″ when finished.

Charming Trio – The Baby Collection offers three patterns in one, specially designed for charm packs.  The adorable Hugs and Kisses quilt can be used to cover baby or hang on the wall in the nursery.  Also included are two pillow patterns (one for the hugs and one for the kisses!) and a diaper bag.

This generous sized lap quilt looks like it would take quite a long time with all the little squares but with a jelly roll and strip piecing and a secret or two, it’s easy and you’ll have a Pretty Zig-Zag quilt before you know it!

A Jelly Sandwich never looked so good. This colorful throw size quilt (50.5″ x 58.5″) was designed by Barbara Grove of Me & My Sisters Designs.

Lemon Blush is another pattern  by Barbara Grove.  The long strips of braids look great surrounded by the light lemon colored fabric.  Or you could change the background color and make it Orange Crush, Grape Luscious….

So that will get you started… there are plenty more patterns designed for charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes, honey buns… all the sweet fabric packs.  Don’t hold back – Zero calories!

Friendship Designs is the creation of Sue Shipman and Sue Keck.  Friends, with lots of creativity between them, they design quilts that are anything but ordinary.  Many of their patterns feature beautiful, realistic looking flowers.  Some of the patterns are funny and whimsical.  Almost all of them will have you looking twice.

These Swaying Sunflowers just cannot be contained. . . they are blowing in the wind and out of the borders.   The pattern for this 18″ x 44″ tablerunner includes full size applique artwork.  Easy to follow instructions will help you with the pillow-turn technique.

Outside The Box is the perfect pattern for a favorite fabric that you don’t want to cut too small, but would rather show off in larger pieces.  An easy quilt in two sizes: 34″ x 48″ and 60″x 80″.

Even Witches need a Night Out!  These colorful “ladies” seem to have taken up line dancing to relieve the stress of being so witchy.

I wonder if the witches ran into these ladies who are doing the Snowshoe Shuffle?  Brightened with a colorful pieced border, this wall hanging finishes at 19 1/2″ x 23 1/2″.

Have you got That Lovin’ Feline?  The sight of these two kitties snuggling under a bright parasol will make any cat lover smile.  Look at their tails… isn’t that sweet?!

This Tender Tulip is an example of the realistic flowers you’ll find in Friendship Desingns patterns.   Hanging a grouping of these sure would look pretty.

Columbine flowers are the subject of Picture Perfect.  Easy to follow instructions and full size applique artwork will ensure you success with this wall hanging. Instructions include hand and fusible applique methods.

Check out the rest of Sue and Sue’s patterns.  Then if you still have some coffee in your cup and some time on your hands, check out all the other quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse.