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!

Some quilt books are useful over and over, for years and years.

Do you dread the words “quilt as desired”?  Here’s help! 501 Quilting Motifs  is a collection of quilting designs from more than 25 years of Quiltmaker magazine.  The designs are indexed by size and style so you can easily find what you need.  Flowers, vines, children’s themes, feathers, seasons, and more are included.  Helpful diagrams for combining designs guide the beginner, and make projects easier for the more experienced. Use the designs as shown, or use them for inspirations.  You’ll refer to this book often.

Brandywine Designs Clip Art for Quilters includes over 75 designs that you can freely use for a variety of projects.  Embroidery, redwork, applique, labels, and stencils are just some of the uses.  Flowers, animals, hearts, baskets, and more! Since they are drawn in the same style, combining several into one project will create a cohesive look.  Combine, separate, or use just the way they are.

If you ever feel like you want to go one step further with your quilts, Embellishment Potpourri will give you the confidence to do so.  Techniques are covered with fabric, thread, beads, and more. Plus there are instructions for two quick and easy fabric embellishment projects so you can “get your feet wet”!

Do you know any quilter that does not have scraps?  We all have them! And they just grow and grow!  Never fear, Scrap Assassin Saves the Day!   Instructions are included for four quilts – and yardage is given just in case you don’t want to use scraps.  You can make these over and over again as each bundle of scraps will give you a different look.  Plus you get the added bonus of using at least SOME of your scraps – that makes room for more new fabric!

If you are looking for a few books to start your quilting library, these might be the ones to choose.  But don’t stop here – check out the rest of the books in our quilting book section.

Margaret Travis creates patterns for useful items . . . handbags, accessories, home decor, special needs items.  The patterns work for all levels of quilters and sewers, from the beginner to the experienced.  If you are a beginner, experience a finish!

Convenient Coupon Caddy, a fat quarter friendly project, has eight pockets for organizing all your coupons.  Save money and look stylish doing it!  Folds to 6.5″ x 4″ so you can tuck it in your purse and have your coupons when you need them.

Large, handy pockets and comfortably placed neck ties will make this a favorite apron.  An easy to make, comfortable, reversible apron, the Eazy Flip Apron pattern fits many sizes and instructions are included for larger sizes. The pretty scalloped hem is optional.

Who couldn’t use another pincushion?! These are super cute…. a “Cutest Cupcake”, a totally unique “Hearts in Hand”, and a handy “Pozie Wristlet”.  Bonus! You also get instructions for making fancy beaded pins.

Got stuff to hold?  Make up the Eeny, Meeny, Miny & Moe Accessory Bags and you’ll have a place to hold it all.  Great for cosmetics, cell phones, IPads & Kindles, sewing tools, anything!  Fat quarter friendly, it would be fun to match the fabric to the items it will hold…. maybe a wordy fabric for an e-reader, or sewing themed fabric for sewing tools.

Check out the Bodacious Brag Bag.  Lots of room and lot of pockets.  Ribbon is used for the handles and for embellishment.  The vinyl pocket on the front holds a photo or an embroidered piece or anything else you’d like to brag about!

These are just a few of Eazy Peazy‘s patterns.  There are many more, including a Spectacular Spectacle Case, Luverly Luggage Tags, a Walker Saddlebag, a Wheelchair Backpack, and more.

Some of these patterns are so beautiful and realistic looking, you’ll almost smell the flowers.

Flowering Trellis has instructions for three flowers: clematis, rose,and morning glory.  Make a wall hanging, a table runner, or a banner.

Garden Trellis by Evonne Cook of Clothesline Quilts showcases beautiful appliqued flowers scattered along the edges.  Lovely floral fabrics in varying shades have green sashing that simulates a trellis.  Instructions are included for three different sizes.

Blooming Vine from Anka’s Treasures has pieced flowers surrounded green leaves on a white lattice.  Make a queen size, a wall quilt, or a table runner with the included instructions.  I’d love to see this with a light blue background.

Choose white, a solid color, or a wood grain look for your Garden Trellis.  Add your favorite blooming fabric and you have a beautiful garden inspired table runner to brighten up any room! This D Hall Designs pattern is 16″ x 35″.

Garden Trellis BOM will keep you stitching for quite a while making a beautiful piece of art for your wall, or for your bed.  Twelve apppliqued flowers, each on a square in a square block, give the quilt an on point setting look. Two tone sashing is woven to resemble lattice work.

Go ahead and sew up a flowering trellis…. you’ll never have to worry about watering!

Have you been saving old denim clothes just waiting for the perfect project?  Here’s a few projects for denim.  One of these might be just right for you!

Add squares of denim to novelty prints to create a unique Recycled Denim Spy Quilt.  Smaller bits of denim are used in the pieced border.

Recycled Denim Skirt and Purse from Carolyn’s Creative Designs shows you how to make a skirt from the top of your jeans and a purse from the leg.  Hmm, that leaves one more leg…. make a purse for a friend?  Lots of variations with this pattern.  Add lots of length for a modest, really comfy skirt.  Or keep it short and flirty.  Or meet in the middle!

Carolyn’s Recycled Denim Tote or Purse pattern encourages you to add your imagination and creativity to the project.  The generously sized tote can be made from many different shades of denim and you can embellish to your heart’s content.

Here’s another Jeans Tote Pattern.  This one will go together quickly, and can be dressed up with a colorful sash.  Shop the thrift store for different sized jeans and make extra-large-hold-everything sized totes or cute little tiny totes from little kids jeans!

Create a Denim Shirt Jacket by starting with an old denim shirt. Modify the bottom, add some applique for your favorite season, add trim for the collar and cuffs.  Result: a one of a kind jacket that reflects your personality.

Dig out your old jeans or visit a thrift store and do some recycling!  Happy sewing!