Designs to Share with You has many quilt patterns with a variety of difficulty.  You’ll find plenty of patterns that are quick and easy.  But you will also find a selection of more challenging designs.   Puzzle Pieces is the newest pattern.

These Puzzle Pieces table runners will add a splash of contemporary design and color to any room.  One easy block, but your color choices and layout will really change the look and make for lots of fun.

 A Handful of Runners is set of 5 different patterns that are easy enough for a beginner, but with lots of variety and room to play with the fabric choices.  You’ll be able to showcase your favorite florals with these table runners.

Star Flowers will offer just a little more challenge.  Start with the table topper (35″ X 35″). Then move on to the lap sized quilt (53″ X 73″).  There are suggestions for three different bed sizes included with the pattern.

Now for a real challenge.  But what a pay off!  The Tree of Life is a beautiful wall hanging with a stained glass look.  There are instructions for hand work if you want to try that, but don’t let that scare you away! There are also instructions for machine work.

Cherry Blossoms will offer some more challenge. You will learn some new techniques (or get a chance to practice if you know them already!) and what a display you will have when you are finished!

IF you have any time left after checking out Designs to Share with You, browse the rest of the quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse.

When I first started quilting I went out and bought all my supplies.  A cutting mat, a rotary cutter, and a ruler.  I bought a nice big ruler and figured I was all set.  Why would I ever need another one?  Oh, how naive I was!   I made a log cabin, a split rail, and then a nine patch quilt.  My ruler was awesome!   Then I saw a split nine patch that I wanted to try.  Hmm, marking those diagonal lines on my squares so I could make half square triangles sure was awkward with my nice big 22 1/2” X 6 1/2″ ruler. 

The Creative Grid 4.5″ square ruler was perfect.  Just the right size to mark my diagonal lines.  Sitting in front of the TV with a stack of squares and a small ruler worked out great.  And, when the half square triangles were sewn and pressed, the square ruler was just right for trimming the squares to size with the diagonal laid right along the diagonal seam.  Beautiful half square triangles.  This opened a whole new world.  There are several sizes of square up rulers and it so much easier when you have just the right size, whether it’s a 4.5″ one or and 18″ one.  As long as it fits the job.

For lots of different triangles, there’s the Tri-Recs Ruler.  Your 1/4″ seam allowance is included.  Sold in a set of two, an instruction book will help you learn all the things you can do with these rulers.

We’ve just scratched the surface when it comes to rulers.  There are lots more.  How is your collection?

What’s the next best thing to visiting your local quilt shop?  Getting fabric in the mail!  Quilters Warehouse has several fabric clubs.   You choose from eight different clubs . . .  

• 30′s Favorites   -   Reproduction prints from around the 1930′s
• Calendar Colors   -   Color, Prints and Themes that will change with the seasons
• Christmas   -   Reds, Greens, Gold, and Glitz!
• Floral Prints   -   Flowers and Floral Prints (think Spring & Summer year round)
• Landscapes   -   Sky, Grass, River Rocks, Bricks and More
• Marble Maniacs   -   Marbled, tone on tone from a variety of manufacturers
• Novelty   -   From Buttons to Bells, Music to Playtime
• Thimbleberries   -   Thimbleberry prints (need we say more?!)

Then you choose how much fabric you will want each month.  The options are Fat Quarters, Half Yard Cuts, Full Yard Cuts.  With most of the clubs you’ll receive 5 pieces each month, the same week of the month.  Look forward to “squishies” in the mail.  What fun!!  These deliveries will surely inspire you.  

And, if you like surprises, you could try the Ugly Duckling Fabric Club. 

Each month you’ll receive 3 yards of various cuts from end of bolts.  There’s a swan in every bag!

Tray of the Month Series is a collection of patterns that are the size of a serving tray.  When finished you can showcase your project in a tray or hang it on the wall.  Each pattern has a different theme.  They are great for introducing you to different techniques, from applique to Karen’s “back to bargello” technique. 

The new pattern available this month is Sailing the Waves.  A colorful sailboat is surrounded by waves with rocks in the foreground.

And when the sun is hiding and the water is not from the waves you could try a Walk in the Rain.   This one is so colorful it makes you forget the sun is not shining!

The typical Morning Glory only lasts a single day, but you’ll be able to enjoy this Morning Glory as long as you want.   You don’t even need to get your hands dirty or do any watering.  Such pretty blooms.   A little bit of piecing, a little bit of applique and ta-dah! 

Of course there are winter theme Tray of the Month patterns.  We’re just trying to put that behind us for now.  But you know we’ll be making Christmas projects again any day now.  We just need to enjoy a little bit of Spring first. 

All of the Tray of the Month patterns have two sizes.  Small is 7 1/2″  X 11 1/2″.  And the large tray mat is 10″ X 16″.  They include graphic illustrations and Karen’s own “designer note”  where she shares her tips and random thoughts.  Enjoy!

I’ve heard a rumor that there is a new product coming out very soon that could change the way we quilt.  A leading innovator in the quilting world,  AF Enterprises claims to have done it again.   I’m still trying to get more details about the Quilter’s Portable Tool Kit, but I did hear that it’s powerful enough to finish any quilting product.  This promises to be one of the most exciting and far-reaching new ideas in a long time.   I’ll update as soon as I find out more.

No longer a rumor . . . it’s on the market.  Amazing product!  Check out the Quilter’s Portable Tool Kit.  Powerful, versatile, portable.  Just can’t say enough good things about it.

Remember when aprons were commonplace.  Whether is was your Grandma, your mom, or you that wore the apron, it used to be that a woman wasn’t in the kitchen without an apron on.  Why did we stop using them?  They do their job protecting our clothes.  And they can be fun and stylish too. 

You know that you can find quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse, but did you know that there are Apron patterns to be found also?  Check out these patterns and maybe you’ll want to start wearing that apron again.

Fat Quarter Aprons by Seams & Dreams has instructions for five different apron styles.  And they are all fat quarter friendly.

Here’s a BBQ apron.  Choose a floral and you’ll have a nice apron for yourself.  Or maybe a food themed fabric (colorful chili peppers?) for a fun apron.  Use a bold stripe for the man in your life.  There’s instructions for a child sized apron too.  You could make the child sized apron in the same fabric to match mom’s or dad’s apron. It’s a simple pattern – you’ll want to make several.

These aprons won’t do much to protect your clothes, but aren’t they CUTE?!  The Pocket Aprons pattern comes in four different styles.  And a kid size too!

Here’s some more “Pretty Aprons” - these are pretty, they have pockets and they are big enough to cover your clothes.  Four different designs, each with five pockets and each with a different style . . . cute, cute, cute.

All right, you’re on your own.  I got you started.  Now I’m off to make an apron.  See you in the kitchen with my apron on.