There’s a georgeous new fabric line available.  Suzanne spotted it, touched it, at Quilt Market and just had to stock it.  She told me, “It looks like linen; it feels like linen.  I just love it.”  She’s right. It does look and feel like linen… so soft and ‘rich’ looking, but it’s 100% cotton.  And the Laurel Cottage designs are beautiful too. This floral on creme background would work as a main focus fabric or would be great for fussy cutting.  Black Cat Creations has a pattern called Charmed that would work great.  Use this floral for the center of the stars and alternate the points of the stars with the blue and cream fern patterned fabrics.  Another pattern that would work well is Floral Impressions by Canyon Creek Fabrics.  Another is My Sister’s Trellis by Pams Piece by Piece.  And Picture Perfect by Diane Weber Sew Biz.  And Prairie Window by Quilt Woman.  So many possibilities! 

 Or why not try your hand at designing your own quilt. 
This “plaid” would make a nice inner border.  The fabric below could be fussy cut for a border also.   The fabric line includes a smokey light blue with flowers all over, a green on green, and a darker blue on blue.  All so pretty and so soft . . . wish we could give you a chance to touch it!

Check out the entire fabric line and browse the quilt patterns – see which pattern you think would really showcase this fabric.  Quilting is always enjoyable but you’ll add an extra dimension to your enjoyment when you get to feel this fabric while you are creating with it!

Caron Carlson is an award winning quilter who says she loves her work and it shows!!  Her Valley Quilt Studio patterns look intricate but are not difficult and they have been thoroughly tested.  Many of the patterns offer more than one size and more than one layout.

Lazy Log Cabin is constructed with a block that is so easy to make and once you’ve made the blocks, there are soooo many ways to lay out the blocks.  You might not be able to stop at just one quilt.  The pattern includes instructions for two sizes: a lap quilt and a full/queen size.

This quilt, Split Decision, looks like keeping track of the colors in the block would be so confusing but it’s a really simple quilt… another one with different looks from different layouts.  Aside from layout options you’ll also get tips on color selection.  And, again, two sizes! – lap and queen. 

 Is there a fabric that you are just dying to use in a border? Here’s the quilt for that!  The large blocks inside the body of Stars Over The Prairie quilt could use the same border fabric or you could use something that complements the border. Oh! and then a second quilt that reverses those fabrics and then hang them side by side, or on two twin beds.  

Shooting Starz has the coolest trick… that inner border looks complicated and interesting, but it’s really set on point blocks! Finish the blocks and it’s done!  Such a neat trick! You’ll be proud of this quilt no matter your experience but it’s designed for a confident beginner!  What are you waiting for?!

Browse through all the quilt patterns at QuiltersWarehouse and be sure to keep checking back for more from Caron Carlson in the future.

Is anyone asking you what you want for Christmas?  Are you getting ready to start dropping hints?  Quilt kits are a great item to request.  The non-quilty buyer can actually see what they are getting you and they’ll enjoy the giving even more.  It’s not the same as someone just picking out some fabric to give you (especially if you and the gift giver have a different artistic sense!).  These kits are great and you can start in creating right away.

 Autumn Star Complete Kit will go together quickly enough that you will have plenty of time to enjoy your seasonal wall hanging before Spring is sprung.  You can turn the patches that comprise the center of the quilt and have two alternative layouts.

Do you have any hint of baby showers that will happen in the next few months?  Baby Bear would make a great gift (although you might want to make that frown a smile).  How cool is that?! … you get a gift,  you get to have the enjoyment of making it and then you get the enjoyment of giving the finished wall hanging!  (That’s not re-gifting, is it? – Noooo, can’t be.)

How about a lap quilt. Caddy Corners will measure 72″ square when you are finished.  It’s the first in a series of patterns “Laps from Fats” so if you like it there’s more patterns like it.  You’ll stack your fat quarters & cut them all alike.  This’ll be a quick quilt to make – you’ll be ready to cuddle under it to watch the Super Bowl – or if you’re not a fan, to nap cuddled under it while everyone else watches the game.  Hmm, looks busy enough that you can snack on all the Super Bowl goodies even if you’re not watching and the crumbs won’t show up.

There are lots more kits, so browse away and add a few to your My Favorites list.

Hurry! There’s still time to sew some Christmas projects, whether for yourself, your home, or for gifts.  The problem you might have is choosing which project to do!

Is this guy cute?!  All Tangled Up is a quick project with fusible applique and embroidery embellishments. If you like it, you can make Snowy and Santa too.  They’ll brighten up any wall and make a pretty grouping.  Make a great gift, too, if you can bring yourself to giving them up.

Need a tree skirt?  This one is bright and fun looking.  You can use up some of your Christmas scraps and ‘wrap’ each of the gifts in different ‘wrapping paper’ and ribbon.

How about a bright colorful wreath that you can use year after year.  Christmas Charms Wreath is a pieced project with an appliqued ribbon.  You can make good use of your 5″ Charms squares with this pattern.  Then make it your own by embellishing with some ornaments or whatever strikes your fancy!

And look! The kitties are back! They’re disguised as Santa, an angel, a reindeer and an elf – so cute.  You can make Christmas Kittens ornaments or a bell pull.

Look at all you get with Christmas Table Charms.  You’ll be able to make some for yourself AND to give away.  You’ll be sure to find the perfect size for every table in your house.

These just represent the “tip of the iceberg” as they say.  There’s sooooo many more Christmas quilt patterns to be found.  And take a visit back to Eva Paige and Christmas in July for some more ideas. But hurry!  Christmas will be here before we know it!

Paula Stoddard of Pacific Patchwork has lots of fun quilt patterns. Many of the patterns are scrappy looking and full of color.

Rickety Rails is sort of a variation of a split rail. Strip piecing will make this quilt go together so fast.  Instructions for three different sized quilts are included.

Any dog lover would love DEM BONES! And you’ll have fun making it – and fun picking out the perfect novelty fabric to use.  It will finish at 47 1/2″ X 56″ so if you have a lap dog there’ll be just enough room for the two of you to enjoy the warmth.  It’s another quilt that will go together quickly and be sooo cute when it’s finished.

Here’s a quilt that would make a great gift for any college students you know.  Use their team colors – perfect for football games or for decorating their dorm room.  Give this quilt and they’ll be your #1 FAN!

How about some applique?  This pattern has instructions for a wall hanging and for a pillow.  They’ll both look great in your family room or guest bedroom.  You’ll do piecing, machine applique and stitchery… a little bit of everything… “variety is the spice of life.”

And if you love fat quarters, or have a collection of charms, try out one of Pacific Patchwork’s “Hooked On…” patterns.  Hooked on Fats has patterns for 4 quick easy quilts made from fat quarters.

When you finish those, you can try Hooked on Fats 2.  But not before you try Hooked on Charms…

Again, instructions for 4 quilts.  A great way to showcase all the fabrics from a favorite line and use every one!

Paula and Pacific Patchwork have lots more patterns from which to choose.  Check them all out, and as always, browse through the other quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse.

Attention all blurfers ( blog surfers) you may have noticed down in the links column that I have started a blog, thistledownblog.blogspot.com I guess I had too much time on my hands, I wish. I hope you’ll get a chance to stop by and see what I am up to.

Like me, you are most likely gearing up for the upcoming holidays and just in case you are running out of projects, I’ve drawn up a couple of little seasonal redwork illustrations to share with you. They are easy enough that you can stitch them up in no time at all. Stitch and make into little sachets, stitch them onto towels or breadcloths or put them into a small picture frame. Resize them if needed. These downloads are for your personal use and not for commercial use or distribution.

Watch for my new quilt pattern coming soon after Thanksgiving that uses a fun, easy, and unique technique.

acorn and leaves

pumpkin patch

Enjoy the season,

Linda Zokan