Easy Baby Quilt - Quilt Idea for January 2009
"I'm not messy. I'm creative!"
Greetings Quilter -
This falls into the category of "I'm Only Human." In past years, I have done articles about how several quilt blocks have multiple names. For example, the Cat's Paw Quilt Block is also known as Bear's Paw, Chinese Block Pattern, Ducks Foot in the Mud, and maybe even more. In addition, many blocks have different designs, yet have the same name. As is the case with the Airplane Quilt Block included in the January patterns. The picture I showed in the display of quilt blocks for the patterns included the above picture. However, the actual pattern that was included in the package was a different Airplane Quilt Block:
I do appreciate your emails, letters and phone calls letting me know of my error. That way, I can fix it. And I do apologize for the mistake. I corrected the January Patterns package, but for those who didn't get the correct pattern, here is the Airplane Quilt Block 5 patch that matches the above picture and looks like a real propeller airplane. For those who got the corrected pattern and are now wondering what the other quilt block looks like, here is the pattern for the Airplane Quilt Block, 4 patch that looks like a propeller, but not the whole airplane. It's nice to know that you are paying attention! And here's the quilting news! Happy Quilting!
January Quilt Idea -
In this quilt, I used 2 inch squares for the patches in the 9 patch blocks, and simple whole squares of fabric to offset the 9 patches. The 9 patches were strip pieced. I simply stitched 2 1/2 inch strips of fabric together, and then cut them into sections 2 1/2 inches wide, and stitched them back together. Using pastel colors will create a baby quilt from a traditional quilt design. As you choose your fabric, keep in mind light – medium – dark values. As you can see in this quilt, the light pinks in the upper right and lower left corners blend into the white fabric, making the design of the quilt more in the center rather than extending into those corners. This quilt is finished using two simple borders – the first is the same fabric as the white used as a background quilt, and the second (outside) border is blue. The binding finishes the quilt, and is a narrow lavender fabric. The actual step-by-step instructions for this type of quilt construction are detailed in The Beginner’s Guide to Quilting – available in both electronic download and printed versions. This type of quilt can be made using 100% cotton fabric or flannel. With either type of fabric, using a flannel batting makes a baby quilt especially cuddly and easy to wrap around a baby. BOOK OF THE MONTH - Quilting Designs from the Past by Jenny Carr Kinney
Whether you have created a beautiful quilt top in the style of your favorite era, or a quilt top that is more modern, the next big question is “How do you quilt it?” Some of my early quilting book purchases were filled with quilting designs from the past. When a quilt top was finished, I would thumb through a book, looking for ideas for a quilting design. You might imagine my excitement when I saw this book appear. This huge collection of quilting designs has more than 300 historically accurate quilting designs. If you are looking for a design from a particular time period, the organization of this book will make it easy to find the right design for your quilt. If you are just looking for a great idea for a quilting design, with hundreds of designs gathered from old quilts, patterns, books, magazines, and other original sources, you'll find the perfect quilting design. These quilting designs are for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and can be used for hand or machine quilting. And, if you are interested in vintage and antique quilts, this resource contains a special reference guide to help. Tools – A Quilters’ Awl A Quilters’ Awl
Still, some of the same tools used for wood projects are equally useful for fabric projects. One of those is the common awl. I’ll admit that I had plenty years of experience quilting before I understood the value of an awl. I always thought of it as something to punch holes in wood. Rest assured, there are many uses for this handy little tool, it doesn’t take up much space, and it will give you something in common with the guy in your life (maybe). Amazon.com carries this Clover Tailor’s Awl, which I especially like because it comes with a protective shield covering the very sharp point:
If you are still wondering what you would do with this in your quilting world, here are just a few ideas: Guide your sewing through the sewing machine.
This is especially useful if you have a lot of seams you are stitching through, making it somewhat challenging to get the material through, and you want to keep your fingers clear of the needle.
Fold a 1/4 inch seam allowance down as you are ironing.
This will keep your fingers safely away from the hot iron.
Guide your fabric through a bias tape maker.
The slot in the top of the bias tape maker is made so you can poke something in to feed the fabric through and get it started. Instead of scissors or a pin, use an awl – it is less likely to rip your fabric, and is sturdy, saving your scissors and pins for uses more appropriate to them.
Featured Block in Video January 16 is Appreciate a Dragon Day. If your kids are anything like mine, they loved dragons. And we spent hours watching Pete's Dragon (the movie) when they were very young. While the DragonFly quilt block isn't about a dragon in the sense of Puff or Pete, it's the closest thing I could find to a dragon in the form of a quilt block. You might also want to check out this article I wrote about the fabric selection for this particular block. Enjoy!
Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation
This promises to be a great call with information all quilters can use to make their quilts more intriguing. Visit her web site at http://www.karencombs.com
Register for the Call: New Deal for Eavesdropping Quilters :We now have a new special level of membership in TheQuiltingCoach.com for the Official Eavesdropping Quilters Club. This level of membership gives you access to all of the same information Eavesdropping Quilters have gotten in the past – the Telephone Worksheet, the Transcript of each call and a copy of the CD recording delivered right to your snail mailbox. Now, with membership in TheQuiltingCoach.com, in addition to the special notices of telephone calls, telephone worksheets and transcripts, you will get the full unedited recording of the call online. This is the from-start-to-finish call and includes all of the questions from quilters. This recording is posted a few days after the call, so you can listen to it on your computer immediately and not have to wait until the CD recording comes in the mail. Members will still get the CD in the mail just has before. In addition, you will have access to everything in a special download area on TheQuiltingCoach.com. That is where the transcripts and telephone worksheets are posted, and in addition, there are hundreds of quilt block patterns and step by step instructions for quilts and other projects. Plus, there is a search engine on the site that makes it really easy to find things you are looking for. I'm sure you will agree that this is a great deal - you are getting more information for the same price, and still getting the CD recording in your snail mailbox. And, the first 30 days are free, so you can test it out. Because I want you to see for yourself how good this is, by signing up for membership in TheQuiltingCoach.com at this new membership level during November, you get the first 30 days to give it a try on our nickel. And, the current rate for membership in the Eavesdropping Quilters Club remains the same as it is right now - $24 per month. And you get the Telephone Worksheet, transcript of each of the calls, and the CD recording in the mail. But this deal is only for a limited time. After the first of the year, new members in the Official Eavesdropping Quilters Club will not get the first 30 days free and will be paying a higher rate. And, once you sign up, the $24 rate will be yours as long as you remain a member. It can never be increased. So, you'll want to take care of this soon, otherwise you will miss out on this deal, and end up paying more to get access to this information. When the Official Eavesdropping Quilters Club began, the plan was to have one interview a month. Because there is so much information and so many quilters to interview, scheduling them has resulted in having 2 interviews for most months. I love providing all of this information for you. But, as you can imagine, this means that the cost per month is double! And I have continued to maintain the cost to my loyal Official Eavesdropping Quilters the same low $24. By joining TheQuiltingCoach.com as an Official Eavesdropping Quilter today, you will guarantee that same low $24 with all of the extra benefits of membership in TheQuiltingCoach.com. Here is the special link to use for your Official Eavesdropping Quilters Club membership. Take care of this today, and you will be sure to hear every word Rosie says on November 19: |
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