How to Quilt: Irish Spring Quilt Block, Free Quilt Block Patterns

Irish Spring Quilt Block Video and
Tips for Quick Piecing

"Quilting is cheap therapy."

Greetings Quilter -

Has it ever happened that just when you think you've got a plan, the situation turns out to be worse than you thought, and your plan is inadequate?

Well, my morning started out that way today.

You may know that I am (now) President of our local school board (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District). For the past few years, we have had declining enrollment, which stresses a school district budget. And now with the California state budget problems, we have been planning budget cutbacks using an all-inclusive Budget Committee.

The best minds of all of our stakeholder groups, including parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, and board members have been working for months trying to figure out how to cut about $4 million from our current year budget.

This morning, I got an email from the superintendent saying that the current year problem is actually about $6 million. Worse than I thought. And we have a board meeting tomorrow! Now, that should be fun.

I'm certain that in towns and living rooms around the world, the situation is repeated. Maybe not at the $6 million level, but stress nonetheless.

It's times like these when I love being a quilter!

You see, quilters have a history of making beauty from scraps of fabric - whether times are good or times are rough.

Now is the time to enjoy our craft. And if you are new to quilting, this is a fabulous time to begin. You will be amazed at what you can create from bits and pieces of fabric, and we are here to help.

My friend, Rosie, at Rosie's Calico Cupboard is getting all of your orders for the Bohin mechanical chalk in the mail. If you ordered one, it should be arriving soon. If you haven't ordered yours yet, there's still time. Rosie runs a fantastic quilt shop in our town, and she always has whatever I need - or will order it. So, contact her for your needs:

rozgonzalez@cox.net

Also, Rosie just let me know that her shop has a brand new quilt kit made with 1930s replica fabrics. It looks like a really easy quilt to make - with just square patches. And for those of you who love applique, here's your opportunity.

Contact Rosie for more details and to get in on this project:

http://www.rosiescalicocupboard.com/NEWSLETTER.html

quilt from rosie's calico cupboard

Happy Quilting!

penny halgren

Anyone for Speed Piecing?
And This System will Keep Your Pieces in Place, too

It didn't take long for me to figure out that I needed a system for keeping my patches in the right place, so my blocks came out the way I wanted them.

I tried many different things. Some quilters stack their patches up next to the machine, and I tried that. Those quilters are probably smarter than I, because just having stacks didn't guarantee that I sewed them together the right way.

I finally stumbled upon an idea that works for me every time. Well, every time I pay attention.

Years ago, with the decorating help of engineering son, Bubba, I made a flannel board. It's a simple piece of cardboard about 20 inches square. It is covered with flannel and I used masking tape to secure it to the back.

The back has an original design by a 5 year old Bubba. Truly a wonderful piece of art, and something for the Halgren art archives.

In any case, when I am sewing a block, I place the patches on my flannel board as they should be sewn together. If I am making more than one block, I stack the patches on top of each other in their places.

I work on one set of patches at a time. In the example below, the triangles on each side in the center have been sewn together. Next I will sew the corner patches with the half-square triangles; followed by the corner patches with the simple squares.

Once all of the patches are sewn, I will begin to sew the patches together to make the block.Using the flannel board, and checking my pattern picture periodically ensures that my block is sewn together with the patches in the right place - most of the time, anyway!

Quilt block patches on my flannel board - sitting right next to my sewing machine

Postcard Quilts for the Troops – All aboard for Spring!

July 4th Roundup Next - Deadline MAY 20!

Penny's Postcard Posse has sent more than 15,000 fabric postcards to our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and the hospital in Germany.

As quilters, we know what those postcards mean to the men and women who recieve them. Some who get them receive no other mail from home. And for all of them, it's a reminder of the wonderful freedoms they are fighting for and the comforts they will enjoy when they return home.

The Spring Roundup is coming to a close - the deadline is March 8!

It's not too early to start making patriotic cards for our 4th of July Roundup. This will mark our 4th Year! Check out the postcard patterns on www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com I will continue to add designs, and patterns for the fabric postcards are always free.

Every once in a while, we get messages from over there. Here's the latest from the Valentine's Day Roundup:

This just in from Diane:

"Diane,

I just wanted to let you know we received all the fabric post cards. For whatever reason, we just received them today. We are greatly appreciative for your support and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

If you don't mind receiving pictures I can e-mail you a few of some of the Marines and scenery out here in Iraq.

Once again, thank you so much for your support.

Tim"

These Marines received Valentines' Day fabric postcards from the Quilters in Penny's Postcards Posse

Let's keep the cards going over there. These are really important to the troops as they are over there getting shot at and missing their families. And, for some, a fabric postcard from us is the only mail they get!

Penny’s Postcard Posse is Roundin’ ‘em up for Spring. And because of the time it takes to get them to Iraq, the deadline is fast approaching.

To make the Spring deadline, get your cards to Diane by March 8.

Please send your cards to:
Diane Malaznik
14215 Westmore St.
Livonia, MI 48154-4149

Diane is doing a fabulous job keeping the pictures updated, and if you have sent cards in, let your friends and family know that they can see pictures of them here: www.Fabric-Postcards.com

Remember you can get FREE postcard patterns at: www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

Spring Beauty Fabric Postcard - download the pattern free from www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

Featured Block in Video - Irish Spring

March brings us the first day of spring as well as St. Patrick's Day. What better way to celebrate than with the Irish Spring Quilt Block.

This block is a little more challenging because of the curves in the stem, but with some sewing experience, this block should go together quickly.

In addition, I used one of the shortcut methods to sew the half-square triangles onto the corners of the clover leaf. My cutting a square for each leaf, you can sew a half-square triangle onto the corner and create perfect patches.

Get a free download of this pattern at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com While you're there, invest in Pattern Credits (minimum $54) and get a FREE DVD showing 6 different ways to sew Half-Square Triangles together. We've only got 17 of these left, so get yours quick.

Enjoy!

irish spring quilt block

Download the Irish Spring Quilt Block Pattern

March Quilt Block Patterns

The March selection of free quilt block patterns includes some especially for celebrating St. Patrick's Day as well as some great quilt patterns for any time of the year.

Click here to download your March FREE quilt block patterns