Learn About Watercolor Quilts -
Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation

"The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary. "

Greetings Quilter -

This week we are pleased to host an Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation with Sue and Mim from Whims Watercolor Quilt Kits.

These amazing kits enable you to make beautiful watercolor quilts without all of the confusion of choosing the right fabric and knowing where to place each square in your block or quilt.

For those who are new, our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation allows you to listen in on an interview and then ask a question you have of the quilter.

You'll find more information below.

The phone call is FREE (except for any long distance charges your phone company may charge), and you can ask any question you like.

I'm sure that Sue and Mim will let you know where you can get their beautiful kits.

The Fat Quarter Quilt

This week I was able to make more progress in machine quilting the Fat Quarter Quilt.

With the design of the blocks determined, I needed to create a design for the yellow rectangles outside the center of the block.

As I quilted, I figured out that I was not expert enough in quilting straight lines to actually sew a design that required straight lines - especially in solid color fabric, like the yellow and the gray of the sashing.

So, I decided to quilt some meandering stitches in both of those areas, and after I quilted a block or two, I figured out that the practice I had as I quilted the Attic Windows quilt for The Machine Quilting Adventure paid off for this quilt.

My meandering stitches are quite nice, and much easier to stitch than they were when I began the Attic Windows quilt.

And so, I will continue this week machine quilting the yellow and gray areas of the quilt. Then, the borders!

I've been thinking about how to bind this quilt, too. A while back I heard about a Stuffed Binding. Apparently this is a type of binding that quilt judges like. Not that this quilt is headed for a quilt show, but for those who are looking for a fun way to bind a quilt or those who want to enter a quilt in a show, I'll have another technique for binding a quilt when this one is complete.

I'll have an update next week.


More machine quilting on the Fat Quarter Quilt. This week I filled in the yellow rectangles with meandering stitches. Click on the image to see a close up of the stitching.	Last week's picture of the Fat Quarter Quilt - Fat Quarter quilt block with quilting design. Click on the image to see a close up of the quilting design in a corner triangle.

Until later - - -

Happy Quilting!

penny halgren

If you missed any previous online newsletters or daily emails, you will find them on my blog: www.quilterpenny.wordpress.com

Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation - October 21

"Rachel's Flower Garden " -
Block #4: Lily
Easy Watercolor Quilt Kits by Whims

I've always been intrigued by watercolor quilts, but haven't ever had the courage to make one.

They just look so complicated. There are a gazillion different little pieces, and how do you know where to put each square?

I think watercolor quilts always look great when they are someone else's.

The thing is that the "someone else" always says "They are so easy and fun!"

But, I still think they look like they will take a lot of time and after it is all put together, I am afraid that I will look at it and throw it away because it looks really crummy.

But, recently at the San Diego Quilt Show, I passed a booth with watercolor quilt kits.

Little did I know how easy making a watercolor quilt could be!

This is so fun and easy, I decided to contact the gal who creates these patterns and interview her on our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation this Wednesday, October 21.

This should be truly a fabulous call, because we will hear everything about these gorgeous quilts and blocks straight from the expert.

The fun begins on Wednesday evening, October 21 at:

5pm Pacific Time
6pm Mountain Time
7pm Central Time
8pm Eastern Time

The interview lasts for about an hour, and when we are finished, you get to ask your question. It's all very fun and informal.

As always, you can Eavesdrop on the Telephone call for FREE, except for any long distance telephone charges that your phone company might charge. And, you can ask your question for free as well. You will want to register for the call so you can get the dial in information and receive the Telephone Worksheet.

Even if you can't make the call, you can order a CD recording of the call. Click here to get more information about Whims Watercolor Quilt Kits.

Quilter Wendy's Watercolor Quilt

Last week when I mentioned that Sue and Mim would be interviewed during our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, Quilter Wendy sent in a picture of a quilt she made using one of their Watercolor Quilt Kits.

And she said that they were easy, easy!

Quilter Wendy is a kitty-lover, so this quilt is perfect!

I made only one block using the Whims Watercolor Quilt Kit, and I can assure you that they are very easy. It took about 2 hours from start to finish to complete my block, and I had no clue what I was donig when I began.

Quilter Wendy's Watercolor Quilt using a Whims Watercolor Quilt Kit. Click on the image for a larger picture of the quilt.

A Quilt Idea – Trick or Treat at the Haunted House

Trick or Treat at the Haunted House Halloween Quilt

Are you ready for Halloween?

This quilt is so easy to make, it can be ready to adorn your house in time for Halloween – easy!

I was never one for a sampler quilt. It seemed kind of boring to me to make one of each of a different block, just for the sake of making different blocks to practice or learn a quilting skill.

Then along came one Halloween. And this quilt developed. It didn’t start out being a sampler, but simply a quilt with blocks that had a Halloween theme.

It tuned into a great quilting lesson – in addition to a fun Halloween quilt.

This quilt includes 4 patch and 9 patch blocks, made in the size that was the best for each block. For example, the 4 patch blocks are 8 inches square, and the 9 patch blocks are 9 inches square.

Then, of course, there is the difference in size between blocks that is caused just by sewing the blocks.

To make all of these blocks fit together, I decided to make it look like an Attic Windows quilt, and all it Trick or Treat at the Haunted House – since each of the windows is a slightly difference size.

Then add a candy corn border – easy to make as well – and your Halloween quilt is ready to go. This quilt still needs a backing and quilting, but is still great at a Halloween decoration.

You can get the pattern with step-by-step instructions - Trick or Treat at the Haunted House

Tools – Pink Ribbon Quilting Tools

October is a busy month. Those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer know that it is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, keep an eye out for products you could use in your quilting hobby or business that would help promote breast cancer education or finding a cure.

Pink Ribbon Super Satchel
Thread Box

Two such products are by Artbin: the Pink Ribbon Super Satchel Thread Box and the Pink Ribbon Twin Top Tray Box. Both are pink and feature the embossed pink ribbon image that we associate with breast cancer awareness.

The Super Satchel Thread Box is a neat way to organize and carry your threads while showing your support for cancer research. Threads stay secure in the box, no matter how it is stored – even upside down or on its side!

The Twin Top Tray Box would be great for carrying along a quilt on the go project. The top tray can hold your scissors, thread, needles. Put your fabric pieces in the bottom storage area and you are set for piecing! The box is great for other projects too – sewing, scrapbooking, knitting -- anything where you need a handy carrying case! The box is 16.5 inches long x 9 inches wide and 8 ¾ inches tall. You can fit quite a bit of your favorite hobby in there!

Twin Top Tray Box

Both the thread box and the twin top tray box support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Singer also offers some products to raise breast cancer awareness. Look for pink safety pins (the packaging will have the breast cancer pink ribbon on it). Singer also has a pink ribbon pin cushion combo. In addition to a pin cushion shaped like the pink ribbon logo, the combo pack includes a set of pins with pink and white heads.

Look for these and other craft items that promote breast cancer awareness in your favorite stores this month!

Postcard Quilts for the Troops – Thanksgiving Roundup!

turkey in the straw fabric postcard

We are sliding into a season that is busy for everyone, especially quilters. It seems as the holidays wind closer, we have more projects we intend to complete to give as gifts, home décor, or to help share our love for our craft. Please make time during this busy season to quilt a postcard to contribute to Penny’s Postcard Posse this fall.

There are many service members who are away from their families, working in our military branches to keep our country safe. They will be away from their families this season so we can enjoy time at home with our own. As they and their families make this sacrifice for our country, let’s join forces to show our appreciation in a special way.

Postcards for Thanksgiving are due by October 23. We will send our batch of quilted postcards to reach them in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

If you have never made a quilted postcard before, there isn’t a better time or reason to start! You can find size information and other details, along with quilted postcard ideas at http://www.fabric-postcards.com/.

Many traditional quilt patterns can be transferred to a postcard quilt pattern easily. Applique postcards are also a nice touch.Use traditional pattern or design your own. Please write a note to our service members on the back side. They appreciate a word of encouragement and thanks from home and we appreciate your help in our effort.

This is a great holiday for fabric postcards. You can create some cards quickly and get them on their way to Diane before the Christmas rush begins.

You'll find the Turkey in the Straw fabric postcard pattern along with other free quilt patterns when you visit: www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

The deadline is October 23. Send your cards to:

Diane Malaznik
14215 Westmore St.
Livonia, MI 48154-4149

Diane will send a box of our postcards to be distributed to soldiers on Halloween. Remember, if you have sent a postcard already, you can see pictures of it at www.Fabric-Postcards.com. And, as always, free postcard patterns are available at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com.

Make your holiday card list to see how many you will need to create, then have fun with the free patterns at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com. Be sure to make a few extras to send as last minute gifts or just to be a step ahead for next year!

Fabric postcards are also a very special way to say “thank you” for the holiday gifts you receive.

Featured Block in Video

Picket Fence Quilt Block

picket fence quilt block

This Picket Fence quilt block is a really easy quilt block pattern to sew, and it seems to me that it might make a great block for a fat quarter quilt.

Get a free download of this quilt block pattern at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com and check out the other patterns there, too!

Our Trick or Treat at the Haunted House quilt pattern includes step-by-step instructions, and is available only during the month of October.

Enjoy!

October Quilt Block Patterns

The October selection of free quilt block patterns includes