American Patchwork & Quilting October 2020

AS WE SEND ANOTHER ISSUE TO THE PRINTER during the 2020 global pandemic, some states are allowing businesses to re-open. Employees are returning to workplaces that are very different from the ones they left in March. Masks, hand sanitizer, and thermometers are now commonplace in offices, including ours. We are thankful that technology allows us to interact and collaborate with coworkers and external partners no matter what the office may look like. Are you among the many sewers who have been making personal-use masks during this pandemic? If so, have you recently returned to sewing or is this your first foray into the craft? While demand remains steady for masks, we realize you may be looking for alternative ways to use your sewing machine. I’m happy to say that you have…

search: American Patchwork & Quilting @allpeoplequilt TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Use our printable project list to organize current projects and works in progress. AllPeopleQuilt.com/905 FALL QUILTS Gather fabrics in autumn colors to make quilts for the season ahead. AllPeopleQuilt.com/906 BUILDING BLOCKS Piece Log Cabin quilts in classic and contemporary layouts. AllPeopleQuilt.com/908 SPOOKY SEWING Stitch Halloween decor that is a treat to make! AllPeopleQuilt.com/909 SET YOUR TABLE Delight dinner guests with autumn-theme table runners. AllPeopleQuilt.com/910 ONE MILLION PILLOWCASE CHALLENGE MAKE A PILLOWCASE Pillowcases are a great way to try a new technique without committing to an entire quilt! On our website you’ll find more than 80 free pillowcase patterns, including those using our popular roll-it-up method. There also are patterns for king-size pillowcases, travel-size pillowcases, a pillowcase dress, and complex pieced and appliquéd designs. AS OF JUNE 16, 964,260 pillowcases had been added to our counter! Join the effort at AllPeopleQuilt.com/907.…

Pulling fabric from a stash can sometimes result in a drab quilt. To make sure I have enough contrast, I take a picture of my chosen fabrics with my phone and change the photo to BLACK AND WHITE. If I can see clear dark, medium, and light shades, I know my quilt will have enough contrast.EDNA ROTHMAN Reading, PennsylvaniaThere are times when no matter how hard I try, my seams do not want to nest perfectly. When this happens, before I finish sewing the pieces together I match my seams and take FOUR OR FIVE RUNNING STITCHES to hold the seams in place.CAROL METZ Grass Lake, Michigan AHEAD OF THE CURVE Instead of using a large number of pins when sewing curves, I use water-soluble glue in the seam allowances. It allows…

LOVE THESE LABELS? Edit and print your own at AllPeopleQuilt.com/labels. Resources: 4 Drawers Shelves Rolling Storage Cart Rack; costway.com. LOVIMAG 22lb Magnetic Hooks; amazon.com. Fabric for pressing board is Zoology by Gingiber for Moda Fabrics; modafabrics.com. Acrimet Premium Bookends; walmart.com. Long Metal Wire Bathroom Vanity Storage Baskets; mdesignhomedecor.com. HOW TO MAKE A CUSTOM PRESSING BOARD MATERIALS ▫ ¾"-thick piece plywood in desired size▫ 3 pieces Insul-Bright polyester batting at least 2" wider on all sides than plywood piece▫ Cotton print at least 4" wider on all sides than plywood piece▫ Staple gun and staples ▫ ¾"-wide sew-on hook-and-loop tape (you’ll need two lengths, each 11/2" longer than width of plywood) 1 Layer batting pieces on a flat surface; smooth. Center plywood on batting with at least 2" of batting extending past each edge. Trim batting corners…

01 | CUT, SEW, CREATE PANELS Kits for a variety of projects—pillowcases, zipper pouches, aprons, sewing totes, and seasonal decor—come with a printed panel and sewing instructions. The kits, which are meant for teaching basic sewing skills, are handy for anyone looking for a quick project. We made the reusable lunch bag and snack bags. Starting at $9.98; fatquartershop.com 02 | LITTLE KEEPER Keep supplies for English paper piecing within easy reach using a holder from Sue Daley Designs. It has a magnet to corral needles and pins, a slot for a glue pen, and a thread holder that can be removed. $9.98; fatquartershop.com 03 | BLADESAVER THREAD CUTTER 3D Extend the life of a 45-millimeter rotary blade by turning it into a thread cutter you can keep near your sewing machine when chain-piecing. Remove…

01 | TREASURE HUNT Learn to find, evaluate, and buy antique quilts with advice from authors Linda Collins and Leah Zieber. The authors also share 13 patterns inspired by antique quilts in their personal collections. $27.99; shopmartingale.com 02 | CARRIE HALL’S SAMPLER Quilt historian Barbara Brackman has combined some of her favorite designs from the 1935 book The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America by Carrie Hall and Rose Kretsinger into a stunning sampler. She used both traditional appliqué blocks and pieced accents. $9.99 for e-book; ctpub.com 03 | MAGIC AND MEMORIES Author Teresa Duryea Wong shares the 45-year history of the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Yearly, tens of thousands of quilters flock to this festival to shop, learn, and be inspired by fellow quilters from around the world. Wong’s book includes more…