Quick+Easy Quilts April/May 2021

go big!

When a quilt needs to be done quickly, is there an easier way to accomplish that goal than to work larger? Bigger patch sizes, big blocks, and pre-cuts all help you finish faster—and that’s what this issue is all about! If you want a pattern with large blocks, look no further than Picnic Star by Jen Daly. With these 20-inch blocks, she recreated the look of buffalo plaid by pairing medium and light solids of the same color with white. The chambray she used for the background makes for a sturdy quilt—perfect for picnics. I wish you all could see this one in person. Fast Lane designed by Angie Milligan, made by Rita Swain, and quilted by Lisa Beeson is colorful, bold, and graphic. This quilt is perfect for a beginner because…

about our contributors

Nicole Brooks Etsy @nbpossibilities Nicole loves every aspect of quilt making, except maybe binding. Despite her full-time job as a tax accountant and mother of 3 boys, she always finds time to sew and create new quilt designs. She lives in Colchester, Connecticut. Jen Daly jendalyquilts.com Jen is a designer, quilt book author, and Etsy shop owner. A soon-to-be empty-nester, she plans to lean heavily on her Goldendoodle Casey to make the transition. She lives in Grantham, New Hampshire. Eileen Fowler quiltingdaily.com Eileen is the editor of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting and a Contributing editor to Fon & Porter’s Quick + Easy Quilts. She lives in Golden, Colorado. Bev Getschel bevgetscheldesign.com Bev has made over 500 quilts. When not designing quilts for magazines, she enjoys making other people’s designs. She has a big family—3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 7…

inspiration for the new quilter

Understanding the Grid It’s helpful to understand that most geometric blocks fit into a grid. We have placed a grid on top of Block A below. You can see that the grid is 4 x 4. For the original 12" block, the finished size of each square in the grid is 12" ÷ 4 = 3". To easily resize the block, pick a new finished block size that is evenly divisible by 4—let’s say 8". Then find the finished size of each square in the grid as follows: 8" ÷ 4 = 2". Each square of the grid for an 8" block is 2" finished. To resize the patches, add seam allowances to the new finished size as described in the next section. Another example is Block B. It is on a…

fast lane

finished size: 54¾" × 54¾" finished blocks: 36 (9 1/8") BLOCKS A great way to make a graphic quilt—even if you are a beginner—is by carefully choosing colors in a simple quilt pattern. The result is bold and fun. And ten inch squares are all you need to get started! Rita paired triangle-squares of like colors to create the look of giant Flying Geese. Look at the photos and note that all paired units aren’t necessarily made from the same print. Instead she pairs units in the same color with different prints to create visual interest. You could create even more interest using a quilting design that exaggerates the motion of the points. Plan It’s easy to recreate the bright, bold look of this effortless quilt. Study the photos and note how scrappy this quilt…

quick-pieced triangle-squares

1. Cut two squares 7/8" larger than desired finished size of triangle-square. 2. On wrong side of one square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner.This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼" away from each side of cutting line. 3. Place marked square on top of other square, right sides facing. Sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line. 5. Press seam allowances toward darker fabric. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square. Cut squares the finished size of triangle-squares plus 7/8". Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6" x 24" Fabric Ruler, and Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand and Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy TM Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Quick-Pieced-Triangle-Squares…

binding a quilt

1. Cut number of 2½"-wide strips necessary to equal the perimeter of quilt plus 20". Join strips with diagonal seams into one continuous piece. Press seams open. 2. Press binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. 3. Begin in middle of one side of quilt. Leaving a 12" tail of binding free, match raw edges of binding strip to raw edge of quilt top. Use an even-feed or walking foot to sew through all layers with ¼" seam. 4. To miter corners, stop ¼" from corner, backstitch, and remove quilt from sewing machine. 5. Rotate quilt a quarter turn and fold binding straight up, away from the corner, forming a 450 angle fold. TIP: For a satisfying “plump“ binding, we recommend cutting the batting and backing a scant 1/8" larger all around than the quilt…