Crafts
Quilts and More Spring 2020
Quilts and More promises simple, fresh, and fun projects. Make easy quilts, bags, pillows, and pincushions using clearly written instructions.Every digital issue includes the pattern pieces found in the corresponding print version. To access pattern pieces, simply click on the underlined text in Cut Fabrics sections.
in this issue
from the editor
Itâs a familiar scene for many quilters: You drag your sewing machine and supplies out of storage and set them up in a spare corner somewhere. Space is at a premium, so things like a cutting mat end up on the floorâand if that isnât awkward enough, any pets that keep you company will always come sit where youâre working! Sewing takes a lot of stuff and space. Our readers often report that they are desperate for better storage options. I hear you! I started out sewing on my momâs kitchen table, squeezing in sewing time between meals and stashing away fabric and projects in any half-empty closet I could find. I always dreamed of having a dedicated room for sewing. When I purchased a house and finally got one, I wasâŚ
stuff we love
BAMBOO ADJUSTABLE TRAY ORGANIZER Organize your drawers or work space with a tray to corral loose items. The tray has 15 compartments and six dividers that are adjustable to fit your needs. $17.98; fatquartershop.com OH SEW CLEAN BRUSH AND CLOTH SET Sweep away lint and dust with a microfiber cleaning cloth and both a flat and an angled brush designed to get into every nook and cranny of your sewing machine. $8.98; fatquartershop.com MAKE SPACE RULER REST Store up to five rulers or acrylic templates in a holder that will match any space. $29.95; laundrybasketquilts.com SUNDAY BEST QUILTS Designers Sherri McConnell and Corey Yoder challenge each other to create quilts in six different themes: star, scrappy, red and white, Christmas, Courthouse Steps, and pineapple. Their 12 patterns, plus fun commentary, are featured in this book. $27.99; shopmartingale.com THEâŚ
one block three ways
WATERCOLOR TEXTURES Two prints with similar colors but different textures put a fresh spin on the blockâs center pinwheel. Fabrics are from the Papier MachĂŠ collection by P&B Textiles (pbtex.com). The star motif is emphasized by the mottled background fabric in the corner squares and Flying Geese and center units. BEAUTIFUL BATIKS Rich dark, medium, and light blue and purple batiks combine to form a block with bold contrast. Fabrics are from the Artisan Batiks: Aviva collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (robertkaufman.com). A secondary Square-in-a-Square design appears where the points of the Flying Geese units touch between blocks. SOFT & WHIMSICAL Blocks are an excellent way to play with fun novelty fabrics. The pastels of this princess-themed version soften the look of the finished block. Fabrics are from the Ever After collection by BryonyâŚ
sewing toolbox: thimbles
1. CLASSIC THIMBLE Best for general hand sewing and hand quilting. This all-purpose thimble is a staple of many sewing rooms. Position the eye of the needle in one of the dimples, then push it through the fabric. While these thimbles are affordable and plentiful, the one-size-fits-all metal shape can be uncomfortable, especially if you have long fingernails, and the metal can cause your fingers to sweat. 2. SILICONE THIMBLE Best for sewers with metal allergies. Silicone thimbles are a good alternative for sewers who find metal uncomfortable. Soft and flexible, they provide slightly less protection than metal but many sewers find they can be worn longer. Most feature dimples for holding the needle, similar to the dimples on metal thimbles. 3. COIN THIMBLE Best for comfort and those who want more protection for theirâŚ
room to sew
Sewing spaces come in a variety of sizes, and many quilters find that their sewing space needs change over time, especially as their interest in quilting changes from something theyâve always wanted to try to a dedicated hobby. Whatever your current sewing situation, chances are youâve looked at your sewing space at some point and wished it were bigger, better organized, or simply more functional. After all, the fun part is the cutting, piecing, and quilting, not sorting through piles of scraps to find a missing ruler. When we asked our readers why their spaces arenât clean, we frequently heard that there just wasnât enough space to house everything. Some claimed to have too much fabric, others said they donât know how to effectively store what they have in their allottedâŚ
scrap lab design challenge
We challenged three designers to create something using a kit containing fourteen 18Ă21" pieces (fat quarters) of navy, red, green, aqua, yellow, black, tan, blue, and bingo prints, plus a ½ yard cut of paint palette print from the Painterâs Palette collection by Janet Wecker Frisch of Joy Studio for Riley Blake Designs (rileyblakedesigns.com). Our designer friendsâSusan Ache, Jessie Zeigler of Threaded Quilting Studio, and Janet Wecker Frisch of Joy Studioâshowed off their styles and created the projects you see here. To order a kit of 14 fat quarters and ½ yard of Painterâs Palette prints for $56 plus $9.95 shipping in the continental U.S., contact Off the Rails Quilting, 515/967-3550; offtherailsquilting.com. MEET THE DESIGNERS: Susan Ache @yardgrl60 Jessie Zeigler Threaded Quilting Studio threadedquilting.com Janet Wecker Frisch Joy Studio joystudio.wordpress.com ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THIS KIT! Visit allpeoplequilt.com/winscraplab. Contest rulesâŚ
