Crossroads Quilt Block Video
"I keep my end tables full of needlework and quilting so I don't have to dust them."
Greetings Quilter - Earlier this month, I wrote an article about using chalk to mark your quilts for quilting. In the article I said that I liked Bohin Mechanical Chalk because it comes in a bunch of different colors in one packages, giving you the ability to mark different colors of fabric.
Several quilters emailed asking where to get the chalk. So I contacted my friend, Rosie, at Rosie's Calico Cupboard, and she ordered a bunch for us. She still has a few left, and is offering them to you for just the cost - she will ship them for free - until she runs out or until the end of March. Rosie is a fabulous resource! She has more than 20,000 bolts of fabric and has been around for years. She knows about fabric, notions and patterns, and her staff will do searches for any of that. Turns out that Rosie and her husband, Vic, also know all about sewing machines. So - if you have a question or problem with your machine, feel free to contact her. They may be able to help you out. Email Rosie Gonzalez at: rozgonzalez@cox.net Have a fabulous week! Happy Quilting!
Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation
Our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation last Saturday with Pepper Cory was one of the best! After I had been quilting for a few years, I ran across a book about sewing blocks with curves. I had looked at several quilts with curves and been intrigued with them, but decided that wasn't for me - it would be just too hard to get them to lay flat and look nice. When I flipped through the pages of this book, though, the light when on, and I realized that with just the few techniques in this book, I might actually be successful in sewing a quilt with curves in it. And sure enough, the first quilt I made that had some curved patches in it came out great! During our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, Pepper covered so much quilting territory that it is hard to know where to begin. But one of the hardest things I had to overcome as a beginner quilter was the notion that you could use more than one print fabric in a quilt. Pepper has a great explanation of what causes the limitation - training from fashion and home design. You can read more about the call and listen to a short clip of the Conversation with Pepper. Mark your calendar for our next call with Georgia Bonsteel. Georgia is an expert in lap quilting, and I'm certain she will have some excellent tips for hand quilting. The call is April 2 - next Thursday evening! The fun begins at 5pm Pacific Time. More information is upcoming. Threading Those Tiny Needles
Frankly, I was skeptical. When I looked at this homely little tool hanging in my local quilt shop, I thought "Now, that's something only it's mother could love." Standing a short 2" high and proudly sporting a long neck, the notion of that being a tool to thread a needle intrigued me nonetheless. And, since I was in the market for something to make my needle-threading life easier, I decided to add it to my purchases for the day. Even as I removed it from it's package, I couldn't figure out how it could possibly work. Finally, I decided to look at the instructions on the back, which were very helpful. It's actually as easy to use as its 4 steps implies, and its pretty effective - a great combination for easing the challenge of threading those tiny quilting Betweens. See a step-by-step guide to how this works: Dritz Needle Threader Postcard Quilts for the Troops 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 4th of July Roundup is in full swing - the deadline is May 20! 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. Notes from Diane: Send along your email address - that way Diane can send you an email letting you know she hase received your package--that way you don't need to spend the extra money on delivery confirmation. Remember the Birthday Roundup - Diane had a great idea to send over a package of Birthday postcards that can be handed to soldiers the day of their birthday! What a great idea. So, we've set up a deadline of August 10, and there is plenty of time to get some postcards made by then. She will send over a big box and the soldier "in charge" can hand them out as birthdays arrive. I will be adding birthday-themed postcard designs to www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com, so keep on checkin' To make the 4th of July deadline, get your cards to Diane by May 20. Please send your cards to:
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 Special Note - we are in the process of changing the Picture Gallery on the Fabric-Postcards.com site. It may take a few days, so bear with us. Not to worry - We have all of the pictures and will get everything squared away soon.
Featured Block in Video - Crossroads Quilt Block Replacing the Rectangles with Strips Last week I wrote an article about blocks that are made from strips of fabric. Often, these blocks are easy to make because once you get the strips sewn together, the pieces that make up the block are quite large. Another variation of using strips to sew a quilt block is to replace patches with strips that have been sewn together. Yesterday, I decided to play around with a block called Crossroads.
As you can see, the original design for the block uses large rectangles around a center square. And, although I didn't replace the center square with a little 4 patch or 9 patch, that certainly could be done. I did, however, replace the rectangles with strips. The video posted below shows how to sew the strips and block. Visit www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com to see other quilt block videos and get free patterns. 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 14 of these left, so get yours quick. Enjoy!
Download the Crossroads 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
Click here to download your March FREE quilt block patterns |
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