Some things to think about when choosing quilting designs to add to your pattern library might be:
Border patterns should be easy to set up and so balanced in design elements that there will be little distortion of the pattern when placed in the side borders as compared to the top/bottom borders.
Universal in design so the pattern will work with several different patchwork styles.
The design comes with an easily connected corner unit or wraps around the quilt with little disruption in the overall continuity of the design.
Balance is the key to everything ... is the border pattern you're considering a good match in regard to the quilting density in the body of the quilt.
an extra bonus could be ... the pattern is design in such a way as to provide the appearance of a good continuous line along the inside FRAMING border.
... may all your borders be square, be straight, and be flat ...
(a repost of a old favorite of mine and a cause near and dear to my heart)
How can any one resist a quilt with stars! This one is a perfect way to celebrate and to say "thank you" to our armed forces service members in appreciation of all their sacrifice to keep up safe and secure.
Just click on the image to be taken to the files of each star block pattern on Debbie Mumm's website. Be sure and drop her a thank you email while you're there.
No affiliation here on my part ... just love a good star block and especially love the way these blocks a "placed" on top of the big blue stars.
And when you're finished piecing the top, here are some ideas for possible quilting designs. Just click on the image to be taken to the store catalog to see larger images.
Getting the morning off to a good start happens more frequently if I follow a routine. It doesn't have to be stressful or fast paced. But my easily-distracted self just functions better if the "possibilities" have limits.
And to that end mornings for me are usually coffee, crossword and cruising the Pinterest boards to see what's new since yesterday. Sounds silly, but each one of these routines has a purpose:
COFFEE: gets my brain awake and "juiced" up while helping me feel cozy - especially on these cold snowy mornings. I don't drink morning coffee near as much in the summer, so I guess it's more cozy and stoked - kinda helps me ease into my morning.
CROSSWORD: my left-brain creativity ... which that in itself sounds like an oxymoron. I feel like this is a very structured and yet creative activity helping me to look at "stuff" differently and think outside the box and improve my problem-solving skills.Plus I love mental challenges.
CRUISING: Pinterest is just the best. It has replaced all those magazine pictures and bits of paper I would have here and there in my someday piles. It's so cool to see what other people are doing - all the amazing ideas and color combinations people come up with. This is one that gets my right-brain juices really going and then I'm ready to start my day.
Today I share some of my favs from my someday Christmas quilting board.
I've always been a fan of Pam Bono's patterns.This is a FREE pattern available on the American Quilters Society website. I don't have need of another tree skirt but love the trees.
There are all kinds of Christmas wreath patterns floating around out there on the internet but this one from Martingale by Mary Hickey really grabbed my attention. I love the simplicity of the piecing, the flowy ribbon, but especially, I love the ribbon/stitched border.
You will find this "peaky and spike" unit showing up in several of my quilts and quilt patterns. I've pieced it just about every way there is to piece it ... paper piecing, tri-recs rulers, and my new favorite ... Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs V Block ruler which allows for the last-step-precision-piecing-trim-to-size last step. This runner made by sewcialstash.blogspot.com is just perfect for dressing up the holiday table. The pattern for this runner can be found in this BOOK.
I have a real thing for Santas and think this little hanging by BobKat Quilts is just the cutest thing ever. Great straight line quilting to really enhance the patchwork units. I couldn't find a link to this pattern anywhere in my searches ... but ... do you recognize the same triangle shapes again.
Chevron patterns are all the rage these days and I don't usually visualize this patchwork unit as making a chevron pattern, but here it is ... my long-time quilting friend Vickie called this her favorite block because it is so easy to create so many different repeating patterns and blocks depending on the layout. I like how Ryan Walsh Quilts has created a great zigzag pattern to use as a border as quilt top rows. You'll find a great tutorial HERE to see how it's all done.
Don't you just love this fun spin on a pineapple block ... another Christmas cactus flower! Amazing patchwork by quilter_Lindae on flikr. But I do have to be honest ... this one will most-likely stay in my someday pile for a long time.
Having a hard time deciding which edge-to-edge designs to add to your shopping cart during this amazing dust sale? May I suggest adding this gem to your pattern binder/library.
... take a look ...
A perfect choice for many different quilt project but especially for the "soldier" quilts several of us like to do whether is for the Wounded Warrior project, Quilts of Valor, or American Heros ... or maybe ... how about that special all-star in your family.
Some things to think about when choosing quilting designs to add to your pattern library might be:
Border patterns should be easy to set up and so balanced in design elements that there will be little distortion of the pattern when placed in the side borders as compared to the top/bottom borders.
Universal in design so the pattern will work with several different patchwork styles.
The design comes with an easily connected corner unit or wraps around the quilt with little disruption in the overall continuity of the design.
Balance is the key to everything ... is the border pattern you're considering a good match in regard to the quilting density in the body of the quilt.
an extra bonus could be ... the pattern is design in such a way as to provide the appearance of a good continuous line along the inside FRAMING border.
... may all your borders be square, be straight, and be flat ...
0910: black and white ... and a little bit of red ...
Structured piano lessons are starting for Colin andLuci this month; no more free exploring (random pounding - oh, did KK say that LOL) No more free explorationsounds a little harsh, doesn't it. We all need time to be adventerous stepping out on our own and exploring. Maybe the concept should be rephrased to directed, more purposeful and thoughtful exploring ??? This I know for sure: Everyone needs time to play.
That's what you will notice with several of the quilts in these pictures. Taking time to play withscrappiness. I like to choose a theme or color palette to work with when I do scrappy quilts. You would probably call mine more planned scrappy than true scrappy.
On occassion, I have pieced some quilts where I used the common trick of dropping all the patches in a paper back and pulling the next patch to be added to the block at random. I don't know about you, but I find it more difficult to go totally random with my scrappiness. Does that me I have control issues? LOL
I love the drama of black and white with a splash of red and have the quilts and fabric in my stash to satisfy that visual hunger. One of the most favorite quilts in booth displays at market was pieced with black and white with a splash of red ... especially appealing to the guys.
Some notes about the patterns featured here in the collage:
* a hand pieced red and white quilt top I found at a tag sale. I have always loved this pattern. It's a tricky one to keep all those bias edges square and straight. I will have to do some squaring and easing of fullness with this one before I can begin to think about how I would like to quilt it. I also need to decide if I want to try to find a coordinating fabric to finish out the borders or not. In the meantime, it's lovely to look at on the quilt rack just like it is.
* the quilt on the left is a pattern I developed for our anual December mystery quilt party using the stack and slash technique. The blocks and quilt were sized just to the right dimensions so the extra blocks could be used in the outer border.
* the quilt on the right is one made from a popular pattern/techniqe that we've seen lots of places in shops, classes and workshops, and across the internet ... STRIPS AND CURVES by Louisa Smith. I gathered my fabrics to fit my black and white color theme, added in the fussy-cut piano keyboard fabric here and there, and used a range of reds to round out the strip strata ... what a great way to play with color and practice piecing those curved edges.
And finally, the pattern for the quilt that was so popular in booth displays at market and quilt shows around the country ... MQS 126 QUEEN ANNES' LACE. This pattern was original included in the collection of designs in my book that is now out of print called Blocks That connect.
The book was written to be used as a manual for my beginning patchwork piecing classes and is chock-full of all kinds of tips and tricks to help you be a more successful quilter while having fun developing your skills and honing your craft.
I am in the process of re-releasing the patterns individually as e-patterns readily available for immediate download. You will find MQS 126E QUEEN ANNE'S LACE along with other e-patterns in the Mountaintop Quilting on-line store.
Queen Anne's Lace is designed to give a beginners quilt a more advanced look with the pieced border (which included secret fudge-factor tips making everything fit together perfectly.
Another feature is the optical illusion of the center appearing to be set on-point. But the best part: the patches used in the border are actually left-over scraps from piecing the blocks used in the center of the quilt.
Thanks for stopping by... be brave and play scrappy today - well, at least, take time to play!
Barbara made this fun quick and easy strip quilt for her son. I love the modern color scheme and great non-gender prints.
It was a no-brainer when it came to making a decision regarding the quilting pattern. The inspiration came from the "rippley" wavey print fabric.
1102 RIPPLES is a favorite among many customers when looking for a simple modern edge to edge design. Keeping the spacing a little more loose fit with the size of the pieced strips helping everything to stay more balanced in design.
I used the 80/20 batting from the Warm Company which will give a wonderful soft scrunchy-puckery look to the quilt after it is washed.
Thread choice: King Tut 978, a variegated black and white for the top with bottom line black in the bobbin.
... and now for a closer look at that quilt top ...
Susan's cute patriotic flag wall hanging measures in at 26" square a perfect size for a miniature size of one of my most favorite patriotic patterns 1197 Ripples & Stars.
After re-sizing the original pattern down to 26", I used the divide function to break the pattern at strategic points to help keep the pattern proportional as I tweaked the pattern even more.
Remember to reset the sew order when you re-work a pattern. Ask me how I know to tell you to remember that important step. LOL
In the end the distance between the ripples is about 1" and the stars are about 1.25" in height. This size is just right when compared with the skinny logs used in the piecing of this pattern which are about .75" in width.
If you look closely at the following close-ups with more defined shadow relief you might be able to catch a glimpse of the stars scattered here and there amongst the ripples.
I think Susan deserves a round of applause for a job well done on her very first quilt
A vintage cross-stitched quilt - top was done by mom and grandma years ago and is brought out to be finished for the daughter's wedding. What a family treasure!
The quilt fits a queen sized bed and I used bottom line thread to minimize the look of the stitches as I worked across the cross-stitching. I also basted the whole quilt before I started quilting to help stabilize the sandwich as this was much the same as working with a wholecloth quilt.
Inner border detail ... these little scallops were part of the printed design on the quilt top. I measured on for height and width and then used the repeat pattern function to space them evenly across the quilt.
And the tricky part ... how to get around the corner with those scallops ??? I like the way the pointy arrow leads the eye to the corners of the inner square.
Are you pinner or a stapler or a tacker or a stitcher?
The question on the table this morning is ... the topic at hand is ... "how you attach your quilt back to the leaders." The innovation of quilters never ceases to amaze me. If there is a different way to accomplish said goal, if there is a better way to get the desired results some quilter some where out in the world will figure it out. And when he/she does there is much celebrations and rejoicing in the world as we all want to try the latests and greatest new method or process which will help us
work more efficiently
work more creatively
work with less pain
multitask with ease
reduce studio stress
A Pinner uses long strong quilting pins to attach the quilt back to the leaders. The most often heard complaints with this method includes:
pricked fingers
time consuming
stabbed bellies
ruined clothes
sore knees and tired feet
A Stapler uses an electric stapler t0 attach the quilt back to the leaders. Hazards with this method include:
litter of removed staples when detaching the quilt from the leaders
possible need for protective eye gear ... beware the errant flying staple
increased wear and tear on the leaders
budgetary increases with purchase of staples
but ... you can sit, you can delegate an intern to do the loading job if you have zippered leaders, and no more worry about pin pricks and ruined clothing.Janice Bahrt has added a wonderful tutorial on the Statler Sib yahoo group if you're interested in learning more about this method.
A Tacker uses a tacking machine and the plastic tacks you find on purchased clothing and goods. I must confess, I've not tried this method but it seems to me I would not be making my life easier or faster.
I would be able to "sit and tack."
I wouldn't be worrying about pin pricks and ruined clothing.
I would have to purchase the equiipment and keep a supply of the little plastic tack on hand.
I'm would have to work out an efficient system for detaching the backing from the leaders after the quilt was finished.
and ... again, I could delegate the task allowing me to be working on something more creative.
A Stitcher uses the longarm quilting machine head to attach the quilt back to the leaders. You can also delegate this task and use a domestic sewing machine if your longarm is being used on another quilt. I have done this method and it has it's pluses and minuses. It is really easy to get the zippered leaders on backwards; it does involve some tricky thinking and eye-hand coordination if you're using the machine head. Seriously, I think I just needed more practice. If I couldn't even pin again I would definitely be going this route. But there is something I learned over the last year as I go back and forth between pinning or stitching.
When I am stitching I'm worrying about am Ii getting it on right or am I going to have to redo the load; I'm fussing over getting the edges even while I'm moving the machine head; I'm worrying about stretching the edge of the quilt backing. In other words, I'm thinking and worrying about a million different things and just a little bit stressed.
When I'm pinning I am in what I call my QUILTING ZEN MODE. I use my pinning time to relax. As I'm handling the backing I'm thinking about the quilter that pieced the top. I'm using my pin time to quilt the quilt virtually in my head. I'm think about my design choices and am quilt design plan following each step and quilting group through from beginning to end looking for or rying to anticipate possible hiccups or problems I might encounter. I'm a very intuitive quilter and this pinning time gives me a chance to make sure everything "feels" right.
I love my pinning time for connections, for one last final check, and for slowing down. Too much of our world is in hurry-up mode ... and testing the fates here... I seem to have worked out a system over the years for I've not ruined a sweater or pricked a finger in a long time.
Take time to leave a comment today ... just a quick response to an informal poll ...
Which are you? .... pinner ... stapler ... tacker ... stitcher ...
(a repost of a old favorite of mine and a cause near and dear to my heart)
Having a hard time deciding which edge-to-edge designs to add to your shopping cart during this amazing 
* a hand pieced red and white quilt top I found at a tag sale. I have always loved this pattern. It's a tricky one to keep all those bias edges square and straight. I will have to do some squaring and easing of fullness with this one before I can begin to think about how I would like to quilt it. I also need to decide if I want to try to find a coordinating fabric to finish out the borders or not. In the meantime, it's lovely to look at on the quilt rack just like it is.
Barbara made this fun quick and easy strip quilt for her son. I love the modern color scheme and great non-gender prints.
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