tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37156925965050105212026-09-05T06:39:43.475-05:00Commentary on anything that comes to mind, but mostly about quilting and sewing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-29444855887344730082014-04-27T17:56:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:10:47.534-05:00

Template piecing is a fabric cutting technique that uses either paper templates or plastic templates for cutting the pieces needed for your quilt project. Using templates for me was at first baffling, then frustrating and now I appreciate the accuracy and ease of making quilts with pieces other than the basic square, rectangle and 45° triangles. The basic steps to using paper templates for

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-15427792368394702122013-10-02T12:42:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:12:10.014-05:00

While browsing through Pinterest today I came across some quilted Christmas Tree Skirts and realized it's not too early to be thinking about Christmas. I think this one is a beauty from the fabric choices to the details like the green squares between the star points. I noticed that it is a 10 point star which is a size that you don't often find in quilt blocks. Stars make a great choice for

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-87475625080549994162013-09-25T10:51:00.002-05:002014-04-27T18:35:23.377-05:00

Here are a few fall mug rug inspirations. I love mug rugs. I use them all the time for my ever present coffee, they're quick and easy to make and it's the perfect venue to try out that block you just found but aren't sure how to use in a full sized quilt. And I can't forget the orphan blocks, great way to use them up too. These maple leaves are so vibrant and it just goes to show that even

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-52079121356396892482013-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:36:18.343-05:00

I've just uploaded the 1904 Star Block calculator. It is a fairly intricate block that I made with multiple quantities only, but I think I've broken it down enough for easy assembly. It does use templates and  I have learned to embrace using templates except when my printer is out of ink :) The next block calculator I'll be working on is Delectable Mountains as well as updating the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-45301300658452253002013-09-18T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:36:52.240-05:00

Getting more ideas for quilting was never easier with Pinterest. Here is a traditional quilt block set in a 5 by 5 grid that uses simple squares and half square triangles. Here we have a unit that would make a great border. It beautifully goes from dark to light to give any quilt that added pizzazz. Now I'm off to design some quilts and fabric calculators with my new inspiration for today

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-63317302339062405092013-09-16T12:03:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:40:26.364-05:00

I was recently contacted by salvationarmypatchworkeasyas for permission to use the patterns on myquiltgenie.com website, which I was happy to do and those ladies sure can quilt. It did bring to mind that although I'm happy to share the quilt patterns from the website, with permission of course, because of the way I create the pattern calculators it isn't as easy as sending a

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-62045639521977370932013-09-11T07:00:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:33:27.215-05:00

Pinterest has to be one of the best things to happen to quilters of all time. For those of you who don't know what Pinterest is, it is a virtual bulletin board for images. At first, I thought, "big deal", until I tried it. Now I have so many ideas for quilting and other things that the hardest part is getting off the internet and deciding which one to start first. This is my favorite quilt

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-1178633476490129052013-09-08T13:58:00.001-05:002013-09-08T13:58:50.802-05:00

There are some more projects on the 54 40 or Fight quilt block calculator. Now you can make potholders, coasters and mug rugs too. Maybe you just want to make 1, but sometimes you may want to make more so, choose your preferred cutting and piecing method and the number you want to make. A new epattern will shortly be available for Kindle, Nook and more on Smashwords and Amazon. The

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-11094436035947508662013-07-16T16:50:00.001-05:002013-07-16T16:52:31.892-05:00

Bright Hopes Newly Updated! Now you can use the calculator for quilts, potholders, coasters, mug rugs, borders & sashing. 'via Blog this'

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-34584018925379621752013-02-28T10:29:00.000-06:002014-04-27T18:41:20.529-05:00

The Mississippi Star block is a beautiful, but challenging block. Many years ago I attempted my first template pieced block with little to no instruction on how to do so. I tried to figure out how to make the template pieces fit strips cut at the ¼ inch and many more mistakes. Years later I learned how to use templates and picked up a few tips and tricks to make it easier. Now template

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-10292872465816702652012-12-10T07:00:00.000-06:002012-12-10T07:00:02.123-06:00

In my previous 3 posts I showed different versions of a Kansas Troubles quilt block. Here I've put them together in a quilt. The original Kansas Troubles block in the middle with the other 2 variations around it. To make your own version, make 1 Kansas Troubles quilt block and 4 each of the Kansas Troubles II and Kansas Troubles III. Add some borders and voilà you have a Kansas

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-65521813134410683642012-12-08T09:59:00.000-06:002014-04-27T18:48:53.929-05:00

Here is yet another variation of the Kansas Troubles quilt block. In this version you'll again use squares, half square triangles and quarter square triangles to make this block. To calculate what size the finished pieces should be choose a quilt block size that is easily divisible by 8 and follow the formulas below. All triangle seam allowances are for triangles cut from strips using

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-53918408111286608832012-12-06T07:00:00.000-06:002012-12-06T07:00:01.879-06:00

In my previous post, I described the Kansas Troubles quilt block. Today is the same named block in a different variation. In this block there are squares, half square triangles and quarter square triangles. Choose a finished block size that is again easily divisible by 8. squares and small half square triangles = block size ÷ 8 medium half square triangles = block size ÷ 4 quarter square

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-64112100387360359272012-12-04T14:17:00.000-06:002012-12-04T14:46:39.427-06:00

The Kansas Troubles quilt block was first seen in about the 1850's but it wasn't seen in print until 1890 with the name. See civilwarquilts.blogspot.com for more details about this quilt block. Different sized half square triangles and squares make up the pieces of this quilt block. To make this version, decide how large you want the block to be choosing sizes that are easily

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-39684484707318137962012-11-12T13:03:00.002-06:002014-04-27T18:49:05.329-05:00

The King's Crown is a fairly simple quilt block using half square triangles, flying geese and squares set in a 2 by 2 square grid layout. There are several ways to use pieces in this block and as you can see at least 2 ways to select fabric. As with so many quilt blocks, there are other blocks with the same name and blocks with multiple names. Below is another variation of the King's Crown

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-4500888009777185612012-11-08T10:59:00.001-06:002014-04-27T18:50:33.173-05:00

To the left is another version of the Broken Dishes block set in a 5 by 5 grid layout. The Goose in the Pond block is featured to the right and because it also is set in a 5 by 5 grid layout, goes well with the Broken Dishes block. As you can see these 2 blocks work well together in an alternating block quilt layout with sashing to let your eye rest a bit between the blocks. Happy Quilting

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-20041400797074926452012-11-06T10:49:00.001-06:002014-04-27T18:50:54.113-05:00

Double Star #2 Double Star #1 In quilting sometimes blocks have more than 1 name and sometimes more than 1 block has the same name. I was able to find 5 different Double Star quilt blocks. There are likely more out there that are a little harder to find. Double Star #3 Double Star #4 As you can see, the methods and needed skills to make these blocks are varied, from the basic flying

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-50835570762485195752012-11-05T14:50:00.001-06:002014-04-27T18:51:01.371-05:00

The Dog Tooth border uses the Peaky and Spike block on the sides and a Crossed Canoe block in the corner. Below is an example of a quilt using this border with the Shooting Star block and Economy block alternating. If you want to have 8 inch blocks, the border squares should be 4 inches square. Happy Quilting, Jeanne

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-56337302662228280352012-11-04T14:05:00.002-06:002014-04-27T18:51:17.282-05:00

A famous example of a Delectable Mountains quilt was carried on the Lost Wagon Train of 1853 by Lucinda Anne Leonard Worth. Some versions of the block add a star in the center and use it as a kind of medallion with the regular blocks. This quilt layout uses the Delectable Mountains Star with sashing. Since all the pieces are half square triangles and squares, it's a great layout for a

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-20973302397296601362012-10-27T22:54:00.000-05:002014-04-27T18:51:25.505-05:00

A while ago we were asked to paint a barn quilt. The block used is called Grandpa's Delight in honor of a recently passed grandfather. In the past I thought that painting quilts might be easier and faster than with fabric, however, now I know differently. In the end the project took us about a week and more than 1 roll of painters tape. Only 3 colors were used in this barn quilt and I can

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-44862522248248153152012-10-25T12:20:00.002-05:002012-10-26T21:01:15.104-05:00

I love big block quilts to make a child or baby sized quilt quick or to use as picnic blanket or even to hang on the wall. This big block quilt uses the 54-40 or Fight block 36 inches square finished with 4 inch borders. It will measure about 44 inches square when finished. Choose at least 3 fabrics, or more if you like. Set the 54-40 or Fight calculator settings as follows and sew the big

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-46914099869814071712012-10-24T09:47:00.006-05:002012-10-24T09:47:55.784-05:00

I usually like my Jewel Box quilt in vivid jewel tones, however, I've seen some beautiful versions using subtle differences between background and jewel fabrics as well as using very earthy fabrics. They were stunning too. Lately I've been experimenting with mixing traditional quilt blocks with watercolor style. In this example, I divided the block into a 16 X 16 piece block. Within each color

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-82002580192924410642012-10-23T20:24:00.001-05:002012-10-23T20:24:13.472-05:00

Tic Tac Toe block is two blocks each of the Shoo Fly and the Nine Patch. This is another example of using blocks with the same grid layout together to make a new block. To calculate how large to cut strips for squares and half square triangles, divide the finished block size you want by 6 and add seam allowances. For each block, you'll need 16 background squares, 8 background half square

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-5261715671903634862012-09-21T14:39:00.001-05:002012-09-21T14:40:02.534-05:00

Quilt Genie - Mariners Compass designer

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3715692596505010521.post-37549662271295407542012-09-21T13:39:00.001-05:002012-09-21T14:01:48.800-05:00

Quilt Genie - Jewel Box designer

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940593865783258938noreply@blogger.com0