Save 30% at Quilt In A Day!

As a thank-you to all participants in the Symphony of Quilting Challenge, Eleanor Burns is offering 30% off all non-sale items on her websites. Use the code BABYLOCK in the coupon code when you check out. Plus orders of $100 or more ship free, and orders of $50 or more get a free gift. This offer is valid through October 30, 2010, and can't be used on furniture, classes or retreats.

Her websites are QuiltInADay.com and EleanorBurns.com, where you can find books, DVDs, fabric and kits, thread, patterns, and many other quilting supplies.

Also, visit her website to download a free pattern. This page is updated regularly, so visit it often.

Treasures from the attic

This is a quilt my friend Stacy received from her mother this past summer. A little background first:

Stacy was expecting her first baby when the package arrived (in fact, Ella just arrived on Sunday!). Her mother, who is in Minnesota, sent her a package of gifts from friends there (from her shower) to her home here on the west coast.

When Stacy opened the package, she was delighted to find two treasures. This is the first one: the quilt Stacy's mom made for her when Stacy was born. I find it absolutely charming.

Stacy actually remembers her older brother having a suit made from the red gingham. The appliqué is done perfectly, and the colors are bright and bold primary colors--the patterns are solid and gingham. Simple, 1970s and utterly perfect.

The rickrack trim adds texture and character, and the wide red border gives weight to the design.

I have to say--Stacy is a lucky mom, and Ella a lucky little girl--to have this treasure in her family. We were able to gently clean this gorgeous quilt, and it's as fresh, bright and bold as new.

More free quilt block patterns at Quilt Blocks Galore

There are lots of free quilt block patterns for private home use on the pages of Marcia Hohn of The Quilter's Cache.

Please be sure to read the Terms of Use page before downloading any of the patterns. You won't have the license to make any of your quilts for sale, or any other commercial use, when using these patterns. Read them carefully, and make sure you understand.

Bargello Christmas Tree Quilt

This is a Christmas quilt I made for a friend of mine, and almost didn't finish in time for Christmas. It was easy, though a bit time-consuming to come up with right fabrics (particularly the large and small scale pine prints), though that might be because I'm picky about my fabric selection. You can download the PDF file for the pattern for free here (it will take time to get it, since it's a full-color PDF file). I should note here: this is an outside link to Timeless Treasures' website, as the free pattern is copyright by Karen Montgomery and Timeless Treasures, complete with fabric recommendations and yardage requirements.

As you can see, I chose slightly different fabrics for a different feel for this quilt. My tree turned out a bit darker than the pattern, and I chose burgundy and lots of metallic prints for a little flair. (I also skipped the nutmeg colored tree shadow at the base of the tree.)

For quilting, I did a free-motion leafy pattern for the tree, and then a stipple pattern for the background. The back of the quilt is a Michael Miller Fairy Frost in dark brown. (I added a personalized label before quilt assembly.)

I also added some iron-on rhinestones for embellishment as a star topper ornament, and also throughout the quilt, after the quilt was complete.

Quilt kit from Memory Lane Quilt Shop

This is my third quilt, made last year. I used a Valentine's quilt kit I found at a local store in Santee called Memory Lane. It's a great shop--with lots of fun original kits. This one was very easy--it's assembled in strips, and then you cut up the strips and sew together to make the blocks.
The quilt kit came precut, so all I had to do was follow the simple directions and assemble the strips. Then, I cut the strips into squares, and assembled them into blocks. The center heart is actually a fussy-cut square. I believe it's all Moda fabric. Just adorable prints.
Two different blocks make up the quilt, which gives it a nice variation and makes its own design when assembled. I added a small strip of Blooming Bias (precut chenille strips) to the outer border, just at the binding.
Don't look too closely at the seams--I didn't know about pressing seams in opposite directions to butt the seams together better. Here's a different pattern I found online where you can practice butting the seam allowances. Also, this was my first real attempt at free-motion quilting. My stitches are very uneven, but from a galloping horse, as my aunt says, you wouldn't notice!

Lauren's quilt

This is a small quilt I did last year--the fourth quilt I've made--to practice my free-motion technique. I realized that the areas you do not quilt get puffy, so as you can see on the second photo, the ladies stand out a bit more.

The pattern is a modified attic windows that I found online. You don't have to do any inset seams for this pattern, and it's really easy. You make strips of fabric the length of your square, and then do half-square triangles for the corners.

This quilt needs to have the binding fixed. After a few washes, I realized that I didn't do a very good job putting on the binding. Also, I think I would add a border to the outside of the quilt. And I think I also would have made the top and sides of the windows with a little more contrast. But my four year-old loves this little quilt, so maybe I should quit criticizing.

Stack the Deck Quilt

This is my first attempt at a Stack the Deck quilt. It's a simple design, which I saw in a quilting magazine. I found some fun fabric (Lingerie on the Line by Alexander Henry) and combined it with several colors of coordinating cotton jacquard by Robert Kaufman. I also added several other prints from my stash.

The blocks are constructed first by cutting the final shape you want. Then, you shuffle the fabric, so each block has one of each of your desired fabrics in it. It's easy to do, and you can do all kinds of fun things with this technique. You should check out Karla Alexander's books for more ideas using this technique.

To make the blocks go a little further, I alternated them with full-size blocks of another print. This is the first time I've set a quilt on point, and I love the effect. Upon the advice of one of the sales women at the Cozy Quilt Shop, I added a red border to the top and then followed with a second in blue print. The red really makes the blocks pop, I think. To add interest to the quilt top, I added some red chenille strips to the border as well.

I used no batting for this quilt, and a polka-dot minky for the back. It has very light loft and wonderful drape, perfect for a bed topper. (My bed is a California king size, so this quilt is a bit small, but perfect for a topper.) This is a great technique for putting together a larger quilt, and it's fail-proof for beginners.

Beginner Tips

I have been quilting for about a year and a half.  There are quite a few tools to really help beginners like me "succeed" with their first quilts.  I've posted a picture of my first quilt (a twin size).  I used a pattern I found from About.com Quilting on partial seams, which is a great technique to learn.  There is Lilo, our cat, "helping" with the project.  And here is my list of supplies:

1. A good sewing machine.  True, you may only be sewing straight lines for the most part.  However, if you can get a machine with presser foot pressure control, half-speed settings, needle stop down position, needle threader, thread cutter, feed dogs that are easy to drop and excellent fabric feed, it will be worth every penny you pay.  Also, my machine allows me to wind a bobbin without unthreading, which is handy.
   
2. Patchwork foot with edge guide. Bernina foot #57 is such a foot, but I use a generic one. This foot produces fool-proof 1/4" seams by using a metal (or plastic) guide, which holds the seam allowance in place as you sew.  And most quilters know that if you're even 1/8" off on piecing, your pattern may not work in the end.
3. Edgestitch foot. Similar to the patchwork foot, this foot has a metal guide down the center of the foot.  You line up the guide right in the ditch, and you've got perfect in the ditch quilting.  Bernina foot #10 is the one I use.
4. Rotary cutter, mat and ruler.  For those of us who tend to be spastic, this tool is a huge time saver.  If you cut your pieces accurately and use your piecing foot, it's hard to make a mistake.
5. Shape Cut by June Tailor.  I cannot live without this template.  It's a large plastic template with guides for your rotary cutter.  It's simple to get right angles, on the grain of the fabric, as well as perfect strips.  It saves time and effort.
6. Mettler silk finish 100% cotton thread.  I have to go to my sewing machine dealer or local quilt store to find this thread.  While it may cost more than Coats & Clark, it's worth the investment.  My sewing machine rarely jams with this thread.  It comes in every color you could want, andholds up well to washing.  It just produces a gorgeous stitch.  My aunt, a woman who has been quilting for years, says if you're going to put the time into it, use products that make it worth your while.
7. High quality fabric.  You can see my post on fabric hoarding here.  For those of us who are fabric collectors, finding a good deal at Walmart may seem like a good idea. However, imagine putting hours and days or even weeks into working a quilt.  Then, the first time you wash it, it fades.  My approach is to suck it up and support your local quilt shop.  I won't even look at the fabric at Walmart anymore.
8. Good quality needles.  I have to say, I love Schmetz needles.  I use the top stitch size for free motion quilting, and they work like a charm.  Make sure you actually change them at least at the beginning of any project.  This really makes a difference!
9. Moda bias binding.  I could not live without this product.  This is not to be confused with any other brand of quilt binding (though I hear Michael Miller has some on the shelf, which might be worthwhile).  Purchased by the yard, this pre-folded double binding makes it simple to finish your quilts.  It's so easy and convenient.  I didn't know about it when I did my first quilt.  But now--oh, so worth a trip to your local quilt store!
10. 505 Temporary Fabric Adhesive spray.  Manufactured by J.T. Trading Corp, this time saver really assists in basting.  I still use pins to baste, but applying a light coat to the cotton batting (it doesn't work as well with synthetics) reduces puckering, especially in free-motion projects.

Well, this is my current top list.  I hope you enjoy.  Are there any other products you love and can't live without?  Please post them here.  I look forward to seeing your replies!

Free quilting patterns

Where is the best place to find free quilting patterns?  Please post your links in the comments below.  I've found many fabric distributors and supply manufacturers have free patterns on their websites.  Here is a summary of my favorites:

• Michael Miller 
• Robert Kaufman (scroll about half-way down the page for free patterns)
• Moda (United Notions)
• Bernatex
• Timeless Treasures (check out Solar Flate by Karen Montgomery--it's gorgeous)
• Free Spirit (Westminers Fabrics)
• Carol Doak (well, she doesn't sell fabric, but she does manufacture supplies)
• McCall's Quilting
• Lucy A Fazely (author of Quilt Style)

Often, many retail outlets also offer free patterns to download or view online.  And there are sites which will sell patterns and offer free downloads before you buy.  Another quick list of my favorites:

• Home & Garden Network
• Free Quilt Patterns.Info
• Victoriana Quilting block of the month
• About.Com Quilting
• Fat Quarter Shop
• Free Quilt Patterns
• Scrap Quilts.com
• Free Quilt Ideas
• Patterns from History
• eQuilters

Please feel free to comment and add your own.  Have a wonderful quilting day!