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Learn Needleturn Applique Basics

My favorite applique method is the traditional needleturn technique.

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Quilting Spotlight10

Aunt Addie's Album Quilt Block Pattern & 16-Block Quilt Top

Sunday February 12, 2012

aunt addie's album quilt block patternAunt Addie's Album is a traditional quilt block, but you can jazz it up a bit with jewel tone batik or hand dyed fabrics. The quilt block pattern includes instructions for one 8" square block -- perfect when you're making a scrap quilt from your fabric stash, and I've added yardage and a cutting chart for a 16-block quilt top with sashing and cornerstones.

© Janet Wickell

How to Make Yo Yos

Saturday February 11, 2012

Yo yos are little gathered rosettes of fabric that can be used to make an entire quilt, for dimensional applique or in any other way you like. They're kind of addicting once you get started, and simple to make. Give the technique a try -- you'll find all sorts of ways to sew yo yos to your quilts and other projects.

Photo © Denice Marriette

Pitchers for Tildy's Cabin Quilt

Thursday February 9, 2012

quilt patternThis little quilt was fun to make, and is a take-off of a bed quilt my sister, Donna, made for me many years ago, a pitchers and bowl design inspired by my collection of vintage spongeware. And there's a story behind that quilt. She had assembled a double or queen version (time has erased that bit of my memory) and then learned I bought a king sized bed. So she reworked the quilt to make it larger. I think most people would have left it as-is, but Donna wanted it to be just right. She even made matching throw pillows. I reduced the scale of the pitchers for this wallhanging and combined them with foundation pieced Courthouse Steps quilt blocks, a variation of the traditional Log Cabin design.

© Janet Wickell

Wonky Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern

Monday February 6, 2012

Wonky Log Cabin Quilt Block PatternYou'll have fun with the wonky log cabin quilt block pattern. Make the blocks from structured fabrics if you like, or grab strings from your stash and go entirely scrappy. This quilt block is one of the easiest you'll ever make -- its patches do not have to be cut to exact sizes and its seams can vary -- angle the strips this way and that to increase the design's wonky appearance. Blocks in the photo were stitched to resemble a wonky version of one traditional log cabin layout -- the pattern includes tips to help you change the look.

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Photo © Janet Wickell

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