Window templates let you mark a patch's outer cutting line and inner seam line in one operation, without fooling around with two templates. They're helpful for hand piecing, for marking seams that will be set-in and for use any other time that seeing both lines is an advantage.

Lilacs and roses are two of my favorite flowers -- this quilt design reminded me of a combination of each one. Two different blocks (shown here) are sewn in horizontal rows to make a quilt with lots of movement across its surface. Sew it floral or choose another set of fabrics to change the quilt's character.

In the three years I've written for About.com Quilting, one of the most-requested patterns has been the rag Cathedral Window quilt. I've been cutting circles and clipping seam allowances for the past few days and am getting ready to put the first quilt together. When I began working on it, I thought I wanted the more vivid print (top photo) to be the front focal, with the lavender batik providing the curved, ragged edges -- now I'm not so sure. Which do you prefer? Or how about a combination? (The circles are mocked-up, so you'll have to imagine the finished look, but thanks for your input.)

_{Janet Wickell}

Are you looking for advice before buying a new sewing machine? Maybe the online quilting community can help you decide which machine is best for you. A few months ago, I asked quilters to tell us about their favorite sewing machines, and (so far) 130 people have responded. You'll find opinions on sewing machine brands in general and on specific models, and the quilters point out why the machines have earned top-billing at their homes. Like jmay2, who wrote:

I bought a Bernina 830 almost 30 years ago. My husband complained that it cost more than the used car he'd recently purchased from a relative. I told him, "Maybe so, but I'll have it long a lot longer than you'll have that car."

Was she correct? Does she still have that sewing machine? Best Sewing Machines for Quilters

This quilt block is called Christmas Star, but the design is suitable for any theme you want to give it, and the quilt is a good choice whenever you need a quick and easy project. At 20" square, it doesn't take long to put the block together, and surrounding it with setting triangles and a couple of borders is a breeze. If you like, change the look dramatically by altering the placement of color and color value within the design.

_{Janet Wickell}

This 6" framed pinwheel block is assembled in shades of raspberry and chocolate -- a yummy combination. You'll use four fabrics for each quilt block: two pinks and two tans or browns. The placement of the four fabrics within the blocks is up to you. If going scrappy isn't your thing, simply use fewer fabrics.

More Pinwheel Quilt Patterns

_{Blocks by Michelle}

Oriental fabrics in shades of gold and orange are enhanced by a black backdrop in both versions of Summer Dragon. The medallion style wallhanging illustrated here finishes at 48-inches square. You'll also find yardage and cutting instructions for a 69" x 90" bed quilt that's made with six of the larger blocks (and still surrounded by a patchwork border). As with nearly any quilt -- it's easy to change the theme entirely by simply altering your fabric choices.

_{Janet Wickell}

Quilt blocks that look almost or exactly the same are notorious for being known by multiple names. And sometimes, even blocks that are totally different from each other end up with the same designations. I think the confusion is a result of endless numbers of quilters working independently of each other during the entire history of quilting, coming up with "new" designs of their very own (when in fact you can bet most "original" designs have been developed by more than one person without knowledge of the other) and choosing names they felt suited a block's layout.

The quilt blocks in this quiz are all traditional and most of them are pretty well known. I do admit to throwing in a couple that aren't quite as common, just to make the questions a bit more interesting. Take the quiz to see how you do, but remember, it's just for fun.

There are several variations of The Broken Branch quilt block, all with different names. The differences are mostly found in the number and sizes of half square triangle units that appear along edges of the block. I like this version best, because the smaller scale of those triangle units gives the block a delicate appearance. The Broken Branch finishes at 15" square, making it a perfect size to use in a medallion wallhanging, but not so large that it won't work for a bed quilt.

_{Janet Wickell}

If you think you've seen this quilt block before, but with a different name, you're probably right, because there are loads of traditional quilt blocks with the same basic layout, and with layouts that are very similar (like Jacob's Ladder). And the reverse is true, too -- other (completely different) designs have been called Road to California and Rocky Road to California.

This version of Road to California finishes at 12" square. It makes a lovely scrap quilt, so get ready to sort through your stash. And the block is beginner-friendly -- new quilters will be able to make it with ease.