Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2023 i Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting

Reflecting on when I first became enamored with quilting, the well-loved Double Wedding Ring captured my heart and sparked my lifelong quilting adventure. I later learned that this iconic vintage design had stood the test of time since its first publication in Capper’s Weekly in 19281—that’s getting close to 100 years! In this issue. we explore fresh designer takes and techniques for using favorite vintage quilt blocks that continue to inspire quilters today. Look for amusing tidbits of quilt block history scattered throughout this issue. What a difference color choice and scale can make! Batik lovers will be delighted with two very different one-block bed quilt designs. Cabin Junction, by Jennifer Thomas, showcases exciting geometric intersections in a cool color palette. And Nimbus, by Megan Best, starts with warm-hued 10”…

SIZEABLE WRIST PINCUSHIONS I make these delightful little pincushions for myself and friends. When you make it for a friend, you don’t know their wrist size. I make an extra seam at the base, add a length of elastic they can size themselves, and then stitch the middle of the seam opening shut after putting the filler in. The ends can be pulled inside so they don’t show. I also insert an oval of rigid plastic to prevent pins from stabbing through. Debbie Gustafson Richfield, MN LEFTOVERS FOR BAKING Like most quilters, I have lots of scraps. An oven mitt is one way to use up some scraps. They make good gifts for family and friends. Joan Kunz Charles Town, WV PRACTICAL PATCHWORK FOR PUPS I had leftover quilted borders and didn’t…

Look closely and you'll see that some fading of the blue fabrics and occasional piecing mishaps only enhance the intrigue of this pleasing design. Handi Quilter acquired this classic, simple vintage quilt top and asked Denise to quilt as desired! MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40″ usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 3⅝ yards cream solid for blocks, patches, and top/bottom borders ► 2 yards blue solid for blocks and binding ► 4½ yards backing fabric ► 74″ × 74″ batting Fabric: Unknown from the collection of the original maker CUTTING Measurements include ¼″ seam allowances. Cut strips across WOF unless otherwise noted. FROM CREAM SOLID, CUT: • 4 strips 6″-wide for top/bottom borders • 5 strips 11½″-wide, subcut: • 15 squares 11½″ (F) • 6 squares 4¾″…

Kari created a secondary design in her Arrowhead quilt by orienting each block in the same direction and using the same background color in every block. As an example of how contemporary quilters find new ways to create with vintage quilt blocks, we’re sharing an innovative Arrowhead block technique created by Anita Grossman Solomon of makeitsimpler.com. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40″ usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 1⅞ yards gray print for blocks and border 2 ► ¾ yard pink print for blocks and border 3 ► ⅜ yard each gold, purple, green, and orange prints for blocks ► ¾ yard blue print for blocks and border 1 ► ⅝ yard taupe print for binding ► 3⅝ yards backing fabric ► 60″ × 68″ batting Fabric: Basin…

INTERMEDIATE part 1 of 3 Bonnie says, “Many times finding a quilt backing first inspires the colors I will use in my quilt top. I love to look at the little colored dots on the selvage of fabrics to see which colors are used in the print.” She used an assortment of fresh new fabrics plus scraps from both her and her mother's stashes for spectacular results and special memories. Use the coloring page at the end of this pattern to plan and play with color ideas. PLANNING YOUR SERIES QUILT Audition a group of color fabrics—new, from your stash, or both, as Bonnie did—to represent the overall color plan for your quilt, adding and removing as needed until you are pleased with the assortment. Be sure to include a…

It’s astounding to see what an exciting and complexlooking design can be made with just three fabrics and one block in two color variations! Beautiful secondary designs flow and appear throughout the onpoint setting as if by magic, captivating the viewer. Identical flying geese surround the quilt center, adding graceful detail. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 1⅓ yards cream print for blocks and border 2 ► 1¼ yards red print for blocks, border 1, and border 3 ► 4 yards dark blue print for blocks, border 2, border 4, and binding ► 4 yards backing fabric ► 66” × 79” batting Fabric: Centennial Shirtings collection by julie Hendricksen for Windham Fabrics CUTTING Measurements include ¼” seam allowances. Cut strips across WOF…

Angela spotted a beautiful scrappy cream and blue vintage quilt from the Anne Olsen collection on display at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. Angela used modern-day techniques and a coordinated collection of lovely prints and added pretty borders for her version. But we love how both quilts set blocks on point in columns with some half-blocks to create great movement. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 3⅛ yards white print for blocks, sections, and setting triangles ► 1 yard light blue print for blocks and sections ► 1 yard gold print for blocks, sections, and border 2 ► 2¾ yards navy print for blocks, sections, border 1, border 3, and binding ► 1 fat quarter* each of 4 assorted pink prints for…

QUILTING THE QUILT We’ve all done it. We piece a lovely quilt top and then wonder, “How should I quilt this?” Whether you own a longarm, quilt on your domestic machine, or quilt by checkbook, we all should make informed decisions about the finishing touches on our quilts. 1. What’s important? The first question to ask is, “What is the most important feature of this quilt?” Sometimes the piecing is the real focus, and the quilting needs to stay in the background. Simpler quilts are often enhanced by more showy quilting. 2. How will it be used? How the quilt will be used is a key factor in choosing batting and thread. Quilted wall hangings often have denser quilting and more exotic battings and threads than a baby quilt that…

Sara chose variations of two traditional blocks for her fun design. Both blocks use a 5 × 5 grid layout making them ideal partners for this two-block quilt. The fabric colors Sara selected emphasize the diagonal "chains" that crisscross the quilt top. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40″ usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 2⅝ yards navy tonal for blocks and border 2 ► ⅞ yard medium gray tonal for blocks and border 1 ► 1⅛ yards light gray tonal for blocks ► 1 fat quarter* aqua tonal for blocks ► ⅝ yard pink tonal for blocks ► ⅝ yard multicolor print for binding ► 3⅞ yards backing fabric ► 63″ × 73″ batting *fat quarter = 18″ × 20″ Fabric: Colorwash, and Color Theory, both by Carrie…

1. Mark center of curve on both patches by folding in half and creasing. 2. Working with background patch on top, pin at curve centers, taking a small bite with pin. Pin at both ends of seam, taking deep bites with pins. 3. Align pieces at beginning of seam. Sew to middle of curve, using your fingertips, a stiletto, or a wooden skewer to help keep curved edges aligned. 4. Leaving needle down, raise presser foot and re-align curved edges as needed. About 1” from end, adjust top fabric so ending edges are also aligned. Sew to end. 5. Using straight-tipped snips, clip curved seam to allow it to fold easily. 6. Gently press seam allowance toward background patch. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6” Serrated-Blade Fabric Scissors…

Jami used a variety of warm tints and tones of analogous hues combined with a soft black background for a guilt evoking a sweet childhood memory of a buttoneyed stuffed toy made by her grandmother. Try a different color background solid and substitute scraps left over from other projects for the pink, orange, and gold solids for a completely different take. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 2⅝ yards black solid for blocks, top/bottom border, and binding ► 1 yard total assorted pink, orange, and gold solids for blocks ► 3 yards backing fabric ► 48” × 62” batting Fabric: A Linen Texture Collection by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts, and Century Solids, both by Andover Fabrics CUTTING Measurements include ¼”…

GRABAROO’S Get a solid, reliable grip on your quilt sandwich while machine quilting, preventing muscle strain and keeping your quilt feeding smoothly under the needle. These quilting gloves feature grippy dots on the top half of the fingertips on both sides, so they are reversible for extended wear. Use them for machine piecing, too, especially curved piecing that may need a bit of extra fabric control. grabaroos.com SCRAPPINESS IS HAPPINESS Prolific author and designer Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet teaches you how to shop your very own fabric stash to make beautiful quilts! Her colorful feast-for-the-eyes book features patterns for 32 scrappy quilts, each based on a single block. Lori shares tips for organizing your stash, her favorite sewing notions, and more, all while exemplifying her lifelong motto…

Megan used hues from the warm side of the color wheel ranging from yellow to purple. For a dramatic effect, she paired the furthest-apart hues (pale yellow/gold and purples) to make the quilt center pop! We’ve included a coloring page at the end of the pattern to help you plan your own radiant masterpiece. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 3⅝ yards white batik for background and borders 1 and 3 ► 2 (10”) precut squares each yellow #1, red orange, pink #1, orange #1, red violet, purple #1, coral, yellow #2, gold #1, red, orange #2, burgundy, goid #2, pink #2, purple #2, and dark pink batiks for units (32 total) ► ⅝ syard multicolor batik for border 2 ► ⅞…

Kim artfully combined different log-themed blocks into one quilt, starting with a log-cabinlike Schoolhouse block variation. She continued the theme with two more traditional log blocks— Log Cabin and Courthouse Steps—carefully planning the border sizes to fit all the pieces together. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. Although fabric amounts are adequate for foundation piecing, you may need more if you cut very generous patches. ► ⅞ yard orange print for blocks ► ½ yard blue print for blocks ► 1 fat eighth* cream/gold floral #1 for blocks ► 1 fat quarter** navy floral for blocks ► 1 ⅛ yards gold print for blocks ► 1 fat eighth cream print for blocks ► ⅝ yard navy print for blocks ► 1 fat quarter…

TRUNK SHOW “Fabric is the lure,” said Pat Sloan—fabric designer, teacher, author, businesswoman, and, above all, quilter. When she started quilting, Sloan worked with any fabric that caught her eye. Now, she enjoys using a base of fabrics from a collection, then adding other fabrics for a pop of interest. “I learned over time how to combine bold prints better, and it’s now my passion to use fun and interesting fabrics,” she said. She was never one to think a particular fabric had to be used for any specific thing. Her Home Is quilt is a good example. “The tulips, stems, and leaves are all blue. How did I decide this was ok? By not worrying whether my fabric choices met the expectations of others.” Sloan said she loves using…

1. Cut two squares ⅞” larger than desired finished size of trianglesquare. 2. On wrong side of one square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼” away from each side of cutting line. 3. Place marked square on top of other square, right sides facing. Sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line. 5. Press seam allowances toward darker fabric. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6“ × 24” Fabric Ruler, and Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand and Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square. Cut squares the finished size of trianglesquares plus ⅞”. Watch this Sew Easy™…

The success of this design is not only in the eye-catching color choices but also in the careful selection of each color’s value (lightness or darkness). The gentle glow is achieved through the subtle hue difference of the yellow and gold, and the slight print variations inherent to batiks contribute to the beautiful overall effect. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 1 ¾ yards yellow batik for blocks ► 2 ½ yards turquoise batik for blocks ► 1 ½ yards blue batik for blocks ► 2 ¾ yards violet batik for blocks, border 2, and binding ► 1 ⅝ yards purple batik for blocks ► 1 ⅜ yards gold batik for blocks ► ¾ yard lavender batik for border 1 ► 8…

Considerable interest is added to this simple design by rotating every other Hourglass unit, and arranging the blocks diagonally by color. Striped sashing fabrics add even more pizazz! Luann let the diagonal lines of unit patches serve as edge-toedge guides for easy, nomark guilting. No wonder Marianne wanted to play with this pattern some more! MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ► 1 fat quarter* blue solid ► 1 fat quarter* navy solid ► 1 fat quarter* brown solid ► ½ yard red solid ► ⅝ yard white print ► ⅝ yard multicolor stripe ► 1 yard backing ► 34“ × 39” batting *fat quarter = 18“ × 20” Fabric: Selected from the designer’s personal collection. CUTTING Measurements include ¼” seam allowances. Cut…