Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August + September/October 2024 i Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting

Diamonds are a timeless quilt design element passed down through generations of quilters. They add a certain elegance to quilts but also an element of skill due to their inherent biased edges and need for precision piecing. In this issue, you'll find quilts featuring diamonds with step-by-step instructions and Sew Easy™ Lessons to help you master them so that you, too, can experience diamonds as a quilter's best friend! As part of our year-long 25th-anniversary celebration, we are thrilled to reveal the final part of our commemorative mystery quilt, Secret Meadow, along with each amazingly different staff version to inspire. But that's not all. We have a surprise in store, a first for Love of Quilting: a two-part cozy mystery, Quarter-Inch Schemes, written by Barbara Emodi, especially for our readers.…

READY REFERENCE I often work on several projects at one time and very often, the machine settings are different for each project. To help me remember needle position, thread length, et cetera, I use a small dry erase board to record information relative to a specific quilt or project. When the project is complete, I simply erase the information and the board is ready to be used again! Jeanne Walkowicz Sterling Heights, Michigan DOUBLE DUTY My tip is for those “pre-washers” like me that have a front-loading washing machine. I found that the dye-trapping sheets were ending up in the washing machine's drain hole, not doing their job. Since I usually serge my fabric's edges, I just started serging the sheet right onto the fabric! It removes easily afterward, and…

FINISHED SIZE: 63¾” × 63¾” FINISHED BLOCKS: 25 (12¾”) blocks To replicate Becky's mesmerizing design, pay careful attention to the hue values listed in materials when selecting your fabrics. The elegant diamond patches are easily cut from bands using the standard 60°–line on a quilting ruler, and the asymmetric triangles are straightforward to cut from rectangle patches. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 1⅜ yards dark turquoise batik for blocks ‣ 2¼ yards medium turquoise batik for blocks and binding ‣ ⅞ yard each light aqua batik, pale blue batik, and pale cream batik for blocks ‣ 1¼ yards each light blue batik and pale yellow batik for blocks ‣ 4⅜ yards backing fabric ‣ 72” × 72” batting Fabric: 1895 Watercolors,…

FINISHED SIZE: 81” × 81” FINISHED BLOCKS: 49 (9”) blocks The combination of three subtly different blues combined with variegated greens, purples, and a vibrant pop of red results in a dazzling display of color. This two-block pattern creates a secondary design with the appearance of curves, and the simple pieced border adds a final touch of sparkle! Our four Sew Easy Lesson techniques will help you recreate this lively design. 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. ‣ ½2 yard each pale green batik, medium green batik, purple batik, and olive batik for block Y ‣ 6 yards white batik for blocks, pieced border 1,…

FINISHED SIZE: 64” × 88” FINISHED BLOCKS: 25 (6” × 12”) blocks 40 (3” × 6”) blocks Large, sparkling diamond blocks are gracefully strung together by on-point squares pieced into sashing units, creating vertical strands of diamonds and pearls. The finishing touch is a border of smaller diamond blocks haloing the center diamonds! Deb designed a clever specialty ruler, Split Rects, to cut oversized triangle patches and trim each sewn half-rectangle unit. If you choose to use the optional ruler, refer to its instructions for cutting oversized strips and patches for D/Dr and E/Er and trimming the resultant oversized units 3–6. Suffcient yardage is included to use your preferred construction method. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 25 (10”) squares assorted batiks…

FINISHED SIZE: 18” × 18” FINISHED BLOCKS: 1 (12”) block Kari expertly and intentionally selected just-right fabric hues (colors) and values (lights to darks) to create this striking design. To replicate the look, start by selecting a medium-value aqua print and red print. Next, select a medium/light-value yellow print, and a medium-value orange print (that would result from mixing red and yellow). Then select a medium-value lime print (that would result from mixing aqua and yellow). Lastly, select a dark-value maroon print to make your combination pop! 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. ‣ 1 fat eighth* each aqua print and red print for block…

Part 1 of 2 May 1923 This man killed people. Now he had caught her with something that was his, in her hand. “What you got there?” he demanded, startling her when he walked into the room. She reached into her apron pocket and felt it. “The cat found it. Under the bed. We thought you left. I was cleaning the room.” The curtains were open to air the room. The wind from the sea blew in and he turned away. The scar ran from above his left ear to his full mouth, like the curve of the cut in a fish when they sliced into the gill. He squinted at her. Those eyes measured opportunities and people as if they were the same thing. “Show me,” he said. She…

EASY FINISHED SIZE: 60” × 60” FINISHED BLOCKS: 36 (10”) blocks Bright and trendy hues in fun stripes and dots play together delightfully to form happy posies and a flutter of butterflies in this enchanting, easy-to-sew quilt. Utilize a single popular Sew Easy Lesson technique to replicate this lively design. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 1 fat quarter* each 6 assorted stripe prints for block T ‣ 1 fat quarter* each 6 assorted dot prints for block U ‣ 3⅛ yards white solid for blocks ‣ 1 fat eighth** each yellow dot and yellow stripe for blocks T and U ‣ 1 fat quarter* each dark purple stripe and medium purple stripe for blocks V–Y ‣ 1 fat quarter* each dark…

FINISHED SIZE: 68” × 85” FINISHED BLOCKS: 32 (12”) blocks Krisanne's artfully creative setting using a single carefully crafted block turns this one-block design into a stunning medallion-style quilt. Consistent, accurate cutting and sewing will help you replicate her sensational design. Be sure to read our helpful Sew Smart Tips before starting this project, and we recommend making a test block before cutting all your fabric. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 3⅜ yards blue tonal for blocks, setting triangles, and binding ‣ 3¼ yards white tonal for blocks ‣ 3 yards red tonal for blocks ‣ 5⅝ yards backing fabric ‣ 76” × 96” batting Fabric: Canvas by Doborah Edwards Northcott Studio, Crackle by Northcott Studio, and Stonehenge Gradations by Linda…

1. To make a band, pair two strips with right sides facing and raw edges aligned. Stitch with ¼” seam. Press flat to set stitches. 2. Fold top strip back and gently press seam open to one side. Band should be straight, without any distortion along outside edges. 3. Add third strip to complete band and press as described in previous steps. 4. Measure height of band to ensure it matches the required measurements. Aligning horizontal lines on ruler with long edge and seam lines of strip set, trim uneven end of strip set. 5. Keeping horizontal lines on ruler aligned with band, cut required width segments. 6. If making bands with more than three strips, join strips in pairs and then sew pairs together. Products used: Havel's Self-Healing Cutting…

1. On wrong side of each of four small squares, mark diagonal line corner to corner. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼” away from each side of cutting line. 2. Place two small squares on opposite corners of one large square, right sides facing. Corners will overlap slightly at center. Sew along marked sewing lines. 3. Cut along marked cutting lines. Press seams toward small triangles. 4. Place remaining small squares on unit corners. Sew along marked sewing lines. 5. Cut along marked cutting lines. 6. Press seams toward small triangles to complete four Flying Geese units. Products used: Havel's Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel's 6” × 24” Fabric Ruler, and Havel's 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection…

1. Place one small square on larger square, right sides facing and aligning raw edges. Draw a line diagonally on wrong side as shown. 2. Sew on drawn line. Trim ¼” beyond stitching. 3. Press open to reveal triangle. 4. Following pattern instructions, repeat for remaining corners to complete unit. Products used: Havel's Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel's 45mm Rotary Cutter, and Havel's 6” × 24” Fabric Ruler. Fabric from Garden Glory by Maja Ronnback collection and Abstract Collage by Ampersand collection for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew EasyTM Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Stitch-and-Flip-Corners…

In 1976, during the American bicentennial and the resurgence of an interest in traditional crafts, Marianne Fons and Liz Porter met in a quilting class, which evolved into a tiny local quilt club and to Liz and Marianne teaching together. Their hands-on experience grew and led to books, a mail-order business, their PBS television show, and the personalities driving content for Sew Many Quilts magazine (Oxmoor House). They took a leap of faith and bought the magazine in partnership with Dean Pieters, launching Fons & Porter's For the Love of Quilting magazine in 1999. Later, after more than a quarter century of growing not only their quilting business, but also the entire quilting community, they decided to sell the business. “We grew [the magazine] making it the largest circulated quilting…

FINISHED SIZE: 54” × 72” FINISHED BLOCKS: 5 (10” × 20”), 5 (10” × 16”), 5 (10” × 12”), 5 (10” × 8”) blocks This dazzling, modern design uses four different values of each of the five colors: the darkest values are used for the largest blocks, and diminishing values are used for each consecutive smaller block of the same hue. Alison then rotated every other column of blocks to create plenty of movement, effectively capturing the glow of jewels in fabric! MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 3⅜ yards black solid for blocks and border ‣ 1 fat quarter* each dark purple, dark blue, dark green and dark red solids for blocks G, H, I, and K ‣ ⅞ yard dark…

FINISHED SIZE: 63¾” × 74” FINISHED BLOCKS: 48 (10⅝” × 9¼”) blocks Amy skillfully selected a value-range of pink sapphire and rose quartz gemstone hues and combined them with a similar range of grays from pale to dark. A dazzling, captivating design is created with just two straightforward paper foundation -pieced sections that form a radiant display of light when combined. See our Design Options that illustrate this design's creative versatility. 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. ‣ 1⅝ yards dark pink print for blocks and binding ‣ 1⅜ yards each medium pink print and medium gray print for blocks ‣ 1⅞ yards each light…

TRUNK SHOW Lessons from a Lifetime of Quilting They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but for quilter MJ Kinman they are more than that. They are her passion. She spends hours looking for gems that inspire her. “Once I find an image that grabs my heart, I love the process of carving it up into facets and planning how I'll sew it together.” She starts with value when selecting colors for a quilt. “If I can plan out the light, medium, and dark values, I can substitute any hue and the design will still work.” It was a long process between seeing the gem that got her started and her first gem quilt. “In looking at that original gem image, I realized that every piece would be a…

FINISHED SIZE: 46½” × 46½” FINISHED BLOCKS: 16 (10½”) blocks Susan selected a small group of richly hued batiks for this lovely, quilted patch of posies. Her energetic one-block design draws the eye to explore and discover multiple arrangements: groups of small bouquets, a bordered medallion, or a crisscrossing of blocks. Have fun adapting this intriguing design to your favorite color of tulips! MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 1¼ yards white solid for blocks ‣ ¼ yard coral batik for blocks and cornerstones ‣ ⅜ yard medium pink batik for blocks ‣ ⅝ yard dark pink batik for blocks ‣ ⅝ yard green batik for blocks ‣ 1 yard light pink batik for sashes and binding ‣ 3⅛ yards backing fabric…

Diamond Star Finished Block: 12” Searching for diamond-themed vintage quilt blocks, I happened upon the enchanting Diamond Star block, and considered how contemporary techniques and tools could replicate the design. Undoubtedly, you've spotted ubiquitous quilting units: Flying Geese and triangle-squares! So, we're off to a good start. However, you may also have noticed that each Flying Geese unit features two colors for the “sky” patches. We can make two pairs of mirrored Flying Geese at a time using our no-waste Flying Geese technique. But since we need four matching Flying Geese for a block, let's solve that challenge by making two coordinating blocks at a time—oh, the satisfaction of effciency! QUILT BLOCK HISTORY The Diamond Star block was first published in Ohio Farmer, August 27, 1896, a periodical begun as…

1. On wrong side of lighter 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. Repeat for opposite diagonal. 2. Place marked square on top of darker square, right sides facing; sew along marked sewing lines. 3. Cut sewn squares vertically and horizontally to make four equal sections. 4. Cut along marked cutting lines to make eight triangle-squares. 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 Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square unit. Cut squares twice the…

1. To reduce bulk at center of a pinwheel, sew four triangle-square units together as shown. 2. Clip threads in center seam allowance at intersection, to edge of last sewn seam, as shown. 3. Press triangle units so that horizontal seams “pinwheel” in different directions. 1. To reduce bulk at a Y-seam intersection, sew unit as instructed, creating vertical seam and then setting in third patch. 2. To reduce bulk, first press vertical seam open. Then press seam allowance away from set-in piece. Products used: Havel's Self-Healing Cutting Mat and Havel's 6” Serrated-Blade Fabric Scissors or Havel's Snip-A-Stitch. Fabric from Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew EasyTM Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Managing-Bulky-Seams…

1. From one light and one dark fabric, cut one square 1¼” larger than desired finished size of hourglass unit. 2. On wrong side of light square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼” away on each side of cutting line. 3. Place light square on dark square, right sides facing; sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line to make two triangle-squares. Press seam allowance toward darker fabric. 5. On wrong side of one trianglesquare, draw a diagonal line perpendicular to the seam. This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼” away on each side of cutting line. 6. Place triangle-square with marked lines on matching triangle-square, right sides and opposite fabrics facing. Sew…

PERFECTLY PIECED QUILT BACKS Author Kelly Young wrote this scrap-smart guide to finish quilts with a two-sided appeal to help quilters use up scraps left over from making quilts! Without making anything too complicated, needing to figure out fabric requirements, or spending too much time planning, Kelly provides 30 straightforward, creative designs for quilt backs. Included are sections on quilt back basics, ideas for using scraps and leftover fabrics from the quilt top or fabrics from your stash and yardage, and finally, basting and quilt finishing. In an unexpected bonus twist, 18 quilt top patterns pictured in the book may be downloaded with the included link! foxchapelpublishing.com PRETTY & PLAYFUL IRON-ON LABELS FOR QUILTS & MORE A quilt isn't finished until it's labeled! This book by Becky Goldsmith and Linda…

Brenda says, “My husband and I love to travel. Being from the land-locked Midwest, we love the beach. Jellyfish are so unique and can be quite colorful; they are my favorite!” “I'm a Midwest girl with a heart for jellyfish!” Brenda Gill Altoona, IA Danette found inspiration from vintage fabric and loves to sew hexis. She used decorative machine stitches around each hexagon, and machine stitched the word “peace” in the center patch. “Peace to you & your family from Waunakee, Wisconsin. I love to sew. Happy sewing to you!” Dannette Johnson Waunakee, WI Delilas likes trying different things, and appliquéd shapes cut from coordinating prints using a machine blanket stitch. “Greetings from Wisconsin.” Delilas Luniak Appleton, WI Kim was inspired by Fond Memories by Diane Tomlinson on the cover of…

When teaching a friend to quilt, it's helpful to have a plan! Check out Pat Sloan's Teach Me to Make My First Quilt, C&T Publishing, 2023. It includes basics about fabric, sewing, pressing, assembling, and finishing a quilt. Beginners start by making basic blocks such as Four Patch, Rail Fence, Nine Patch, and more, and continue by constructing a table runner and other very doable projects that won't overwhelm. Visit QuiltingDaily.com/free-quilt-patterns-featuring-the-easiest-quilts-ever-fons-porter to download our free ebook featuring four patterns ideally suited for beginners. Three designs highlight a single beginner-friendly technique: stitch-and-flip units, rail fence blocks, and quick-pieced triangle squares. The final fat-quarter-friendly pattern features rectangle patches in two colors, mirrored and joined for a simple, satisfying block to make a finished quilt in a choice of three different sizes. Pocket…

1. This method for binding tidy corners by machine in a single pass uses ½” double-fold binding tape. 2. Beginning near the center of one quilt side, and leaving a 6–8” binding tail as shown, nest the raw edges of quilt into the binding fold; place clips as shown no more than 1½ ” apart. 3. Continue placing clips until you reach the first corner. 4. Check the binding and clips on the back side of quilt. If the nesting is even, the back side of the clips will align with the binding edges, the same way they do on the front. 5. With the right side of quilt facing up, stitch close to the fold as shown, ending at the exact raw edge of the quilt top; backstitch and…

FINISHED SIZE: 80” × 80” FINISHED BLOCKS: 100 (8”) blocks Rich greens in varying values combine with pops of magenta, teal, pink, and gold against a high-contrast white background for a visually pleasing medallion effect. Choose a dark value for your green batik #1 to replicate the impact of the magically echoing squares that radiate from the center. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 3¼ yards white batik for blocks U, W, X, and Y ‣ 1⅝ yards green batik #1 for block U and binding ‣ 3 yards green batik #2 for blocks U, V, and Z ‣ ½ yard magenta batik for block V ‣ ⅝ yard green batik #3 for block W ‣ ½ yard teal batik for block…

QUILTING THE QUILT 1. Squares Square Spirals are a great way to finish a log cabin quilt. They are straightforward to do. Work from the outside edge of each block and stitch down the center of each log, pivot at the corners, and finish in the middle square. I use the markings on my walking foot to keep my stitching even and to guide me on where to make my turns. A locking stitch at each point makes for great results. 2. Irregular Polygons I have had fun making improv-style quilts where I have ended up with irregular polygon shapes to fill in. These are a little more complicated to fill in. Marking the center of each corner with a chalk pencil shows me where to pivot and keeps my…

EASY FINISHED SIZE: 80” × 80” FINISHED BLOCKS: 36 (10”) blocks The compelling graphic design of this two-block pattern belies its ease of construction! Select an array of just six fat quarters—shown here in pinks and purples—plus a “leaf” and a background fabric to create an intriguing, complex-looking composition. With straightforward cutting and one simple Sew Easy Lesson technique, you'll have a gorgeous bed quilt in no time. MATERIALS Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. ‣ 1⅞ yards gray solid for blocks and binding ‣ 5 yards cream solid for blocks, sashes, and border ‣ 1 fat quarter* each 6 assorted pink and purple solids ‣ 7⅞ yards backing fabric ‣ 88” × 88” batting *fat quarter = 18” × 20” Fabric: Pure Solids by…

1. Cut number of 2½”-wide strips necessary to equal the perimeter of quilt plus 20”. Join strips with diagonal seams into one continuous piece. Press seams open. 2. Press binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. 3. Begin in middle of one side of quilt. Leaving a 12” tail of binding free, match raw edges of binding strip to raw edge of quilt top. Use an even-feed or walking foot to sew through all layers with ¼” seam. 4. To miter corners, stop ¼” from corner, backstitch, and remove quilt from sewing machine. 5. Rotate quilt a quarter turn and fold binding straight up, away from the corner, forming a 45° angle fold. TIP: For a satisfying “plump“ binding, we recommend cutting the batting and backing a scant 1⁄8” larger…

1. Place fabric pieces larger than section 1 and 2 right sides together on back side of paper. Be sure fabric for section 1 is under that area and edges of fabric extend at least ¼” past stitching line. 2. Using 90/14-sized needle and a short stitch length so papers will tear off easily, stitch on line between two areas, extending stitching into seam allowances at ends of seams. 3. Open pieces and finger press the seam. Right sides of fabrics will be facing out on back side of pattern. 4. Turn unit over and fold back paper on stitched line. Trim seam allowance to ¼”. 5. Continue adding fabrics in numerical order, as you did with section 2. When all fabrics are added, trim excess paper and fabric along…

1. Cut two squares ⅞” larger than desired finished size of triangle-square. 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. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square. Cut squares the finished size of triangle-squares plus 7⁄8”. 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. Watch this Sew EasyTM…

Become Our Next New Designer We invite you to submit your original designs to be considered for publication in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting, Quiltmaker, McCall's Quilting, and Fons & Porter's Quick + Easy Quilts magazines. What we look for: • Traditional, contemporary, modern, whimsical, and seasonal designs. • Home decor items, totes, etc. • Techniques including appliqué, foundation piecing, and hand embroidery. • Sizes from table runner to bed size. • Quilts for children and babies. • Quilts designed for precuts like 2½” strips, 5” and 10” squares. • Pattern writing experience is not required. We diagram the quilt and write the pattern. • Articles about quilting. Submission Guidelines All submissions must be original, unpublished designs. This includes patterns in the store in which you work, in…