Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2021 i McCall's Quilting

It doesn’t matter whether the winter was a long, cold, hard winter or an easy one with few storms and little bitter cold, I’m always up for the arrival of spring and March means spring is on the way. I am so very ready! Ready for warmer weather, ready to be outside, ready to see the plants in the garden poking up their little heads. It just can’t happen too soon to suit me. In an effort to be ready to go outside and enjoy the wonderful spring weather, I’ve been busy sewing; trying to get a jump on spring cleaning by using up bits and pieces, by completing projects that were begun long ago, by making patterns that have been laying around too long. The good news is that…

An older woman and her husband collected wool to make rugs; I think braided rugs but am not sure. They scoured thrift shops for wool garments. They disassembled the garments and washed the wool. One of them passed away and 20 boxes of wool were gifted to my friend. That is two carloads of wool. The boxes were labeled by color, etc. My friend gave me first choice of this treasure. While looking at the fabric, it talked to me and said it wanted to be a hexagon quilt with hand stitching. The hex size was determined by the size of my ruler. I rewashed and dried all fabrics, and found a few were acrylic and did not felt together. I held the fabrics up to the light and found…

The inspiration for Spring Posies was my nephew’s daughter, Violet. She was born in the midst of the pandemic, and I needed to make a baby quilt from the fabric I had on hand. I had a few stacks of 5” charm squares, so I came up with the posy design in honor of her name. Since I was staying home, I couldn’t send the quilt out for longarm quilting, so quilt-as-you-go made perfect sense. By adding strips around the posies, I made the blocks a little larger than their final size because quilting each block individually can shrink up the blocks a bit. Once each block was quilted, I trimmed it to the perfect size. For this larger throw quilt, I took the idea from Violet’s quilt and made…

Quilt Designed & Made by Abigail Dolinger Skill Level Easy Finished Size 17½" x 52½" Planning Abigail takes the idea of quilt-as-you-go a step farther with the ever-so-nice flowers that are pieced in strips. She used pink and purple for her flowers but you can use any color of fabric to match your décor. NOTE: Abigail suggests marking a rectangle 18" x 48" on the batting with a water-soluble marker, then marking the vertical and horizontal centers of that rectangle. Finally, mark vertical lines about every 4" to help keep the units and patches vertically aligned. Another hint: Abigail used double-sided basting tape to hold the rickrack in place. Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage…

Quilt Designed & Made by Stephanie Cunnyngham Skill Level Easy Finished Size 62" x 62" Finished Blocks 13 Blocks 10" x 10" NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for appliqué templates. Planning The cute appliquéd bunnies make Stephanie’s quilt ever-so-loveable. The floppy ears add an extra special finishing touch. Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Handle all bias edges carefully to avoid distortion. See the Sew Easy Lesson Binding with Faux Piping at QuiltingDaily.com for complete instructions in making the flange. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Green print #1, lavender print, purple print #1, yellow print, and teal small floral 1 fat eighth* each for blocks• Green print #2, pink…

One way to make fabric is string piecing. It’s a great technique for using up scraps. I start by choosing the color scheme. I store my fabric in 60-quart plastic tubs. I have one tub for each color. I often choose the color scheme of my quilt based on which of the tubs is the fullest. I try not to be too “mitchy-matchy” as I’m selecting fabric to use. If my quilt is blue, I use everything from denim blue to turquoise and often throw in a bit of green and purple just because it adds interest. Beprise (opposite) is an example of that color palette. I don’t pay attention to the mood of the fabric. I use everything from very classic 1800s reproduction prints to novelty prints. You can…

• trends • tools • cool stuff Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns Electric Quilt is introducing an updated version of this must-have book for quilters. This 3rd edition of Barbara Brackman's classic book contains 4000+ full-color block patterns. It's full of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. electricquilt.com Piping Foot As you consider taking your quiltmaking up a notch by adding new things (ribbon, piping, pearls, buttons, etc.), check at your local dealer for specialty feet that will make those additions easier. Baby Lock's piping foot is a good example. It has a channel that guides the piping for accurate placement. Most machine brands have lots of specialty feet to choose from. babylock.com Piping Hot Binding Tool Susan Cleveland's tool makes adding piping to your quilts so easy. You…

“A few weeks ago, a customer brought in a quilt for me to quilt. As I was working on it, I noticed a few of the blocks used partial seams. I’ve been longarm quilting for 16 years and I can say I rarely see partial seaming. Partial seaming is not a difficult technique. It isn’t used much, however. But, it is a good place for taking ‘the next step.’ I chose a traditional log cabin block and reworked it to use partial seaming. It makes the rotary cutting easier—each round has only 1 patch size, rather than the 3 or 4 that a traditional log cabin has. Go ahead. Try partial seaming. It’s not hard. Really.”…

Quilt Designed & Made by Audrey Hiers Skill Level Easy Finished Size 22½" x 25¾" NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for appliqué templates, which are printed without seam allowances. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Assorted prints 40 charm squares* for piecing• Light green print 1 fat eighth** for appliqué• Assorted blue prints scraps for appliqué• Blue print, orange print and green print scraps for appliqué• Medium green print scraps for appliqué• Paper-backed fusible web• Black embroidery floss• Backing ⅞ yd.• Batting 27" x 30" *charm square = 5" x 5" **fat eighth = 9" x 20" NOTE: Fabrics in the quilt shown are from Audrey’s personal collection of assorted fabrics. Planning Audrey used bright and colorful fabric to make her…

Quilt Designed & Made by Kristen Clay Machine Quilted by Di Cluff of Sister Chick’s Quilting Skill Level Easy Finished Size 63" x 72" Finished Units 84 Units 4½" x 4½" Planning Tucks and hand embroidery decorate the centers of the white units to dress up Kristen’s quilt and make it ever so feminine. Our instructions have you stitch the tucks and embroider the white fabric while it is in strips to make it easier. Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • White tonal 2¾ yds. for units• Assorted prints 84 charm squares*• Aqua print 1⅛ yds. for border• Navy stripe ¾ yd. for binding•…

I had the idea of flowers floating in a field of green leaves and grass to represent springtime. I knew there should be two shades of green for interest—the runner would be too boring if I only used one green fabric. I considered cutting the strips 2½" wide but that would have created a lot of bulk in the centers of the flowers when I flipped the rows open after sewing on the subsequent row. Three-inch-wide strips were easier to press open for the quilt-as-you-go method. I thought about making more rounded petals by adding stitch-and-flip corners to the adjacent corners of each pink and lavender square. I decided to add color to the edge by inserting jumbo rickrack within the binding. I really like the effect. A flange insert…

I made my first Irish Chain quilt this summer, and I loved the fact that you could strip piece it. It went together so quickly, with no fabric waste, and no triangles or other difficult shapes to cut or piece. I decided this would be a new favorite pattern for me! After that quilt, I realized there was a lot of background, or negative space, that could be utilized for something fun. In this case, that something was the little bunny appliqué! I also received the circle cutting dies to go with my Crafter’s Edge cutting machine. I started thinking of all the fun shapes you could make out of circles, and this little bunny came to mind. I had a lot of fun with the details, including the white…

1. Cut the foundation paper to the size that you want your unfinished measurement to be. 2. Place first fabric strip right-side up on paper foundation. Strips should extend off foundation’s edge. Place second strip right-side down over first strip, aligning the long edge, and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Shorten the stitch length and use a size 90/14 needle to make removal of paper easier. 3. Open out the second patch, and press. Add the next patch along the edge, then sew and press open. 4. Continue adding strips until the foundation is covered, varying widths of strips as desired. 5. Turn the unit foundation side up. Trim even with the edges of the paper foundation. 6. Remove the paper.…

Designed and Machine Quilted by KONDA LUCKAU SKILL LEVEL INTERMEDIATE Finished Quilt Size 62" x 81½" Number of Blocks and Finished Size 12 Galaxy Blocks 19½" x 19½" Planning Blast off into outer space with this fun modern star quilt. Konda’s clever design combines 6 stars into 1 big block. Get started sewing your own constellation today! Be sure to use an accurate ¼" seam allowance so all elements fits together well. Fabric Requirements Gray texture (background, small stars, border) 4¾ yds. Light orange print, dark aqua print, and dark orange print (small star points) ¼ yd. each Gold diagonal plaid, light aqua print, and orange/white print (small star centers) 8" x 10" piece each Purple print (large star points, binding) 1⅜ yds. Purple/gray print (small star backgrounds) ½ yd.…

Denise Starck Editorial Director I made a quilt for a black and white plus one color challenge that my guild was hosting. The entire top is fused appliqué and because of the unusual edges, I needed to find an alternate finishing solution. I layered and quilted it as usual, then I used satin cord and couched it with a zigzag stitch along the edge to provide a more finished appearance. This quilt currently hangs in my office! Annette Falvo Technical Editor Sometimes I like adding machine-embroidered features to my quilts. I find that I have more control over the placement of embroidered motifs on a quilt top if I stitch out the designs on water-soluble stabilizer, remove the stabilizer, then appliqué the motifs to my quilt with matching thread. This…

Quilt Designed & Made by Bev Getschel Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 60" x 85" NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for template. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Assorted wools 6⅛ yds. total for blocks• Gray flannel ¾ yd. for binding• Embroidery thread• Backing 5⅝ yds.• Batting* 68" x 93" *Bev did not put batting in her quilt in order for it to be a lighter weight. NOTE: Fabrics in the quilt shown are from Bev’s personal collection of assorted fabrics. Cutting Instructions Patches are lettered in order of use. • Assorted wools 218 Template A• Gray flannel 8 strips 2½" x WOF for binding Planning Bev designed her quilt as a long-range take-along project to use wool scraps. She purchased…

Quilt Designed & Made by Kristin Echols Skill Level Easy Finished Size 59⅛" x 71¾" Finished Blocks 20 Blocks 12" x 12" Planning In need of a baby quilt in the midst of the pandemic, Kristin used 5” squares she had on hand to make her first version of this quilt. She used the same idea to construct this larger throw-size quilt. Kristen used invisible thread to zigzag the sashes in place but you could use matching thread if you prefer. Gold floral for border 2 is cut lengthwise. If you prefer to cut crosswise, you will need 2⅛ yards of fabric for border 2. Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fit together well. Fabric Requirements Fabric yardage assumes 40” usable width…

I have an entry area where I can hang small wallhangings and I’ve made one for each season. Happy Flowers is the name I gave this hanging as it is just that...Happy. I decided that I would not go formal with it so instead of precise appliqué, all edges are raw and stitched down with long stitches in contrasting black thread. I chose not to bind it so the outside edges are clipped. In the North Georgia Mountains where I live, summer brings an abundance of bright and beautiful flowers. I used lights for the background so as to emphasize the boldness of the flowers, stems, and leaves. I like the shape used for the background patches as I feel it adds interest vs. using squares. Also the shape of…

I watched an online quilting class and loved the idea of two-color big stitch quilting, but decided to incorporate it into the block as embroidery before quilting instead—to make it easier on my fingers. Since I am first a dressmaker, I like to combine elements of quilting and dressmaking—thus the tiny tucks came to be. My first try did not end up with precise tucks because I just used a few dots as a stitching guide. For my next try, I drew the complete fold lines, using my quilting ruler, and got a much better result. Pressing is very important so you don’t get extra fabric hidden behind the tucks. The embroidery goes quickly, and it is relaxing to decorate each strip by hand. I had fun changing the colors…

Designed and Machine Quilted by SANDRA CLEMONS SKILL LEVEL INTERMEDIATE Finished Quilt Size 73½" x 83½" Number of Blocks and Finished Size 56 Cross & Crown Blocks 9" x 9" Planning Retro prints from the Hadley collection designed by Denyse Schmidt for FreeSpirit Fabrics add an eclectic vibe. This charming quilt has broad appeal, combining modern and traditional elements that complement nearly any decor. Step-by-step photos guide you through making the block corner units without marking any match points. Our pattern is written for fat quarters. Each print is featured in three blocks; you’ll have one block left over to use as a quilt label or to use in another project, such as a coordinating throw pillow. Fabric Requirements White solid (background, sashing, border) 5⅛ yds. 19 assorted prints (blocks)…

• free pattern • staff faves • blog fun I am always a sucker for quilts that look more complicated than they really are. I’ll admit, it strokes my ego when admirers of my finished quilt say “Oh, that looks really hard, I could never do that!” and deep down I know they really could because it was much simpler to sew than they think. Galaxy by Konda Luckau fits that bill. The various star block sizes and how they nest with one another looks harder than just rows of the same size star blocks put together. The trick to this one is that the block combines six stars into one big block. So much easier! Konda’s quilt is so fresh and vibrant, but so versatile as well. The entire…

Getting Started About our Patterns We recommend that you read all of the instructions before starting a project and that you cut and sew one block before cutting all of your fabric. Using a rotary cutter, mat and an acrylic ruler, cut the shape to the size indicated in the cutting list. Our patterns list finished block sizes, which are typically ½" smaller than unfinished block sizes because they do not include seam allowances. Basic Quilting Supplies • Rotary cutter and mat• Acrylic ruler: Many shapes and sizes are available; a good one to start with is 6" x 24" with ¼" and ⅛" markings• Scissors: A separate pair for paper and fabric• Sewing machine• ¼" foot• Walking foot• Darning foot• Pins• Ironing board & iron• Marking pencils/markers/ etc.• Needles•…