Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2023 i McCall's Quilting

Gathering & Giving! Even though we've been working on this holiday issue for months, preparing all the patterns for the seasonal quilts and Christmas gifts, I'm still so excited for the holidays to come around this year! After being completely immersed in the winter holiday aesthetic for half the year, one might think I've had enough and be ready to move on, but no. I'm even more ready for the holidays because of all the anticipation and inspiration these patterns have sparked in me! Because I've been surrounded by these projects, and they've been taking up space in my mind and workdays, I now have some excellent ideas for quick and easy gifts to make for my loved ones that are useful and special despite their easy construction. The enticing…

Vivika DeNegre Director of Content A favorite quilting-related gift I've received was a lovely ‘comfort quilt’ made for me by my local quilt group, Sisters in Cloth, when I was recovering from surgery. From the early days, quilting has been a communal craft, and there are so many examples of this through out history —from quilting bees to signature quilts. Th is quilt continued that tradition. Each of my ‘sisters’ chose fabrics that reminded them of me and created a disappearing nine-patch quilt using all those lovely colors and fabrics. Now, years later, it still reminds me of their love and concern and underscores that no matter how much time may pass, their friendship always endures. Gigl Levsen Editor McCall's Quilting One of the (many) wonderful things about working with…

Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 86” × 86” Finished Blocks 8 Block X 12½” × 12½” 8 Block Y 12½” × 12½” 25 Block Z 4” × 4” “A quick internet search of Christmas tree images from around the world reveals anything goes for color and style!” Annette said. “Some quilters may want to trim their trees with favorite embellishments, like hot fix crystals, beads, buttons, or ribbon. The tree blocks are tilted, with added stitch-and-flip corners that help draw the eye to the anchoring star blocks in the sashes. Choosing a broad fabric collection, such as Northcott's Toscana line, allowed me to have fabrics in 4 different shades of the same color.” Planning Annette's colorful quilt does require a lot of different fabrics! Each tree block uses 4 shades of a…

Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 63” × 75” Finished Blocks 30 Block J 9” × 9” 1 Block K 9” × 9” 1 Block L 9” × 9” 1 Block M 9” × 9” 1 Block N 9” × 9” 1 Block O 9” × 12” 1 Block P 9” × 12” 1 Block Q 9” × 12” 1 Block R 9” × 12” 1 Block S 9” × 12” 1 Block T 9” × 12” 1 Block U 9” × 12” 1 Block V 9” × 12” 1 Block W 9” × 9” 1 Block X 9” × 9” 1 Block Y 9” × 9” 1 Block Z 9” × 9” NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for foundation section. “In winter at the lake, you can walk the frozen shoreline and see all the traditional red cabins peeking out among the tall pines; this is…

Skill Level Easy Finished Size 15” × 43” Finished Blocks 2 Blocks 7” × 7” 3 Unit 1 7” × 7” “The symbolic colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green,” Rachelle explained. “Its seven principles are Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. I believe the principles of Kwanzaa are great values for people of any culture to uphold! The seven candles (one lit each day of the holiday) represent each of the seven principles. Gifts given at the end of the holiday are often handmade. Th ere is often a gathering and feast on the last day of the holiday, which makes this simple table runner a fitting homemade gift!” Planning Rachelle filled her simple, stylish table runner with meaning and symbolism, but…

Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 102” × 102” Finished Blocks 18 Block Y 16” × 16” 18 Block Z 16” × 16” NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for foundation sections. “Remember all the packages tied up with ribbons and bows?” Kari asked. “Th is quilt reminds me of sitting by the Christmas tree, dreaming of what was in those pretty packages. My sister and I used to build forts out of our presents before Christmas came!” Planning Kari's bold, beautiful design is comprised of two dynamic blocks that work so well together; the ‘ribbons’ block is constructed with foundation piecing and partial seams, and the ‘bows’ block is also foundation pieced with an hourglass unit in the center. The large blocks sew up quickly —and you'll have a big, beautiful…

Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 62¾˝ × 62¾˝ Finished Blocks 9 New York Beauty Blocks 14¾˝ × 14¾˝ Soft colors and simple appliqué turn sophisticated New York Beauty blocks into country charmers. This pretty throw will bring a touch of romance to any cottage, colonial, or condo. Planning Pat was inspired to make this fat-quarter-friendly quilt when she attended a class given by Karen K. Stone. She pieced the quarter-blocks using Karen's templates and dozens of fabrics. She then created her own unique setting and added appliquéd swags and circles to complete this lovely quilt. Plan the arrangement of your fabrics in each block to maximize contrast between the arc background and the arc spires. Knowledge of foundation piecing (paper piecing) is required for this pattern. For a review of…

Kristen Clay Kristen is a seamstress who loves vintage fashion. She also designs quilt and crochet patterns. Instagram: @verityvintagestudio Abigail Dolinger Abigail enjoys sharing her love of quilting with children and is the Children's Ministry director at her church. Kari Mathews Kari is a wife and mother of four who has been quilting for 30 years. She loves designing and the whole quilting process. etsy.com/shop/PrairieQuiltingShop Rachelle Craig A former construction engineer, Rachelle now designs quilt patterns with strong graphic elements. She lives in Wisconsin. rachellehandmade.com Annette Falvo A former Quilting Daily editor, Annette designs lively, colorful quilt projects that include fun sewing techniques. Bonnie Osness Bonnie has always been a creator and started quilting in 2009, inspired by her mom's passion for the art form and the creative people in…

Stitch-and-Flip is a valuable and versatile technique to have in your sewing repertoire. Using the technique with strips rather than squares increases your skills and design possibilities exponentially. There are just a few differences to keep in mind while incorporating strips in this technique. For best results, mark a 45-degree line on a strip to be sewn with stitch-and-flip. If you attempt to estimate the angle without marking, you can end up with wavy sew lines and uneven raw edges on the joined strips, which will affect construction of the overall pattern. To mark the sew line on a strip, refer to the Marking Diagram. Place a strip on a flat surface with the wrong side facing up. Align the 45-degree mark on ruler with the long raw edge of…

A great way to try out a pattern without a big commitment is to try to use some of the blocks to frame a panel print. When I saw the panel from the Country Christmas collection by Greta Lynn for Benartex Fabrics, I immediately thought of Bonnie's red cabin blocks and designed a quick, simple border treatment using a few cabin blocks, some tree units, and fussy cut strips from a border stripe print. Another tip for designing dynamic border treatments for panels is to use different fabrics for the top and bottom borders, with ‘transitional’ blocks on the sides that act as a visual bridge between the top and bottom prints. Since many panel prints portray scenes that vary in color, scale, or subject on the top and bottom,…

Scan the QR code to learn more and get the full-size Back Piece pattern template. As is common with most sewing projects, I advise making a muslin or a practice sample. I traced the Back Piece shape onto scrap fabric, laid it over my dog (Tatum, aka Tater Tot), and then adjusted as needed. I ended up trimming the length and rounding/'shallowing’ the shoulders more, and then tracing the adjusted muslin onto my pre-quilted fabric. 1 Pre-quilt your fabric! Layer lining, fusible batting, and main fabric. Press and quilt as desired. 2 Cut out Back Piece from pre-quilted fabric. Cut 4 matching hook-and-loop tape sets (I cut mine 1¼” long). Unpeel the backings of the sharper “hook” tape segments, and adhere to Back Piece Neck Tabs and behind the Armscyes,…

• trends • tools • cool stuff Built Quilt Bamboo Coasters Your favorite quilt blocks adorn these elegant coasters — with a variety of geometric motif designs engraved on bamboo. Not only are they gorgeous to display, but they're useful and durable as well. Of course, they'll keep drinks from leaving rings on your table, and felt pads on the underside prevent scratching your furniture. More than a dozen motifs in circular and square designs are available—there's a perfect set for everyone! These might be the ideal gift for a quilter who has everything. builtquilt.com Sassafras Lane Enamel Pins & Vinyl Stickers Spread some quilting cheer this season with these adorable enamel pins and vinyl stickers from Sassafras Lane Designs. You and your quilting friends will love the cute, colorful…

Skill Level Intermediate Finished Size 57” × 72” NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for foundation section. “I was thinking about all my family being together on Christmas Eve, sharing gifts,” Leah said. “Some of us don't live close together, so we don't always get to do that. Sometimes I envision us all being able to get together in a nice cabin in the mountains. After we all arrive, snow starts to fall. We are all inside by the fireplace, keeping warm, surrounded by good food and laughter. In the corner is a tinsel-decorated tree with gifts tucked underneath. Everyone is happily eating and sharing stories, and then it is time to open the gifts. I tried to capture a little bit of that vision with this quilt: ribbons and evergreens…

Skill Level Easy Finished Size 6” × 7” × 6” Finished Blocks 1 Block 6” × 6” NOTE: See Pattern Pull-Out Section for foundation section of alternate design. “These versatile baskets are quilted and lined—perfect for decorating and gift-giving,” Abigail said. “Use either one as a gift container, with white tissue paper or clear cellophane with ribbon extending out of the top. The smaller basket can be used for toiletries or a box of tissues at home. They could also contain Christmas cards, napkins, or a gift of baked goods.” Planning Abigail outlined a few different ways to use these cool quilted baskets, but you can use them to organize all kinds of things in any room of your house! They also make an excellent gift container the recipient can…

Supplies: • Small quilt, dimensions will vary • Fabric for backing panels: follow instructions to determine dimensions • Fabric for hanging sleeves: follow instructions to determine dimensions • Prepared double-fold binding; cut 2¼“-wide x length determined by project size • 1½“-wide balsa wood hanger (available at craft stores), about 1” shorter than the finished project measured side-to-side • Pillow form to fit your project A basic envelope pillowcase backing combined with a modified hanging sleeve makes any small quilted top a versatile decor piece. The main thing to remember while using this technique is to be sure that the hanging sleeve on the underlapping envelope panel does not extend under the fold of the overlapping envelope panel. Before binding all the layers, ensure that all ends of the hanging sleeves…

After a recent sewing room clean-out, I was looking at all the quilts I've made and the embarrassingly large stack of to-be-quilted tops, and a theme emerged. In the 20-plus years I've been quilting, each quilt had some kind of new challenge for me: A new-to-me patchwork technique, a risky color palette, or maybe an unusual substrate. So when I was combing through Quilting Daily TV's video archives not too long after, and saw a McCall's Quilting Quilt-Along featuring a New York Beauty design called Cottage Beauty, three things occurred to me: • That quilt is beautiful. • I've never made a New York Beauty quilt. • This would make an excellent Christmas quilt, which I've never done before. For the fabric, I found the Arrival of Winter collection on…

Print at 100% (no scaling). This box measures 2 inches wide by 1 inch high. Use this as an accuracy guide when printing the templates. COTTAGE BEAUTY 1 OF 2 Print at 100% (no scaling). This box measures 2 inches wide by 1 inch high. Use this as an accuracy guide when printing the templates. COTTAGE BEAUTY 1 0F 2 Print at 100% (no scaling). This box measures 2 inches wide by 1 inch high. Use this as an accuracy guide when printing the templates. SNOWDUST PILLOW Print at 100% (no scaling). This box measures 2 inches wide by 1 inch high. Use this as an accuracy guide when printing the templates. RIBBONS AND BOWS 1 0F 5 Print at 100% (no scaling). This box measures 2 inches wide by…