Contents

Introduction

ToolsandEquipment

Fabric

Techniques

Piecing

Rotarycutting

Makingaquiltsandwich

Quilting

Binding

Projects

PatchworkRosetteNeedleBook

FloweredDolly’sQuilt

Tote-allyFabulousBag

SimpleSeedheadsTableMat

CheckerboardCharmsCarQuilt

SummerDelightTableRunner

SpinningAroundCushion

TwirlingWindmillsQuilt

ScooterStripsWallHanging

HereandThereQuilt

BoxduJour

GrabandSewQuilt

SummerSunburstCushion

FunkyTownWallHanging

SpotsandBlocksBookmarks

BloomingMarvellousBedQuilt

GlossaryAcknowledgments

AbouttheAuthorSuppliers

Allfull-sizetemplatescanbefoundat

www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/patterns

ForJadeandFlorence

Introduction

Welcometomyworldofpatchworkandquilting–yourjourneystartshere!

InmyquiltbusinessImeetpeopleeverydaywhofancymakingaquilt,butdon’tknowwheretostart.Thenthereareotherswhohavestartedmakingaquilt,thengotstuckandpoppedinforsomeadviceasalastresortbeforeputtingtheirhalf-madequiltintheloft.Ifyourecognizeyourselfasfittingintooneofthesecategoriesthenthisbookisforyou.Theprojectshavebeendesignedtobeeasyandaccessible,withthedifficultyincreasinggraduallyasthebookgoeson.Ifyouworkthroughthemallinorder,youwilldevelopawiderangeoftechniques.

Theprojectsarealsosuitableforthosewhowanttomakeaquickquilt,orexperimentwithatechniquetheyhaven’ttriedbefore,suchasusingajellyrollormachinequilting.Thesmallerprojectscanmakeexcellentpresents.

Don’tbedauntedbytheideaoflearninganewskill.Ihavetriedtomakethetoneofthebookfriendlyratherthanauthoritative,asifafriendwastalkingyouthroughtheprojects.Ibelievetheprocessofmakingisasimportantasthefinishedresult.Throughtrialanderror,youwillfindawaythatsuitsyou–ifitworksforyouthenitisfine.Enjoytheprocess!

Quiltshavebeenmadeforhundredsofyears,sotheprocessofmakingaquiltconnectsyouwiththepast,whilemakingsomethingforthefutureatthesametime.Investingtimeinquiltingisarelaxingantidotetotoday’sthrowawayculture.IliketothinkofeachquiltIgiveawayasgivingtherecepientahugeverytimetheysnuggleupunderit.

Myjourneyinquiltmakingstartedwithachanceencounterelevenyearsago.Imademyfirstitem,apatchworkbag,andsomethingclicked.Ifoundthatplayingwithpatternandfabricbecameutterlyaddictive,whichishowInowfindmyselfhere.Ihopeyougethookedtoo.

Happyquilting!

Liz

ToolsandEquipment

Itcanbeappealingtobuylotsofhaberdasherywhenyoustartmakingpatchwork.Isuggestyoubeginwithahandsewingkit,thenbuyothersewingtoolsasandwhenyouneedthem.Agoodbasichandsewingkitshouldcontainneedles,thread,scissors,thimble,pins,tapemeasureandseamripper.Keepyoursewingkitinabox.Therearesomeprettyonesavailabletobuy,althoughatoolboxfromaDIYstoredoesthejobjustaswell!Itisalsoworthhavinganotebookandpencilhandywhensewingtojotdownnotesandideasasyoustitch.

BasickitNeedles:UseSharpsforhandpiecing,andembroideryorchenilleneedlesforhandquiltingwithperlethread.Buyapackofneedleswithdifferentsizessoyoucantrythemtoseewhichoneyoufeelmostcomfortableusing.

Thread:Makesureyoubuyagoodbrandfromasewingshopasitwillbecolour-fastandyouwillbelesslikelytohavetensionissueswithyoursewingmachine.Forpiecingcottonfabricitisbesttouse50-weight100percentcottonthread.Naturalcolours,suchaslightgreyorbeige,tendtotonewithmostfabrics,sobuythemonlargereelstosavemoneyandtripstotheshoptobuymorethreadwhenyourunout.Forbigstitchhandquilting,Iuseperlethreadinasize8.Formachinequilting,lookforthreadsspeciallymadeforthispurposeastheywillbestronger.

Scissors:Itishandytohaveatleasttwopairs:alargepairforcuttingfabric,and

asmallpairforsnippingthreads.Itisalsogoodtokeepapairofpaperscissorsinyoursewingboxsoyouaren’ttemptedtouseyourfabricscissorsontemplateplasticorpaperasthiswillbluntthem.

Thimble:Theseareavailableinmetal,plasticandevenleather.Tryoutdifferentstylesandsizestoseewhatsuitsyou.

Pins:Differenttypesofpinsareavailable,butforpatchworklookforlong,finepins.Flower-orglass-headedpinsarehandyifyouworkinaspacealsousedbychildrenorpets,asyoucanspotthemeasilyifyoudropthem.

Tapemeasure:Astandardtapemeasureisfine;however,ifyouplantomakelargequilts,lookforanextralong(120in/300cm)one.

Seamripper:Thisisanessentialtoolforunpickingseamsquickly.

Notebookandpencil:Thesearehandytokeepnearbywhensewingtomakenoteson,forexample,colourofthreadused,sizeofstitch,orideasthatcometomindwhilesewing.

OtherquiltingtoolsMarkingtools:Theseareusedtomarksewingorquiltinglinesonthefabric.Thetypesmostwidelyusedare:

Chalkbased–pencils,tailor’schalk,propellingpencils.

Pens–water-solubleorvanishingpens.

Adhesivetape–low-tackmaskingtape,1⁄4in(0.6cm)wide.

Pressurebased–theHeramarkerusesapressuretomarkquiltinglines.

Templateplastic:Thisisasheetofastrongplasticthatisusedtomakepatchworkorquiltingtemplates.

Quilter’ssafetypins:Thesearenormallycurvedtomakeusingthemeasier.Theyholdthelayersofthequilttogetherreadyforquilting.

Rotarycutter:Ifyouaremachinepiecing,oneoftheseisessential.Rotarycutterscomeinseveralsizes,butthe45mmistheonemostwidelyusedforpatchwork(seeRotarycuttingformoreinformation).

Self-healingmat:AnA2sizematisthemostuseful,asitcomfortablyfitsapieceof44in(110cm)widefabricfoldedinhalf.IalsofindanA3sizehandyifsewingathomeonasmalltable(seeRotarycuttingformoreinformation).

Acrylicruler:Rulerscomeinmanydifferentshapesandsizes,fromsmall4in(10.2cm)squarestohexagonsandcircles(seeRotarycuttingformoreinformation).

Sewingmachine:Therearesomelovelysewingmachinesmarketedatquilters;however,allyouneedtostartisabasicsewingmachinethatsewsastraightstitch.Ifyouaretryingpatchworkforthefirsttime,itmaybethatyoucanborrowasewingmachine,whichwillgiveyouabetterideaofwhatyouarelookingforwhenitcomestobuyingone.Forquiltmakingusingasewingmachine,itishandytobuya1⁄4in(0.6cm)foot,adarningfootandawalkingfoottogowiththestandardfeetthatcomewithyourmachine.MoredetailsofthesearegivenintheMachinepiecingandStraightstitchmachinequiltingsections.

Youcangetusefuladvicefromspecialistsewingmachineshops,whichwillusuallyletyoutryoneout.Somefeatures,suchasneedleup/down,speedcontrolandtheabilitytomachinesewablanketstitch,arehandytohave,butthesearenotessential.

Fabric

Choosingfabriccanbeoneofthemostexcitingpartsofmakingaquilt.Peoplesometimesdescribethefeelingofgoingintoaquiltshopasbeingsimilartotheirchildhoodexperienceofwalkingintoasweetshop–somanylovelythingstheywanttobuy!Otherpeoplecanfinditstressful,andgetworriedaboutbuyingfabricthatiswrongordoesn’tgotogether.Remember,fabricchoiceisapersonalthing,sodon’tgetswayedbyover-enthusiasticshopassistantsorfriends.Ifyoulikeit,thenuseit.

TheessentialsWhenyouarestartingoutinquiltmaking,trytouse100percentcraft-weightcotton.Yes,thatvintagesilkquiltyousawatamuseumislovely,butitiseasiertogettogripswiththebasicsusingcraft-weightcottonbeforemovingontomorechallengingfabric.Likewise,avoidusingpolycottonatfirst;however,withabitofperseveranceandpractice,anyfabriccanbemadeintoaquilt.Recyclingoldclothesandsheets,particularlywhentheyremindyouofalovedone,isgreat,buttrytomatchthefabricssotheyareofasimilarweight.Ifyouareunsureofwhattobuy,takeyourtimetochoose.Visityourlocalquiltshoptotouchthefabric.Trytobuythebestqualityyoucanafford.Ifyouareona

budget,lookoutforsalesorremnantsections.Anothertiptosavemoneyistomixexpensiveprintswithplainfabricsthattendtobecheaper.

Craft-weightcottonisusuallysoldfromboltsthatare44in(110cm)wide.Youcanbuyanyquantityoffabricfromthebolt,from10in(25cm)upwards.Lotsofquiltersliketouseacutoffabriccalleda‘fatquarter’.Fatquartersaresoldinbothmetricandimperialmeasurements.Metricfatquartersaremadefrom0.5moffabriccutinhalfacrossthemiddle,sotheymeasure50cm×55cm.Youcanalsobuylongquartersthatare25×110cm.Imperialfatquartersareslightlysmaller.Theyaremadefrom1⁄2ydoffabriccutinhalfacrossthemiddle,sotheymeasure18in×22in(45.7cm×55.9cm).Somefabricsareavailableinextrawidelengths(usually90in/230cmor108in/274cm);theseareexcellenttouseasquiltbackingsasyoudon’tthenhavetopiecefabrictogether.

Somequilterspre-washtheirfabricsbeforeusingthem,andothersdon’t.Fabricfromgoodqualitymanufacturersshouldbecolour-fast,butitisworthgivingallfabricsaquickwashanddrybeforeusingthemjusttomakesure.

ColourColourisapersonalthing.Everyonehascolourstheyloveandhate,buttrytokeepanopenmind.Despitedressingwellandhavingtastefulhomes,itisamazingthenumberofquilterswhosaytheycan’t‘do’colour.Togetinspiration

forusingcolour,lookaroundyou.Magazines,particularlyinteriorandgardenones,canbegoodforshowingsomeunusualcolourcombinations.Pinkandgreenareagreatcombinationyouoftenseeinnature,andbluesandgreenscanbeseenanywherethereiswater.

OnewayIputcolourcombinationstogetheristochooseafabricIlove,onewithastrongprintandlotsofcoloursinit,andthenmatchotherfabricsfromthatstartingpoint.Ifyouarematchingfabricstoaprojectovertime,itcanbeusefultocutoffasmallpieceandattachittoacardtokeepinyourpurse.Thatwayyouarenotcarryingabundleoffabriceverywhereyougo(thisisparticularlyusefulwhenataquiltshow).Otherpeoplefindithelpfultocutthepartoftheselvedgeoffwheretherearethesmalldotswithnumbersonthem.Thesearethecolourreferencesforthescreensoyouseeallthecoloursused.

Ifyouarebuyingfromaquiltshop,takefabricstothewindowtoseetheminnaturaldaylight.Whenbuyingfabricsfromtheinternet,takeintoconsiderationthatyourcomputerscreenmaynotgiveyouatruerepresentationofthecolour.Ifyouarematchingcolourstoaspecificproject,contactthesupplier,asmostarehappyforyoutosendthemaswatchtocompare,orbuyasmallerpiecebeforesplashingoutonmetresofit.

Bundlesandpre-cutsareausefulwaytobuyfabricandonewhereyoudon’thavetoworryaboutcolour.Bundlesarepacksoffabric,eitherfatquartersorhalfmetres,whichgowelltogether.Sometimestheyareallfromonedesigner’srangeortheshopcanhaveputthecolourcombinationtogether.Pre-cutsarepacksoffabricsthathavebeencuttoaspecificsize.ThemostcommononeistheCharmPack,whichcontains5in(12.7cm)squares.AlsowellknownareJellyRolls,whicharestripsmeasuring21⁄2in×44in(6.3cm×110cm),andLayerCakesthatare10in(25.4cm)squares.Buyingthesepackscanspeeduptheprocessofchoosingfabric,giveyouconfidencethatthefabricswillco-ordinate,andtheycansaveyoumoneyifyouwanttoworkwithlotsofdifferentcoloursandprints.

Thetoneofthefabriccanbeasimportantasitscolour.Manyquiltslookbestifyouuseacombinationoflight,mediumanddarkfabrics.Ifindoubtastowhichfabricislightandwhichisdark,tryphotographingthemtogetherandturningthepictureintoablackandwhiteimage.Sometimesyoucanbesurprisedthatthefabricyouthoughtofasthedarkoneisactuallyoneofthelighterones.

PatternOnceyouhavestartedbuyingfabric,youwillquicklydiscoverthetypeofpatternsyouprefer.Forexample,Iloveacheekynoveltyprintandcanneverleaveaquiltshoporshowwithoutone!Otherpeopleloveaspecificprint,suchasleaves.Gowithyourpassionandyouwillsoonstartcollectingyourveryownstash.Itisagoodideatocollectarangeofstashbuilders/blenders.Thesecanbespots,checksortone-on-tonefabrics,buttheycanbeinvaluabletohaveonhand

tomixinwithmorevibrantprints.Theyarenotusuallythefabricsthatwillattractyoureyeatfirst,buttheyalwaysendupbeingused.

Printscanalsohelptopersonalizeaquiltifyouaremakingitforsomeoneelse.Thiscanbeasobviousastrainsforachildwholikesthem,orapplefabricforacouplewhogotmarriedinNewYork.Also,considertheoverallfeelofaquiltwhentheprintsareputtogether.Foraquiltwithafiftiesvintagefeel,avarietyofprintscanbeused,suchasflorals,spotsandstripes,whereasaddingastrikingdigitalprintofacomputerwouldnotgowiththeoverallfeel.

Ifyouareinterestedinprint,manyofthequiltfabricdesignershaveblogsthatexplaintheirinspirationandworkprocessfortheirranges.Ifyoubuysome

fabricyoulike,checkwhetherthedesigner’snameisontheselvedgeandthendoaninternetsearchtoseeiftheyhaveawebsite.

Thescaleofprintcanbeimportantinpatchwork.Forexample,alarge-scaleprintmaygetlostwhencutintosmallerpieces,butcanlookfabulouswhenusedasafocalpointforthequilt,orforaquiltbackingwhereitsfullpotentialcanbeseen.Thereisatheorythatthesmallerthepatchworkthesmallertheprintshouldbe,butthisdoesnotalwaysapply:remember,rulesaremadetobebroken!

Wadding(batting)Wadding(batting)isthemiddlelayerofaquilt.Itprovideswarmthand,oncequilted,addstexture.Itcanbeboughtofftheroll,orpre-packedindifferentsizes.Ifbuyingthelatter,layitoutonabedforadaybeforeusingittogetridofanycreases.

Mostwaddings(battings)shrinkwhenyoufirstwashthem,andthelabelwilltellbywhatpercentage.Ifyoulikethewrinkledvintagelookthat’sgreat;however,ifyoudon’t,itisbesttopre-washyourwadding(batting).Thelabelwillalsotellyouhowfarapartitneedstobequilted.Itisimportantnottoignorethisinformationasthewadding(batting)canstarttobreakupafterrepeatedwashesifyoudonotputenoughquiltingstitchesthroughthequilt.Youcannowbuywadding(batting)thatcanbequiltedupto10in(25.4cm)apart,soifyouarenotplanningondoingalotofquiltinglookoutforthistype.Theword‘loft’referstohowthickthewadding(batting)is;youcanbuyverythinloftwadding(batting)aswellasverythick.

Themajorityofwaddings(battings)arecreamincolour,butyoucangetwhiteorblacktypes.Ifyouaremakingaprojectinblackfabric,itisessentialtousedarkwadding(batting)ascreamwadding(batting)canlightenit;likewiseusecreamwadding(batting)forquiltsmadewithpalerfabricasdarkwadding(batting)woulddullthefinishedquilt.

Youcanbuywadding(batting)thatcontainsdifferentfibrecontents.Manyshopssellsamplepacks,whichmeansyoucantrydifferenttypesandseewhichoneyouprefer.Cottonandpolyesterarethemostpopularonestouse.Onetypethatisparticularlysoftandlovelytoworkwithis100percentcotton,butitisnottheeasiestwadding(batting)tohandquilt,somakesureyouhaveasharpneedleandthimbletohand.Polyesterisdurableandeasytohandquilt,butisquitestiffandcangetverywarm.Iuseitmainlyforwallhangings.Cotton/polyesterblendsarepopularwiththosewhobothmachinequiltandhandquiltandlikethedurabilityofpolyesterwiththesoftnessofcotton.Youcanalsobuywool,silk,soy,bambooandrecycledwadding(batting).

Techniques

PiecingInpatchwork,piecingisthetermusedforsewingfabrictogether.Itcanbedonebyhand,oronthemachine.Trypiecingusingbothmethodstoseewhatsuitsyou.

Whenpiecingtogetherfabricsthataredifferentcolours,usethreadinabeigeorgreycolourasyoureyewillnotbedrawntoitlikeitwouldbeforawhitethread.WhenIfindaneutralcolourthatworks,Ibuylargereelsasitiseconomicalandconvenient.Ifmakingaquiltwithfabricsinpredominantlyonecolour,sayblue,Iwouldthenuseamid-bluecolourthread.

Forpiecing,use100percentcotton,50-weightthreadasitissuitableforbothhandandmachinepiecing,andeasytofind.

HandpiecingSewingpatchworkbyhandisreallyenjoyable.Itisoftenportablesoyoucanworkforanhourintheeveninginfrontofthetelevision,thentakeitintoworkanddoanother30minutesonitinyourlunchbreak.Ithasareputationforbeingslowtodo,buthandsewingwhiledoinganotheractivitymeansituses‘downtime’.It’sfastertopieceonthesewingmachine,butifyoudon’thaveadedicatedsewingroomwhereyoucankeepyourmachinesetup,itismuchmoreconvenienttohavesewingyoucanpickupandputdown.

Keepeverythingyouneedinasmallbox,suchasaprettyvintagetin,thenallyouhavetodoisopenthetinandstartsewingwhereyouleftoff.IuseSharpsneedlesforhandpiecing.Buyapackofneedlesthatcontainsdifferentsizesandtrydifferentonestoseewhichonesuitsyou.

Themostimportantthingabouthandpiecingistomakesurethatthebeginningandendofyourseamarereallysecure.Ifyouaremakingsomethingtobequiltedafteritishandpieced,thiswilladdtothestrengthoftheitem.

ThetwomethodsofpiecingthatIuseareEnglishpaperpiecingandAmericanblockpatchworkpiecing.

EnglishpaperpiecingThistechniquetacks(bastes)fabrictopapershapes,whicharethenoversewn.Itisgoodformakingpatchworkwithdifferentregularshapes,suchashexagonsanddiamonds,henceitisalsosometimesknownasmosaicpatchwork.1Makeatemplateoutofcardortemplateplastic.Drawroundthetemplateontopaper–scrappaperisfine–andcutouttheshapefromthepaper.

2Pinthepaperpiecetothebackofthefabric.Usingscissors,cutaroundtheshape,leavingagenerous1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowanceallaround.

3Threadaneedleandtieaknotintheend.Foldtheseamallowanceoverthepieceofpaperandtack(baste)inplaceusingalargerunningstitch.

4Placetwopatchesontopofeachother,rightsidestogether.Tooversewthepatchestogether,threadaneedleandstart1⁄4in(0.6cm)infromtheedgeofthepiecewhereyouwanttostart,andtakeafewtinystitchesbacktotheedge,whichservesasabackstitchtosecurethethread.Thenworkyourwayalongtheseamandsewafewreversestitchesattheendofthefabrictosecure.Keepsewingthepatchestogetherinthismanner.Ifyouaremakingalargequilt,workinsmallunitsthenjointhemtogetherlater.5Whenyouhavefinishedmakingthepatchwork,takeoutthetacking

(basting)stitchesandthepaperbacking.Keepthepaperbackingsastheycanbeusedforanotherproject.

AmericanblockpatchworkpiecingInthismethodyoudrawalineonthebackofthefabric,whichisthenusedasaguidelinetosewalongusingasmallrunningstitch.1Tomakeyourtemplate,drawyourshapeontocardortemplateplastic.

2Placeyourfabriconatable,rightsidedown.Placethetemplateontopanddrawarounditusingapencil.Thetemplatedoesnotincludeaseamallowance,sodrawanotherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthefirstline.Youcanbuyrulersmadetothiswidthforthispurpose.

3Taketwopieces,andplacethemrightsidestogether.Insertapinateachendoftherow,makingsureitgoesthroughthedrawnlineonbothpiecesoffabric.Ifitisalongseam,insertasmanypinsalongtherowasneededtoensurethepencillinesonthetopandbottomfabriclineup.

4Threadaneedlewithapproximately18in(45.7cm)ofthread(nomorethanthisoritwilltangleupasyousew).Knottheend,thensewasmallrunningstitchalongtheline.Ifyouaresewingalongseam,doabackstitchalongitapproximatelyevery5in(12.7cm)tomakethelineofstitchingstonger.Ifyouarejoiningtworowstogetherthatalreadyhaveseamswherepiecesoffabrichavebeensewntogether,stitchalongtherowthen,whenyougettoaseam,takeabackstitch.Thenplacetheneedlethroughtheseamand,insteadofsewingitdown,takeabackstitch,andcarryonsewing.

5Whenyougettotheend,finishwithasmallbackstitch.Presstheseamtogetherasthishelpstomakeitstronger.

MachinepiecingSpeedisthemainreasonforthepopularityofmachinepiecing.Ifyoudon’thaveanywheretokeepasewingmachineout,itcanfeelahasslesettingup(asopposedtohandpiecingwhereyoujustopenabox).Ontheplusside,youcanwhizzthoughlotsofsewinginanafternoonwhenusingamachine.Ifyoucutfabriccarefullywitharotarycutter,andsewthepiecestogetherwithanaccurateseamallowance,youwillgetapieceofpatchworkthatfitstogetherperfectly.

Anysewingmachinethatcansewastraightstitchcanbeusedformachinepiecing.Isetthestitchlengthto2.2,andusea70⁄12or80⁄12jeansneedle.Changetheneedleforeachnewproject.

Withmachinepiecing,thefirstthingyouneedtodoisworkoutwhereyour1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowanceis.Ifyougetthisseamallowanceaccurate,ithelpsyoursewingmatchup.Mostsewingmachineshaveafootyoucanbuythathasa1⁄4in(0.6cm)guideonit,soyoujustneedtolinethefabricupwiththeedgeofthefootwhensewing.

Alternatively,ifyoudonothaveoneofthese,youcanlineupapieceofscrapfabricwiththeedgeofthefoot,sewashortlineofstitches,thentakethefabricoutandmeasurethedistancebetweentheedgeofthefabricandthesewnline.Ifitisnot1⁄4in(0.6cm),movethepositionofyourneedlebychangingthewidthsettingonyoursewingmachine.Unlessthepatternsays,thereisnoneedtodoareversestitchatthebeginningorendofaseam.Testagain,andthenkeepdoingthisuntilyouhaveitright.Anotherideaistouseastripoflow-tackmaskingtapeonthesewingmachine.Writethecorrectsettingsinanotebooksoyoucangetyourmachinesetupquicklyeachtimeyouwanttosew.

ChainpiecingChainpiecingiswherepiecesoffabricaresewntogether,withoutcuttingthethreadsattheendofeachseparatepieceoffabric.Itisquick,andcansaveonthreadtoo.1Lineuptwopiecesoffabric,rightsidestogether.

2Placethemunderthepresserfoot,justbeforetheneedle.3Holdthethreadstothebackandsewalongtheseam,makingsure

youguidethefabricratherthanpullitthroughthemachine.Thereisnoneedtomakeareversestitchatthebeginningorendofchainpiecing.

4Whenyougettotheendofthefabric,stopsewingwiththeneedledown.Liftthepresserfootandlaythenextpieceoffabrictobesewn.

Lowerthepresserfootandcarefullystartsewingagain.Thereshouldbeacoupleofstitchessewnbetweenthefabric.Whenyouhavefinishedyoursewing,takethelineoffabricfromthemachine,andcutthethreadinbetweeneachpiece.

TipsonpressingWithmachinepiecing,youcaneitherpresstheseamstogether,orpressthemopen.Thereareprosandconstoeachmethod.Pressingseamsopencanmakethequiltlieflatter,butitcanbeweakerthanwhenpressingthemtogether.Ihavepressedtheseamstogetherintheprojectsinthisbook,butusethefinishyoulikebest.

Thebestwaytopressistoironfromthefronttosettheseam,thenturnthefabricoverandpresstheseaminplace.Turnthefabricoverandironthefrontoftheseamagain,makingsurethepatchworkisniceandflat.

RotarycuttingThefirstfewprojectsinthisbookaresewnbyhand,andcanbemadewithoutarotarycutter,matandruler.However,ifyougethookedonquilting,thenasetisanessentialpieceofkit.

Iflookedafter,theyshouldlastalongtime.Theonlyextraitemyouwillneedtobuyisareplacementbladeforyourrotarycutterwhenitstartstoblunt.

Rotarycutter:Thesecomeinafewsizes,butthe45mmistheonemostwidelyusedforpatchwork.Therearedifferenttypes,soseeifyoucantryafewbeforedecidingonwhichonetobuy.

Self-healingmat:Makesureyoustoreyourmatflatasitcanwarp.Matshavemeasurementsonthemininchesorcentimetres,butIusuallyonlyusethemeasurementsonmyacrylicruler.

Acrylicruler:Ifindthemostusefulrulertouseisalong,rectangularrulermeasuring24in×61⁄2in.Thisislongenoughtocut44in(110cm)widefabricfoldedinhalf.Ifinda121⁄2in(31.7cm)squareanda6in(15.2cm)squarehandytohavetoo.Rulersareavailableinbothimperialandmetricmeasurements;however,Iwouldusethemasyouwouldarecipe–don’tmixthetwoonthesameproject.

CuttingstripsandsquaresAdaptthismethodtowhateversizeofsquare,rectangleorstripyouneedtocut.Onceyouhavegotusedtousingtheequipment,youwillfinditaquickandaccuratewayofcuttingfabric.

Theinstructionsbelowareforasinglelayeroffabric;youcan,however,cutseverallayerswitharotarycutter.Whencuttinglayers,keepthemlinedupbyspinningtheboardroundsoitisintherightpositiontocut,ratherthanliftingupthefabricasitwillshiftandmakeyournextcutlessaccurate.

Tohelpcutthefabriconthestraightofthegrain,lineupthebottomoftherulerwiththeselvedgeforthefirstcut.Thentrimofftheselvedgeandputthistooneside,soyoudon’taccidentallyuseapieceoffabricthathastheselvedgeonitinthequilt.Theselvedgealsopullsinthefabricnearit,socuttingitoffhelpsthefabricrelaxandlayflat.

Beforeyoustart,readthroughthesafetytips.

1Laythefabriconacuttingmat.Placetheruleratarightangleontheedgeofthefabricandtrimoffasmallamountoffabrictomakeastraightedge.Thisstartstosquareupyourfabric.

2Turnthefabricround,andlineupthe4in(10.2cm)lineonyourrulerwiththestraightedgeofthefabricandcutastrip.Repeattocutasmanystripsasrequired.

3Layoutastrip.Linetheedgeofthefabricwiththeedgeoftherulerandcut.Theendofthefabricnowhasthreeperfect90-degreeangles.Youcannowcutoffasmanysquaresasyouneed,usingthemeasuringlineontherulerforreference.

SafetytipsArotarycutterisacircularblade.Youneedtotakecarewiththistoolasaccidentscanoccur.

•Everytimeyoufinishcutting,coverthebladeimmediately.•Cutawayfromyouinonemovement.•Alwaysuseyouracrylicruler;neverbetemptedtouseanormalone.•Becarefultoensurethatyourfingersarenotovertheedgeoftherulerwhenyoucut.•Ifyoufeeltherulerslipwhenyoucut,buysomestickypadstoapplytotherulertokeepitinplace.Youcanalsostopcuttinghalfwayupapieceoffabric,moveyourhandsup,thencontinuecutting.

•Takecarewhenchangingthebladeonyourcutter.Itwillneedchangingwhenitstopscuttingcorrectly.•Discardoldbladescarefully.

MakingaquiltsandwichOnceyouhavemadeyourquilttop,thenextstageistomakeaquiltsandwich,socalledasithasthreelayers–thebacking,wadding(batting)andquilttop.Asthisispurelyfunctionalandnotcreative,itismyleastfavouritepartofthequilt-makingprocess,butitisessentialtotaketimeoveritandgetitrightsoyouendupwithalovely,smoothquilt.

Sometimesitmaybenecessarytojoinpiecesoffabrictogethertomakealargeenoughpieceofbackingfabric.Ifyouneedtojointwofabricstogether,presstheseamsopensothefabricliesflat.Itdoesnothavetobethesamefabricused–Ireallylikethelookofaquiltbackwhichfeaturesmorethanonefabric.Alternatively,youcanbuyextrawide,craft-weightfabric.

Assemblingthelayers1Pressthebackingfabric,thenlayitoutonatableorfloor,rightsidedown.Smoothitoutsoitisflat.IfIamworkingonaquiltlargerthan1yd(1m),thenitcanbehelpfultouselowtackmaskingtapetosecurethebackingtoasurface,whichhelpskeepitflatwhileyouwork.Makesureitisnotpulledtootight.2Laythewadding(batting)ontop.Smoothitsoitiscompletelyflat.3Takethequilttop,pressitflatandsnipoffanyloosethreads.

4Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Iliketohaveanextra4in(10.2cm)ofwadding(batting)andbackingoneachsideofmyquilttop.Thisallowsforanymovementwhilequilting.Smoothagain,soallthreelayersareflat.

5Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.Alternatively,youcantack(baste)largestitchesacrossthequiltsandwichinagridformat.

QuiltingQuiltingistheprocessthatholdsthelayerstogether.Itisdecorative,addingpatternandtexture,butalsofunctional–withoutquilting,thewadding(batting),whichgivesthequiltwarmth,wouldballupwithinthequiltafterafewwashes.Wholeclothquiltsaremadefromasinglepieceoffabricthatisquilted,whichisagreatwayofusingafavouritepieceoffabricwithoutpiecingit.Giveyourselftimetoponderonwhetheryouwishtohandormachinequilt,andwhatsortofdesignyouwishtouse.Lookthroughbooksandgotoquiltshowsforideasonhowothershaveusedquiltingtoenhancetheirquilts.Forinspiration,lookatthefabricsusedinquilts–fabricswithcirclesmayinspirecurvedquilting,andgeometricshapesmightsuggeststraightlinequilting,oryoucanjustquiltanalloverpattern.

Whetheryouhandormachinequilt,alwaysstartinthemiddleandworkyourwayouttotheedges.Thishelpstosmooththelayersasyouwork.

MarkingthequiltingpatternYoucanstitcharoundthepiecesoffabric,usingyoureyeforguidance,butinmostinstancesyouwillwanttomarkyourquiltinglinesonthetop.Youcaneithermarkyourquiltupbeforeassemblingthelayers,whichisgoodastherearenopinstogetintheway,orafterwards,whichishandyifusingachalkmarkerasitrubsoffeasilyandmayotherwisedisappearbythetimeyoustartquilting.

Thereareawidevarietyofmarkingtoolsavailable.Myfavouritesare:

Water-solublepens:Drawyourquiltingshapesonthefabricthen,whenyouhavefinished,thepencomesoutwhenitcomesintocontactwithwater.Always

testthepenonapieceofscrapfabricbeforeusingitonaquilt,andneverironasitfixesit.

Quilter’smaskingtape:Thisis1⁄4in(0.6cm)wideandlowtacksoitdoesn’tleaveanyresidueonthefabric.Youstickitonthequilttop,thenstitchalongsideit,beingcarefulnottostitchontopofit.Youcanre-usemaskingtapeinvariousplacesonthequiltuntilitlosesitstack.

Chalkliners:Thesedrawalineinchalkwhichcanbeeasilyremoved.Thewhitechalkisidealformarkingdarkfabricsthataretoodarktoshowawater-solublemarker.Alwaystestonascrapoffabricbeforeuse,especiallyifusingyelloworbluechalk.

Tieorbuttonquilting

Theeasiestwaytoquiltbyhandissimplytotielengthsofperleorembroiderytheadatregularintervalsthroughyourquilt.Startinginthemiddleofthequilt,withtherightsidefacing,taketheneedlethroughtotheback,thenupagaintothefrontabout1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthefirststitch.Takethethreadthroughtotheback,thenthefrontagainandtieoffinareefknot.Trimtoleaveatail,whichcanbeaslongasyouwish.Youcandoublethreadyourneedleformoredefinition.

Buttonquiltingworksinthesameway,withthebuttonsbeingsewnonthroughthequilt.Theycanlookverydecorative,especiallyifyouchooseinterestingbuttonsthatcontrastwiththefabric.

Handquilting

Handquiltingisrelaxingtodoand,onceyouhavegotintoarhythm,surprisinglyquick.Iliketoquiltinfrontofthetelevisionintheevenings.Bigstitchquilting,alsoknownasutilitarianquilting,isaneasywaytolearnthebasicsofhandquilting.Itusesabigneedleandchunkythreadtomakeprominentstitches.Iuseachenilleneedle,size22or24,althoughyoucanalsouseembroideryneedles;asize5isgood.Whenyoustart,buyapackofneedlesinmixedsizesandtryavarietytoseewhichoneyouarehappywith.Itisamusttowearathimble,andagaintryanumberofdifferenttypestofindonethatsuitsyou.FinalIy,Iliketouseaframewhenhandquilting.Plastic,tubularframesaregoodastheypullapartsoareeasytostore.Don’tpullthefabrictautintheframe,andifthereareanypinsintheplacewhereyouwanttoputthefabricintheframe,removethemfirst.

Howtobigstitchquilt1Threadyourneedlewithapproximately18in(45.7cm)ofthread.Knottheend.

2Withthequilttopfacingupwards,placetheneedlethroughthetopandwadding(batting)1in(2.5cm)awayfromwhereyouwanttostartquilting.Makesuretheneedleonlygoesthroughthelayers,nottotheback.Pullthethreadandthen‘pop’theknotthroughthequilttopandwadding(batting)soitissecureandhiddeninsidethequilt.Iftheendofthethreadhasleftatail,trimit.

3Nowstartmakingarowofstitches.Don’tworrytoomuchaboutwhatsizeyourstitchesare,buttrytomakethemallthesamesize.Arunningstitchwillgiveyoulargestitchesontop,andsmallerstitchesontheback.

Ifyouwantevenstitchesonthebackandfrontofyourquilt,placetheneedlethroughthequiltverticallyfromthetop.Haveyourotherhandunderthequilttofeelwhentheneedlecomesthrough.Movetheneedlealongtomakethestitchunderneath,thenuseyourfingertoguidetheneedlebackupvertically.Whenquilting,youmightliketoloadtwoorthreestitchesontoyour

needleatatime,thenpullthethreadthrough,butthisisnotessential.

4Whenthethreadonyourneedlestartstorunout,oryougettotheendofaparticularareaofstitching,whichevercomesfirst,makeaknotinyourthreadonestitchlengthawayfromthequilttop.Makeyourlaststitchbytravellingatleast1in(2.5cm)throughthequilttopandwadding

(batting),nottotheback,and‘pop’thethreadthroughthelayersagain.Trimanyexcessthread.

StraightstitchmachinequiltingMachinequiltingismuchquickerthanhandquilting.However,taketimetoensureyourmachineissetupproperlyasunpickingmachinequiltingisalongandthanklesstask!Youmayfinditeasiertopractiseonsmallerpiecesofworkfirst,suchascushioncovers,thenworkuptoalargequilt.Anothertipistostitchstraightlinesacrossthequiltasthebindinghideswhereyoustoppedandstarted,andyoudon’tneedtotrimtheendsofthethread.Awalkingfoot(alsoknownasanevenfeedfoot)isessentialforstraightstitchmachinequilting.Thefoothasasetoffeeddogsinitsothethreelayersarefedthroughthemachineevenly.Iuseaquiltingneedle,size75⁄12,inmymachine,asitissharp,andthreadmadeformachinequilting,asitisstronger.Ifyouareworkingonalargerquilt,rolltheareasofyourquiltthatarenotbeingsewntohelpitfitthroughyourmachine.

Howtostraightstitchmachinequilt1Followingthemanufacturer’sinstructions,fitthewalkingfoottoyoursewingmachine.Threadthemachinewithmachinequiltingthreadthensetthestitchlengthtoyourmachine’sshortestsetting.

2Positionthequiltunderthefootofyoursewingmachineatthestartingpoint.Holdontothethreadfromtheneedleandlowerthenraisetheneedle.Whentheneedleisraised,pullonthethreadandthiswillbringthebobbinthreadthrough.

3Holdthethreadstothebackandsewaboutfivestitchestosecurethethread.Stop,changethestitchlengthto3,thenstartquiltingyour

design.Ifyouneedtochangedirection,makesuretheneedleisdown,liftthepresserfootandpivotyourquilt.Thisensuresthatyourstitchinglookscontinuous.Removeanypinsthatgetinthewayofthefootasyougo.

4Whenyougettotheendofyourstitching,stopwiththeneedledown.Setthestitchlengthbacktoitsshortestsettingandmakefourorfivestitchestosecure.Takethequiltoutfromthemachineandtrimthethreads.

BindingBindingmeansfinishingtheedges,anditisthelaststageofmakingaquilt.Herearemytwofavourite,easytechniquesforbinding.

SelfbindingInthismethodyoubringthebackingroundtothefrontofthequilttoencasetheedges.Ifindthistheeasiestwaytobindaquiltand,asyoudon’tneedtocutanyextrafabric,itisalsoeconomical.Whenusingthistechnique,makesureyouuseabackingthatwilllookgoodwhenitcomesroundtothefrontofthequilt.1Whenyouhavefinishedquilting,usescissorstocutthewadding(batting)soitislevelwiththefrontofthequilt.Thencutthebacking11⁄2in(3.8cm)widerthanthequiltallthewayround;ifyouwishtohaveanarrowerbinding,cutthebacking1in(2.5cm)wider.Ausefultipistoplaceyouracrylicrulerbetweenthewadding(batting)andbackingwhencuttingsoyouarenotlikelytosnipintothebackingfabric.

2Laythequiltrightsideup.Onthetwooppositesidesfoldtherawedgeofthebackingtotheedgeofthequilt,thenpress.Thenfoldthe

backingagainoverthefrontofthequilttomakeahem.Pressandusepinsorbindingclips(theylooklikeclick-clackhairgrips)

toholdthebindinginplace.Slipstitchthehemusingthreadthattoneswiththebinding,takingcareonlytosewthroughthequilttopandwadding(batting).Repeatwiththetopandbottom.3Ioftenquiltanotherlinearoundtheedgeofthequiltafteritisbound,

1⁄2in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedgeofthebinding.Thishelpstheedgetostaycrisp.

MitreddoublefoldbindingThismethodusesastripoffabricwhichissewntothefrontofthequilt.Whenplanningfabricforthistypeofbinding,takeintoconsiderationthatonlyasmallstripwillbeseen.Smallprintsworkwell,stripedfabriccanbefun,anddon’tbeafraidtouseacontrastingcolourasitactsasaframe.Thetwolayersoffabricinthebindinggivethequiltastrongedge.1Whenthequiltingiscomplete,cutthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththeedgeofthequilttop.2Workoutthelengthofthebindingyouneedtomake,byadding

togetherthemeasurementsofeachsideofthequilt,thenaddinganextra10in(25.4cm).Fromyourbindingfabric,cutstrips21⁄2in(6.3cm)wide.

3Jointhestripstogetherata45-degreeangle.Drawa45-degreelineonthewrongsideofoneofthestrips.Lineitupata90-degreeangleontopofanotherstrip,rightsidestogether.Stitchalongtheline,trimtheseamallowanceto1⁄4in(0.6cm)andpresstheseamsopen.4Foldthebindinginhalf,wrongsidetogether,andpress.5Foldundera1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendofthebindingandpress.

6Startingononesideofthequilt,pinthebindingtothefrontwiththerawedgestogether.Startone-thirdofthewayalongoneside,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendthathashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,usinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Ithelpstopinthebindinginplaceasyouseweachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Whenyoureachtheendoftheside,stopsewing3⁄8in(0.9cm)beforetheedge,andbackstitchtosecure.Takethequiltfromthemachine,foldthebindingupawayfromthequilttop,thenfoldbackdown.Pintosecure.Startsewingfromthecorner,witha3⁄8in(0.9cm)seam

allowance.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.

7Whenyougetto4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.Tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.8Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitch,

coveringthelineofmachinesewing.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefrontandsecurewithacoupleofstitches.Ifyouwanta1⁄4in(0.6cm)widebinding,cutyourstripsto21⁄4in(5.7cm),thensewwitha1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Playaroundwithdifferentcombinationsofwidthandseamallowance.

LabellingLabelyourfinishedquiltwiththemaker’sname,thedate,whothequiltwasmadeforandthequilttitle.Youcandothisbywritingonapieceofcottonfabricwithapermanentfabricpenandthenstitchingittothequiltback.Alternatively,youcanembroiderthedetailsonapieceoffabricthenstitchthistothebackofthequilt.

Projects

PatchworkRosetteNeedleBookEveryrespectablesewingboxshouldhaveahandmadeneedlebook!Thisprojectisstraightforwardtomakeandusesonlysmallpiecesoffabricandfelt.ThehexagonrosetteonthefrontismadeusingtheEnglishpaperpiecingtechnique,wherethefabricistacked(basted)overpapertemplatesbeforetheshapesaresewntogether.Iamahugefanofthistechniqueasitisportable;Itakeasmalltinofworkalongwithmewhenwaitingtocollectmychildrenfromtheirafter-schoolactivities.Youcanmakelargerpiecesofpatchworkusingthistechniquebutitcanbetime-consuming,sothissmallprojectisagoodwaytotryitoutbeforecommittingtomakingaquilt.Englishpaperpiecingshouldcomewithawarningthough,asitisaddictive!

Finishedsize:5in×41⁄2in(12.7cm×11.4cm)

Youwillneed…•41⁄4in×41⁄4in(10.8cm×10.8cm)feltfortherosettebacking•5in×91⁄2in(12.7cm×24.1cm)feltfortheneedlebookcover•41⁄2in×9in(11.4cm×24.1cm)feltfortheinsidepageoftheneedlebook•7piecesoffabric,aminimumof21⁄4in(5.7cm)square•100%cottonthreadfortacking(basting)andpiecing•Perlethread,no8•Pinkingshears(optional)•Scissors,forpaperandfabric•Rulerandpencil•A4paper,photocopyweight•Gluestick•4in(10.2cm)squareofcard•Pins•Sharpssewingneedle•Iron•ChenilleneedleCuttinginstructions•Ifyouhaveboughtlargepiecesoffelt,cutthemdowntosizenow.Icutthetworectangularshapeswithpinkingshears.Ifyoudon’thaveany,cutthemstraight-edgedwithnormalscissors.

•Tomakethehexagontemplate(seeTemplates),tracetheshape(seeontopaper.Trim,leavingaborderapproximately1⁄2in(1.3cm)fromtheline,thensticktheshapeontocard.Cutouttheshapealongtheline.Placethetemplateonyourpaper,andcutoutsevenshapesusingscissors.

Sewinginstructions

1Pinoneofthepaperhexagonstothewrongsideofapieceoffabricandcutthefabricroundthepapershape,leavinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Repeatwitheachhexagon,usingwhateverfabricyouwish.

2Pickuponeoftheshapesandfoldtheexcessfabrictotheback.Threadaneedleandtieaknotintheend.Foldtheexcessfabricoverthepaper,thensewthroughthepaperandfabric,foldingthecornersasyougo.Whenyoucometotheendofthestitching,sewasinglebackstitch.Repeatthiswitheachhexagon.

3Layoutyourhexagonsand,oncetheyareinanorderyouarehappywith,pickupthecentraloneandoneoftheborderones.Placetheirrightsidestogether.Usingacolourthreadthattoneswiththeproject,threadaneedle.Startstitching1⁄4in(0.6cm)infromtherightend,holdingtheendofthethread;oversewafewstitchestothebeginning,thenstitchalongtheseam,sewingbackby1⁄4in(0.6cm)attheend.Thisactslikeabackstitchtosecurethestitching.Sewtheotherfivehexagonsontothecentralhexagoninthesameway.4Sewupbetweentherowsusingthesamemethod.5Presstherosettewithamediumhotiron(soyoudon’tscorchthe

paper).Thencarefullyunpickthetacking(basting)stitchesandtakethepaperout.Don’tthrowthepaperawayasitcanbere-used.6Placethehexagonsinthecentreofthefeltsquareandpinintoplace.

Slipstitcharoundtherosetteusingatoningthread.Don’tworrytoomuchaboutyourstitchingontheback–itwillnotbeseen.

7Foldthefeltfortheneedlebookcoverinhalfandpressthefoldwithyourfingertohelpholditinplace.Placethefelt-backedrosetteonthefrontinthecentre.Usingtheperlethreadandachenilleneedle,sewarunningstitcharoundtheedgeofthefeltsquare.Istartedusingaknot,whichIhidinthelayers,thenfinishedwithabackstitch,alsohiddenbetweenthelayersoffabric.

8Drawalineinpencildownthecentreofthefelttobeusedfortheinsideoftheneedlebook.Laytheoutsideofthebookrightsidedownandplacetheinnerpageinthecentre.Whenyouarehappyitisinplace,pintosecurethen,usingperlethread,sewupthelinewithrunningstitch.

Foldthebookinhalfandfingerpressdownthefold.Itisnowreadytouse.

Takeitfurther…Drawupabiggerhexagontemplateandusetherosettetogointhecentreofacushion

FloweredDolly’sQuiltPrettyLibertyfabricshavebeenusedtomakethisdollquiltwhichwassewnbyhand–yes,allofit!Iamahugefanofhandsewing;althoughittakeslongerthanusingasewingmachine,youcanworkonitanywhere.Ifyoudon’tknowofadollinneedofaquilt,italsolookslovelyhungonawall.

Theedgeofthequiltisfinishedusinga“bagging”technique,whichworkswellforsmallitems.Inthistechniqueyousewaroundtheedgeofthequiltwiththerightsidesfacingin,thenleaveasmallgaptoturnitinsideout–ifyouthinkofthemethodofputtingonaduvetcoveryouareontherightlines!

Finishedsize:18in×221⁄2in(45.7cm×57.1cm)

Youwillneed…•A4sheetoftemplateplasticorcard•Fabricgripstostickonthebackoftemplateplastic,optional•5metricfateighths(25cm×55cm)incomplementarycolours•100%cottonthreadforpiecing•181⁄2in×23in(47cm×58.4cm)wadding(batting)•191⁄2in×23in(49.5cm×58.4cm)cottonfabricforquiltbacking•Perlethread,no8,forquilting(Iused2colours)•Finepermanentmarkerorpencilforwritingontemplateplastic•Rulerandpencil•Scissors,forpaperandfabric•Fabricmarkingpenorpencil(IuseaSewlinepen)•Quilter’srulerwithinchmarkingsora1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamer•Pins•Sharpssewingneedle•ChenilleneedleCuttinginstructions•Makeyourtemplatesfromtemplateplasticorcard.Templateplasticisstronger,butyoucanusecard,thenreplaceitifitbecomesdamaged.Drawyourshapeontotheplasticwithafinepermanentpenorpencil.Youwillneedtwotemplates,arectanglemeasuring41⁄2in×21⁄2in(11.4cm×6.3cm)andasquaremeasuring21⁄2in×21⁄2in(6.3cm×6.3cm).Cutouttheshapes.Ifdesired,youcanstickfabricgripsonthebackofthetemplates.Thesearesmallstickerswitharoughsurface,whichhelptostopthetemplateslipping.

Takeitfurther…Tomakeabiggerquilt,simplyscaleupthetemplates.Finishofftheedgeswithbinding.

Sewinginstructions

1Layoutoneofthefateighthsoffabric,rightsidedown.Placetherectangulartemplateonthefabricanddrawarounditusingafabricmarkingpenorpencil.Next,usingaquilter’sruleror1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamer,drawanotherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthefirstline,allthewayround.Cutouttheshapeusingfabricscissors,followingtheoutsideline.Cutoutfourrectanglesfromeachpieceoffabric.2Usingthesquaretemplate,followthesametechniquetomarkup

andcutoutonesquarefromeachpieceoffabric.

3Layoutfourfabricrectanglesintheorderyouwishtohaveforyourtoprow.Placethefirsttworectanglesontopofeachotherwithrightsidestogether.Onthesidetobejoined,placeapinthroughthemarkedpencillineinthecorner,makingsureitgoesthroughbothlayersoffabric.Dothesameattheothercorner.Makesurebothpiecesoffabricarelinedup.Placeanotherpinthroughthelinehalfwayalongtheseamtoholdthefabricinplace.

4Nowsewarunningstitchalongthemarkedseamtojointhetworectanglestogether,takingcaretofollowthepencillineonbothsides.Ithelpstokeeplookingonthebacktocheckthestitching.Startwithaknot,andfinishwithabackstitch.Usingthesametechnique,sewtheothertwofabricrectanglestogether.Next,jointhetwosets,thenyouhaveyourfirstrow.5Carryonsewingthefabrictogethertomakerowsinthesameway,

cuttingoutmorefabricrectanglesasyouneedthem.Youneedtomakefiverowsoffourrectangles,andfourrowsofthreerectanglesandasquareateachend.

6Presstherowswiththeseamstogether,facingthedirectionofthedarkestpieceoffabric.7Placethefirstandsecondrowtogether,rightsidesfacing,andputa

pinthrougheachend,inthesamewayasforsewingthepatchestogether.Placemorepinsalongtherowtolineuptheseam.Sewalongtheseamusingarunningstitch.Whenyougettoaseamintersection,taketheneedlethroughtheseamallowancebutdon’tsewitdown.Secureeachendwithacoupleofbackstitches,thenkeepaddingontherows.

8Pressthepatchwork,makingsuretheseamsarepressedtogether,notopen.Placethewadding(batting)onatableandsmoothitflat.Laythebackingfabricontop,rightsideup,thenthepatchworkontoprightsidedown.Smoothoutandpinthelayerstogether.Usingbackstitch,sewroundtheedge,followingthepencillineonthesidesofthepatchworkforguidance.Start4in(10.1cm)upfromthebottomononeside,andfinish6in(15.2cm)beforethis.Clipthecornersandturnout,gentlyeasingoutthecorners.Slipstitchtheopeningtoclose.

9Thedollquiltisquiltedusingthemethodoftiequilting.Youcansewasmanytiesasyoulike,butmakesurethequiltiscoveredenoughtoholdittogether,particularlyifitisgoingtobeplayedwith.Tomakeatie,threadaneedlewithapieceofperlethreadapproximately24in(60.9cm)long,doublingitupsotheneedleisinthemiddleofthethread.Fromthefront,puttheneedlethroughthequilttotheback,makingsureyouleavea4in(10.1cm)tailonthefront.Bringtheneedlebackuptothefrontclosetowhereyoustarted.Takeanotherstitch–fromthefronttothebackandupagain.Now,usingthetailleftatthebeginning,tieareefknot

–leftoverrightthenrightoverleft.Ihavetrimmedthetailsto1in(2.5cm),butyoucanleaveasmuchasyoulike.

Tote-allyFabulousBagTheappliquépatternonthisbagwasinspiredbysomeofthefabulous1950sprintsfromtheFestivalofBritain.Ichosethecross-hatchfabrictofitinwiththeeraasitremindedmeofthetopofvintageFormicatables.

Themethodofappliquéusedinthisprojectisreallystraightforward,withtherawedgestacked(basted)underthepiecesbeforetheyareslipstitchedtothebackingfabric.Thebagisquilted,whichgivesitbody,andithasathick,comfortablehandle.Thesizeishandytouseeitherforshoppingorasaworkbag–itholdsanA4pad,sandwichanddrinkquiteeasily.

Finishedsize:16in×131⁄4in(40.6cm×33.6cm)excl.handles

Youwillneed…•4in(10.2cm)squareoftemplateplasticorcard•20in(0.5m)fabricforoutsideofbag•20in(0.5m)fabricforlining•3fateighthsforappliqué•Threadformakingbag•2piecesof18in×21in(45.7cm×53.3cm)thincalicoforbacking•Threadforappliqué,totonewithfateighths•2piecesof18in×21in(45.7cm×53.3cm)wadding(batting)•Perlethread,no8,forquilting•Pencil•Scissors•Disappearingfabricpen•Sharpssewingneedle•Pins•Quilter’ssafetypins•1⁄4in(0.6cm)widelow-tackmaskingtape•Chenillesewingneedle•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)footandzigzagfoot•IronCuttinginstructions•Tracethetemplateontoapieceoftemplateplasticorcard.Cutout.•Takethefabricfortheoutsideofthebagandcut:twopiecesmeasuring161⁄2in×14in(41.9cm×35.6cm),andtwopiecesmeasuring3in×161⁄2in(7.6cm×41.9cm).•Takethefabricfortheliningandcuttwopiecesmeasuring161⁄2in×14in(41.9cm×35.6cm),andtwopiecesmeasuring3in×161⁄2in(7.6cm×41.9cm).•The3in×161⁄2in(7.6cm×41.9cm)piecesareforthehandles;puttooneside.

Sewinginstructions1Prepareyourappliquépieces.Layoutoneofthefateighthsanddrawaroundthetemplateonthefrontofthefabricusingadisappearingfabricpen.

Usescissorstocutthefabric1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthisline.Usingthepenlineasaguide,fingerpresstheexcessfabricbehindtheshape.Tack(baste)thehemdownusinganeedleandthread.Note:Thedisappearingfabricpencanfadeveryquickly,soonlymark

oneatatime.Maketenofthesefromeachofyourthreefabrics.

2Layoutbothpiecesofbackingfabric,thenplacetheappliquépiecesontop.Ensureyouhaveanequalnumberoneachpieceofbackingfabric,andthattheyarenotneartheedge.Whenyouarehappywiththearrangement,pintheminplace.Slipstitchthemontothebackingfabric.Trytousethreadthattoneswiththecolourofthepieceyouaresewingontothebacking.

3Assemblethequiltsandwichforeachbagpanel.Laydownthecalico,thenplacethewadding(batting)ontopandsmooth.Finally,placethebagpanelinthecentre,thensmooth.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Placepinsinagridformatacrossthefabric.

4Quiltthebagpanels.Ihandquiltedverticallinesataslightangle.Markyourquiltinglinewithlow-tackmaskingtape,thenquiltnexttoit(neverstitchthroughit).Asthebackisnotgoingtobeseen,Istartedwithaknotontheback

andfinishedwithabackstitch,makingsuretheknotswereinlinewiththebackofthebagfabric.Whenyouhavefinishedquilting,trimthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththefrontofthebag.

5Placethebagpanelsrightsidestogether,andstitchthesidesandbottom1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedge.Clipthecornersandturninsideout.6Makethehandles.Takeapieceofeachcolour,laythemrightsides

togetherandsewdowneachside,1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedgeofthefabric.Turninsideoutandpress.Stichanotherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedgeandpressagain.

7Laythehandlesonthebag,31⁄2in(8.9cm)awayfromeachedgeandpintosecure.Machinestitchseveraltimesveryclosetotheedgetoholdtheminplace.Removethepins.

8Placetheliningpiecesrightsidestogether.Takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,stitchthesides,thensewthebottomleavingan81⁄2in(21.6cm)gapopeninthemiddle.

9Placethebaginsidethelining,rightsidestogether,withthebaghandlesinside.Pin,thensewaroundthetopwitha1⁄2in(1.3cm)seamallowance.

Usingscissors,trimtheseamallowancebacktoascant1⁄4in(0.6cm).Turnthebagthroughtheholeleftinthebottomofthelining.Useyourfingerstopressthetopseam.

10Setthesewingmachinestitchlengthto3.Start1⁄4in(0.6cm)infromonesideandtopstitch1⁄4in(0.6cm)fromthetop.11Stitchuptheholeinthelining.

Takeitfurther…Usethepatterntomakeaversionwithplainfabric,orappliquéyourownmotifonit.

SimpleSeedheadsTableMatThecoloursofthisquiltedtablemathavebeenchosentofitinwithmyinterior.Placedonthecentreofmydiningtable,itlooksperfectwitha1970sstonewarevaseontop!Thissimpleprojectisidealforabeginnertotryhandquilting–itisnotasscaryasbeingpresentedwithahugequilttostitch.Youdon’tneedasewingmachinetomakethis,andthepiecescanbecutoutwithscissors.Traditionalhandquiltingusesfinerthreadandasmallneedle,butthisprojectusesperlethreadforquiltingsoitisquickertosew.

Finishedsize:15in×12in(38.1cm×30.5cm)

Youwillneed…•15in×12in(38.1cm×30.5cm)plainfabric•21in×18in(53.3cm×45.7cm)patternedfabric,forbacking•21in×18in(53.3cm×45.7cm)wadding(batting)•Perlethread,no8,forquilting•Threadforsewingbinding•Scissors•Water-solublefabricpen•Quilter’ssafetypins•Chenilleneedle•Kitchenpaper•Iron•Sharpssewingneedle•Pins•1⁄4in(0.6cm)widelow-tackmaskingtapeCuttinginstructions•Ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso,cuttheplainfabricto15in×12in(38.1cm×30.5cm)andthepatternedfabricto21in×18in(53.3cm×45.7cm).

Sewinginstructions1Tracethemotifs(seeTemplates)ontotheplainfabricusingawater-solublepen.Ifyoufindittrickytoseethelinesthroughthefabric,usealightbox.Alternatively,copythepatternontopaper,thentapethisupatawindow.Tapethefabricontop,andthentracethemotifs.

2Layoutthebackingonatable,rightsidedown,andplacethewadding(batting)inthecentreandsmooth.Finally,puttheplainfabricontopinthemiddleandsmooth.Thereshouldbeapproximately3in(7.6cm)extraforeachside.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether,placingthemacrossthefabricabout4in(10.2cm)apart,inagridformat.3Tostartquilting,threadachenilleneedlewithapproximately18in

(45.7cm)ofperlethread.Knottheend.

Whenquilting,toachieveagood,evenstitchthroughthelayers,pushtheneedlethroughthefabricfromthefrontata90-degreeangle.Taketheneedleonestitchlengthalongtheback,thenuseyourfingerunderneaththefabrictopushtheneedlebackthroughtothefrontata90-degreeangle.Thishelpstogiveyouaneven-sizedstitchonthefrontandback.

Alternatively,sewastandardrunningstitch.Thisgivesyousmallerstitchesonthebackbutismuchquickertodo.Startthequiltingatthecentremotif,placingtheknotbetweenthelayersatthebottomofthestem.Sewupthestemfollowingtheline.Whenyougettothetopofthestem,continuequiltinguptheleft-handsideofthemotif.Stoponestitchbeforetheendandmakeaknotinthethreadonestitchlengthfromtheend.Takethelaststitchandpoptheknotthrough,takingcareonlytogothroughthetopfabricandwadding(batting).Taketheneedlethroughthelayersabout1in(2.5cm)thencomebackuptothefront.Snipthethread.

4Makeaknotintheendofthethread.Pushtheneedlethroughthetoplayerandwadding(batting)1in(2.5cm)awayfromtheendofthesecondtoleftlineofthemotif.Bringtheneedlebackuptothefrontattheendofthesecondtoleftmotif.Poptheknot.Continuequiltingdownthatline,thenbackupthenextone.Whenyougetbacktothetop,stoponestitchlengthbeforetheend

andfinishthethreadasbefore.5Sewthetwolinesontheright-handsideofthecentralmotifinthe

sameway.6Repeatsteps3to5tosewtheothertwomotifsinthesameway.7Makethewater-solublemarkerdisappearbywettingapieceof

kitchenpaperwithcoldwater,thendabbingitlightlyontopofthefabric.(Neverapplyheattowater-solublemarkerasitcanfixit.)8Cutthewadding(batting)levelwiththetopfabric.Cutthebackingsoitis11⁄2in(3.8cm)widerthanthecentrefabricallthewayround.9Atthesides,foldtherawedgesofthebackinginsotheyarelevel

withtherawedgesofthewadding(batting).Press,thenfoldoveragaintomakeahemaroundthequiltandpressagain.Pin,thenslipstitchin

placeusingthreadforbinding.Foldthetopandbottomedgesoverinthesameway,andslipstitchtosecure.

10Quiltafurtherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedgeofthebinding.Stopandstartthequiltingusingthemethodinstep4.Youcaneitherquiltthelinefortheborderbyeye,orplaceapieceof1⁄4in(0.6cm)widemaskingtapenexttotheedgeofthebindingthenquiltnexttothisline.

Takeitfurther…Drawyourownmotif,thentraceandstitch.

CheckerboardCharmsCarQuiltCarquiltsaresouseful.Comfortingandwarmonlongwinterdrives,theyarealsohandytouseasapicnicblanketinsummer.Takeinspirationforyourchoiceoffabricfromthecolourofthecaritisbeingmadefor.Whetheritisacool,vintagecampervan,orashabbyrun-around,aco-ordinatingquiltcanmakeacarlookandfeelloved.Thisprojectisagoodintroductiontomachinepiecing.ItusestwoCharmPacks,oneplain,oneprinted.ACharmPackisabundleof42co-ordinatingpre-cut5in(12.7cm)squares.Youcanbuytheminavarietyofstyles,fromzingy,graphicbrightstomoremutedflorals,andtheyalsocomeinpacksofplainfabrics.Asyoudon’tneedtocutthesquaresyourself,itspeedsupthemakingprocess.

Finishedsize:451⁄2in×361⁄2in(115.6cm×92.7cm)

Youwillneed…•1patternedCharmPack(or40×5in(12.7cm)squares)•1plainCharmPack(or40×5in(12.7cm)squares)•Threadforpiecing•10gballperlecotton,no8,forquilting•Threadforbinding,totonewithbacking•44in×55in(110cm×140cm)backingfabric•44in×55in(110cm×140cm)wadding(batting)•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat(optional)•Sewingmachineand1⁄4in(0.6cm)foot•Iron•Pins•Quilter’ssafetypins•Quiltmarkingtool(IusedaChacoLiner)andruler•Tubularquiltingframe(optional)•Chenilleneedle•Scissors•Bindingclips(optional)•SharpssewingneedleCuttinginstructions

•Cutoutyourfabricsquareswitharotarycutterandself-healingmatifnotusingCharmPacks.Layoutthecharmsquares,tensquaresacross,eightrowsdown,alternatingpatternedandplainsquares.

Sewinginstructions

1Takethefirsttwosquaresfromthetoprowandlinethemup,rightsidestogether.Sewtogetherusinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Thenpickupthenextsquare,lineupandsew.Repeatuntilyouhavealltenrowssewntogether.

2Placethetoprowonanironingboard,rightsidedown.Presstheseamstogetherwiththemfacingthesameway.Thenturntherowover

andgiveitanotherpressfromthefront.Ironthesecondrowinthesameway,butthistimepresstheseamstogetherintheoppositedirection.3Placethetworowsontopofeachotherwithrightsidestogether.

Lineupthesquaresandyouwillseethatwheretheseamshavebeenpressedindifferentdirections,theylocktogether.

Pinchtheseamallowancestomakesuretheseamsarenestledin,theninsertapinthroughthefabrictoholdtheminplace.Repeatateachseamalongtherowofsquares.

Takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,sewalongthisrow,takingthepinsoutastheygounderthefoot,soyoudon’tstitchoverthem.Usethesametechniquetojointherestoftherows,takingcareto

presstheseamsoneachrowinalternatedirections.Oncetherowsaresewntogether,pressthequilttop.4Layoutthebackingfabric,rightsidedown.Smoothitoutsoitisflat.

Laythewadding(batting)ontopandsmoothitflat.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Smoothagain,soallthreelayersareflat.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4in–6in(10.2cm–15.2cm)inrowsinagridformat.

5Startingwithasquareinthecentreofthequilt,useachalklinerandarulertomarkthequiltingline3⁄4in(1.9cm)insidetheedge.AsIwasusingachalkliner,Imarkedasquareatatimeincasethelinerubbedoff.Ifyoulike,placethefabricinatubularquiltingframetoquilt.6Threadachenilleneedlewithapproximately18in(45.7cm)ofthread.

Tieaknotintheend,thenplacetheneedlethroughthequilttopandwadding(batting)butnotthebacking,about1in(2.5cm)awayfromwhereyouwanttostartquilting.Gentlypullthethreadtillyou‘pop’theknotthroughthelayers.Giveagentlepulltomakesurethethreadissecure,thenstartquilting.Whenyougettowardstheendofthemarkedsection,stoponestitchbeforetheend.Tieaknotinthethread,onestitchlengthawayfromthequilttop,thenmakethelaststitch,puttingtheneedlejustthroughthetopandwadding(batting),bringingtheneedlebackout1in(2.5cm)away.Pullsotheknotpopsandissecuredinthelayers.Whenyoutakethislaststitch,pushtheneedlethroughthelayer,travellingabout1in(2.5cm).Trimthethread.Keepquiltingtheplainsquares,workingmethodicallyfromthecentre

outwards.Whenyouquiltthesquaresattheedge,youcanjuststartat

thesideandhidetheknotinthelayers,ratherthanpoppingitthoughthetop.

7Cutthewadding(batting)soitislevelwiththefrontofthequilt.Thencutthebacking11⁄2in(3.8cm)widerthanthequiltallthewayaround.Onthetwooppositesides,foldtherawedgeofthebackingtotheedge

ofthequilt,thenpress.

Thenfoldthebackingagainoverthefrontofthequilt,andyouwillseeyouhavemadeahem.Pressandusepinsorbindingclipstoholdthe

bindinginplace.Slipstitchthehemusingthreadthattoneswiththebinding,takingcareonlytosewthroughthequilttopandwadding(batting).Repeattheprocesswiththetopandbottom.

Takeitfurther…Youcouldmakeanarrower,butlonger,versionofthisquiltforaneasybedrunner.

SummerDelightTableRunnerGinghamandvintage-patternedfloralshavebeenusedtomakethissummery,retrotablerunner.Theinspirationformyexampleisthelargetableinmyparents’garden.Runnerscanalsobebroughtindoorstosmartenuptables,sideboardsorbeds.Tablerunnershaveincreasedinpopularityoverthelastfewyears,andareparticularlygoodtomakeforoccasionssuchasChristmasandHallowe’en,whenseasonalfabricsareavailable,andtheyareaquickwayofaddingdecorationtothehouse.

Finishedsize:763⁄4in×151⁄2in(195cm×39.4cm)

Youwillneed…•3×ginghamfatquarters•3×floralfatquarters•Threadforpiecing•40in×44in(1m×110cm)100%cottonfabricforbacking•20in×79in(50cm×2m)wadding(batting)•Machinequiltingthread•Threadforbinding(totonewithbacking)•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)footandwalkingfoot•Iron•Low-tackmaskingtape•Quilter’ssafetypins•Scissors•Bindingclips(optional)•SharpssewingneedleCuttinginstructions•Usingarotarycutter,rulerandself-healingmat(seeRotarycutting),cutthewidthofeachfatquarterto151⁄2in(39.4cm),thenfromthemcutthefollowingstrips,31⁄2in(8.9cm)wide:threestripsofyellowgingham;twostripsofyellowfloral;fourstripsofredgingham;sixstripsofredfloral;sixstripsofbluegingham;fourstripsofbluefloral.

Sewinginstructions1Therunnerismadeinfivesections,whicharethensewntogether.

Startbysewingthetworedsections.Layaredfloralstriponthetable,thenaginghamstriponeitherside.Thenlayanotherfloralstriponeithersideofthese.Usinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,sewthestripstogether.

2Oncethefivesectionsaresewntogether,presswiththeseamstogether.Ipressedwiththeseamsfacingawayfromtheginghamstrips,butitdoesnotmatterwhichdirectiontheygo,justthatthepieceispressedwell.3Next,maketwobluesections.Layoutthefabricstripsasbefore,but

thistimeplaceaginghamstripinthemiddle,withafloralstriponeitherside,thenanotherginghamstripateachend.Sewandpressasbefore.4Makeoneyellowsectionforthemiddleoftherunner.Sewtheyellow

stripstogether,withaginghamstripinthemiddle,afloralstriponeitherside,thenanotherginghamstripateachend.Sewandpressasbefore.5Layoutthemiddleyellowpieceonatable,thenplacethered

sectionsoneachside,makingsureyouchangethedirectionthestripsface.Next,layoutthetwobluesections,changingthedirectionagain.6Usinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seam,sewthesectionstogether.Presswiththe

seamstogetherandtrimanystraythreads.7Takethebackingfabricandcutthroughthecentrefold,soyouend

upwithtwopiecesoffabricmeasuring40in×21.6cm(1m×55cm).Trim

theselvedgeofftheendsthensewtogetherusinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Presstheseamsopen.8Placethebackingonatableorfloor,rightsidedown.Tapethe

edges,ensuringthefabricisnotpulledtootight.Laythewadding(batting)ontopandsmooththelayers.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,positioningitinthemiddle.Smoothagain,thenusequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.

9Setupthemachineformachinequilting.Fillthebobbinwiththemachinequiltingthreadandattachthewalkingfoot.Quiltthecentrepanelfirst,thenthemiddlepanels,thentheends.Iquiltedstraightlines,usingtheedgeofthefootagainsttheseamedge.Startthequilting1⁄4in(0.6cm)infromtheedge.Placetherunnerinthe

correctpositiontostart,andlowerthepresserfoot.Holdthethreadthroughtheneedle,thenlowertheneedlethroughthework,andbringitupagain.Gentlypullthepieceofthreadandthisshouldbringthebobbinthreadthroughtothefront.Holdthethreadsoutoftheway,setthelengthonthesewingmachinetoitsminimumsettingandtakeaboutfivestitches.Thenresetthelengthto3andstartquilting.Whenyougettotheend,repeathowyoustarted,takingacoupleofsmallstitchestosecurebeforecuttingthethreads.Keepquiltinglinesacrosseachsectionoftherunneruntilyouarehappywiththeresult.Iquiltedfourlinesacrosseachsection,eachtimeusingtheedgeofthefootagainsttheedgeofthefabricforguidance.Alternatethesideyoustartquiltingfromasthiswillhelpkeepthe

runnerstraight.Ifanyquilter’ssafetypinsgetinthewayofyoursewing,takethemoutasyoustitch.

10Whenthequiltingisfinished,removeallthequilter’ssafetypins.Then,usingscissors,carefullytrimthewadding(batting),butnotthebacking,soitisthesamesizeasthepatchworktop.11Usingarotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat,trimthe

backingsoitis11⁄2in(3.8cm)widerthanthequilttopallthewayround.

12Onthelongside,foldtherawedgeofthebackingfabrictotheedgeofthepatchworkandwadding(batting),thenironthefold.Foldoveragainandcarefullypressthefold.Securethehemdownwith

bindingclips.

13UsingaSharpssewingneedleandthreadthattoneswiththebackingfabric,slipstitchthefolddown,ensuringthatyouonlysewthroughthetopandwadding(batting),notthroughtotheback.Thenbindtheendsoftherunnerinthesameway,foldinginthecornerssonorawedgesareshowing.

Takeitfurther…Makemorestripsectionsinthesameway,alternatingthedirectionofthestrips,andsewtherowstogethertocreatealargequilt.

SpinningAroundCushionThereissomethingaboutcirclesthatmakesmethinkof1960s’spaceexploration.IwantedtohavefunwiththiscushioncoversoImixedupthefabricsandcirclesizestomakethedesignlookquirky,thencompletedthelookwithunusualbinding.

Thecirclesarefixedtothebackingfabricusingfusiblewebandtheedgesaresecuredbysewingazigzagstitch.Thisissewnoncethecushionfrontisbackedwithwadding(batting),whichmeansitalsoquiltsthecushionfront.Youcanhavesomefunandputyourownstamponthedesignbydecidinghowmanyfabricsyouwishtouse,andhowmanydifferent-sizedcirclesyouwouldlike.

Finishedsize:18in(45.7cm)square

Youwillneed…•19in×19in(48.3cm×48.3cm)fabricforthefront•4cottonfatquartersforthecirclesandbinding•21in×21in(53.3cm×53.3cm)backingforthefront•2piecesof19inby15in(48.3cm×38.1cm)cottonfabricforback•21in×21in(53.3cm×53.3cm)wadding(batting)•2piecesofA4cardortemplateplastic•1smallpackoffusibleweb,measuring1.2mby17.5cm•100%cottonthread(Iusedadarkblue,greenandpurple)forsewingroundthecirclesandstitchingonthebinding•18in×18in(45.7cm×45.7cm)innercushion•Iron•Fabricscissors•Ruler•Pencil•Compass•Pins•Quilter’ssafetypins•Sewingmachinewithwalkingfoot•NeedleCuttinginstructions•Ironallyourpiecesoffabric.•Cutoutfourbindingstrips,onefromeachfatquarter.Eachshouldmeasure31⁄4in×19in(8.2cm×48.2cm).•Tomakeyourcircletemplates,useacompasstodrawthreecirclesmeasuring5in(12.7cm),3in(7.6cm)and2in(5.1cm)indiameter.Cutthetemplatesoutofcardortemplateplastic.•Preparethefusiblewebbycuttingoutsquaresasfollows:three51⁄2in(14cm)squaresforthe5in(12.7cm)circles,six31⁄2in(8.9cm)squaresforthe3in(7.6cm)circles,andfive21⁄2in(6.3cm)squaresforthe2in(5.1cm)circles.•Ironthefusiblewebsquaresontothebackofthefatquartersasfollows:onthepinkcheckfabric,irononelarge,onemediumandtwosmallsquares;onthebluefloweredfabric,irononelarge,onemediumandonesmallsquare;onthe

bluespottedfabric,irontwomediumandonesmallsquare;andonthegreenfabric,irononelarge,twomediumandonesmallsquare.•Usingyourtemplates,drawacircleontothepaperbackingofthefusiblewebandcutthemout.

Sewinginstructions1Removethepaperbackingfromthebackofthecirclesandplacethecirclesonthecushionfront.Taketimetoplayaroundwithplacement;youcaneithercopythislayoutorchooseyourown.Thecirclescangoinanyorder,aslongasyouleavea1in(2.5cm)borderroundtheedgeofeachone.2Whenyouarehappywithhowthecushionfrontlooks,pinthecircles

inplace.Thenironeachcircletosecure,removingthepinsasyougo.

3Laydownthebackingmaterial,placethewadding(batting)ontop,thenplaceyourcushionfrontontopinthecentre,withtherightsideup.Smooththelayerssotheyareflat,thenpintogetherusingquilter’ssafetypins;pinevery4in(10.2cm),workingfromthecentreout.Bastethelayerstosecure.

4Preparethesewingmachinetostitcheachcirclearounditsedge.Putthewalkingfootonthesewingmachineandsetthemachinetoazigzagstitchwidth3.5,length2.Placethecushionfrontunderthefoot.Lineuptheedgeofthefirstcircleyouaregoingtosew(thecentrecircle)undertheneedle.Holdontothethreadfromtheneedleandlowerthenraisetheneedle.Whentheneedleisraised,pullonthethreadandthiswillbringthebobbinthreadthrough.

5Holdthethreadstothebackandstartsewingroundthecircle.Takeyourtime,andstopeverysooftentore-adjustthepositionofthefabricifneeded.Thetricktogettingthestitchlookingneatistokeepthemajorityofthezigzagonthecircle.Whenyougettothestitchwhereyoustarted,carryonsewingtwoorthreestitches,sotheyoverlap.Takeyoursewingfromthemachine,makingsureyouleavelongends.

6Usingthewrongendofaneedle,unpickafewstitcheswherethezigzagoverlaps,soitendsuplookinglikeitisapieceofcontinuousstitching,andwhereyoustartedandfinishedthesewingisinvisible.Threadaneedlewiththethreadsandsewthemthroughtothebackofthefabric.Tiethethreadsinareefknot,andtrim.Theseendswillnotbeseenastheyareinsidethecushion.Sewallthecirclesinthesameway.Sewthecirclesinthemiddlefirst,workingyourwayouttotheonesneartheedge.7Trimthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththefrontofthe

cushion.8Preparethebackingpieces.Ononelongedgeofeach,irona1⁄2in

(1.3cm)hem,thenfolditoveragainandirona1in(2.5cm)hem.Stitchthisdownusingastraightstitchandtoningthread.

9Layerthecushion.Placethefrontdownonaflatsurface,rightsidedown,thenplacethetwobackingpiecesontop,rightsideup.Makesuretheyarelinedupsquareonthefront,thenpinallthewayround.Turnthecushionoversothefrontisfacingyouandpinfromthefront.Whensecure,removethepinsfromthebackofthecushion.

10Topreparethebinding,ironthefourstripsinhalfwidthways.Pinthebindingontwooppositesidesofthecushionfront.Sewinplaceusinga1⁄2in(1.3cm)seamallowance.Takethebindingroundtothebackandslipstitchtoholditinplace,makingsuretosewonlythroughthefabricandwadding(batting),nottotheotherside.Trimtheendssotheyarelevelwiththesidesofthecushion.

11Repeatwiththeothertwosidesofthecushion,makingsureyouleave1in(2.5cm)extrafabricateachsidetofoldintheendstomaketidycorners.12Carefullyfillthecoverwithyourinnercushion.

Takeitfurther…Trythesametechniquewithdifferent-shapedcushions,suchashearts,starsorovals.

TwirlingWindmillsQuiltThisquiltismadefromatraditionaldesignthatusesoneshape,thehalf-squaretriangle,whichisthenrepeatedtogiveaspinning,windmill-typepattern.Ifyouareabeginner,thesetrianglesmaylookcomplexbuttheyarereallyverystraightforwardtomake.Thequilttopusesjusttwofabrics,whichisadreamwhenitcomestochoosingcoloursorpatternsforaproject!Tomakeitworkyouneedcontrast,eitheralightandadarkfabric,ortwodifferentcolours.Thesquaresarequitebigsodon’tbeafraidofusingalargerscalepattern.Thisquilthasbeenquiltedinstraightlines,whichisagoodtechniquetotryifyouarenewtomachinequilting,asthebindinghideswhereyoustartandfinish.

Finishedsize:421⁄4in×571⁄2in(107.3cm×146cm)

Youwillneed…•44in×44in(110cm×110cm)lightfabric•44in×44in(110cm×110cm)darkfabric•51in×65in(130cm×165cm)backingfabric•51in×65in(130cm×165cm)wadding(batting)•16in×44in(40cm×110cm)bindingfabric•Threadforpiecing•Machinequiltingthread•Threadforbinding•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Scissors•Iron•Rulerandpencil•Chalkmarker(optional)•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)footandwalkingfoot•Pins•Quilter’ssafetypins•SharpssewingneedleCuttinginstructions•Cutyourfabricsusingarotarycutter.Youneedtocut24squaresmeasuring8in(20.3cm)fromeachofthetwofabrics.Makeapileoflightandapileofdarksquares,withthedirectionoftheprintfacingthesameway.

Sewinginstructions

1Takeoneofthelight-colouredfabricsquaresandplaceitrightsidedown.Usingapencilorchalkmarkerandruler,drawalinefromthetopleftcornertothebottomrightcorner.

2Placethelightsquareontopofadarksquare,rightsidestogether,andsewaline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthedrawnline.Turnthesquarearoundandsewanotherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthepencillineontheoppositeside.

3Cutdownthecentraldrawnline,usingarotarycutterorscissors.Younowhavetwounits.Press,withtheseamstogether,towardsthedarkerfabric.Younowhavetwohalf-squaretriangles.

4Layfourofthehalf-squaretrianglesoutonatable.Spineachsquarearounduntilyouendupwiththedesignshownbelow.Sewthetoptwotogether,thenthebottomtwotogether,andpresstheseamsalternateways.Laythemtogether,rightsidesfacing,andinsertapinwherethecentralseamsmeet.

Sew,thenpress.Youhavenowmadeapinwheelunit.Carryonmakingthesewiththerestofyoursquares;youneedtoendupwith12.5Layoutthesquares,allfacinginthesamedirection.Layoutadesign

threesquaresacross,andfoursquaresdown.Sewtogetherinrows,thenstitchtherowstogether.6Assemblethequilt.Laythebackingfabricout,rightsidedown,and

smooth.Usemaskingtapetosecurethebackingtoaflatsurface,suchasatableorfloor,whichwillhelpkeepitflatwhileyouassemblethelayers.Makesureitisnotpulledtootight.Laythewadding(batting)ontopandsmooth.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Smoothagain,thenusequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.

7Thisquilthasbeenmachinequiltedinstraightlinesacrossthesurface.Linetheedgeofthewalkingfootagainstthelineofeachrowtoquiltstraightlines.Positionthequiltunderthefootofyoursewingmachineatthestartingpoint.Holdontothethreadfromtheneedleandlowerthenraisetheneedle.Whentheneedleisup,pullonthethreadandthiswillbringthebobbinthreadthrough.Holdthethreadstothebackandsewaboutfourorfivestitchesonyourmachine’sshortestsettingtosecurethethread.Stop,changethestitchlengthto3andstartquiltingacross.Removeanyquilter’spinsthatgetinthewayofstitchingwhileyouarequilting.Whenyougettotheendoftherow,stopwiththeneedledown.Setthestitchlengthbacktoitsshortestsettingandmakefourorfivestitchestosecure.Takethequiltoutfromthemachineandtrimthethreads.Alternatewhichsideyoustartfromoneachrowsoitdoesnotpullthe

quiltoutofshape.8Tomakethebinding,cutsixstripsmeasuring21⁄4in(5.7cm)wide

fromyourbindingfabric.Jointhemtogetherona45-degreeangle,presstheseamopenandcutdowntheseamallowanceifnecessary.Foldthebindinginhalf,wrongsidetogether,andpress,thentuckina1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendofthebindingandpress.9Trimthewadding(batting)andbackingsotheyarelevelwiththequilt

top.

10Startingononesideofthequilt,pinthebindingtothefrontwiththerawedgestogether.Startone-thirdofthewaydownononeside,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendwhichhashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Ithelpstopinthebindinginplaceasyouseweachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Whenyougetto1⁄4in(0.6cm)beforetheedge,backstitchtosecure.(Ifyouneedto,placeapininthequilttomarkthispoint.)Takethequiltfromthemachine,thenfoldthebindingupawayfromthequilttop,thenfoldbackdown.Pintosecure.Startsewingfromthecorner,takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.Whenyougetto4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.

Tofinishthebinding,tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.

11Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitch,coveringthelineofmachinesewing.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefrontandsecurewithacoupleofstitches.

Tips

•Whensewinghalf-squaretriangles,playaroundwiththeirlayoutbeforesewingthemtogether.Thissimpleshapecanmakeavarietyofpatternsinpatchwork,includingdiamonds,hourglassandchevrons.•Ifyouaremakingpinwheelsforaquiltandwantthemtofinishaspecificsize,cutyoursquareswithanadditional7–8in(17.8–20.3cm)ontothefinishedsizeyouwant.

Takeitfurther…Reducethesizeofthesquaresyoustartwithtomakeaquickcotquilt.

ScooterStripsWallHangingThiswallhangingisaquirkytakeonthetraditionallogcabinquiltblock.Itusesfabricofdifferentwidthstomakethecentralblockoff-centre.Addingborderstripstothebottomandleft-handsideaccentuatesthewonkinessevenmore.

Youcanhavegreatfunchoosingthefabricforthecentralblock.Iusedascootermotifasthisquiltwasmadeforaboy’sbedroom,butyoucoulduseasewingthemeprintforawallhanginginasewingroom,oracomputerprintforanoffice.Trytochooseaprintthatusesdifferentcolours,andthenmatchyourotherfabricstothesecolours.

Finishedsize:24in×25.75in(60.96cm×65.41cm)

Youwillneed…•10in(25cm)borderfabric•41⁄2in×51⁄2in(11.4cm×14cm)fabricforcentre•5fatquarters•Threadforpiecing•32in×36in(80×90cm)backingfabric•32in×36in(80×90cm)wadding(batting)•Machinequiltingthread•8in(20cm)bindingfabric•Threadforbinding•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat(optional)•Smallstickylabels•Sewingmachine,51⁄4in(0.6cm)footandwalkingfoot•Scissors•Iron•Quilter’ssafetypins•Fabricpen•Pins•SharpssewingneedleCuttinginstructions•Fromtheborderfabric,cutthefollowingstripsacrossthewidth:onestrip,21⁄2in(6.3cm)wide;andfourstrips,11⁄2in(3.8cm)wide.Puttooneside.•Cutthecentrefabricintoarectanglemeasuring51⁄2in×41⁄2in(14cm×11.4cm).•Fromeachofthefivefatquarterscuta2in×41⁄2in(5cm×11.4cm)widestripacrossthewidth.Thencutthisinto:threestripsmeasuring1in×41⁄2in(2.5cm×11.4cm);twostripsmeasuring11⁄2in×41⁄2in(3.8cm×11.4cm);twostripsmeasuring2in×41⁄2in(5cm×11.4cm);andtwostripsmeasuring21⁄2in×41⁄2in(6.3cm×11.4cm).Puttoonesideformakingthestripborderlater.•Cutfromeachfatquarter,acrossthewidth,astripmeasuring1in(2.5cm)wide;astripmeasuring11⁄2in(3.8cm)wide;astripmeasuring2in(5cm)wide;andastripmeasuring21⁄2in(6.3cm)wide.

•Inthispattern,eachfabrichasalettertocorrespondwiththesewingorder:•FabricA(redsquiggle)•FabricB(redandbluecircles)•FabricC(browncheck)•FabricD(bluedot)•FabricE(cream)

•Choosewhichorderyouwishtosewyourfabricsthenstickanoteontoeachstripsayingwhatletterthefabriccorrespondsto,andthewidth.Thissavestimeandconfusionwhenpiecing.

Sewinginstructions

1Allseamsaresewnusinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seam.Takethecentrepieceoffabric,andthe2in(5cm)widestripinfabricA.Placethestriplevelwiththebottomoftherectangle,rightsidestogether.Sew,thentrimtheendsofthestriplevelwiththesidesoftherectangle.Press,withtheseamstogetherandfacingoutwardsfromthecentrepieceoffabric.

2Takethe2in(5cm)widestripinfabricB.Placerightsidestogetherontheleft-handsideofthecentrefabric.Sewasbefore,thentrimtheendslevelwiththefabric.Press,withtheseamsfacingoutwardsfromthecentrepieceoffabric.

3Takethe1in(2.5cm)widestripinfabricC.Lineitupwiththeedgeofthetopofthecentrepiece,rightsidestogether.Sewtogether,thentrimtheendslevelwiththefabric.Press,withtheseamsfacingawayfromthecentrepieceoffabric.4Takethe1in(2.5cm)widestripinfabricD.Placeitlevelwiththe

edgeoftheright-handsideofthecentrefabric,rightsidestogether.Asbefore,sew,thentrimtheendslevelwiththefabric.Press,withtheseamfacingoutwardsfromthecentrefabric.5Keepsewingstripsoninthesameway,addingastriptoeachsidein

aclockwiseorder,trimmingthem,thenpressing,andthenaddingthenextstrip.Attachtheminthefollowingorder:BottomfabricE21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripLeftfabricA21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripTopfabricE11⁄2in(3.8cm)stripRightfabricB11⁄2in(3.8cm)stripBottomfabricD2in(5cm)stripLeftfabricC2in(5cm)stripTopfabricA1in(2.5cm)stripRight

fabricE1in(2.5cm)stripBottomfabricB21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripLeftfabricD21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripTopfabricB1in(2.5cm)stripRightfabricA11⁄2in(3.8cm)stripBottomfabricC21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripLeftfabricE2in(5cm)stripTopfabricC11⁄2in(3.8cm)stripRightfabricD11⁄2in(3.8cm)strip6Takeoneofthe21⁄2in(6.3cm)wideborderstrips.Measurethewidthof

yourpatchworkacrossthemiddleandcutastriptothissize.Sewtothebottomofthepatchworkpieceandpress.

7Makethestrippyborderforthebottomofthewallhanging.Takethe41⁄2in(11.4cm)widestripsandlaythemout,makingsurethecoloursandwidthslookpositionedinarandomway.Youcanalsocutdownanyofthestripsleftfromthelogcabinto41⁄2in(11.4cm)widetousethemup.Whenyouarehappywithhowthestriplooks,jointhepiecestogether.Ifitendsupslightlytoolong,trimtheends.Press,thensewthestripontothebottomofthewallhanging.Pressagain.8Taketherestofthe21⁄2in(6.3cm)wideborderstrip.Measurethe

lengthofthepieceofpatchworkandcutastriptothissize.Sewitontotheleft-handsideofthewallhangingandpress.

9Makethestrippyborderforthesideofthewallhanging.Takethe41⁄2in(11.4cm)stripsandlaythemout,makingsurethecoloursandwidthslookrandom.Whenyouarehappywithhowtheylook,jointhemtogether.Iftheborderendsupslightlytoolong,trimtosize.Press,thensewthestripontotheleft-handsideofthewallhanging.Pressagain.10Borderthewallhanging.Measurethelength,thentaketwoofthe

2in(5cm)wideborderstripsandcutthemtothissize.Sewoneontoeachsideofthewallhangingandpress.Measurethewidthofthehanging,thencutthetwoother2in(5cm)wideborderstripstothissize.Sewontothetopandbottomofthewallhangingandpress.11Assembleyourquilt.Layoutthebackingfabricrightsidedown.

Smoothitoutuntilitisflat.Laythewadding(batting)ontopandsmoothitsoitisflat.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Smoothagain,soallthreelayersareflat.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,insertapinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,inagridformat.12Thelogcabincentrehasbeenmachinequiltedinaspiral.Youcan

eitherfollowthefabricusingtheedgeofthefootonyoursewingmachineormarkthequiltinglineonfirst.Usearulerandafabricmarkertodrawtheline.

Placethewalkingfootonthesewingmachineandsetitupwithmachinequiltingthread.Workfromthemiddleofthespiraloutwards.Bringthebobbinthreaduptothefront.Takefourorfivestitchesontheshorteststitchsetting,thenre-setthestitchlengthto3.Sewfollowingthemarkedline.Whenyougettoacorner,keeptheneedledownthroughthefabric,butliftupthepresserfoot.Carefullyturnthequiltarounduntilitispositionedreadytosewthenextline.

Startsewingagainandrepeattheprocesseverytimeyouwanttochangedirection.Whenyougettotheendofthequilting,stop1⁄2in(1.3cm)beforetheendandreducethestitchlengthasbefore.Makefourorfivestitches,thentakethequiltfromthesewingmachineandsnipthethread.

13Thetwostripbordershavebeenquiltedinazigzag,withthedirectionofeachlinegoingatdifferentangles.Drawthequiltinglineontheborderandsewasbefore.14Trimthebackingandwadding(batting)levelwiththequilttop.Cut

threestrips21⁄2in(6.3cm)widefromthebindingfabricandjointhestripstogetherata45-degreeangle.Presstheseamsopen.Foldthebindinginhalf,wrongsidetogether,andpress.Foldundera1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendofthebindingandpress.Startone-thirdofthewaydownonone

side,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendwhichhashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,usinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Ithelpstopinthebindinginplaceasyouseweachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Whenyougettotheendoftheside,stopsewing3⁄8in(0.9cm)beforetheedge,andbackstitchtosecure.(Ifyouneedto,placeapininthequilttomarkthispoint.)Takethequiltfromthemachine,thenfoldthebindingupawayfromthequilttop,thenfoldbackdowntocreateaneatcorner.Pin.Startsewingfromthecorner,witha3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowanceagain.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.Whenyougetto4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.

Tofinishthebinding,tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.15Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitch,

coveringthelineofmachinesewing.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefrontandsecurewithacoupleofstitches.

Takeitfurther…Personalizethewallhangingbyembroideringapictureorletteringinthecentralsquare.

HereandThereQuiltThisstylishquiltcombinesfree-cutpatchesinblue,greyandyellow-colouredfabrictocreatealovelycontemporaryeffect.Thecolourswouldlookfreshandneutralinavarietyofsettings,fromateenager’sbedroomtoasittingroomwall.Ifyouprefer,youcouldkeepthequiltasacosycoverwhenwatchinglatenighttv,oreventakeitoncoldwintercarjourneystokeepoutthechill.

Thepatchworkshapeswereeasilycreatedbycuttingrectanglesoffabricintounequalshapes;itisthisirregularlookthatgivesthequiltitsmodernfeel.

Finishedsize:391⁄2in×46in(100.3cm×116.8cm)

Youwillneed…•7×longquarters(10in×44in/25cm×110cm)•Threadforpiecing•50in×55in(130cm×140cm)fabricforbacking•50in×55in(130cm×140cm)wadding(batting)•Machinequiltingthread•16in×44in(40cm×110cm)fabricforbinding•Threadforbinding(totonewithbacking)•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Pins•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)footandwalkingfoot•Iron•Scissors•Water-solublepen(ormarkingtoolforquilting)•Longruler•Low-tackmaskingtape•Quilter’ssafetypins•Kitchenpaper•SharpssewingneedleCuttinginstructions

•Fromeachlongquarter,usearotarycutter,acrylicrulerandcuttingmattocutsixrectangles,eachmeasuring8in×7in(20.3cm×17.8cm).Laythefabricsoutinto14piles,eachcontainingthreedifferentfabrics.

Sewinginstructions

1Layoneofthepilesonacuttingmat,rightsidesup,ensuringtheedgesarelevelwitheachother.Usingarotarycutterandruler,cutthepileintothreepieces,changingtheanglewitheachcut.Cutacrossthelengthofthefabric(the8in/20.3cmside),andmakesureyoudon’tcutwithin1in(2.5cm)oftheedgeofthefabric,asthiscangetlostintheseamallowancewhenyousewitbacktogether.

2Keepingthefabricpileinthepositionitisinontheboard,separatethethreefabricsfromtheleft-handside.Placeadifferentcentrefabricnexttothem,thenfinallyplaceadifferentfabricontheright-handside.3Intheorderthefabricsarelaidout,pinthensewthemtogetherto

makethreepatchworkpieces.Allowa1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.4Repeattheabovestepswiththeremainingpilesoffabric.Whenthey

areallsewn,presseachpiecewiththeseamstooneside.

5Laythefabricout,sixpiecesacrossandsevendown.Alternatethedirectionofeachpiece,sothefirstpiecehasverticalseams,thenexthorizontalandsoon.Oncetheyarelaidout,checkthattheprintsandcoloursareevenlydistributed.Swapthepiecesaroundifnecessary.Whenlayingoutthepieces,playaroundwiththearrangement.Myquilt

alternatesthedirectionthefabricfaces,butyoucanalsogetaninterestingeffectfromaquiltwhereyouhaveallthepiecesfacinginthesamedirection.Howeveryoudecidetolaythemout,thesquaresaresewntogetherinthesameway.

6Whenyouarehappywiththelayout,startpiecingtheunitstogether.Sewthepiecesintorows,allowinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.7Sewtherowstogether.Takethetoprowandplaceitonanironing

board,rightsidedown.Presstheseamstogetherwiththemfacingthesameway.Thenturntherowoverandgiveitanotherpressfromthefront.Ironthesecondrowinthesameway,thistimepressingtheseamstogetherintheoppositedirection.

8Placethetworowsontopofeachotherwithrightsidestogether.Lineupthesquaresandyouwillseethatwheretheseamshavebeenpressedindifferentdirectionstheylockin.Pinchtheseamallowancestomakesuretheseamsarenestledin,thenplaceapinthroughthefabrictoholdtheminplace.Repeatthisateachseamalongtherow.Sewalongthisrow,takingthe

pinsoutastheygounderthefootsoyoudon’tstitchoverthem.Jointherestoftherowsinthesameway,takingcaretopresstheseamsoneachrowinalternatedirections.

9Pressthequilttopandsnipoffanyloosethreads.Markthequiltinglinesontopofthepatchworkusingawater-solublepenandaruler.Ithelpsifyouhavealongruler,suchasanacrylicpatchworkrulerormetrestick.Iquiltedalong,slightlydiagonallinefromthetopoftherowonone

sidetothebottomoftherowontheother.BystartingontherowwhereIlastended,itcreatesazigzagmovementacrossthequilt.10Toassemblethequilt,firstpressthebackingfabric,thenlayitright

sidedownandsmoothitflat.Usemaskingtapetosecurethebackingtoaflatsurface;thishelpskeepitflatwhileyouassemblethequilt.Makesureitisnotpulledtootight.Laythewadding(batting)ontop.Smoothdown,thenplacethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,positioningitinthemiddle.Smoothagain,soallthreelayersareflat.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.11Setupthesewingmachinewithawalkingfootandmachinequilting

thread,andsetthestitchlengthtoyourmachine’sshortestsetting.Positionthequiltunderthefootofyoursewingmachineatthestartingpoint.Holdontothethreadfromtheneedleandlowerthenraisetheneedle.Whentheneedleisup,pullonthethreadandthiswillbringthebobbinthreadthrough.Holdthethreadstothebackofyourworkandsewaboutfourorfivestitchestosecurethethread.Stop,changethestitchlengthto3,thenstartquiltingyourdesign.Machinequiltfollowingthestraightlinesdrawnwiththewater-solublepen.Removeanyquilter’spinsthatgetinthewayofstitchingwhileyouarequilting.Whenyougettotheendofyourstitching,stopwiththeneedledown.Setthestitchlengthbacktoitsshortestsettingandmakefourorfivestitchestosecure.Takethequiltoutfromthemachineandtrimthethreads.Removethewater-solublemarksbygentlydabbingwithapieceofdampkitchenpaper.12Whenthequiltingiscomplete,cutthewadding(batting)and

backinglevelwiththeedgeofthequilttop,andremoveanyremainingquilter’spins.13Tomakeapproximately51⁄4yd(4.8m)ofbinding,cutstrips21⁄2in

(6.3cm)widefromthebindingfabric.Drawa45-degreelineonthewrong

sideofoneofthestrips.Lineitupwithanotherstrip,wrongsidestogether,andstitchalongtheline,trimtheseamallowanceto1⁄4in(0.6cm)andpresstheseamsopen.Repeattojoinallthestrips.Foldthebindinginhalf,wrongsidetogether,andpress.Thenfoldundera1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendofthebindingandpress.

14Pinthebindingtothefrontofthequilt,withtherawedgeofthebindinglevelwiththerawedgeofthequilt.Startone-thirdofthewaydownononesideofthequilt,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendwhichhashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,takinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Ithelpstopinthebindinginplaceasyousew

eachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Whenyougettotheendoftheside,stopsewing3⁄8in(0.9cm)beforetheedge,andbackstitchtosecure.(Ifyouneedto,placeapininthequilttomarkthispoint.)Takethequiltfromthemachine,foldthebindingupawayfromthequilttopandthenfolditbackdown.Pintosecure.Startsewingfromthecorner,witha3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.Whenyougetto4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.

Tofinishthebinding,tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.15Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitchusinga

Sharpssewingneedle,coveringthelineofmachinesewing.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefrontandsecurewithacoupleofstitches.

Takeitfurther…Usethesametechnique,butratherthancuttingthefabricintothreepieces,cutitintofour,orevennine.

BoxduJourThetraditionaltechniqueofbroderiepersehasinspiredthisbox.Thenameisgiventoatechniquewheremotifsarecutfromonefabric,thensewnontoanotherpiece.Itwaswidelyusedfromthelate18thtotheearly19thcentury,whenchintzfabricwasexpensiveandsohighlyprized.Mymoderntakeonthetechniqueusesfusiblewebtoattachthemotiftoabackingfabric,thentheedgeissewndownusingblanketstitch.Mostsewingmachineshavethisstitch,butifyoursdoesn’t,itiseasytohand-sewablanketstitcharoundtheedgeofthemotif.Ihavestyledmyboxforakitchen,whereitcanbeusedasahandycontainerforfruit,vouchersorpaperandpens.Youcanusetheboxinanyroomyouchoose–justadaptthemotifsasyouwish.

Finishedsize:51⁄4in(13.3cm)square

Youwillneed…•18in(45.7cm)squareofcardfortemplate•Fatquarterfabricforfront•Fatquarterfabricforlining•Selectionoffabricwithmotifs•Fusibleweb(sizedependsonhowmanymotifsyouwishtoappliqué)•Fatquartercalicoforbacking(thiswillnotbevisible)•Fatquarterwadding(batting)•Threadforassemblingbox•Threadforstitchingaroundappliqué•21⁄4in×44in(5.7cm×110cm)fabricforbinding•Threadforbinding(totonewithbindingfabric)•8buttonsforsides(optional)•Scissors•Iron•Ruler•Disappearingfabricpenorchalkmarker•Quilter’ssafetypins•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)foot,walkingfootandclearzigzagfoot•Sharpssewingneedle•Pins•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat(optional)Cuttinginstructions

•Topreparethetemplates,cutan18in(45.7cm)squareoutofcardandthena53⁄4in(1.9cm)squareofcard.Placethesmallersquarelevelwiththecornerofthelargersquareanddrawroundit.Repeatoneverycorner.Cutoutthesmall

squareshapeswithscissors,andyouwillendupwithapieceofcardthatlookslikethis.•Drawaroundthetemplateontothebackofthefabricfortheboxfrontandontheliningfabric.Usescissorstocutoutthefabric,followingtheline.Puttheliningtooneside.•Chooseyourappliquémotifsandcutthemfromthefabric,adding1⁄2in(1.3cm)extraaroundtheedge.Cutapieceoffusiblewebslightlysmallerthanthepiecetobeapplied.Placeontothebackonthemotifwiththeadhesivesidedownandpresswithanirontofix.Trimthemotif,eitherleavingasmallborderallthewayaroundorcutrightontheedgeoftheshape,dependingonhowyouwantittolook.•Whenyouhavecutallthemotifs,peelthepaperbackingoffthefusibleweb.Laythemotifsdownontherightsideoftheboxfabric.Remember,whendecidinghowtolayoutthemotifs,thesquareinthemiddleofthefabricisthebaseofthebox.Alsobecarefulnottoputthemtoonearanyoftheedgesastheywillbelostintheseamallowance.Whentheyarepositionedcorrectly,presswithanirontofixintoplace.Usearuleranddisappearingfabricpenorchalkmarkertodrawaroundthecentresquare.•Pressandlaythecalicoonatable.Placethewadding(batting)ontopandsmoothdown.Laytheboxfrontontopinthecentre,rightsideup;smooththelayers,thensecurewithquilter’ssafetypins.

Sewinginstructions1Sewalongthedrawnlinestomakeasquareinthecentreofthebox.Thishelpstosquareupthebaseforlater.2Setupthesewingmachineforblanketstitch.Useyourmachine

manualforguidance,andtestthestitchonscrapfabrictomakesureyouarehappywiththewidthandlength.Tostitcharoundamotif,placethefabricunderthepresserfoot,holdthethread,thenlowertheneedledown

throughthefabricatyourstartingpoint.Raisetheneedle,thenpullonthethread.Thiswillbringthebobbinthreadtothefront.Putthethreadstothebackandstartsewingaroundthemotif.Stopsewingwhenyougetbacktowhereyoustartedandtakethefabricfromthesewingmachine,leavingathreadatleast6in(15.2cm)long.Repeattostitcharoundeachmotif.UseaSharpssewingneedletotaketheloosethreadsthroughtotheback,knotthemtosecure,andtrimtoleavea1in(2.5cm)tail.Ifyouarehandsewinginsteadofusingasewingmachine,useblanket

stitchtosewaroundtheedgeofeachshape.

3Trimthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththeboxfront.

4Tosewthesidesofthebox,useawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,astherearelotsoflayers,andleavea1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Foldtheboxinhalf,rightsidestogether.Pinthesidetobesewn.Startingatthebottomofthebox,sewafewstitches,thenreversetosecure.Carryonsewinguptothetopoftheseam.Repeatontheoppositeseam.Openuptheboxandsewthethirdseaminthesameway.Openupthe

boxagain,thenfoldtosewtheremainingseam.Turntheboxout,sotherightsideisfacingoutwards,anduseyourfingerstoeaseitgentlyintoshape.

5Tosewthelining,leavea1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,andsewthesidesasbeforetomakeaboxshape.Oncesewn,placethelininginsidethebox,withtherightsidefacingoutwards.

6Positiontheseamsoftheliningwiththeseamsoftheboxandpintogether.Securetheliningtotheboxbysewingaroundthetopoftheboxasclosetotheedgeaspossible.7Tomakethebinding,takethestripofbindingfabricandironitinhalf

widthways,withthewrongsidetogether.Foldina1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendandpress.8Placethebindingontheoutsideofthebox.Lineuptherawedgeof

thebindingwiththerawedgeoftheboxandpin.Usingawalkingfoot,start3in(7.6cm)awayfromtheendwiththehemandsewleavinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Whenyougetneartowhereyoustarted,tucktheendofthebindinginthehemandpin.Continuesewinguntilyougettotheplacewhereyoustarted.9Foldthebindingoverinsidethebox,andslipstitchdownusinga

toningthread.

10Ihaveaddedbuttonstothetopofmyboxtogiveitasquareshape,buttheseareoptional.Ifyouwishtoaddbuttons,pinchasideseam,thensewabuttononeachsideatthesametime,pullingthethreadtighttopullthesideoftheboxin.Repeatonallfoursides.

Takeitfurther…Adaptthesizeofthepatterntomakelargerorsmallerboxes.

GrabandSewQuiltThisquiltisallaboutconvenience.OneprintedandoneplainJellyRollareallyouneedforthequilttop,whichcutsdownthetimespentinpreparingthefabric.IncaseyouarenewtoJellyRolls,theyarepre-cutrollsof40strips,21⁄2in(6.3cm)wideand44in(110cm)long.Thestripsinthisquiltarecutandsewninbatchessoitmakesthisanidealprojectifyoucanonlydedicateshortburstsoftimetosewing.Ihavebeenknowntosneakinaquick15minutesatthesewingmachinewithprojectslikethisbeforetheschoolrun!

Finishedsize:491⁄2in×791⁄2in(125.7cm×201.9cm)

Youwillneed…•1printedJellyRoll•1plainJellyRoll•Threadforpiecing•90in×60in(220cm×150cm)backing(lookforextrawidebackingfabricorjoinfabrictogether)•90in×60in(220cm×150cm)wadding(batting)•Threadforbinding•Pins•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Sewingmachineandwalkingfoot•Iron•Sharpssewingneedle•Scissors•Suppliestoassembleandquilt(ifyouarequiltingthisprojectyourselfandnotusingalongarmquilter)Cuttinginstructions

•Thequiltismadeinsetsofthree.LaytheJellyRollstripsoutandselecttwoprintedfabricsandoneplain;pintogether.Trytoensurethattheprintedfabricinthesethasdifferentcoloursandpatterns.Repeatwithallthestripsuntilyouhave20sets.

Sewinginstructions1Takeonesetofthreestrips.Usingarotarycutter,matandruler,trimtheselvedgeofftheend,thenfromeachstripcut:twosquaresmeasuring21⁄2in(6.3cm),threestripsmeasuring4in(10.2cm)long,andtwostripsmeasuring8in(20.3cm)long.Cutoneofthe21⁄2in(6.3cm)squaresfromeachstripinhalf,soyou

havetwopiecesthatmeasure21⁄2in×11⁄4in(6.3cm×3.2cm).Cutoneofthe4in(10.2cm)stripsfromeachstripinhalfsoyouhave

twopiecesmeasuring4in×11⁄4in(10.2cm×3.2cm)

2Layoutthefabricswitha21⁄2in(6.3cm)squareinthecentre.Thenplacea21⁄2in×11⁄4in(6.3cm×3.2cm)striponthetopandbottom.Nextadda4in×11⁄4in(10.2cm×3.2cm)striponeachside,thena4in×21⁄2in(10.2cm×6.3cm)striponthetopandbottom,andfinallyan8in×21⁄2in(20.3cm×6.3cm)striponeachside.Makethreesets,eachwithadifferentfabricinthecentre,middleandouteredge.

3Sewthesetstogether,takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Pickupthecentresquareandsewonthetopandbottom.Presswiththeseamstogether,facingoutfromthecentre.

Addthesidesandpress;keepaddingthestripsuntilyouhavethreesquares.

Continuethisprocesswitheachset.Don’tbetemptedtocutandlayoutmorethanonesetatatime,asitiseasytogetconfused!4Onceallthesetsaresewn,putthemintothreepiles:onepilewitha

plaincentre,onepilewithaplainmiddle,andonepilewithaplainouteredge.

Startlayingouttherowsinthisorder.Thequiltissixsquareswideandtenrowslong.Onceyouhavelaidoutacoupleofrows,youwillnotice

thatthesquareswiththeplainfabricontheouteredgesformadiagonalpattern.Movethesquaresaround,alwaysswappingsquaresthathavetheplainfabricinthesameposition.Onceyouarehappywiththelayout,checkthatineachsquarethestripsaregoinginoppositedirections,soonesquarehastheouterstripshorizontal,thenthenextonehasthemvertical,andsoon.5Placethefirsttwosquarestogether,rightsidesfacing,andsew

leavinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Continueaddingthesquaresuntiltherowisjoinedtogether.Repeatwiththeotherrows,sotherowsareintenstrips.Placethetoprowrightsidedownonanironingboard.Pressthe

seamstogetherwiththemfacingthesameway.Thenturntherowoverandgiveitanotherpressfromthefront.Ironthesecondrowinthesameway,thistimepressingtheseamstogetherintheoppositedirection.Placethetworowsontopofeachother,rightsidestogether.Lineupthesquaresandyouwillseethatwheretheseamshavebeenpressedindifferentdirectionstheylockin.Pinchwheretheseamallowancesmeettomakesurethattheseamsarenestledin,andtheninsertapinthroughthefabrictoholdtheminplace.Repeatateachseamalongtherow.Leavinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,stitchalongthisrow,removingthepinsastheygounderthesewingmachinefoot,soyoudon’tsewoverthem.Usethesametechniquetojointherestoftherows,takingcareto

presstheseamsoneachrowinalternatedirections.Whentherowsarejoinedtogether,pressthequilttop.

TipLongarmquiltersprovidearangeofservices,fromassemblingyourquilt,toquiltingandbindingitforyou,usingaframeandaspecialsewingmachine.Theservicetheyofferisgreatifyoudon’tfeelconfidentquiltingyourwork.

6Tomaketheborderforthesides,cutfourJellyRollstripsto38in(96.5cm).Jointwotogetherusinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamandpress.Thenjointheothertwotogetherandpress.Sewthebordertothesidesofthepatchwork,andpressopen.

Cuttwolong,plainJellyRollstripstomeasure40in(101.6cm),thentwomoreshortstripstomeasure10in(25.4cm).Jointhelongandshortstripstogetherandpress.Jointheothertwostripstogetherandpress.Sewtothetopandbottomofthequilt.Pressthepatchworktop.Note:ifyourseamallowancehascomeoutsmallerorlargerthan1⁄4in

(0.6cm),youmayneedtoadjustthesizeofyourbordertomakeitfit.Thecorrectwaytomeasureaquiltisthroughthemiddle.7Thisquiltwassentofftobelongarmquilted.Iprovidedthebacking

fabricandwadding(batting).IfyouwanttodoyourownquiltingrefertotheTechniquessection.

8UsetheoffcutsfromtheJellyRollstomakeascrapbinding.Trimtheselvedgeoffthepiecesofthestripsthatareleft,andjointhestripstogetherona45-degreeseam.Ijoinedtwoprintedpieces,thenoneplain.Youneedthebindingtobeapproximately275in(700cm)long.Presstheseamsopen.Foldthebindinginhalf,wrongsidetogether,andpress.9Sewthebindingontothequilt.Foldundera1in(2.5cm)hematone

endofthebindingandpress.Startingononesideofthequilt,pinthebindingtothefrontwiththerawedgestogether.Startone-thirdofthewaydownononeside,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendthathashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,leavinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Ithelpstopinthebindinginplaceasyouseweachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Whenyougettotheendoftheside,stopsewing3⁄8in(0.9cm)beforetheedge,andbackstitchtosecure.(Ifyouneedto,insertapininthequilttomarkthispoint.)Takethequiltfromthemachine,thenfoldthebindingupawayfromthequilttop,thenfolditbackdownandpin.Startsewingfromthecorner,witha3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.Whenyougetto4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.Tofinishthebinding,tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.

10Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitchtosecure,coveringthelineofmachinesewing.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefrontandsecurewithacoupleofstitches.

Takeitfurther…Trymakingthequiltwithjustthreefabricstocreateagraphicquilt.

SummerSunburstCushionDresdenPlateisoneofthosetraditionalquiltblocksthatneverseemstodate.Thiswayofmakingtheblockcombinesmachineandhandsewing.ForthiscushionIhavemadejustoneblock,butitishardtostopmakingthem,soitmaybethatyougethookedandmakeaquilttogowithit.

Ifyouwishto,usejusttwofabricsforthespokes,butifyouhaveaselectionofscrapstouseupthiswouldbeagoodprojectforthem.Imademycushioninprettypinksandblues,butyoucouldtryusingmutedtaupes,orrainbowbrights–whateverfloatsyourboat!

Finishedsize:14in(35.6cm)square

Youwillneed…•2piecesof11in×15in(27.9cm×38.1cm)fabricforcushionback•6in(15.2cm)squareoftemplateplastic•20piecesof3in×41⁄2in(7.6cm×11.4cm)fabricforDresdenspokes•6in(15.2cm)squareofno-melttemplateplastic•Threadforpiecingandassemblingcushion•17in(43.2cm)squareofcalicoforbackingforcushionfront•Starch•4in(10.2cm)squareoffabricforcentrecircle•17in(43.2cm)squareofwadding(batting)•15in(38.1cm)squareoffabricforcushionfront•Perlethread,no8,forquilting•Scissors•Pencil•Pins•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)footandwalkingfoot•Knittingneedleorbamboopointer•Iron•Sharpssewingneedle•Smallpaintbrush•Quilter’ssafetypins•ChenilleneedleCuttinginstructions

•Cutthefabricforthebackofthecushiontosizeandputtooneside.Tracethewedgeshape(seeTemplates)ontoapieceoftemplateplastic.Placeoneofthe

3in×41⁄2in(7.6cm×11.4cm)piecesoffabriconatable,rightsidedown.Drawaroundthetemplateontothewrongsideofthefabricthen,usingscissors,cutoutalongtheline.Repeatwiththeother19pieces.

Sewinginstructions1Takeoneofthewedge-shapedpiecesoffabric.Folditinhalf,rightsidestogether,andpressthefoldwithyourfinger.Leavinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,stitchalongthewiderend,withthefoldededgegoingthroughthesewingmachinefirst.Sew1⁄2in(1.3cm),thenstopandsewafewstitchesinreverse,beforecontinuingtosewalongthetop.Removethefabricfromthemachine.Usingscissors,trimtheseamallowanceattheendyoustartedstitching.Thismeansthatyouwillgetasharperpointwhenyouturnthefabricinsideout.

Oncethefabricisturnedout,useaknittingneedleorbamboopointertogentlypushthepointout.Pressthefabricwiththeseamfacingupwards,ensuringthattheseamisinthecentreofthefabric.Repeatthisstepwiththeother19wedge-shapedpiecesoffabric.To

speedupthesewing,youcanchainstitchthem.Laythefabricoutnexttothesewingmachine,thenstitchthefirstpiece.Whenyougettotheend

ofthefabric,donotcutthethread;instead,liftthepresserfoot,feedthenextpieceoffabricunderit,andcontinuesewing.Thisleavesafewthreadsinbetweeneachpiece,whichcanbecutwhentheyareallsewn.

TipIfyouaremakinglotsofDresdenblocks,itisagoodideatobuyanacrylicwedgeruler.Thesearewidelyavailable,andusingonemeansthattheshapescanbecutquicklyusingarotarycutterinsteadofdrawingtheshapeandcuttingoutwithapairofscissors.

2Laythefabricoutuntilyouarehappywiththeplacement.Sewthefabricpiecesfirstintoquartersandthenintohalves.

Taketwopiecesthatarenexttoeachother.Placethemrightsidestogetherand,leavinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance,startatthepointedendandsewdown1⁄2in(1.3cm),stopandtakeafewreversestitches.Thencontinuetosewtotheend.

Presstheseamstooneside,makingsurethatalltheseamsarepressedthesameway.Thishelpsthepiecestolieflat.Remembertopressfromthefrontaswellasfromtheback.Presstheseamstooneside,makingsurethatalltheseamsare

pressedthesameway.Thishelpsthepiecestolieflat.Remembertopressfromthefrontaswellasfromtheback.

3Pressthebackingfabricinhalf,thenopenitoutandpressitinhalftheotherway.LaytheDresdenplateontop,usingthecreaselinestopositiontheplateinthecentre.Pininplace,thenslipstitchbyhandaroundtheedgetoattachtothebackingfabric.

4Turnthefabricover.Usingscissors,cutthefabricbehindtheDresdenplate1⁄2in(1.3cm)awayfromthesewnline,beingverycareful

nottocutthroughtothefront.

5Tomakethecircleforthecentre,firstputsomestarchinabowlneartheironingboard,andplaceasmallpaintbrushnexttoit.Placethetemplateonthewrongsideofthefabricandlightlydrawarounditusingapencil.Cutoutthecircle,cuttingagenerous1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromthelinetogiveaseamallowance.ThreadaSharpssewingneedleandknottheend.Sewarunningstitchthroughthemiddleoftheseamallowance,leavingthethreadattheendloose.Placethetemplateinthemiddle,thenpulltheendsofthethreadtogathertheseamallowancein.Holdthethreadsandpresstheseamallowance,thenusethepaintbrushtobrushstarchallaroundtheseamallowance.Pressagain.Oncethestarchisdry,cutthethreadandpullouttherunningstitch.Gentlyremovethecircletemplateandpressagainifneeded.

6PositionthecircleinthemiddleoftheDresdenplateandpin.Slipstitcharoundtheedge.7Pressthecalicoandlayitonatable.Placethewadding(batting)on

topandsmooth.Placethecushionfrontontop,rightsideup,makingsureitisinthecentre.Smooth,thenattachthelayersbyinsertingquilter’ssafetypinsthroughthefabric4in(10.2cm)apart,inagridformat.8Quiltthecushionfrontusingachenilleneedleandperlequilting

thread.Ihandquiltedalinejustinsidetheedgeofthecircle,thenanotherline1⁄4in(0.6cm)awayfromtheedgeoftheDresden.Thebackwillnotbeseenasitwillbeinsidethecushionsoyoucanstartwithaknotandfinishwithabackstitch.9Trimthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththecushionfront.10Prepareyourbackingpieces.Ononelongedgeofeach,irona1⁄2in

(1.3cm)hem,thenfolditoveragainandirona1in(2.5cm)hem.Sewthisdownusingastraightstitchandtoningthread.

11Tolayerthecushion,placethefrontdown,rightsideup,thenplacethetwobackingpiecesontop,oneateachend,rightsidedown.Makesuretheyarelinedupsquareonthefront,thenpinallthewayaround.Starttwo-thirdsofthewaydownoneside,thensewallaroundthe

edgeleavinga1⁄2in(1.3cm)seamallowance.Astherearelotsoflayers,useawalkingfootonyoursewingmachineforthisstep.Clipthecorners,thenturnthecushioncoverrightsideout.

Takeitfurther…MakenineDresdenPlates,sewnontosquarebackingfabricandjointhemtogethertomakeasmallquilt.

FunkyTownWallHangingOneofmyfavouriteclassicpatchworkdesignsistheschoolhouseblock,soIdecidedtomakemyownversion,basedontheVictorianterracehousesyouseealloverBritain.Whileitmaylookcomplex,onceyouhavecutthepiecesandlaidthemoutinthecorrectorder,itisquickandeasytosewtogether.Ihavehandquiltedthiswallhanging,butitwouldalsolookgoodmachinequilted.Asitissmallyoucanhavesomefunwithit!

Icameacrosstheblackandwhitewindowfabricquitebychanceanditwasfuntousethisforthehousewindows.Ifyouwouldlikeasimilarlookandcan’tfindanysuitablefabric,youcouldtryputtingsomestripsoflaceupatthewindowsforcurtains.

Finishedsize:32in×151⁄4in(81.3cm×38.7cm)

Youwillneed…•12in×44in(30cm×110cm)housefabric(usefabricwithanon-directionalprint)•10in×10in(25cm×25cm)windowfabric•16in×4in(40cm×10cm)doorfabric•10in×16in(25cm×40cm)rooffabric•6in×32in(15cm×80cm)fateighthskyfabric•6in×44in(15cm×110cm)borderfabric•Threadforpiecing•24in×351⁄2in(60cm×90cm)backingfabric•24in×351⁄2in(60cm×90cm)wadding(batting)•3buttons•8in×44in(20cm×110cm)bindingfabric•Threadforbinding•Perlethread,no8,forquilting•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Pins•Sewingmachineand1⁄4in(0.6cm)foot•Iron•Pencil•Scissors•Quilter’ssafetypins•1⁄4in(0.6cm)maskingtapeorothermarkingtoolforquilting•Sharpssewingneedle•ChenilleneedleCuttinginstructions•Asyoucutthefabric,itisessentialtousethediagrambelowforreferenceandtolaythefabricforeachhousedowninthecorrectorder.Ifyouareplanningtocutandsewatalatertime,makeathreephotocopiesofthetemplate(seeTemplates)andpinthefabrictoittokeepitinorder.

•Fromthehousefabric,cut:twostrips,2in(5cm)widefromselvedgetoselvedge;onestrip,3in(7.6cm)widefromselvedgetoselvedge;andonestrip11⁄4in(3.2cm)widefromselvedgetoselvedge.Cutthe2in(5cm)widestripsinto:threepieces3in(7.6cm)long,ninepieces41⁄2in(11.4cm)long,andthreepieces91⁄2in(24.1cm)long.Cutthe3in(7.6cm)widestripintosixpieces13⁄4in(4.4cm)long,andthreepieces2in(5cm)long.Cutthe11⁄4in(3.2cm)widestripintothreepieces91⁄2in(24.1cm)long.

•Fromthewindowfabriccutnine3in(7.6cm)squares.Fromthedoorfabriccuta21⁄2in(6.3cm)widestrip,thencutthisintothree41⁄2in(11.4cm)strips.•Fromtherooffabriccutthreepiecesmeasuring91⁄2in×5in(24.1cm×12.7cm).Fromtheskyfabriccutsix5in(12.7cm)squares.Fromtheborderfabriccuttwostripsmeasuring1in×131⁄2in(2.5cm×34.3cm),togobetweenthehouses;twostripsmeasuring11⁄2in×131⁄2in(3.8cm×34.3cm)forthesides;andtwostripsmeasuring11⁄2in×301⁄2in(3.8cm×77.5cm)forthetopandbottom.Putthesepiecestooneside.•A1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamisusedatalltimeswhensewingthehousetogether.Asthisisasmallprojectwithlotsofpieces,ithelpstopinthefabricbeforesewing,takingthepinsoutasthefabricgoesunderthepresserfootofthesewingmachine.

Sewinginstructions

1Thehousesaresewnindividually;however,allthreehavebeenstitchedatthesametimetospeedupthemakingprocess.Startbytakingthedownstairswindowandthepieceofthehouseunderitandstitchingtogether.Presstooneside,thenlaythestitchedpieceinthecorrectplaceonthefabriclayout.

2Sewtogetherthepiecesthatmakeupthebottomfloorofthehouseandpress.Repeatwiththetopfloorofthehouseandpress.(Atthispointyouwillstarttoseethepiecesthatmakethehousecometogetherandthepileofunsewnfabricslookslessscary!)3Followingthelayout,sewthegroundfloorofthehousetothestripaboveit,andthefirstfloorofthehousetothestripthatgoesabovethat.Press,thensewthetwopiecesofthehousetogether.

4Tomaketheroof,takeoneofthesquaresofskyfabric,anddrawadiagonallinewithapencilacrosstheback,cornertocorner.Placethisontherectanglefortheroof,withthethreesideslevel.Sewdowntheline.Pressandtrimtheseamallowance,openthefabricupandpressagain.Repeatwiththeothersquareontheoppositesideoftherectangle.

5Withtherightsidestogether,linetheroofupwiththetopofthehouseandsewtogether.

6Takethenarrowborderfabric,andsewontoeachsideofthecentrehouse.Press,thenattachtheotherhousesoneachside.

7Sewthesidebordersonandpress;thensewthetopandbottomborderon.Pressandtrimanythreads.8Pressthebackingfabric,thenlayitout,rightsidedown.Laythe

wadding(batting)ontopandsmoothtillitisflat.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.

9Tohandquiltthewallhangingaroundtheedgeofthehouses,usemaskingtapeorothermarkingtooltocreatetheguidelines,thenstitchalongthelineusingperlequiltingthreadandachenilleneedle.Stitcha

buttonontoeachdoortomakeahandle.Havesomefunwiththisstage,addingasmuchstitchingandembellishmentasyouwish.10Cutthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththequilttop.Cut

threestripsfromthebindingfabric21⁄2in(6.3cm)wide.Makealengthofbindingapproximately23⁄4yd(2.5m)long.Sewthebindingtothequiltfront,mitringthecornerscarefullyasyougo(seeMitreddoublefoldbinding).11Turnthequiltoverand,usingtoningthreadandaSharpssewing

needle,slipstitchthebindingdown.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinontheback,soitlooksthesameasthefront.

Takeitfurther…Usegraphpapertodesignyourownhouse,workingoutallthemeasurements,includingseamallowances.

SpotsandBlocksBookmarksThissmallprojectistheperfectwaytodipyourtoeintotheworldoffreemachinequilting.Easytomakeinanafternoon,thesecreativebookmarksuseoffcutsoffabricsoarereallyinexpensive.Asthisprojectmakesfivebookmarksatatime,keeponeforyourselfandgivetherestaspresents.

Youcantailoryourfabricchoicestomatchthetypeofbooksyouaremakingthemfor,asIhavedonehere,inspiredbytheiconic,orangePenguinbookcovers.Thespottedblackandwhitefabricprovidesagraphiccontrast,whilethesatinstitchedgingframeseachbookmarkbeautifully.

Finishedsize:2in×10in(5cm×25.4cm)

Youwillneed…•2piecesof93⁄4in×71⁄4in(24.8cm×18.4cm)fusibleweb•1pieceof10in×71⁄2in(25.4cm×19cm)pelmetVilene•1pieceof10in×71⁄2in(25.4cm×19cm)fabricforback•3piecesof11in×4in(27.9cm×10.2cm)fabricforfront•Threadformachinequilting(Isuggestyouusestandard100%cottonsewingthread.Onceyouhavesomeexperienceinfreemachinequilting,experimentwithothertypesofthread,suchasrayon.)•Threadforedging•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Iron•Scissors•Sewingmachine,darningfootandzigzagfoot•PencilandpaperCuttinginstructions•Takeoneofthepiecesoffusibleweb.PlaceitinthecentreoftheVilenewiththeglue(rough)sidefacingdownwardsandirontofixinplace.Whenironingfusibleweb,makesureyoupresstheirondown,anddonotsweepitfromsidetosideasyoucandistortit.Peelthepaperbackingoff,thenlaythebackingfabricontop.Pressagain,andthebackingfabricshouldnowbefixedinplace.•TurnthepelmetVileneover,placethesecondpieceoffusiblewebinthecentreandpress.Leavethepaperbackingon.

Sewinginstructions

1Usingtherotarycutterandruler,cutlengthwaysacrossthefabricforthefrontinarandomway.Altertheangleoftherulerwitheachcutsothateachofthestripslooksdifferent.

2TakeyourpieceofVileneandplaceitontheironingboardwiththebackingfabricsidefacingdown.Peelthepaperoffthefusibleweb.Laythefabricstripsontop,alternatingthefabricsandtheangleyouplacethem.Trytolaythemsoeachstripbuttsupagainstthenextsononeofthebackingisshowing.Onceyouarehappywithhowitlooks,presstill

thefusiblewebholdsthestripsinplace.Trimtheedgesofthepiecesoitmeasures10in×71⁄2in(25.4cm×19cm).

3Preparethesewingmachine.Checkthatthebobbinhasenoughthread,thenattachthedarningfootanddroporcoverthefeeddogs.Ifyouareunsurehowtodropthefeeddogs,checkinyoursewingmachinemanual.Setthemachineforastandardstraightstitch.Drawonapieceofpaperthepatternyouwillbemaking–Istitchedanallover,meanderingdesignacrossthefabric.Withfreemachinequilting,thinkoftheneedleandthreadasthepencildrawingthedesign.Whenyouarereadytostartsewing,beginattheedgeofthefabric,

andbringthebobbinthreadthroughtothefront.Takeacoupleofstitchesinthesamespottosecurethethread,thenstartsewing,movingthepieceoffabrictomakethepattern.Goatasteadypace;thespeedofthemachineandhowyoumovethefabricwilldictatehowlargethestitchesareandthedesignyousew.Keeptheneedlemovingacrossthefabricinameanderingdesignandwhenyougettotheotherend,takeacoupleofstitchesonthespot,thencutthethread.Ifatthisstageyouareworrying

aboutyourstitching,don’t!Oncethepieceiscutup,itismoreflatteringtounrulystitches.

4Cutthepieceoffabricintofivestrips,eachone2in(5cm)wide.

5Toedgethebookmarks,setthesewingmachinetosatinstitch.Todothis,putafootonthesewingmachinesuitableforzigzagstitchandset

themachinelengthto0.5,andthewidthto3.Raisethefeeddogs.Threadthemachinewiththeedgingthread.Startsewingtwo-thirdsdownoneofthelongsidesandstitchdowntotheendoftheside.Whenyougettothecorner,stopwiththeneedledown,ontheedgeofthebookmark,liftthefootandpivotthebookmarkround.Putthefootdownandstartstitchingagain.Repeatthisateachcorner.Whenyougettoyourstartingpoint,finish

stitchingandtrimthethreads.

Takeitfurther…Insteadofcuttingthestitchedpieceintostrips,cutintosquaresandmakecoasters.Tryoutdifferentfree-machineddesigns,practisingthemonpaperfirst.

BloomingMarvellousBedQuiltDon’tbeputoffbythesizeofthisquilt.Itispiecedandquiltedinfoursections,thenputtogether.Thismakesitlessdauntingthantryingtoassembleandquiltalargequilt.Thepiecingandquiltingcanbedoneinasmallarea,althoughwhenthequiltisassembledyoudoneedalargetableorfloorarea.

Idelvedintomyvintagefabricstashforthisquilt,butyoucouldusefatquarters.Ihaven’tgiventhequantityoffabrictobuyasitdependsonwhetheryouwanttouselotsofdifferentprintsandaddyourownfabric,orwhetheryouwantamoreco-ordinatedlook.Forguidance,youwillgetsevensquaresoutof6in(15cm)fabricboughtfromthebolt.Forthebacking,trytouseasmallalloverprint.Eachsectionneedsapiece50in(125cm)squaresolookforfabric60in(150cm)wide.

Finishedsize:81in(205.7cm)square

Youwillneed…•144×51⁄2in(14cm)squaresofpatternedfabric•44in×122in(110cm×310cm)plainfabricforsashing(Iusedwhite)•Threadforpiecing•4×50in(125cm)squaresoffabricforbacking•4×50in(125cm)squaresofwadding(batting)•121buttons•Threadforsewingbuttons•Fusiblebattingtape•Threadtotonewithbacking•24in×44in(60cm×110cm)fabricforbinding•Threadtotonewithbinding•Rotarycutter,acrylicrulerandself-healingmat•Pins•Sewingmachine,1⁄4in(0.6cm)andwalkingfoot•Iron•Pencilandpaper•Maskingtape•Quilter’ssafetypins•Sharpssewingneedle•Scissors

Cuttinginstructions•Dividethe51⁄2in(14cm)patternedfabricsquaresintofourpilesof36squares,onepileforeachsectionofthequilt.Makesurethecolourandpatternofthefabricsaredistributedevenlybetweenthepiles.•Fromtheplainsashingfabric,cut40stripsmeasuring2in(5cm)acrossthefabric,selvedgetoselvedge.Cutoneofthesestripsintosevenpieces,each51⁄2in(14cm)long.Keepdoingthiswiththestrips,untilyouhave30pieces51⁄2in(14cm)long.Placethemontooneofthepilesofpatternedfabrics.Cut30morepiecesinthesameway,andputthemontoanotherpile.Repeattwicemoresothateachpilehas30piecesoffabricmeasuring2in×51⁄2in(5cm×14cm).•Makethestripstogobetweentherows.Cutfivestrips38in(96.5cm)long.Putononepile.Repeatfortheotherthreepiles.Puttheremainderoftheplainfabrictoonesideuntillater.•A1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowanceisusedthroughoutthispattern.

Sewinginstructions

1Thequiltismadeinfoursections,eachinthesameway.Startbymakingthetopleft-handsection.Pickupthesquaresfromoneofthefabricpiles.Laythemoutsixacrossandsixdown,movingthemarounduntilyouarehappywiththearrangement.

2Pinthensewthesquarestogetherinrows,placinga51⁄2in(14cm)long,whitestripinbetween.Onlyinsertthewhitestripbetweenthesquares,notattheend.Presstheseamstogether,facingintowardsthepatternedfabric.

3Sewalongstripontothetopofeachrow,exceptthetopone.

4Sewtherowstogether.Usepinstomakesureeachrowlinesup,removingeachpinasitgoesunderthepresserfootofthesewingmachine.Tomakeiteasiertoassemblethesectionstogetherlateron,pinanote

onthetopright-handcornerofeachpiecewiththenameofthesection,forexample‘Topright’.Sewtheotherthreesectionsinthesameway.Whendecidingonthe

placementofthesquares,beawarethatthesectionswillbejoinedtogether.

5Pressthefoursections.Therowsforjoiningthesectionstogetherandtheborderarenowsewnon.Takethewhitefabricleftfromcuttingthesashingforthesections,andcutthefollowingstripsasyousewthemon.Thisstopsyougettingconfusedastowhatstripisforwhichside.Ifyourseamallowancehasbeenslightlymoreorlessthan1⁄4in(0.6cm)youmayneedtoalterthelengthofthestrips.Ithelpstorememberthe21⁄2in(6.3cm)stripsareonlyfortheborder,soaresewntotheoutsideedges.

TopleftJoina2in×38in(5cm×96.5cm)stripontotheright-handside;press.Joina2in×391⁄2in(5cm×100cm)stripontothebottom;press.Joina21⁄2in×391⁄2in(6.3cm×100cm)stripontotheleft-handside;

press.Joina21⁄2in×411⁄2in(6.3cm×105cm)stripontothetop;press.

ToprightJoina2in×38in(5cm×96.5cm)stripontothebottom;press.Joina21⁄2in×391⁄2in(6.3cm×100cm)stripontotheright-handside;

press.Joina21⁄2in×40in(6.3cm×101.6cm)stripontothetop;press.

BottomleftJoina2in×38in(5cm×96.5cm)stripontotheright-handside;press.Joina21⁄2in×38in(6.3cm×96.5cm)stripontotheleft-handside;

press.Joina21⁄2in×411⁄2in(6.3cm×105cm)stripontothebottom;press.

BottomrightJoina21⁄2in×38in(6.3cm×96.5cm)stripontotheright-handside;

press.Join21⁄2in×40in(6.3cm×101.6cm)stripontothebottom;press.

Presseachsectionandtrimanystraythreads.

6Makeaquiltsandwichfromeachsection,pressthebackingfabricandlayitout,rightsidedown.Smoothitoutsoitisflat.Tapetheedgeofthebackingtoatableorthefloortohelpkeepitflat.Makesurethatitisnotpulledtootight.Laythewadding(batting)ontopandsmoothitflat.Placethequilttoponthewadding(batting)andbacking,ensuringitispositionedinthemiddle.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayerstogether.Startinginthecentre,pinevery4–6in(10.2–15.2cm)inrows,tomakeagridformat.

7Sewbuttonsthroughthelayerswherethewhitestripsmeet,followingthemainprojectphotographforguidance.Workmethodicallyfromthecentreoutwards,makingsuretheyaresewnontightly.8Itiseasiertoassemblethequiltifyouhavespace.Ifyoudon’thave

alargefloorortableathome,seeifyoucanborrowafriend’stable,orusesomewhereatwork.Ihaveasmalllocalcommunitycentrethatcanbebookedbythehour,andsometimesshareitwithfriendswhoquiltsowecansplitthecostandwearetheretohelpeachotherout.Thetoptwosectionsarejoinedtogetherfirst,thenthebottomtwoare

joinedtogether.Finallythetwohalvesarejoined.Oneachofthefourpieces,cutthebackingandwadding(batting)1in

(2.5cm)widerthanthequilttopallthewayaround.Pintheedgestokeeptheminplacewhileyoucut.Thisallowsaseamallowanceforthesidesbeingjoined,andmakestheoutsidebordermoremanageable.

9Laythetopleftpieceonatable,rightsidedown.Onthesidetobejoined,gentlyfoldbackthewadding(batting)andbackingfabricfromthefrontofthequilt.Usequilter’ssafetypinstoholdthelayersoutoftheway.

Repeatonthejoiningsideofthetoprightpiece.

10Placethetoprightsectiononthetopleftsection,rightsidestogether,andlineuptheedgeofthefabriconthesidetobejoined.Pinalongthestriptostopthefabricfrommoving,andsew,takinga1⁄4in(0.6cm)seamallowance.Presstheseamallowancetooneside.Itcanhelptoplaceachaironeithersideoftheironingboardtolaythe

quiltontosoitisnotsoheavyontheironingboardandeasiertopress.11Laythequiltdownonaflatsurface.Undothequilter’spinsandpull

thewadding(batting)free,thenfoldthebackingbackandpintokeepoutoftheway.Foldeachpieceofwadding(batting)flatsoitoverlaps.Placeanacrylicrulerbetweenthewadding(batting)andthequilttopandusescissorstocutalongthewadding(batting),sotheedgesbutttogether.

(Anacrylicrulerpreventsyoufromaccidentallycuttingthroughthequilt

top.)Removeanyoftheexcesswadding(batting)thathasbeencutaway.

Pinthewadding(batting)oneachsideofthejointoholditinplace.Laybattingtapeoverthejoin.Withtheironsettothecorrecttemperature,followingthemanufacturer’sinstructions,presstofixthebattingtapeinpace.Ifyouhaveasmallironingboard,itcanhelptoslidethisunderthewadding(batting)forwhenyouironthebattingtape.Note:theironingboardhasbeenkeptflatsothewadding(batting)is

notstretchedbytheweightofthequilt.Oncethebattingtapeisfixed,takethepinsoutthathavebeenhelpingtoholditinplace.

12Takeoutthequilter’ssafetypinsholdingthebackinginplace.Layonebackingpiecedownandlaytheotherpieceontop.Onthetoppiece,foldover1⁄2in(1.3cm)tomakeaseamandpresswithyourfinger.Pinintoplace.Starting31⁄2in(8.9cm)fromtheend,slipstitchtosecure,makingsurenottosewthroughtothefront.(Leaving31⁄2in(8.9cm)freehelpswhenitcomestojointhetopandbottomtogether.)Stopsewing11⁄2in(3.8cm)beforetheend,andsecurethethread.13Turnthequiltoverandsewbuttonsalongthestripjustsewn.14Repeatsteps12and13tojointhebottomleftandrightsections.15Repeatagaintojointhetopandbottomsectionstogether.Bythis

stagethequiltwillbelarge,soropeinafriendtohelpifpossible.Aftersewingthefrontseamstogether,itcanhelptoslideaflatironingboardunderthequiltwhenlaidoutonthesurface(aswhenironingthebattingtape)asthesizecanmakeitabitofastruggletotakeittotheironingboard.Whendoingthelaststepoffoldingoverthebacking,slipstitchthe31⁄2in(8.9cm)leftfreewhensewingthetopandbottomsections.16Trimthewadding(batting)andbackinglevelwiththeedgeofthe

quilttop.Fromthebindingfabriccutninestripsmeasuring21⁄2in(6.3cm)wide.Jointhestripstogetherata45-degreeangle,tomakealengthofbindingapproximately93⁄4yd(9m)long.Foldundera1⁄2in(1.3cm)hematoneendofthebindingandpress.Startingononesideofthequilt,pinthebindingtothefrontwiththerawedgestogether.Startone-thirdofthewaydownononeside,leavingatailofbinding21⁄2in(6.3cm)long,fromtheendthathashadtherawedgeturnedin.Usingawalkingfootonyoursewingmachine,sewthebindingtothequiltfront,usinga3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowance.Pinthebindinginplaceasyouseweachside,removingthepinsastheygettotheedgeofthewalkingfoot.Attheendoftheside,stopsewing3⁄8in(0.9cm)beforetheedge,andbackstitchtosecure.

17Takethequiltfromthemachineandmitrethecorner(seeMitreddoublefoldbinding).Pin.Startsewingfromthecorner,witha3⁄8in(0.9cm)seamallowanceagain.Repeatattheotherthreecorners.Whenyoureach4in(10.2cm)beforeyourstartingpoint,stopsewing.Tofinishthebinding,tucktheendofthebindinginthefoldedend.Trimtheexcessbinding1in(2.5cm)beyondthehemsoitoverlaps.Pinandfinishsewing.18Turnthequiltover,foldthebindingtothebackandslipstitchto

secure.Atthecorners,foldthemitreinonthebacksoitlooksthesameasthefront,andsecurewithacoupleofstitches.

Takeitfurther…Changethemeasurementstomakeaversionwithlargersquaresandnarrowersashing.

Glossary1⁄4in(0.6cm)foot–Afootforthesewingmachinethathasaquarter-inchguideonit.

Acrylicruler–Atransparentrulerusedforcuttingfabricalongsidearotarycutterandself-healingmat.Availableinavarietyofshapesandsizes,withmetricorimperialmarkings.

Appliqué–Apieceoffabriccuttoashapeandthenappliedtoanotherpiece.

Backingfabric–Thefabricthatgoesonthebackofaquilt.

Backstitch–Astitchsewnintheoppositedirectiontothepreviouslineofstitching.Usedtosecurethethread.

Bigstitchquilting–Aformofquiltingthatusesthickthreadandlargestiches.

Binding–Theedgeofaquilt,whichencasestherawedgesandlooksdecorative.

Block–Anindividualunitthatwhenjoinedwithotherblocksmakesaquilt.

Border–Fabricsewnaroundaquilttoptoframeit.

Chainpiecing–Theprocessofmachinesewingpiecesoffabrictogetherwithoutstoppingtocutthethreadsinbetween.

Darningfoot–Afootforthesewingmachineusedforfreemachinequilting.

Directionalprint–Fabricthatisprintedwithadesignthathasanobviousdirection,suchasastripe.

Englishpatchwork–Aformofpiecingwherefabricistacked(basted)toapapershapebeforethepiecesaresewntogether.

Fatquarter(imperial)–1⁄2ydoffabriccutinhalfacrossthemiddle.Measuresapproximately18in×22in.

Fatquarter(metric)–0.5moffabriccutinhalfacrossthemiddle.Measuresapproximately50cm×55cm.

Fingerpress–Usingyourfingers,insteadofaniron,topressfabric.

Fusibleweb–Anadhesivewebthat,whenironed,gluespiecesoffabrictogether.

Half-squaretriangle–Asquaremadefromtwoequal-sizedtriangles.

Longarmquilting–Aservicewhereaquilttopissenttoaprofessionalquilterwhoassemblesand/orquiltsitonalongarmmachine.

Patchwork–Piecesoffabricsewntogether.

Perlethread–Anon-divisibleembroiderythreadthatcanbeusedforhandquilting.

Quilting–Theprocessofholdingthelayersofaquiltsandwichtogether.

Quiltsandwich–Atermusedtorefertothelayersinaquilt–thetop,thewadding(batting)andthebacking.

Quilttop–Thefrontofaquilt.

Rawedge–Thecutedgeofthefabric.

Reversestitch–Reversingthestitchattheendofarowofsewing.Usedtosecuretheseam.

Rightside–Theprintedsideofthefabric.

Rotarycutter–Acuttingtoolthathasacircularblade.

Sashing–Stripsoffabricsewninbetweenquiltblocks.

Self-healingmat–Acuttingmatthatresealsitssurfaceafterbeingcut.

Selvedge–Theedgeoffabricthatisfinishedtostopfraying.

Tacking(basting)–Longstitchesusedtoholdfabricinplacetemporarily.

Wadding(batting)–Themiddlelayerofaquilt.Canbemadefromanumberoffibresincludingcotton,polyester,silk,bambooandwool.

Walkingfoot–Afootforthesewingmachinethathasasetoffeeddogs(teeth).Alsoknownasanevenfeedfoot.

Acknowledgments

AhugethankyoutoalltheF+WMediacrewwhohaveworkedonthisbook:Carrieforthefabulousillustrations,Heatherforhereditingexpertise,Jeniforhersupport,andCharlywhohasmadeitalllooklovely.YouhavebeensosupportiveandIamhonouredtohaveworkedwithyouall.

SpecialthankstoSarahforgivingmethisopportunity,andbeingabsolutelygreattoworkwith,particularlyasafirsttimer.

Twospecialtutorshavebeeninfluentialonmyjourneytobecomeaquilter:SaraCookandJanetTwinn,hopeyouareproud!CarolynClark,yourenthusiasmwithhelpingatQuiltyPleasuresisimmense,you’reastar.

AnotherthankstoCarolynClarkforlong-armquiltingtheGrabandSewquiltusingapantographpatterndesignedbyKerynEmmerson.

AnappreciativehuggoestotheBrightonandHoveModernQuiltGuildfortheirteaandchat.

A‘rockandroll’thankyoutoLisaandPatrickatLoutforbeingflexibleaboutmyquiltinghours.

Abigthankyoutomyfamily:mymumanddadfortheirconstantsupportandpracticalchildcare,andtoDarrenwhoencouragesmeallthewayandfornevercomplainingaboutthesewingstrewnoverthehouse(wellnearlynever…).Finally,biglovetoJudeandFlorenceforgivingmemyinspiration.

AbouttheAuthor

Elizabeth(Liz)BettsrunsQuiltyPleasures,aquiltstudio/shopbasedinherhometownofBrightonandHove.Aswellassupplyingquilterswitheverythingtheyneedtomakeaquilt,sheteachesworkshops,writesformagazinesandgivestalksonthesubject.Shehasagentleapproachtoquiltmaking,believingthatenjoyingwhatyouaremakingisasimportantasthefinishedresult.Lizhasabackgroundinprintedtextiledesignandhassofarclockedupelevenyearsofquiltmaking.ShehashadaresearchpaperpublishedbytheBritishQuiltStudyGroup,andisafoundermemberoftheBrightonandHoveModernQuiltGuild.ShehashadaquiltfeaturedintheInTheSpotlightgalleryattheFestivalofQuilts,whichthentouredtheUKattheCreativeStitchesexhibitions.HerworkisalsoexhibitedintheBrightonandHoveOpenhouses,heldeveryyearinMay.

Otherpassionsincludemusic,particularlygoingtogigs,andreading,fartoolate,intothenight.LizlivesinHovewithherhusband,twochildren,anold

retiredgreyhoundandawhippet(eachofwhomhastheirownhandmadequilts!).

Suppliers

Someofmyfavouriteplacestoshopforfabricsandequipmentare:BrightonSewingCentre68NorthRoad,BrightonBN11YDwww.brightonsewingcentre.co.ukTheCottonPatch1283–1285StratfordRoad,HallGreen,BirminghamB289AJwww.cottonpatch.co.ukCreativeQuilting32BridgeRoad,HamptonCourtVillage,EastMolesey,SurreyKT89HAwww.creativequilting.co.uk

FabricRehab3bDedhamValeBusinessCentre,ManningtreeRoad,Dedham,EssexCO76BLwww.fabricrehab.co.uk

LibertyRegentStreet,LondonW1B5AHwww.liberty.co.uk

Patch9BevanStreetEast,Lowestoft,SuffolkNR322AAwww.patchfabrics.co.uk

Puddleducks116StJohn’sHill,Sevenoaks,KentTN133PDwww.puddleducksquilts.co.uk

QuiltMeHappy(onlineonly)www.quiltmehappy.co.uk

QuiltRoom37-39HighStreet,Dorking,SurreyRH41ARwww.quiltroom.co.uk

QuiltyPleasures1bUpperHamitonRoad,BrightonBN15DFwww.quilty-pleasures.co.uk

StitchCraftCreateBrunelHouse,NewtonAbbot,DevonTQ124PUwww.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk

Tikki293SandycombeRoad,KewGardens,LondonTW93LUwww.tikkilondon.com

ForvintagefabricIvisitsecond-handshops,gotoantiquefairs,orbuyonlinefrom:Ebaywww.ebay.co.uk

Etsywww.etsy.com

Internationalsuppliers

USA

HawthorneThreads(onlineonly)www.hawthornethreads.com

PinkChalkFabrics(onlineonly)www.pinkchalkfabrics.com

PurlSoho459BroomeStreet,NewYork,NY10013,USAwww.purlsoho.com

SuperBuzzy(onlineonly)www.superbuzzy.com

AUSTRALIA

AmitieTextiles103AGardenvaleRoad,Gardenvale,Victoria,3185,Australiawww.amitie.com.au

BallaratPatchwork54VictoriaStreet,Ballarat,Victoria,3350,Australiawww.ballaratpatchwork.com.au

MyPatchFabrics42WasonStreet,Milton,NSW,2538,Australiawww.mypatchfabrics.com

ADAVID&CHARLESBOOK

©F&WMediaInternational,Ltd2013David&CharlesisanimprintofF&WMediaInternational,LtdBrunelHouse,FordeClose,NewtonAbbot,TQ124PU,UKF&WMediaInternational,LtdisasubsidiaryofF+WMedia,Inc10151CarverRoad,Suite#200,BlueAsh,OH45242,USATextanddesigns©ElizabethBetts2013

Layoutandphotography©F&WMediaInternational,LTD2013

ElizabethBettshasassertedherrighttobeidentifiedasauthorofthisworkinaccordancewiththeCopyright,DesignsandPatentsAct,1988.

eISBN-10:1-4463-6155-1epubeISBN-13:978-1-4463-6155-9epubLayoutofthisdigitaleditionmayvarydependingonreaderhardwareanddisplaysettings.

Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystemswithoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.

Readersarepermittedtoreproduceanyofthepatternsordesignsinthisbookfortheirpersonaluseandwithoutthepriorpermissionofthepublisher.Howeverthedesignsinthisbookarecopyrightandmustnotbereproducedforresale.

Theauthorandpublisherhavemadeeveryefforttoensurethatalltheinstructionsinthebookareaccurateandsafe,andthereforecannotacceptliabilityforanyresultinginjury,damageorlosstopersonsorproperty,howeveritmayarise.

Namesofmanufacturersandproductrangesareprovidedfortheinformationofreaders,withnointentiontoinfringecopyrightortrademarks.

AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.

DavidandCharlespublishhighqualitybooksonawiderangeofsubjects.Formoregreatbookideasvisit:www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk