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Free Patterns (Other)

Quilt-Related Project: Strip-Quilted Tote

Friday, May 18th, 2007



Quick Project!
Strip-Quilted Tote
by Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores

Strip-Quilted Tote
     Summer is rapidly approaching, finally, and many of us are beginning to think about trips to the pool, the lake, or the beach. And, as usual, we have a wide variety of little items that are essential for our outing. This project is geared around creating an eye-catching tote to carry those items. With a single glance, there are several features regarding this tote that caught my eye: The vibrant colors, the simplicity, the size, and the style.
     On a scale of 1 to 3, this project rates a 2 in difficulty. Some sewing and quilting knowledge are required, however not a great deal. This would be an ideal project to practice your skills on; it includes both strip-piecing and machine quilting!
     A brief overview of this tote includes:

  • Easy, strip-piecing,
  • 12″ x 14″, finished, excluding the handles,
  • Complete list of supplies and tools needed,
  • Clear directions, with excellent photographs.

    •  
         This tote is just too cute! Not only does it make a great tote, but I think it would make a really nifty handbag, too!

    StarQuilting By Design Site Map.
    StarAn original article by Terry Crawford.

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    Posted in Free Patterns (Other), Projects (Other) | 1 Comment »

    The Mystery Surrounding Mystery Quilts

    Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

    Mystery Surrounding Mystery Quilts
    		      Do you love a good mystery? Do you love to quilt? If the answer to both questions is a resounding “YES”, then I have the perfect Web site for you!
         First, let me define what a Mystery Quilt is. A Mystery Quilt is a quilting project that remains a mystery up until the quilt is finished or until the participants figure it out (much to the author’s dismay).
         Participants are given instructional “clues” and have no idea what the outcome is going to be. It is usually a small, fairly easy project that is completed in stages over an extended period of time, the time determined by the author of the mystery and usually dependent upon several factors, discussed below. Most often, participants are informed as to the approximate final sizes and also the theme, if there is one.
         Occasionally, mysteries may extend over a longer period of time, however a year is the maximum time to conduct and/or participant in one (in my opinion). The only instance where I would conduct a mystery of a great length, such as 12 months, would be for a full size quilt, and it would have to be a spectacular design, at that. A lot of people do not like to commit to a long-term mystery due to several reasons, most of which I suspect you can guess.
         As mentioned above, there are a few factors that might influence the length of time a mystery would span.

    • The amount of “free” time the author may have to orchestrate it. The vast majority of the time, a mystery is conducted without any type of payment from the participants. In other words, the mystery is provided freely by the author. Since this is the case, one must understand going into it that the installments (the releases of new instructions) depend upon the the author’s time. Several thoughts on this. First, the author of the mystery should make absolutely certain before beginning a mystery that he/she has plenty of time to conduct the mystery in a timely manner. Second, the participants should understand that life does happen, even to authors, and that there may be some delay in finishing the mystery. A good author will keep participants updated as to the status of future installments.
    • The complexity of the pattern. This factor should be self-explanatory! The more complex the pattern, the longer it may take to complete the mystery.
    • The time of year. The season (or seasons) a mystery is going to span is all-important, as well. Mysteries are typically not conducted over the holiday season, beginning Thanksgiving and going past Christmas, beyond the New Year. These seasons are simply too busy with real life. Mysteries may also experience difficulty in getting participation if it is during the summer.

         In summary, mysteries are best when conducted during “dead” times during the year, such as winter. They also seem to have better participation if they are conducted over a shorter span of time (two months or less) and have options (MQ 15, 16, and 17 show versatility because they are all made from the same base pattern, but each look totally different when completed!) for the participants to choose from. I have also discovered that the more information (without revealing the outcome) that can be given prior to beginning, the better, such as: Theme, Options, Color Suggestions, Size, Time To Complete, Complexity, etc.
         If a mystery is announced as a short, quick project, that does not necessarily mean that it is not going to be appealing. A good mystery author can provide a truly unique pattern that gives the participants options, such as turning it from a wallhanging into a tablerunner or expanding it into a full quilt, etc. There are many times when a pattern is simple to make, yet looks like the quilter spent a lot more time on it than actually happened.
         An author of a mystery should attempt to keep the mystery suspenseful by mixing it up and postponing the “guessing” for as long as possible. The installments of a mystery should never be given in the order that is seen in the finished design. For instance, say that a wallhanging is going to have nine (9) blocks and the layout is similar to a nine-patch. Instead of giving the installments in order, from left to right and top to bottom, mix it up. Keep the participants guessing!!!!
         If you are ready for a good mystery, check out the ones on Quilting Passion and the other sites listed below. Each have concluded on Quilting Passion, however the majority of them remain online. Also, keep a watchful eye out in the Quilting Passion eNews or the Quilting Passion Mystery Quilt Notifications for the announcements of new mysteries.
         The Quilting Passion Gallery also contains many photographs of finished mystery quilts; this should give you an idea of the types (and wide variety) of patterns used. Since many authors of mystery quilts do not charge a fee, I can say with much enthusiasm that photographs are gratefully appreciated. Seeing finished projects from mystery quilts that I have conducted helps give me incentive to keep providing them! Mystery Quilt 19 is slated on Quilting Passion for sometime this summer.
         Other Mystery Quilt Web sites include:

    1. WWQP
    2. The Quilted Snail
    3. Electric Quilt Mysteries
    4. Teena’s Patchwork & Embroidery
    5. Anne’s Mystery Quilts

         
         Mystery Quilts are fun! If you have never played in one, then find one and join!

    StarQuilting By Design Site Map.
    StarOriginal article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

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    Posted in FREE PATTERNS (Terry), Free Patterns (Other), Projects (Other), Projects (Terry), Quilt-Related Resources, Quilting Articles (Terry), Type of Quilts (Mystery) | 7 Comments »

    Free Garden Quilt Patterns

    Friday, April 20th, 2007


         Gardening is another hobby of mine. Spring has sprung and I am sure that spring fever has hit quite a few of you! I know it has hit me and I can hardly wait to begin gardening. I love to plant flowers, bushes, trees, and vegetables. Each year, my yard gets larger and larger!
         Did you know that you can still “grow” a garden even if are not a gardener? How? By quilting one!
         Here are a few ideas and/or resources to get you going. If patterns are offered on any of the links below, please adhere to the copyright of the owner!

  • Almost A Flower Garden, by McCall’s Quilting.
  • Appliqué Flower, McCall’s Quilting.
  • Free Garden Quilt Patterns from Victoriana Quilt Designs.
  • Free Patterns, by CompuQuilt.
  • Appliquéd Flower Quilt, by Quilting Passion.

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    • Posted in FREE PATTERNS (Terry), Free Patterns (Other), Quilt-Related Resources, Types Of Quilts | 3 Comments »

    Paper-Piecing Quilts: Getting Started!

    Tuesday, April 17th, 2007

    Paper-Piecing: Getting Started
    		      
         What is paper-piecing? In a nutshell, paper-piecing is a technique used to sew blocks together using a sewing machine (set on a very small stitch) and plain paper (copy/typing paper). Blocks that have many pieces, or a lot of points, or even gentle curves, can be constructed with a degree of accuracy that is impressive to even the most highly skilled quilter. This is also an excellent way to use up smaller scraps of fabric that you never dreamed possible to use.
         How does paper-piecing differ from foundation piecing? Traditionally, paper-piecing uses paper as the foundation to sew your pieces of fabric to, while foundation piecing uses a fabric foundation (usually muslin). There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The primary advantage of using paper is that it is removable and less bulky than sewing onto a muslin-type foundation. On the other hand, this advantage is also a major disadvantage in that the paper removal is time-consuming, tedious, and just plain messy (tiny bits of paper all over the place!). The primary advantage of a foundation pieced block is that it is faster because you do not have to remove anything when the block is finished. The major disadvantage is that the extra layer of fabric adds bulk to the quilt. Regardless of which you prefer, the stitching technique used is basically the same as you sew your block together.
         There are many free patterns to be found on the Internet and also an abundance of books available for purchase. One of the earliest quilters to jump on board the paper-piecing train was Carol Doak, often thought of as the queen of paper-piecing. Ms. Doak perfected the technique, taking it to a new level of accurate piecing, and has created some stunning patterns and quilts. Ms. Doak is not only a talented designer; she is also a superb teacher, so if you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her workshops/seminars, do not let it pass you by! Carol also has a new DVD, Carol Doak Teaches You to Paper Piece, in which she shows you step-by-step the entire paper-piecing process.
         Current popular books include: Piecing Workshop by Ruth B. McDowell, Mastering Precision Piecing by Sally Collins, The Experts Guide to Foundation Piecing by Jane Hall, Painless Paper-Piecing by Marjorie Rhine, and Piece by Piece by Nancy Wong Spindler.
         Here are a few Web sites with valuable information and/or free patterns and projects to get you started:

         One of the most awesome aspects of paper-piecing/foundation-piecing is that it allows quilters to be extremely precise in their measurements, yielding practically perfect blocks every time! This is ideal for small blocks, but can be used for any size block you choose.

    StarQuilting By Design Site Map.
    StarOriginal article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

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    Posted in FREE PATTERNS (Terry), Free Patterns (Other), Projects (Other), Quilt-Related Resources, Quilting Articles (Terry), Tutorials (Other) | 6 Comments »

    Free Quilt Patterns!

    Monday, April 2nd, 2007

    Whirlwind Pattern by Quilting Passion     Quilters all over the world are always keeping a watchful eye out for two (2) things: Quilt patterns and FREE!. So, it is a very lucky day, indeed, to find a combination of both.

         Well, today is your lucky day, because there are many patterns offered for free on the Internet, with one such site being Quilting With A Passion. These patterns do, however, hold a copyright, so be sure to abide by the copyright if you use them. Free patterns are added to this site on a continual basis, with a wide variety of the type of patterns offered, including: Appliqué, pieced, paper-pieced, full quilt patterns, and more.

         Another excellent source of free patterns are offered by Marcia Hohn at The Quilter’s Cache. If using any of Marcia’s patterns, please be sure to adhere to her copyright, as well. Marcia is an acclaimed designer and has had many of her patterns featured in various quilting magazines.

         One thing that most free pattern designers have is a gallery, showcasing quilts made from their patterns. So, if you use a pattern from either of the two (2) sites (or any other!) mentioned above, please take a moment to capture the quilt via a photograph and share the photo with the designer. I know that it would be greatly appreciated, plus it also gives designers more incentive to keep providing free patterns to users.

         Truly, each quilter has his/her own style and it is reflected in how the quilt is made: All the way from the chosen color themes to the fabric selections, the block(s) chosen, the layout, the quilting, and even in finishing the quilt off with a label. So, it is always amazing to see how many different “looks” can be gained from using one pattern.

         I firmly believe that you could give 100 quilters the same pattern(s) and they would each turn out a quilt quite different to the other 99! It is remarkable how quilters bring their own talents to the table to create unique works of art.

         Free patterns rock and so those of you that take a minute to share your quilt with the designer!

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    Posted in FREE PATTERNS (Terry), Free Patterns (Other) | 2 Comments »

    More Chicken Patterns, ‘Cause That’s Just Who I Am.

    Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

    Okay, I think the link finally worked- I can sew but not link html code. These are really wonderful chicken designs and some really cool roosters too. Florine Johnson Designs - Radical Rooster Quilt Applique Patterns

    Posted in Free Patterns (Other), News, Types Of Quilts (Chickens) | No Comments »

    Hearts and Flowers, a Patchwork Pattern in Progress

    Friday, February 2nd, 2007

    000_02961.JPG 000_02942.JPGWorking sketches of new patterns,
    I’m not sure which way I’ll wind up going. I like the paper pieced 2 flower heart with green leaves, but it’s a free floating element. That means I’d have to thnk of how to use it in a larger piece. This would be great in a crazy quilt as a motif.

    As for the repeated hearts design , I like the sort of Iris-y form created in the negative space of the hearts. Okay, it actually is more of a bee shape, but by playing with the colors I can make it an iris or a water lily. I’m playing around with it in my sketch book before cutting anything out. I think there is a way to make this without having any nasty Y corners to piece if the hearts are split down the middle. More later .

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    Posted in Free Patterns (Other) | 2 Comments »

    Charity Quilts & Cancer Pillowcase Patterns

    Monday, October 23rd, 2006

    The Flying Geese Quilt Guild in Bel Air, Maryland offers a couple of free patterns for making charity quilts and pillow cases for woulded vets and cancer patients. These patterns can be found on the Flying Geese Quilt Guild Web site.

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    Posted in Free Patterns (Other) | No Comments »

    Free Garden Quilt Patterns

    Tuesday, October 17th, 2006

    Not all of these are copyrighted but some are, so be kind

    Free Garden Quilt Patterns

    Posted in Free Patterns (Other) | 1 Comment »

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