Quick Rotary Cutting

I saw this demonstrated and wondered how I hadn't thought of doing this. It's so simple.
1- Fold fabric in fourths.

2- Square up edge of fabric and cut strips needed. Leave strips as close together as possible.

3- Turn the cutting board not the fabric for this step. Place the acrylic ruler on all strips and square up the edges. Cut the size squares or rectangles needed. Note: For this tutorial I cut two strips. Cut as many   strips as needed or that the ruler will cover. Each strip yields four pieces per cut. My example shows one cut through two strips yielded eight squares.

That's all there is to it. I'm off to my cutting table to whack more fabric.

Thanks for visiting.

Joan      

New Quilt Pattern "Quick-n-Easy"

Wanted to share my latest design with you. Quick-n-Easy is a 24-1/2" x 24 -1/2" table topper made with two fabrics less than a yard each. There are no triangles to cut. This looks complicated but is very simple. I've rated it for the advanced beginner and beyond. One of my pattern testers said she made the top in three hours. To view my patterns visit http://www.quiltersfun.com/
Thanks for visiting.
Joan

A Young Girls Quilting Talent

I was a vendor at a quilt show where Sarah, an 11 year old, won a drawing for one of my patterns. The pattern she won is "A Little Touch of the Southwest Potholder". She sent me this picture of her version of the pattern. What a great job. She informed me that she intends to make another one soon as a gift. I just had to share it with you. 

Thanks Sarah,

Joan

                                                            

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! New Pattern Available.

Here is my latest design. Southwestern Melody is a twelve block sampler quilt that finishes at 44" x 57". It's a 31 page pattern that sells for $14.99. Each block is written on a separate sheet of paper so one block at a time can be pieced or repeated to create your own design. To view all of my patterns or to place an order visit my website at http://www.quiltersfun.com/

The image below is a sample made by my pattern tester Vicky Morrow. What a difference fabric makes. Great job Vicky. Thank you.



Thanks for taking the time to visit. See you next time with more news.

Joan

New, Free, Butterfly Quilt Pattern

Need a small, quick, wall hanging? Well this is the block for you. This is a 12" x 12" finished block. Visit my web site at http://www.quiltersfun.com/ for a free pattern on how to make this block and finish it as a pillow. No need to register or sign in just click Free Patterns on the left side of the home page.

Enjoy!

    Joan

                                                                        

Quick Pinwheel Quilt Pattern Free

Need a quick gift? This is it. Not only quick but fun. Warning: This could be addictive. Lets get started.
To make a pinwheel: Using 1/4" seam allowance sew a light and a dark 2" strip together lengthwise. Press seam toward the dark fabric. Cut the pieced strip into 3-1/2" sections. See Diagram below.

Using the diagram below as a guide sew four cut sections together to make a

6-1/2" x 6-1/2" pinwheel block. Press seams to one side.

That's all there is to it. Below shows a sample of how to use these blocks. The border strips were cut 3-1/2".

The finished size is 18-1/2" x 42-1/2".

Some ideas:

Use scraps to make each pinwheel a different color.

Holiday fabrics are great for special occasions. 

Make a square table topper or candle mat.

A wall hanging or quilt is easy. Just sew as many blocks together as needed.

Enjoy! Wishing you the best of the new year.

Joan



Free Pattern "Pumpkin Treat"

Here's a simple, quick, wall hanging in time for the holidays. Finished size: 9-1/2" wide x 10-1/2" long.

Material Needed

One 3" x 6-1/2" piece for pumpkin center.

Two 2" x 6-1/2" pieces for pumpkin sides.

One 1" x 2" green piece for stem.

One green 4" square for leaf.

Binding-Two strips 2-1/2" by width of fabric.

Backing- One 13" x 14" piece.

Thin cotton batting- One 12-1/2" x 13-1/2" piece.

Background fabric- One strip 2-3/4" by width of fabric. Cut this strip into (1) 2-3/4" x 9-1/2" piece for top border, (2) 2-1/4" x 6-1/2" pieces for side borders, and (1) 2-1/4" x 9-1/2" for bottom border, and four 2" squares. NOTE: The top border is wider than the remaining three borders. This is not a typographical error.

Sewing Instructions: Use 1/4" seam allowance for all piecing unless otherwise instructed. Sew the long sides of the pumpkin center and sides together as shown in picture. Press seams to one side.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the four 2" background squares. Using the picture below as a guide place a marked square on each corner of the pieced pumpkin. Stitch on the drawn line of each square. Fold each square back over the stitched line and press creating corner triangles as shown in the picture.

Border and finishing: Sew the side borders to the pumpkin. Press seams to the border. Sew the top and bottom border on remembering the 2-3/4" wide border goes on top. Press seams to the border. On the 1" x 2" stem cut a 60 degree angle on one short end. This doesn't have to be exact. Place the stem as shown on the top of the pumpkin with the bottom end below the top border seam by 1/4". Using the raw edge applique method sew 1/16" to 1/8" around the inside edge of the stem.

Click on the leaf diagram below to highlight it. Right click on picture for options and click on  print picture. The image will have to be enlarged to the specified measurements. Trace the leaf image onto a piece of template plastic. Cut out on the traced line. Place the template on the wrong side of the 4" green square. Trace around the template. Cut out on the traced line. Using the finished picture above as a guide pin the leaf in place. Sew 1/16" to 1/8" around the inside edge of the leaf. 

Layer the batting between the pieced top and backing. Pin or baste layers together. Quilt as desired. The sample was machine quilted in the ditch in the center pumpkin seams, around the pumpkin, and around the stem and leaf. Using your favorite method add a hanging sleeve and the binding.

If you have any questions or find an error in this pattern feel free to contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com 

I promise I wont keep your email address or contact you unless you ask me to.  

Enjoy the holidays!

Joan