Innehållsförteckning för December/January 2022 från Quick+Easy Quilts

As the year ends and the new year begins, I find myself in an interesting place. I am always weighing finishing the projects I did not complete versus the unbearable desire to start the new quilty gifts I got for Christmas. Do you find yourself in the same position? I know you can relate. It’s a constant battle. Since this issue bridges the gap between the holidays and the new year, I thought I would give a nod to last minute gifts you can finish quickly as well as your New Year’s resolutions to use up those scraps! Our cover girl, Abigail Dolinger shows us how to make a quilt-as-you-go String-Pieced Beverage Gift Bag. This bag is a joy to make and is a festive way to share a bottle…

finished size: 72" × 84" finished blocks: 168 (6") BLOCKS Rail Fence blocks—and all the variations of them—are my go-to block for two reasons. The first reason is the blocks’ adaptability. They can make horizontal or vertical stripes or vertical zig zags. You can alternate them or arrange four in Pinwheel blocks. But my favorite is a diagonal zig zag. Which brings up my second reason for loving Rail Fence blocks—playing with all the beautiful fabric prints quilters have to choose from these days. This quilt can be a true, crazy busy scrappy quilt. You can make it using as many prints of the same color group as you can find. Each diagonal row can be its own group of colors. The rows can also fade from very dark to…

finished size: 60" × 72" finished blocks: 30 (12") BLOCKS In the summer time, my boys and I love having picnics outside on our two-acre property in central Indiana. We always spread out a quilt on the ground and have lunch under one of our shade trees. They ALWAYS ask for peanut butter and jelly. I think they would eat it for every meal if they could! So, this quilt was designed with them in mind. I chose fabrics reminiscent of their favorite lunch, so if a little bit drips on the quilt, it will likely blend in! We have a favorite peanut butter cookie recipe that we love to make! Look for the recipe at the end of this pattern. Plan We couldn’t resist Stephanie’s quilt design. The colors…

finished size: 45" × 60" finished blocks: 6 (10") BLOCKS Idon’t like to make resolutions, but I do make lists and set goals and challenges for myself. I don’t sew with scraps, but I do have lots of “leftovers”. Scraps are little bits and pieces; leftovers are the bigger pieces left from those “I love it and bought more that I needed” fabrics. The leftovers selected for this design include those “reads as solids” that are not enough for another full-size project but represent the color palette reflected in past projects. They are taking up space that I need for the new collections calling my name. Hourglass blocks are a reminder that the time is now to make use of leftovers. Border boxes represent the check off boxes for New…

finished size: 72" × 72" finished blocks: 19 (9") BLOCKS This quilt is a salute to my father who rose to the rank of Captain in the Naval Reserves. Dad split his career. Weekdays he was a supervisor for the telephone company. On weekends, he reported in for Navy duty. My Quilt of Valor™ design is split too. There are six white stars on the blue side, and six white stars on the red side—with seven additional stars straddling the diagonal line between them. I used two reds and two blues to add interest to this more modern design. This pattern meets the guidelines established by the Quilts of Valor® Foundation. To learn more about QOV® , go to QuiltingDaily.com/quilts-of-valor. Plan The stars align in this stunning design by Eileen…

finished size: 7½" × 8½" finished blocks: 2 (7½") BLOCKS This is an adorable sack with the sweetest kitty and dog images, but these holiday bags are not only for pets! Every holiday I send snacks to my neighbors, and every year I try to outdo my packaging from the year before. This year I am not only going to make snacks for the neighbors, but also for their pet cats and dogs. I found some great recipes for baking my own homemade cat and dog snacks. You can make treats fill these snack sacks with purchased dog and cat treats. The sack has a Ziploc baggie sewn into the side seams, so the snacks will stay fresh! This is optional, as the sacks can also be made without the…

approx. finished size: 9½" × 3½" × 2½" This project combines two of our family traditions. The first tradition is using and re-using fabric gift bags. Through the years, I have made simple fabric gift bags which come out of storage each December. Some have lace or braid at the open edge; some have ribbon or cording for ties. The largest, made from half-yard cuts of fabric, notoriously contain clothing gifts. Smaller bags are tailored to the size of gift they will contain. Family members reluctantly return the bags once the gifts are opened. That’s the rule…then I can use them the following year. The second tradition is the sparkling beverages our family enjoys during winter holiday meals. Even the youngest can raise a toast to the occasion with this…

finished size: 90" × 98" finished blocks: 35 (10") BLOCKS This stunning quilt pattern was designed and made by mother-daughter quilting duo, Jo Kramer and Kelli Hanken. We love how graphic and bold this pattern is and how it can appeal to a wide variety of quilters. The classic red and green fabrics makes it perfect for Christmastime. We are certain that pulling this quilt out each year is sure to warm your heart and help to put you in the holiday spirit! Plan Simple strip piecing is all you need to know to make this delightful quilt. A design wall (or the floor) is helpful for laying out the blocks prior to sewing to ensure the design comes together. Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all…

1. To make a band, pair two strips with right sides facing and raw edges aligned. Stitch with ¼" seam. Press flat to set stitches. 2. Fold top strip back and gently press seam open to one side. Band should be straight, without any distortion along outside edges. 3. Add third strip to complete band and press as described in previous steps. 4. Measure height of band to ensure it matches the required measurements.Aligning horizontal lines on ruler with long edge and seam lines of strip set,trim uneven end of strip set. 5. Keeping horizontal lines on ruler aligned with band, cut required width segments. 6. If making bands with more than three strips, join strips in pairs and then sew pairs together. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s…

Stephanie Cunnyngham sissybellesews.com Stephanie lives in an old farmhouse on 2 acres with her husband and two sons. When not playing with her boys or working as a nurse, she is redecorating or sewing. She lives in Thorntown, Indiana. Abigail Dolinger abyquilts.wordpress.com Abigail is the Children’s Ministry Director at her church and enjoys sharing her love of sewing with the children. A lifelong quilter, Abigail is from Lillington, North Carolina. Carolyn Florence ucanquilt.com Carolyn started creating quilt kits when her mother began having difficulty cutting out patches. She has turned her adorable kits into a business with her husband who provides longarm services. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Eileen Fowler quiltingdaily.com Eileen is the editor of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting and a contributing editor to Fon &…

1. Cut number of 2½"-wide strips necessary to equal the perimeter of quilt plus 20". Join strips with diagonal seams into one continuous piece. Press seams open. 2. Press binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. 3. Begin in middle of one side of quilt. Leaving a 12" tail of binding free, match raw edges of binding strip to raw edge of quilt top. Use an even-feed or walking foot to sew through all layers with ¼" seam. 4. To miter corners, stop ¼" from corner, backstitch, and remove quilt from sewing machine. 5. Rotate quilt a quarter turn and fold binding straight up, away from the corner, forming a 450 angle fold. TIP: For a satisfying “plump“ binding, we recommend cutting the batting and backing a scant 1/8" larger…

½ cup softened butter ½ cup peanut butter ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder 1 egg ½ tsp vanilla 1¼ cups all purpose flour ½ cup Reese’s peanut butter chips Beat butter and peanut butter with electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until combined. Add egg and vanilla and mix again. Scrape down sides as needed. Then add in flour until well combined. Finally stir in peanut butter chips. Scoop dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with extra sugar before baking. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7-9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cookies will be soft when…

Stacie’s custom quilting truly makes this quilt pattern sing. But what if you are somewhat new to quilting or just are a bit intimidated? Fear not, we have some design inspiration for you. On the left, this simple allover loop pattern is quick and easy to accomplish even if you are a free motion quilting newbie! Bonus, this pattern will be soft and snuggly after washing. Below, this slightly more complicated design is easy once you learn a few tricks. This design uses the patches in the quilt as a jumping off point. Simply create arcs around and within each patch to create a simple design that gives that custom quilted look that is easy even for beginners.…

1. On wrong side of each of four small squares, mark diagonal line corner to corner.This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼" away from each side of cutting line. 2. Place two small squares on opposite corners of one large square, right sides facing. Corners will overlap slightly at center. Sew along marked sewing lines. 3. Cut along marked cutting lines. Press seams toward small triangles. 4. Place remaining small squares on unit corners. Sew along marked sewing lines. 5. Cut along marked cutting lines. 6. Press seams toward small triangles to complete four Flying Geese units. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6" x 24" Fabric Ruler, and Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection by…

2022 Bee in my Bonnet Planner by Lori Holt Get ready to buzz into the new year with the 2022 Bee in my Bonnet Planner by Lori Holt. This dated planner is spiral-bound and features a beautiful teal linen cover. It includes weekly and monthly layouts along with a notes section to correspond with each month, and color-coded graphics designed to complement all of your favorite Lori Holt products. fatquartershop.com Sooo Big! Baby Quilts 33 Adorable Designs to Sew for Little Ones by Amelia Johanson, editor Landauer, 2021 What a whopping assortment of baby quilts! Sooo Big! Baby Quilts is a wonderful resource for you. There are 33 quilt patterns that range from traditional to modern in aesthetic, and that are split into baby and floor-sized quilts. Beyond that, there…

finished size: 6" X 6" X 6" PLUS HANDLE Growing up on a farm in Ohio, we never had money to buy presents for others. At holiday time, my mother would spend hours in the kitchen preparing her “Gifts of Love” for our friends and neighbors. My dad and brother would deliver them after the baking was done. I continue that tradition—baking muffins, cookies, and cinnamon rolls which are delivered the day before Christmas. Finding just the right container can be a challenge, so I created this scrappy basket to house the treats. A favorite treat I make and share is my red velvet chocolate chip muffin recipe. My mother came home one day, all excited over a new recipe, the “$25,000 Red Velvet Cake.” She explained that the creator…

Ten Top Tips for Pressing Pressing vs. Ironing. Always press toward the dark side. Always press the seams open. Use Steam. Never Use Steam. There are so many rules, and boy-oh-boy, quilters are opinionated when it comes to using an iron! Whatever your preference, below are some tips to assure the best-pressed seams so your quilts come out looking their best. Ironing vs. Pressing First things first, ironing is the back-and-forth motion of the iron on the fabric. Pressing is the motion of lowering and lifting the iron from the fabric surface. While ironing can pull and distort shapes, pressing allows you to avoid distorting or stretching the fabric. Press Before You Cut If your fabric is wrinkly, there is no way you will have accurate cuts. Iron your fabric…

finished size: 64" × 80" finished blocks: 80 (8") BLOCKS I don’t make resolutions to clean and organize the studio—because it’s already clean and organized (although there’s always room for tweaking). After two water issues in the basement (thankfully, nothing had to be thrown away) and new flooring TWICE, I finally clued in that I needed to get my act together. Taking a look in the mirror and checking my birth certificate also drove that point home! Do I want my daughter to toss out all that stuff when I’m no longer able to enjoy sewing? My big thing for New Years is I go through the UFOs and select twelve for the year that I call the Dirty Dozen. I started this in 2017. I’m happy to report that…

Best Pressed! We asked our editors for their expert opinions on pressing—we knew they might have some secrets to share and favorite products they use. Here is a collection of products that are sure to make your piecing perfect and your ironing impeccable! Amanda Murphy with the LauraStar 1980 series ironing system on the set of the Frolic in the Rain Quilt-Along! Find the class on QuiltingDaily.com. Laura Star Ironing Systems— Featuring a vacuum and fan system, the Laurastar active ironing board saves you time all while breathing new life in your fabrics. The fan system automatically holds the fabric in place on the board and creates an air cushion to prevent the formation of creases, while the vacuum keeps everything flat on the board. The motion sensor automatically releases…

finished size: 36" × 36" This scrap busting project uses up leftover 2½" strips and one yard of coordinating background to make a quick baby project. It’s perfect for those babies who are terrible at time management and show up early! One of my favorite ways to tame the scrap bin is to make something small out of leftovers once I finish a larger project. This project is perfect for that. Plus, if I make a baby quilt when no baby is expected, when one pops up I look like Super Woman. Here are a few tips—leftover scraps can be made into a matching label for the back of your quilt or a coordinating dolly quilt. The wide-open space is a great place to practice that special free-motion fill, or…

1. Cut two squares 7/8" larger than desired finished size of triangle-square. 2. On wrong side of one square, mark diagonal line from corner to corner.This will be your cutting line. Mark sewing lines ¼" away from each side of cutting line. 3. Place marked square on top of other square, right sides facing. Sew along marked sewing lines. 4. Cut along marked cutting line. 5. Press seam allowances toward darker fabric. TIP: This method works for any size triangle-square. Cut squares the finished size of triangle-squares plus 7/8". Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 6" x 24" Fabric Ruler, and Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter. Fabric from Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand and Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy TM…

finished size: 60" × 75" finished blocks: 20 (15") BLOCKS My maternal grandmother was known for always having a candy dish filled with hard candy on the living room coffee table. The candy was a mixture of flavors and some had soft fruit-flavored centers. I always reached for my favorite, butterscotch, during our weekly visits. Each Christmas, the grand kids received a stocking filled with hard candy. We loved it! Do you remember the rainbow of colors that filled the fishnet-like stocking? If not, you are too young and may only know them as “Old Fashioned Christmas Candy.” Old fashioned or new family traditions are sweet memories for any age. Plan This fun design is so colorful and playful. For the best results use a design wall or the floor…

yield: 12 large or 18 regular size muffins 2/3 cup cocoa powder 2 cups flour 1¼ cup brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda ¾ tsp salt ¾ cup buttermilk 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla 1 bottle red food coloring ½ cup melted butter 1 cup chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with muffin liners and set side. In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and food coloring. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir in melted butter. Stir the batter just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide the batter between the muffin tins and bake for 18-20…

1. Place one small square on larger square, right sides facing and aligning raw edges. Draw a line diagonally on wrong side as shown. 2. Sew on drawn line.Trim ¼" beyond stitching. 3. Press open to reveal triangle. 4. Following pattern instructions, repeat for remaining corners to complete unit. Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter, and Havel’s 6" x 24" Fabric Ruler. Fabric from Garden Glory by Maja Ronnback collection and Abstract Collage by Ampersand collection for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. Watch this Sew Easy TM Lesson at QuiltingDaily.com/Sew-Easy-Stitch-and-Flip-Corners…