12 best book of quilts

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Ombre' Butterscotch Baskets by Lissa Alexander

Basket quilts are so classic, but often were done in just two or three colors. This scrappy version uses a cornucopia of color ranging from light oranges to dark browns for a spectacular ombre' look!

Charming by Sherri McConnell

Scrappy four-patches with cornerstones and sashing results in a riot of happy color. The red cornerstones and white background pull the entire look together.

Hidden Blocks by Lissa Alexander

Fun to piece Churn Dash, Greek Cross and Shoo Fly blocks along with some creative color placement creates a puzzle-like effect.

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Candied Hearts

Subtle, but effective! Start with a stack of 10" squares and add your own background and border. The overall geometric layout draws the eye first, and then the viewer notices that the block is made up of little hearts.

Christmas Baubles

No need for tinsel or popcorn! The ornaments make this tree! Mini charms (2 1/2" squares) become a festive little wall hanging, just the right size for decking the halls.

Homespun

Oversized blocks that let you show off your favorite fabrics make this quilt a snap to piece. The nine-patch corners in the star blocks create a secondary chain design that ties everything together nicely.

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Jelly Roll Selection Tip

When choosing a jelly roll, think of the overall color scheme of your quilt. Softer colors blend really well right next to one another. With bolder colors, consider adding a border around each block or use joining strips when assembling the quilt to help break them up.

Depending on the design of your blocks, you can make 20 to 25 blocks 9.˝ . 9.˝ from a jelly roll that has 42 strips. Customize the size of your quilt by adding rows of blocks.

Binding Strip Calculation Tip

To calculate how many binding strips you need to cut and how much yardage you need, add 10˝ to the total perimeter of your quilt top. Divide that number by 40˝ (the width of fabric) to see how many strips you will have to cut. Then add 2.˝ for each strip to allow for the seam allowance when you join strips diagonally. Check to see if this changes the number of strips you’ll need to cut. Multiply the total number of strips by 2.˝ to calculate the yardage.

Traditional turned Quilt-As-You-Go

While many quilt-makers use the quilt as-you-go method to make improvisational quilts, you can make your blocks look as abstract or as structured as you want, or a little bit of both.

The traditional Ohio Star nine-patch quilt block is a good example since it is a structured block that typically requires premeasuring and perfect seam allowances to achieve perfect star points. In the following example, I pieced the same block four different ways, all using the quilt as-you-go technique.

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Posy

The first signs of spring are often subtle hints of changing color across the landscape. You can mix up your fat eighths and fat quarters in the same way!

Steadfast

This sparkler of a quilt is sure to grace your table (picnic or otherwise!) for any patriotic holiday.

Tradition

Pine trees and stars are the perfect backdrop for the season. Hang this festive quilt anywhere you need a little cheer, or use it as a table covering under a holiday display.

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Basic tools and supplies

Like every hobby or craft, quilt making requires some basic equipment.

Machine-Sewing Skills

A sewing machine that makes an even, straight stitch is all you need to machine-piece or machine-quilt your projects.

Diamond Patchwork

Making or cutting diamonds with a traditional template methods is a time-consuming process. However 45 degree and 60 degree diamonds can be cut quickly and accurately using a rotary cutter and a ruler marked with 45 degree and 60 degree angle lines.

Lone Stars

Traditionally, the small diamonds for a Lone Star quilt are individually marked, cut, and then sewn into rows.

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Charmingly Recycled

Recycle that old pair of jeans and have fun cutting them up for this charming little table topper.

Home for Christmas

Delight your guests by stitching up your very own "Candy Cane Lane".

Add it Up

You needn't be a math whiz to figure out that easy-to-stitch Plus blocks and cheerful fabrics add up to a winning table runner!

Scramble

Scrappy half-square triangles in two different sizes create this strikingly beautiful design.