French braid quilt
 

Hi there, I've been looking here all day at the beautiful French braid quilts, just stunning. This is not a pattern I've ever tried but would love to having seen how wonderful they turn out. I think I've figured out how to lay them out, well kinda LOL. but I'd be grateful if someone could advise generally what measurements they use for each rectangle and square. I guess it depends on personal choice, but a general opinion would be terrific. I've just finished two quilts for my nieces and have to say that whilst I haven't been FMQ for very long I totally love it and am a little bit obsessed with it now. Any advice would be lovely, I am so indebted to this site and you ladies I've learnt so much and it's a part of my daily routine now.

Of course there are books (I have one) that will give you various sizes for you strips and squares.

But I did find this online;
http://keepyouinstitches.blogspot.co...-tutorial.html

I'll admit I did mine with precut Jelly Rolls. Jelly Rolls are 2 1/2 inches wide so I based my sketches and "pattern" off of that measurement.

French Braid Quilts by Jane Hardy is an excellent source (or so I've been told!). I haven't made one yet but the instructions in the book look pretty good. My LQS highly recommended this book.

I have her second book , French Braid Obession and just purchased her NEW book , French Braid Transformation last weekend at the quilt show. Here is one I made from the Obession book. It was originally a Christmas tree skirt. Mine will be a wall hanging and I'm going to enter it in the local show in March. This picture shows the center as a circle. I was just auditioning colors. It is now a star, same color, appliqued to echo the larger star.

Marcia Hohn (Quilter's Cache) has a good 'method' explanation on how to make the French Braid quilt, it is posted under the name "Braid" - it's a good place to start with the basic style - and once you've mastered it, then go on to the fancy dancy ones.

And don't forget to have fun doing it! ;)

Thanks for the tutorial link. :o)

I've got both the French Braid Quilts and French Braid Obsession books and they are great! It's a very easy quilt to make. It only looks complicated!

I have the original French Braid book. The "braid" quilt is not the same. I highly recommend getting one or more of the Jane Hardy books for specific measurements, sewing instructions, etc. but most of all for inspiration.

As always ladies thank you so much for your replies. I was looking at the Jane Hardy book earlier so I think I might get one, I've seen so many beautiful french braid quilts here I've fallen in love with them. Soccertix that quilt of yours is stunning, terrific colours. Ok off to Amazon to buy my book. Thanks again.

Thanks Grammy for the www site, those quilts looked so difficult I had not even considered quilting one before, but it's on my "to do" list now.

Hi - I did a French Braid "circular" quilt top last year - I also posted the instructions (on page 5). I used it as my Christmas Tablecloth. I had never even seen a French Braid before I did this one (at a 1-day workshop - really needed 2 days). I really liked it, and it was a bit of a challenge, simply because it was new, and an unusual shape.

Let us know if you attempt one!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...lt-t81718.html

i learned braid from bonnie hunter's site, quiltville.com.
also, check out this tut http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snjrF-O95Cc

I've been looking at Jane Hardy books as well and dream of trying a Frech Braid... you all have sold me. Soccertxi - your quilt is lovely!

Thanks so much for the link to the tutorial - I've been trying to think of what to make for my daughter's home as she wants something in brown & blue. The homespuns look great in the French Braid. Problem solved for me.

thank you for all the info i have this on my to do list

Another site with information is : www.quilterscache.com/B/BraidBlock.html. Good luck to everyone trying this. The quilts with the braid are beautiful.

French Braid Quilt
 

There are several sites, but try this one: http://www.quilterscache.com/B/BraidBlock.html

you can always go to the library as well..............

Here's a tutorial from Missouri Star Quilting Company. They have great tutorials: http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri.../0/EpHAp_pyVXQ and http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri.../1/1Dn_4vTxwfk

Beautiful wallhanging

If you can afford it, French Braid Quilts by Jane Hardy Miller is worth every penny. Excellent, easy to follow and many different options.

If you have the binding tool ruler, check out the Missouri Star Quilting tutorial on You Tube on how to use it to make a French Braid--I plan to make a lap quilt using it soon.

wow braid may be just the thing..........i was at LQS this morning for a showing by NORTHCOTT fabrics and i won a door prize of 2 1/2 strips of the 'stonehenge' line ......... thats me who is on a fabric diet till the WIP's and UFO's are finished ...sigh.... and here i am with a windfall of truly awesome fabric. .....and then i read this thread and know that french braid would be great.

Thanks everyone for all the information, it has been great.

Now that I know how, I love them, In fact I'm planning to start on one in a couple of days. It will be a lap quilt that begins with a floral square (16") with French braids on either side. I'm planning on 3" strips, although I have used 2.5" previously.

It does not matter too much on the size. If your strips are 2.5, then you should use a 2.5 square. Remember though if you use a really wide strip, your length should be longer to balance it out or you could lose the actual pattern.

Missouri Quilt Company has a good tutorial. I'm ready to try it.

I bought the Jane Hardy book as so many of you recommended it, it arrived yesterday. Wow there are some wonderful effects to be had with the French Braid. Now I just have to decide which fabrics to use and if I've got the right fabrics, if not, of course that means I have to buy more, oooooppsss . As always ladies you've been a great help.