What exactly is a charm quilt? does each patch have to be different with no repeats?

I just figured it was one that used those little 5 inch charm squares that you buy.

Originally each patch was different, yes. Not so much anymore. Here's some history.
http://www.womenfolk.com/quilting_history/charm.htm
http://www.quilterstudio.com/ABriefH...harmQuilts.htm
http://www.qnm.com/articles/feature15/

I have been collecting fabrics to make a charm quilt. I have over 400 different fabrics by Kansas Troubles Quilters-going back many years. I just started really collecting them last year, so I had to do an extensive online search for some of the older ones. I have not decided on a pattern yet and am still collecting (now I just collect charm packs) but it has been fun to see how many different ones I could find. I have at least 2 fabrics from every line they ever made.

You could collect 30's reproductions, civil war reproductions, red/white/blue, pinks and browns, etc-any combination you want. The pieces do not have to be big and it is fun to swap with friends too. The hunt for fabrics is almost as much fun as making the quilt!!

Marcia, I have quite a few fabrics by Kansas Troubles, mostly from both Bound to the Prairie lines, but some others as well. I'd be happy to dig them out and let you know the specifics of what I have. In true 'charm quilt' fashion, I could send you any you are missing that I have. Interested? This quilt is entirely, front and back, Kansas Troubles http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/8684.page

Here's some charm quilts I finished awhile back. What is good about buying a 'charm pack' is that you get alllllll of the fabric out of that line w/o a huge expense or an overabundance of fabric you may never use again. I love them for they are quick. There are many patterns online and this pattern was at: www.fatquarter.com

oops, I had 2 on there..guess the other went to the cyber villian:))Here it is...the top one is the 'Mother Goose' fabric line-very vintage looking and this one went to my brother and I believe the fabric line was 'Jacob's Ladder'-Skeat

They are both lovely

Thanks!:)Skeat (They were quick to make)

Marcia, I'm addicted to Kansas Troubles!

Thank you SO much!! I have charm packs of Bound to the Prairie l and ll. I am missing fabrics from much older lines-like Stitches on the Oregon Trail l and ll, Meadow Waltz, Seasons, Prairie Christmas, Scrapbook Garden, Strawberry Jam, Seeds of Time, Pressed Memories, Prairie Moon, and Kansas/Oregon Quilt Connection. They are much harder to find. I did find some at a quilt shop in Australia, but I was not willing to pay the shipping!

Your quilt is gorgeous!! I love anything made with KTQ fabrics. The colors are so rich and yummy.

Babeegirl-where in KS do you live? We were stationed at Ft. Leavenworth two times, for a total of 5 years-I love the midwest!

Your charm quilts are wonderful. I just love charm packs!!

Awww...thanks guys!:0)Skeat

I live in Wichita :) I do have 3 yards and 23 inches of this Strawberry Jam fabric if anyone wants to trade for KT fat quarters.

I'm so glad you asked.... I often wondered too

Wow! I love all the fabrics........ GREAT QUILT

I have made 3 quilts from charms. One from the pinks charms, one from back to the prairie, and one from crystals.
Wish I knew how to post pictures but my HP insists on Outlook and I have Incredimail.
I love the Crystals collection, it is 44 different marbles in jewel tones.
It can be found at Fabric Depot online.

There is a big sale on those at fabric depot.

Yes, 30% off but they are out and it will be a week before new shipment.

Oh.. THanks for the heads up. I am thinking of getting a couple packs and playing around with them.

They make a perfect Jewel Box quilt but you need yardage for the piano keys border since they are 6 1/2 inchs. Moda makes nice marbles yardage.
I asked Fabric Depot if they can get Crystals yardage and she said she would find out.

Nor'easter,

Thank you for this valuable and informative onfo on "Charm Quilts". I love learning new things to put into operation in my dream file.


Ellis' Granny B

Awww, sharing is what life's all about, isn't it? :oops:

I watched Billie Lauder on QuiltersTV make blocks using 5 1/2 charms.
She first made a 4 patch then with a ruler cut 1 1/2 inch from center seam on both sides. Then she sewed them back togather with the fabrics not matching togather. Then she cut again from the center seam and put them togather again. what was great is no pins the seams just fit togather perfect. The block was great.
I ordered the book for that and other patterns from Connecting Threads since they have a book sale going on. So it was less than $12.
The book is called Quick Tricks Squared. The video is 16 plus on Quilters TV.

I'm collecting fabrics in red/white combos and haven't decided whether I'll do hexagons or triangles. I plan to do a true charm with no repeating patterns. I'm excited about it but hadn't considered charm packs because I'd like some larger pieces for binding or whatever else I may need. If anyone else has a similar project planned, let me know! I'd be happy to swap. :D

The quilt guild I belong to has special interest groups,such as applique, red work, charm, etc. I have belonged to our charm group for 3 years. Each month the participants exchange 6 different 6-inch square prints. I am making a quilt of triangles using Cindy Blackberg's Thousand Pyramid stamp. I am going to make a twin size quilt or it may just be a throw. At this point as far as I know all of the pieces are different. Several members have also cut small pieces for me from their stash. The guild had a garage sale this spring and we had several boxes of scraps that we sold ziplock bags to stuff and I got a lot then. If I ever make another one it will be a bigger piece size. :)

But it has been fun collecting the fabric and getting better acquainted with some of the members of our guild(we have 240 members).

Really love your Charm quilts. Both color combo's are beautiful!

Susan

THanks Susan, the colors are hard to pick up in the sun:))They really look better in the real person:))Skeat

I know exactly what you mean, Skeat! To bad the world isn't smaller so we could have one BIG quilt show and all could attend!

Susan

So it you buy a charm pack that says 30 - 5 inch squares. Does it mean that the seam allowence is in the 5" or is it really 5 1/2?

Usually the charm packs are exactly what they say in size...a 5" is a 5". There is nothing set in gold to what is the 'proper' size in a charm. A charm pack can be any size. Majority of what you find in quilt stores is 5" charm packs. There are some free charm patterns at: http://www.fatquartershop.com/ You will see the free pattern to which I made my 2 quilts w/a bit of difference. And, you will also find a 4" charm square table mat. Hope this helps:))Skeat

Thanks Skeat.