You mention the idea of a sampler quilt... heres a link to the one I made my Gran for last christmas
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/5324.page

I was able to choose the blocks so they had a special meaning. The first quilt I did was a sampler, on a course.

I dont know if theres a quilt shop local to you that could advise you, or maybe someone on here lives close to you?

This probably isn't what you want but I made a fleece cut and tie for my aunt in the nursing home. She loved how warm and snuggly it was. She took it everywhere with her. She was 101 when she finally passed and she wanted to be buried in it. Made me feel good that she loved it so. What ever you decide to make for her, she will love!

So many things to choose from!

I won't make Gramma a fleece no sew thing. I made one for my mother. She was in a nursing home for years before her death. She loved hers and it kept her warm, but Gramma has an admiration for quilts. She's never made them, and didn't even see one until someone for the ladies aide made a Lonestar that hung in my mother's room.

I like the rag quilt, but I've never made one before. I also like the first pattern where there were 3 different pictures to it. The sunflower one was really pretty.

Looking at the sampler though, most of the same blocks I had set aside in case I ever made a sampler. They are so beautiful....I think I'd like to make one like it.

Now the hard part...picking out the blocks and how much fabric to get to make 6-9 different blocks. It only needs to be lap size and she's short. Different blocks I could quilt different ways. I bet it would be cute on the back.

Thank you every one so much. Now...I have to get out my graph paper and start measuring stuff....

M

ps I picked 9 blocks. Now I need to decide on size of blocks. I've picked, in no particular order:

1. Grandmother's Fan
2. Chimneys and Cornerstones
3. Maple Leaf
4. Patience Corders
5. Grandmother's Choice
6. Friendship Star
7. Log Cabin
8. Fancy Stripes
9. Dresden Plate

Melissa, that sounds wonderful what you've picked out. I'm wondering, with 9 blocks, that would make your quilt square, right? If you do 12 blcoks, it would make a rectangular quilt. What if, you took one of the blocks, and made 4 blocks, and put one on each outside corner? That's just if you would like it rectangular. If you do 12" blocks, you would do 3 blocks by 4 blocks, and if you do a 2" sashing between all blocks, and for a border, your quilt would measure 44 x 58, i think :)

Barb I was looking at either a finished 2 in or 3 in sashing. I'm tossing around the idea of using the same fabric, or a contrasting fabric for a border. I got approx 44 x 58 in my measurements too. My gramma is very short and is still shrinking. She didn't start out very tall, but she's just a shade over 4 foot now. My 7 year old is almost her height. I want to make sure it's not too big and bulky or she won't be able to manipulate it over herself without causing pain or injury. Lap size is good as her lap is smaller than others and it would fit her good.

I'm hoping to go fabric shopping one of these Fridays coming up...but I hate to go out in that Christmas shopping crowd.

Normally, my shopping is done by November 1st so I don't have to deal with the crowds. I hate crowds. This year, I'm STILL not done. So, the kids will get a few things from Santa this year and everything else mommy and daddy will get them AFTER Christmas. If I'm going to wait out the crowds, I might as well wait until the after Christmas sales start!!

Does anyone know patterns for the following squares that involve strip piecing? I've come across patterns for each of these blocks, but I'm sure some of them can be done with strips instead of individually cut squares/rectangles.

Fancy Stripes (I just don't want to cut all those triangles individually)
Maple Leaf
Patience Corners
Grandmother's Choice
Friendship star
Log Cabin.


Thanks!

I've always thought that Quilters Cache has the easy way to do the block if your only doing one or two of each.

I'm definitely only making one block of each kind. I should just keep looking at and reading over the patterns until I'm comfortable cutting all those pieces.

You can do it!!!!! Just take a deep breath and CUT!!

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I'm hoping to have a little left over from the budget this week to go get some fabric. Originally, I was going to get some pastel solids off the bolt and floral FQ's, but I may have to get it all off the bolt. Hancocks is having a 50% off sale and I want to make sure I get some fabric.