First of all, let me say that it is good to be back on the message board after my four month absence. We just relocated back home from our lake house where I do not have a computer. I have been reading the posts and it looks like there are several new members, since I see lots of new names. Nice to know that the group is expanding!

Here's my question is this: I'm wanting to make an easy sampler block quilt, at least lap size and no applique. Can anyone suggest a pattern? I don't do well with fussy, intricate piecing. In fact, I tried making a Thimbleberries sampler quilt a few years back and got so frustrated that I tossed the whole thing up in my closet, hoping to finish it someday when I've had more experience in piecing. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

Go to http://www.quilterscache.com/, scroll down to dropdown menu and go to free patterns. Have fun going thru all the patterns and picking the ones you feel like doing. Her directions are well laid out and there are even pictures of quilts others have done. Enjoy.

Here is the link that will work:

dacotamaid has an extra comma in her link

http://www.quilterscache.com/

I agree - Quilters Cache (I just wrote about that to someone else this morning) is the best. I go to the 12" blocks. I have done most of the 12"ers except the paper piecing! Haven't gotten that far yet. I have four blocks left to do for a baby quilt. Getting excited to see how it will turn out.

Quilters Cache is about the best I think! Edie

You might look at my Christmas quilt.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/26970.page

It is my first ever quilt. All of the patterns came from quilterscache except the Sunbonnet Sue and since you don't like applique it won't matter. The blocks are all 12.5 inches and the hardest thing is a half square triangle. I only used red, green, white, two Christmas prints and then the backing. It is quilted together using the Fun and Done mehtod from Bayside Quilting.

If I can get it done, anyone can. When I started I was less than clueless. I really didn't even know enough to ask intelligent questions.

Lisa, I have made every one of those, except for the one that looks like dog biscuits. I have to copy that one for the next one I do. That's the one in the lower left! I love it. You did absolutely fantastic. My daughter in law wanted me to do a Sunbonnet for her; I tried and I just don't dig applique'. I like to embroider blocks. But not applique'. There is a saying about the galloping horse test. That is so me! I usually say "Only God is Perfect". I love to half square triangle. That has to be my very best favorite squares to make. I use the Fons and Porter 1/4" seam marker. It is so simple and so easy, pin and sew and cut, pin and sew and cut. They come in a package of two - one long. one about 8" short. They are $9.99 and with a 40% off coupon from JoAnn's or even a 50% off coupon from JoAnn's, it is so well worth it.

With that, I will now go back to my half square triangles. Edie :D

Your Christmas quilt is just beautiful. I personally don't care for the quilt as you go method, so I guess I would just put sashing strips bewteen my blocks. So, if I just randomly pick a bunch of "do-able" 12" blocks from this Quilter's Cache, how do I know how much yardage of fabric to purchase? I guess I've been spoiled by the convenience of patterns, where the yardage requirements have been worked out for me in in advance. I unashamedly admit that I am not much of a math wizard.

I bought this book years ago and it has easy to follow instructions (you don't need to do the quilt as you go method), it's called Block by Block by Beth Donaldson.

some of the blocks included are:
Prairie Queen
Goose on the Loose
Diamond Star
Rocky Mtn Puzzle
Saltbox House
Devil's Claw
Checkered Heart
Album
Mother's Fancy Star
Bow Ties
Variable Star
Peace & Plenty
Card Trick
Windblown Square
and 1/2 dozen or so others

I learned from the "Quilts Quilts Quilts" book. It has very beginning straight stitches like ROman Stripe - to Dresden Plates and Drunkards Path. I found out during the process which blocks (methods) I liked and which ones will never be used again.

Lower left is supposed to be Basketweave -- it's a bit more like BasketWAVE. That one wanted to get wonky on me.

Thanks for the "Basketweave". When I make a Sampler quilt, I take 1 gallon plastic bags, I have some stick-on labelss and when I cut out what block I want, I take the pattern, fold it in half, put the cut out fabric in the folded block, stick it in the bag, seal it up and stick on a label and note what pattern it is. Then, I place them in a basket and depending on the mood for the day, I pick out which block I want to make. I may be in the mood to sew a harder one, or maybe I'll do an easier one. But they are all cut out, packaged and ready to go. I have found that this works perfect for me, keeps everything neat, all the fabric has been chosen, cut out, packed in the bags and what fabric you have left you can either put it in your stash bag or back into the container from which it came (in my case, I put my colors separated into plastic shoe boxes, label the boxes and I am all set.

I have been doing this for quite a while and maybe it's the only way I can keep my head on straight, but I found it saves a mess, doesn't take up a whole lot of space and it is right there all ready to work on stacked on top of each other in a basket. And that doesn't take up too much space either. I have a little space here in front of my window that is maybe 6x10 and in that area is my whole world of quilting - and my computer.

Hope this idea helps someone - oh yah, if I have to make a triangle square or cut a triangle out of a square I save that cutting until I am ready to work on it. But if I have the triangle square I just cut out two squares of each, pin them and I am ready to go!

Good day to quilt today - rain, mixed with possible snow for the next three days. Whoopee! Edie :roll:

My fun in doing the sampler 12" blocks, assuming each one is different, I like the fat quarters you get at the fabric shop. I finished a sampler a few weeks ago with 35 12" blocks and I did not use the same fabric twice. I just picked out fabrics that were and or used to be fat quarters (that I saw and liked and absolutely had to have it). I like to get the 99 cent fat quarters at JoAnn's. It is a great variety you can use and it really is a lot of fun. To this day and I have been quilting a long time, I do not know how much fabric you need. I just use what I have and when I don't need it, that's when I get the fat quarters. Lifts the spirits and keeps the stash well fed. Edie

This might be what I'm searching for. I can get the book on Amazon for $15. But before I go ahead and order, can you tell me if there are actual sampler quilts to make in the book ...... where they give fabric yardage requirements, etc? Or is it simply a book that teaches how to make several different block?

Welcome to the message board;I see you just joined this month. Isn't it great? Oh, BTW, I too am enjoying grandparenthood and I also have a dog named Brody (we spell it differently). He is a Bichon-Poo.

I found this free pattern that uses only half square triangles.
It is a great easy pattern.

I want to do that quilt. Please tell me how to get it. Just came home from our local Casino/Hotel - Treasure Island and am absolutely exhausted. Had a ball with #1 husband - got to bed early, didn't sleep worth beans and got up early. They give away little bottles of Bath and Body hand lotion which I keep at my sewing table all the time - good for the hands. This is new stuff "Archives - Rosehips and Lavender. Very soothing to the hands and to the soul. My hands dry out so fast. Mom said that I should keep hand lotion by my sewing table and who am I to disagree with the mother - She is 93! And she has all her marbles!!!!!
So, I am going to get into a sloppy pair of jeans and a t-shirt and sew for the rest of the afternoon. Edie

http://www.pbtex.com
It is a free pattern, hope it is still available.

The pattern is no longer there so will try to copy it. It was a free pattern so should not be a problem.
Go into the download for a clear copy.

Unless I am doing something wrong, I cannot download it. I am thinking just 3-1/2x3-1/2 triangle squares (about a million maybe) and a thin sashing should do it, don't you think?

Not to change the subject , but it 1:28 PM CDT and it is snowing like you wouldn't believe. Humungous flakes . It is beautiful, but it isn't sticking - it is too warm out. Started raining this AM, and just went from one thing to another. I guess that means a glass of wine to go with my quilt block, eh?

Anyhow, it is something I will write down in my journal to do, after I finish the baby quilt, the QOV quilt and our quilt. And whatever else pops in. But I definitely like that one. Thanks for all your help. Edie

The squares are 8 7/8 inches and the sashing is 1 1/4 inches.
It makes a quilt that is 61 inches square.
I did not follow the pattern because I had lots of charm squares that were the marble fabric so I used them. It made a lap size quilt. I did not use the corner stones either.

Thanks so much for your help. I think I was almost right. I thought the same thing about the corner stones. The sashing looks like a perfect size also.

You know that big blizzard we had??????? Melted! Typical of the Great State of Minnesota!!!!!! I love our state - mainly for just that reason - We can have a blizzard in the morning (in the winter) and by noon, we can get the Chinook Winds and it can be up to 70 degrees and that's in January.

Nice thing about winter is that we can cook nice comfort food dinners. Our home smells so good right now - and don't anybody barf - we are having hashbrowns, liver and onions, creamed Kohlrabi and c ucumber salad. - Oh, I am so hungry.

Again thanks for your help - I really appreciated it. :-) Edie

I live in Phx. AZ where it is 89 degrees today. The air conditioner is running. It finally has started to cool down at night.
It has been so hot for so long I cant wait for winter when the weather is perfect.
We are so out of sinc with the rest of the country, even the magazines dont relate.
Your snowed in and we are out walking and getting rays.
Haloween it finally gets cooler then before you know it here comes May and hot weather starts again.
You will love that pattern, its so easy and fun and colorful. Just make sure you get the HST in the light and dark pattern for the light and dark rows.
I enjoy sharing info with others on the board, you can learn so much from these wonderful quilters.
By the way I love liver and onions.

I Love the Quilt and this thread for Links to Patterns. Why Can't Quilt Wanna be change her Name???