I'm buying a house and hired a carpenter to do some remodeling on an old shed so I can turn it into my quilting area. He's a super-sweet guy and the girls at work were encouraging me to get to know him better, so I've spent a little time each day talking with him. Then, I took a whole day off work and spent time working at the site with him- now I've got quite the crush!

He came to my office today to bring the bill. He ended up doing TONS more work than we had originally discussed for WAY less money. I negiotiated at least making him some lasagna and a cherry pie (he's a bachelor and mentioned believing in 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach'!) but I would also like to make him a quilt.

My question is... do any of you have a suggestion for a pattern? I thought about doing something neat and classic like a Carpenter's Wheel, but I also love to paper-piece and considered doing blocks with tools. (Is that too silly?) I just don't know and would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

There is a fabric line called "fix-it" maybe it could work in your quilt.
http://www.favoritefabric.com/cgi/co...egory_rjr.html

I immediately thought of that fabric line also if it's the one designed with carpenter tools. I'm married to my carpenter (and thank God every day for him) and one thing that is so great is even if he has never sewn a stitch in his life one "hands on" artist recognizes the amount of work and care another hands on artist has put into something. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

Well.... I'd say that this early in this relationship, you'd be better off choosing something quick and easy, maybe using the 'tools' fabric. If you get way into a complex project, then you don't see him again, how will you feel?

You could also do a few PP blocks, scattered around a simple design.

JMHO -- married almost 38 years!

Budding romance. Love it. I also like the fix it line.

I see him quite often and just want to do something really nice. He worked for 4 solid days and only charged me $250 in labor.... so if I can go into the quilt shack he rebuilt and make something nice in return, well then, I would like to!

His mother is a quilter, so I think he would appreciate the gesture!

What about a log cabin quilt?

Good luck!!

Love happy endings

We'll be wishing you good luck in this adventure ..... pick a simple pattern with manly colors and get crackin'. I, too, live with my carpenter (and electrician, and plumber, and mechanic, and roofer, and sewing machine repair man, and kennel maintenance man, and I could go on and on).

My vote is also for the log cabin! :) And...look to see what color his car is, and try to remember what color shirts he wore...those are going to be his favorite colors! ;)

Crossing my fingers for ya! Keep us posted!

do a simple quilt manly looking w/ plaids, hunting or etc
WEll wishes is always a good pattern
let us know if the love bug bites hehehehehehehehe

Personally, I think a quilt of themed fabric would be like taking a busmans holiday.

I would suggest a Carpenters square pattern. A very old fashioned, simple, manly pattern in two colors. Or a log cabin, or a modified schoolhouse. They hint at his career without proclaiming it. I think making a quilt for him is a great idea.
peace :D

another suggestion a Lover's Knot or Card Trick
then when you catch him make him a wedding quilt :thumbup:

Personally, I think a quilt of themed fabric would be like taking a busmans holiday.

I would suggest a Carpenters square pattern. A very old fashioned, simple, manly pattern in two colors. I may have the name wrong 'cause the ones I see on the board aren't what I was thinking of. I'll have to look in my book and re-post Or a log cabin, or a modified schoolhouse. They hint at his career without proclaiming it. I think making a quilt for him is a great idea.
peace :D

I found it. In a book: Better Homes and Gardens Quilting Pieces of the Past; pub. 2004. It looks rather complicated but I don't think it is becauce it is just strips of fabric. Lovely in blue and white. Just a thought. may all go well.

Here's a link to a slew of Carpenters Star pictures - you can see how different fabric selections affect the finished star:

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&hl...l146l146l0.1l1

Well, I think you have enough ideas to work with...I just wanted to chime in and say "all the best" and let us know how it works out...nothing like a good romance:)

LOL! You wrote square and I read star.

Here's another link to Carpenter's SQUARE quilts:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...quilt&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

This one was my thoughts too. I am also married to a carpenter and know that this one would intrigue him. They are always dealing with lines, placement in their jobs. I also work with my dh...

You could use some of the fix it fabric, fussy cut, in the center. Maybe add some nail or screw heads as if putting the blocks together with them??

I think the Carpenter's star would be lovely.

Good luck with your relationship and please post a picture of your new sewing space and the quilt. Maybe the guy too.

Sounds like you two may be made for each other. You should keep us all posted on this budding romance. I am very happy for both of you. Just curious, have you had an actual date yet??? I hope so!

Good luck with your carpenter....the carpenters star looks like a challenging but nice thought. And even if things don't work out, you have learned a new pattern.

A gift from the heart is never silly.

May God bless your romance!

OOOOOOHHHHHH this is so very exciting, I hope and pray everything works out for you, good luck with the quilt and the budding romance

I'm not much help in choosing a pattern, although I think the Carpenter's Wheel is a great idea. I'm just tickled about your story! I wish you well in your choice of pattern (and men!).

While you are working on the quilt, give him gift certificates for a homemade pie a month, etc....

My vote is for "Warm Wishes" using the fix it fabric!

I just finished a carpenters star for my nephew's graduation. It was easy, fun and is very striking. Google "four hour quilt". You want to give this gift while the spark of love is still bright. A way to a man's heart may be through his stomach but a quilt is like a thousand warm hugs! Good luck with the love adventure as well as the quilt project.

Personally, I like the Carpenters star idea too. But I'm not one for cute and campy designs that often....they are fun for kids, but somehow when done up in a large quilt look sort of too cute for me. but its for Him, and he may be one to like that.

Good Luck with everything! I'm going to "watch this topic" so I can stay updated on how things progress~

A quilt would be nice but invite him for dinner. :D

Bachelor's Puzzle

http://www.quilterscache.com/B/Bache...zzleBlock.html

That is so cool.

His Mom is a Quilter. He liked fixing your shed. He charged you less. He is a bachelor. He likes the food and let you know it is the way to a man's heart.

I agree. He was sent right to your door. Make the Carpenters Wheel ;)

I haven't read all the suggestions, but why not make a carpenter's star pattern? It's a beautiful pattern, and you could use the "fix-it" fabric, or something similar. Just a suggestion...

I hope this all works out - he sounds like a very decent guy - someone sent that particular carpenter your way. You may want to keep it whimsical if he hasnt asked you out yet lol

Heres some fabrics that I happen to find in my stash pm me if you are interested There are 30 6 1/2" unfinished squares and two pieces of fabric one is 29" the other is 21" Would take 12.00 plus postage for all of it if you want to give it a try thanks cheryl :thumbup:

This is a smart woman who knows how to get her man!

Sounds like you don't have to do much to win his heart - he sounds smitten already. But I agree, this early on, I'd go with a wallhanging rather than a quilt. Guys scare easy!

I have known my 'crush' for about 3 years...and just found out it is mutual from him .. Is your 'crush' the kind that takes your breath away when you see him...cuz that is my 'crush'... I forget to speak words, LOL!!

I think the quilt is a great idea... just take a while to make it to see how it goes...

I was just looking for 'Notre Dame' fabric to make him a quilt for Xmas... can't seem to find any in cotton just fleece...Good Luck!

A quilting board love story. I can't wait to hear how this goes. I hope you keep us update. I am praying that you win this carpenters heart. I also thought that a Carpenters Star would be perfect.

MTS: Sorry, but I did mean Square. Carpenters Square is a very old pattern, probably out of style and with todays rotary cutting it is a perfect match because it can be strip pieced by modern terms. It is a beautiful quilt and looks very complicated but is not! When I finish mine I will post for all to see 'cause I think it is little known. Does anyone else know of this pattern and what do you think of it?

I posted earlier where I found the pattern: BH&G book Quilting Pieces of the past.
Whatever is chosen I think it will be a well recieved gift!
peace :D :D

I looked at your 2nd post about CS and the pattern I am using is on pg 3 of that sight! Thanks for the research!