You might want to try something with a pre-printed center panel. Even a 12-inch square panel surrounded by 6 inch block of your choice (12 blocks total) plus a total of 6 inch borders will make a 36 inch square quilt. I made my first quilt this way, using log cabin blocks for the 6 inch blocks. Good luck!
Marie

Hi Mellissa:
My friend taught us this easy, easy, fast quilt block. It finishes to a 15 inch block and is quite beautiful in a wall hanging or a quilt. Block layout attached along with a picture of one of the blocks I made yesterday.

You said you are new to quilting so I'll give you a little lesson on making triangles the quick and easy way incase you don't know how.

Your 4 1/2 inch squares in the 3 colors for your block can be put one on top of each other (only 2 sqares at a time) right sides together. Draw a line diagonally (sp) from top left corner to bottom right corner. Now, with 1/4 " seam sew on either side of the drawn diagonal line then cut on your drawn line. Press open and Viola! you have half a white square and half a red square (or whatever colors you are using).

You are making your fabric strips 4 1/2 inches wide by WOF (width of fabric) then cutting these strips into 4 1/2 inch squares. THE ONLY EXCEPTION to this is for the 4 background squares in the corners of the block...these you will cut down from 4 1/2 inches to 4 1/4 inch blocks when you get ready to sew the corners to the 2 middle sections of the block.

Good Luck. This is very, very easy. I made a table runner out of this pattern for a gift for church bible study member yesterday with 3 stars and it took about 2 hours to make the 3 blocks. Today I'll put it all together and quilt it. EASY!

You can change the size of the squares to make whatever size finished block you want.

Randy

Randy,
Thanks for sharing. I want to make my son-in-law a quilt for an upcoming promotion (he's in the army) and this pattern will be just the ticket, I think. Time to shop for the proper fabrics!

Hi Quilters:
I finished the Red/White/Blue Star tablerunner last night. Thought I'd let you see how it went together. This is such an easy pattern...it just looks like it might be difficult. Happy Sewing.
Randy

I totally agree that Turning Twenty (using 20 fat quarters of fabric) is about as easy and beautiful as you can make, as a beginner or advanced quilter!

Last Christmas I traced the right hands of my 9 immediate family members onto quality quilt fabric (less fraying), then using Steam-a-Seam and blanket stitch, I arranged and appliqued them on a background of 2" strips and made my parents a lovely TABLE RUNNER. They go to Florida for 3 months each winter, so can look at this and smile when they get a little homesick.....quick and easy!

Patti

Melissa, I just purchased a book with very easy quilts. It is called "Laps From Flats" by Ellen Replogle. I am in the process of making one of them right now and took no time in cutting it out.
Florence R.

I believe the book is called "Laps From Fats". This is a very popular book at the local quilt shop and uses fat quarters.

I know this string is a bit old & there has been lots of great info provided to you, but I want to comment about one of the patterns you have mentioned- Turning Twenty. It is probably one of the most versatile patterns I have ever bought... and the quickest to make, with little planning or continued commitment time needed. You can walk away from it for a month and come back to easily pick up where you left off. I bought it when my 3 Girls were small... They're all teens now, so I still have the same problem- not enough time. (So, yes, I still use it quite often.) I have used it for quilts, pillows, runners, and even curtains (on point & set straight). Another good thing about this pattern is if you happen to fold the FQ in the wrong direction for cutting, as I did the first time I cut it, it is no big deal; just change your block layout & it still goes together beautifully. (and no one ever knows the difference) Now, on occasion, I cut it wrong on purpose for added interest or just so I can add another fabric or two... I LOVE scrappy!!! Relax & have fun with all of your new patterns & remember, not a single one of us have yet been able to make all of the quilts we want to. Also, there are NO MISTAKES in quilting; only new potholders, excuses to buy more fabric, and creative twists. :D If you ever get stumped or I can help, give me a shout. Take care!!

Hi Melissa. I have a step daughter named Melissa. She is a sweetie.
Have you seen "Broken Dishes"?
It takes 20 fat quarters. The way it is cut and sewn "[b]NO" seams match. WOOPIE!!! :D
With borders it will fit a twin bed. 61" x 74".
It is put out by KK Designs.
1-866-214-6721
[email protected]
Mary Lou in Tennessee

The Log Cabin is an easy one and like the Rail it has lots of possibilities. It can be scrappy or not. The main thing is lights and darks so that a pattern emerges from the contrast. It is my understanding that by tradition the center block or chimney is either red or yellow. Once all your blocks are made, it is fun to make different patterns by changing the direction of the blocks. Here is a link for one log cabin.

http://mccallsquilting.com/legacy/v21_pattern/

Yellow brick road is probably the easiest quilt pattern I can think of to begin with. The cost is nominal and is made by Atkinson. Pattern comes with instructions on fabric amounts, cutting, assembly. Gives directions for I believe 3 or 4 different sizes. It goes together easily and quickly. Can coordinate or go totally scrappy. At first I tried to find it free online-no can do. Being forced to buy the pattern was probably good because it gives easy reference and better illustrations than the pictures I found. Hope this helps.
Carmen

Hi there, Please, tell me what a "Turning Twenty" quilt is! Sure sounds like fun. I am brand new to this site and just happened to read your post. I've even visited the site you told someone about and got a free quilt pattern from there. Will have to hit the fabric stores tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance. MS

There are actually 3 patterns in the Turn Twenty line these days. The original is Turn Twenty, then came Turning Twenty Again and the newest is Turn Twenty Around the Block. These patterns use 20 fat quarters (the newest pattern has some variations in the yardage) and the top can be put together in an afternoon. Very quick. I have made Turn Twenty... you have large pieces of fabric and the blocks are huge. The other 2 patterns have more pieces to the blocks. Haven't made either of them yet, but will.

Here is the Turn Twenty I made last year.... it is an Easter quilt...

Barb C

I meant to add, do a google search for Turn Twenty or Tricia Cribbs (the designer) to see the pattern. Barb C.

[code][ :)

What a great web-site I found you all on tonight, actually this AM. Learned so many wonderful things. Now, if my chronic fatigue syndrome would abate, I could really quilt away. Doubt it will, since I have had it since 1960's. Buy, hey, no pity parties for me. 8) Usually, I use the easier patterns andI use a larger seam allowance than the 1/4 inch, on all my quilts. Happy Quilting from western SD. :)

To BARB C. - Your Easter quilt is beautiful and I thank you for sharing it with me. I will be looking forward to buying my fat quarters today, as my favorite fabric store is having a sale on the fats. Guess the dishes and laundry will have to wait, again. Thanks so much.. :-) MS

I like the pattern. what type of quilting do you do? An all over design like stippling or something with an actual pattern to it? The colors look good too :!:

Turning twenty is a great pattern to buy. It has been out for a long while, can be made in various sizes. It calls for fat quarters but you can use what ever fabrics you have in your stash. It looks like an easy one to just copy but if you are a new quilter get the real thing its a lot easier.
another way to go is your public library or buy a magazine. There are easy quilting magazines out there, and you end up with several patterns for the price of one.
Turning twenty has come out with a new variation called turning twenty again.

I think an all over free motion pattern would be great for any of the Turn Twenty quilts. I haven't learned to do free motion yet... that is one of the goals for this year. So when I did mine last year, I quilted a straight line grid. The large squares of bunny fabric have the grid on the diagonal. Everything else has it straight. It took a bit of time to do it this way, but I am please with the outcome.

Barb C

Ruth made a great point about magazines. I have many years worth of quilt magazines, but still find myself looking and some times purchasing more. If you are looking for easy, there are a couple that are devoted to that subject. One that comes to mind is "Quick Quilts." Spend some time at the magazine section of the grocery store or drug store and I am sure you will find more. Make sure to look through them to see if the instructions are clear enough for you to follow. For anywhere from $5 to $7 you will find a magazine with many patterns and ideas for future projects. :lol: Be careful, though, magazine collecting can be habit forming. :roll:

Just dont do like I do--pull the instructions out thinking you will be able to start right away and then something comes up and the pattern gets lost :!:

I made one in blues & white for my Mother last year for Mother's Day. I "doubled the recipe" for a King size with lots of side drape. I added a 6" (finished) border all around using the focal fabric. (Yes, it is HUGE!!!) I free-motion quilted it (on my home machine) and she cried when she received it. I am not trying to brag, but merely point out that ANY quilt can be FMQ'd on a home machine... the bigger ones do take more patience. For a quilt this size, I turn my machine so it sitting just like a long-arm. This allows AMPLE space on each side of your machine for your quilt to rest. The big blocks of the Turning Twenty pattern (16" finished) are perfect for FMQ, especially for beginners. To quilt the center, I used a small 2 foot long dowel to roll the quilt edge, inside the throat space, onto. (This gives me a smaller roll than just using bike clips.) I am heading out of town for the weekend, but can send you some pics next week if you want. Just PM me with your email address. I have tendonitis in my wrists because of working on computers, so I will warn you (anyone) if FMQ is in your future and you have any joint issues, save yourself lots of pain & buy the quilting gloves. I LOVE FMQ and will be glad to provide any assistance I can. If you have any questions I may be able to answer, please feel free to ask. :-)

I think you re very talented. Thanks for sharing it. :)

Thanks for all the tips... this idea is great! I never even thought of turning the machine! I have a couple of quilts I am working on for a women's shelter and I am planning on trying my hand at FMQing.

Barb C

Have you tried a Jacob's Ladder? This is SO easy, and it turns out beautifully. It just has squares and half-square triangles. It looks much harder than it is.

I usually make large square blocks so it goes together quickly.
Try it, you'll love it

MS1FINLEY wrote:

A coupe of questions first...

What is your purpose in quilting? Do you want quilts quickly for the families beds? What sizes? for what age groups?
Do you want to increase your skills?
Both?

Wow...it's been a long time since I looked at this line. SO MANY IDEAS, so little time. Thought I would answer the questions...

I quilt because it's beautiful and I would like to be able to do something I can take some semblance of pride in. More pride in being able to accomplish something for a change than the work itself. I not only want bedding for my family and to give away, but I like all the different patterns. I'm working on my first queen now, but all sizes. Not a big fan of runners or wall hangings yet. I want to increase my ability so I'd like to work easy first and then move up to intermediate etc. Someday I'd even like to hand piece.

I do have some trouble though. Serious eyesight issues run in the family and I'd like to be able to do as much as I can in the time given me. Also, I have colorblindness-type problems so I always have someone with me to help with color design. But I am rather proud of what I have done so far. I have completed 2 4-patch baby quilts, 2 rail fence lap quilts and I have done 2 more tops to match, just trying to get them done. While I can pick out each and every mistake and they stand out like neon lights, I am happy that they resemble what they should and that I completed them. I try not to say F***** as I think that is considered a swear word here.

I do love all the ideas seen here. I thought I had posted a list of all I bookmarked, but evidently not. It was lovely to get a refresher here. While I have to bookmark all over again, I do get to enjoy looking at all the patterns again soon.

Thanks everyone who replied here.

~M~

Turning twenty is supposed to be easy, but make sure you did not do what this blonde did and read through the instructions! I have too many of one section, and NONE of another! :x :oops: :evil: :!:

Well, you're not alone. It is VERY easy to fold your FQ the wrong direction and not have enough legnth to cut the proper amount of pieces from each. My solution was to recut some of the pieces and join them (different fabrics) to make the piece size I needed. It adds a bit more interest to the overall quilt top. It is a scrappy pattern, so noone will notice it as an error.

I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, and the faster I can get a quilt done the better. I am going to challenge myself to one of PLUM CREEKS star quilts later on this year. Judy Neimeyer is another one whose quilts I love.

Thank you all so very much for your help.

I highly recommend "Your First Quilt Book" and "Learn to Machine Quilt " as books for the beginner. These are the easiest, fastest quilt patterns and very good instructions in each one.

You can find them on Amazon.com for a lot less than the fabric shops sell them for. :D

The "Your First Quilt Book", does it have numerous patterns, or just one or two?

Thanks for the suggestion, BTW.

Melissa

It has at least 6, if I remember correctly. I passed it on. One of the best things about that book was how she explained everything. How to Iron Fabric (along the selvage, not side to side) and so many other things that are important.

The other book even has directions to make a Quillow.

Search Amazon and you may find even more that appeal to you!

I found one for pretty cheap. Have to wait til tomorrow before I find out if I can get it or not..maybe I can convince hubby that its a late Mother's Day gift!!

I'm off to quilt club this am. Have a great day.

[b]

Thank you so much. You all are so kind. :)

Grammie of Twins, I would love to know more about "quilt as you go". I am specifically looking for directions for a log cabin quilt that is made with the backing, batting and strips all sewn and quilted at the same time block by block, and then the blocks are joined. I think the batting is cut just a bit smaller than the backing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

click on the "search" option at the top of the page. search on "quilting in sections". lots of information, links, comments and suggestions already here.

you can also do an internet search on the same term. you'll find bazillions of links.

this is one of my favorite because it illustrates more than one method:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting/article/0,1789,HGTV_3298_1507325,00.html

Patrice, that link shows more ways than I even knew about. One thing I have done is sort of cut the batting kind of wavy then butt together. To be perfectly honest, don't remember where I got that tip, but it doesn't leave a ridge line, which I like. Keep the tips coming, we all have much to learn. :D

Hello Barb:

Your Easter quilt is lovely. The colors are so peaceful and tranguil. Thank you for sharing this.

Many time the quilt patters have used the ugliest colors for their cover, so I am turned off. Need to think outside the pattern...HA.

One of my favorite magazines for quilting is "Quilters Newsletter Magazine." Many of the quilts they used on the covers of their magazine, had horrible color combinations. A real turn off for me. Still bought the magazine, however.

They are doing better. For a beginner quilter, I wonder how many by passed this magazine, due to the ugly colors.

Thanks again for sharing.

HAND PRINTS...OR TRACING DESIGNS OF HANDS
Hello: I thought of this when I was visiting my grandsons in Denver a
couple months ago. The little one was 24 months at the time, brother Alec is now 10.5. Baby Sean weighed 2#. Weighs probably near 20# now. Both are my life.

Will do this for sure when I do back to Denver in July. I could kick myself for not doing it them, because of time difference.

My daughter has plaster casts for the boys, framed in a shadow box. They are so sweet.

Take Care.

gmassard: Just hit your site and will go back. Really do like the way you go about teaching the beginners. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.

Years ago, a dear quilting friend of mine, bought a quilting pattern, and was so unhappy with the instructions...they were certainly difficult to comprehend, even after several attempts to make sense of them.

She wrote co. and they never replied. Nice people.