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/