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My Quilt Blocks

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Quilt tips and how-to's that I have collected along the way

I started this just for me to collect quilt information that I wanted to be able to find at a moments notice. it is from all over the Internet and useful since I am still learning. I've finished several quilts and one was a complete rework so I learned more in a hurry. I love quilting.

The quilt shown here is a friendship quilt. Each piece has one fabric that was used in all the blocks to tie it together. This is for a friend who moved far away and we wanted her to have something from everyone in our quilt guild.

Table of Contents

  1. Not a quilter but want to be. Don't really know how to sew?
  3. A Great History of Quilts
  4. More on Quilt History
  5. Quilts tell stories
  6. The Hobo culture and the Farmer's wives letters in more detail
  7. Crazy Quilts
  8. Crazy Quilting The Complete Guide
  9. More on Crazy Quilting
  10. Ribbon Embroidery
  11. Quilting tips
  12. Rose applique
  13. Great gifts for a quilter
  14. Squidooer's quilt too
  15. Quilting and Mysteries
  16. More about the Benni Harper Series
  17. My favorite quilt block patterns
  18. Great Stuff on eBay
  19. All comments welcomed
  20. About Me

Not a quilter but want to be. Don't really know how to sew?

These are sites with sewing information that is valuable to beginners as well as those who have been sewing for a long time.
Vintage Sewing Reference Library
Detailed information on almost everything. You could spend a whole day reading through this information.
Learn How to Hand Quilt « Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog
Good guide on how to hand quilt. Very helpful pictures.
How to read a quilt block pattern
Not all patterns are created equal. Experience quilters can generally pick up a pattern and fill in the missing information but when steps are missing, it is harder for less experienced folks. Knowing the terminology can make it easier to decipher a pattern.

A Great History of Quilts

The most comprehensive listing of quilts that I have found.

The listing of quilts in this site is incredible. It was too good to pass up. Many of the blocks that are shown are one I would like to do. Great resource. Make sure to check out Quilty's Quilt History.
Quilty's Quilt History
Take the time to check out all the links. There is so much information here, you just might not get that quilt done.
Enjoy Free Patchwork Quilt Patterns from History & Their Stories
The free quilt patterns on this site are based on those used during periods of America's past. Patterns include information on their history.

More on Quilt History

Amish Quilting
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Quilts tell stories

Three of my favorite books about quilting

Quilt blocks or patterns are always interesting but for those who also love history, quilts tell stories. Three very good books on quilt history are:

"Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad", a book about quilts that showed the way to freedom. May or may not be true but a fascinating read and great patterns.

"Hobo Quilts", quilts that told about those riding the rails about the inhabitants of the towns they traveled through. Interesting and fun quilt patterns to share and a great way to create your own.

"The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: Letters from 1920s Farm Wives and the 111 Blocks They Inspired", is full of love, longing, hope, and triumph, all expressed in the letters and the quilts.
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The Hobo culture and the Farmer's wives letters in more detail

Both of these treasured books are in my personal library and I have played with some of the patterns in both. I have yet to buy the third but a friend has loaned it to me for an extended visit at my house.
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Crazy Quilts

This is on my list of new things to try

I have been collecting sites from StumbleUpon and Helium to add to the knowledge base for crazy quilts. I want all this information in one place so when I am ready to try it, I will leave nothing to chance. I have the fabrics (give or take), I am in search of the perfect beads and other embellishments and am practicing my embroidery stitches. When I have something to share, I will post the picture.
How to construct crazy-quilt foundation blocks
This how-to guide is a step by step tutorial. It is easy to follow, has lots of illustrations and a video. This is the place to start.
How to make a crazy quilt with a theme.
This article by Carol Meisehellter begins with "Now is your chance to try crazy-patchwork with a real difference! If you're familiar with crazy-patchwork already, you're likely to feel an instant connection when you start stitching blocks with a specific theme in mind."
How to make a crazy patchwork quilt with a theme
Now is your chance to try crazy-patchwork with a real difference! If youre familiar with crazy-patchwork already, youre likely to feel an instant ..., Carole Meisenhelter
CQ Magazine Online: Volume 9, Issue 2
Need more information, there is a lot here. CQ magazine has it all.
Crazy Quilt Mosaic | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Need another visual of a crazy quilt. Click on this link to see a great photo on Flickr

Crazy Quilting The Complete Guide

After seeing this book at a quilt guild meeting, I knew it was a must have. All the stitches one might need are detailed here as well as lots of illustrations for inspiration. This is a great book!
Crazy Quilting - The Complete Guide

Crazy Quilting - The Complete Guide

by: J. Marsha Michler

Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

More on Crazy Quilting

Because you can never get enough

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Ribbon Embroidery

Another new skill I learned and couldn't quite seem to get enough so I also bought this book.
A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers

A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers

by: Ann Cox

Amazon Price: $22.03 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Quilting tips

Tips on how to do different quilting techniques
How to applique a quilt block
Simple, easy steps to decorate a quilt block with appliques
QuiltCalc_Loader
Don't want to get paper and pencil to figure out how many yards you will need for a quilt project. Use this handy, dandy guide to do it for you. I love it!
Free Paper Piecing Quilt Block Patterns from Piece By Number
More than 35 free paper piecing (or foundation piecing) quilt block patterns. Paper piecing is an squired skill but these block by number (sort of like paint by number) go a long way to making it easier.
How to Make String Quilts from Leftover Fabric: Turn Extra Fabric Strips and Fabric Scraps into Colorful Quilts
String quilts make good use of extra fabric scraps and help reduce waste in your quilting room. Learn all about string quilting and how easy it is to get started.
Miscellaneous Quilt Stuff!
Lots of helpful information here.
Quiltsmart 101: Completing Your Quilt
The information that follows will guide you through finishing the quilt.
Quilt Sizes - bed sizes - how to decide what size quilt to make
Quilt Sizes - bed sizes - how to decide what size quilt to make
Anyone Can Quilt: Machine Quilting Tutorial
Sharing my love of quilting, fun quilt patterns, and great tools and tips. With a healthy dose of thrifting, sock knitting, sewing projects, and lots of other cottage creations. Thank you for visiting Anyone Can Quilt!
Print your words as charted design with cross stitch alphabet
Type in what you want and it charts the cross stitch for you. Not a quilt tip but embroidery is part of the process.
sewtakeahike: "a little help from my friends" scrappy string..
Scrappy string quilt

Rose applique

We all do rework. Sometimes it's more than expected

Rose appliique

Sometimes things just don't work out. This quilt was supposed to fray around the roses when washed. Unfortunately, the fabric used for the block, frayed at all the seams. This was a total rework. All the roses were cut off and reattached to new blocks. The backing and batting were saved and the border reused. The binding was also reused but to make it all fit, the new fabric for the blocks had to be smaller. I was so upset, the quilt sat for a year before I made myself take it apart and start over. It is very pretty and now I can enjoy it for what it is.

Great gifts for a quilter

If you have a quilter and are wondering what to get them, here are some suggestions. It doesn't have to be confined to Christmas, there are birthdays and other holidays. How about an Easter Basket?
Great gifts for a quilting Mom
Whether Mom is a seasoned quilter or someone new to the craft, scraps of fabric are more exciting that almost anything. If you want to tuck a diamond into a scrap basket, I'm quite sure she wouldn't mind but it may take a while to find it as she obsesses over each piece, remarking on the colors, textures and possible uses.
How to make an Easter Basket for a quilter
What quilter would not be delighted with an Easter Basket created just for them. How do I know that? The pictures are from the one I received.
Gifts for Quilters - Under $10
Okay, so you have a quilter in your life, and you have absolutely no idea what to get her for a gift that will make her happy. But, you do know that it should have something to do with quilting.It's sort of like fly-fishing. You know that that world has a lot of little gadgets in it, but being a non
Pink sewing accessories
This may be a little self-serving. It is a list of pink sewing items that I want. Eventually, all of my accessories will be pink because, darn it, I want them!

Squidooer's quilt too

These are their stories

Make your own quilts is a great lens on the creation of a quilt.
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Quilting and Mysteries

Favorite author Earlene Fowler

This is a series of mystery books by Earlene Fowler. These books were shared with me by a family friend long ago. Read them in order to follow the life of Benni Harper. All of them deal with quilts in one way or another. When you put the quilting down, pick up these books. This is only a sample of what's out there. She has other books and I recommend "The Saddle Maker's Wife".
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More about the Benni Harper Series

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My favorite quilt block patterns

All of us have favorites that we want to try or have completed. These are mine.
Dresden Plate Block Sew-along
This tutorial makes the Dresden Plate block less threatening.
 Easy Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern - easy for beginner's project
 Easy Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern - easy for beginner's project
Kansas Trouble
This makes a 12" block!
Broken Dishes
I'm going to elect this one
as The Easiest Block of the Year!...Hands Down!It
makes a 12" block!
Quilt Blocks Galore!
OK, I have lots of favorites and you will too. Quilt Blocks Galore has more patterns that a normal person can do in a lifetime. Serious quilters would also have problems getting through this entire list. There are hundreds of free patterns with complete graphics and text instructions.
Quilt Patterns
For more on quilt patterns, read the Helium Topic Page where writers share their quilt pattern information.
A simple rag quilt
This is easy and fun. Even beginners can complete this quilt with the large pictures showing the steps.

Great Stuff on eBay

Quilt Anything

Quilting stuff from eBAY. I get lots of stuff from them.
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All comments welcomed

  • srioschavez Jan 20, 2012 @ 10:02 am | delete
    beauiful quilts I wish the talent to make something like that. I am going to try my hand at it one more time. Thank you
  • Tipi Jan 6, 2012 @ 4:04 pm | delete
    You sure brought up some sweet memories of those handmade quilts that I grew up with, the most special thing is knowing that it was made just for you!
  • lilymom24 Jan 6, 2012 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    beautiful quilt and if I had the time and patience, I might learn to sew my own. Very nice lens.
  • karmicchristian Jan 5, 2012 @ 11:24 am | delete
    Would love to snuggle into one on a cold wintry day! Sadly, that is a rarity around where I live! :)
  • lestroischenes Jan 3, 2012 @ 4:25 am | delete
    I started a hand sewn double quilt many years ago but not finished yet. Starting is fun but finishing is work.
  • PatinKC Oct 25, 2011 @ 3:32 pm | delete
    I learned to quilt with my great grandmother and my grandmother.
  • charlino Oct 13, 2011 @ 5:27 pm | delete
    Quilting runs in my family, and I still have a ragged crazy quilt my Grandmother made.
  • JanTUB Sep 28, 2011 @ 1:50 am | delete
    The rose quilt is so bright and happy!
  • scarlettohairy Aug 10, 2011 @ 8:16 pm | delete
    Wow, great resources here for beginning quilters. I love the rose applique quilt. Beautiful!
  • happynutritionist Jul 28, 2011 @ 12:40 pm | delete
    Wonderful collection of quilting information...I've added this to a new plexo "Hand Quilting Stitches and How to Do Them". If you have any other quilting lenses, feel free to come over and add them, same for anyone else who happens to see this:-)
  • Senora_M May 28, 2011 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    I love quilting. Great lens! Lots of cool blocks. I have some quilting lenses too! BLESSED!
  • marsha32 Apr 7, 2011 @ 2:51 pm | delete
    loving it! I will never be an expert quilter.....I have books and books of patterns that I don't think I will ever have the time to try. I'm having a good time making strip quilts (which is why I made the instructional lens on them) I have been saving bits and pieces of material to start a crazy quilt.
  • hlkljgk Apr 4, 2011 @ 3:34 pm | delete
    great quilting resource
  • hlkljgk Apr 4, 2011 @ 3:34 pm | delete
    great quilting resource
  • Fitzcharming Apr 3, 2011 @ 9:40 pm | delete
    What a great way to collect your resources. I've added this to my Squidoo Quilting Angel lens and i may use is as my resource too. Great job!
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About Me

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Life changes on a daily basis and we are required to change with it. We used to travel, but after adopting our grandson, we are are at the baseball field... more »

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