Today’s tutorial is a cute, quick little quilt, that will be sure to make anyone happy.

This XO quilt is designed by Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations specifically for Valentine’s Day, however I think it is just a great LOVE quilt anytime!

Click on the picture to go directly to the tutorial, or you can click here – and get there as well.

Enjoy!!!

]]> http://modernquilts.mqumag.com/quilt-college-xo-tutorial/feed/ 0 http://modernquilts.mqumag.com/which-comes-first/ http://modernquilts.mqumag.com/which-comes-first/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:59:44 +0000 Alycia http://modernquilts.mqumag.com/?p=955 Here is the question that I have been pondering lately.

Which comes first?   The Fabrics?  The Patterns?

When you are planning your next quilt, where do you start ? Do you head to the store to choose your fabrics?  Do you search through magazines for inspirations? Do you start doodling your ideas?

As I walked through all the quilts hanging at QuiltCon, I really wondered  how the artist started, and how they determined when the quilt was finished?

For example – look at this quilt. It was made by Leila Gardunia from Iowa. She is a member of the Des Moines Modern Quilt guild. According to the information with her quilt, she basically wanted to see what could be made with wonky wedges. 

Did she just grab a stack of fabrics, or is Orange her favorite color? hmmmm

Does one see a stack of fabrics and Bam! A design pops into your head?

What about you? Which comes first for you?

MOD CIRCUITRY is a fun, easy quilt that begs for lots of geometric quilting. Elizabeth made hers in solids, but you can make one up in solids, stripes, chevrons, whatever, and then send us a photo! We will post as many as we can on Facebook.

Send your photos to blog@mqumag.com 

To make this block:

1. String together a few scraps, and then trim to 4 1/2 inches square.

2. For the first round ( blue in this picture) cut a 2 1/2 inch x 26 inch strip. 

3. Cut the strip into (1) 8 1/2 inch piece, (2) 6 1/2 inch pieces, and (1) 4 1/2 inch piece. Stitch these to the center log cabin style.

4. For the second round ( white in this picture) cut a 2 1/2 inch x 42 inch strip.

5. Cut the strip into (1) 12 1/2 inch  piece, (2) 10 1/2 inch pieces, and (1) 8 1/2 inch piece. Again apply these around the block log cabin style.

And your block is done! It should now measure 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches!

Think of the possibilities!

Right before we left for QUILTCON we posted to Facebook that if you came to our booth and shouted “Modern Quilts Unlimited Rocks” you would get a little something for your efforts. Several people came to see us, repeated the phrase, and were rewarded with our signature sewing apron.

Imagine our surprise when a WHOLE group from the Bakersfield (CA) Modern Quilt Guild came into our booth and shouted that phrase!!  It was Awesome! 

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook - you never know what you might be missing!

Isn’t that a great block? Try it as the center of a quilt, as part of a sampler quilt, or even the whole quilt. I hope you will find many ways to use it too!

It was a tough decision! There were a lot of great Mini Quilts to choose from. Thank you all so much for entering.

And the winner is…. ( drum roll please…….)

Catherine Redford!!

She ran a quilt-a-long for a 36 patch quilt, which of course, I whole heartedly jumped in!  Check out her great tutorial for the 36 patch block.

36 Patch Tutorial

I just loved this tutorial –  I just had to try it I grabbed 12 of the craziest prints that I had, just to see what would come of it….. and I like it. It was great fun to sew, and the tutorial directions were very easy to follow.

And now – I have a wonderful quilt!

Thank you Amanda Jean for sharing!

This block was part of a block hop, and I really loved the unique colors used for it. Most of the time when you think of leaves, you think of greens and yellows – but how about this?

Jan over at Daisy Janie has created this wonderful block!! It is so unique!!  She called this leaf block feather, and created a great tutorial.

For the full tutorial head over to Daisy Janie’s Blog

Kathy – tell us about yourself.

I’m a passionate sewist and love making quilts, bags, clothing, and colorful items for my home. I am the founder and owner of Pink Chalk Fabrics, an online fabric shop for modern sewists. I also design and publish a line of sewing patterns under the Pink Chalk Studio moniker. I live on Bainbridge Island, Washington with my two teenage daughters and two new kittens (who have to be the most photographed cats I’ve ever owned.) I’ve recently joined the board of the Modern Quilt Guild and am looking forward to contributing my skills to the group as it grows and expands. I live, breathe and eat quilting, sewing and all things fabric related.

How did you get into Quilting?

My grandmother taught me to sew as a little girl. I loved making doll clothes and learning to use the sewing machine. As I got older I started making clothing for myself. My grandmother was an avid sewist, knitter and embroiderer. I have fond memories of going to Lee Wards in St. Louis with her to shop for kits. All her quilts were from kits. She did beautiful applique work. She made me a traditional dogwood quilt that is my prized possession. She would also sit for hours on end doing cross stitched whole cloth embroidery quilt tops.

It wasn’t till my 40′s that I finally took a quilt making class. I was immediately smitten with the process and became inspired by designers like Denyse Schmidt and Kaffe Fassett. I love the crossover between traditional and modern design. It was a very liberating turn for my love of sewing.

What made you decide to open your own store?

After a stretch of staying at home with my kids I began designing and publishing sewing patterns. I realized I’d come full circle back into something I’d been passionate about all my life. Launching Pink Chalk Fabrics in 2008 was my first step toward defining a new career around doing something I loved.

What is your favorite project/quilt you have made ?

I truly enjoy the process and the journey more than the end product. I do like my Mail Sack pattern. Besides being a top seller – I get the most mail about that design. Everyone from beginning to experienced sewists have fun making it and wearing it. At the end of the day that’s why I’m in this business. Sewing and quilting are a joyful and creative part of our lives and I get enormous satisfaction sharing other’s enjoyment of the craft.

What is your favorite pattern/project in the current issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited?

It was very difficult to choose! I kept coming back to Modern Spin by Amanda Leins. I liked the use of the simple graphic spiral pattern. The selection of 3 fabrics was a fun exercise in restraint.

Which fabrics would you choose to make Modern Spin with?

I’d like to make this quilt with Kona Coal as the background fabric, Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton Thunder for the thin stripe and Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton Jade for the wider strip. Fun!

Thanks Kathy!! It was great getting to know you and share in your passion!!

You can find Kathy’s quilt shop online, along with our magazines, here:   Pink Chalk Fabrics