New Things are on the Way!
I know I have been saying over and over again that I am working on some new projects and I can’t talk about them yet. Well finally I can talk about them! Over the next two months there will be SIX new quilt patterns coming. Each pattern focuses on a different skill or serves a different purpose and as I release them I will be telling you more about each one. But for right now I wanted to give you a little preview of two of the earliest ones coming, ‘Lantern Lights’ and ‘That’s a Wrap’.
“Lantern Lights” in Equinox from Benartex
Lantern Lights
I have wanted to make this pattern for a few years (yes, it has been planned for a long time). It uses stitch and flip corners but what really lets the design shine is that the top is constructed on-point. If you’ve never put together a quilt top on-point it’s when you turn square blocks into diamonds and construct diagonal rows rather than straight rows or columns. The technique takes a little getting used to but this is a great one to start with. The design itself is inspired by the Lunar New Year, this being my interpretation of hanging lanterns, I wanted them to float on the quilt.
“That’s a Wrap” Quilt in Christmas in Color from Art Gallery Fabrics
That’s a Wrap
Have you ever had a design that started out as one thing and then changed into something else entirely? That’s this quilt. The original version of this design was monochromatic, done in purples and was all about a play on colors. After a lot of different variations (some of which should never see the light of day), it became less about the color play and far more about the visual movement or interest that the design provided. The Christmas fabric was a perfect match since each quadrant looks like a different wrapped present but they still work together as a whole. Perhaps the best part of this design though is that it is actually a ‘Step Up’ pattern and teaches you everything you need to know about sewing half rectangle triangles. Don’t worry they aren’t anywhere near as scary as they seem and having the right ruler can actually make them fun (I had my doubts too but this quilt absolutely won my over).
With the four other quilts that are coming you will get a chance to experience triangles in a whole new way (part of my ongoing love/hate relationship with the shape), use unique block construction to make something complex surprisingly easy (it’s all about how you break down the shapes), and even a quilt that can turn into a visual piece of your family history (I know sounds intriguing right?!). So keep an eye on your inbox for updates as each of the patterns are released. In the meantime here is a link to a bear paw block that I designed a few years ago, that makes a great bee quilt.
