Ode to Paisley

Paisley is so easy to love, isn't it?!

Here are two odes to paisley, one by Patti Masterman and featured on Poemhunter.com, 

and another (a little more tongue-in-cheek) by us.

Paisley World

by Patti Masterman

We can live in a paisley world,
Of colors, all mixed up in swirls.
We can hide in the subterfuge,
Blend in with the curling hues.

For some reverse and some contain
Patterns, to confound the brain.
Some double back, the very same way,
And some are mute, and some delayed.

We won't talk so they won't hear
Words between us, that make clear
A paisley world is best for us;
But plaid works just as well, I trust. 

(Source: Poemhunter.com)

And our attempt:

Paisley, a traditional beauty with classic lines!

From your rounded body to your pointy tail, 

overlapping with curlicues and leaves, 

how we love thee! 

 All that poetry to introduce classic soon-to-be-favorite fabric collection, Lauren. 

In all seriousness, though, we do love a good paisley pattern, and we think you'll love this new line with paisleys and more!

Deep greens and rich reds play together in paisleys and coordinating prints, perfect for your next project. 

A spotlight on a few of our particular favorites:

See close-ups of all the fabrics in this collection here.

We have two free quilt patterns featuring Lauren to share with you:

Download a free pattern for Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar's Lauren quilt here on our website.

Are 2-1/2" wide strip quilt patterns more your style? You're in luck! We have one of those too, called Paisley Peaks, also by Sue and Sandy, using the Lauren Snack Pack: forty-two 2-1/2" wide strips from this gorgeous collection. Click here to download the free pattern. (You'll find additional Snack Pack quilt patterns on this page too!)

Illusion Quilting

The most eye-catching designs are those with more than one pattern going on, like this Squares Squared quilt by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts. Featured in The Quilter magazine, this cool design is made using strip sets, so it creates the illusion of woven strips, but it's easier than it looks! The blue and yellow colorway of Ro Gregg's Vibe collection pops on the white background for a refreshing quilt you'll love to use all year round. 

"Squares Squared" by Pine Tree Country Quilts;
featured in The Quilter Aug-Sept 2014

Can you pick out the block in the flat shot of the quilt below?

See the entire Vibe collection here.

Find the kit for Squares Squared here.

Find The Quilter magazine here.

Behind the Scenes: the Windsor Woods BOM

We've debuted the Windsor Woods BOM quilt here on the blog, and now it's time to go behind the scenes! Designer Sue Harvey of Pine Tree Country Quilts talks about how she and fellow designer Sandy Boobar created this garden beauty!

Q. What do you find appealing about the Windsor Woods prints?

Sue: We saw the panel of 6 gorgeous squares in its beginning stages and loved the circle in a square designs and the hummingbird, dragonfly, bumble bees and butterflies. We could imagine a beautiful garden-themed quilt as soon as we saw them. The coordinates in the collection just helped make that garden possible!

Q. How do you feel that using the pre-printed blocks enhances the design?

Sue: We like the challenge of fitting panels and pre-printed blocks into pieced designs. With Windsor Woods, the detail and elegance of the panel squares adds so much interest to the blocks. Lots of piecing, and very small piecing, would have been needed to make the flower-looking centers for the Woods Flower blocks in the top and bottom centers of the quilt. Each of the panel blocks became beautiful anchors to build from in the corner blocks and the center block.

Q. How do you design a BOM?

Sue: Well, we try to design blocks that are different from each other because no one wants to work on blocks that are pretty much the same month after month. We knew from the beginning that this was going to be a 7-month quilt. We also knew that as many blocks as possible would include the panel squares so that would mean 2 complete panels per quilt. Those squares would help make the different piecing of the blocks work together. Then the green triangle frames around some of the blocks added another link.

Q. Did you design the large center block first?

Sue: Nope. We worked on the four corner blocks first. They were the easiest to think about because the circular butterfly and dragonfly panel squares were so similar in shape and style and seemed perfect to hold down those outside corners. We did rough out the center block after the corners were done. But we finished it last. When everything else was done, we added some smaller detail piecing to the large center to make it fit with the more intricate piecing of the other blocks.

Q. What is your favorite part about the quilt?

Sue: The “invisible” sashing. All those different width and different length strips that make the blocks fit together while still giving the appearance of floating blocks on a creamy background. The old calculator got a work out figuring the sizes to cut to fit in here and fit in there.

Q. Tell us about your thrifty use of fabric.

Sue: We realized when we finished with the quilt that there were parts of the 2 panels that we hadn’t used. We made a table runner and placemat set to use the floral border from the sides of the panel and the last 2 squares. Both are simple projects that will also use up some of the leftover fabrics from the monthly kits. Then we noticed that we hadn’t given a lot of attention to some of the fabrics in the collection. They had been used in just small pieces in the quilt or they just deserved more of a showcase than they got in the quilt. So we put together a couple of very easy-to-make tote bags to let the hummingbirds and dragonflies really stand out.

(Here's a peek the extra projects Sue and Sandy designed with the leftover BOM fabric)

Table runner

Placemat

Tote #1

Tote #2

Be sure to ask your local quilt shop about the Windsor Woods BOM quilt!

Don't miss the post introducing Windsor Woods here! 

See the panel that inspired the BOM design here!

See the entire Windsor Woods collection by Ro Gregg here.

Introducing the Windsor Woods Block of the Month Quilt!

If you're a quilter, there isn't much better than a Block of the Month project--just enough to whet your appetite once a month, but easy enough to finish before the next block appears. It's the type of project that you know won't linger on as a work in progress forever--stay on schedule and you'll finish the quilt and be able to enjoy it sooner than later! 

We are thrilled to share the Windsor Woods Block of the Month quilt design with you today--we hinted about it when we first shared the Windsor Woods fabric, and now it's time for the official reveal! The quilt was designed by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts. 

We love the variety of blocks and piecing techniques used, and the way the fantastic prints in the collection are showcased from the center block out to the borders!

In addition to the Windsor Woods prints, the BOM quilt also uses the panel print, fussy cutting some complex-looking panel squares to add pizzazz to the quilt! 

Ask for this BOM project at your local quilt shop--shops will be getting their kits in September and fabric in November, and the BOM will start in January! Mark your calendars!

Ahh...Sea Glass

This gorgeous wall hanging in the June/July issue of The Quilter, made from Ro Gregg's Marblehead Venetian Glass collection, is so aptly named "Sea Glass." Looking at this quilt, it's easy to imagine you're enjoying a relaxing day at the beach.

"Sea Glass" by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar, Pine Tree Country Quilts

The aquas, the greens, the blues of actual sea glass. 

Read more about it and how it's becoming more scarce in this Smithsonian article.

Photo credit: Celia Pearson

Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts used the focal globe fabric (below) in an unexpected way--as setting triangles around the five main blocks. It really makes the blocks pop, doesn't it?

Then, adding to the unexpected, the main border features this beachy print, framed in a soft cream.

See the entire Marblehead Venetian Glass collection here.
Find the kit for this project here.
Find The Quilter magazine here.

Garden Time!

With spring here, it's time to get out into the garden! And for those of you who prefer to admire gorgeous florals rather than get down and dig in the dirt, consider this fabric version. 

"Garden Party" by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar; featured in The Quilter April/May 2014

Garden Party, by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts, features Ro Gregg's Block Party collection, and what a party it makes! Roses, iris, tulips and sunflowers bloom in fussy cut blocks and a pretty all-over floral that has a scrapbook feel. 

Like many great designs, this quilt looks more complex than it really is--all you need are pieced strip sets, flying geese, and two kinds of floral blocks. The fussy-cut focal squares, cut from this fabric,

take center stage are connected by a lattice look of green strips. Squares cut from the secondary main floral print, this one,

appear to be blooming out of pink petals (easy flying geese units!). Put it all together, and you've got a gorgeous year-round garden that's easy to make.

Which is your favorite flower?

See Ro's entire Block Party collection here.
Find the kit for Garden Party here.
Find The Quilter magazine here. 

Feelin' the Winter Blues

weather.com

weather.com

Polar vortex.
Arctic blast.
Harsh temperatures.
Frigid air.
Looking at the maps above, it's no surprise that one of the main conversation topics this January has been the weather. For much of the country, it's been a chilly month! (And if you live somewhere warm, please don't make the rest of us jealous by sharing those temperature numbers in the 60s and 70s!)

This chilly backdrop is the perfect introduction for our new collection, Winter Blues:

Blue lovers, these fabrics are for you! If you like anything in the blue family, we're pretty sure you'll find at least one or two prints to love in this collection. 

And look no further for inspiration; Pine Tree Country Quilts designed this free pattern, Winter Blues, using these icy cool prints. 

Find the pattern here. 

Take advantage of the cold weather and spend some time quilting!

A Bedroom with Drama and Intrigue

Spice up your bedroom...add drama and intrigue with the elegant "Black Tie Affair" bed quilt, designed by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts.

"Black Tie Affair" by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar;
featured in The Quilter February/March 2014

This stunning design uses, what else, the Black Tie Affair fabric collection--sophisticated black and white prints with touches of red added in for extra flair.

While the quilt seems complex, it's actually quite easy: large black and red half-square triangles surrounded by a simple checked border. The on-point setting creates interest and motion, and a variety of thin and wide borders create beautiful drape for the sides of the bed.

See the entire Black Tie Affair collection here.
Purchase the kit for this quilt here.
Find The Quilter magazine here.

Ready for Winter: Icy Cool

Holiday projects seem to fall into one of two categories--either they're Christmas-themed (Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, etc.), or they're winter-themed (snowflakes, snowmen, etc.).
While everyone loves a great santa or tree quilt, the beauty of winter-themed quilts is a longer shelf life (or should we call it couch life?). Once January comes around and you've put away the Kris Kringles, red-nosed reindeer and uncooked pasta and Elmer's glue ornaments made by little Susie, a winter quilt will still rest comfortably on the couch, ready for snowy night snuggling.

Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts designed this Polar Stars quilt with that theory in mind. Scarf and hat-clad white bears from the Season's Greetings collection cozy up with simple coordinates for a quilt you can happily use from December through February.

"Polar Stars" by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar;
featured in Quilting for Christmas

A red and white star block alternates with a framed polar bear block to create diagonal "stripes" of blocks--a cool design that makes the most of its fabrics. Using solid white as the background adds a modern feel to the pattern and gives it a snowy feel; plus the primary colors pop off of all that white.

(One more advantage to a winter-long quilt: more time to get it finished and use it! It's always a bit anti-climactic to run out of time to finish a Christmas quilt before December 25th...by the time January rolls around, you've packed away your Elf on a Shelf until next year...who wants to bind a Christmas quilt?!)

See the entire Season's Greetings collection here.
Find a kit for Polar Stars here.
Find Quilting for Christmas here.

Fall colors in all their glory

As the leaves start to turn, we can't help but be excited about fall! Those rich, glorious colors...

Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts used the inviting prints from our Fall Tapestry collection to create a table setting that brings those delicious colors into your home. 

"Autumn Tapestry" by Pine Tree Country Quilts;
featured in The Quilter October/November 2013

Q. What drew you to the Fall Tapestry prints?
Pine Tree: The richness of the colors. They all have a golden feel to them, and we loved the idea of bringing fall colors into the home through a table runner and coordinating placemats.

Q. Favorite print in the collection? 
Pine Tree: It's a toss-up between the large leaves on black and the circles.

 

Q. How did you decide on the design for the runner and placemats?
Pine Tree: We knew this was a fabric line that could do all the work in a visually simple design. Turning sashed squares on point adds an extra element to the design--sort of dresses it up a bit and creates movement. The arrangement of the different fabrics [rather than a random, scrappy layout] adds an elegance to the runner, too.

Q. And the decision to use black as an accent?
Pine Tree: The black sashing and binding really helps the prints to pop. They almost jump out at you! And the rust cornerstones bring in a little extra color since the prints we chose to use in the runner are primarily green and gold.

Find the kit for Autumn Tapestry here.
See the entire Fall Tapestry collection here.
Find The Quilter magazine here.

Love the Fall Tapestry fabrics? See another quilt made with these prints here. 

You can never have too many...

Fill in the blank:

You can never have too many ____________.

Chocolate desserts?

Shoes?

Baby quilt patterns?

While we'd love to send a box of chocolates or some new Jimmy Choos your way, we're in the fabric business, so we'll stick to what we know, so baby quilt pattern it is! 

We love showing off quilts made from our fabrics here on the blog, and this one has an added bonus--it's a free pattern, courtesy of Quilt Trends magazine. Designers Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts created this sweet baby or child's quilt using Mystic Forest. 

"Hopscotch" designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

They chose the monkey print, as the main fabric, but you can use elephant or bear prints and change the palette as you like. 

Find the free pattern for the "Hopscotch" quilt here.
See the entire Mystic Forest collection here.
Find the kit for the "Hopscotch" quilt here.
See Quilt Trends magazine here.

Like Mystic Forest?

Check out some other projects made with these adorable children's prints.

PUL snack bags

Ruffled edge growth chart

Our spring Quilt Market booth photos

10 irresistible baby ideas

Just Something About It...

Every so often, you see a quilt pattern that grabs you. It just works, and works well. You can't stop thinking about it, and you add it to your to-do list.

We'd like to offer up the free pattern for one such quilt, called "Summer Breeze." Designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts, this quilt mixes in just the right amount of white space in a simple, yet contemporary design. It's like a tall, cool glass of water.

What makes a great pattern even better? Matching it up with that just-right fabric collection. 

The blues and pink/purples of the Summer Breeze collection are so refreshing and cool. And that outer border? Pure genius. Can't you just imagine this quilt draped over a porch swing? Perfect for a cool summer night.

Find the Summer Breeze collection and the free Summer Breeze pattern here.