One Block Deconstructed: Stars Aligned

When you first look at the Stars Aligned quilt, you probably see a star block made with a lot of quick corner piecing. Take a closer look at the pattern, however, and you won't believe how quickly and easily this block goes together! Colleen Tauke transformed the traditional Broken Dishes block into this sparkling Stars Aligned quilt using Walkabout 2 and Leather prints. The pattern is featured in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting Summer 2018 issue.

"Stars Aligned" by Colleen Tauke and machine quilted by Laura Brenner;
featured in Easy Quilts Summer 2018

Q. Walkabout 2 has so many fun, bold prints. How did you select which one to use?

CT: This was the print that I really loved. The green and the blue popped out. I saw this one and said, “ooh, that’s my dark print!”

Q. And how did you choose the green to go with it?

CT: I looked through the Leather tonal collection to find a color that popped against the navy. I tried green and blue, and green won.

Q. Tell us about the block design.

CT: I wanted to take the Broken Dishes block, cut it up and make it into something completely different. The block is cut into a nine-patch, and it can be arranged so many different ways. I really wanted to make a two-color quilt because I knew it would create a secondary design as well.

Q. What’s so appealing about this design?

CT: It’s a perfect project if you don’t want to think too hard about what you’re making—for example, if you’re at a retreat, or an open sew with friends. You can enjoy the gathering but still be really productive. It becomes addicting. You take a super simple block and cut it up to make something more intricate.

Q. How did you choose the layout for the blocks?

CT: I laid out the blocks in a few different options and took photos. Arranging them in circular fashion creates an explosion from the center out.

Q. Tell us about the machine quilting.

CT: It was done by a friend of mine—Laura Brenner. We chose an overall pantograph because  of the arrangement of blocks. It creates curves and shadows but doesn’t detract from blocks. We chose a medium blue quilting thread, which adds to the depth.

See the entire Walkabout 2 collection here and the Leather collection here. 
Find the Summer 2018 issue of Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts here.

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Love the Walkabout 2 prints?

Find a tote bag tutorial here.

Download our free quilt pattern here. 

Warm Up Winter with a New Quilt Project!

January...it's the perfect time to start a new quilt project! We're sharing some of our favorite free quilt patterns from our website below; use the links to download and print the pattern, and then head to your local quilt shop (or online) to purchase the fabrics.

"A Flutter of Color" 

Designed by Linda Frost; Pattern by Reeze L. Hanson 

Featuring the Painter's Palette Solids collection

Download the free quilt pattern here.

"Lost World" 

Designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

featuring the Lost World collection

Download the free quilt pattern here.

"Pretty Foxy"

designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

featuring the Pretty Foxy collection by Ro Gregg

Download the free quilt pattern here.

"Thoroughly Modern Zig Zag" 

Designed by Virginia Robertson

featuring Thoroughly Modern by Virginia Robinson

Download the free quilt pattern here.

"Mountain View" designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

featuring the Mountain View collection by Ro Gregg

Download the free quilt pattern here.

"Walkabout II" designed by Hedgehog Quilts

featuring the Walkabout II collection

Download the free quilt pattern here.

See a range of free quilt patterns here.

Summer of Sewing Roundup!

We hope you enjoyed following our Summer of Sewing series as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you! 

Here's a quick look at the projects we featured this summer; check out the tutorials and ask for the fabrics at your local quilt shop!

Car Carry-All featuring the Building 101 collection

Polka Dot Pouches featuring the Thoroughly Modern collection by Virginia Robertson

Bargello in Blues featuring the Fleur de Bleu collection

Mayfair Placemats featuring the Mayfair collection

Farm Animals Soft Book featuring the Vintage 30s Ruby's Treasures collection

Walkabout Tote featuring the Walkabout 2 collection

Dino Balls Quilt featuring the Lost World collection

Pet Pillow featuring Love is a Four Legged Word collection

Hold Everything Fabric Boxes featuring the Goanna Walkabout collection

Patriotic Star Quilt featuring the American Pride collection

Pie Pincushions featuring the Farmer John's Garden Party collection

Garden Trivets featuring the Farmer John's Garden Party collection

Which was your favorite? 

Summer of Sewing: Walkabout Tote

During our Summer of Sewing series, we'll be featuring weekly tutorials using our new fabric collections (and giveaways, too!). Join us each week, sit back, relax, and then start sewing! 

This week's tutorial is for a fun summer tote bag. We'll be using improv sewing and quilt-as-you-go techniques, so it sews up quickly! We chose the purple colorway of the mouth-watering Walkabout 2 fabric collection, paired with a few Painter's Palette Solids accents. 

Let's get started!
You'll Need:
Fat quarter each of 4 prints (one for tote back
1/2 yard of print #2 (includes handles)
1/2 yard of purple circles for lining
1/8 yard each of four solids: Clementine, Pale Aqua, Apple Green and Violet
Batting

Cutting:
Note: We'll provide you with the actual width strips needed for our tote, but feel free to experiment on your own with different widths and color combos.
From print #1:
(1) 6" x 21" strip
(1) 5" x 21" strip

From print #2:
(2) 6" x 42" strips
(1) 4" x 21" strip

From print #3:
(1) 3-1/2" x 21" strip
(1) 6-1/2" x 12-1/2" piece for pocket

From print #4:
(1) 4" x 21" strip

From each of the solids:
(1) 2" x 21" strip

From the purple circle print: 
(2) 18" x 21" pieces for lining

From the floral print:
(1) 18" x 21" piece

From the batting:
(2) 18" x 21" pieces
(2) 1-1/2" x 30" strips

Making the Tote
Step 1: Lay out strip #1 and the Clemtine solid strip as shown on the batting. Note that the solid strip is angled slightly (you choose the amount of angle). 

Step 2: Stitch along the edge of the two strips using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the solid strip up. Machine quilt straight lines through both strips. (Note: We used a neutral thread for the prints and coordinating color thread for each solid strip).

Step 3: In the same manner, add strip #2, again angling slightly. 

Step 4: Machine quilt straight lines through the new strip. 

Step 5: Add the Pale Aqua strip in the same manner.

Step 6: Continue adding strips as shown until your batting is completely covered and all strips have been quilted in place. 

Step 7: Lay the 18" x 21" backing piece on a second piece of batting and quilt as desired. 

Step 8: Trim both quilted pieces to measure 17" x 19".

Step 9: Layer the two quilted pieces right sides together and stitch around the sides and bottom. Cut 3" squares out from the bottom corners. 

Step 10: Fold the 6-1/2" x 12-1/2" pocket piece in half, wrong sides together. Sew around three sides, leaving an opening for turning along the bottom. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press. Topstitch along the stop (folded) edge.

Step 11: Pin pocket in place on a lining piece, positioning bottom edge approximately 9-1/2" from top and centering from left to right. Stitch along sides and bottom, securing pocket in place and closing the opening at the same time. 

Step 12: Sew the two lining pieces right sides together in the same manner, leaving a 5" opening for turning along the bottom. Cut corners as with the outer tote. 

Step 13: Box the corners of both the inner tote and the lining, matching side and bottom seams and sewing across as shown. 

Step 14: Fold a 6" x 30" handle strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together and press. Unfold and fold long edges in to center fold. Position a 1-1/2" x 30" piece of batting inside and refold. 

Step 15: Pin and machine quilt the handle (we did 5 rows of stitching). 

Step 16: Make 2 handles. 

Step 17: Position one handle on the outer bag, approximately 3-1/2" from each side seam. Pin to secure. Repeat on the opposite side with the second handle.

Step 18: Tuck outer bag (right side out) inside lining (wrong side out) and pin along top edge, matching seams. Stitch around the top edge. 

Step 19: Turn bag right side out, tuck lining inside, and topstitch to secure top edge. 

Step 20: Pull the lining back out slightly and sew the opening in the lining closed. Enjoy!

Would you like to win a bundle of Walkabout 2 fabrics? Leave a comment below (or on IG) telling us whether you like the purple Walkabout 2 colorway (shown in the tutorial) or the blue Walkabout 2 colorway better. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 30th at 11:59 PM CDT. 

Follow along with our Summer of Sewing Series! 
Click here to see all the tutorials.

Lost World bundle winner:

Mom C

Art on Fabric: Walkabout 2

We think this post will have you not walking but running to your local quilt shop! Walkabout 2 is a collection of aboriginal inspired designs infused with so much movement, so much color, that it's sure to become your new favorite. The line comes in a blue and a purple colorway, and we're showing plenty of images of both so you can appreciate all of the detail each print contains. Stay tuned for our Thursday post when we'll share a Summer of Sewing tutorial featuring Walkabout 2 as well! 

Blue colorway: 

 Purple colorway:

Kangaroos

Spirals and circles

Wiggles and wheels

Flowers and vines

Zigzags

Circles and dots

Use these fun prints in our free quilt pattern, Walkabout 2, designed by Terry Albers

Find the free quilt pattern here.

See the entire Walkabout 2 collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 
Find the free quilt pattern here.