Chenille Quilts

It’s no surprise that the French word for caterpillar is chenille.

Think about chenille fabric. The cords are fuzzy and tickly, just like a caterpillar.

Chenille yarns are made by twisting three strands together.

The outer two are the same width but the center yarn is shorter. When they all get twisted together, the result is a plush, fuzzy yarn. Brush it one way and it has a different look, sort of the same way corduroy does.

Chenille is popular in robes, bedspreads, and even as upholstery for home furnishings. It has even worked its way into some quilting!

It was just a matter of time before someone would want to incorporate the soft feeling of chenille with the comfort of a quilt.

Patches of chenille can be stitched together to make a big comfy throw. 

With the holidays right around the corner, why not create a fun chenille quilt as a holiday gift:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/2070-chenille-quilts.php

 

Black Friday is Just a Week Away

Black Friday – - -

The two words can bring about a variety of emotions from excitement to anxiety, or even dread, depending on whether or not you will be participating in this shopping frenzy.

The name “Black Friday” is said to have originated from Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. Apparently, the foot traffic and vehicle volume was so great on the day after Thanksgiving, it became locally known as “Black Friday.

Marketers picked up on the trend as the information spread and now shoppers are targeted on this day after Thanksgiving to officially kick off holiday sales for Christmas.

Learn more about Black Friday and ways to take advantage of the special deals available in your community:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/4095-black-friday.php

 

 

Bias Binding or Straight Grain Binding?

Yesterday we talked about creating curved, or rounded, corners on your bed quilts so the quilt hangs beautifully – and you don’t trip on the corners as you walk around your bed.

The thing is, when you have curved edges on your quilt, you really do need to use bias binding.

However, there are other reasons to use bias binding – and excellent reasons to use straight grain (or cross grain binding).

Discover them when you visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/9005-bias-binding.php

P.S.  Either one is much better than simply folding the backing over to the front of the quilt or the final border onto the back:

 

Fabric Grain defined!

 

 

Happy Veterans Day

Today we salute those men and women who have served their country as members of the armed services and those today who proudly wear the uniform of the active, reserve, and National Guard forces.

From quiet ceremonies to colorful parades, groups across the country celebrate the commitment and bravery of our soldiers.

One fabulous way to keep those memories alive is through the magic of printing favorite photos onto quilts:

Photo Fabric Quilt

Create a fabric photo that can be framed. This could be perfect for your non-quilt-loving friends.

 

A Cookie Monster Day

Raising kids was fun, and I’m happy my job is finished – until grandchildren come along, that is.

Yet days like these bring back good memories.

It’s Cookie Monster Day!

Sesame Street wasn’t around when I was a kid.

There was Sheriff John, the Mickey Mouse Club (both in black and white) and Bonanza (ah, finally color on our TV).

But I did enjoy watching the antics of the Cookie Monster with quilting daughter, Stephanie, and engineer son, Bubba.

It was a time when I could get some quilting done, actually.

They were engaged in the learning of Sesame Street, and I could focus on making quilts.

Many baby quilts were made during that time.

I just wish I had known how to make a flannel baby quilt.

Then I could have spent more time making interesting quilts that had a chance of lasting for generations instead of quilts that would get washed until they were worn out.

You don’t need to get sidetracked, though.

With these instructions, you’ll be able to make a baby
quilt in less than a weekend from start to finish.

Then you’ll have time to enjoy making cookies for the Cookie Monster in your home.

Check out the Cookie Monster I made for Stephanie and Bubba when they were young.

It was part of the curtains that hung in their room:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/flannelbabyquilt.php

 

Today is a Lucky Day for Quilting

Today must be somebody’s lucky day – with all of those elevens!

Just think – 11-11 with a single 1 in between.

And combined with a 7, if you were playing Craps, you’d be a winner.

But there’s no point in gambling on your quilting when there is tons of great information available right at your fingertips – whenever you need it.

We’re shifting our focus over to TheQuiltingCoach.com, home of:

-         the Master Quilter Certification Program

-         step-by-step instructions for fun quilts made easy

-         hundreds of quilt block patterns that include full size templates and rotary cutting layouts

-         discussion forums

-         a Quilting Marketplace where you can find quilting goodies and convert yours into cash

-         generous discounts on all How-to-Quilt.com products

-         and much more

and for a tiny $7 a month (less than 25 cents a day), you will have access to thousands of pages of information that will make your quilting easier and much more fun.

https://www.thequiltingcoach.com/public/5.cfm

Happy Quilting!

Penny

 

How-to-Quilt.com Weekly Newsletter

Dewey Quilt Block

Happy Halloween everyone!

I was curious about how far-reaching the celebration of Halloween is. A quick Google search later, I’ve learned that the concept of Halloween is or has been celebrated in many countries throughout the world.

The differences seem to relate to what – or who – is being celebrated and how traditions and beliefs have evolved over time.

On the day after Halloween, you’ll also notice some “evoluation” here at how-to-quilt.com. You’ll learn more about these changes in this week’s newsletter, as well as:

• TheQuiltingCoach.com – Specializing in Information for Quilters
• Quilt Idea – Christmas Cards You Can Enjoy All Year Long
• Selling at a Craft Bazaar
• The Weekly Crossword Puzzle
• Postcard Quilts for the Troops – Year End Holidays Roundup!
• Deadline is November 15th
• October Free Quilt Block Patterns

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/newsletter/craft-bazaars.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny

 

Free Pumpkin Quilt Block Pattern

Just a couple more days until Halloween and, if you don’t have time to sew yesterday’s Ghostwalk wall hanging or quilt block, maybe you have time for Pumpkins.

An easy Pumpkin quilt block used to be difficult to find so a couple of years ago I designed this one.

It’s a simple 9-patch and you can make the block as large or as small as you like:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1340-pumpkin-quiltblock.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny

 

Ghostwalk Quilt Block

With Halloween coming up, I thought it would be fun to feature a Halloween-type block – Ghostwalk.

While it may be tricky to imagine these “ghosts” walking, by using the right fabric choices – and some simple techniques for sewing curves – you’ll be treated to a fun and whimsical Halloween motif:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1339-ghostwalk-quiltblock.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny

 

Build a Beautiful Border with Bricks

With so many different “parts” to a quilt – patches, blocks, sashing, quilt top, batting, backing, binding and more – it can be somewhat overwhelming to select the right size and shape of every component so it all goes together perfectly.

Today, we share a quilt border idea that will allow you to build your border with just the right dimensions and colors:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/2511-quilt-border-bricks.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny