What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

That is Not a typo:)

It has been a rough year on so many levels for many people and I don't know about you, but my calm, the balm for my soul is stitching. The slow and steady pull of the thread through fabric calms me in ways I can't fully describe. There is a form of meditation in this glorious art form that I am thankful to have in my life and hope I can entice others to feel as well.

I have been absent a bit now, I know.  For those following along, we moved from ...

Hope you had a good holiday celebration!

I have some good news and I promise I will get to it. But please let me whine first. After all, if I don't do it here, where can I?

In Yorktown

Paul and I decided to visit Colonial Williamsburg so we made hotel reservations a few weeks in advance. The plan was to spend July 4th in Yorktown, July 5th in Williamsburg, and July 6th in Jamestown.

I booked us a sailboat cruise (6:30 - 8:30) on the York river, after which we could watch the fireworks. As we drove ...

Combining quilting and sewing this unique and festive bench pillow pattern from Annie’s Craft Store will look great in your home or on your deck.

The skill level for this is easy and the pattern uses scraps, fat eighths and fat quarters.  The result is a pillow that measures 16″ x 38″.  The pattern can be purchased in a paper version or electronically downloadable version.

Get ready for those summer barbecues with this patriotic pillow.  Make a few of them to give as gifts to friends and families.

Annie’s patterns are always detailed and easy-to-follow.  This one is ...

Diary of a Quilter has curated a list of 25 awesome and free Fourth of July quilting and sewing projects. You’ll find throw pillows, table runner, and even large quilt patterns.

I don’t know about you, but I love showing off my patriotic spirit, especially in the summer months when everything seems to be about the red, white and blue.  Any one of these lovely projects is a great way to do that.

One of the things I really like about this list is that there is such a wide variety of projects.  I don’t always feel ...

Simple yet incredibly striking, this Stars and Stripes pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics is stunning.  Even better, it is a free pattern!

This pattern is designed for intermediate level quilters and has a traditional look.  I particularly like that the border is made using a striped fabric.  It looks a lot trickier than it actually is.

Download the pattern and you will find detailed instructions that include helpful diagrams.  Use the fabrics the pattern recommends or switch out your own and get a completely different look.

What a great quilt for the summer months (or throughout the ...

Yesterday was Monday Sewing. However, from my point of view -- it was more like Monday searching. 

I don't know how many times I went on a quest to find something for someone. I'm not sure if this was the first thing or not, but we got to chatting about the Piecemaker Calendars. I'm missing ONE -- the very first one that came out in 1988. Hmm --- the collective group has spotted it on eBay. But do I want to pay $40 US for it?? OK -- so I caved and sent an OFFER to the seller. Let's see ...

It’s time for some scrappy red, white, and blue quilted goodness.  This patriotic flag pattern from Diary of Quilter is about as scrappy as it gets.

Measuring about 39″ x 51″ when finished, it is super simple to make.  With the exception of a small part of the quilt, it’s all about squares.  The trick with this one is to have enough scraps in the various colors.

Of course, for us quilters, that probably is not a huge problem.  Because it is so easy to put together, you could easily make this quilt in a day or two ...

You probably know John Adams as a Founding Father of the United States. But did you know he was also a fantastic party planner? It’s true! (Well, kinda…)

When independence was officially declared, John Adams wrote: “[This day] will be the most memorable in the history of America. It ought to be [celebrated] with pomp and parade, games, sports, and [fireworks] forever more.” His 4th of July plans were so much fun, we’ve celebrated John Adams-style for 245 years! 

But there’s just one thing Mr. Adams forgot: Quilts! Every good holiday needs quilts!

This week, Jenny is ...

Freeform stars are some of the most fun stars to quilt.  There isn’t a lot of pressure to get points perfect, and they add some fun movement to designs.  This table runner designed by Dawn from Springwater Designs for Inspired by Fabric includes some of those fun stars in it.

Using various red, white, and blue fabrics, the quilt is made up with various squares and rectangles (some of which are cut in half).  Each star block measures 6″ when finished.  The table topper measures about 21″ x 36″ when finished.

Along with cutting instructions, you will find easy ...

I think everyone needs to make one of these beautiful patriotic pineapple quilts.  This design is from both Jedi Craft Girl and Gigi’s Thimble, two awesome quilt designers.

The free pattern is available in a downloadable pdf and measures about 40″ x 58″ when finished.  It is an ideal design for five fat quarters plus background fabric.  You will find detailed step by step assembly instruction in the pattern.

Even if you don’t make the quilt, you have to go and check out the blog post for all of the pineapple eye candy.  I can’t decide if ...

Simple yet striking, this festive table runner will be the hit of your Fourth of July barbecue.  It can be found over on the Or So She Says blog.

With a finished size of about 16″ x 46″, it will fit almost any table and does not require too much fabric.  It combines piecing and a little bit of appliqué.  I love the way those white stars pop against the navy fabric.

Along with the fabric and other standard quilting supplies, you will need some fusible web for the appliqué shapes.  Other than that, the quilting is simple and, if ...

Perfect for Memorial Day or any other patriotic holiday, this beautiful table runner pattern from A Bright Corner is easy to make.  The white stars really shine against the blue in this design.

When finished it measures 12″ x 36″ so it’s a size that will fit many tables.  Along with standard quilting supplies, you will need paper-backed fusible webbing for the star shapes.

The downloadable pattern has a template for the star as well as detailed cutting and assembly instructions.  This would be a good pattern for beginners.

Table runners are nice to make.  They are not too ...

In the United States we honor our veterans on November 11 every year.  It is a special day when we praise those who have served our country during times of peace and war.  Many quilters honor veterans by making quilts for them and donating them to various organizations.

This stunning quilt designed by Jessica Dayon would be a wonderful quilt to make for that special veteran in your life, or to show off your patriotic spirit.

The finished quilt measures 60 1/2 x 60 1/2 so it’s a nice lap quilt size.  It is a more detailed ...

America The Beautiful Free Quilt Pattern courtesy of Henry Glass & Co., Inc.

You will need their fabric to complete this design as it is based on pre-printed themed fabrics. You can learn more and see download the free pdf for this quilt pattern via BearCreekQuiltingCompany. 

Looking for more America themed quilt patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

This tutorial is all about stars and stripes, This s a fun summer table runner that would look amazing across an outdoor picnic table ro outdoor BBQ area. You can see the full tutorial and pattern here.