Tabla de contenidos para July/August 2017 en Modern Patchwork

One of my favorite weekend things to do in early summer is to lie on a macramé hammock strung between two trees at the edge of my flower garden and ponder the day’s possibilities. Eyes closed, I meditate with my other senses. The perfume of freshly cut grass—so pungent I can almost taste it—provides the backdrop for my thoughts. I hear the staccato buzz of tiny insects as they join the drumming of my own heartbeat. Distant trumpet music echoes through the woods from a budding musician whose mother has sent him outside to practice. And the warm sun that seemed so distant and cold just a few short months ago settles on my cheeks and arms, leaving them slightly pink after a few short minutes. Eventually I’ll open my…

To me this complicted relationship to beauty is at the center of modern art, and is one of the hallmarks of modern quilting. What is often mistaken as the simplicity of a beginner is in many cases the pursuit of a more essential beauty. In the place of intricacy, an uncomplicated formal vocabulary emerges, one that offers an unexpected beauty found in the subtle details rather than in decorative splendor. For example, many of Latifah Saafir’s quilts offer a striking kind of beauty, one that is simultaneously stark and sublime. Latifah pares away any excess decoration and offers a formal vocabulary of harmony and dissonance, a beauty born of nuanced relationships. I do not see these quilts as simply aesthetic exercises; rather they tap into to a zeitgeist of inclusion…

Individual Hourglass blocks can be sewn using separately cut triangles. But using this simple two-at-a-time method, you can avoid all that cutting and bias-edge sewing. Also known as the Quarter-square Triangle, this block is constructed using two Half-square Triangles—more blocks with less fuss! 1. Cut 2 squares 1 ½ " larger than the desired finished size of the block. 2. Using a ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter square from the upper left to the lower right corner. 3. With right sides facing, pair the darker square with the marked light square. 4. Stitch ¼ " on each side of the drawn line. 5. Cut along the drawn line, creating 2 HSTs. 6. Press the seam allowances either open or toward the darker fabric.…

Have you ever seen a quilt with borders that appeared to be slapped on as an afterthought? Sometimes, binding feels that way, too. It can interrupt the flow of a design and give a quilt a harder edge than you intend. For this quilt, I wanted the links to float on the background without visibly defining the edges. Facing is a technique that is typically used on art quilts, but can be a great alternative to finishing the edges of larger quilts as well. Facing doesn’t have to take more fabric than traditional binding if you use a single layer or don’t mind a narrower width of facing for a double layer. If you prefer a wider, double-layer facing, purchase additional fabric.…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include . " seam allowances. The fish appliqué template, on page 46, does not include a seam allowance. Cut out the fish template pieces and tape the 2 sections together where indicated. From gray, cut: — 1 (26" x 40") strip. From the strip, cut 2 (20" x 26") rectangles for pillow back. NOTE: Cut the remaining pieces parallel to the selvedge. — 2 (22") squares for pillow top background and backing. — 2 (2 . " x 46") strips for binding. From blue, trace and cut: — 4 fish templates (add 3⁄8" seam allowance). From red, trace and cut: — 1 fish template (add 3⁄8" seam allowance). APPLIQUÉ THE TOP 1. Fold the pillow top background in quarters and finger press to find the…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Label fabrics as they are cut. Sashing strips are cut to exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. From main floral (1), cut: — 4 (16 . ") squares. — 5 (9 . ") squares. — 3 (8 . ") squares. — 6 (5 . ") squares. — 9 (4 . ") squares for sashing and corners. From two-tone leaf (2), cut: — 3 (5 . ") squares. From blue and green pebbles (3), cut: — 4 (9 . ") squares. — 6 (5 . ") squares. From blue tonal floral (4), cut: — 5 (5 . ") squares. From maroon tonal geometric (5), cut: — 1 (8 . ") square. —…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Border strips are exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. From each 3⁄8 yard print, cut: — 3 (3" × 40") strips. From the strips, cut 5 (3" × 11") A rectangles [30 total]; and 10 (3" × 4 . ") B rectangles [60 total]. From 3 ⁄4 yard print, cut: — 2 (3" × 40") strips. From the strips, cut 3 (3" × 11") A rectangles and 6 (3" × 4 . ") B rectangles. — 8 (2 . " × 40") strips for binding. From pink, cut: — 9 (1 . " × 40") strips. From the strips, cut 264 (1 . ") C squares. — 15 (4 . "…

1. The shapes on paper piecing blocks are numbered. 2. Using fabric pieces that are larger than the numbered areas, place fabric 1 on the unprinted side of the paper, right side up. 3. Position fabric 2 on top of fabric 1, right sides facing and edges aligned. Make sure the edges of fabric 2 will extend at least ¼ " beyond the printed lines when pressed back into place 4. With the paper on top, stitch directly on the pattern line between pieces 1 and 2, extending the stitching into the seam allowances at the end of the seams. 5. Press fabric 2 back. Fold the paper back along the stitched line and trim the seam allowance. 6. Continue to add pieces in numerical order. 7. Trim the excess…

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE CUTTING Measurements include . " seam allowances. Label pieces as you cut. From navy plaid (fabric 1), cut: — 4 (4 . " x 16 . ") A rectangles for sashing. From blue check (fabric 2), cut: — 8 (47⁄8") B squares for block 2. From yellow-and-blue plaid (fabric 3), cut: — 10 (2 . " x 40") D strips for block 1. From blue-and-red plaid (fabric 4), cut: — 4 (4 . ") C squares for sashing. — 1 (47⁄8") B square for setting triangles. From gray-and-blue plaid (fabric 5), cut: — 8 (47⁄8") B squares for block 2. From pink-and-navy plaid (fabric 6), cut: — 8 (4 . " x 16 . ") A rectangles for sashing. From pink plaid (fabric 7), cut: — 2…

SKILL LEVEL: EASY CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Press seams open. From light green, cut: — 1 (3 . " × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 7 (3 . ") squares. From yellow-green, cut: — 1 (3 . " × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 10 (3 . ") squares. From pink, cut: — 1 (3 . " × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 6 (3 . ") squares. From navy, cut: — 1 (3 . " × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 8 (3 . ") squares. From blue, cut: — 1 (3 . " × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 9 (3 . ") squares. — 1 (5" × 40") strip. From the strip, cut 2 (5" × 12 . ") rectangles.…

after a gunman ended 49 lives and injured 53 others in 2016 at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, local residents were shocked and horrified. As the true scope of the events unfolded, an overwhelming number of people felt drawn to help. Alissa Lapinsky was no different. As the president of the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild at that time, she knew she could use her art and influence to support the survivors and help comfort the victims’ families. She asked the members of her group to help her form a charity initiative, and they quickly organized a response. A request was posted on Instagram that night, looking for 102 quilts with some sort of heart theme, just enough to give a quilt to each of those affected. “As a quilt…

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Templates are on page 27. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. See Cutting Diagram for nesting templates for the most efficient use of fabric. Label pieces as you cut. Press seams open. From each solid, cut: — 2 (7" x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 8 template A. — 1 (7 ½ " x 40") strip. From the strip, cut 8 template B. There will be extras. — 1 (1 ¼ " x 40") strip. From the strip, cut 2 (1 ¼ ") C squares, 8 (1 ¼ " x 1") D rectangles, and 8 (1 ¼ " x 2 ½ ") E rectangles. From print fat quarters, cut: — 5 template B. From stripe, cut: —…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include . " seam allowances. Press seams open. From each of the 4 medium fabric for Large Stars, cut: — 1 (7 . ") square. — 4 (67⁄8") squares. — 4 (3 . ") squares. From each of the 4 light fat quarter for Large Stars, cut: — 1 (6 . ") square. — 4 (37⁄8") squares. Following the Cutting Diagram, from each of the 7 fat quarters for Small Star blocks, cut: — 8 (37⁄8") squares. — 8 (2") squares. — 2 (4 . ") squares. — 2 (3 . ") squares. — 8 (23⁄8") squares. Separate the squares cut from each fabric into 4 stacks. The first 2 stacks—for an outer star—should each contain 4 (37⁄8") squares, 4 (2") squares, and 1…

Curved piecing is ubiquitous in modern quilts, but some quilters ignore it because they’ve avoided learning how to sew curves. Like many things, piecing curves takes a little practice. With these tips, you’ll soon be creating smooth curved seams like a pro! NOTE: These illustrations show the Drunkard’s Path block but these tips are true for all blocks with curved pieces. 1. Cut a convex quarter circle piece and a concave L-shaped piece from contrasting fabrics. Fold each piece in half. Finger press at the curved centers. 2. With right sides together and the L-shaped piece on top, align press marks and pin in the center of the block. 3. Pin the outside edges together with the straight edges matching. 4. You might find it necessary to add more pins…

■ Trace the applique shape onto template plastic and cut on the line. ■ Using the template, trace the shape onto the fabric. ■ Cut out the applique shape, adding 3⁄8" as a seam allowance. ■ Pin or baste the shape in position on the background fabric. ■ Using an applique needle and thread matching the applique, turn the seam allowance under the applique shape on the drawn line. Smooth the line with the needle or your fingernail. ■ Stitch the applique in place with small stitches, biting into a few threads of the applique shape and stitching straight into the base fabric. Stitches should be nearly invisible. ■ Clip curves and into sharp corners for smooth and tight transitions as you stitch.…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Press seams open. From pink, cut: — 4 (4 . " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 12 (4 . " x 12 . ") A rectangles. From gray, cut: — 4 (4 . " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 12 (4 . " x 12 . ") A rectangles. — 8 (2 . " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 24 (2 . " x 12") B rectangles. — 2 (7" x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 18 (7") squares. Cut squares on 1 diagonal to make 36 C triangles. — 8 (1 . " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 24 (1 . " x 12") D strips. — 24 (6 .…

Half-Square Triangle blocks (HSTs) are some of the most versatile blocks we use in quilting, but the bias-edge seam makes them a bit of a challenge. This quick method for making two identical HST blocks at once eliminates the need to sew along a cut bias edge—you get more blocks with less fuss. 1. Cut 2 squares 7⁄8" larger than the desired finished size of your block. 2. Using a ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter square from the upper left to the lower right corner. 3. With right sides facing, pair a dark square with the marked light square. 4. Stitch . " on each side of the drawn line. 5. Cut along the drawn line, creating 2 HSTs. 6. Press the seam…

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Templates are on page 76. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. From coral, cut: — 14 from template A for petals. From gold print, cut: — 2 (4" × 40") strips for band. From solid yellow, cut: — 2 (7 . " × 33") strips. — 2 (7 . " × 40") strips. — 2 from template C for tulip. From yellow print, cut: — 3 (7 . " × 40") strips. From dark green stripes, cut: — 8 (2 . " × 6 . ") rectangles for stem. NOTE: Check orientation of stripes before cutting. From light green print, cut: — 3 (2 . " × 20") strips. From the strips, cut 7 (2 . " ×…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Quilt shown uses directional fabric for some of the sections—double check before cutting and sewing these prints to keep the stripes vertical. Sashing strips are cut to the exact length. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. From each of fabrics 1 and 5, cut: — 2 (3 ½ " x 40") strips. — 2 (6 ½ " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 5 (6 ½ " x 9 ½ ") A rectangles. From each of fabrics 2 and 3, cut: — 5 (6 ½ " x 40") strips. From 3 strips, cut 10 (6 ½ " x 9 ½ ") A rectangles. Set aside remaining strips. From fabric 4 (directional stripe),…

If you are hand quilting, mark the top before layering with backing and batting. 1. Mark 3 center lines at 45° angles through the squares’ intersections as shown in Quilting Diagram 1. TIP: The quilting lines will stop ¼ " from the top and bottom raw edges. 2. Staying parallel to the previously drawn lines, mark the remaining lines in a V, moving out from the center. Start at center seams of each block and draw outward 45° as shown in Quilting Diagram 2. TIP: The quilting lines should be 2" apart. 3. Assemble the quilt sandwich with backing and batting; baste. TIP: If using pins, place them between the marked lines. 4. Cut a piece of thread about 18". Knot on 1 end and thread the other. Draw the needle through the…

meet Katherine Jones Best of Show winner QuiltCon 2017 CHIGWELL, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA On a Wednesday morning in early February, Kat Jones was sitting at her desk at the plumbing firm in Hobart, Tasmania, where she works, when the phone rang. Ten minutes earlier she’d received an email from the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) saying one of her quilts would win an award at the upcoming QuiltCon 2017 in Savannah, Georgia. “I told my work colleagues and then, as the day was quite frantic, I continued to work,” Kat recalls about that day. Her phone showed that the number was from someone in the United States. It turned out to be Heather Grant, director of marketing and programming for the MQG. “She explained that she was calling to tell me that…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING 1. Divide the colorful fat quarters into 9 groups of 3 fabrics each. Each group will be used for 1 block. For each block, label the colors 1, 2, and 3. 2. Pair each light gray . -yard piece with a dark gray fat eighth. 3. Make 9 groupings of colorful fat quarters and light gray/dark gray pairs. Each grouping will be used for 1 block. 4. From each grouping, cut and label the following. From light gray prints, cut: — 4 (3 . ") A squares. — 16 (3 7⁄8") squares for Units B, C, and F. — 2 (7") squares Unit D. From dark gray prints, cut: — 2 (7 . ") squares for Unit B. From color 1, cut: — 1 (7…

SKILL LEVEL: CONFIDENT BEGINNER CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Templates are on page 42. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. Border and facing strips are exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. Press seams toward the print fabric, unless indicated. From each of fabrics 1, 2, 8, and 9, cut: — 1 (5 ¾ " x 40") strip. From strip, cut 1 (2 ¼ " x 5 ¾ ") G rectangle and 4 template B. — 1 (7 ½ " x 40") strip. From strip, cut 5 (5 ¾ " x 7 ½ ") F rectangles. From each of fabrics 3, 4, 6, and 7, cut: — 1 (5 ¾ " x 40") strip. From strip,…

Curved blocks precision cutting and sewing will make a difference in piecing success. Here are some tips for troubleshooting them. Smooth curves: Always sew with the L-shaped piece on top so you can see the fabric as it eases into the curved shape of the quarter circle as you sew. Off-kilter blocks: If the fabric is pulled when sewing, the block might stretch out of square. Try trimming the block to size, or pick out the stitches, press the pieces with starch, and sew again. Tucks: Sometimes small tucks may get sewn into the seam. If this happens, pull out the stitches around the tuck, ease the fabrics back together, and re-sew the open portion with a smooth curve. Save time: Making a single block can be time consuming. Batching…

Use these simple directions to finish pillows with an envelope closure. Binding or no binding? That’s up to you. MATERIALS ■ Pillow top ■ Backing fabric ■ Pillow form ■ Point turner ■ Binding strips: 2 . " × (the pillow perimeter + 5") (for the Envelope Back with Binding option only) ENVELOPE BACK WITHOUT BINDING 1. Cut 2 pieces of backing fabric, each the height of the finished pillow plus . " (for seam allowances) and the width of the finished pillow plus 6" (for overlap). As an example, for a 16" × 16" pillow, cut 2 rectangles, each 16 . " × 22". 2. Fold and press the rectangles in half widthwise, wrong sides facing. (In our example, the rectangles would be 16 . " × 11".) 3.…

Although similar to their cousins the Half-square Triangles, Half-rectangle Triangles are not all created equal. They will have a left-leaning angle or a right-leaning angle based on how they are sewn together. Blocks sewn from the lower right to the upper left (left-leaning), produce a mirror-image from blocks sewn from the lower left to the upper right (right-leaning). This will become obvious after you’ve made a few. Follow these directions carefully and you’ll soon be an expert. CREATE LEFT-LEANING BLOCKS 1. Cut 2 rectangles 1" larger overall than the desired finished size of your block. 2. On 1 rectangle, place a mark ½ " from the upper left/side edge and the lower right/side edge on the right side of the fabric. 3. On the other rectangle, place a mark ½…

modern patchwork Modern Patchwork is packed with projects for today’s quilters and sewists. The contemporary and fresh aesthetic of these projects pays tribute to the modern revival of patchwork, integrating traditional and innovative techniques. What are we looking for? Distinctive and unpublished original projects in today’s fabrics to suit every room of the house. We encourage you to submit projects that fall within these guidelines: ■ Modern quilts: all shapes and sizes ■ Home décor + kitchen: pillows, place mats, table toppers ■ Bags + tech accessories: totes, computer sleeves, messenger bags How to submit a project Send an email with: ■ A brief project description with dimensions and fabric choices ■ Your name, address, email address, and phone number ■ Photographs of the project—up to three low-resolution jpegs. Alternatively,…

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE CUTTING Make 8 copies of the paper-piecing pattern on page 70. Directions and cutting instructions create the project as pictured. See “Customize This Project” sidebar to create a smaller or larger cover. Press seams open whenever possible. From gray, cut: — 1 (5" x 12 . ") rectangle for lining. — 8 (2 . " x 2") rectangles for paper piece 5. — 8 (2") squares. Cut each square in half diagonally to create 16 triangles for paper pieces 3 and 4. From off-white, cut: — 8 (2 . " x 1 . ") rectangles for paper piece 1. From interfacing, cut: — 1 (4 . " x 12") rectangle. ASSEMBLY 1. Referring to Modern Basics: Foundation Paper Piecing on page 71, paper piece 8 “pencils” following…

A well made binding will protect the edges of your quilt, add to the overall design, and make it last longer. The following technique is for creating a French-fold binding, also known as a double-fold binding. PREPARE THE BINDING 1. Measure the perimeter of your quilt and add approximately 24". The additional length will accommodate the mitered corners and the finished ends of the binding, and give you a few inches to spare. 2. Cut enough 2 ¼ "-wide strips to equal the desired length. 3. Join the strips together using diagonal seams. To do this, place two strips, right sides together at right angles. The area where the strips overlap forms a square. Sew diagonally across the square. Trim the excess fabric ¼ " from the seam line and…

Flying Geese blocks are made up of the ‘Geese,’ which is a large, centered triangles in the unit, and the ‘Sky’ which are the triangles on the sides. There are several ways to make Flying Geese blocks, but if your quilt pattern calls for several in the same color combination, this method can’t be beat. There is absolutely no wasted fabric, and no need to work with unstable bias edges. The Geese section begins as a single large square and 4 smaller squares make up the Sky. 1. First, to determine the size of squares to cut, write down the size of the finished block. For our example, we’ll use a 2" × 4" finished block. For the large Geese piece, cut a square the desired finished width of the…

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE CUTTING Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Press all seams toward the darker fabric. Use a starch alternative when pressing the curved blocks. Templates are on pages 93 & 94. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. As you cut, organize pieces by section to facilitate assembly. From blue, cut: • 8 template A. • 10 template D. TIP: Use the capsule-shaped leftovers from cutting template A to cut template D. • For Section 1, cut: — 1 (3 ½ " × 40") strip. From this strip, cut 1 each: (3 ½ " × 6 ½ "), (3 ½ " × 11"), and (3 ½ " × 11 ¾ "). — 1 (8 ¾ " × 23") rectangle. — 1 (11 ¾ " × 27 ½…