Tabla de contenidos para January/February 2018 en Modern Patchwork

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT ALL OF MY LIFE, I HAVE COLLECTED THINGS … LOTS OF THINGS. From tiny scraps of paper with interesting markings to chunks of driftwood that have washed onto the beach. When will I ever need a 50-pound tree stump? Never. But I still find myself scanning the smooth gray wood and wondering how I could use it in my garden or as part of the décor in my studio. At some point, it is almost as if the object is not important, but the act of collecting is. Case in point: from where I sit in my studio I see a Mason jar filled nearly to the brim with white buttons—and another holding sea shells from three continents. Both are still “collections in progress.”…

BIRTHPLACE: Tel Aviv, Israel CURRENT HOME: Austin, Texas Designer for Robert Kaufman Fabrics StitchInDye.com After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art at the University of Texas, Malka Dubrawsky found the expense and complexity of setting up a printmaking studio an intimidating task. Instead, she began to explore fabric surface design with a method of wax resist that creates a modern aesthetic. Using her own fabrics, she began to make art quilts but then felt a need for a more personal touch. “For a while I made art quilts and then I felt like I wanted my work to touch people, not be just something that they would see at a gallery if they happened upon it.” Now, after designing for both Moda and Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Malka…

Printing your own quilting fabrics is so much fun: it adds a level of personalization that is uniquely your own. You can choose to print enough fabric for an entire quilt top, or just a small portion of cloth and supplement the remaining fabrics from your stash. In learning to use color and to print pleasing palettes of cloth, I suggest working in a gradation that moves from dark to light. Simply choose two complementary colors—such as burgundy and olive—and experiment by using both colors in each gradation for each print. When I print I make eight pieces of cloth at a time, which is equal to a half yard of fabric. Once you see how easy it is to print the first eight samples, you won’t want to stop…

In 1863, the first Salon des Refuses was launched in protest over what was considered overly conservative jurying for the annual Paris Salon exhibition, and set off a schism in the art world that would have widereaching effects. In later years, the Impressionists would use their own manifestations of the Salon des Refuses to exhibit what they regarded as a new and modern approach to painting, an approach that simultaneously broke from accepted traditions and hewed closely to age-old ideas of representational painting. While many detractors found these painting grotesque, the new style found purchase among young artists and began a revolution in the world of art. As I look back over the past decade in the quilting world, I cannot help but see parallels between the aims of the…

This quilt uses bias tape applique to create contrasting accent strips on a dark background. The big-stitch hand quilting carries the high-contrast theme throughout. CUTTING From navy, cut: — 2 (21") squares; 1 for background and 1 for backing. — 3 (2¼ " x 42") strips for binding. From lavender, cut: — 4 (3" x 42") strips. ASSEMBLY 1. Fold each lavender strip in half, wrong sides together. Press. 2. Place a navy background square right side up. Mark a dot 1" down from the top left corner and a dot 1" left of the bottom right corner. Draw a line to connect the dots. Align the first strip with the raw edge on the left side of the line. NOTE: Leave extra strip fabric past the background on each…

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. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 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, send a digital mock-up of…

Varying lengths of strips in solid colors with a striking contrast create the illusion of an hourglass—but also diamonds, an elongated hexagon, and a bright yellow X. The quilt shown wa s cut from yardage, but using pre-cut strips will save you hours of rotary cutting. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Cut a combination of short and long strips from each full strip for most efficient use of yardage. Label pieces as they are cut. Border strips are exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. From light teal, cut: • 7 (2 ½ " x 41") strips. From the strips cut: — 2 (2 ½ " x 28 ½ ") strips. — 2 (2 ½ " x 24 ½ ")…

Built from traditional Drunkard’s Path and Flying Geese blocks, this table runner and place mat set add a big splash of color to your dining table. Bright, saturated tones in an alternating arrangement of shapes gives this set a fresh, modern feel. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Border strips are exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. Label pieces as they are cut. Templates are on page 61. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. From each of dark blue, turquoise, green, orange, pink, and raspberry, cut: — 6 (3 ½ " x 6 ½ ") C rectangles for table runner and place mats. — 6 Template A for table runner and place mats. From each of…

By using a collection of 5" precuts to make Half-Square Triangles—and paying attention to the orientation—an interesting design emerges. As a bonus, this quilt can be finished quickly. If you end up with a few extra blocks, sew them into the backing for a touch of playfulness. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Label pieces as they are cut. Fabric requirements for the backing assume the maker is creating a pieced back that incorporated additional quilt blocks. For a plain backing, you will need 3 ¾ yards cut into 2 (1 7/8-yard) lengths and sewn lengthwise. From olive, cut: — 5 (5" x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 36 (5") A squares. From tan, cut: — 24 (2 ¾ " x 40") strips. From 9 strips, cut 72…

These mug rugs are made with strips of batiks in gradating colors—with white corner triangles creating a rectangular Snowball block. Simple linear quilting adds to the geometric effect. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. From white, cut: — 3 (2" x 20") strips. From the strips, cut 24 (2") squares. From each of backing and batting, cut: — 2 (7 ½ " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 6 (7 ½ " x 9 ½ ") rectangles. From binding, cut: — 6 (2 ¼ " x 40") strips. ASSEMBLY 1. With a fabricsafe marker, draw a diagonal line on the reverse side of the 24 white squares. 2. Sew 4 colored 2 ½ " x 6 ½ " strips together. Make 6. 3. Place a white square on…

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: 2¼ " × (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 ½ " (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 ½ " × 22". 2. Fold and press the rectangles in half widthwise, wrong sides facing. (In our example, the rectangles would be 16 ½ " × 11".) 3. Overlap the pressed edges, making a…

This pretty pillow is made with basic strip piecing and a touch of hand quilting. Try this ombré version or design a personalized color plan. The result will add a lovely modern touch to any room. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. From white, cut: — 1 (23" x 40") strip. From the strip, cut 2 (17 ½ " x 23") pillow back rectangles parallel to the selvedge. From the remaining strip, cut 2 (2 ½ " x 6") end strips. — 1 (9" x 40") strip. From the strip, cut 2 (9" x 20") strips. From light aqua, cut: — 2 (2 ½ " x 20") strips. From medium aqua, cut: — 2 (2 ½ " x 20") strips. From dark aqua, cut: — 1 (2 ½ "…

BIRTHPLACE: Galveston, Texas CURRENT HOME: Yorktown, Virginia Designer for Andover Fabrics AlisonGlass.com Alison Glass is a well-known name in fabric design with her signature bright rainbow of color and hand-drawn shapes. Her quilt patterns perfectly complement the juicy hues of her designed cloth, highlighting appliqué with contrasting solids and using geometric and natural shapes to allow the fabrics to truly shine. She starts by drawing in pencil on paper and then on tracing paper, layering the sheets to get her final version. Early in her career, she taught herself Adobe Illustrator and she uses this program to put her design in repeat and refine her image before sending the file to Andover Fabrics. “I then do more specific color work with the art team at Andover and finish the file.”…

This deceptively simple quilt is an excellent example of the value of value. In this case, the value—how light or dark a fabric appears in comparison to the fabric next to it—is more important than the color of the fabrics in each block. The zigzag pattern appears strongest on the side of the quilt where the contrast is greatest, and is more subtle where the values are less pronounced. Here’s how to achieve a similar effect in your own quilts. • Sort fabrics by value, not by color. • To determine value, take a black-and-white photo of your fabrics or view them through a value-finder and arrange from light to dark. • Pair fabrics close in value (such as a light print with a very pale print) for a more…

What is bark cloth? Describing a fabric as bark cloth has more to do with the texture of the weave than with the fiber content. Originally made by beating the inner bark of trees into a paper-like sheet, bark cloth now is a cotton or cotton blend fabric with a nubby surface that mimics the tree bark texture. When examined closely, the weave of this substrate appears random and mottled, adding to its relaxed appeal. Bark cloth generally has a slightly heavier weight than quilting cottons, although recent releases are soft and drape easily. Where have we seen it? This fabric came into its own with the midcentury modern movement as an option for home décor and interior furnishings. Nearly every stylish home in the 1950s would have been decorated…

LONGARM QUILTING WORKBOOK: BASIC SKILLS, TECHNIQUES & MOTIFS FOR MODERN LONGARMING Teresa Silva Are you new to longarm quilting? Dive into Teresa’s book to learn the nuts and bolts of setting up a longarm machine, how to start, and the pros and cons of various materials. This approachable text lays out all the basics, from thread to batting to throat size. It is almost like Teresa is there with you—guiding your choices and offering advice. After getting the machine ready, practice your skills with some of Teresa’s amazing motifs. This book is a great starting point for those beginning to explore a longarm machine, or those looking to add to their repertoire of designs. $34.99 • Fons & Porter • shopfonsandporter.com MODERN QUILT MAGIC: FIVE PARLOR TRICKS TO EXPAND YOUR…

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 ¼ " on each side of the drawn line. 5. Cut along the drawn line, creating 2 HSTs. 6. Press the seam…

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…

Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) are a staple in the modern quilter’s toolbox. This time-saving method helps you make 8 HSTs at a time—quickly and accurately. 1. Using a ruler, draw diagonal lines on the lighter square from the upper left to lower right and from the upper right to the lower left. 2. Draw center vertical and horizontal lines 3. With right sides together, pair a dark square with the marked light square. 4. Stitch ¼ " on each side of the diagonal lines only. 5. Cut along the drawn diagonal lines, and again at the center vertical and horizontal line, creating 8 HSTs. 6. Press the seam allowances either open or toward the darker fabric. Trim the dog ears. 7. Voilà! You now have 8 HST blocks to use in…

By arranging the units into diagonal rows, this joyful quilt is a breeze to assemble. No Y-seams in sight! The illusion is created by careful arrangement of diamond and triangle shapes. This quilt might look complex, but the only difficulty is deciding what color combinations to use. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Label pieces as they are cut. Templates are on page 83. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. See Nesting Templates Diagrams for most efficient template placement before cutting. From each of light pink, medium pink, light blue, and medium blue, cut: — 6 (5" x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 32 template A. From each of dark pink and dark blue, cut: — 6 (5 ¼ " x 40") strips. From the strips,…

Below the surface of city streets, an intricate system of pipes and culverts supports the urban infrastructure. Imagine the many twists and turns they make along the way, all while carrying water to a thirsty population. This design mimics the twists and turns of those conduits in a modified zigzag pattern, complete with a bit of graffiti to add to the urban feel. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Press seams open. From each colored print, cut: — If using fat eighths, cut 22 (5") squares. — On 12 squares, mark a point 1 ½ " from the top right corner, and 1 ½ " from the bottom left corner. Connect the points. Cut on the line. This makes 24 A pieces. — On 10 squares, mark a point…

Occasionally, the vast selection of commercially available fabric isn’t quite what a modern quilter is looking for: the colors may be too bright or too dull, a particular print just isn’t available, and they are left high and dry. Not a problem! Why not consider designing and printing your own custom fabric? There are a variety of methods to bring design ideas to life and print them commercially or at home, but the first step is to consider which technique will give the results you are looking for. While social media giant Pinterest presents myriad ideas using materials as diverse as fabric pens and computer renderings, the first place to start would be to decide whether to go high tech or to use a more hands-on surface design method. HIGH…

Showcase your stash of handmade fabrics with this elegantly simple —yet sophisticated—quilt. Created with the surface design enthusiast in mind, this basic zigzag pattern allows the subtle variations in each fabric’s scale, color, and value do all the work. With a variety of prints and just one simple block—the Halfsquare Triangle— you’ll be zigzagging through your own garden quilt in no time! CUTTING If working with 9" squares, sort the fabrics into dark, medium, and light groups. You may want to have extra squares to ensure you have enough contrast and variation in your design. Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Press seams to the darker fabric. From each value of fabric, cut: — 30 (9") squares (90 total). From binding, cut: — 8 (2¼ " x 40") strips. ASSEMBLY…

Contrast in quilt design occurs when two elements in a quilt are markedly different—wide strips against small strips or large sections of a solid color against a small accent print, for example. Color choices are another option to use contrast. As quilt designers, determining a color palette is a critical time to focus on contrast. A color palette in its simplest form can be just two colors—and a minimalistic, two-color palette can create striking quilts. Parwing down your fabric choices lets the design elements (and quilting) shine— especially if you keep one simple design element in mind: contrast. Contrast comes in two forms— high contrast and low contrast. Incorporating high contrast in a quilt can create impact and excitement. Incorporating low contrast can create a harmonious, peaceful quilt. You choose…

PAMELA WILEY VIEWS HER WORK AS MODERN QUILTS THAT ARE ALSO FINE ART PIECES. “I really think the modern quilt movement has raised the visual literacy of how we look at things, how we work with color and line,” she explains. “We’re in a time now where we get to dissolve those parameters and feed off one another. I think art is stronger when you think like a quilter and quilting is stronger when you think like an artist.” Living on Tybee Island, a scenic barrier island off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, Pamela spent 24 years on the faculty of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), serving as chair of the fibers department for part of that time. Three years ago, at the age of 63, she…

This quilt, with very simple blocks, plays effectively with the scale and placement of right triangles. The balance of the neutrals with the bright colors gives this quilt energy. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Border strips are exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. Label pieces as they are cut. From white, cut: — 7 (2" x 40") strips. Sew with diagonal seams to create 1 continuous strip. From the strip, cut 2 (2" x 65") side borders and 2 (2" x 54") top/bottom borders. — 4 (12" x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 11 (12") A squares for large HSTs. — 5 (5 ½ " x 40") strips. From the strips, cut 29 (5 ½ ") B squares:…

Mid-century modern has always been Heather’s favorite design style—mostly for the color palette, clean lines, organic elements, and a philosophy that utility can also be beautiful. This quilt was not designed to be a replica of the mid-century modern style but more of a translation of that style for today. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Label pieces as they are cut. Templates are on page 57. Trace onto template material. Cut out and label the templates. From background, cut: — 5 (2 ½ " x 40") strips½ From 3 strips, cut 9 (2 ½ " x 12 ½ ") C rectangles and, from the remaining strips, cut 12 (2 ½ " x 6 ½ ") D rectangles for pieced blocks½ — 4 (6 ½ " x 40") strips½…

In Baltimore, there is a summer delicacy called a snowball. It’s basically a snow cone or shaved ice with marshmallow cream in the center. The snowballs in this quilt are bright batik ‘flavors’ with low-volume ‘cream’ centers. Partial seam piecing makes this a project suited to a more experienced quilter. CUTTING Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. Label cut pieces. From each ¾ -yard length, cut: — 2 (6 ½ " x 40") strips. From 1 strip, cut 2 (6 ½ " x 18 ½ ") A rectangles. From the second strip, cut 2 (6 ½ ") B squares and 8 (6 ½ " x 2 ½ ") E rectangles. — 2 (4 ½ " x 40") strips. From strips, cut 4 (4 ½ " x 12 ½ ") C…

This quilt celebrates the movement of color across a surface, creating an ombré effect by using a gradation of solids. By cutting, sewing, and placing the blocks as you go and concentrically, this seemingly complex quality can be achieved with squares and rectangles cut in just two sizes. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION TIPS Measurements include ¼ " seam allowances. — Press seams to 1 side, alternating direction as seams intersect. — This quilt uses precut rolls of 2 ½ " solid strips arranged in gradations from dark to light. Untie the bundles one at a time, preserving the value order. — Set aside the darkest 6 gray strips for quilt binding. — Select 15 yellow strips in a range from light to dark. The rest of the strips will not be needed…

Embrace the partial seam and get the look of complicated piecing with straight line construction! By using this technique, strips surround the center square, unlike Log Cabin or Courthouse Steps which are sewn to the sides, then the top and bottom. Partial seam construction opens up design possibilities. 1. Align strip 1 to the center square, right sides together. Sew about half way, leaving the remainder of the seam open—a partial seam. Anchor the stitching with a few back stitches. Remove the piece from the sewing machine and press the sewn portion only. 2. Place strip 2 along the side of the block that is completely sewn. Sew the full length of the seam as usual. Press. 3. Add strips 3 and 4 in this manner. At this point all…

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 press…

This intriguing woven effect is the result of basic squares and rectangles assembled with particular attention to color arrangement. Inspired by a tiled floor in a Spanish church, the colors of this eye-catching throw-size quilt can be easily adapted to match your decor. CUTTING Measurements include ½ " seam allowances½ From white, cut: — 1 (9 ½ " x 40") strip½ From the strip, cut 4 (9 ½ ") A squares½ — 1 (3 ½ " x 40") strip½ From the strip, cut 4 (3 ½ " x 9 ½ ") B rectangles½ — 5 (6 ½ " x 40") strips½ From the strips, cut 8 (6 ½ " x 9 ½ ") C rectangles, 12 (3 ½ " x 6 ½ ") D rectangles, and 4 (6 ½ "…