The Quilted Carryall^©

Making your own quilted fabric panels for this tote is really easy. After quilting them, you trim each one to the correct size. Of course, if you find the perfect quilted double-faced fabric, you can use that and your tote will go stitch up even faster.

Features of this room tote include:

• Zip-top panel that drops down inside when you need an open-top tote for at-home errands (as shown above)
• Sturdy straps
• Sized to fit in the airplane overhead compartment
• Outside zipped pocket for a place to tuck your boarding pass and travel documents for safekeeping while you wait for departure
• Additional outside pockets to hold your travel essentials – eyeglasses, snacks, a small umbrella, and reading material, for example
• Inside, zipped safety pocket to keep small items such as change, meds, keys, or extra eyeglasses easily accessible
• Directions for two sizes

Make your very own one-of-a-kind quilted handbag with optional rickrack trim. Choose three coordinating prints--one for the exterior, one for the interior, and a third for the inside pockets, upper band, and straps. Then set one aside and quilt the other two together with batting in between. Or, you can speed up your stitching by using already-quilted, double-faced fabric for the bag panels. The pattern includes yardage and directions for both options. Optional jumbo rickrack trim adds a touch of whimsy, but you can leave it off for a more tailored handbag.

With multiple pockets that line the inside (3 on each side) and a pocket on each panel on the outside for a total of 8 pockets, this pretty bag has lots of places to stash your stuff. All inside seams are bound so there are no raw edges in sight. Shoulder-length straps make it easy to tuck this bag under your arm.

Tuck an easy-to-make support in the bottom of your bag, add what you need, and your bag is ready to grab 'n' go.

This canvas tote has an outer pocket on one side with an embroidered "foodie" design. It lies flat but has a magic tuck that allows the bag to stand while the clerk loads it with your goodies.

This canvas tote has an outer pocket on one side with an embroidered "foodie" design. It lies flat but has a magic tuck that allows the bag to stand while the clerk loads it with your goodies.

This canvas tote has an outer pocket on one side with an embroidered "foodie" design. It lies flat but has a magic tuck that allows the bag to stand while the clerk loads it with your goodies.

This canvas tote has an outer pocket on one side with an embroidered "foodie" design. It lies flat but has a magic tuck that allows the bag to stand while the clerk loads it with your goodies.

This canvas tote has an outer pocket on one side with an embroidered "foodie" design. It lies flat but has a magic tuck that allows the bag to stand while the clerk loads it with your goodies. 

Use up your favorite scraps to make this deliciously sweet quilt. Each block requires two different fabrics. Sashing and multiple borders complete this ultra-easy quilt. It's a wonderful project for beginners, and the perfect quilt for using up favorite scraps, fat quarters, and pre-cut strips in your stash. Keep the colors soft for the "shabby" look or make yours bold and beautiful in batik brights or stronger prints. Directions are included for Lap, Twin, and Queen-size quilts. Directions for a “Sweet Shabby Baby” quilt variation (without the multiple borders) are also included. The block is super simple to piece and sashing and cornerstones connect them into a simply dreamy quilt. 

Lap:                 64-1/2" square

Twin:               68-1/2" x 85-1/2"

Queen:             85-1/2" square

Baby:36" x 45"

This table runner features a new block design, "Love is in the Cards." It is foundation-paper-pieced for ease and accuracy. In this sweet rendition, the hearts are shown in two colors and are set against a light print background. You could also make them scrappy, choosing a different print for each of the hearts in each block. Or, mix it up even more with different pastel prints for the hearts, like those you would find in a bag of candy hearts. Full-size templates for the paper-piecing foundations are provided for the blocks in this fully illustrated pattern. Directions for a set of four placemats and napkins are included to complement the runner.

• Runner Finished Size: 18-1/2" x 50"
• Placemat Finished Size: 14-1/2" x 18"
• Napkin Finished Size: 16" square

 If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to dress your holiday table, these place mats are just the ticket! Choose your favorite Christmas conversational print for the place mats, add appliqued ribbon bands and tuck the napkin into the “knot” for the bow. Fusible applique and simple shapes make it easy to make a set in no time! If you can find already-quilted double-layer Christmas fabric, they’re even faster! Or, you can add the appliques to a set of ready-made mats and napkins for the quickest and easiest project yet! Directions for the variations are included.

 Napkins are 16" square

Scrappy maple leafs, pretty pumpkins, and a perky turkey add up to Thanksgiving fun in this holiday wall hanging/banner. It combines pieced and appliqued blocks (fusible applique recommended) for the best of both worlds. For the tail feathers, take your pick from two options: Use ready-made “poly-silk” leaves as shown in the sample quilt; or substitute appliqued fabric feathers, choosing from leaf shapes or more primitive feather shapes. Full-size templates for all appliques are included in the fully illustrated 13-page pattern. Use up scraps and fabrics from your stash for this Thanksgiving project to use throughout the autumn season. A confident beginner should have the skills to make this wall hanging.

Santa has a new hat and jacket (AKA Placemat and Napkin set), and he's ready to fill his belly with the best of your holiday treats. Your guests will surely love these fun placemats and the cleverly folded napkins that make Santa's hat (there's a pom-pom at the tip of the hat, which doesn't show in the photo; it's on a tiny clip so it's removable). Fusible applique and simple shapes make it a cinch to make a set of 4 of these table settings in a just a few hours. They're a great project for beginners, but anyone will love how quickly they go together. You quilt them yourself with simple straight lines, before adding the appliques, but if you can find already-quilted double-layer fabric with red on one side, they're even faster! Or, you can add the appliques to a set of ready-made mats and napkins for the quickest and easiest project yet! Directions for the variations are included

Simple piecing and fusible appliqué make this a quick-and-easy holiday project. First choose a colorful Christmas print for the outer border. Then pick the prints for the hearts, borders, and binding to coordinate with it. Strip-piecing makes quick work of the pieced units in the background, which can be a tone-on-tone print or other subtle background print that won’t detract from the tree. Embellish the tree if you wish with buttons, beads, sequins, or other ornamentation.

 This design is an adaptation of a 1950s baby quilt--simplified for easier piecing and assembled in a sashed setting that joins blocks into groups of four, with colorful sashing and cornerstones then joining the 4-block units. The wall hanging size is perfect for a baby's room. This design would also make a wonderful bed quilt. Yardage and directions are included for lap, twin, double/queen, and king-size quilts.

This quilt features pieced blocks (not applique). If you've never attempted curved piecing, this is an easy way to learn and perfect your skills. Extensive directions with clear illustrations guide the way to perfect blocks.

Wall hanging is 40-1/2; bed sizes also included in directions

 "Pretty Parasols" is a "planned scrappy" quilt. There isn't a duplicate block in it, but if you look closely, you'll see that some parasols are print with a solid band and others are the reverse. If you have a healthy fabric stash or a great collection of scraps or pre-cuts, you might not need to buy fabric for the parasols. Each one requires only a 6" x 8" or smaller scrap.

You can whip up this cute Fat Quarter Quickie apron for your favorite little helper or a budding artist in an hour or two. It's perfect for the kitchen or as an arts and crafts coverup. You'll need only five coordinating fat quarters and there will be leftovers of some of these to put back into your stash. It's great for boys, too, when done in masculine prints!

Consider making this a collaborative project by having the child choose their favorite fat quarters from your stash, or take them shopping with you and let them choose from the store's selection.

Easy piecing and a bit of machine applique turn strips and squares of your favorite shades of pink (or red and pink if you prefer) into pretty heart blocks for this wall hanging or lap quilt. The framing strips and dark corner squares that surround each heart set them off in an easy diagonal setting. The alternate Snowball blocks and pieced setting triangles are easy to make using the folded-corner technique. They offer lots of space to show off your favorite quilting designs and connect the heart blocks at the corners. The points where the Broken Heart and Snowball blocks meet create an interesting setting pattern that does not require precision matching. The blocks finish to 10-1/2" square.

The appliqued lobes on each half of the heart are prepared using freezer-paper foundations to ensure smooth curves. A multi-strip border with pieced corner squares frames the hearts. Use foundation-paper piecing to ensure accurately pieced Border Corner Blocks, which makes it easier to match the seams when joining them to the multi-strip borders. The foundation pattern is included.

There are numerous ways to set and color this block for a variety of different looks as shown in the alternate quilt layouts  in the pattern. If you want the hearts to really "pop" from the background, use the same fabric as the block background and Snowball blocks for the framing strips. You can also piece the blocks so that all the strips and the lobes are cut from the same fabric or similar colors for a more solid-colored heart. Setting the blocks in a straight setting creates a "chained" effect. Change the setting pieces to black and the blocks and chain will float on the background. For larger quilts than the lap size featured, make more blocks and add desired borders.

The blocks are easy enough for a beginner to learn basic cutting and sewing along with machine applique. Although a diagonal setting is a bit more challenging, the blocks have their own "sashing" built in, making this setting easier than it looks.

 Approximately 54" square

Here's an easy tote to stitch and quit in a hurry.  The inside padding in the tote and the coordinating accessory bag are perfect for safely carrying your laptop or other valuables. There's even a padded pocket attached to tote lining, sized to fit most e-readers. Stitch-and-flip the strips in place on the tote body padding to piece and quilt it all in one. The lined tote is an easy afternoon project once you’ve gathered your favorite fabrics in three coordinating prints. The stacked heart appliqués add a little pizzazz to the front of the tote.  Straps are also padded for your carrying comfort. Make the coordinating padded Accessory Bag to house your computer and e-reader cords, and USB sticks Or use it for your small digital camera and cord.

Finished Sizes

Laptop Tote: 18” Tall x 14” wide fits laptops up to 12” x 17”; the inside padded  pocket will accommodate e-readers up to 7” wide x 9” tall. 

Accessory Bag: Approximately 6” tall x 9” across the bottom and 1-1/2” across the shaped bottom corners

Here's an easy and versatile project to make in a jiffy. Use your finished banner to show your colors; it's the perfect decorative accent for your home to celebrate Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day--or any other time of the year when you want to show your colors.

Note: For international quilters, change the colors to match your national flag.

Here's how easy it is. Just make one block and add multiple borders and the striped flag panel. Then sew the two units together and this easy banner is ready to layer, quilt and bind. The pieced section of the block is paper-pieced for accuracy. A full-size foundation template is included as well as step-by-step foundation-paper-piecing directions for those who may not have tried this wonderful technique for achieving piecing accuracy. You can substitute  traditional piecing if you prefer. You will fuse the stars in place in a jiffy and tack them down with tiny zigzagging.

Although shown in red, white, and blue, you can change to Christmas colors and fabrics for you holiday decorating. Or stripe it up in orange and black and coordinating fall colors for Halloween. For autumn change the stars to your favorite fall-themed appliques and make it in harvest colors. Change the stars to small flowers and make it a springtime wall hanging. The color possibilities are really endless!

So, gather your favorite fabrics and start stitching--your banner will be finished in no time and ready to hang with pride!  If you make extra blocks and add the three borders to each one, you can back, quilt, and bind each one for a set of coordinating placemats.

Here's a bed-size quilt (Double/Queen) to stitch up a in a swirling sea of patriotic colors (or in any other 3-color combo of your choice.)

With careful placement of prints in two colors and three values of each (Dark, Medium, Light), you create a sea of undulating waves with this pattern. In red, white, and blue, it’s a passionate reminder of the American flag and the freedom it represents, but of course you can choose two other favorite colors to combine with a light background print. It’s easy to translate this design for other three-color flags, too.

This adaptation of the traditional Storm At Sea pattern features foundation-paper-piecing to make it easier to create accurately pieced Diamond blocks without making templates. It’s also easier to accurately piece the Small Economy Patch blocks using paper foundations provided. The Large Economy Patch blocks are rotary cut and pieced. Matching the points in accurately pieced blocks is the key to creating the appearance of curved waves in this exciting quilt.

Contrasting “ribbon” bows tie up these crayon-colored hearts in a quilt that’s sure to please as a gift for a newborn or a wall hanging for a nursery or child’s room. Or, make it in your favorite fabrics and colors to commemorate a special anniversary or a wedding, or just because you love hearts!

For a baby quilt, change the center heart and the borders to a gender-appropriate color for the newborn as needed. For an anniversary or wedding quilt, choose the couple’s favorite colors. It’s the perfect way to use up scraps, too. You might want to use all the blues or all the reds in your collection for the hearts and bows and add white for the background to make a scrappy two-color quilt with this design. Or, try it in bright batiks or soft pastels. The options are as endless as your imagination and your stash.

You can use this as an album or friendship quilt, too. The ribbon bands on the hearts are wide enough for a signature, so this quilt would be a wonderful “family tree” or shower gift. Have family members or shower guests use a permanent marking pen to sign each of the blocks. Write the baby’s name and birth date in the ribbon band of the large heart. You can add the parents’ names to the bow streamers if you wish.

The hearts are easy to appliqué using your favorite method. I suggest using fusible appliqué for the bows on the small hearts since the pieces are small. If you choose fusible appliqué for the hearts, I recommend using the “Window-Frame Fusible Appliqué” method included in the pattern so the hearts do not become too stiff.

The multi-colored sashing is quick and easy to make using simple strip piecing. Add a hanging sleeve to the back of the finished quilt and don’t forget to add a special label to identify the maker.

Finished Size: 53” square

A sweet newborn cuddled under the original blue-and-white striped 1920s crib quilt that inspired this quilt adaptation. It's the perfect design for babies and toddlers' bedrooms. Use the crib-size quilt as a wall hanging, too. Make it in  red, white, and blue or substitute cheery crayon brights, pastels. Yardage and directions are given for three sizes most suitable for a child’s room: crib, twin, and double.

Hearts Entwined

Choose prints in two complementary  colors  or in coordinating values to make this graphic quilt.  Pay careful attention to the color placement of the patches in each block and when they are joined, two large hearts will entwine on the surface of your quilt. Choose prints of equal value if you want both hearts to pop, but if you want one to stand out more than the other, use prints in two values--Dark and Medium against a Light background. It's the perfect wall hanging for Christmas in red and green, but it's pretty in pink, too, for a baby quilt or in red prints for your special Valentine.  Make it for a bride in her wedding colors--or try it in cream and tans for a wedding keepsake quilt. Foundation paper piecing makes it easy to create accurately pieced Diamond blocks without making templates. It’s also easier to accurately piece the Small Economy Patch blocks using paper foundations. The pattern includes full-size templates to copy for the paper-piecing foundations and tips on paper-piecing.

 Easy-to-piece blocks put the spotlight on four-leaf clovers applied with fusible web--or use any favorite applique method of your choice. Folded-corner squares make the triangles at the tip of each of the side setting triangles, creating a chained effect between the blocks set on point in the runner. Directions for a set of 4 placemats with napkins are also included. The runner can also be used as a banner or a wall hanging. Luck o' the Irish to you!

Runner Finished Size: 25" x 56"

Placemat Finished Size: 14-1/2" x 19-1/2"

Napkin Finished Size: 16" square

Applique favorite barnyard animals. ala  “Old MacDonald Had a Farm, to individual blocks and set them with stairstep sashing to make this delightful baby quilt. Fusible applique  makes quick work of the blocks or use traditional applique methods if you prefer. Add a hanging sleeve and this makes a wonderful wall hanging for the nursery or child’s room. The 14-page pattern is fully illustrated and includes full-size patterns to trace for all appliques. Finished size: 40-1/2" square.

Finished Block Size: 9" square

Finished Quilt Size: 40-1/2" x 40-1/2"

You'll love this roomy tote for running errands, taking books to the library, carrying groceries home from your local  Farmers’ Market, or toting your kids’ stuff to the beach.  The straps create divided outer pockets on both sides of the tote. A zipped inner security pocket make it easy to organize everything inside and out. Rickrack trim is optional as well as a coin purse that drops down inside the tote for more safe storage for your cell phone, make-up, credit cards and cash. Yardage and directions are also included for making a lined (not quilted) tote using fashion fabrics such as denim, tapestry, or faux suede.

Finished Size: 15” H x 10” W x 5” D

At first glance, it looks like a run-of the-mill tote bag, but this one has a special tuck in the bottom that makes it easy to pack flat in your suitcase or to open out and fill to capacity on shopping trips. It features a zipped inside pocket for security, along with one to hold your glasses or cell phone and outside pocket, too. Use the stitch-and-flip method with strips of your favorite fabrics, or make it in already-quilted double layer fabric, or in canvas with embellished outer pockets. Directions for all options are included in the thoroughly written and illustrated directions. Directions for the mini version are also included—perfect for your favorite little girl—or your paperback book!
Finished Size:16" W x 14-3/4" H x 5" D

For the quilted version of this bag, choose two great fabrics and then machine-quilt them together in panels for your own unique fabric as shown in the directions. You can also use pre-quilted, double-layer fabric for faster sewing. Use a button-and-loop closure, or not as you prefer.

For a softer bag, forgo the quilting and use a coordinating lining inside to cover the seams. Both versions feature an inside hanging pocket to hold your eyeglasses or cell phone, and a larger one with a zipper to keep small items at your fingertips, just inside the bag below the upper band.

Finished Dimensions: 20"  across at lower edge; 15-3/4" high.

This roomy carryall features a zip-top panel that drops down inside when you just need an open-top tote for at-home errands. The tote folds flat so you can pack it in the bottom of your suitcase, then use it to pack your travel treasures. Straps that wrap all the way around and under the bottom panel make it a strong bag that you can load to the limit. It’s the perfect carry-on, sized to fit in the overhead compartment.

One outside pocket features an a zipper for a handy and secure place to tuck your boarding pass and IDs while you wait at the check-out counter. Other pocket sections, created by the strap positioning, keep other small items handy and secure. A small zipped pocket inside the tote is the perfect safe and easily accessible place for  change, meds, keys, and cosmetics. Make the optional handle-wrap for easier-on-your hands carrying.

Finished Size: With Zip-top Up: 15" (W) x 16" (T) x 6" (D)
                            With Zip-top Down: 15" (w) x 13" (T) x 6" (D)

Make a set of four placemats for your holiday table, or combine two blocks with a traditional eight-pointed star block for the coordinating table runner. Rotary-cut and strip-piece the diamonds. Extensive directions include tips to ensure piecing success.   Placemat Finished Size: 13-1/2" x 17-3/4"
Table Runner Finished Size: 20 1/4" x 54"

Choose pastel prints like those shown or try the set in traditional Christmas colors for your holiday table. You'll have a set of four done in no time, along with a set of coordinating napkins.  The placemat piecing is easy and fusible appliqué gets the rest of the job done in a snap. Directions for a set of four.

Finished Size: 14-1/2" x 18-1/2"