Happy Canada Day.... and some design tips

Here in Canada we celebrate our country on July 1st.
When you think of Canada what images come to mind? Maple leaves? Inuksuk? Beaver and moose? Mountains, lakes, prairies and forest? It seems that we have it all in this country.

When Northcott asked if I would like to work with their Oh Canada III line of course I said yes.

Some of the fabrics have a fairly large, spread out print. To show it best I wanted to use large pieces so it didn't get too chopped up.

Here's where some design tips come in....

Start with a traditional block and blow it up REALLY BIG.

I started with a block called 5-Spot

I enlarged it to a 42" block which became my quilt centre. I made a change in the corner...instead of a solid square (orange corner square) I made a 4-patch.

I wanted a rectangular quilt that would fit the Quilts of Valour specifications so I added large borders top & bottom.

Voila...instant quilt design.

Just to mix it up a bit, I rotated the corner piece and got another great design... so I put them both in the same pattern... 2 for 1!

Next time you are making a block, try rotating an element or two before sewing it together, just for fun.

If you need a quick quilt try BIGGIE sizing a block..... You just have to make one.

This pattern is called Coming Home. The poppies remind me of the ones who didn't come home. I have dedicated this one to them and the ones who did come home but suffer in silence. Please consider making a Quilt of Valour for our men who gave, not their life but their quality of life.

Happy Canada Day!!

New Pattern and your imagination....

My latest pattern for Northcott is out and they will be shipping soon.
(remember that if you see something you like you can always order from me.)

Dust Devils features Northcott's Canyon Ridge fabric

Dust Devils makes great use (even if I do say so myself) of a border fabric.  How many times have you passed on a beautiful border fabric (and sometimes they are the most beautiful print in the whole line) because you think that if you use it you'll have to do a mitered border? Or do you just buy them for that runner pattern?

Why not use it alternated with blocks or even just strips of coordinating fabric to do a simple row quilt? Let the border print BE the design.

In Dust Devils, for instance, the border is used 3 times as a design feature and the border is NOT mitered but uses corner blocks that are repeats of the block in the center.

What would Dust Devils look like in florals??

So next time BUY the border fabric and show it off .... Your quilt will go from nice to WOW. Just say thanks and take all the credit.