Inside the Summer 2013 Issue

Welcome! It's summertime, and the quilting is easy—or it should be, since many of us spend more time outdoors, traveling, or with our families on summer break. With that in mind, we chose projects for this issue of Quilt Trends that are light, free form, and not too difficult, but that will, nevertheless, inspire and educate. Our cover quilt, for example, is comprised of half-square triangles, making it a quick project, but one with high impact. Fabian's Quilt is made with In The Beginning's Modern Solids, which are not truly solids—they are created using two different color threads, one in the warp and the other in the weft. The result is a very subtle coloration that gives them a glow not found in solid fabrics. These tonals are very popular right now, and there are some wonderful seasonal colors available.

Other projects in this issue include a range of items from fashion accessories (such as the colorful yo-yo necklace) to home décor (Cape Cod Memories). If you're short on time, try a fun little piece like Keep Swimming. Besides learning a new technique (fiber artist Terry Grant demonstrates how to outline motifs), you can complete this small project in just one day. How about making a kimono quilt (Shimmering Kimono)? Designer Marinda Stewart provides instructions that allow a lot of creative freedom— there are no templates, so no two quilts will be the same

For sewists, creating is one of the greatest joys in life. Learning new techniques is energizing, and combining different methods to create your own designs is even better! It may even tempt you to enter a quilt challenge, like the one by Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Other interesting challenges can be found online, at quilt shops, or in guilds.

I encourage you to take some time this season to try something new. Summer is full of beauty and inspiration, all of which can be easily incorporated in your quilt designs!

SUMMER 2013

projects

Bloomin' Wild Quilt by Christine Stainbrook
Bloomin' Wild goes with almost any décor, whether traditional or contemporary. Simple to cut, piece, and appliqué, this quilt comes together quickly and is a wonderful design for using both large and small-scale prints, geometrics, tonals, and lots of fresh summer colors. It's a great design for a twin-size bed too—just cut back on the number of blocks! kitting info

Under the Sea by Patti Carey
This happy quilt is super simple to construct. The center is a vibrant, colorful panel, and the fish blocks are strip pieced with bright tonals that coordinate with the center panel. Under the Sea is the perfect size for a crib or toddler bed. kitting info

Calypso by Sandi Irish
Sandi Irish designed Calypso so assembly would be quick and easy—no Y seams or set-in piecing. The bold graphic designs of the assorted prints, together with dramatic navy and lime, contrast against the solid white background to give this quilt a distinctly modern touch. kitting info

Chain Reaction by Cathy Anderson and Susanna Cohen
Cathy and Susanna interchanged two contrasting colors in one block design to create an interesting fabric chain. They then added some beautiful large-scale poppies to make this eye-catching quilt, ideal for accenting any contemporary or traditional setting. kitting info

Shimmering Kimono by Marinda Stewart
Marinda Stewart incorporated easy piecing (no templates required), free-form curved and fusible appliqué, and narrow dimensional borders when designing this unique lap or wall quilt. The large floral bouquets and shimmering gray prints against the sunlit background add Oriental elegance and contemporary style to any room. kitting info

Rhapsody by Melissa Marie Collins
Dedicated to all who appreciate music, Rhapsody adds a splash of modern color and simple harmony to a music room. Artist Billie Davids combined her passion for oil painting with her love of music to create these innovative graphic fabric designs. This is a great composition for prints you don't want to cut too small. The piecing is quick and easy—hand or machine quilt music notation symbols for a playful vibe! kitting info

Forest Festival by April Mazzoleni
Make a charming bed quilt for a special child, particularly one transitioning from a crib to a bed. Half-square triangle units and quick-corner piecing make for simple construction. The cheerful forest animal motifs, sweet meadow prints, and fresh modern colors provide lots of design opportunities for creating warm-and-friendly children's quilts. kitting info

Fabian's Quilt by Cathy Anderson and Denise Gaidis
Tone-on-tone fabrics are an important element of nearly all quilts. They are subtle, add texture to a design, and give the eye a place to rest. Fabian's Quilt uses lots of different shades and tones in small, medium, and large half-square triangles with striking results. Quick to piece and suitable for both children and adults, this warm, inviting quilt can be used in any season with any décor! (See www.quilttrendsmag.com for instructions to make the pillow sham.). kitting info

Breezeway by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar
Breezeway is the perfect design for a simple summer project and an ideal quilt to wrap yourself up in on cool nights. The large block center highlights lavish Jacobean-style fabrics, which are surrounded by colors of nature—cool blue, lush green, and warm brown. Although it’s a beginner-friendly quilt, the versatility and simplicity of this design will appeal to all skill levels. kitting info

Patriotic Placemates and Keep Cool Lunch Bag
by Pearl Louise Krush for Pearl Louise Designs
Pearl Louise Krush used the flip-and-sew technique to make this quilt-as-you-go placemat set and lunch bag, ideal for adding a festive touch to your picnic table this Fourth of July. The lunch bag uses Insul-Shine, a washable, needle-punched, insulated lining that consists of two layers (reflective material and polyester batting) and keeps contents either hot or cold. kitting info

Cape Cod Memories by Joan Shay
One flower that characterizes a Cape Cod garden is the hydrangea. So it was with fond memories of life on the Cape that designer Joan Shay created fabric hydrangeas using her Appli-bond technique. The last in a series of four seasonal wall hangings (see our Fall 2012, Winter 2013, and Spring 2013 issues), this three-dimensional wreath makes an ideal banner. Get creative—use the technique to make a basket, then fill it with hydrangeas! kitting info

articles & profiles

Quick Weekend Projects
Free time this weekend? Here are some projects that can be completed in just a couple of days or even a couple of hours: yo yo necklace, stylish tote, bird and nest pincushion set, and a floorcloth.

Worth a Try
There are a wealth of products available that are designed specifically for quilters. They range from gadgets used solely in the sewing process to items that entice quilters or complement quilted projects. Here, we highlight a few that you may find interesting!

Rose Rotzler's Designs from Nature by Peggy Wright
Every artist has a source of inspiration. For Rose Rotzler of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, it's trees, earth, sky, and rain. "This place we call Earth seems to have me transfixed," says Rose. "Nature is extraordinarily complex, yet so simple." Her love of nature, as well as years of encouragement from her parents, led Rose to a diverse artistic career, one which now encompasses fiber art.

Crafting SAQA's: A Sense of Scale Exhibition
How does size affect the composition of art quilts? The exhibition committee of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) tackled that very question.

fabric gallery

Fabric Swatches
The latest quilting fabrics for the summer season!

in every issue

Editorial
Book Shop
Ad Index
General Directions

keep in touch