Stitches Thru Time: Quilt Pattern

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Baby Quilts

Good morning, Gentle Readers. Today is my birthday, and I always celebrate that day by setting new goals for another year God has graciously given me. One of my goals for this year is making a baby quilt—an odd choice since there isn’t a baby in my family at present nor a chance of one for several years. But I have reasons.

I write while sitting in my recliner, and for three seasons out of the year, I have cold feet—literally. A baby quilt is just the right size to cover my feet without interfering with my laptop. I’m looking for an easy design. Here are three possibilities.

Oh, and I want to make my baby quilt the old fashioned way. Handstitched. Later in the year I’ll be writing another book in my Women in Peril series, and the heroine is a quilter. I want to experience the process, however difficult and time consuming.

And it is time consuming. I made a quilt for my granddaughter sixteen years ago. I started it when my daughter told me she was expecting and my granddaughter was almost one before I finished. I’ll never be a master quilter.

Unfortunately, that quilt was destroyed in a fire. Here is the only picture I have of it. Don’t know why it’s in black and white.

When I made that quilt, I envisioned it becoming an heirloom. Maybe that’s why I want to make a baby quilt, even though any old design would suffice to cover my feet. I hope to pass it on to a great-grandchild.

Are there any quilters out there? Which design do you like best?

Comment to win Mail-Order Revenge by Angela K. Couch. Contest runs through May 1st.

And check out my new release, Cloaked in Love. The cover was designed by our very own Crystal Barnes.

A woman in peril. An unlikely hero. A love woven by God.

With Pa off on a cattle drive, Jeannie Baylor is alone on their isolated Wyoming ranch. When she’s taken captive by a gang of ruthless outlaws, she realizes her virtue is in imminent danger, and her life is safe only as long as they need her house for a hideout.

Then one of the outlaws, Zak Collins, proposes a fantastic scheme to save her life. Having no other choice, she has to trust Zak. But God gives her another way, and its success depends on the cloak she’s crocheting for a friend.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Pattern for the Civil War Stars Quilt

I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but story research is so much fun!

Visiting a story setting, yes. But so is the nose-in-books research, which is what led me to The CIVIL WAR Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy. Kathy’s book is full of quilts, patterns, and sewing accessories from the era of the American Civil War. Letters and stories, too! Such yummy stuff, and an important resource for this writer of Historical Fiction.

The CIVIL WAR Sewing Circle also proved to be a valuable resource for my Sis Linda, a quilter.

Linda used the pattern from Kathleen Tracy’s book when she made a Civil War Stars doll quilt. She also used the Civil War Stars block pattern to make hotpads for me to use in various giveaways to celebrate the release of The Quilted Heart omnibus.

Civil War Stars hotpad made by Linda Gansberg Smith

Kathleen Tracy has graciously granted me permission to share her Civil War Stars Block pattern with you. I know, fun, isn’t it!?

Civil War Stars Block*

Block: Little Star Block (4″ X 4″)

Suggested Fabric Colors: Red, Blue and Gold (or Tan)

For each block, cut:

16 squares, 1 ½” x 1 ½” of assorted colors to suit your block design
4 rectangles, 1 ½” x 2 ½” of one of the specified colors, or try assorted colors for a true scrappy look

(Another option—If you prefer to make the center of your star plain, choose 1 square, 2 ½” x 2 ½” for the center instead of a 4-patch.)

Make the block:

1. Combine 2 squares to make a unit, then sew 2 units together to make a four-patch unit for the center of the star.

2. Choose the 8 squares for your star points (for a really scrappy look, cut each square from a different fabric). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each square. Layer a marked 1 ½” x 1 ½” square on one end of a 1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangle. Stitch on the diagonal line as shown. Flip and press open to the corner. Place another marked square on the other end of the rectangle and repeat.

Make 4 of these flying geese units. Trim to a 1/4 inch seam.

3. Sew a 1 ½” square to the ends of 2 of the flying geese units. Sew the other 2 flying geese units to the sides of the 4-patch unit from step 1. Combine the rows as shown.