Today I thought I’d share with you some information about a great quilting book that I’ve really enjoyed making quilts from. It’s called “Turning Twenty”, and I was able to get the quilt designer and author of the book, Tricia Cribbs to share some of her thoughts with us.

As a ‘Certified, card-carrying Fabric Addict’ I continually find myself faced with the challenge of creating yet another quilt from a new group of marvelous fabrics! I made my first quilt in the 1980’s, and after I’d made just about all the basic quilts – Log Cabin, 9 Patch, Rail Fence, Trip around the World, etc., I tried my hand at designing quilt patterns. To date, we have published a multitude of patterns, had 4 books published by Leisure Arts, and have self-published 15 books (with two new titles being introduced at Spring Quilt Market in May). I’m also happy to have just designed my 7^th fabric collection for Northcott Monarch. My “Beez” collection will be introduced at Spring Quilt Market, and YES there will be a book of patterns for making quilts using this collection!

Now about Turning Twenty – a few years ago, in an effort to reduce the time spent cutting out a quilt and also reduce my sewing time, I began to play around with a new idea. My favorite quilts must have several different fabrics, must be outstanding in appearance, and must be fast and easy to make! When I began to cut and piece my first Turning Twenty quilt I thought ‘now THIS is EASY’! The thing that I hear over and over from other quilters about Turning Twenty quilts is how fast, easy, fun, and addicting they are. So, Turning Twenty became a series of quilt books… each one uses the same concept – turning twenty fat quarters into a fabulous quilt. Those who have never made a quilt or even sat in front of a sewing machine will find instant success with Turning Twenty. With all the great fabrics available these days, it’s a shame to buy them, bring them home, only to stack them up and wait until ‘someday’ to make that quilt! It fun knowing you can gather fabrics in the morning and have a finished Turning Twenty quilt top before time to start dinner tonight! I hope you have lots of fun Turning Twenty, Turning Twenty.Again, and Turning Twenty Around the Block!

Blessings, Tricia

Now, I know it sounds too good to be true, but it really IS possible to complete the top of a Turning Twenty quilt in a day if you have everything ready when you get started to work.

Below is a picture of a quilt I made out of the first book, “Turning Twenty”. The concept is very simple, you start with 20 fat quarters, and each fat quarter is cut into into 4 specific shapes.

Mix up the fabrics to make each block have a different combination of fabrics. This quilt is so easy to make, and can be very simple and restful on the eyes or very exciting depending on the 20 fabrics you begin with. If you don’t have your own stash of fat quarters to use – check out the fat quarter singles program that Hancock Fabrics has – it’s a great source of fabrics.

This quilt is always on our guest bed waiting to offer a warm welcome to friends or family who to come to stay. Quilt size is 70½” x 86½” , or you can add an optional 6” border (which I did) and than the quilt is 82½” x 98½”

Many thanks to Tricia for taking the time to give us some insight into what got her started with these great books. If you’d like to learn more about Tricia, or about the Turning Twenty books, her website can be found at FriendFolks, and the books are in Hancock Fabrics stores now. Tomorrow, I’ll show you some pics from the other two books, and tell you about a fabric kit that has been specifically designed for one of these great books.
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila