Category: Quilting

Continuing to ‘Turn 20’

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Yesterday, I told you about the great book “Turning Twenty”, and introduced you to the author and quilt designer, Tricia Cribbs. Today, I want to share some quilts from the 2nd and 3rd books in the series, “Turning Twenty… Again”, and “Turning Twenty Around the Block”.

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The basic premise remains the same, in a Turning Twenty quilt, you turn 20 fat quarters into a quilt top.

For book two, “Turning Twenty… Again”, you cut your fat quarters into 11 different shapes, then you mix the fabrics around to make every block look different. Here is my creation from that book, I choose to go with darker fabrics for this quilt, but if you look at the book cover above, you see how bright and ‘springy’ a quilt with this pattern can be.
Quilt Size: 64½” X 80½” – with optional 6½” border it becomes 76½” X 92½”

20 Again Quilt

For book three, “Turning Twenty Around the Block”, I made a quilt that was primarily black and white, with red accents. This quilt was taken with me to several different shows, expos, and seminars. And it seemed that everywhere I went, someone wanted to purchase the quilt from me!
Working with the buyers from Hancock Fabrics, I selected fabrics and helped put together a kit of fat quarters that would recreate the feel of the quilt everyone loved so much. The kit is designed to be sold as a companion to the “Turning Twenty Around the Block” book, the kit does not include a pattern with it.

The fat quarter kit – please note it does not include instructions

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A closeup of the fabrics in the kit (this time without the glare from the shiny packaging)

With this third book in the series, you are still making the quilt out of fat quarters, but instead of cutting them into 10 or 11 shapes (as in the last two books), this time you cut your fat quarters into 12 different shapes. Then the fun comes – you mix up the fabric pieces and make every block with different fabric combinations just as with the other books.

One difference in the third book – for this quilt you will need an extra 1½ yards of focus fabric for the center of the 20 blocks and you will need 1¼ yd of fabric to make sashings or corners on each of the blocks. The size of the finished quilt is: 72½” X 88½”.

Check out the book for examples of other color combinations and ideas for the centers of the blocks, as you can see on the cover, one suggestion is to put an image such as Sunbonnet Sue in the focus blocks. There is even a pattern to make a ‘Reduced Fat’ Quilt – finished size 34½” X 42½”
This quilt is a finished size 72½” X 88½”

Around the Block
A picture of the finished quilt – this is the quilt that can be made with the fabric kit available at Hancock Fabrics

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A closeup picture of the quilt

Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila

Book Review: Turning Twenty

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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 7th 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

DYK (Did You Know) – Gütermann Thread

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D.Y.K. – Did You Know?

When  I present at a seminar or speak with a large group of people about sewing, there seem to always be questions about thread. What type of thread did I use, why did I choose this type of thread, or what type of thread is best for this project?
So, I thought that today’s post I would tell you about the thread I used on a recent project – the Super Stars quilt from the Strip Happy book by Donna Kinsey.
Below are close-up pictures of the stitching from the quilt:


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This was done using my long-arm quilting machine, keep in mind that if you are using a long-arm quilting machine, you would probably want to purchase the larger spool size, as it will not need to be changed as often. There is also a smaller size available for regular sewing machines.
Take care when purchasing Gütermann threads, they also make thread for hand-sewing, which is NOT recommended for sewing machines.
The threads mentioned below are some of the threads made by Gütermann, and are the styles that I am most familiar with because they are carried in Hancock Fabrics stores.

    Cotton

  • Gütermann Natural Cotton Thread
    • A fine, yet strong, thread with a silky luster
    • Designed for those who prefer sewing with natural fibers
    • Can be used for hand or machine stitching
    • 100% Mercerized Cotton
    • Recommended needle for machine sewing: size 12 or 14.
    • Available in two lengths:
      • 100 meters (110 yards)
      • 800 meters (875 yards) – this length is great for quilters using long-arm machines
    • Available in over 100 shades

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    Hand Quilt

  • Gütermann Hand Quilting Thread
    • A fine, yet strong, thread
    • Has a waxed finish giving it extra strength and to prevent tangling
    • Is suitable for hand sewing ONLY
    • 100% Cotton
    • Length 200 meters (220 yards)
    • Available in 22 popular colors

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    Varigated

  • Gütermann Varigated Threads
    • 100% Cotton
    • Length 800 meters (875 yards)
    • Available in 10 popular colors
    • Great for quilters with long-arm machines
    • Can be used in any sewing application where the stitching will be a visual part of the project

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Why should I use cotton thread in my quilting? – the cotton thread will move more easily with your cotton fabrics. Using a thread of the same material allows the stitches to stretch and shrink normally as the cotton fibers of the quilt do.

What is the best way to thread the needle? – With Gütermann threads it is advised that you cut the thread at an angle to thread your needles – never moisten the end of the thread.

How do I know I have the correct thread tension? – When looking at a finished line of stitching, you should not be able to see the loop between the upper and lower threads anywhere in your fabric. It should blend into the grain of the fabric naturally.

How can I prevent tangles? – If you are hand sewing, use Gütermann’s Hand Quilting thread. The waxed finish is designed to prevent tangles.

Is it important to pull the thread off of the spool in a particular direction? – because of the way the thread is spun onto the spool, Gütermann recommends if the spool is upright, the Gütermann name should be at the top. If it is laying horizontal, the Gütermann name should be to the right.

What are the washing instructions? – Can be washed in hot water (not over 200º F) and ironed with an iron on high – or as appropriate for your fabric. May be dry-cleaned using any solvent except Trichloroethylene.

What does Mercerized mean? – According to a standard dictionary: To treat (cotton thread) with sodium hydroxide so as to shrink the fiber and increase its color absorption and luster.
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila