Picking Quilt Fabrics

From One Fabric to Many

COLOR is always on Quilter’s mind, And here is the way that I was taught Years ago !  Remember the fabric may come after the quilt pattern?!?! HERE
Choose that first fabric because you LOVE it ! Not because you think it’s the “right” color. Then pull a second fabric that picks up one of its colors, add a third for a little contrast, and just keep going. Lay them all out together, move them around, take one away, add another, and see what happens.
Don’t overthink it. Some of my favorite quilts started with one fabric I simply couldn’t leave at the fabric store! And YOU purchased everything in your stash of fabrics…start there first!
I do it this was too, when the colors are perfect for me, see HERE

Pick your Quilt Colors by The Quilt Ladies1) Start with one fabric. Take this one fabric and work from it. Is that one fabric, a dark, medium or light color?

This is a Dark

Pick your Quilt Colors by The Quilt Ladies

 

 

Add the light and medium. Move and change it until you like it.
Lay them out in front of you.

 

 

How to Pick your Quilt Colors by The Quilt Ladies
Then add, a dark medium, a light medium, until you have the mix of what you like.

 

 

2) Choose colors and patterns you love. An average a twin size quilt will take me about a week to piece together, and if hand quilted another, 3-4 months. If tied or machine quilted 3-4 weeks, you have so much time and cost involved you have to love it.

3) Natural or background colors. These are the corner stone. More often than notPick your Quilt Colors by The Quilt Ladies the background color is your light color. Your background color helps bring the blocks together. It does not always need to be a light either, dark or medium work well to, any color can be used.
4) Color Wheel. I’m not a big fan of the color wheel, I do like when colors pops and on most of my quilts the start fabric is not the most prominent color used it in, it is just a starting point.
5) Make one block. This should always be done, a Quilters practice, cut only fabric for one block and live with it for a few days. Especially, if it’s something you’ve never tried before. Most times you will know right away if you like it or not.
6) Have fun. This is the best way I’ve found to pick colors, enjoy the process, your quilt will be fantastic.

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A Perfect Quilt Block

Blue and White Quilt Block to Make

This quilt block from The Ladies Quilt Pattern Book has taken on a life of it’s on Pinterest ! Who would have thought this little star quilt ?!?!  So here is it again !

I love seeing which quilt blocks catch your eye. Sometimes it’s a block I never expected to be a favorite—and then Pinterest takes over! That’s one of the things I love about quilting. A simple little block can become something completely different depending on the fabrics, colors, and quilter making it.

With 68 different blocks to choose from, you can make The Ladies Quilt as shown in the book, pick a few favorites for a smaller quilt, make pillows or table runners, or simply work your way through the blocks one at a time.
And if Pinterest has taught me anything, it’s this: Never underestimate a good little quilt block! 
 It’s HERE – in Print and eBook
And on my Etsy Shop

the ladies quilt pattern book

Meeting EVERY Tuesday to quilt is My Ladies. Doing large projects to small ones, they come together with baskets of fabric, ideas and laughter. “The Ladies”  
They talked about it from time to time, doing a quilt pattern book and finally it was time to draw out their favorite quilt blocks and share them with all of you.
All the quilt blocks stitched together, a quilt design (finished quilt measures 76″ x 84″ ) and that’s what became
“The Ladies” Quilt Pattern Book. 
The Ladies: IN Print and eBook too: 
Here is one of the Quilt Patterns from the book. The book has  68 quilt blocks, with a finished size of eight inches by eight inches.  Here is my tutorial on How “I” make my triangles

star quilt pattern

how to make a star quilt blockCut 8 Blue – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”

Cut 8 White – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Make Triangles

Sew as shown

How I make my Triangles

 

 

 

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It’s Only a Square

Make a Quilt Block

Making a simple quilt pattern into a fantastic quilt pattern it’s easy and remember it’s ONLY a square.
Making nine patch quilt block
This is just the next step in a nine patch quilt block. By adding more squares in different colors you can transform a nine-patch into a completely new quilt block.

how to make a fun nine patch quilt block

how to make a fun nine patch quilt blockFinished Quilt block size – Ten inches by Ten inches

Cut 5 Purple 2 1/2” x  2 1/2”

Cut 4 Gray 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”

Cut 8 Blue 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”

Cut 8 White 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”

 

 

 

One of my FUN Quilt Patterns, and it’s ALL Squares !

Put on Some Red Lipstick and Let’s Quilt A Quilt

Quilt for the book, Put on some Red Lip Stick and Let's quilt

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How to Make a Quarter Square Triangle Point

How to Quilt Tutorial

The other day I did Grandma’s Pin Wheel Quilt Block and didn’t show you this…if you need it.  Cutting for her pin wheel is given at link:
Here is how I make my Quarter Triangles

Cut Larger triangle finished size plus 7/8”
example: 6” finished cut 6 7/8”

Cut each square from corner to corner You will have 2 triangles

Cut Points finished size plus 1 ¼”
example 6” finished cut 7 ¼”

Cut each square from corner to corner and then again corner to corner. You will have 4 triangles

Cut each color and piece as shown

Add right corner onto base, good fabric to good fabric.

SEW from corner to corner.

Trim off the back with a ¼” seam allowance, open up and press

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Grandma’s Pin Wheel Quilt Block

Great – Great Grandma’s

How to make the Pin Wheel Quilt Block from my Great-great Grandmother – quilt pattern below for you.

Free Pinwheel quilt pattern

Finished block will be 6″ x 6″
Cutting for ONE Block
Cut 2 Green – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″
cut each block from corner to corner
(shown as gray)
 
Cut 1 Pink 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
cut corner to corner and then again, corner to corner
(shown as red )
Cut 1 White 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
cut corner to corner and then again, corner to corner
(shown as white)
Piece 4 blocks together as shown 
Sew into rows
Sew rows together
My Great, Great Grandmother's Pin Wheel Quilt Block PatternPlease remember, 
there are other methods of piecing 
the quarter triangle, this is how I do it. My quilt tutorial how I do Triangles

My Great-Great Grandmother’s Quilt
This quilt was a gift to my mother from her Great Grandmother. And then a Gift to me from My Mother. Making it my, GREAT-GREAT Grandmother’s Gift to ME ! Well…That’s how I like to look at it.

 I never met her and my mom only remembered helping with the peddle sewing machine.  I use this quilt and love sleeping under it. It goes in the washer and now living here in Florida and not having a clothes line it does go it the dryer….Yes… it bothers me too, but…. the colors are still very bright, but the Florida sun won on these photo’s.

Free Pinwheel quilt pattern Great Great Grandma's Quilt

The hand quilting on this quilt is WONDERFUL 

 

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Make the Quilt Block – Rolling Bow Tie

Fun Quilt Block to Make

It’s fun for me to draw quilt blocks out on graph paper.  They make me happy and I love the other ideas it sparks as I do them. This is one of my quilt blocks.

Today I’m sharing my Rolling Bow Tie Quilt Pattern Block.
See all my quilt patterns

Free Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Finished Quilt Block is Sixteen Inches by Sixteen Inches (16″ x 16″)

Make a Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Cut 1 White – 6 ½” x 6 ½”

Cut 1 Lt. Blue – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” 

Cut 1 Blue – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Mark squares corner to corner SEWING LINE.
Place on corner, good side to good, sew on line, trim and press

Rolling Bow Tie Quilt Block Pattern

Cut 4 Lt. Blue – 3 ½” x 3 ½”

Cut 4 Blue – 3 ½” x 3 ½” Sew as shown and add on sides.

Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Cut 1 Lt. Blue – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Cut 1 Blue – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Cut 2 White – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”  Make triangles

Cut 12 White – 2 ½” x 1 ½”

Cut 4 Lt. Blue – 1 ½” x 1 ½”

Cut 4 Blue – 1 ½” x 1 ½” Sew rows as shown, sew to the top and bottom

Free Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Cut 4 Lt. Blue – 2 ½” x 2 ½”

Cut 4 Blue – 2 ½” x 2 ½”

Cut 4 White – 2 ½” x 8 ½” Sew into rows and sew on top and bottom

Free Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Cut 4 White – 1 ½” x 1 ½”

Cut 2 Lt. Blue and 2 Blue – 1 ½” x 1 ½”

Cut 4 White – 1 ½” x 2 ½” Sew row as shown, sew on sides

IF you make four quilt blocks and add two inch sashing you will have a 34 inch by 34 inch quilt.

free Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

This is a quilt block of PLAY with COLOR ! Have FUN !

Free Rolling Bow Quilt Block Pattern

Beth Ann of The Quilt Ladies

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Trying to get Holiday Ready Early AGAIN !

September to do List !

I didn’t use MY own ideas last year. We did a  huge oversea’s trip and then all Husband’s health problems, I was a bit of a mess and over my head in every other detail.
BUT ! ! Here I go, anew in 2026 
I get going early in the mornings and decided one thing a day, it’s the cleaning part I really need this year ! My goal is NO hurry this year !

Okay…I am going to try! It’s all about my slow and steady thing, and happiness. This is my list Christmas, no Thanksgiving !
WHY, because my sister-in-law hosts and
I just arrive with food ! Love that about her ! 

  • Christmas List or Ideas – Stocking Stuffer List
    Start shopping as you go – see something pick it up, get one gift card per week, remember My Etsy and Print and eBooksStart any Handmade items you need to Make
    Photo’s for cards (if doing)Schedule, whole family start talking and plan,
    Start Your Holiday Calendar – travel times, shopping days, other life appointments, doctor-dentist, birthdays etc.
    Talk over with loved ones who, what, where – travel? No travel? Who is hosting? Gifts? Photo Shot?
    Meal ideas – purchase can goods and freezer items ONLY early if on sale

QUILTER – Need a quilt quilted??? – Call long arm quilter or get it there NOW !  They book up and some/most close down for the holidays

I doing the – Get Your Home Holiday Ready First,
Instead of trying to deep clean the entire house in December, do a little at a time.
Living Room
  • Clean drapes or curtains.
  • Shampoo carpets or clean rugs.
  • Repair or clean furniture.
  • Dust those forgotten corners.
  • Wash any linens , sheets, quilts you think you may need
Bedroom & Closet
  • Wash bedding and bed skirt.
  • Vacuum under the bed.
  • Declutter dressers and nightstands.
  • Wash windows and blinds.
  • Organize your closet.
  • Put away summer clothes (if your weather allows).
  • Sort jewelry, shoes, and handbags.
  • Take dry cleaning in early.
Bathroom, Main and Guest
I will probably have to do this again in November our water?!?
  • Scrub the shower and grout.
  • Clean mirrors and light fixtures.
  • Wash shower curtains.
  • Refresh towels and linens.
Plan Your Holiday Budget
I am giving myself a stress free Christmas
  • Decide what you want to spend before you begin shopping
  • Break it down in categories
    Gifts
    Food
    Decorations
    Travel
    All Extras
    If you start planning now, this next holiday and next  coming years will be even easier.
  • Purchase holiday home show tickets – Great early gift too !

Let the Fun Begin – Remember Slow and Steady

Stitched into the Story, Book of Luke and 25 quilt block patterns to make, all sizes, ready for you.

Read about All of Beth Ann’s Books

 

Meet Beth Ann: A Quilter and an Author who decided to self-publish her quilt books and quilt patterns, SEE her  BOOKS on Amazon and PDF download quilt patterns on Etsy

Beth Ann and as always,
Thank you for making my dream a reality
www.bethanndoing.com

Mending a Fishing Quilt

I posted Husbands fishing quilt block the other day, HERE

We have a culture here in our family of NOT giving up our quilts and here is how I fixed Husband’s fish quilt.
a torn quilt is fixed
This quilt I didn’t patch, it’s was easier to stitch the seams.
If you do need to make pieces, here is my tutorial.
Laying out each place to repair
old quilt repairPinned it really good
old quilt repairAnd used applique stitches, by hand.
They were pretty much on seams, fabric becoming weak?
I think from YEARS of use. 
AND let me add…PLEASE press your seams to ONE side, DO NOT press open as you would making clothes. I know it’s a thing now to press open, but DON’T you will only weaken the threads and seam. 
how to fix an old quiltfix an older quilt by hand stitchingLooks pretty good ! 
fish quiltReady for many more years of wear !
Beth Ann of the quilt ladies

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Fish Quilt Block Pattern

Always time to make a Quilt Block

This is Husband’s Fish Quilt block.
This quilt has been traveled with, used and it’s the softest quilt in the house !
The quilt block has a finished size of 10″ x 10″, quilt block pattern is below, simple half-square triangles and patchwork squares, it will be great with prints or soft pastels. 

Fish quilt block from The Quilt Ladies

This quilt is loved, used, washed and dried. Finished size of ONE quilt block is ten inches by ten inches. For Husband’s quilt I made 6 quilt blocks, added sashing and binding. It’s long to be used in a reclining chair and in his sleep bag on fishing trips.

Fish quilt quilt pattern from The Quilt Ladies

Cutting for this ONE block as shown on the Left

Cut 12 Green – 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ 
Cut 12 White – 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ 
Make Triangles  How I make Triangles

Cut 16 White – 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″

Cut 4 White  – 3 1/2 x 2 1/2″
Cut 4 White – 4 1/2″ x 10 1/2″

Sew as Shown

 

 

 

Do this 4 times  to make a School of Fish!

Fish quilt quilt pattern from The Quilt Ladies

 

Beth Ann of the quilt ladies

Meet Beth Ann: A Quilter and an Author who decided to self-publish her quilt books and quilt patterns, SEE her  BOOKS on Amazon and PDF download quilt patterns on Etsy

Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial

The Quilt Ladies Re-Post

Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial
Self Binding means: 
Bring the quilt backing to the front and using it as your binding, I am bring this over from The Quilt Ladies, this post is used and still asked for all the time, Thank you for that.
Just a few days ago I received this comment on my original post:
from Helen: After reading the tutorial 3 times I committed to try it.

It worked perfectly. I just followed the instructions and it worked
on a table runner. This method stops so much waste of material.

See all MY Books in PRINT HERE
Step by Step How to do Self Binding on a Quilt Make your quilt block, add batting heat resistant, and quilt. Trim the batting even with your quilt top
How to do Self Binding on a QuiltCut one backing 1″ from the quilt edge

How to do Self Binding on a QuiltFold the backing to the edge of the quilt, 1/2″, I like to press it down

How to do Self Binding on a Quilt
Again, fold the backing over onto the quilt top, make sure you are on the quilt top with the edge, this is your sewing edge, pin it down
How to do Self Binding on a QuiltFold the corner over as shown
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PDF download quilt patterns on Etsy
Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt LadiesAnd then do the steps as before, 
fold over half way and
then fold over half way again. 
Pin well.
Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt LadiesSometimes at the corner you will have to move it around a bit
to make the corner perfect, go slow and pin well. 
Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt LadiesWhen I get it like, I like,  pin and I press a bit, between pins and at the corner
it holds it just a bit better. 
Remember, pressing is up and down with an iron. 
Doing it up and down your fabric will not stretch or move.

Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt Ladies
With your machine sew along the backing edge, do a few back stitches to hold ends

Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt LadiesI like doing 2 rows of stitching, just my personal like.

Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial from The Quilt Ladies

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