This may seem a bit strange, but I love the colors in this dress, it’s from a Vogue magazine probably 6-8 years ago, (LOVE IT) and it’s how I picked the colors for my quilt B. Annie
This quilt post has been used and shared of years it really does work.
I do have to say that after all these many years, I don’t over think color anymore. I have used some real dog of fabrics and when it’s all together…the quilt seems to work on it’s own.
One of the best things about quilting is the Wonderful Fabric’s you get to purchase, lots and lots of fabric. Sign up top right of this site to receive notice of new posts, I will NEVER send a newsletter, etc. I just don’t like them!?!
And with that I have to add,
This is the way I do my fabric, you do you ! Purchasing fabric is fun, please, always buy the best fabric you can afford and what you like. For quilts you will use 100% cotton fabric. Fabric will cost between $6 and $17 per yard. If you are just purchasing for a maybe project, I do mostly cuts 1 to 2 yards. If you have a quilt pattern, follow the recommendations, but as I say in my books, “Please think of purchasing more fabric than needed, as a pattern designer I have no idea how you will cut and use your fabric.” Purchased cotton yardage, I wash, dry and iron my fabric before starting any project. Please think of purchasing more fabric than needed, a pattern designer has no idea how you will cut and use your fabric.
When talking about fabric it always brings up the conversation of washing fabric. Here is what I do,
I wash and dry all my fabric BEFORE sewing cutting and piecing a quilt. You only have to pull out one finished quilt from the washer and see bleeding to know you must/should wash all fabric.
Cotton fabrics bleeding means, the dyes used on the fabric will become loose when washing. It’s said that it’s common is cottons, but all fabrics can bleed. Dyes will/can stain other fabrics in a prewashing, the biggest problem is the dye transfer after a quilt is finished. Last weeks Tuesday’s Thread HERE
When cotton fabric is made it is stretched on a loom, pulling the fibers straight. A stabilizer is applied to keep fabric straight and that is what you are washing off. Washing allows the fabric to relax and return to a more natural state. A dryer lets the fabric relax or shrink. All cotton fabrics are different you cannot know the amount any fabric will shrink.
Knowing a cotton fabric will not bleed and not shrink is worth a bit of time for the perfect quilt in the end.
When prewashing quilt fabric, I use my daily machine washer detergent, the same type that will be used when the complete quilt is washed. Same with the dryer, use the setting that will be used when the quilt is completed.
With 100% cotton fabric after washing and drying you will need to clip away all the threads that have twisted. If fabric is wrinkles you can shake it to smooth out more wrinkles, or press the fabric with a dry iron.
It’s a habit for me to wash/dry as soon as I purchase fabric. You will develop YOUR way of caring for your quilt fabrics.
When using/cutting the fabric I will press and starch it BEFORE any cutting and square up the fabric so that all cuts with a rotary cutter are straight. I use what I use for clothing as my starch just plain old Niagara brand, it makes it just a bit stiff and will washed very easily.
All this being said, “I do not EVER wash contest quilt fabric before sewing, or quilting the quilt.” That is just me, you do YOU !
GIVE it a TRY ! it’s easy, all you use is triangles and squares. Here is one of my four inch quilt blocks, don’t over think it. Sew as you would any quilt block.
Old Maids Puzzle. This quilt block has a finished size of four inches by four inches. Making the quilt as shown in the book you will have a finished quilt thirty inches by thirty inches, perfect as a lap quilt or a baby quilt.
I made this quilt block with very simple colors and background, but you can have lots of fun with it. Remember to press NOT IRON a quilt block and I always press as I go each seam. I have a small ironing board right by my sewing machine. I posted how I do quilt triangles
Welcome to my Tuesday Threads: Quilt How-To with The Quilt Ladies! Every Tuesday, I’m sharing simple, step-by-step quilting techniques straight from my sewing room to yours.
I have so many brand new to quilting or if you just want a quick refresher, these posts are here to help. Grab your fabric, pour a cup of something cozy, and let’s get stitching, one technique at a time!
I am starting with pressing because I see SO many new quilters pressing as they would IF you were sewing a dress, with quilt blocks you do NOT press the seam open, you press to the darker fabric and here is why. NO Steam, a hot, dry iron.
press your quilt block to the darker fabric, here the redseam opened and how the nest into each other
When you press both layers of fabric and the seam allowance all to one side, you’re giving that seam more fabric layers to support it. This extra layer of fabric over the stitching line helps protect your thread from wear and tear over time.
As your quilt gets used, loved, washed, and tugged on, the seams take a lot of stress. By pressing to one side, you’re wrapping that stitching line in a little fabric shield. The thread sits just under the fold, with fabric on top of it and underneath it. This extra cushion means the thread is less likely to snap or break down over the years.
Press to the Dark Side… Always (Well, Almost Always)
I HOPE you have heard this rule a hundred times: “Press your seams to the dark side.” But why?
It’s not just some old quilting superstition. There’s a real reason for it!
When you sew two fabrics together—especially a light fabric next to a dark one—the seam allowance can show through the lighter fabric if it’s pressed the wrong way. This is called “shadowing.” Nobody wants to finish a quilt top, hold it up to the light, and suddenly see dark seam lines peeking through those lovely light fabrics.
By pressing your seam allowance toward the darker fabric, you’re tucking that extra bulk safely under the dark side—where it stays hidden.
Press, Don’t Iron: Up and Down, Not Side to Side
Now let’s talk about the motion of pressing. When you’re at your ironing board, it’s tempting to treat your quilt block like a wrinkled shirt and slide the iron back and forth. But don’t!
In quilting, you want to “press,” not “iron.”
That means setting your iron down straight onto the fabric, holding for a few seconds, then lifting it up and moving it to the next spot.
Why?
Dragging your iron side to side can stretch the fabric, especially along diagonal seams (the bias). This leads to wonky blocks, wavy edges, and points that don’t quite match later.
This a little thing, but the pressing of the quilt block the right way can make your quilt pop just a little more, and last a bit longer.
Let’s Make a Quilt !
Have a FANTASTIC Weekend with my free quilt pattern
Here is a Complete quilt pattern for you. I think it’s a fun quilt because of the colors and the black making it pop. This quilt LOOKS hard BUT it’s just triangles.
I cut 3 7/8″ blocks to make my triangles, you can cut any size you would like. I made and quilted this quilt YEARS ago and I have used it as a table topper, a front door quilt and as a lay over the back of the couch quilt for color. My quilt has a finished size of 30 inches by 30 inches.
Cut 1 Blue – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Cut 1 Orange – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Make Triangles How I make my Triangles
Cut 2 Blue – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Cut 2 Orange – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Cut 4 Black – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Make Triangles
Cut 4 Black – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Sew units as shown, sew to the sides. Sew top and bottom as shown and sew
Finished center of the quilt block.
Cut 6 Orange – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″
Cut 6 Blue – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″
Make Triangles
Cut 1 Orange – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Cut 1 Blue – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Cut 2 Black – 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ Make Triangles
Sew as shown add sides first, then top and bottom
Free Star Quilt Pattern
Cut 4 Blue 3 1/2″ x 24 1/2″
Cut 4 Orange – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Sew one orange square on to each end of two blue strips
A New Quilt Book – Full of Patterns, Color, and Inspiration
There’s something special about opening a new quilt book. The feel of the pages, the burst of color, and the endless ideas that start flowing. I’m excited to share that my newest quilt pattern book is ready and available! This book has been in the works for quite a while—sketched at my kitchen table, pieced in my sewing room, and finished with all the love and care that I put into every quilt I make.
Book in Print
Inside, you’ll find 12 complete quilt patterns—one for each month of the year. Whether you’re in the mood for something small and quick or ready to take on a larger project, there’s a pattern here for you. Each design has simple step-by-step instructions, full-color diagrams, getting started section and how to bind a quilt.
Monthly Patterns Include:
January – Baby Star Quilt, 44″ x 44″
February – Baskets Around a Quilt, 42″ x 42″
March – Four Patch Quilt, 36″ x 36″
April – Make it Special, 30″ x 30″
May – Scrappy Quilt, 60″ x 54″
June – Breaking Down a Quilt Block, 6 assorted block patterns
July – 4 Barn Quilt Blocks, each 12″ x 12″
August – Edison Tree Quilt, 38″ x 38″
September – Put on Some Red Lipstick Quilt, 60″ x 70″
October – Grand Four You Quilt, 60″ x 52″
November – 13 Simple Quilt Blocks in 3″, 6″, and 12″ sizes
December – Golden Eye Quilt, 34″ x 34″
This book isn’t just about making quilts—it’s about taking time for yourself, playing with fabric, and bringing your creativity to life. Whether you’re quilting for your home, a friend, or just for the pure joy of making, I hope these patterns inspire you to pull out your favorite fabrics and start sewing.
This weeks quilt block is Husband’s Fish Quilt block. This quilt has been traveled with, used and it’s the softest quilt in the house !
This 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.
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.
Cutting for this ONE block as shown on the Left
Cut 3 Green – 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ Cut 3 White – 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ Make Triangles
Cut 4 White – 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
Cut 1 White – 3 1/2 x 2 1/2″ Cut 1 White – 4 1/2″ x 10 1/2″
Sew as Shown
You will need FOUR of this block to make a School of Fish!
Happy Friday and here is this weeks quilt block pattern. This quilt block has a finished size of 12″ x 12″. I did cut and lay these quilt fabric colors out, you do you! I like the colors likeness on each side.
At NO Additional cost to you Disclaimer, this quilt pattern post contains affiliate links. I receive a few cents if you click to my links and purchase. These few cents help with my fabric collection and or obsession. Beth Ann and as always, Thank you for making my dream a reality ! ! www.bethanndoing.com www.thequiltladies.com
All The Quilt Ladies Quilt PatternsThe Quilt Ladies Amazon Shop
I have changing things up, I will be stepping back from a lot of what I don’t like…email newsletters, comments, overthinking daily posts. I will focus on the things I love to share, quilt patterns and the quilt patterns and books. Please sign up for my site notification of new posts. NO other notices will be sent to you !
This weeks quilt block have a finished size of twelve by twelve and I am continuing to use rectangle scraps.
Finished size of all the quilt blocks over the next year will be 12″ x 12″. Each quilt block will have the CENTER block in some form. YOU do YOU with color, use what you have or off to a quilt shop ! Don’t over think it, it’s a quilt block !
Center Block
Cut 40 RED – 1 ½ x 2 ½” Piece as shown for the center
Make 5 quilt blocks
SCRAPPY TRIANGLE QUILT
Ready to dive into a fun new project? This month’s quilt is bursting with color and charm — it’s scrappy, it’s sweet, and it’s just the thing to brighten up your sewing time!
What You Get: 10 Quilt Patterns in TWO sizes: 12” blocks 6” blocks To Make the Quilt as Pictured: Use 9 large quilt blocks (12” x 12” finished) Use 8 small quilt blocks (6” x 6” finished)
Perfect for using up those beautiful scraps you’ve been saving!
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned quilter, these triangle blocks are a delight to stitch together.
Grab your pattern now and start sewing your own Scrappy Triangle Quilt today!
This is one of the quilt rows, choosing fabrics this way 
Here’s a look at one of the 16 blocks ! 
