I'm a Blessed Quilter. ๐งต A Sewist Creator. ๐จ A Lover of beautiful fabrics! โ And most importantly, I'm anxious to share it all with you! ๐ Thanks for stopping by. ๐ Please share your e-mail so we can get together again soon. @inspiredquiltingbylealouise #lealouisequilts
Pro Quilting Tip: Keep It Simple for Consistently Gorgeous Quilts!
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Hi Reader, Do you have a quilting philosophy? In other words, do you use personal guidelines to choose which quilts you make? Or are you more spontaneous and adventurous to choose something completely out-of-the-box, even if you don't yet know how to make it? Choosing Quilt ProjectsMy primary rule is 'Keep It Simple'! 'Scrappy' is my creative direction because I love to mix fabrics, prints, and colors. But when a quilt's mixed color scheme gets a bit more complex, the block pattern must be quite basic to maintain control. Hence my rule, 'Keep it Simple'! Here's a perfect example, Easy Quilt in ONE DAY. You can make this from your scraps, yardage, fat quarters, layer cakes, or charm squares. The biggest advantage is that it will look different every time you make it! First, my quilt pattern must be a block I can easily make scrappy. This way I can use fabric I already have which saves me money. I prefer to buy my fabrics when they are on sale which also helps keep my costs down! Besides, using simple blocks that go together fast and easy usually equals success! Second, my quilt blocks shouldn't demand lots of attention with intricate piecing. It needs to be quick to cut, sew, and quilt! This way I can chain piece blocks fast and put them together even quicker. Blocks that use standard precut sizes 2.5", 5", 10" are my best choices as I keep plenty on hand. This also allows me to adjust the block to a larger or smaller size. That's definitely a win. Especially if I want to use different sizes of the same block in the same quilt. It looks like an intricate design but is really very easy to make! The big benefit of using the same or similar quilt blocks in different quilts, it that it speeds up my sewing. Once I make the block a couple times, it becomes easier for me to assemble. That'll save me extra time, too! Finally, it needs to have an appealing design that's interesting to look at. Any ideas of what block you might choose? Learning New TricksLast year I decided to learn the math behind making the square-in-a-square and economy blocks. Frist I learned that the difference is the square-in-a-square is simply a square on point, also known as a diamond in a square. Whereas the economy block has three squares tilted within each other. The square-in-a-square was the best place to start as there just one row of triangles to add. To learn How to Make a Square in a Square Quilt Block I started with a simple mug rug measuring about 10" square. Easy first step, right. It worked out great so I created a free downloadable tutorial to make your own. Next was the economy block. The beauty of any simple square block is the versatility you have for dressing up the edges. My ideal economy block may be this one in the video below. It's the first time I'm making it and I found it's much easier than it looks. Do you see how I added 'logs' to the outer edges to make it larger for a hot pad? It's just a log cabin with a larger center square. That just happens to be an economy block! Wow, is that magic or what?! There is a pattern available, too. As subscribers to my newsletters, you always receive a 40% OFF discount! Click here for your discount on this pattern: Super Sized Economy Block Quilted Hot Pad. Don't let the sight of triangles scare you because these are much different than Half Square Triangles. Check out the video and see what I mean. More Easy Quilting Ideas for Small ProjectsYou'll find the videos and printable downloads in each post below. Enjoy! Post: How to Make A Super-Sized Hot Padโ Post: How to Make a Potato Chip Super-Sized Hot Padโ Post: How to Make A Scrappy MEGA Hot Padโ Sometimes Plans ChangeMy plan was to have some beautiful French Rose quilt blocks to share with you this week. It seems I'm having an allergic reaction to the lingering 'construction dust' in our house. It was vacant for over a year while it was being repaired after hurricane Helene. We have lots of air filters working on it throughout the house. Plus we are washing bedding, curtains, and treating furniture upholstery constantly. I had to break down and get some prescription allergy meds which make me more lethargic than normal. Hopefully I can get my quilting finished for next week. Thanks for your patience! Don't Miss THIS MONTH'S Fat Quarter Shop Specials!FYI: I've gotten charm packs at under $8 in the Weekly Precut Bundle Sales.
Until next week, Happy Quilting, Lea Louise Find more Lea Louise Quilts here:Website: https://inspiredquiltingbylealouise.comโ |
Hi! I'm Lea Louise. ๐ค Welcome to Inspired Quilting!
I'm a Blessed Quilter. ๐งต A Sewist Creator. ๐จ A Lover of beautiful fabrics! โ And most importantly, I'm anxious to share it all with you! ๐ Thanks for stopping by. ๐ Please share your e-mail so we can get together again soon. @inspiredquiltingbylealouise #lealouisequilts
Hi Reader, No sooner do I get close to finishing a quilt than another idea grabs my attention. As you know, there are four twin size charm square quilts I'm working on using different Disappearing-9-Patch Layouts. This week's is number three and I'm already working on the fourth. Don't miss my Confetti: A Disappearing 9-Patch Quilt Pattern which is available at 40% off only to subscribers via my emails! Oh, Happy Spring! ๐ป๐๐ผ I've gathered my floral fabrics for some upcoming spring quilts....
Hi Reader, There are three quilt block techniques that always get quilters excited. First is a rag quilt, most likely because they are very easy and don't require traditional quilting. That makes them a perfect quilting-for-beginners choice. Second is the disappearing 9-patch. The initial block is a simple 9-patch which is then cut into multiple pieces and rearranged into some very interesting designs. Third is the potato chip block. It's definitely been a favorite of mine, too! The allure...
Hi Reader, This has to be the FASTEST method to create an adorable scrappy baby quilt in just minutes! Youโll be amazed how quickly you can turn 100 charm squares into an awesome quilt faster than you ever thought possible! Not enough charm squares on hand? Check out these 100 count charm packs in assorted solids & prints. Luckily my leftover charm pile was overflowing. So much so I should have enough to make four twin size quilts with this pattern! I'm excited to them finished, though that...