Vintage Jenny | Colorado Quilt

Have you ever heard of a Colorado block? Many quilters know this quilt classic by another name, the Dutch Windmill. Using layer cakes, this traditional half-square triangle quilt block comes together in a flash creating a unique and vintage design that has been loved for many years. How many years to be exact? While Jenny couldn’t find much information on the original of the name Dutch Windmill, the Colorado quilt block can be traced back to 1941 where it was published in the Kansas City Star!

To stitch up this classic you’ll need two layers cakes, one of prints and one of solids. You’ll need to whip up a handful of half-square triangles to begin this pattern, which you’ll be able to lay out in a pinwheel design with all lines going to the center in a light, dark, light, dark pattern. Next you’ll need to make the legs of each triangle a bit longer by placing a matching block next to each end, and then build the square out on each side with the points going towards the same end. (We promise it’s SEW much easier than it sounds, check out Jenny’s tutorial above for a little more visual assistance!)

Needing some more inspiration to create this beautiful block? While the Vintage Jenny tutorial fabrics are no longer in production (just like a classic quilt they’re a product of their time) check out our suggestions below for five current lines of fabric that make this quilt come together with ease!

Between Friends by Shannon Christensen for Windham Fabrics

The Between Friends fabric collection by Shannon Christensen is about friendships that flourish, the heartwarming ones that bind us. The cheerful color palette, happy florals and sweet textures of Between Friends is sure to bring warmth and harmony to your creative world.

Learn More >

Gingham Foundry by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake

Navy, grey, and yellow 10″ squares in lovely florals and geometric prints. These classic prints are sure to elevate your quilting and sewing projects with a tasteful palette of navy, honey gold, grey, and cream.

Learn More >

A Groovy Garden by Jason Yenter for In The Beginning Fabrics

Get groovy with this 10” square pack! These floral and geometric fabrics blend fancy florals and psychedelic patterns and colors into a funky addition to your next quilt.

Learn More >

Happy Chance by Laura Heine for Windham Fabrics

Take a chance with this 10” square pack! These fanciful fabrics are full of multicolor florals, paper mache collages, and dressmaking motifs.

Learn More >

Kaffe Fassett Collective Contrast by Kaffe Fassett for FreeSpirit Fabrics

Dive into Kaffe with this 10″ square pack! You can have all the Kaffe Fassett prints your creative heart desires with the new Kaffe Fassett Collective collection, especially if your project calls for high-contrast colors.

Learn More >

Cross Your Heart Quilt

The Cross Your Heart quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Keep an eye on the birds! 

Spot a dove, and you’re destined for a happy, peaceful marriage. Spot a crossbill, and your future spouse is sure to be a grouch.

The Cross Your Heart quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

A sparrow means you’ll marry a pauper, and a goldfinch signals wealth. And if an owl shows up? That’s it! You’ll be single for life! 

All things considered, it may be wiser to stay inside and quilt! This week Jenny is using precut charms to stitch up a super-sweet Valentine heart quilt. These half-square triangle hearts are so simple and pretty, it’s sure to be love at first stitch!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Chandelier Quilt

The Chandelier Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Do you remember discovering precuts for the very first time? Vanessa Goertzen sure does! 

It was 2010, and Vanessa had just learned that her new baby was going to be a girl. On the way home from the ultrasound, she stopped at a fabric shop to pick up something pink.

The Chandelier Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

There, she laid eyes on a stack of precut 5 inch charms, and a creative fire was lit! (12 years later, Vanessa designs incredible precut patterns for her very own Lella Boutique!)  

This week, Jenny is stitching up one of Vanessa’s prettiest patterns. Chandelier is a quick and easy charm pack quilt that is made extraordinary with an on-point layout.

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Sew Fast & Fun: Sewing Caddy & Mat

Get organized this January as part of you New Year’s Sewing Resolution with this incredibly simple Sewing Caddy and Mat! Having a handy location to put all your notions and quilting accessories allows you to quilt on with confidence and never waste time trying to find your most used templates and tools. All you’ll need is two half yard cuts of contrasting fabric, a half yard of batting and a little Steam a Seam for quick binding!

Supplies Needed

Two 1/2 Yard Cuts of Contrasting Fabric

Scrap Batting

Steam-a-Seam Double Stick Fusible Web

First and foremost, you’ll need to measure your home sewing machine to determine how wide you want your sewing machine pad to be (this project is catered directly to you). If your sewing machine is wider than 1/2 yard, then all you need to do is adjust your fabric needs to match your machine. Once that’s been determined, all you need to do is make a quilt sandwich out of your two fabrics with the batting in-between and then straight line quilt it with your machine.

Even up your project’s end with your ruler and add a strip of binding. Now all that’s left is to add a little Steam-a-Seam to the binding, fold the bottom end over and sew it together! You can even sew in a few pockets with ease to hold your most important items such as your scissors or your rotary cutter. Just like that you’ve created a custom made sewing machine caddy & mat perfect for retreats, home sewing and just general new year organization!

Needing a little extra inspiration? Check out Jenny’s tutorial on how to create this project with ease by clicking the video link below!

Vintage Jenny | Hourglass Block

The Hourglass quilt block is one of the more simple traditional blocks and comes together with ease using 10″ squares of precut quilting fabric. All you need to do is chop up your layer cake corner to corner, recreate a square using two different fabrics and stitch them back together – and just like that you’ve put together a gorgeous and traditional quilt block!

This block in it’s own is an absolute favorite amongst quilters, but why stop the fun with just the basic hourglass! This block can be used in a wide variety of quilting patterns that all rely on the basic block that you’ve already put together. So select a pattern, pick a favorite layer cake and try out this classic creation for yourself!

Needing some more inspiration to create this beautiful block? While the Vintage Jenny tutorial fabrics are no longer in production (just like a classic quilt they’re a product of their time) check out our suggestions below for five current lines of fabric that make this quilt come together with ease!

Between Friends by Shannon Christensen for Windham Fabrics

The Between Friends fabric collection by Shannon Christensen is about friendships that flourish, the heartwarming ones that bind us. The cheerful color palette, happy florals and sweet textures of Between Friends is sure to bring warmth and harmony to your creative world.

Learn More >

Gingham Foundry by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake

Navy, grey, and yellow 10″ squares in lovely florals and geometric prints. These classic prints are sure to elevate your quilting and sewing projects with a tasteful palette of navy, honey gold, grey, and cream.

Learn More >

A Groovy Garden by Jason Yenter for In the Beginning Fabrics

Get groovy with this 10” square pack! These floral and geometric fabrics blend fancy florals and psychedelic patterns and colors into a funky addition to your next quilt.

Learn More >

Happy Chance by Laura Heine for Windham Fabrics

Take a chance with this 10” square pack! These fanciful fabrics are full of multicolor florals, paper mache collages, and dressmaking motifs.

Learn More >

Kaffe Fassett Collective Contrast by Kaffe Fassett for FreeSpirit Fabrics

Dive into Kaffe with this 10″ square pack! You can have all the Kaffe Fassett prints your creative heart desires with the new Kaffe Fassett Collective collection, especially if your project calls for high-contrast colors.

Learn More >