The year my friend Margaret hosted her first Thanksgiving dinner, everything seemed to go wrong.
The cat left paw prints on the freshly-baked pie, the oven stopped working mid-turkey, and the little cousins ruined a white couch with a box of sidewalk chalk. (But the mashed potatoes were excellent, and so was the company!)
Thanksgiving dinner is no small feat, but Jenny’s new Thanksgiving quilt is easy as pumpkin pie—minus the paw prints!
This pretty harvest quilt combines applique Dresden turkey blocks with a variation of the Irish Chain called Irish Change. It’s simple, quick, and “sew” fun to make! Click HERE to watch the tutorial!
The Periwinkle Template is a magical thing. (In fact, it has its very own playlist of projects!)
We’ve used it for spiderwebs, mug rugs, and butterflies. We’ve used it for modern quilts and old-fashioned classics.
But this week, I think we may have found its true calling.
Periwinkle Plates is a breathtaking applique pattern made with a layer cake, a charm pack, and our beloved template. It’s put together like a simplified Dresden Plate—with only 6 blades instead of 20!
Jenny used Christmas fabric in her quilt, but – as always – your quilt will look beautiful in the fabric of your choice!
A variety of Missouri Star exclusive templates and notions.
You’ve gathered your supplies, you’ve studied your basic skills, and you’ve even put together your first quilt block, but what comes next? Using templates and notions to create one-of-a-kind quilting designs is even more simple than you may have imagined. In fact, if you’re using a ruler to line up your cuts, then you’re already experience in the process! The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a template as “something that establishes or serves as a pattern”, so that handy ruler you’ve been using is the first step in mastering the template process!
The most familiar template for all of us is the trusty 5″ x 15″ ruler. This simple straight line device is used in quilting to cut an even and straight line, but they come in a variety of different sizes! If you’re sewing a big project, consider using a bigger ruler. Many quilting rulers are designed exclusively to feature one inch blocks in a transparent plastic so you will always be certain that you’re cutting and measuring precisely.
An assortment of templates and notions displayed upon a gridded mat for quilting.
This is just the beginning of the world of templates and notions! Consider the Dresden Plate block for example, it’s a time-honored traditional quilt block that demonstrates expertise in crafting and has long been a staple of the quilt world:
“The popular name for this quilt, Dresden Plate, reflects the romance of the Victorian Era with its love of elaborate decoration on household items and décor. Dresden, Germany was a center of 19th century romanticism movement in art, one that included the fine decoration of porcelain. The plates were embellished with elaborate design using flowers, fruits and foliage. The beautiful plates would surely have been admired by women of the early 20th century.”
Thanks to new quilting innovations however, the Dresden Plate has never been easier to create with a template. Using the Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template for 10″ Squares, Jenny demonstrates how to create this gorgeous vintage block in her Dresden Blooms quilt tutorial.
The Dresden Blooms quilt created with the Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template for 10″ Squares.
The fun doesn’t stop at just dresdens! Templates and notions are designed to make your quilting career easy and approachable. Whether you’re quilting with curves or using a notion to push out the corners of your project, take some time to research the available options to streamline the process. There is no limit to the ingenuity being utilized within the crafting world, so the next time you’re dreaming up some inspiration for your next project, consider challenging yourself to improve your skills by adding a new element to your quilting with a template.
Look at all these great Valentines inspired projects you’ve been working on!!
Barbara sent this to us! Love it!
I think this Northcote Range fabric, by Cabbages and Roses is very romantic.
This quilt and accessories are AWESOME! In Jean’s email she said that she was inspired from the heart block video, and put this together!!
I absolutley love it!
I’m so glad you all shared!!
Do you have any specific Valentines day traditions? Or things that make it memorable for you? Growing up, my Dad always gave us each a little heart with chocolates, and we felt so special. (he still gives us our own boxes of chocolates. Such a sweet guy!)
As a Mom, i had to come up with something to do, that included everyone and would be the least painful. (as far as putting it together, and making everyone happy) LOL.
So, I came up with one dinner I could make that ALL my kids would eat (without complaining.)
With 5 kids, that is a tough bill! That is when I started the traditional Valentines dinner of French Toast. (I make a few, stuffed french toasts, mmm) and the rest plain. You see, I wanted to have a nice dinner and be able to express love to each other, with no whining!
The first time we started this, I think we only had three kids. I had each one of them go around the table and tell one thing about each member of the family that they loved. It is truly the sweetest thing. They were all crying by the time it was over, because they realized how much they loved each other. Such sweet moments, I hope I never forget. I look forward to it every year, and it’s kind of fun to have our own little tradition.
If you have a chance to comment, I’d love to hear what you do with your family.
If you haven’t today, tell someone you love them. There is never a bad time to say those words.
Come back tomorrow, I have one more absolutely adorable wall hanging to share.
I’ve recieved several emails from Caroline and she has been a busy girl! She has made some amazing quilts! I am just blown away. Today I am going to show you all the amazing work Miss Caroline has been doing!
First up is her ‘Strips and Stars’ quilt. {She used this tutorial} I just love the solid black background against the bright colors!
This next one she made for her Great Granddaughter (born June 10th) She used a Buttercup charm pack and this tutorial.
So sweet! Just perfect for a baby!
The next one is just a beautiful as the others! She made the X’s and O’s Quilt that Mom taught in her online class with Sympoz, and used the fabric ‘Lovely” by Sandy Gervais for Moda. I just LOVE the way it turned out. One of the best lines this Spring for sure. (in my opinion, of course. *wink*wink)
Last but certainly NOT least, she is working on a Dresden Plate quilt! Like I said, Caroline has been a busy girl!
Caroline has certainly stolen the show {and tell} today! Thanks for showing us your amazing handi-work Caroline.
I just love each of your sweet emails and appreciate you taking the time to send us your pictures!
FYI: We had a Fed-X semi truck pull up to the Shop yesterday! Oh my stars! We have SO MUCH new stuff, we are busting with excitement! So, just stay tuned! We will be showing and talking and sharing with you all about it!
