Don’t you just love when you find a new spin on a classic tutorial? Even better when you can combine 2 favorites and that’s what Jenny has done with this new tutorial on the Friendship Pinwheel Quilt! It may look challenging at first glance, but it’s nothing you can’t handle! Here’s what you’ll need.
Isn’t the result so beautiful? I would love to see a patriotic quilt made in this pattern or a bright summery pattern…. it has warm weather written all over it!
Click the button to watch the video tutorial and shop for all the supplies that Jenny uses in this tutorial! Happy quilting!
Hello! I’m Heather Jones of Heather Jones Studio and author of the new book Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday (STC Craft | A Melanie Falick Book, 2015). I’m so excited to be guest blogging here at the Missouri Star Quilt Company Blog today. I’ve been a huge fan of Jenny’s for a long time and I especially love how accessible she makes quilting with all of her great free tutorials! I began quilting regularly about five years ago, although I have loved quilts my whole life. But, my great-great aunt Ollie is the only person in my family who quilted, so I didn’t grow up with quilts being made around me. So for many years I was kind of intimidated to start quilting, although I loved them so much. Lucky for us all, we have Jenny to teach us and virtually hold our hands throughout the process so can make just about anything with her help.
Today, I’m sharing a quilt I made using Jenny’s Irish Chain tutorial. If you’re familiar with my own work, it should be no surprise at all that I’m drawn to minimalist designs, and when paired down to two solids colors, the Irish Chain is a perfect project. I have always wanted to make one of these designs so this was the perfect opportunity for me to finally get started. It’s a simple pattern that uses a nine patch block and a square of background fabric, and when arranged in this manner, the nine patch blocks create chains throughout the design.
In Jenny’s tutorial she uses precut strips of fabric for her blocks, which is certainly a great choice for this project. I however, picked two colors of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton, Sky for the background and Pickle for the chains, so I cut my strips from yardage.
I made a twin sized version using 3 ¾ yards of Sky, 1 ¾ yards of Pickle, and 4 1/8 yards of Kona Fog for the back. I also used an additional ½ yard of Sky for the binding.
As I mentioned, Jenny’s tutorial used a jelly roll precut, which is fabric cut in 2 ½” x WOF (width of fabric) strips.
So, I cut my yardage in those sizes, specifically cutting (19) 2 ½” x WOF strips of Sky and (23) 2 ½” x WOF strips of Pickle. I also cut (72) 6 ½” x 6 ½” squares of Sky for the background blocks out of my yardage.
The nine patch blocks are made out of strip sets, and for this size quilt, you need nine outside strips, made of two Pickle strips and one Sky, with the Pickle on the outside of the strip set, as shown above. You also need five inside strip sets, using one Pickle and two Sky, with the Pickle on the inside of the strip set.
Each nine patch is made out of two outside strip sets and one inside strip set.
One the strip sets are made, construction is so easy, and with a little chain piecing, these blocks come together very quickly. Jenny shares tips in her tutorial to make sure the seams nestle throughout the blocks that make all those little square line up so neatly!
And once the nine patch blocks are finished, it’s just a matter of alternating them with the background blocks to make the chains throughout the pattern.
Once the top and back were finished, I quilted it with my go-to allover freehand figure eight design. This has become my favorite quilting design because of its simplicity and I think it works well with so many quilt patterns. I used Aurifil 2600 (Dove) 40 weight for the quilting, which I think works really well with the colors in my quilt.
I used Sky for the binding and I love how it disappears into the background of the design.
And here’s a shot of the back, where you can see the Kona Fog that I used for the backing. It’s a bit darker blue that I think works really well with both the Sky and the Pickle.
Thanks so much for letting me share my project with you here at MSQC!
You can see more of me and my work at the following places around the web:
I just love the look of quilts that have the most beautiful flower quilt patterns… they just always look so difficult to achieve! That’s why we’ve adapted this gorgeous Prairie Flower Quilt to be made with our best friends, precuts! This one in particular is made with 10″ squares and the result is just stunning!
Here is your basic supply list as well as the finished size of the quilt if you want to make it exactly the way that Jenny Doan made it!
Click on the button to watch the tutorial and find all the supplies you need to create your own version of the Prairie Flower Quilt!
We’ve got a super fun quilt to share with you today. It’s extra special because it happens to be one of Jenny’s very favorites. She even keeps a metal replica of this block on the wall of her sewing studio, so while it’s sometimes known as Sister’s Choice or Father’s Choice, we’re calling our version The Studio Star Quilt. (Yes! Another star quilt! You can never have too many of those!)
All you need is your favorite jelly roll and some yardage to make this gorgeous quilt! We know you’re going to love this one as much as Jenny does!
Click on the button to watch the tutorial and find all the supplies you need to make this quilt! Happy Quilting!
Have you bitten off a little more than you can chew this year with your holiday projects? We all love giving homemade gifts, but sometimes we forget how much work goes into making them! Well, jump right into the festive MSQC spirit, watch a few fabulous tutorials, and in no time you’ll be full of holiday cheer and ready to tackle that gift list you’ve been avoiding!
Here is a list of ten simple projects that are truly quick and easy. You’ll be able to finish any of these gifts just in time to sneak them under the tree! And here’s the bonus: Each one has a FREE VIDEO TUTORIAL to teach you how to make it step by step!!
If you’ve never used zippers in your projects before, you’ll be amazed at how easy it truly is! Watch the tutorial once and you’ll find yourself making little pouches of all shapes and sizes for the whole family! It takes so little time you could practically make them on Christmas Eve!
This tutorial is so much fun and you won’t believe how awesome the results are! It takes about half an hour to make one of these cuties. Fill them up with something special (or yummy!) and give them out to a dozen of your friends!
These little fabric boxes are so simple to make! Make them big or little! Fill them with anything you’d like! They are great for gifting and for organizing clutter around the house.
Sewing a beautiful, personalized pillowcase is such a thoughtful, fun project and it doesn’t take much time at all! Make the holidays even more special with pillowcases for the whole family and you won’t have trouble pleasing everyone on your gift list.
Everyone seems to be getting new technology for Christmas, but what will they put their tablets in? That’s where you come to the rescue! It’s a practical and thoughtful gift for the techies in your life!
Don’t forget man’s best friend! This simple pet bed is like a pillowcase stuffed with all your fabric scraps! It’s the perfect way to use up all the excess fabric and batting you have around the house. It will keep your pet comfy and cozy all winter long!
This great tutorial teaches you how to make a stunning tote bag from a jelly roll! Once you get going, you might not be able to stop! You’ll be finding any excuse to make another! They are a lot of fun to put together and take less than a couple hours to finish!
Don’t have time to sew a quilt this Christmas? Jenny Doan’s got the perfect solution for you! Quick, personalized, no sew-blankets will help you survive the holiday rush! Everyone loves cuddling up with their favorite blanket. This is a project even the kids can help with!
Do you know a child with loads of action figures? Control the clutter by making a special place to keep them! This handy action figure holder has clear pockets on the front and holds 24 figurines. That’s 24 fewer to step on! It hangs on the wall or folds up for easy storage.
