QT User Blog

Our new pattern prize for this month is Grandma’s Bow Tie quilt pattern. This is a great quilt pattern for trying new colors and fabrics because of the bow ties interlocking with each other making it a playful and fun design.

This pattern consists of blocks that have circles in the middle that connects with the other block and so on, creating the Bow Tie pattern overall. Go ahead and get creative by using random colors of fabrics when making this pattern. This type of quilt pattern would make an excellent I SPY game with kids and friends as well. Use fun patterns of animals and objects to make the game more interesting just like the I SPY books.

Make sure to share with us any versions of Grandma’s Bow Tie quilt pattern that you make on our Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Also remember to stay active on Quilter’s Thread Mobile App in order to earn points to win this free pattern at the end of the month. Comments, uploading photos, and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. Liking 3 things on the app generates 1 point. Earn 10 points gets you a free pattern and 40 points gets you a free pattern or a Quilter’s Thread cloth shopping bag. Earn 75 points gets you a free pattern, shopping bag, and a $20 gift card.

As promised in the past blog post about the Bargello pattern, here is a blog post about the convergence technique. The term convergence is defined as the process or state of converging, coming together. The convergence technique is one that uses two or more fabrics cut into strips, then sewn together, then cut and pieced together again. I love this pattern because it is visually appealing to the eye with its playful lines crossing over each other.

The convergence technique is a popular technique and is most famously used by Ricky Tims. Ricky Tims is a musician, motivational speaker and a famous quilter. He is well known for his convergence technique that he uses in his quilts as well as published in his work.

Quilt using the Convergence Technique created by Lisa Stokes.

This quilt above was created by Lisa Stokes using the Ricky Tim’s convergence technique made at one of his workshops. Notice how she picked three bold color fabrics and then one bright floral pattern to add some contrast and make it her own. That is what is so great about the convergence technique, you can swap in different fabric styles and make it to fit your own style. What’s also great about the convergence technique is that there are also many ways to use it and tweak the style when quilting.

Here are six key helpful tips when using the convergence technique:

1. A quarter inch seam allowance is just fine for this technique. Just make sure you are consistent and accurate! Being consistent will help make the lines straight when they intertwine with each other as shown in the quilt above.
2. When picking out the fabric I recommend choosing fabric that changes color across the surface such as multicolored or batiks. Or pick a large-scale print with other coordinating fabrics to create a cool illusion when using this technique.
3. Place fabrics of four pieces of 12” to 18” squares together forming a big square four patch. You can use two different kinds of fabric or four different kinds of fabric. Then sew fabric squares 1 and 3 together and 2 and 4 together.
4. Once doing this you are going to start cutting the fabric into strips of different sizes. Make sure not to make them too narrow! If the last strip seems small don’t cut it at all because it’s better to leave it as a large piece at the end then to be left with a really small strip.
5. When you are sewing the strips together make sure that you press them in the same direction in order to make the fabric even and smooth.
6. With any leftover fabrics go ahead and make a fun border for your quilt if you like or save it for your next quilt.

Make sure you share your quilts using the convergence technique on our Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Also we are happy to announce that Quilter’s Thread Mobile App will be attending the Quilting Expo in Madison, WI this September. Stay tuned for more information.

Live Well. Quilt Well.

I love summer because of all the bright sunny days and beautiful colors of flowers. Summer is by far my most favorite season. Something about the warm air and longer days puts me in a better mood and motivates me to try new activities or projects. With it now being the middle of the summer its time to start trying new things! Here are just a few of some great summer themed quilts to try and make before the summer is over.

Polly’s Lap Quilt – French Braid Pattern.

This is a classic and modern quilt pattern perfect for any  home. You can get creative and use leftover scraps of fabric you may have laying around your work area to create the pattern or use bright playful summer themed fabrics. The use of white fabric helps highlight the colorful pieces and helps draw the eye to the middle of the quilt.

Precious Germ Pattern – LetQuilt Something

This is a perfect quilt pattern to mix and match your favorite summer themed fabrics or even leftover scraps you have from previous projects. The fabrics used in this quilt pattern drawing above are from Riley Blake Lulabelle Collection.

Cherry on Top Quilt – Podunk Pretties 

This is a perfect quilt for any summer picnics and outdoor parties. I love the simplistic style with the red, green and white fabrics. You can also get more creative if you like and create a different boarder.

Let us know what you think or share your favorite summer themed quilts on Quilter’s Thread Mobile App today. Remember to stay active on Quilter’s Thread Mobile App in order to earn points to win a free pattern at the end of the month.

Live Well. Quilt Well.

It’s the middle of June which means no matter where you are in the United States it is getting hot outside… finally!! With the warm weather making us want to stay outside all day or at least work near a window to take in all that beautiful sunshine, here are a couple of great summer themed quilts to make while enjoying the outdoors in your free time.

Rockets Red Glare Quilt Pattern

This beautiful quilt is made in perfect summer colors with its coral blue and pink fabrics resembling the Florida beaches on a hot summer day. This quilt was created by Abigail Dolinger who used Wilmington Batiks to make the Summer Glare quilt. This lap quilt is perfect to take with you on summer vacations and or use on your couch to add the summer vibe to your living room.

Designed and Machine Quilted by Abigail Dolinger

Summer Totem Quilt

This quilt is made with beautiful saturated tart floral prints from Anna Marie Horner’s LouLouThi fabric line. Just looking at these beautiful floral fabrics makes me want to travel to some beautiful tropical beach. For more information on this quilt click here.

From Bonjour Quilts

Flower Garden Fancies Quilt

Martha Washington’s Flower Garden Hexie Quilt Pattern is another great quilt that is perfect for summertime. This quilt has a simple but elegant floral hexagon design using a variety of Depression Era fabrics that are soft and bright. This is another great summer themed quilt especially if you are looking to brighten up your living area or to have with you when laying outside on a hot summer day.

Antique Quilt Owned by Beth Hayes from McCall’s Quilting.

What are some of your favorite summer quilts that you have made? Share them with us on Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Remember to stay active on Quilter’s Thread Mobile App in order to earn points to win a free pattern at the end of the month. Comments, uploading photos, and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. Liking 3 things on the app generates 1 point. Earn 10 points gets you a free pattern and 40 points gets you a free pattern and a Quilter’s Thread cloth shopping bag. Earn 75 points gets you a free pattern, shopping bag, and a $20 gift card.

Live Well. Quilt Well.