American Patchwork & Quilting December 2013

The December 2013 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting is on sale from October 8--December 3.

Missed it? Order a digital issue here. 

Spotlight on Quilting

Angela Walters shares her secrets for finding fun in finishing quilts. See a slideshow of her beautiful quilting here.

Get the digital issue here.

See Angela Walters' website here.

Designer: Gudrun Erla of GE Designs

Fabrics: Nordic Visions collection by Gudrun Erla for Red Rooster Fabrics

Strip-piece a three-color throw starring Norwegian-inspired motifs and stunning quilting.

Get the digital issue here.

Watercolor Flower

Use fabrics that have a watercolor look to give the geometric quilt pattern a softer appearance. In this wall hanging version of the snowflake became a stylized flower. A multicolor mottled print provides an interesting backdrop to the flower while still being calm enough to prevent visual overload from multiple busy prints. 

Get the free quilt pattern here. 

Designer: Stephanie Prescott of A Quilter's Dream

Fabrics: Java Batiks Macchiato collection by Stephanie Prescott of A Quilter's Dream for Galaxy Fabrics

It's a lucky day when you can make two projects for the price of one! This pair of projects--a batik throw and coordinating table runner--features a variation on The Wishing Ring block. See the next slide for the table runner.

Get the digital issue here.

Designer: Stephanie Prescott of A Quilter's Dream

Fabrics: Java Batiks Macchiato collection by Stephanie Prescott of A Quilter's Dream for Galaxy Fabrics

Create this table runner using an extra quilt block and the half blocks trimmed from the quilt top.

Get the digital issue here.

Rings of Color

Instead of two-color blocks, use three fabrics in each block in this version of Good Fortune to create interesting rings of color. Add a border to frame the mix of colors and patterns.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Marcie Patch of Patchalot Patterns

Search your stash for the littlest bits to make Double Nine-Patch blocks. Then intersperse light-background star blocks for a quilt top that sparkles.

Get the digital issue here.

Pretty in Pastels

Tone-on-tone pastel prints result in a version of Star Patch that has less contrast than the original. Because this quilt used fewer fabrics than the original scrappy quilt, you can take advantage of strip-piecing to save a bit of time.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Annette Plog

Navy-and-shirting Lost Ship blocks are simply set side by side for a scrappy throw with historical appeal.

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Sailing Ships

Lost Ship blocks rotated 180° form bright orange and orange-and-pink vessels swimming in a cream sea. A green print inner border provides an unexpected pop of cool color. The neutral background offers a great space for beautiful quilting.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Kim Diehl

Fabrics: Biscuits and Jam Perfect Pairings and Oats and Herbs Perfect Pairings collections, both from Kim Diehl for Henry Glass & Co. 

Piecing and appliqué, reds and greens, flowers and fruit--contrasts in the techniques, colors, and motifs on this little quilt result in a harmonious blend.

Get the digital issue here.

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

Fabrics: Modern Noir and Ice collections, both by Red Rooster Studio for Red Rooster Fabrics

For the leaves in a neutral-color, fusible-applique version of A Delightful Pairing, play up the differences in five fabrics. Some leaves are cut from fabric with texture, such as moire, crackle, and ikat. Fussy-cut a floral to create leaves that look like buds and cut around leaf motifs, positioning the veins down the center of the leaf appliques. 

Get the digital issue here.

Designer: Kimberly Einmo

Fabrics: Artisan Batiks collections by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

A bit of pre-planning and organization takes the guesswork out of strip-piecing the V units flying across this quilt. The bonus? No set-in seams!

Get the fabric legend for this quilt.

Get the digital issue here.

An Icy Path

Imagine ice crystals on a winter night for this silver-and-blue version of Flight Plan. Fabrics enhanced with glitter make the wall hanging sparkly even more.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Judy Blok

The capitivating shpe of a poinsettia's red leaves inspired an intricate design that is a combination of blocks and pieced sashing. 

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Gem of the Earth

Poinsettias transform into a multifaceted gem of Mother Nature when made in textures of rock, ground, and leaf. Frame one block with sashing and three borders to create a stellar focal point in a wall hanging.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Design: Angela Walters

Fabrics: Textures collection, including the Right Angles panel, by Angela Walters for Art Gallery Fabrics

Rethink panel prints! Make the most of a panel's open space to showcase (or practice) machine quilting. Have no fear--we'll show you the stitches step-by-step.

Get the digital issue here.

Designer: Jill Reid

Cheddar is even better when paired with rich tomat reds and deep browns. Use the colorway to piece sweet, small baskets embellished with a bit of applique.

Get the digital issue here.

Designer: Laura Boehnke

Fabrics: Legacy collection by Helen Weinman for RJR Fabrics

In this version of Cheddar Baskets, go for dark and dramatic with a fabric collection that pairs florals and a graphic black-and-cream print. Showcase fussy-cut bouquets in the setting triangles and replace the center block with a fussy-cut bouquet.

Get the digital issue here.