American Patchwork & Quilting April 2018

The April 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting is on sale from February 6--April 3.

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Designer: Marti Michell of From Marti Michell

Originally appeared: April 1993

Straight seams that look curved and high-contrast fabrics create a dynamic wavelike movement across an eye-appealing wall hanging.

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Quilt tester: Joanna Burgarino

Fabrics: Everything But the Kitchen Sink XIII collection by RJR Fabrics

"The secondary diamond pattern that forms when you join the Storm at Sea units really caught my eye, so I wanted to focus on that element when I adapted the pattern into a table runner," editor Joanna Burgarino says.

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Designer: Kim Diehl

Originally appeared: October 2013

Churn Dash blocks and a stunning border surround an appliquéd center that uses a simple machine technique to mimic the look of hand appliqué.

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Celebrate Spring Wall Hanging

Pair fusible appliqué with classic Churn Dash blocks in a wall quilt that beckons spring.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Mabeth Oxenreider

Originally appeared: August 2007

Simple steps, straight-line stitching, and strip sets allow you to create a free-form watercolor effect.

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Beachy Waves

For a quilt that mimics ocean waves, select dozens of batiks in sea glass colors and combine them in a bargello design.

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Designer: Cindy Blackberg

Originally appeared: April 1999

Quilts from the turn of the 20th century fueled the color choices for this project. A more recent technique-foundation piecing-ensures accurate seams and sharp points in the arcs.

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A Modern Touch Throw

Solid fabrics in an uncommon color palette turn a foundation-pieced throw into a fresh addition to your decor.

Get the free quilt pattern here.

Designer: Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs

Originally appeared: June 2011

For an on-the-go project, stitch a bevy of yo-yos and secure them to strips. Join the strips to make a head-turning quilt filled with playful pops of color.

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Quilt tester: Elizabeth Stumbo

Fabrics: All Stars Tent Stripe collection by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit

"The original quilt was extremely scrappy so it was a fun challenge to use a more controlled color placement to create a rainbow effect," art director Elizabeth Stumbo says. "Because I loved how the striped fabrics looked in the yo-yo's, I decided to use the same striped fabrics to piece the binding."

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Designer: Lissa Alexander

Originally appeared: February 2014

Scrappy quilts don't have to be made from fabrics that compete for attention. Learn the tricks to low-volume quilts from one designer's experiment.

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Quilt tester: Monique Dillard

Fabrics: Crystals collection by P&B Textiles

"When viewed from a distance, tone-on-tone fabrics appear to be solid. As you get closer, you can see the prints," quilt tester Monique Dillard says. "Using solid black really makes the colors pop."

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Designer: Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

Originally appeared: October 2009

Add Log Cabin-like borders to two edges of Maple Leaf units for scrappy pieced blocks that can be twisted and turned into a cozy, mazelike throw.

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Quilt tester: Lindsay Mayland

Fabrics: Lagom collection by AGF Studio for Art Gallery Fabrics

"To take this pattern from a fall quilt to an everyday quilt, I skipped the pieced Maple Leaf units and instead used a bright burst of solid yellow for the block centers," audience insights manager Lindsay Mayland says. "An assorted group of black, gray, and white prints still gives a scrappy look but in a limited color palette."

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Designer: Bonnie Sullivan of All Through the Night

Originally appeared: December 2009

Here's a sweet flannel quilt suitable for your favorite little one. The simple appliqué is an updated take on old-fashioned pull toys.

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Quilt tester: Martha Gamm

Fabrics: Julia's Garden collection by Deborah Edwards for Northcott

"Instead of the duck appliqués, I fussy-cut a bouquet of flowers from a large-scale floral print," quilt tester Martha Gamm says. "The red and green ginghams and small florals add to the romantic feel of this version of Just Ducky."

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Designer: Amy Walsh of Blue Underground Studios

Originally appeared: February 2009

The cool colors and organic motifs of batiks give a contemporary throw a calming vibe. Horizontal rows of stitches flow like rivers across the quilt, adding to its serene feeling.

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Quilt tester: Jody Sanders

Fabrics: Farmhouse Living collection by Jeanne Horton for Windham Fabrics

"The juxtaposition of modern design and traditional fabrics has always intrigued me," group editor Jody Sanders says. "I used the same print for the small squares in each pieced block to give a sense of cohesiveness."

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Originally appeared: October 2006

Gain experience setting in seams when re-creating an antique throw. It's a great project for using the many fabric scraps you've saved.

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Star of the Table

Orange stars shine between gray hexagons in an asymmetrical table topper.

Get the free quilt pattern here.