Color Options from American Patchwork & Quilting April 2008

Intricate, machine-quilted leaves and buds in muted greens and soft pinks give an easy-to-piece Lone Star throw a garden-fresh look.

Asian Lonestar

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

The border blocks' center squares and the large open spaces surrounding the center star beckoned quilt tester Laura Boehnke to showcase medium- to large-scale prints, like these Asian prints featuring cherry blossoms, koi, chrysanthemums, and dragonflies.

To complement the larger prints, Laura selected tone-on-tones that have accents of metallic gold. Fabrics are a mix of the Peking Kids, Yoshiko, and Gilded Greenery collections, all from Blank Quilting.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Cindy Blackberg

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008Perfect for quilters who enjoy handwork, this table topper exudes an abundance of texture and warmth, celebrating a love for the beautiful seasons in the mountains.

Blossom Wall Hanging

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Quilt tester, Laura Boehnke created this 18-1/2 wall hanging that features a blossom felted wool appliqué.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Marti Michell

Machine quilter: Harriett Fox

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008Tempted by rolls of assorted 2-1⁄2"-wide fabric strips at your local quilt shop? Put a roll to good use stitching up this trendy table runner.

Chevron Table Runner

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

This easy table runner design will take you through the whole year. Quilt tester Laura Boehnke made a version perfect for late summer or autumn using Sue Zipkin's Mulberry collection and Lydia Quigley's Remember Me line, both for Clothworks.

"To keep the flow of color consistent in the zigzags on the table runner, I made sure to use more tone-on-tone fabrics for the diamonds and fewer multicolor or large prints," Laura says. "Otherwise, the chevrons could be lost in the overall design."

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Susan McDermott

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008A mix of chintz and prints in pinks and blues mingle on this subtle, intricate beauty. A splash of turquoise along one edge adds a note of unexpected mystery.

Stars and Geese

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Using the Killean fabric collection from RJR Fabrics, quilt tester Laura Boehnke created a wall hanging that would feel right at home in a study or library.

By cutting some of the small setting squares from a plaid that's actually printedon point, Laura avoided the challenge of cutting and sewing on the bias.

Assemble this smaller version of "English Rose" in sections like the original quilt. You'll sew three diagonal rows of inner star blocks and setting pieces together with two diagonal rows of outer star blocks and setting pieces.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Quilt Collector: Miriam Kujac

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008This 1860s quilt reveals its character in the block's name-Old Maid's Patience. Take your time with this set-in-seams treasure. It is worth the wait.

Four Star Wall Hanging

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Using the City Girl collection for Benartex, quilt tester Laura Boehnke put a modern, laid-back spin on "Nantucket Stars."

Instead of hand piecing, Laura machine-pieced her diamonds, carefully stitching from matching point to matching point.

"I really like how some of the larger prints from this fabric collection look when they're cut up into the small diamond pieces," Laura says. A field of mottled pale green in the setting squares and triangles offers a wonderful place for elaborate quilting.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Mary Lou Weidman

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008There are no rules for this unconventional piecing method, but the results are spectacular. Funky flowers grow from a potpourri of colorful prints.

Spring Flowers Wall Hanging

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

For a toned-down version of "It's a Riot!" quilt tester Laura Boehnke combined three LakeHouse Dry Goods fabric collections (Cherry Baby, Hydrangea Garden, and LakeHouse Library I).

The pink-and-green stripe print left looks like tiny strips pieced together, resulting in an intricate-looking flowerpot.

"When I started construction, Mary Lou's piecing method was outside of my comfort zone," Laura says, "but I had fun making these improvised flower blocks."

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Jill Reid

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008This throw appears to be vintage, but it's not. Learn secrets for making antique-looking quilts from modern-day reproduction fabrics.

Rickrack Squares

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Dots are still hot! And there are plenty in quilt tester Laura Boehnke's crib-size rendition of "Scrappy Squares," using fabrics from Pop Parade by Metro and Panzy Pazazz by Janet Broxon, both from
P&B Textiles.

"I love to pair fun, contemporary fabrics with a traditional quilt pattern," Laura says. "Strong contrast between the fabrics in each Square-in-a-Square block is the key to adding punch to the overall design."
This 43"-square quilt is the perfect size for a toddler's nap quilt or a great wall hanging.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.

Designer: Rachel Shelburne

Quiltmaker: Darlene Zimmerman

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Using the same pattern reminiscent of a Card Trick block, a mother-and-daughter design team created two quilts that reflect their individual styles.

Buy these patterns here.

African Inspired

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

From American Patchwork and Quilting, April 2008

Quilt tester Laura Boehnke stacked the deck for an altogether different "Two of a Kind."

"The border print was my inspiration print to create this wall hanging," Laura says. "Often, when I'm trying to decide on a color palette or mood for my quilts, I work from the outside in and begin by selecting a border fabric.

"The occasional bright square in the quilt center adds just the right splash of color overall."
Fabrics are from Drums of Afrika by Sonie Ruffin, and Paint Box I and Paint Box II by Lonni Rossi, all from Andover Fabrics.

Click here to download instructions and materials needed to make this quilt.