Color Options from American Patchwork & Quilting August 2012

Designer: Malka Dubrawsky of A Stitch in DyeThe giant size of this traditional block–each one is nearly 3 foot square–makes it look modern. Combine the big blocks into a large throw that's quick and easy to put together.

Giant Block Throw

Having trouble finding the perfect project for your favorite large-print fabrics? Quilt tester Laura Boehnke showcases some in this four-block throw. She changed the color palette to deep jewel tones with medium-tone backgrounds and added a skinny fuchsia inner border and a multicolor zigzag print outer border to tie the blocks together. Fabrics are from the Primitive collection by Jane Dixon and the Dimples collection by Gail Kessler, both for Andover Fabrics.

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Designers: Laurie Simpson of Minick and SimpsonCreating scrappy English paper-pieced hexagons is perfect for on-the-go stitching. Take your time making them, then join them together into a snazzy, one-of-a-kind bag.

Easy-Sew Clutch

Bit By Bit also looks great when made from a single fabric. All it takes is two fat quarters for the bag body and two for the bag lining (if you're not adding the pocket). This bag is machine-quilted with a narrow zigzag on some of the stripes. To prevent warped areas between the parallel rows of stitching, start sewing all rows from the same edge. Fabrics are from Anchors Away collection by Dear Stella.

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Designer: Marti Michell

Summertime begs for an easy, breezy quilt project and this big-block beauty answers the call. You need to piece only 12 blocks and you will have enough for a queen-size quilt. Quick, get started!

Buy this quilt pattern here.

Designers: Debbie Kemp and Jeff Pellissier of Metropolitan QuiltSet-in seams don't have to be scary. Amaze yourself when you make this wall quilt full of twists and turns. Just take it one set-in seam at a time.

The geometric shapes in Amazement inspired quilt tester Laura Boehnke to choose a fabric collection depicting southwest Native American pottery and paintings for her version of the quilt. A trio of borders with the darkest color at the inside frames a quilt center full of movement. Fabrics are from the Whispering Rocks collection by Stan Sisson for Avlyn.

Quilt Collector: Julie Hendricksen from JJStitches.comSimple triangle-squares turn this way and that across an antique quilt. Its beauty is all the more intriguing when you consider the quiltmaker's whimsy in often changing their direction.

Take Flight Wall Hanging

Add a pop of color to any drab wall with this bright, vibrant wall hanging. Quilt tester Laura Boehnke put a spin on the original quilt by using a bird print background fabric instead of muslin. Swapping the color scheme to a fresh palette of greens and blues brought this piece to life. The born border ties the different prints together. Fabrics are from the Emma collection by Michele Scott of The Pieceful Quilter for Northcott.

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Designer: Darlene Zimmerman of NeedlingsGet a jump on the season. Start and finish this simple table runner before fall's spectacular colors show begins.

A New Leaf Table Runner

An added inner border repeats the color of the light blue backgrounds in the leaf blocks. To make blocks that appear to be straight set, quilt tester Laura Boehnke alternated two background fabrics in the leaf blocks, then pieced the same fabrics into hourglass units and side setting triangles. For stems, Laura backed a green print with no-sew fusible web, then rotary-cut it into strips with a pinking blade. Fabrics are from the Joy of Life collection by Mary Capan for Hoffman California Fabrics.

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Designer: Avis Shirer of Joined At The HipPieced "flowers" at the corners of each block surround skinny gray paths in this geometric take on a formal garden. Strip piecing saves time when constructing the intricate blocks

In the Sky Wall Hanging

When starting a quilt, take the time to make a test block. Even if you decide the block isn't one you'll enjoy making in multiples, you can frame it with several borders for a small wall hanging or table topper. Quilt tester Laura Boehnke began with a central fussy-cut airplane motif for her sweet wall hanging. Star, circle, polka dot, and mottled coordinates provide interest yet let the airplane border shine. Fabrics are from the Splash and the Moving and Shaking collections by Blank Quilting.

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Designer: Glenn DragoneThe rules for string piecing are simple-there are no rules! So give this technique a try. It's the perfect way to use up your scraps while enjoying the freedom of piecing without perfection.