Nita

First of all, let me say that it is good to be back on the message board after my four month absence. We just relocated back home from our lake house where I do not have a computer. I have been reading the posts and it looks like there are several new members, since I see lots of new names. Nice to know that the group is expanding!

Here's my question is this: I'm wanting to make an easy sampler block quilt, at least lap size and no applique. Can anyone suggest a pattern? I don't do well with fussy, intricate piecing. In fact, I tried making a Thimbleberries sampler quilt a few years back and got so frustrated that I tossed the whole thing up in my closet, hoping to finish it someday when I've had more experience in piecing. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

dakotamaid

Go to http://www.quilterscache.com/, scroll down to dropdown menu and go to free patterns. Have fun going thru all the patterns and picking the ones you feel like doing. Her directions are well laid out and there are even pictures of quilts others have done. Enjoy.

Up North

Here is the link that will work:

dacotamaid has an extra comma in her link

http://www.quilterscache.com/

Edie

I agree - Quilters Cache (I just wrote about that to someone else this morning) is the best. I go to the 12" blocks. I have done most of the 12"ers except the paper piecing! Haven't gotten that far yet. I have four blocks left to do for a baby quilt. Getting excited to see how it will turn out.

Quilters Cache is about the best I think! Edie

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

You might look at my Christmas quilt.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/26970.page

It is my first ever quilt. All of the patterns came from quilterscache except the Sunbonnet Sue and since you don't like applique it won't matter. The blocks are all 12.5 inches and the hardest thing is a half square triangle. I only used red, green, white, two Christmas prints and then the backing. It is quilted together using the Fun and Done mehtod from Bayside Quilting.

If I can get it done, anyone can. When I started I was less than clueless. I really didn't even know enough to ask intelligent questions.

Edie

Lisa, I have made every one of those, except for the one that looks like dog biscuits. I have to copy that one for the next one I do. That's the one in the lower left! I love it. You did absolutely fantastic. My daughter in law wanted me to do a Sunbonnet for her; I tried and I just don't dig applique'. I like to embroider blocks. But not applique'. There is a saying about the galloping horse test. That is so me! I usually say "Only God is Perfect". I love to half square triangle. That has to be my very best favorite squares to make. I use the Fons and Porter 1/4" seam marker. It is so simple and so easy, pin and sew and cut, pin and sew and cut. They come in a package of two - one long. one about 8" short. They are $9.99 and with a 40% off coupon from JoAnn's or even a 50% off coupon from JoAnn's, it is so well worth it.

With that, I will now go back to my half square triangles. Edie :D

Nita

Your Christmas quilt is just beautiful. I personally don't care for the quilt as you go method, so I guess I would just put sashing strips bewteen my blocks. So, if I just randomly pick a bunch of "do-able" 12" blocks from this Quilter's Cache, how do I know how much yardage of fabric to purchase? I guess I've been spoiled by the convenience of patterns, where the yardage requirements have been worked out for me in in advance. I unashamedly admit that I am not much of a math wizard.

sdparent

I bought this book years ago and it has easy to follow instructions (you don't need to do the quilt as you go method), it's called Block by Block by Beth Donaldson.

some of the blocks included are:
Prairie Queen
Goose on the Loose
Diamond Star
Rocky Mtn Puzzle
Saltbox House
Devil's Claw
Checkered Heart
Album
Mother's Fancy Star
Bow Ties
Variable Star
Peace & Plenty
Card Trick
Windblown Square
and 1/2 dozen or so others

MadQuilter

I learned from the "Quilts Quilts Quilts" book. It has very beginning straight stitches like ROman Stripe - to Dresden Plates and Drunkards Path. I found out during the process which blocks (methods) I liked and which ones will never be used again.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Lower left is supposed to be Basketweave -- it's a bit more like BasketWAVE. That one wanted to get wonky on me.