Create a Christmas Holly Wreath Quilt for the Holidays!

Christmas is rapidly approaching, just a few weeks away! Get started on your Christmas quilting with this Christmas Holly quilt pattern. This pattern is made with piecing and appliqué of the holly leaves to form a wreath in the center and holly swags in the borders. Embellishment is added with beads and/or buttons and ribbon.

Christmas Holly Applique Quilt Pattern

This quilt can be made in two sizes.  The full size is 68″ wide by 84″ high. This is a good size for a throw or to lay on top of a bed to add Christmas cheer.  Welcome your holiday guests by putting it in a guest room.

Christmas Holly applique Quilt pattern

The smaller version leaves off  borders and is approximately 55″ x 55″ square, a perfect size for a table topper or wall hanging as well as a quick gift. This pattern is available from Etsy as a pdf download.

For the holly appliqué leaves for the wreath, you can use green fabrics from your stash or fat quarters, charms or other precut packs.

Wishing you a fun Christmas with lots of holiday quilting!

Phyllis

Add Pizazz in the Kitchen with Retro Double Skirt Apron

Aprons are so much fun to wear when cooking in addition to being stylish and trendy.  This double skirted apron pattern is stylish with a retro feel.

Double skir apron pattern by Phyllis Dobbs

This apron pattern is medium sized and is easy to adjust if you want it smaller or larger.  The skirt is made with two layers with an underskirt and a second apron skirt on top and is completed with a handy pocket.

The bodice is topped with a ruched band across the top edge.  The apron has both neck ties and ties at the waist.   An option of 3 choices is given for fabric arrangement.

This double skirt apron pattern is available in my Etsy WhimsyColor shop.  I would love for you to visit and look through all the other patterns available including a wide assortment of quilt and quilt block patterns.

I hope that you get your apron on!

Phyllis

Haunted House Quilt with Ghosts Galore!

All haunted houses need ghosts! This quilt has plenty of ghosts flying out and around. And you have plenty of time to create this quilt for a wall hanging, table topper or to use for cuddling for your favorite little goblin or goblins.

Haunted House Quilt with ghosts

This quilt is free September 15 – 30, 2015, by joining the Quilt Dash, a free online game where you dash through online quilt shops.

The quilt is 46″ x 62″ and is easy to adjust in both size and in how many ghosts you want flying around.  Its constructed by piecing 6 blocks and appliqué. Easy embellishment adds to the quilt with buttons for the door knobs and beads for the ghosts eyes to create a fun quilt to use for many future Halloweens!

I hope you join us in the Quilt Dash!

Happy Quilting!

Phyllis

Start School with a School Days Quilt!

School will be starting before too much longer, but you have time to make this School Days Quilt for a special student in your life!

School Days Quilt Pattern

This quilt is a great size for a child, 49 1/2″ x 59 1/2″ but is also easy to adjust the size for a larger or smaller quilt.  School Days is a pieced and appliqué quilt – the windows and radiator on the school bus are appliquéd.  Buttons for the headlights add embellishment.

This pattern is now available through Etsy for purchase and download.

Happy quilting!

Phyllis

Gorgeous Quilts from Spring Quilt Market Minneapolis

In part two of my photos from the Spring International Quilt Market held in Minneapolis, I want to show you some of the beautiful quilts displayed. Sometimes a picture doesn’t provide the detail that makes the quilt so spectacular so I took some close up detail photos that I’m showing with the quilt photo.

This quilt, “Happy” is by Robbi Joy Eklow of Third Lake, Illinois and used the technique of raw-edged fused appliqué and free motion quilting. In this quilt, she combined the purple, green, and orange rings with giant flowers from another quilt that she had not finished.

Robie Joy Eklow Happy Quilt

Wild horses inspired this quilt “One Fine Day” by Laurie Britt Piper of Bakersfield, CA.  The technique used was raw-edged appliquéd, fused and painted.  On a road trip through Utah, Colorado and Idaho, she had to stop in the middle of the highway to let a group of wild horses pass and turned that moment into inspiration for a quilt.

One Fine Day wild horses quilt

One Fine Day wild horse quilt detail

“Bentonville Square” was created by Karen Kielmeyer and the Van Go-Go Art Quilt Group of Bentonville, AK. They decided to do a slice quilt based on a postcard of an original painting by Jane Garrison Davidian of Fayetteville, AK. The techniques used were machine appliquéd and pieced.

Bentonville Square Quilt

Kathy York, of Austin, TX, created “Suburbs” used techniques of hand-dyed, batiked, discharged, over-dyed, fused appliqué, and machine quilted, and hand quilted. This quilt was inspired by the fires that ravaged Bastrop, TX in 2011. New houses were build with each unit individualized by color and pattern.

Suburbs Quilt

Suburbs quilt detail

“Bohemian III Rain” is third in a series “Rain” by Sandra Peterson of Muncie, IN.  The technique used were machine pieced, foundation pieced, hand appliquéd, and hand quilted. She wanted to create a three-dimensional design using the series’ original fractal wheels, and to develop a technique for curved foundation piecing. The motif design answer was umbrellas.

Bohemian III Rain quilt

Mary Ann Hildebrand of Comfort, TX, created the “Japanese Tea Garden” quilt and used the techniques of fused appliqué, free-motion quilted, threadpainted, painted and penciled. The Japanese Tea Garden, built in an abandoned stone quarry in San Antonia, TX around 1910, was the inspiration for this quilt.

Japanese Tea Garden Quilt

“Born Free” quilt is by Denise Sargo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The techniques used were appliquéd, burned, hand-embroidered, inked, dyed, and machine quilted. The quilt is to portray the kind of animals, the proud, fierce-looking lion, that is vulnerable due to the loss and destruction of habitat.

Born Freen Lion Quilt

“Moody Beach, Maine, 1957” is the subject of this quilt by Margot McDonnell of Tempe, AZ.  The techniques were fused, machine appliquéd and quilted, and painted. This original design was inspired by a vintage non-professional black and white snapshot.

Moody Beach Main Quilt

“Sunflower Pilgrimage” by Susan Bianchi of Saratoga, CA, used the techniques of fused, couched, machine and hand-quilted. She was inspired by Annie Liebovitz’s photography technique of overlapping several photographs to make one imperfect but complete image.

Sunflower Pilgrimage quilt

“Rhythm & Roses” was created by Karen Echmeier of Kent CT, and used the techniques of topstitch-pieced, couched and hand-beaded. This quilt is from her book Layered Waves, and is part of a series of quilts with the theme of “Finding Center” to stay focused and maintain balance with the rhythm of life.

Rhythm and Roses quilt

 

rhythm and roses quilt detail

Marina Landi and Maria Lucia Azara of Sao Paulo, Brazil, used techniques of appliquéd and quilted to create “Summer Wind”.  A painting by Anna Bocek inspired them to dye silk and form the quilt with a great number of colors and shades and to reproduce the painting’s hair movement.

Summer Wind quilt

summer wind quilt detail

“Thunderstorm” by Brigette Morgenroth of Kassel, Germany, used the techniques of paper-pieced and hand quilted to represent the dark sky, pouring rain and the blue, green, orange and yellow umbrellas. The quilt is made with hand-dyed cotton and the elegant curves of the Twisted Log Cabin block.

Thunderstorm quilt

Thunderstorm quilt detail

“Prince Charming’s Shoe Sale” is by Pam Rubert of Springfield, MO and used the techniques of hand-dyed and stitched. This quilt is a contemporary version of Cinderella with her and her stepsisters as modern women who drove to the Charming Shoe Store in their own pumpkin cars.

Prince charming's shoe sale quilt

Prince charming shoe sale quilt detail

“Furrealizm…Dali Has Gone to the Dogs” is by Pauline Salzman of Treasure Island, FL. The techniques used were fused and appliquéd. The design was inspired by Salvador Dali’s “The Weaning of Furniture”.

Dali has gone to the Dogs quilt

Dali has gone to the Dogs quilt detail

Quilt Market is always more fun in a vibrant city such as Minneapolis with a dynamic downtown area. This city was home of the iconic Mary Tyler Moore show. This statue is at the spot where she tossed her hat in the air that was shown at the beginning of each show.  In researching, I discovered that this shot was ranked as the second greatest moment in 1970’s television.

Mary Tyler Moore iconic hat toss statue

I hope that you enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful quilts from market. I apologize for the quality of some of these photos – the overhead lighting of a convention center is not always conducive to good quality photographs and accurate color.

It’s always a joy and delight to walk among all the quilts displayed during this show and I am already looking forward to next one.

Phyllis

Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis

I recently attended the Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis. As most of you probably know, it’s the largest trade show for anything related to quilting – fabrics, patterns, notions, threads and more and is a kaleidoscope of colors. I took so many photos so am dividing my Quilt Market review into two posts – check back for all the beautiful quilts on display.

Quilt Market Minneapolis show floor

Quilt Market started off with gloomy, rainy and very cool weather, but it turned warm and sunny for two days before it turned ugly and stormy again. Minneapolis is a great location for Quilt Market when weather doesn’t cooperate as city has a system of skywalks going from building to building so that you don’t have to go outside.  The Minneapolis convention center is pretty and in looking at this photo, looks like the inside of a space ship with the large domes.

American Flag Quilt

I always enjoy seeing an American Flag Quilt and especially so at this show since Memorial Day was the following weekend.  This large quilt was displayed in a booth but I, unfortunately, did not get the name of the booth.

Gutterman A&E Thread booth Quilt Market

Gutterman Thread Quilt Market

I was in the A&E and Gutermann thread booth during the show.  I love, love their threads.

Colorful Gutermann Threads

With these beautiful threads and colors behind me, you can see why I enjoyed working in this booth. Yummy!!!

I also spent time in the Quilting Treasures Booth, the fabric company that my fabrics are with.

J Wecker Frisch Letter Stitch Fabrics

One of my amazing friends, J. Wecker Frish, has a new fabric collection “Letter Stitch”  with Quilting Treasures and were displayed beautifully in the booth.  Janet always adds such detail and antiques in her displays.

Quilting Treasures Owl in the family

I also loved the new fabrics “Owl in the Family” by Desiree’s Designs.

Quilting Treasures Minion fabric

And for kids, Quilting Treasures has the fabrics for the 1 in a Minion from “Despicable Me”. What kid wouldn’t want a quilt with this fabric!

Pink Sand Beach Downton Abbey

I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and always get a smile with anything associated with the spunky Dowager Countess.  Pink Sand Beach has an exclusive for the Downton Abbey patterns and fabric kits.

June Tailor Quilt Market Booth

June Tailor is another favorite booth of mine – it’s always so beautiful, colorful and always has some wonderful new quilt tools and notions.

June Tailor booth Quilt Market

A new item by June Tailor is “Quilt As You Go Pre-Printed Batting”  that comes as a complete quilt and four block designs” that are a piece by number construction.

June Tailor Bobbin and Thread pegs

I also love the Thread Mate Spool and Bobbin Pegs from June Tailor, a really great item to let you keep your spool of thread and bobbin together.  No more searching for the right threaded bobbin as you get ready to sew.  It’s the little things like this that makes sewing and quilting easier.

Quilt Market pals

Quilt Market is not all walking the aisles.  There is always the time for fun with friends. Taking selfies by friends in the News Room for dinner –  Jackie Frisch McClenning, Janet Wecker Frisch, Loralie and Ann Regal.

Quilting Treasures group

And I enjoyed spending some time with the people from Quilting Treasures. That really tall paper mache in the back is Freida.

Minneapolis convention center dome ceiling

This is a different view of one of the domes over the convention center.  While looking at it from a distance, it might look like a space ship, but looking straight up, it looks like a quilt pattern, which made it perfect for Quilt Market.

Please check back, as I’ve already started writing another post about Quilt Market to show you some really amazing and gorgeous quilts that were displayed.

Happy Quilting,

Phyllis

Create a Wedding Gift – Dove and Heart Wedding Quilt!

The wedding “season” is arriving soon, but you still have plenty of time to create an heirloom wedding gift with this Dove and Heart Wedding Quilt pattern.

Dove and Heart Wedding Quilt Pattern

This quilt is wall hanging size of 42″ x 42″ but is easy to increase the size if you want a larger quilt. This pieced and appliqué quilt has appliqué hearts and doves to symbolize love and marriage.  The center block with the two hearts has space to embroider the bride and groom’s name and date of wedding if you choose to. The block arrangement is easy enough for beginners to piece.  The pattern includes full size heart and dove pattern templates.

This pattern is available on Etsy for purchase as a downloadable pattern.

Happy Quilting and best wishes for all the brides and grooms!

Phyllis

Arbor Window Quilt Pattern with Views of Trees

I love trees and enjoy looking out my window at the woods and trees.  This quilt catches the spirit of viewing trees through window panes. This quilt pattern. Arbor Window, is free beginning April 15, 2015 for the next two weeks by joining the April Quilt Dash

Arbor Window Quilt Dash

Arbor Window, designed by Tammy Harrison for this months Quilt Dash, is made with a traditional and classy paper pieced quilt block designed with muted fabric colors.  The blocks with the trees are in random settings in window panes to make this quilt a modern beauty.

The Quilt Dash is free to join and you will be entered for a drawing from each participating quilt shop for a prize.

Have a beautiful day of quilting!

Phyllis

Quilt Colorful Dragonflies for Spring

Spring is almost here, I hope. With that arrival, we will see all kinds of flying things, from birds to butterflies and dragonflies. I love dragonflies and we have a lot of them buzzing around in our yard in the warm months. I thought dragonflies would make a great subject for a spring or summer quilt with this new pattern.

Dragonfly Flight Quilt Phyllis Dobbs

This Dragonfly Flight quilt is available for purchase here through Etsy WhimsyColor store.

Dragonfly Flight is a nice size for a throw, 44″ x 55 ¾”, but can be resized by adding blocks. Large green buttons are used for the dragonfly heads. Is a fun quilt that allows you to play with the direction of the blocks and dragonflies to give a totally different look to your quilt. You can make your dragonflies all one color or make them several different colors. I also chose bright color fabrics for this quilt as I’m really tired of the dreary winter months and am looking forward to the warm sunny days of spring while I watch the dragonflies flit around.

I wish you a wonderful spring and summer!

Happy Spring!

Phyllis

Kitty Cats and Yoga – Fun Purring with Free Patterns!

My latest fabric collection, Purr-fect Balance with Quilting Treasures, featuring kitties in cute yoga poses, is now in fabric stores. I want to share some free quilt and sewing patterns that I designed with this collection, a quilt, tote bag, and a yoga mat bag.  You can view the fabrics in my prior post for Purr-fect Balance fabrics. 

Purr-fect Balance Kitty Yoga Quilt free pattern

This quilt is 44″ x 55 ¼” in size, which is a good size for a throw quilt or wall hanging.  You can even lay it on the floor for your yoga workout. The skill level for the quilt is advanced beginner.

Kitty yoga bag patterns

These bags are for a roomy tote to carry your yoga clothes or for shopping. The other bag is to hold your rolled up yoga mat. Maybe these fabrics can entice your cat to help you with yoga, although he or she will be trying to help the minute you get down on the floor.

I hope you have fun with these patterns and fabrics. I love cats, needless to say, (and dogs too), and designed the fabrics in happy and bright colors.

All patterns are available for free download from the Quilting Treasures website. Click on the link below the quilt and it will give you the links to the individual patterns.

Happy sewing and quilting,

Phyllis