Quilt Block 19 is called "Old Favorite"

07/01/2012

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I had alot of fun with this quilt block.  I was making a baby quilt so I wanted it to be colorful.  I used six different fabrics in the Old Favorite quilt block, but you could use less fabrics and create a different look.  This is an easy block to sew.  You just want to make sure you square up your pieces after sewing each seam.  

Here is a picture of the completed quilt.  I like how the green blocks create another block when sewn together.  Have fun with this block and don't be afraid to try different variations with color and the number of fabrics.

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Hearth and Home is Quilt Block Number 18!

06/12/2012

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Hearth and Home is an easy quilt block but impressive.  It is made up of squares, half square triangles and rectangles.  In Judy's book, "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins", she shows it with just two colors.  I wanted to be more adventurous and made the block with four colors.  Take a look: 

I was making this into a baby quilt so I wanted to use some fun colors.  I am pleased with the way it turned out.  Watch what happens when you sew the blocks together.  It gives you a grid effect.  That's the magic of quilting!

You can definitely have alot of fun with this quilt block.  
On to number 19...

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Block Number SEVEN from "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins"

03/06/2012

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For those of you new to my blog, I am creating 200 quilts from my favorite quilt book, "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins".  There are 200 quilt blocks in this book and I want to show the designs they make when you put the blocks together.  Many times there is more than one design you can make with each block.

Block number seven is called, "Sunny Lanes", a very appropriate name.  This block is time consuming but well worth it.  You want to make sure you square up your sections on each seam you sew.  Keeping everything square is the key.  This is what the block looks like:

I had wanted to do a scrap quilt, but this isn't a true scrap quilt because I used the same 10 fabrics throughout the quilt.  This is though a great pattern for a scrap quilt.  I had fun playing around with the pattern as well.  I originally thought I was going to have the pattern design as follows:

But the more I played around with it, I came up with a design I liked better.  Here it is:

There are over 500 pieces in this quilt, but it was well worth it.  Here is my finished quilt:

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Block Number Six of 200 from "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins"

02/27/2012

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Block number six is called Paper Pinwheels.  It is a simple block to make, just squares and half square triangles.  I chose batik fabrics, my favorite fabric to use.  Here is a sample block:

Okay, now for my favorite part and why I am creating all 200 quilt blocks from the book, "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins".  When you put four blocks together...  SURPRISE you get another pattern.  I have to admit I didn't see it coming.  I didn't know you would get a repeat of the center pattern.  Here it is. 

Notice that the pink fabric now gives you the same design as the light blue fabric.  That's what makes quilting so exciting.  So I made a "Lovie Lap Quilt" out of this pattern.  Lovie Lap Quilts are quilts I designed after visits with my grandmother in the nursing home.  They have two pockets, one to keep your hands warm and the other for items close at hand.  I have them for sale on my site.  Click here to see more Lovie Lap Quilts.

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Quilt Block Number Five from "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins"

02/25/2012

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For those of you who are new to my blog, I am quilting 200 quilts from the book, "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins".  This is one of my favorite quilt books but I was using the same blocks over and over.  So now I have challenged myself to make a quilt from each of the 200 blocks.  One of the great things about this book is Judy gives you the dimensions for six different sizes of each block. 

Quilt block number 5 is called Calico Puzzle.  This is a simple pattern which I  had fun playing around with.  I thought my first choice needed a little  something.  Take a look:

So I decided to add a green in place of the side yellows.  See what you think.

When I put the four blocks together, I noticed it made another square on the diagonal.  I then took a darker turquoise to accentuate the diagonal.  Then I wasn't sure about the green so I made it all yellow again.  Here are the results:

I think they both would have worked but I liked the green added.  Here are the results.  I wanted to make sure you saw the square on the diagonal so that's how I quilted it.  I really like how it turned out.

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Quilt block number FOUR from "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins"

02/19/2012

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I am making 200 quilts from Judy Hopkins book, "Around the Block with Judy Hopkins".  I decided to do this because this is one of my favorite quilt books.  Not only does Judy give you 200 quilt blocks, but all the blocks come in six different block sizes.  So there is no math for you to figure out.  I have also found out that when you look at a single quilt block, it doesn't tell you what the quilt will look like when the blocks are put together.  Many of the blocks can me turned to form a different quilt pattern. 

By my making all 200 quilts, it will give you at least one version of that quilt block.  At times I will take pictures with the pattern turned to show you another design.  Quilt block number four is called "Album".  You can do this block in three colors, but I chose four.  The block size I chose is 6".  I am making a lap quilt for wheelchairs so I wanted a small block size.  The book makes a suggestion that you could reverse the mediums and darks in every other block.  For each of the different blocks, Judy gives you an alternate way to make it.  No wonder this book is a favorite of so many quilters. 
This is my own design Lovie Lap Quilt with pockets.  I designed this lap quilt after visits with my grandmother in the nursing home.  The pockets are lined in flannel for extra warmth and comfort.  There are two pockets, one to keep your hands warm and the other for items you would like close at hand.  The back of the quilt is also flannel.  I have these quilts for sale on my site.  Happy Sewing!

Carolyn
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The First of 200 Quilt Squares by Judy Hopkins' Patterns

02/08/2012

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I have been using Judy Hopkins book, "Around the Block" for the past ten years.  It is where I get most of my ideas and quilt patterns.  Unfortunately I have been using the same few patterns over and over.  So....   I have decided to make all 200 quilt patterns one quilt at a time. 

When I first decided to do this, I wanted to let Judy Hopkins know what I am doing.  I am sad to say that I discovered Judy had passed away in March of 2011.  I would like to dedicate this blog and the quilting of her 200 patterns to the memory of  Judy Hopkins. 

Here we go.  The first pattern I chose is Buffalo Ridge.  I chose batik fabrics, which I love.  The pattern was easy to follow and easy to make.  I should point out that Judy's book, Around the Block, not only has 200 quilt patterns, but each pattern comes in six sizes. I used the 12 inch square pattern. 
Getting started
First full square
Put two squares together.
One square just doesn't tell you what your quilt will look like.  You get a better idea when you put two squares together.  I made a table runner using the Buffalo Ridge pattern, but I think it would have made a fantastic  large quilt. 

The purpose of doing these 200 quilts is so you can see how a pattern looks when it is multiplied, which always gives it a different look that just one square alone. 

So this was my first of 200 quilts.  My plan is to use a different pattern every two to three days.  At this rate I should finish in approximately one year.  I hope you join me on my journey.  Below is Judy Hopkins' book that I am using.
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