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Free Quilting patterns, mystery quilts - I have dozens of free quilt patterns, free mystery quilts, free quilt blocks, quilting clip art and more.  Many articles contain a large number of links to pages all over the Web which are excellent resources for quilters. 
I was the Quilting Guide and wrote quilt articles for Quilting at About.com for almost 9 years, but retired from About.com January 2006.
I am now writing for my own personal site at www.equilters.com .

Want to see photos of Susan Druding's quilts? 
Go here
.


Free Quilting Articles
(Note: Some of these articles are stored on a different site,
so to return here to Straw.com - use your "Back" button.)


Free Quilt Block Patterns

Rail Fence Quilts
Easy and great for beginners or for a quilter in a hurry. This article shows blocks and sample quilt tops.

Two Ways to Make Square-in-a-Square Blocks
The 'corner triangle' method and a easy paper foundation piecing pattern.

Half Log Cabin
A versatile and easy block to make and use. Sample quilt tops shown, too.

Pinwheel Block of the Month Series
Free block patterns, sample color quilt tops for each block and more - most are paper foundation pieced patterns - this BOM series will have 12 blocks total.

Knick Knack Shelf - Grandma Hattie's Blocks
A growing series of blocks to assemble into a quilt that looks like shelves with knick knacks on them - all patterns free and on the site.

Free Mystery Quilts:

Easy, fast Fat Quarter Mystery #3
In only 4 parts - great for beginners. Two sizes (wall and bed)

Four Star Mystery #1
A simple and fun 40" x 40" project in 8 Steps. Free pattern.

Nine Patch - Over/Under Mystery #2
Written as a full size queen quilt or as a smaller wall hanging - a mystery in 8 Parts. Free quilt pattern, fun and very easy to do.

Technique and Technical:

Blue Jeans Quilts
how to make quilts from recycled denim - a gallery of sample quilts and tips on making them.

Easy Free Lesson for Log Cabin Quilts
Piecing with strips to make 12" blocks in 2 styles, 20 sample quilt top layouts shown for ideas.

Direct Printing on Fabric with Ink Jet Printers
Easy techniques for applying images of all kinds with your computer printer directly on fabric. This article includes links and info about Bubble Jet Set, BJS.

Transfer Printing on Fabric with a computer
An in-depth article with lots of link to information, technique, paper use, gallery of images.

Starching and Sizing
21 Quilters give tips on using starch to make piecing, cutting, sewing easier. Read their good ideas!

Paper Foundation Piecing- Part One: There is much information plus many samples online for PFP. This first part focuses on basic techniques, how-to and good blocks for learning (which are also quick projects for experienced piecers).

Paper Foundation Piecing - Part Two: This is a continuation of previous week's feature with ideas on how to combine and use PFP to create more complicated blocks with great accuracy and ease. There are many links to excellent blocks and idea pages.

Mystery Quilts  - many projects on the Web
Making a Mystery Quilt can be fun -  the mystery is that you don't know what your quilt will be until the last set of instructions - a great collection of sites.

Dyeing Cotton: {link coming] Applying color to cotton is a big topic - here's a start with more to come in the future. Different dyes, techniques, differences between dye and pigment are discussed - plus links for learning and recipes on the Web.

Versatile Four Patch Block : see many examples of how useful the simple four patch block can be, plus a series of layouts using one block as example. A "blank" is included for you to print out and experiment with.

Watercolor - Impressionist - Colourwash Quilts: [link coming] These beautiful quilts are made with techniques of Impressionist paintings using small squares to form larger images. This article has links, images, how-to and book information.

Cotton, King Cotton (or is it Queen Cotton?): [link coming]  lots of facts and information about the wonderful fiber that is cotton, plus clip art included for your use of cotton bolls and images.

Applique, an Overview: [link coming] applique ranges from ethnic (like the Molas of San Blas) to very traditional (Baltimore Quilts). Take a look at applique on the Web and find links to designs and how-to sites.

Art Quilts: [link coming] Are you thinking of expanding your quilting horizons from traditional quilts into art quilts? Tips and ideas as well as Galleries to visit will be found in this article.

Personalities and Education:

Glorious Patchwork
Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy have teamed up to write a wonderful book with innovative color and ideas. This is an interview with them both.

Quilting with Children - tips and ideas for parents & teachers: [link coming] For personal stories, mathematics, geography, history or just for fun - teaching children or teens to quilt can teach us all a lot!

Related to Quilting:

Charity & "Good Works" Quilting Projects [link coming]
A collection of places to donate your quilting and sewing expertise to help children, terminally ill, homeless, women's shelters and ideas for projects.

Dolls and Doll Making: [link coming] Quilters make dolls in traditional, classical or fantastic images. Dolls can be made as personal imagery, healing aids, toys, and more. See some great doll sites, patterns, how-to images and links.

Historical, Social and Ethnic:

African-American Quilts and Quilters : a historical perspective and Web tour of sites, images and history of African-American quilting, both past and in the very active present.

The Peace Quilt from South Africa [link coming]
Photos and information about the multi-paneled Peace Quilt, plus links to other peace quilt projects.

Amish Quilts: [link coming] information, links to quilts, images of Amish quilts, historical and even some travel tips for a visit to Amish Country. Learn more about these simple, yet elegant designs.

Baltimore Album Quilts, elegant applique - [link coming] about the history, both past and present of these amazing and extremely valuable quilts.

Crazy Quilt - their past and very active present: [link coming] Crazy Quilts were a big item with Victorians and a revival is underway with quilters today. Quilters make CQ's by hand and with the use of computerized sewing machines. Lots of links here.

Molas - technique, history & the women who make them: [link coming] The Cuna Indian women of the San Blas Islands continue their long mola tradition and quilters are inspired by the ideas.

Equipment

Long Arm Quilting Machines [link coming]
The Giants of machine quilting - learn about them and see images Plus a list of places to get quilt tops quilted is being added.

Featherweight Sewing Machines: [link coming] The much-loved sewing machine that is a collectible and sews like a dream. This is the most talked about sewing machines on the Net. Many links to feed your FW "habit".

Quilting Frames and Hoops: [link coming] Learn more about these essential tools for quilters. Lots of links to online sites.

Sewing Machines: [link coming] Excellent sewing machines for quilting are available and quilters are passionate about their favorites. Machine links included for the Web. This article links to a lot of sewing machine information and resources.

Date this page was last edited: July 29, 2017