Utah Quilt Guild

  This last memorial weekend, I went to the cemetery and noticed all the beautiful flowers and the pinwheels. I also put flowers and pinwheels on graves as do some of my quilting friends. The pinwheels were all different colors and different designs. Just like the pinwheels in our quilts. Pinwheels became popular in the 1800's when pioneers made their way west. They would see the vanes of water pump windmills and desired to duplicate them. They became to represent hard work, challenges, hope, optimism, transformation and change. They are practical and easy to make. Pinwheels begin with a four patch from half-square triangles.   In the past, we have gone over different ways of making HST to make one, four or eight.  We also discussed disappearing blocks. Pinwheels also can be made into different disappearing blocks: If you use 7" squares to make your pinwheel, you will end up with a 12" square. Instead of measuring and cutting in three's, you can cut in...

Sorry for being late on this post.  This is May's block of the month.  This is one of my favorite blocks and it is the Churn Dash block.  This is an old, traditional block.  It was made in approximately the 1800 - 1850 time period.  I love the traditional blocks and in my quilt designs, you will see that I use these a lot. For this block, it is normally done with 2 colors.  I found a perfect piece to use in my stash, and so I am using 3 colors in the block.   So, what do you need to get started?  One of the first things I do, before cutting is starch my fabric.  I get a much better cut, which means my seams are more accurate. Background Fabric:  This will be known as color A 1 square 7" 1 strip at 2 1/2" x 19" Print Fabric:  This will be known as color B 1 square 7" 1 strip at 2 1/2" x 19" Focus Fabric:  This will be known as Color C 4 1/2" square Sew the "A" 7" square to the "B" 7" square around the outside edge 1/4...

This month in the Beeline Lorrie shares about a disappearing 9-patch.  You can read it here as well.  Thanks, Lorrie, for the time you put into writing these great articles about quilting.   DISAPPEARING 9-PATCH As quilters, we love fabric. We purchase fabric, cut it up and sew it back together in different patterns.  One of my favorite blocks is the disappearing block.  The history of this technique is basically modern in nature. It started with experimentation and evolution, with the technique being adapted and popularized through the work of numerous quilters and the influence of modern media like books and online communities. As we all know from going to quilt guild meetings, quilt fest, retreats and other get togethers, we learn from others in person. There are several books that show how to make disappearing blocks. The first known block used, and seems to be the most popular, is the 9-patch block.  You start with a finished, traditional block, cut it...

 Hello everyone, I hope you had a great time making the March block of the Month.  We would love to have you share them with us on facebook.   The block this month, is a really fun one.  In fact, I had always thought of making this block, but never have.  This month it is the Disappearing Nine Patch. You need 3 fabrics.  I chose a dark, medium and light.  From the dark cut 1 - 4 1/2" block, from the medium cut 4 - 4 1/2" blocks and from the light cut 4 - 4 1/2" blocks.   Now, arrange your blocks by rows.   Row 1, start with a medium, light and medium and stitch together with a 1/4" seam.  Press seams toward the medium fabrics. Row 2, light, dark, light and stitch together with a 1/4" seam.  Press seams toward the dark fabric. Row 3, repeat row 1.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam.  Press seams toward the medium fabrics.  Sew rows together. Press.  This block should measure 12 1/2". Now comes the fun part....

 This is from the Beeline.  Each month, Lorrie does an article on quilts.  We have decided to share these articles on the blog as well.   On March 15, 2025, I was pleasantly surprised that the Utah Quilt Guild is starting a block of the month quilt, and it was posted on Facebook. As stated on Facebook, "This quilt is going to be a technique-based quilt and the first block is the 9-patch block.   To make the 9-patch block you will need 2 fabrics.  You will need 1 strip cut at 4 1/2" x 22 1/2" and 1 strip 4 1/2" x 18".   Cut strip 1 into 5 - 4 1/2" squares and strip 2 into 4 - 4 1/2" squares.  Lay the blocks as shown, in rows of 3 alternating your 2 colors.  Using a 1/4" seam, stitch each row of blocks, then stitch those rows into columns.    We would love to have you share this with your guilds.  If you make this block, please share with us." (TIPS: Press to the dark; nest seams; pin 1/4 from edge on the nest to k...

           FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME ON THE  UQG BLOCK OF THE MONTH JOURNEY!  Introduced in March for the celebration of International Quilt Month, is the NEW Block of the Month!  The patterns are being given by Kathy Bruckman who is the Social Media Chairwoman for our Guild.  I gather that this is a bit of a Mystery Quilt from Kathy’s first Block installment since the only information given is that the first Block is a Nine-Patch.   This is to be Scrappy to compliment Quilt Fest’s It’s a Scrappy World After All theme.  I like this because you get to do your own thing - no worries about light/darks and a certain number of fabrics.  But, scrappy quilts can become a bit of a ‘mess’ if a theme or a controlled color palette isn’t chosen.  Some quilters resolve this by pulling fabric from the same fabric designer.  Kaffe Fassett and Lori Holt are examples.  We tend to buy fabric that appeals to us the most and wh...