Quilt Block of the Month: November

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World magazine have compiled some block patterns, from the thousands of traditional blocks available, that you can download for free. With a few basic skills and a variety of block patterns, you can create countless designs in no time.

A new block download will be available each month along with helpful hints, tips and tricks. We will also give you ideas for block combinations and possible quilt settings from time to time to help you create fabulous quilted projects. We hope these blocks will inspire you to experiment with quilt design and create your own layouts. So get a binder and some page protectors to fill with block patterns and samples to fuel your creative juices.

Around the Corner

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"


Around the Corner
8" x 8" Finished Block

Helpful Hints

• Choose one each light and dark fabric for this block. Use scraps from other projects or purchase fat eighths (9" x 22") or fat quarters (18" x 22") to make one sample block.
• Cut individual pieces from scraps or cut strips and then individual pieces from strips if using yardage or large pieces of fabric. For example, to cut several 2 1/2" squares, cut a 2 1/2"-wide strip the width of the fabric. Subcut the strip into 2 1/2" squares.
• Use a 1/4"-wide seam allowance for all seams and stitch right sides together.

Quilting the Quilt

After preparing your quilt for quilting, you will need to decide if you are going to hand- or machine-quilt your quilt yourself or if you will be using a professional longarm quilter.

Ask yourself a few questions first: Will this quilt be laundered often? If the answer is yes, machine-quilt for more durability.

Am I trying to create a family heirloom? If you are, you may want to use more elaborate quilting designs and unless you are experienced you will want to use a professional longarm quilter.

How much time can I give to quilting the quilt? If you have a lot of time, consider hand quilting. If not, stick with machine quilting. Don't forget that a professional quilter will have other customers to work around if you have chosen to send your quilt out.

What is the look of the piecing: traditional, folk art or modern? Each quilt has its own mood and the quilting should compliment that mood. A more intricate quilting pattern may be desirable for a traditional quilt while large stitches and simple echo quilting might compliment folk art and contemporary design might only need channel quilting.

Hand quilting is small, evenly spaced stitches that result in broken lines of stitching and a softer look. If you are new to the process you should check out the techniques provided in your complete quilting guide or consider taking a class through your local quilt shop or guild.

Practice makes perfect with hand quilting. It is easier to begin learning hand quilting by starting with straight lines and then progress to patterns that can be echoed across the quilt. A beginner should concentrate on obtaining evenly spaced, uniform-size stitches.

You can machine-quilt your quilt on your own machine. As with hand quilting, practice is key to success. Begin with straight lines stitched from edge to edge with few starts and stops. Work your way up through grids and then to more intricate designs with curves.

To avoid having the entire quilt beneath the sewing machine arm at once, work from the center of the quilt out to the edges. Quilt half of the quilt, then turn it and quilt another section.

You will want to have an evenfeed or walking foot for your machine. This foot feeds both the top and bottom layers through the machine at the same speed and will help keep puckering of the layers to a minimum.

Consult your complete quilting guide for tips on setting up your machine, supplies and techniques for quilting with your own machine or, again, take a class through your local quilt shop or guild.

Sometimes it makes sense to send your quilt to a professional longarm quilter. Talk with the quilter about your expectations of a completion date and the quilting design you would like to use and cost.

If you are a beginner quilter, start small and simple. Practice on leftover fabric and batting that you have layered for quilting to gain experience. And consult your complete quilting guide or seek out classes at local quilt shops, guilds or on-line classes.

When the quilting is completed, remove the basting pins or thread and trim the backing and batting to match the top. This prepares the quilt for the final step in finishing-binding.

For more detailed help with quilting techniques, view our Quilting Lessons or consult a complete quilting guide. Your local library will probably have several on hand that you can review before purchasing one.

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