Easy Scrap Quilt Pattern, Make an X’s and O’s Quilt

X's and O's QuiltMaking an X’s and O’s quilt — or you could call it hugs and kisses —  is one of the fastest and easiest ways to make a big dent in your leftover stash of fabric. The quilt blocks are quick pieced, and go together in a flash. Setting up a chain piecing assembly line speeds things up even more.

The original pattern is called Paths to Piece… not nearly as fun as X’s and O’s, and you can vary the original somewhat too. I’ll explain in the pattern, but it all depends on the triangles sewn to corners of the four larger squares that make up a quilt block. Don’t worry, those triangles are quick pieced — just like we create triangle tips for the corners of Snowball quilt blocks. X's and O's Quilt

Choose one type of corner triangle and the X’s and O’s that emerge in your quilt will be chunky, like the example to the right. Choose a different size and they’ll be a bit more delicate, like the example in the upper left. Which do you prefer? And would you like to make a quilt that flip-flops the lights and darks? That’s very doable, too, as is a different layout for the quilt block itself. My pattern explains many of the options, and includes the info you need for three quilt sizes. Beyond that, you’ll see that customizing an X’s and O’s quilt is a super easy task.

X’s and O’s Scrap Quilt Pattern

Super Bowl Sunday Scrap Quilt Marathon

Nine Patch Furrows QuiltsThe pattern is ready to go now, but our Quilting Forum members are getting together for a Scrap Quilt Sew Along on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2nd.

The quilt block is easy, and you’ll find there are plenty of options. Choose any block size that suits your scraps and play with the layout — there are loads of possibilities. Thanks for Misha for the variations shown here — they’re a fantastic preview of design choices.

Make as many quilt blocks as you like. Dig through your stash for unused half square triangle units and squares — I’ll bet you can work them into this pattern. And hey, you can even watch the Super Bowl while you sew these blocks. I might even have it on in the background, depending on which teams are playing

Sew Along Scrap Pattern
Quilting Forum Discussion

2014 New Year’s Day Mystery Quilt, by Janet Wickell

2014 Mystery Quilt PatternOur annual mystery quilt event will take place on January 1st, 2014. You can follow along with others in our quilting forum, or sew entirely on your own.

It’s always a fun day, especially if you take it at your own pace — remember that construction is not a race. Fabric suggestions and initial cutting instructions have been published for awhile now, but it’s certainly not too late to join in the fun. Many of our quilters wait until the last day to cut fabrics. In fact, I always recommend you NOT cut all fabrics for ANY pattern until you’ve made some  sample units. I hope you’ll join us on January 1.

New Year’s Mystery Pattern
New Year’s Mystery Forum Discussion
Prequel to the New Year’s Mystery (an older forum discussion)

48″ Square Ohio Star Quilt Pattern

Ohio Star Quilt PatternLooking for a not-so-huge project? Try my 48-inch square Ohio Star quilt pattern, sewn from two quilt blocks. The primary block is Ohio Star, but you might not recognize it immediately. I’ve shifted the contrast a bit from the ‘traditional’ layout and placed the blocks on point. Four simple X-like blocks rest in the center of the quilt and link up with the Ohio Stars at block corners. You’ll find the pattern at my About.com Quilting website.

Ohio Star Quilt Pattern

Basket Quilt Patterns You’ll Love

Berry Basket Quilt Block PatternBasket quilts are year-around favorites, but there’s something special about creating colorful baskets geared specifically for spring and summer. Most basket designs give your half-square triangle skills a workout, but not to worry, because those units are easy to sew with quick piecing techniques. Another plus — baskets look fantastic made with leftover scraps, so raid your stash and start sewing.

Basket Quilt Block and Quilt Patterns

More Quilt Patterns & Quilting Tutorials

Some of our visitors know that I’m the author of another quilting site, too — Quilting at About.com. You’ll find hundreds more quilting patterns and tutorials there, so be sure to take a look at links to some of the most popular quilting pages.