Victoria Bryant: March 2008 Archives

One of the least fun chores for quilters is to cut fabric.  We search for shortcuts. Designers develop specialized tools and techniques to reduce sewing time. Fabric manufacturers have taken note of their customers’ desire to reduce cutting time

In the beginning, there was charms.  A charm is a 5 inch square of fabric. Charm quilts are traditionally a quilt made up one quilt block pattern and no fabric repeats itself in the quilt.  It is sometimes known as the beggar quilt because quilters would beg friends for fabric scraps to have enough variety in their finished quilts. Common charm quilt patterns are the pyramid, hexagon, polygon and apple core. Grandmother’s Garden based on the hexagon and Thousand Pyramids based on the triangle are two examples of a charm quilt. Quilters have expanded the use of charms as convenient squares to reduce cutting time. You can make a block based on squares beginning with a four patch block.  You may also change the size by cutting rectangles or triangles from your charm. Enterprising designers have created patterns based on charm packs from purses to quilt patterns. A charm pack containing 36 pieces will equal approximately ½ yard of fabric.

Another popular cut is the fat quarter. A fat quarter is a cut of fabric that is 18” x 20”.  Fat quarters offer a nice size from which to cut multiple pieces. These are great for scrappy looking quilts. Two fat quarters equal ½ yard. The fat eighth is a kissing cousin of the fat quarter.  It measures 9” x 20”. Four fat eighths equal ½ yard.

Of course, one cannot forget the fat back. What is a fat back? A fat back is a cotton fabric which measures at least 108” wide. Before the introduction of the fat back, quilters had to piece the quilt back to have a size large enough to finish their quilt. What a pain!

A more recent innovation is the jelly roll. A jelly roll is a collection of fabrics based on strips which measure 2 ½” wide by 42” long. Can you imagine the cutting time that saves?  There are now quilts designed around the 2 ½“strips. “Strip Happy” is one of those books.  Strips can be sewn together and recut as desired. Three strips equal ¼ yard.

The most recent development is the cake layer. A cake layer is a 10” square cut of fabric. Four charm squares would equal 1 cake layer. Imagine combining cake layers, charms and jelly rolls into a quilt. A quilter would be able to reduce cutting time significantly. The accuracy of these cuts would be a boon to beginners unsure of their cutting skills. I guess quilters can have their cake and eat it too!

P.S.  I have designed a quilt pattern called "HAVE IT YOU WAY" which incorporates one jelly roll and cake layers. Quilt top picture will be posted this weekend. Perfect for the beginner.

 The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention made up to promote the sale of chocolate Easter Eggs. The rabbit or hare was considered a symbol of fertility and renewal which fit well with the Christian interpretation of Easter. Did you know that Easter was not widely celebrated in the United States until after the Civil War? The tradition of the Easter Bunny was brought to the United States by German immigrants. Easter baskets came from the tradition of children using their hats to collect the Easter Bunny's eggs. If you would like more information about Easter traditions, checkout Easter Bunny's.net.

When my daughter was small, I would make her a new Easter bunny every year.  Of course, she has outgrown the need for the Easter Bunny if not for the chocolate.  Fortunately, I have a new person in my life who will appreciate my custom bunnies.  I selected pattern IJP-230.  I am not making it from faux fur.  I am making it from Minky.  Melanie's tips for working with Minky was the push I needed to start this project.  The Fabric Maverick will be showing my completed Easter Bunny next week.

Another tradition for Easter is a new Spring outfit.  What is more fun than creating a spring dress for your daughter or even for yourself? If working with a child, let them help you select the pattern and the fabric. Simplicity has some great patterns that will delight your child.  Anyone who has a daughter under the age of 13 knows the name of Hannah Montana. For yourself, check our new dress patterns from Christine Jonson, Stretch and Sew and Hot Patterns. There is a style for everyone.  Take advantage of our great sale, linen is always a great spring fabric. Now is the time to pull out your white shoes.

I have a bunny to stuff so I must go.