I’m so pleased to present our July/August 2013 issue of McCall’s Quilting magazine, packed with 15 new summer-treat quilt patterns! Take a few minutes and join me for a preview of the quilting delights that await you in this issue – let’s jump right in:You’ll find patterns for bright, colorful quilts like the scrap-friendly Tickled Pink by Tonya Alexander (pictured below), Erin Russek’s appliquéd Dresden Plate beauty Miss Kyra (on the cover), and Bea Lee’s foundation paper pieced Baja Sunset. Learn a near-magical technique for preparing curves for appliqué as you make Kelly Gallagher-Abbot’s whimsical Sunflowers in Shades quilt.
Speaking of color, Christine Barnes contributed a wonderful article about managing color intensity when selecting fabric combinations – you won’t want to miss it! (For even more inspiration on color, check out her latest book, The Quilter’s Color Club.)
Sew along with us as we begin Glorieta, a new 3-part series classic bed quilt pattern designed by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith.Raid your stash for 16 coordinating fat quarters, add background/border and binding fabrics, and you’ll be ready to begin Konda Luckau’s Blowin’ in the Wind bed quilt pattern glimpsed below.Have you become addicted to English paper piecing (EPP) yet? Give this technique a try as our experts show you how to English paper piece with the step-by-step photos and instructions in the Folk Blossoms wall quilt pattern designed by Vicki Bellino.  We make it easy to get started with our limited-edition kit that includes all the fabrics shown plus the paper pieces – just click here to find the kit on our Quilt and Sew Shop. (Can’t get enough of English paper piecing? Check out more of Vicki’s EPP designs in her book, English Paper Piecing; Fresh New Quilts from Bloom Creek.)Short on time for quilting? Gather up 2 1/2″ batik strips and try Abigail Dolinger’s easy, colorful table ensemble, Zippy Strippy…you could make it in a night!To help you save even more time, we’re offering limited edition kits for a handful of quilts patterned in this issue – just click here to find them on our Quilt and Sew Shop, and you can have complete fabric kits delivered right to your door!Pick up your copy of McCall’s Quilting magazine, July/August 2013 from your local quilt shop or newsstand, or click here to purchase the print or instant digital download edition from our online Quilt and Sew Shop.

How would you like to win a copy of this issue? Click here to preview all the quilt patterns included in this issue of McCall’s Quilting magazine, then tell us which quilt pattern is your very favorite in the comments below; we’ll choose 4 random winners from the comments!

1. Click here to see all the quilt patterns featured in this issue.
2. Tell us your favorite quilt pattern in the comments below.

We’ll choose 4 random winners from comments below on Monday, June 10, 2013. Winners will be notified via email within 24 hours of selection.

Contest is over…congratulations to our winners: Kathy Russell, Colette DeGroot, Sheila Wiedersatz and Anna Taylor. (Please check you emails for instructions to claim your free issue!)

Psst…Don’t miss out on this issue’s FREE Web Bonuses—click here!

It’s finally here…the unofficial start of summer 2013! Many of us will be enjoying a long holiday weekend, and what better way to kick off the season than with a little extra time to quilt?

For a quick start on a quilt project, explore all the exclusive McCall’s Quilting quilt kits available in our Quilt and Sew Shop. The Memorial Day Sale is going on right now—use promo code QSMD15 at check out for 15% off plus free shipping on orders of $50 or more.* Check out the 2012 Quick Quilts Compilation CD, Baja Sunset Quilt Kit, Red, White and Sometimes Blue pattern book, and Best Wall Quilts, also available as an eBook.

*Offer expires May 28th at 11:59pm PST. Excludes magazine subscriptions & Arrow furniture. Free standard shipping only valid for U.S. orders $50 or more.

For more quilting inspiration, I invite you to take a look and the fast and fun projects featured in our newest special issue, America Makes Fast Quilts, Spring 2013. Many of the projects make quick use of precuts such as jelly rolls and fat quarters, and with 25 quilt patterns to choose from,  you’ll find plenty to stimulate your creativity. For stress-free quilting pleasure, add this special collection of fast and easy quilt patterns to your library – they’re perfect for a long weekend of sewing. Click here to preview all the quilt patterns included in America Makes Fast Quilts. This issue is available at newsstands now, or click here to purchase the issue from our Quilt and Sew Shop – digital download edition also available for instant access.

Funfetti: Fat-Quarter-Friendly Simple Modern Quilt Pattern Designed by JOCELYN UENG for IT'S SEW EMMA, patterned in America Makes Fast Quilts Spring 2013

I hope you enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends, have a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day, and are able to squeeze in a little time for some quilting relaxation.

We’re excited to bring you our fresh new special issue, America Makes Fast Quilts, Spring 2013! It’s packed with 25 speedy, snappy projects that will entice you to begin your next quilt. We invite you to pick up a copy and relax while you peruse the tempting assortment of quick and easy designs. No pressure to master tough techniques, no huge investment of time, just simple, easy-going quilt making.

Treat yourself to the ease and pleasure of precut fabrics such as Jelly Rolls (2½″ strips), Layer Cakes (10″ squares), or fat quarters (18″x 20-22″) with patterns like Pick-Up Sticks, Celebrate the Day,  or Into Africa.

Pick your favorite colors and try your hand at Raspberry Cheesecake, a fast twenty-five patch bed quilt pattern.

The Indigo Weave lap quilt pattern utilizes precut 10″ squares, and bridges the gap betweeen traditional and modern aesthetics, making it a great accent piece for any décor.

Funfetti and Triangle Toss showcase trendy brights in quick lap quilt patterns.The Midnight Blooms wall quilt showcases a gorgeous panel print; limited edition quilt kit available—click here. Other wall quilt patterns include My Summer Garden, a mini sampler with fun piecing and appliqué, or Architectural Glow, an easy, dramatic wall hanging made with batiks plus black.

Midnight Blooms - limited edition quilt kits available at QuiltandSewShop.com, while supplies last.

It’s always fun to have a new baby quilt pattern at the ready. You’ll love making Madi’s Quilt with its super simple construction and fusible appliqué…it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

With only 11 of the 25 included patterns mentioned above, we invite you to stop by our website to preview all the patterns included in this issue. In fact, after you preview all the patterns, tell us your very favorite from this issue in the comments below, and we’ll send a FREE issue of America Makes Fast Quilts, Spring 2013, to four randomly chosen winners!

1. Click here to see all the patterns featured in this issue.
2. Tell us your favorite pattern in the comments below.

We’ll choose and notify the winners via email on Friday, May 17.

Contest is over, congratulations to the winners:

Pat Rutherford of Catlettsburg, Kentucky
Toni Stone of Cold Spring, Kentucky
Kathie Squarebriggs of Berwick, Nova Scotia
Shirley Wells of Rose Hill, Kansas

Pick up your copy of America Makes Fast Quilts, Spring 2013 from your local quilt shop or newsstand, or click here to purchase the print or instant digital download edition from our online Quilt and Sew Shop. You’ll be glad to have this collection of fast quilt patterns at the ready when you have a little time to enjoy the simple pleasures of quilting…we hope you’ll be inspired to make a “quilter’s holiday” project today!

Psst…Don’t miss out on this issue’s FREE Web Bonuses—click here!