Yardage for making the quilt as shown is included in the pattern, but fabric scraps 6½″ square and smaller can easily be substituted for the foundation block patches. The pattern instructions call for cream, green, blue, and mauve, but this quilt can be made up as a scrappy patriotic version by substituting reds, whites and blues as follows:

cream = cream scraps
green = light to medium blue scraps
blue = medium to dark blue scraps
mauve = medium to dark red scraps

Need a little help with foundation piecing? No worries – click here for our FREE quilting lesson download – Foundation Piecing Primer!

Click here for the link to download this FREE Crazy Anne Foundation Pieced Lap Quilt Pattern from McCallsQuilting.com.

Did you miss any previous Friday Freebie patterns? Click here!

Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!

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.

For two standard pillowcases, you’ll need 1 7/8 yards of fabric, plus 2 1/2 yards of 3″ wide lace. You might choose an elegant traditional blue as shown, or choose a fabric that picks up colors from the wedding. If you’re making a quilt for the happy couple, pillowcases to match the quilt would be a thoughtful extra touch.

Click here for the link to download this FREE Something Borrowed, Something Blue pillowcase pattern from McCallsQuilting.com.

The McCall’s Quilting July/August 2010 issue that includes the coordinating bed size quilt pattern is available as an instant digital download at our Quilt and Sew Shop—click here.

Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!

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!

(Bed size version, 97 3/4" x 110 1/2", pictured above)

Looking for an excuse to head for your local quilt shop over the weekend? This delightfully sweet lap quilt pattern designed by Sandee Wachal might be just what you need! Choose an assortment of 20 fat quarters plus a background fabric, and you’ll be ready to get started on this colorful quilt. I can easily picture this quilt in many different colorways, whether you prefer muted, earthy colors, bold batiks, trendy modern prints, or even a variety of solids.

Maybe, like me, you have a tidy stack of coordinated fat quarters that have been waiting for just the right quilt pattern—might this be it? The lap quilt finishes at 68¼″ x 81″.

Click here for the link to download this FREE Corner Candy Shop lap quilt pattern from McCallsQuilting.com.

The McCall’s Quilting March/April 2010 issue that includes the bed size pattern (pictured above) is available as an instant digital download at our Quilt and Sew Shop—click here.

Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!

Follow along with Beth Hayes, editor-in-chief of McCall’s Quilting, as she shows you how to work with templates.

Note: please click any image to go directly to the video lesson.

In this video tutorial Beth demonstrates how to transfer template shapes, whether intended for appliqué or piecing, from a magazine pattern section to template plastic. You’ll learn a nifty tip for marking templates with curves, too. As you watch each step in the lesson, you’ll learn what materials you’ll need, how to mark and cut the template plastic, how to use match points for traditional patchwork piecing templates, and how to transfer the design to your fabric using the template you create. Beth also shows you how to pin your patches for an accurate seam.

Once you’ve watched this video lesson on making and using templates, you’ll be ready to take on quilt pattens calling for templates with confidence. Remember to bookmark the helpful free video tutorial, and refer to it anytime you may need a refresher. Steps are listed in text below the video, as well; you may like to print them out for an easy reference to keep in your sewing area.

Click here to watch the FREE video demonstration of how to make and use quilting templates.

You can watch any of our free McCall’s Quilting University (MQU) how-to-quilt video library lessons 24-7—click here to see the full selection.

Don’t miss any of our Tuesday Tutorials—click here to read them all, or click any link below.

1. Pressing Basics
2. Accurate 1/4″ Seam Allowances
3. Rotary Cutting Basics
4. Basic Quiltmaking Supplies
5. Fabric Preparation
6. Chain Piecing and Opposing Seams
7. Color Selection Using a Focus Fabric
8. Simple Fusible Appliqué
9. Introduction to Half-Square Triangles

Enjoy!

Mothers everywhere are known to enjoy handmade items from their children, no matter the age of the mother or child. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12, 2013, and I’ve chosen this Sentimental Blooms table runner quilt pattern, adapted from a design by Heidi Pridemore, for today’s Friday Freebie. The project is small enough that it could be completed in a weekend, but still has sweet details that make it special enough for Mom.

The flowers apply quickly using the fusible appliqué technique, and feature a machine blanket-stitched edge finish. The table runner finishes at 20½″ x 50½″. Click here to watch our FREE Simple Fusible Appliqué video lesson.

Click here to download this FREE Sentimental Blooms table runner quilt pattern from McCallsQuilting.com.

Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!

Note: please click any image to go directly to the video lesson.

Why you’re going to love this technique: HSTs refer specifically to right isosceles triangles, meaning triangles in which two sides of equal length form an interior angle of 90°. When a pattern calls for HSTs, you’ll find that the longest side of each triangle is cut on the bias, which means additional piecing challenges due to bias edges tending to stretch quite easily. Feeling a little frightened at this point?!  Never fear – we’re here to show you the easy-peasy way to make quick work of this common quilting shape!

Tricia Camp explains and demonstrates how to layer two simple squares together, stitching them in such a way that you’ll end up with two HSTs, without needing to handle the raw bias edges of the patches. You’ll also learn the easy formula for determining what size to cut your squares to end up with the exact HST size your pattern calls for.

Give this easy technique a try the next time your quilting pattern calls for HSTs. Click here to watch the FREE video demonstration of how to make Half-Square Triangles using two squares.

You can watch any of our free McCall’s Quilting University (MQU) how-to-quilt video library lessons 24-7—click here to see the full selection.

Don’t miss any of our Tuesday Tutorials—click here to read them all, or click any link below.

1. Pressing Basics
2. Accurate 1/4″ Seam Allowances
3. Rotary Cutting Basics
4. Basic Quiltmaking Supplies
5. Fabric Preparation
6. Chain Piecing and Opposing Seams
7. Color Selection Using a Focus Fabric
8. Simple Fusible Appliqué

Enjoy!

Haberdashery is a quick lap top quilt pattern for the man in your life. A limited supply of Haberdashery quilt kits with fabrics from the Menswear collection are available while supplies last—click here to order early and avoid disappointment. Or Country Store lap quilt pattern may be more of what you’re looking for.

Are you looking for a quilt for the younger people in your life? Check out the Going Bananas throw quilt , Menagerie lap quilt or the Travels in Time fusible appliqué quilt patterns.

Get a head start on your summer décor with the Simple Stars & Bars table runner quilt pattern or the Tweeting Trio tabletop quilt patterns. Feeling like a classic design? The Trip Around the Rainbow lap quilt pattern offers a splash of color.  A limited supply of Trip Around the Rainbow quilt kits are available while supplies last—click here to order early and avoid disappointment.

Would you like a feminine looking pattern? Café Paris or Storybook Baskets lap quilt patterns are delightful.

Quick lessons include how to fussy-cut “tiles” for Mandy’s Garden, how to create tempting texture with raggy edges for Raggedy Flaggedy, and how to assemble a clever design with the help of a design wall for Bushels of Color.

Our web bonuses are not to be missed: a FREE Trip Around the Rainbow mini version, an alternate colorway of Bushels of Color, a FREE Sassy Simplicity lap quilt pattern and more—click here to see all the web bonuses.

Be sure to add this June/July 2013 issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts to your personal quilt-pattern library…pick up your copy at your local quilt shop or newsstand, or click here to purchase from our online Quilt and Sew Shop.

An instant digital download of this issue is also available – click here.

Click here to preview all the patterns featured in this issue, then tell us your favorites in the comments below – we LOVE to hear from you!

I’ll admit, I really don’t know or understand the history of May Day, but I have fond memories associated with it nonetheless. Having been instructed on the tradition by our mother in our elementary school days, my younger brother and I would delight in gathering up dandelions and grape hyacinth flowers about the neighborhood, tying them into a bundle with string, placing said bundles on elderly neighbors’ doorsteps, then running and hiding after ringing their doorbells. Perhaps I’ll learn this was nothing but a delightfully creative invention of a young mother desperate to keep her children out of her hair, but I’ll forever connect the pleasant memory with May Day.

Today’s Friday Freebie is this sweet pieced 6″ Storybook Baskets Block. I might enjoy finding some favorite scraps and making one block into a little sachet pillow stuffed with lavender to commemorate May Day.

Click here for the link to download your FREE Storybook Baskets Quilt Block pattern.

Have you any May Day stories of your own to share? I’d love to hear them!

Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!