One of the favorite quilts I’ve ever given as a gift is the photo memory quilt I made for my husband’s grandparents, Frell and Cleda. Last year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Such an amazing mile-stone called for a very special gift, so with the help of my father-in-law who collected all of the photos, we began putting together a quilt that would portray some of the most important events and people that have made up their 70 years together.

I wanted the quilt to have a vintage look and I found some wonderful vintage-look fabrics at my neighborhood fabric store, joann.com. The photos, of course, needed to be the focal point of the quilt, but I wanted to add some flair as well. I decided to take my cute vintage fabrics and make pinwheels to put together to make a sashing which added life, feeling and movement to the quilt. Many of the photos were black and white which looked great with the vintage fabrics. The classic pinwheel design in the sashing really brought the whole look of the quilt together. It truly turned out lovely!

Presenting the quilt to Frell and Cleda was full of emotion and very rewarding. We all shed tears as they looked at the pictures representing their 70 years together. They loved their quilt and keep it on the end of their bed as a display piece. To this day they show everyone who enters their home this beautiful photo memory quilt.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting at 12:32 PM EST

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While I was in the fabric store today I saw two great quilting books “Nickel Quilts”, and “More Nickel Quilts”, both by Pat Speth. I have seen these books before, but was instantly drawn to them because of my recent discovery of Moda’s “Promo Packs” of fabric – a pack of 48 different 5 inch squares of fabric already cut and ready to use. The quilts in these books are designed to be made specifically with 5 inch squares of fabric. I was amazed at the beautiful quilts that can be so easily made with an array of 5 inch squares and a little imagination. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting at 2:27 PM EST

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I was in one of my favorite quilting stores (The Stitching Corner) today and saw for the first time what is called a “promo pack” of fabric . There were several different promo packs, all from the same fabric company, Moda Fabrics. I was particularly taken with a pack from the line “Faded Memories” by the designers 3 Sisters. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting, Fabric at 12:40 PM EST

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I have been quilting for about 10 years now and I have made many beautiful baby blankets. I always enjoy giving something I’ve made to a new mother and hearing the “ooohs” and “aaahs” expressed over a blanket I have put many hours into and made just for that special baby.

I recently sat down to plan a quilt for my brother’s new baby girl. I found a pattern I was excited about trying, and bought some lovely fabric just perfect for a darling baby girl. As I sat and sewed, I was excited to see how it was all going to come together. To my dismay, I realized that despite my years of experience and careful planning, I had managed to put together a somewhat unattractive baby quilt. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Baby Blankets at 2:08 PM EST

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