Who doesn’t know a baby? Or know someone who is having, or just had a baby.  Maybe you have grandkids that you love to sew for.  Or you’re a stay at home mom who really enjoys making things for your family.  Or a mom with a job outside the house and you still find time to sew for your family.  Whatever your situation, if you have a child to sew for, check out all the patterns available by Sew Baby and you will probably find several patterns that you just can’t live without.

You’ll find items for bath time such as the Bath Puppet Pals and the Animal Wrappers.   There are patterns to keep kid stuff organized, like the Clutter Catchers for your vehicle, or you can use it over a doorknob in you kid’s bedroom or the family. room.  You might need to make more than one.

There are patterns that would make great baby shower gifts, like the Hug Me Bibs or the Fleece-Easy Baby or Everything But The Baby.  And patterns for older kids, like the Easy Pieces Pants and the Double Fun Skirt and the Easy Pieces Jumper.

And baby likes to have fun . . . there are patterns for books and games.  And patterns for backpacks to carry the books and games.   Oh, and patterns to keep baby warm whether in the car seat or in a wrap made special to snuggle baby or with a cape or jacket.

Be careful if you start exploring all the Sew Baby patterns because it might be a long while before you get back to quilt patterns.

Three of the newest patterns at Quilters Warehouse take a step away from traditional and add a touch of whimsy.

Sound Waves is from the Back to Bargello series by Karen Gibbs of the Quilt Studio.  Karen’s bargello method is simple and her easy to follow instructions will make you an expert in no time.  Turn on your favorite music while you sew and watch it come to life.

Whales & Pails  is the perfect quilt to take to the beach.  Or spread it out on the grass after a swim in the pool.  This will be a favorite with the kids and one they’ll attach to lots of happy summer memories.  You can have so much fun changing things around. . . make a different sail for each boat . . . make fussy cuts or use different fun patterned fabrics for the pails.  Yes, I know whales are really blueish or grey, but use some poetic license and make them any color you want – or a different color for each one!  Go ahead.  Create a memory.

Wind Catcher is made from one single shape cut from two fabrics and laid out in different ways.  My personal favorite it the one with the dark border all the way around.  Hmmmm, I wonder what a small quilt made with several of these blocks would look like?  The pattern includes three sizes: Placemats: 15″ X 17 1/2″; Tabletoppers: 22 1/2″ X 26″ and 29″ X 33 1/2″.   Just two fabrics, let’s see.  Fourth of July: Red & White with blue stars.  Spring: Dark Green & a light floral.  Christmas, Fall, Winter, Summer.  This’ll be a pattern that gets used and used and used.

Enjoy these fun patterns or check out some traditional ones. . . so many quilt patterns, so little time.

If you are trying to be more aware of our environment and do what you can to be “green”, here’s a few patterns to help.  These will help reduce the need for plastic.

Try a fabric Checkbook Cover.   So quick and easy to make. You can make a few for yourself and change them with your mood.  Then you’ll be an expert at it and you can make a few for gifts.  You’ll be helping others “go green”!

Money Bags Purse-O-Nality is another pattern for a checkbook cover, plus a pattern for a tri-fold wallet with pockets for everything.  If you add a strap you’ll have a mini-purse.

Isn’t this just the cutest little wallet?  Wonder Wallet has room for all your credit cards, IDs and your cash.   Lots of pockets.

Purse-O-Nality Times Four has a coin purse pattern, a wallet, and two mini purses.  All easy to make.  Make a matched set or use coordinating fabrics.  Or what about a rainbow effect?  Blue mini purse, Lilac wallet, red change purse.  Or white mini purse with black accents and black wallet & change purse with white accents.  So much fun!

Here’s another great gift idea, a CD Wallet.   Quick and easy to make.  And so easy to personalize and jazz them up.

So many ways to be green.  Have fun doing your part to make the earth a better place!

Designs to Share with You has many quilt patterns with a variety of difficulty.  You’ll find plenty of patterns that are quick and easy.  But you will also find a selection of more challenging designs.   Puzzle Pieces is the newest pattern.

These Puzzle Pieces table runners will add a splash of contemporary design and color to any room.  One easy block, but your color choices and layout will really change the look and make for lots of fun.

 A Handful of Runners is set of 5 different patterns that are easy enough for a beginner, but with lots of variety and room to play with the fabric choices.  You’ll be able to showcase your favorite florals with these table runners.

Star Flowers will offer just a little more challenge.  Start with the table topper (35″ X 35″). Then move on to the lap sized quilt (53″ X 73″).  There are suggestions for three different bed sizes included with the pattern.

Now for a real challenge.  But what a pay off!  The Tree of Life is a beautiful wall hanging with a stained glass look.  There are instructions for hand work if you want to try that, but don’t let that scare you away! There are also instructions for machine work.

Cherry Blossoms will offer some more challenge. You will learn some new techniques (or get a chance to practice if you know them already!) and what a display you will have when you are finished!

IF you have any time left after checking out Designs to Share with You, browse the rest of the quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse.

When I first started quilting I went out and bought all my supplies.  A cutting mat, a rotary cutter, and a ruler.  I bought a nice big ruler and figured I was all set.  Why would I ever need another one?  Oh, how naive I was!   I made a log cabin, a split rail, and then a nine patch quilt.  My ruler was awesome!   Then I saw a split nine patch that I wanted to try.  Hmm, marking those diagonal lines on my squares so I could make half square triangles sure was awkward with my nice big 22 1/2” X 6 1/2″ ruler. 

The Creative Grid 4.5″ square ruler was perfect.  Just the right size to mark my diagonal lines.  Sitting in front of the TV with a stack of squares and a small ruler worked out great.  And, when the half square triangles were sewn and pressed, the square ruler was just right for trimming the squares to size with the diagonal laid right along the diagonal seam.  Beautiful half square triangles.  This opened a whole new world.  There are several sizes of square up rulers and it so much easier when you have just the right size, whether it’s a 4.5″ one or and 18″ one.  As long as it fits the job.

For lots of different triangles, there’s the Tri-Recs Ruler.  Your 1/4″ seam allowance is included.  Sold in a set of two, an instruction book will help you learn all the things you can do with these rulers.

We’ve just scratched the surface when it comes to rulers.  There are lots more.  How is your collection?

What’s the next best thing to visiting your local quilt shop?  Getting fabric in the mail!  Quilters Warehouse has several fabric clubs.   You choose from eight different clubs . . .  

• 30′s Favorites   -   Reproduction prints from around the 1930′s
• Calendar Colors   -   Color, Prints and Themes that will change with the seasons
• Christmas   -   Reds, Greens, Gold, and Glitz!
• Floral Prints   -   Flowers and Floral Prints (think Spring & Summer year round)
• Landscapes   -   Sky, Grass, River Rocks, Bricks and More
• Marble Maniacs   -   Marbled, tone on tone from a variety of manufacturers
• Novelty   -   From Buttons to Bells, Music to Playtime
• Thimbleberries   -   Thimbleberry prints (need we say more?!)

Then you choose how much fabric you will want each month.  The options are Fat Quarters, Half Yard Cuts, Full Yard Cuts.  With most of the clubs you’ll receive 5 pieces each month, the same week of the month.  Look forward to “squishies” in the mail.  What fun!!  These deliveries will surely inspire you.  

And, if you like surprises, you could try the Ugly Duckling Fabric Club. 

Each month you’ll receive 3 yards of various cuts from end of bolts.  There’s a swan in every bag!