Jailhouse Row is a fun wall hanging.  The cats are paper pieced and can be left as is (just black on a white background) or you can embellish away and dress them up.  Kay says this is an easy quilt, so start sewing and pretty soon all you’ll have all your kitties in a row.

Grab your scraps or use a favorite panel, either way this quilt-as-you-go project will finish quickly. Strong straps (‘cuz they go all the way around the bottom of the bag) and a very roomy interior (it holds a 24″ cutting mat!) will make this Scrap Bag your favorite large (we’re talking huge!) tote.

Paper pieced crisp points and the gold color turn an ordinary pine tree into “Royaltry“.  Be daring and try silk to make it elegant.  The border adds a special touch of interest.

Posy Set #1 is the first of four sets of posy patterns. Finish them all and you will have a 56″ x 74″ quilt full of posies.  Choose your accent color to match your room.

Be sure to check out the book Black & White Quilts by Design.  It includes a dozen patterns for a range of experience levels, with clear instructions for applique and paper piecing.  Browse all the Cross Cuts patterns and you will also notice that several projects are suitable for scraps.

It’s a memory in the making, Me and Grandma in the Garden planting flowers.  This 9″ x 12″ (unfinished) redwork block can be framed and considered done, or make the rest of the Grandma and Me blocks for an entire quilt of twelve blocks all about “me and Grandma”.

Not to leave anyone out, here’s one of the Me and Grandpa blocks.  This, also, could be a simple little wall quilt, or part of a larger six block quilt all about “me and Grandpa”.

Irises for Grace is a beautiful wall hanging measuring 24″ x 42″. The flowers look three dimensional, don’t they?  These irises can also be a part of a larger quilt (86″ square) of the same name, Irises for Grace quilt pattern.

Nostalgic Fruit and Veggie towels will bring a smile to your face… and to anyone who enters your kitchen!  Cute sayings are on each of them appropo to the fruit or veggie shown.  Choose to stitch as redwork, match the towel border, or the color that suits the fruit or veggie.  These would make a great hostess gift.

One block of a large quilt called Nature’s Beauty, Roses Block #9 lives up to the claim.  Batiks would shine in all the blocks of this quilt…. lots of variations in color – just like in nature! Other blocks in the quilt include baskets, lilies, tulips, birdhouses, and more.

Designs by Alene also has a pieced Christmas table runner, a few combination pieced and appliqued holiday designs, plus a few patterns for practical items.

Spring is captured in this log cabin framed quilt with a blooming flowers in a watering can. This 16″ square, cheerful quilt works as a wall hanging, a pillow, or part of a larger quilt.

Do you know any high school seniors that are headed to college next year?  Kitties might be a cute pillow for them to take with, especially if they have a kitty that they have to leave behind.  Another 16″ square project (Becky and Me has lots of these!) it will also work as a wall hanging.

Becky’s Bibs offers instructions in two sizes – 11″ infant & 14″ toddler.  The ribbed neckline is comfy and the appliques are cute! Alphabet applique is included so you can personalize the bibs. Great shower or new baby gift. The Flannel Softs Quilt Pattern includes these bibs and a pattern for a hooded receiving blanket.

Isn’t this little Sailor Bear adorable?!  Measuring 16″ tall, he’s fat quarter friendly and made from pieced squares. Becky suggests that you could also use pieces of old quilts.  Hmm, maybe even old clothes? Whatever you use, he is sure to be loved by someone special.

Today’s post focus was on little projects but, if you browse all the Becky and Me patterns, you’ll see several lap sized and larger quilts… most of them cheerful!

If you are new to applique, or just want a quicker project, Tantalizing Tulip has large pieces that translate into a stunning 24″x30″ wall hanging.  The border is made from scrap pieces and put together brick style.

The colors are what first drew me to Simply Paisley first, but the design is delightful.  This is the kind of pattern you’d want to do over and over again to explore all different color combinations.

With just nine blocks in a large quilt (62″ x 74″), this Folk Art Floral applique pattern allows the use of larger scale fabrics.  Each block is unique – good luck choosing a favorite!

Butterfly Boutique is a 47″ x 58.5″ beauty.  With 12 blocks you can do a block a month and finish this just in time for next Spring.  The colors Angela used for her sample certainly are vibrant!  Stick with vibrant or go for soft, subtle, pastels.  Either way, the end product will be a treasure worthy of handing down.

If you live in the midwest, or are traveling there for upcoming quilt shows this summer, you can meet Angela, and see her work and patterns in person.  She will be teaching and exhibiting at the Minnesota Quilters 35th Annual Quilt Show and Conference in Duluth, MN; exhibiting only at the 2013 International Quilt Festival / Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois; and teaching and exhibiting at AQS 2013 Quilt Show and Contest in Des Moines, Iowa.

If you aren’t traveling, you can browse the rest of the Applique After Hours patterns from the comfort of your home!

Do you dread the words “quilt as desired”?  Here’s help! 501 Quilting Motifs  is a collection of quilting designs from more than 25 years of Quiltmaker magazine.  The designs are indexed by size and style so you can easily find what you need.  Flowers, vines, children’s themes, feathers, seasons, and more are included.  Helpful diagrams for combining designs guide the beginner, and make projects easier for the more experienced. Use the designs as shown, or use them for inspirations.  You’ll refer to this book often.

Brandywine Designs Clip Art for Quilters includes over 75 designs that you can freely use for a variety of projects.  Embroidery, redwork, applique, labels, and stencils are just some of the uses.  Flowers, animals, hearts, baskets, and more! Since they are drawn in the same style, combining several into one project will create a cohesive look.  Combine, separate, or use just the way they are.

If you ever feel like you want to go one step further with your quilts, Embellishment Potpourri will give you the confidence to do so.  Techniques are covered with fabric, thread, beads, and more. Plus there are instructions for two quick and easy fabric embellishment projects so you can “get your feet wet”!

Do you know any quilter that does not have scraps?  We all have them! And they just grow and grow!  Never fear, Scrap Assassin Saves the Day!   Instructions are included for four quilts – and yardage is given just in case you don’t want to use scraps.  You can make these over and over again as each bundle of scraps will give you a different look.  Plus you get the added bonus of using at least SOME of your scraps – that makes room for more new fabric!

If you are looking for a few books to start your quilting library, these might be the ones to choose.  But don’t stop here – check out the rest of the books in our quilting book section.

Convenient Coupon Caddy, a fat quarter friendly project, has eight pockets for organizing all your coupons.  Save money and look stylish doing it!  Folds to 6.5″ x 4″ so you can tuck it in your purse and have your coupons when you need them.

Large, handy pockets and comfortably placed neck ties will make this a favorite apron.  An easy to make, comfortable, reversible apron, the Eazy Flip Apron pattern fits many sizes and instructions are included for larger sizes. The pretty scalloped hem is optional.

Who couldn’t use another pincushion?! These are super cute…. a “Cutest Cupcake”, a totally unique “Hearts in Hand”, and a handy “Pozie Wristlet”.  Bonus! You also get instructions for making fancy beaded pins.

Got stuff to hold?  Make up the Eeny, Meeny, Miny & Moe Accessory Bags and you’ll have a place to hold it all.  Great for cosmetics, cell phones, IPads & Kindles, sewing tools, anything!  Fat quarter friendly, it would be fun to match the fabric to the items it will hold…. maybe a wordy fabric for an e-reader, or sewing themed fabric for sewing tools.

Check out the Bodacious Brag Bag.  Lots of room and lot of pockets.  Ribbon is used for the handles and for embellishment.  The vinyl pocket on the front holds a photo or an embroidered piece or anything else you’d like to brag about!

These are just a few of Eazy Peazy‘s patterns.  There are many more, including a Spectacular Spectacle Case, Luverly Luggage Tags, a Walker Saddlebag, a Wheelchair Backpack, and more.

Flowering Trellis has instructions for three flowers: clematis, rose,and morning glory.  Make a wall hanging, a table runner, or a banner.

Garden Trellis by Evonne Cook of Clothesline Quilts showcases beautiful appliqued flowers scattered along the edges.  Lovely floral fabrics in varying shades have green sashing that simulates a trellis.  Instructions are included for three different sizes.

Blooming Vine from Anka’s Treasures has pieced flowers surrounded green leaves on a white lattice.  Make a queen size, a wall quilt, or a table runner with the included instructions.  I’d love to see this with a light blue background.

Choose white, a solid color, or a wood grain look for your Garden Trellis.  Add your favorite blooming fabric and you have a beautiful garden inspired table runner to brighten up any room! This D Hall Designs pattern is 16″ x 35″.

Garden Trellis BOM will keep you stitching for quite a while making a beautiful piece of art for your wall, or for your bed.  Twelve apppliqued flowers, each on a square in a square block, give the quilt an on point setting look. Two tone sashing is woven to resemble lattice work.

Go ahead and sew up a flowering trellis…. you’ll never have to worry about watering!

Add squares of denim to novelty prints to create a unique Recycled Denim Spy Quilt.  Smaller bits of denim are used in the pieced border.

Recycled Denim Skirt and Purse from Carolyn’s Creative Designs shows you how to make a skirt from the top of your jeans and a purse from the leg.  Hmm, that leaves one more leg…. make a purse for a friend?  Lots of variations with this pattern.  Add lots of length for a modest, really comfy skirt.  Or keep it short and flirty.  Or meet in the middle!

Carolyn’s Recycled Denim Tote or Purse pattern encourages you to add your imagination and creativity to the project.  The generously sized tote can be made from many different shades of denim and you can embellish to your heart’s content.

Here’s another Jeans Tote Pattern.  This one will go together quickly, and can be dressed up with a colorful sash.  Shop the thrift store for different sized jeans and make extra-large-hold-everything sized totes or cute little tiny totes from little kids jeans!

Create a Denim Shirt Jacket by starting with an old denim shirt. Modify the bottom, add some applique for your favorite season, add trim for the collar and cuffs.  Result: a one of a kind jacket that reflects your personality.

Dig out your old jeans or visit a thrift store and do some recycling!  Happy sewing!

Subtle Song border fabric will actually give you several border options.  Use just the birds, or just the butterflies/dragonflies, or even just the blue/green/blue stripe.  There are also several combinations you can use.  Parts of this border fabric would also work as sashing.

Called Buttons & Blooms, this is a personal favorite – it just speaks to me!  The buttons, the flowers, the swirls, they are all so pretty and uplifting.  How could you not be happy with this fabric?! If you want to “put a bird on it” there is a perfect companion fabric of light beige with whimsical, happy birds.

Simple Pleasures is a vibrant border of elegant, deep purple with white daisies and little wisps of smaller lilac colored flowers.  It’s such a strong look that you’ll have to be careful not to let it overpower the rest of your quilt, but with the right blocks and companion fabrics you’ll have a striking quilt.

Laurel Burch Flying Colors offers plenty of color!  Great for quilters who embrace color, but a good choice for those who are a little afraid of it.  All you need to do is match a few colors from this border and you will have a stunning quilt.  Several columns of butterflies, birds, and flowers provide lots of choices for borders and sashings.

Go ahead and switch things up a bit when you plan your next quilt and start with the border fabric.  Happy quilting!

Beautiful Coventry Garden Tulips in your favorite colors combines easy piecing and applique.  Your garden will bloom soon!

Just one Tantalizing Tulip, but that’s all it takes to brighten our day, just one.  Pull out your bright scraps and applique this art deco type flower.

Another lone bloom, Tender Tulip looks romantic and graceful.  Thoughtful selection of your background fabric makes this a dynamic little quilt.  Finishing at 9″ x 12″, it’s just right for a hostess gift, Easter gift, or “just because” gift.

Tulip Festival is shown with a light background, but it would also look great with vibrant colored flowers on a dark background.  This wallhanging finishes at 36″ square.

Here’s a quick project that you’ll be able to finish before the real tulips show up.  A pre-printed, pre-colored design Heirloom Tulips just needs embroidery to be finished.  The size is 4″ x 5″.

Enjoy stitching your spring garden.