Here is the story of my little quilt!
For a long time I had been admiring the beautiful Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes by Moda (love the cake references!) and drooling over their loveliness!
Let me explain about Layer Cakes and Jelly Rolls for fabric newbies like myself!
Normally you buy quilting fabric in measures known as Quarters and Fat quarters (there's a lot of new lingo to learn!!) you then choose your own fabrics, colours, patterns etc and work out how much fabric you need for your quilt.
What Moda have done is to create bundles of their co-ordinating fabrics in set amounts- so they have taken a lot of the guess work out the fabric process, which is welcome for a beginner like myself. Also the selection of colours in each bundle is just divine!
I found this MUCH easier to get my brain around!
Charm Packs are 5"x5" squares (42 squares in a pack)
Jelly Rolls are strips 2.5" x 45" (40 in a pack)
Layer Cakes are 10" x 10" squares (42 in a pack)
To make things even easier for new quilters like me there are several BEAUTIFULLY illustrated books out that give you patterns or recipes (to stick with Moda's baking theme!). Search Amazon.co.uk for 'Jelly Rolls' to see how many are available:
What made my drooling worse was visiting the LUSH Moda Blog that had all their wares laid out in all their beauty, so last month I finally decided to stop procrastinating and I ordered the Happy Campers Charm Pack (5x5" squares) and a Happy Campers Layer Cake Pack (10x10" squares).
Next time I actually start sewing *gulps*
Love GlitteryKatie xxXxx
This is my new craft to learn. I've been thinking about it for 3 years now. Perhaps I too should jump in!
Posted by: Sarah | January 07, 2010 at 08:50 AM
have you read the elmcreek quilters novels
http://www.elmcreek.net/ they have a lot of quilting in them as well as lovely stories. Must admit they are as close as I got to quilting over last 3 years.
Posted by: helena | January 07, 2010 at 09:37 AM
Wow that all looks wonderful. I have alot of 4x4 squares that were samples of fabrics. Had them for years now and only managed to mage cushion covers with them, but they do look fab.
Posted by: Julia | January 07, 2010 at 09:43 AM
I tried my hand at quilting & made two quilts and a really quick dolls quilt. I did experience some frustration-ish moments at the start of this new craft and journalled the process on my blog if you're interested.
http://6ichthusfish.typepad.com/6ichthusfish/quilting_efforts/
Mandy
Posted by: mandy | January 07, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Clear out a large space somewhere in your house because you'll need it for your new fabric stash! I love paper crafts but fabric/sewing is my first love. I look forward to seeing your quilt.
Elaine
Posted by: Elaine | January 07, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Those fabrics are gorgeous. I feel another addiction coming on! I look forward to seeing the quilt in progress.
Posted by: joy aitman | January 07, 2010 at 01:50 PM
Lovely lovely lovely. How very exciting, and just love the name Happy Campers, very evocative isn't it?
Good luck.
E
xx
Posted by: Eleanor | January 07, 2010 at 06:28 PM