Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Writing The Wedding - Book 8 of The Quilt Ladies Collection

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The writing of book 8 was so much fun for me. I planned a wedding and did not have to answer, ask or tell anyone, why or what I wanted. From the simpleness of the day, to the family and friends. It is what I hope my day was about, many years ago.

Book 8 of the Quilt Ladies The Wedding

 
At the time of book 8's writing, we lived in Windom, Minnesota. A VERY long way from home and I had some long days and even longer nights. Son #2 was in high school, working, sports and always busy,
Husband had his first retail store and worked 24/7.

And I wrote, The wedding was on.....
I wrote, ate and dreamed of nothing but a wedding, for months and months.
Then came the quilt.
It was overwhelming, everything I've always wanted in a quilt.
This one was designed and done for me, no one else, just me.

There are 12 blocks,  machine pieced and hand appliqued with
vines and leaves.

wedding quilt patternwedding quilt patternred and white quilt made as a wedding quiltwedding quilt pattern and story

The Wedding





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I am the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection
and Little Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns

Monday, July 28, 2014

My First Quilt - Hand Quilted

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This is my first quilt and I had no idea where quilts would take me ! This quilt is OVER 30 years old ! 

simple square quilt

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In the early 80's we moved to Burlington, Iowa, it's in the southeastern corner of the state on the Mississippi River and yes, I learned how to spell Mississippi.


simple square blocks in a color quilt

I had done some blocks, some pillows and then I saw in the paper a class being hosted by the local quilt group. I remember it being expensive and how I agonized over it for days. but finally signed up.
The teacher was "Liz Porter" at the time she worked for one of the magazines, Better Homes maybe, but is was a wonderful day and I learned so much.

simple square blocks in first quilt

It was a color graduation class which meant nothing to me at the time, looking at the quilt today I didn't get the whole idea. Liz brought letters to add to each quilt to identify, I used my initials.

simple square blocks in first quilt
Hand quilting was so relaxing to me, I had no frame, just a dining room table, pinned it very well and quilted. I checked out library books on how to do everything. The quality of books we have now is crazy different from then.
how to make your first quilt

I was approached to join the quilt group after the class. I think I was a rarity in the group a "new" member. I remember being laughed at when they saw my round corners on the quilt. I love these corners.This is my quilt, I curl up under it daily, it's washed all the time and it's just over 30 years old. It's never looked better. 

The Quilt Ladies NOW on Kindle and NOOK
The Quilt Ladies Book



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I am the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection
and Little Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

14 Years of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection

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How The Quilt Ladies Started

bethanndoing.com
It seems like a dream, but it's happened ! 

14 years of My Quilt Ladies


The Quilt Ladies idea came to me about 1995. I was working at the Sioux City, Iowa, Public Library and a mother of a little girl came up to me and asked, "Do you have anything like this for me?" she was holding up a popular children's book, that is presented in a series way.  Our library had nothing. For days after she left I had it in my head. I could do it. I love writing and I love quilting. I put them together and what I have is The Quilt Ladies Book Collection. 

how to make a quilt in book form with quilt pattern

On the Left: First book, printed in 2000 at home.
On the Right: taken to copy editor, book designer and a printer

I sold the first 3 titles (as on the left) of The Quilt Ladies Collection at quilt show, craft fairs, any place that I thought they would sale. Added books one at a time. 

So, HERE I am.....14 years later, 12 of "The Quilt Ladies Books" and the Quilt pattern Books, "Little Quilt Ladies" 

The Best Kind of DREAM, they do come true ! 


~ Thank you all for your support and friendship ~ 

It would have never happened without you ! 

Again, Thank you ! 



If you have a DREAM 
DREAM HUGE and START NOW! 

From Dream to Reality is my process

Nothing happens overnight or even over months, but start ! 

Start dreaming, start savings, start hoping, start planning and enjoy the process.

If I can do it, you can.



and Little Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns

Monday, July 21, 2014

Tote Bag Tutorial

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Years ago I worked at the public library in Sioux City, Iowa. They had wonderful canvas bags for the home delivery patrons and I based my pattern on what I remember about them.

how to make a tote bag tutorial

This post is large with LOTS of pictures and it's all here on ONE day !

nine patch quilt block

Cut 18 squares  assortment of colors – 2 ½” x 2 ½”
Lay fabric and sew into 2, 9-patch squares

how to make a tote bag tutorial

Cut 2 lining fabrics for pockets – 6 ½” x 6 ½”

make a tote bag tutorial

Put patchwork and lining good side to good side and sew with a 1/4” seam allowance across the top of the patch work.
Fold lining back press, and

how to make a tote bag tutorial

Top stitch along the edge just sewn.

tote bag tutorial

Cut 1 piece of fabric -  35” x 14”
Cut 1 piece of fabric – 35” x 3”
Sew together to form the bag.

how to make a tote bag tutorial

Cut 1 Batting 35” x 17”
Layer, batting and bag. Lay flat and press if needed. This is the time to quilt your bag, by hand or by machine.


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I machine straight stitched mine.


Trim bag to = 34” x 16”

how to make straps for a tote bag

Cut 2 strips for the handles – 3” x 54”
Cut 2 strips of batting for handles – 1” x 54”
Press one edge of the handle in ¼” and the other edge press down 1” .


how to make a tote bag tutorial

Insert batting and fold fabric over, add top stitching.
how to make a tote bag tutorial


Lay the bag out and place pockets, measure as shown above,
Measure pockets in place, fold the pocket down and pin, sew with ¼” seam allowance.




Fold back up and press.


adding straps to a tote bag

Add handles, making sure they do not cross, pin and top stitch. Stop stitch about 2 inches from the top. Do both pockets.


tote bag tutorial





Extend handles out of the bag and fold the bag in half. Sew along the bottom and side seam.



Fold the bottom edge over to form a triangle, Sew side to side, trim. Do both sides.




Cut lining, 34” x 16” and fold lining in half and sew along the bottom and side, leaving 2-3 inches open to turn bag right side out.



Fold the bottom edge over to form a triangle, Sew side to side, trim. Do both sides.



Turn bag with the batting on the outside, insert lining good side to good side. Sew to the top edge using ¼” seam allowance.



Pull bag right side out,

Press top edge and top stitch.  Hand sew the lining opening closed.



how to make a tote bag tutorial

Add top stitching across the handles to hold them secure.





The Quilt Ladies Finished Tote bag.


tote bag tutorial



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I am the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection
and Little Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Free 4-Patch Quilt Tutorial for a Table Topper

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4-Patch Table Topper Pattern for YOU 

hot to make a Four-patch quilt block free pattern


Four-patch quilt block free pattern
Table Topper finished size 29" x 34"

Cut 80 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares
Piece together to form a 4-patch block



Four-patch quilt block free pattern

You will have 40 - 2-patch blocks

four patch quilt block tutorial

Open up the 2-patch blocks, press the seam to the 
dark fabric side
and add another 2-patch


How to make a Four-patch quilt block free pattern

Matching up the seams, open to check and 
make sure before sewing




You will have 20 - 4-Patch blocks
how to make a four patch quilt block



After the 20 - 4-patch blocks are finished, 
lay them out as you would like them


quilted table topper
5 down and 4 across

Four-patch quilt block free pattern

This is the sashing and border fabric I thought ! 
But, I didn't like it.  I wanted something for our dining room to use all year long.

how to match fabric for borders

matching fabric for borders on a quilt


So, I pulled out fabric until I found what I liked, 


match fabric for quilt borders

This is the one ! (for me) do what YOU like 

Cut 49 - 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" sashing 

matching quilt fabric

Cut 30 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"  corner blocks

red and white four patch quilt blocks

Stack your rows up and move to sewing table, I don't have a felt wall, so I use my dining
room table to lay things out. 

red and white quilt blocks

Sew a 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip to each end and in between 
each in the row


Sew 6 rows as shown above, 4- 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" strips and 5- 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares. 

how to make a Four-patch quilt block free pattern

Sew the rows together 
Four-patch quilt block free pattern for a table topper

table topper made of four patch quilt blocks


Cut 2 Sashing color - 26 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Sew to the left and right sides

Make the corners
Cut 4 Dark Color - 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
Cut 4 Dark Color - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
 Cut 4 Red - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
sew together 1 dark and 1 red,
sew dark 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" on

Cut 2 Sashing Color - 21 1/2" x 4 1/2" 
Sew to the top and bottom of the table topper
Four-patch quilt block free pattern
Finished size is
34" x 29"

Beth Ann Strub is a Quilter,
Quilt Designer, Book Author, Painter, Wife, Mother and Grandma

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