When creating One Block Wonder or Stack n’ Whack designs, there are clever methods to preview your fabric motifs and see multiple repeats. I frequently use a set of hinged Quilter’s Design Mirrors when designing with multiple cuts and repeats for projects such as Lone Stars, Quick Stars, Kaleidoscopes, Mariner’s Compass, hexagonal designs, etc.

A quick method to determine whether a fabric will be suitable for your “fussy cut” technique is to lay the template shape (in this case, a 60-degree triangle−sold in several sizes) on the printed fabric, and position the mirrors at one tip of the triangle.

A repeated hexagon is magically created! The reflected image is not exactly the way it will appear when physically cut, but does give you a good idea whether you’ll like the visual effect of that particular fabric before cutting. An unsuitable print won’t be exciting−save that fabric for another project.

Here are some examples of the same 60-degree triangles−on the left, the mirror image and on the right, six identical cuts from the same image (also known as “fussy-cut”). Both versions are enticing! However, if your printed yardage doesn’t have mirror-image motifs, you will not be able to create the images on the left.

The combinations below are the same triangles; each combination is rotated to view a different tip in the design center.

Here is a great small quilt, the pattern is available in my book Quick Star Quilts & Beyond, featured in different fabrics in the book.

To create this quilt, I first lay out the fabric, and place a diamond ruler over the printed motifs. Position a hinged pair of Quilter’s Design Mirrors at one pointed tip to preview how 8 repeats would look. Remember, you are seeing a mirror image, so the finished design would not look exactly the same unless the fabric itself had mirror-image motifs.

Once you decide which area you’ll cut from, trace the larger shapes (from the fabric) onto the surface of the Fussy Cutter 45-degree diamond ruler. You do NOT want to outline on the surface with the printed ink (the bottom). Draw on the smooth, unprinted surface (the top) using a permanent marker such as a Sharpie or Ident-i-pen. Rotary-cut 8 identical diamonds—repositioning the ruler each time, locating the next printed shape.

Create a template using the pattern in the back of the Quick Star Quilts & Beyond book. Layer the fabric wrong sides together, and cut 8 pairs of background wedges through both layers. Note, when the pieces are separated, right side up, you should have 8 pieces angled one direction, and 8 identical mirror-image pieces angled the opposite direction.

Assemble the star with the background wedges, as described in the book. Applique the large star with circular background wedges over a simple square with mitered borders from the companion fabrics of choice.

I’m having so much fun sewing quilts and small items for the home with these fabrics!! For you lucky quilters who visit Houston this year, please watch for the Timeless Treasures booth, and see the quilts in person!

The first quilt, Glowing Jewels, features the three gradient fabrics: pink, blue and green. I LOVE working with gradients – because each ordinary piece is shaded, and no two pieces are shaded the same way. This is a free pattern I have designed for Timeless Treasures. I’ll upload the link once it is available.

Glowing Jewels – 2011 by Jan Krentz

The next quilt is a great Starburst variation – similar to the great big Starburst I made from the Michael James collection of fabric, called Colorstripes. (see the quilt and pattern in my book, Quick Star Quilts).  I designed this pattern so you can strip-piece the 3″ strips of fabric, rather than cut individual diamonds. Once the pattern is available, I’ll be sure to let you know that link, too!

Hollyhock Garden Starburst quilt – 2011 by Jan Krentz

Please let me know what you think of the quilts and projects! Thanks!

I was thinking of ideas for Market in a few weeks in Houston. What if the fabrics were used around the house – let’s say as kitchen or dinner table items? Aprons, table runner, placemats, napkins? Use any pattern you have on hand, or patterns purchased at the local quilt shop.

With the expertise of my friend, Betty Alofs, the fabrics are transformed! Betty made reversable napkins with a mitered border on one side – very classy. The table runner is a great pattern by Karen Montgomery of The Quilt Company, called “The Easy Striped Table Runner”.  Comments, anyone??

Betty Alofs' quilting (detail)

Karen Montgomery's "Easy Striped Table Runner" design, sewn by Betty Alofs

There are three companion prints that coordinate with the Hollyhock Garden collection. They include a small dot, a blended painterly stripe, and a gradient blend. I am really happy with the different companion prints, as they work with the collection, and are useful on their own.

Working with the gradient fabrics by themselves have also been fun – and the projects have been very artistic and contemporary! Click on any of the images for a larger view.

I am delighted to tell you about my new fabric collection! The designs were inspired by the old-fashioned Hollyhocks seen growing along the fences in most gardens. In our area, hummingbirds are a common sight, as they flit from flower blossom to blossom. You can preview the entire collection here on Timeless Treasures’s website:   Hollyhock Gardens

I am also working on some great designs that I’ll post in the coming days! Ask your local quilt shop to carry the collection. The colors are bright and cheery, with a range of pieces that will also blend into the stash you currently own.

There are four floral / leaf prints: an all-over leaf in dark greens (suitable for background, or fussy-cutting the leaves for applique), a small-scale pink tossed Hollyhock flower print (great, bright color – the blossoms could also be used as petunias, or hybiscus if you embroidered their distinctive stamen). The leaf and flower sizes are about 1-1/2″ to 2″ in these prints.

The second pair of prints are larger scale – about 1-1/2″ to 3-1/2″ in size. The large hollyhock print features teal blue hummingbirds here & there, and the matching border has 4 repeats, selvage to selvage. The images are so pretty! They are perfect for fussy-cutting as applique motifs, or cutting large chunks for easy piecing!