When I decided to learn to quilt I scoured books and magazines to find out which quilt blocks and techniques would be best for a beginner. I was quickly overwhelmed because I couldn’t decide which one would be best for me. It didn’t take long to figure out that making a sampler quilt might be the best choice. Samplers are the smorgasbord of the quilting world. You can practice making different blocks that give you lots of opportunities to try new techniques. From medallions to row quilts, samplers are the perfect playground for quilters.

We have a generous selection of sampler quilts in this issue —True North gives you a variety of techniques to try. Take a look at Blue Tango, Block Party, Home to Roost, Carnival and Friendly Farm for a range of sampler ideas, from traditional to modern settings. With a little planning, you can even take a block design from each of these projects to create your own sampler quilt design.

We also have a set of projects that feature handwork, with techniques near and dear to my heart. As we head into the warmer months it’s good to have a take-along project or two to keep us stitching as we visit friends and family. Hexed is perfect if you have always wanted to try English paper piecing. Bitty Baskets and Flora’s Garden Getaway are fun embroidery projects. Bloomin’ Botanicals is a pretty dose of applique.

Table of Contents

Projects

• True North (challenging): Enjoy a variety of techniques while making Sharon Tucker’s traditional medallion quilt
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Blue Tango (easy): Two simple blocks create magic in Pam Boswell’s classic quilt
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Block Party (intermediate): Pretty blocks large and small are featured in this charming design
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Home to Roost (easy): Rows of interesting blocks make up this cozy quilt
  • Download bonus material for this project.
  • Note: a correction is available at the errata page.
• Carnival (challenging): Scott Flanagan’s Feathered Star sampler makes an instant heirloom
• Friendly Farm (intermediate): Cheerful creatures abound in Margie Ullery’s collection of whimsical scenes
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Hexed (intermediate): Try English paper piecing and make this simple project
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Bitty Baskets (intermediate): Simple stitching takes center stage in Gail Pan’s dainty quilt
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Bloomin’ Botanicals (intermediate): Erin Russek’s applique medallion makes the perfect take-along project
  • Download bonus material for this project.
• Flora’s Garden Getaway (intermediate): Accent your stitching with creative coloring in this fun little wall hanging
  • Download bonus material for this project.

Articles

• One Block At a Time: Two Centuries of Sampler Quilts Learn more about the rich and varied history of sampler quilts
• Scarlet Sampler: A Labor of Love Diane Harris gives you a behind the scenes look at what it took to make this stunning quilt
• Teaching “Miss Baby” to Stitch Wendy Sheppard’s thoughts on teaching the next generation the joy of needle and thread

Departments

• From the Editor
• Sew to Speak
• Find Your Inspiration
• Schoolhouse Steps: Bias Strips for Applique
• Creative Spark
• Schoolhouse Steps: Squaring Up Applique Blocks
• Basic Lessons
• Addicted to Scraps: Diamond Tile
• Spotlight