School’s winding down and summer’s drawing near—it’s time to celebrate dads and grads! Do you want to shower a special dad or grad with a handmade quilt this year? Or maybe you know a dad and a grad who need spoiling. That’s a lot of quiltmaking ahead…isn’t it?
Not when you have that special something in your quilting toolbox: a go-to quick quilt pattern.
Every quilter needs a go-to pattern—one you can whip up in a weekend (or less)—with a simple but eye-catching design that will be appreciated by anyone who receives it.
From the dorm room to the man cave, today’s roundup will inspire you to sew a quick quilt that dads and grads alike will love. Make one or two—these designs are ready for double duty!
3. “Filmstrip” from Think Big by Amy Ellis. This squares-and-rectangles-only quilt stitches up super quick—just ask Marketing Coordinator Mary Burns. Mary whipped up this fun quilt (below right) during a weekend retreat to give to her niece, who’s graduating from UCLA film school. Perfect, huh?
Go with fresh, flowery fabrics for a modern yet feminine quilt, or try cream and tan prints against a darker neutral backdrop for a guy quilt. BONUS: Amy includes cutting charts to make this quilt in no less than five different sizes—take your pick.
“Filmstrip” quilt
2. “Fire Island” from Beyond Neutral by John Q. Adams. Our Publisher and Chief Visionary Officer, Jennifer Keltner, transformed John’s brightly colored quilt design by envisioning a black-and-white version for her cousin’s teenage son (below right). You’ll love the freedom John gives you in the pattern to “eyeball” the sewing—you’ll be zooming along that much faster.
“Fire Island” quilt
1. “Rows of Bricks” from Skip the Borders by Julie Herman. Make it big or small, go girly or manly, feature novelty fabrics or simple splashes of color—this stress-free design is the perfect quick quilt! Senior customer service representative Cornelia used Julie’s pattern to make a music-themed quilt for a school-band fund-raiser (below right). We think it turned out great—and when you skip the borders, you’re already skipping ahead toward the finish line.
“Rows of Bricks” quilt
Pick up the print or digital versions of these fun books today—we guarantee you’ll find even more go-to quick quilt patterns to add to your quilting toolbox!
Dads or grads (or both): who will you be celebrating this year? Tell us in the comments!
P.S. Our coverage of Quilt Market begins this Thursday! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest buzz.
Oh my gosh! I love every one of these quilts. I have Dads AND Grads this year. I also make "babies at risk" quilts and these patterns would be a great quick choice for those.
—Patty on May 12, 2015No dads or grads, but the quilt queue is filled for a few friends and babies plus multiple donations. Rows of Bricks is a good pattern for many different colorways and fabric styles currently in my stash, and offers great opportunities to play with machine quilting in the rows and in the sashing.
—Jane on May 12, 2015No dad, no grad. this year unless I have request. Thought about having a contest to see if I can get a student to design a new idea using a very complex grid, then who I chose I will make him or her a quilt for their graduation next year or the next. The art teacher thought that who be wonderful idea for design.
—Linda Christianson on May 12, 2015I am blessed to have two kids who are graduating college on the same day from two different schools in different states. At least we will be together for Fathers Day, I hope!
—Tammy on May 12, 2015I Love the "Filmstrip" quilt and am in process of making one. I’m using fabric from my stash and will be very scrappy, but will look real neat too. Am sashing it in black…love this pattern!
—Jeanette S on May 12, 2015I’m planning on making the black and white version of Fire Island ( with some splashes of color) for my sister’s teenage grandson.
Thanks for the inspiration!
—Linda Fleming on May 12, 2015Granddaughters graduation this year.
—Barbara on May 12, 2015Celebrating Grad – 1st Grandchild from High School.
—Dawn Smolsky on May 13, 2015No celebrations this year. More time to quilt.
—Diana O. on May 13, 2015I have two granddaughters graduating from high school in June. Plus two promoting from jr to sr hi, one from elemetary to jr hi and one starting kindergarten. And, one has a bridal shower May 30 in preparation for her 9/19 wedding. One grandson turns 13 on 5/17, And hubby turns 70 on 5/22, so we have a lot to celebrate.
—Barbara Winkler on May 13, 2015