Quick Guide to: Trace ‘n Create Templates by Faith Essenburg
This week I have been playing with templates from Clover called Trace ‘n Create Quilt and I just had the most fun with them. I decided on both projects that I would make pillow covers and although similar in make and form they came out totally different and I love each one! I started with the Lone Star Collection and a stack of Anna Maria Horner fabrics.
Lone Star Template
I have never worked with quilt block templates before and was pleasantly surprised to find such detailed instructions and outlines for several block sizes and ideas. From color coded lines for sizes to grain line markings and finished quilt block sizes, you can’t go wrong.
The Lone Star block consists of three shapes sewn together and repeated to create this traditional block. With four block sizes to choose from you can make anything from a sweet mug rug to a full quilt made up of Lone Star blocks or even a wall hanging or baby play mat or table topper. Again, endless options!
For this pillow I decided to go BIG and went with a 24 inch block and I just love the look of this over sized statement piece. I paired these older prints with a beautiful white linen for a Boho feel and added a golden yellow stitch to each starburst.
With all the details in the instructions it made for a rather flawless quilt block which I love! My points don’t usually line up this well and it makes for a beautiful finish.
For my pillows I try to keep the backs as simple as possible by overlapping two fabrics by about 4-6 inches (more for bigger pillows like this one) and placing my finished front panel face down on the fabric and cutting to size. I sew a simple folded edge on the fabric piece that will be on the outside and that is it! Use your Wonder Clips to hold your pillow sandwich in place and sew around all sides. Makes for the perfect easy gift or quick way to update a room with the changing seasons.
Carefree Curves Template
The second pillow I made used the Carefree Curves Collection which has almost endless options for quilt blocks using curves. I decided to go with the most basic for starters.
A solid circle on a larger square block that is appliqued by machine. Both of these templates and instructions come with helpful tips from Nancy Zieman and I believe would be perfect for a beginning quilter as well as fun for a more experienced maker.
This pillow is made up of four 8 inch blocks for a perfect 16 inch pillow cover. I added hand stitching in brown and pink floss for some added detail.
While there are many ways to applique shapes down, my newest one is this tacking method that is almost invisible using one of the settings on my machine. Sometimes it’s just fun to play around with the stitches and settings until you find something you like.
Again, with so many options in each of these template sets you have something to keep on hand for future projects, tips and ideas. I will keep these in mind for my next quilting ideas.
A few other tools that made these projects go so smoothly are my go-to Clover products;
Water Erasable Marker, Roll & Press, 28mm Rotary Cutter and the Point 2 Point Turner. It’s the little things that make the difference!
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