Publisher: Amy Barrett-Daffin
Creative Director: Gailen Runge
Acquisitions Editor: Roxane Cerda
Managing Editor: Liz Aneloski
Editor: Beth Baumgartel
Technical Editor: Linda Johnson
Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek
Production Coordinator: Zinnia Heinzmann
Production Editor: Jennifer Warren
Illustrator: Kirstie L. Pettersen
Photo Assistants: Gregory Ligman and Kaeley Hammond
Photography by Estefany Gonzalez of C&T Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted
Published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
Dedication
Photo by Nickell Photography
To David, the love of my life, who has never complained about late-night sewing marathons, stepping on pins in the carpet, or the house being disastrous because I was too busy sewing. Thank you for letting me be me.
To my children, Ella, Ryan, and Sally: You are my everything. Thank you for being understanding when you leave the house covered in thread, when you have to hold quilts for photographs, and when I forget to pick you up from school because Im sewing.
To Mufasa, the best cat in the whole world. Youve been by my side every step of the way. Actually, youve been in my way: on the cutting mat, on my sewing chair, and on the quilt Ive just basted!
To my quilty Instagram friends, thank you for supporting, encouraging, and humoring me.
To Jesus, the source of my strength and who I can do all things through.
To God, the ultimate creator, the giver of all good gifts, and the source of my inspiration.
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Riley Blake Designs: You took a chance on me years ago, and I have loved our relationship. Thank you for letting me work with your amazing fabric.
Thanks to Moda Fabrics + Supplies and Cotton + Steel for allowing me to sew with your fabrics.
Thank you to Hobbs Bonded Fibers for graciously letting me use your batting in my quilts.
Thank you to my sweet friend Kaylene Parry, who quilted each of my quilts.
To my friend Tina, who believed in me when I didnt believe in myself.
Finally, thank you to C&T Publishing for supporting me and bringing my quilts to life.
Introduction
My quilt journey began twenty years ago when I attended a womens church activity. We were each to make a small wallhanging that included a center theme fabric with several border strips. While I was sewing my borders, the woman in charge exclaimed, Ladies, your seams look fabulous! I looked down at my seams only to realize they were far from fabulousmore like disastrous! She was not talking about me. I could have been easily discouraged by this experience and vowed to never quilt again. Instead, I felt an awakening inside myself and wanted more. I purchased quilting books (because YouTube wasnt invented yet) and lots of fabric. I made quilt after quilt, making every mistake along the way but also learning a great deal in the process. I became excited by the creative process and began to dream in quilt designs!
Playful Precut Quilts is my way of sharing the creative process with you! Ive created fifteen quilts based on 12 blocks that give you the opportunity to add your personality, customize for any occasion, and let you mix and match blocks and settings. Each project in this book is made with 12 blocks, and you can swap any of them! Each block is versatile because a variety of fabrics suits all the patterns. My sincere desire is that this becomes your go-to book when you want to make a table runner for your friends birthday, a baby quilt for your newborn niece, or a throw quilt for your parents anniversary.
Quilting brings me joy, and I hope it brings you joy as well. Wherever you are on your quilt journeywhether this is your first quilting experience or youve been quilting for 40 yearsembrace the creative process! Let your personality shine through in what you make.
Fabric Precuts, Backing, and Batting
PrecutsA Quilters Best Friend
I find myself shopping at quilt shops most often when I dont have a specific project in mind. I go to be inspired, to see whats new, or because Im on vacation. Its often difficult to decide what to buy so I gravitate toward precuts. I can coordinate a stack of fat quarters in a snap or grab a precut bundle of 5 squares. I always make sure to choose coordinating yardage for a border or binding. If a pattern calls for precut squares or strips, you can always cut them from yardage yourself.
Quilting fabrics usually measure about 42 wide. All measurements in this book are based on 40-wide fabric to make sure that you have enough since fabric widths do vary. Width of fabric is abbreviated as WOF .
5 Precut Squares
Bundles of 5 squares, often called charm packs or 5 Stackers , are a brilliant invention. Within each bundle are a wide variety of fabrics, usually within a specific fabric line. You get a little taste of each fabric without having to purchase yardage.
2-Wide Precut Strips
Another handy invention is the precut strip bundle. These strips are sometimes referred to as Jelly Rolls or Rolie Polies . They measure 2 WOF, which is about 42. These are great for strip piecing and Log Cabinstyle quilts, and they can be cut to a wide range of sizes.
10 Precut Squares
Bundles of 10 squares, often called Layer Cakes or 10 Stackers , have the same variety as 5 bundles only they are larger. These larger pieces allow for even more versatility. They can be cut into quarters to equal 4 squares 5 5, cut into 2 strips, or cut evenly into 2 squares.
Fat Quarters
Because a wider piece of fabric is often better than a skinny piece of fabric, quilters invented the fat quarter. A fat quarter measures 18 22. Its still a yard of fabric, just the fat way! Quilt shops often cut them upon request. They are a great way to add to your stash when youre not sure what you are going to make. You can always cut them down to 5 squares, 10 squares, or 2 strips as a pattern requires. In this book, the width of a fat quarter is considered 21 and is abbreviated WOFQ .
