Bernadette Kent - Rubies, Diamond and Garnets, Too ...: A Sparkling Block of the Month Quilt

Editor: Edie McGinnis Designer: Bob Deck Photography: Aaron T. Leimkuehler Illustration: Eric Sears Technical Editor: Jane Miller Photo Editor: Jo Ann Groves Published by: Kansas City Star Books 1729 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, Missouri, USA 64108 Acknowledgements Thank you to the Kansas City Star Quilts team that made this book possible. Eric Sears has brought clarity to the instructions through his wonderful graphic illustrations. Bob Deck added his special touch and made the pages look lovely. The photographic talents of Aaron Leimkuehler and Jo Ann Groves computer and photo editing skills added beauty to every page.

No one wants mistakes showing up in their books, and Jane Miller, our technical editor, has done her level best to keep that from happening. Lisa Kubat, thank you for finding the little stories and histories about the precious gems. Thanks, also, to my three lovely children Ashley Nicole, Colton Elliot and Taylor Graeme - they have learned patience waiting for me to just finish one more thing ... A special thank you to Doug Weaver, Diane McLendon and Edie McGinnis for giving me this opportunity. And the biggest thank you of all goes to my friend, Evelyn van der Heiden. Without her help and expertise, this book would never have made it to the printer.

Thank you, Evelyn! Bernadette Kent About the Author Bernadette Kent began quilting when a friend of hers, Lori Daoust, dropped by with a small project designed to keep Bernadette busy while she was home with her second child. At that time, Bernadette didnt know what a quilt was! Her three children, Ashley Nicole, Colton Elliot and Taylor Graeme, kept her busy shuffling them to gym meets, piano lessons, soccer games, and every other event they could dream up. While she waited for each child, she stitched. As she stitched, her love of quilting grew. The more she sewed, the better she became. In 1999, she opened a small quilt shop called Traditional Pastimes in Calgary, Alberta.

She has been designing quilts, bags and miniatures since 2001. If you love quilting, sewing, fiber arts & morejoin our email list for updates, special offers and discounts, author news, and the latest links to great freebies and giveaways! (Dont worry, we wont share your info with anyone.) http://www.ctpub.com/client/client_pages/newsletterB2C.cfm Introduction Rubies, diamonds and garnets they conjure up images of luxury, wealth and beauty and have been prized since biblical days. For centuries they have been used as gifts and tokens of love and respect. The breathtaking sparkle of diamonds and the deep, dramatic reds of rubies and garnets are appealing to people around the globe. We have a very emotional response to color. Red, in all its shades, is the color of passion, be it love, lust or hate.

While managing to be gender neutral, it holds great appeal to everyone because of its bold strength. Combine the visual appeal and forceful energy of red, toss in some white and you have the perfect combination of elements for a spellbinding quilt that, much like a perfect gemstone, will be handed down through generations. Rubies, Diamonds and Garnets, Too ... is offered in two versions. Both were designed to use a large variety of red scraps and white or cream backgrounds. The rule of thumb for selecting the reds was that it had to read as a definite red. The backgrounds were white to creamy white with a small red print; dots, checks, ditzies, shirtings, florals and stripes were used.

The large variety of fabrics was chosen to provide depth and interest to each quilt as well as to make one take a closer look and appreciate the individuality of each fabric. In the 13-block version of the quilt, there are 12 12-inch blocks blocks and one center medallion. This quilt was used as the 2013 Block of the Month in The Kansas City Star newspaper. The common thread that ran through the feature was reflected in the names of the blocks where little stories were told that related to gemstones and the occasions they are used. The larger quilt uses three large medallions and 24 12-inch blocks. Half of the smaller blocks and one of the medallions were used in the Block of the Month version.

Both quilts are stunning, so make one or both. Or chose your favorite blocks and make a version particularly your own. Youll love the end result! RUBIES, DIAMONDS and GARNETS, Too ... VERSION 1 The quilt was designed and stitched by Bernadette Kent, Calgary, Alberta, and quilted by Laura MacDonald, also of Calgary. FINISHED QUILT SIZE: 68" square Fabric Requirements 7 yards white fabric made up of: 4 yards of a variety of white prints for blocks yard for center medallion Fabric #3 (Cupids Arrow) 1 yards for sashing strip triangles yard for posts 7 yards red fabric made up of: 4 yards of a variety of red prints for blocks 1 yards for sashing strip triangles 1 yards for sashing strips yard for posts yard white print for binding 4 yards for backing ADDITIONAL SUPPLIESRetayne (We recommend you pre-wash all the fabrics in the project, separating the whites from the reds. When washing the reds, treat them with a colorfast solution such as Retayne. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for best results.) Terminology WOF = width of fabric HST = half-square triangle Note The letter and number in parenthesis (A1) denote the shape and fabric used in each block.

The letter designates the piece. The number designates the fabric. For best results, lay out all the pieces youve cut according to the diagram before you sew. Always use a " seam allowance for accuracy unless otherwise instructed. BLOCK 1 Facets BLOCK SIZE: 12 " unfinished A facet is a flat face on a geometric shape. Gemstones have many facets cut into them in order to improve their appearance.

They allow the light to reflect and give a sparkly look to the stone. Gem cutters strive for an ideal facet cutting that displays a pleasing brilliance, strong, colorful dispersion (or fire) and brightly colored flashes of reflected light that are called scintillations.Like people, gemstones have natural flaws that the gem cutter tries to remove or disguise when cutting the facets. In true love, each person brings out the best in the other and the natural flaws do not diminish the beauty within. Fabric Requirements Fabric #1: 6" x 14" (small red print) Fabric #2: 5" square (white on white print 1) Fabric #3: 5" square (50 50 print) Fabric #4: 5" x 9" (white on white print 2) Fabric #5: 8" square (red background with white print) Fabric #6: 8" square (white background with red print) A 50/50 print has equal amounts of red and white. Cutting Instructions Note: The letter and number in parenthesis (A1) denote the shape and fabric used in each block. The letter designates the piece. The number designates the fabric.

For best results, lay out all the pieces youve cut according to the diagram before you sew. Fabric #1: (A1) 1 4 " Square (B1) 2 3 " Squares - Cut in half once diagonally to make four triangles. Fabric #2: (B2) 1 3 " Square - Cut in half once diagonally to make two triangles. Fabric #3: (B3) 1 3 " Square - Cut in half once diagonally to make two triangles. Fabric #4: (B4) 2 3 " Squares - Cut in half once diagonally to make four triangles. Fabric #5: (C5) 1 7 " Square - Cut in half twice diagonally to make four triangles.