Checker Newsletter

Five Inch is a Cinch – and Pat Speth will show you why!  For those of you who weren’t around back then, Pat was the creative genius behind the five inch square craze.  The companies that produce them can call them anything they want – but originally, Pat called them “nickels”, and let’s give credit to the term and the woman who changed the industry!  Her books – and techniques – are classics, and should be a part of every pre-cut display.  Yes they are that good!

Item #B543T  Retail 27.95

Item #B653T  Retail $27.95

Item #PSD502  Retail $21.95

Her newest addition to this series – Nickel Quilts and Borders – is destined to be a classic too.  It includes several new quilts as well as instructions and possibilities for twenty borders!  Scrappy borders have always been one of her trademarks – and now she gives you the ability to design and create your own.

Item #PSD503  Retail $24.95

A picture is worth a thousand words – and in this case – that is especially true.  Enjoy this sneak peak into some of the patterns inside – and pay special attention to the scrappy pieced borders.  None of them are hard – but the add that AWE factor to all of these quilts!

Hickory Hills is a study in fabric placement.  Look how different the block pattern looks when she positions her dark, medium and light fabrics in different ways.  A churn dash block looks totally different – and what a fun way to work with stripes and plaids!  Running the inner border out to the edge on all sides adds a great backdrop to the four-patch border.

Steamboat combines half-square triangles with birds in flight to create a quilt that moves!  Again, Pat’s sense of color creates interesting secondary patterns that add interest to the quilt.  Sometimes I see pinwheels, sometimes I see quarter-square triangles, but always I see movement and fabrics I love!  The border looks like a combination of flying geese units and quarter-square triangles – you’ll have to buy the book to see how she did it!

Flying features my favorite border treatment.  I want to run up to my sewing room and grab every 30’s fabric I have and start cutting!  The tulip effect would be so striking on any floral or applique quilt as well.

But who doesn’t love baskets – and basket case is an adorable quilt that is great standing on its own – or is screaming for some appliqued flowers, embroidery, or machine quilting!  And, once again – look at that border!  It adds so much interest to the quilt – and that is why I love Pat’s books.  She does not just design great block designs – she finishes the job.  Her border designs add the awe factor to all of these quilts – and give you an opportunity to use up those scraps!  So start cutting…….