Modern Art Quilters - Newsletter February 2023

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February 2023: CHARMED, I'm Sure In general I don't like, or buy, pre-cut fabrics. The "jelly roll" packs of strips don't seem too interesting, and "Layer cakes" (10-inch squares) are not as useful as they should be. And expensive! Yes, there are loads and loads and loads of free patterns out there for these types of presentations, but on the whole I like yardage, as it's flexible and you can make your own mixtures. I do, however, like charm squares (5-inch squares) - perhaps it's the name - the original "charm quilts" were made with each piece cut from a different fabric, with much swapping-between-friends, and that sort of game does rather appeal. You can, of course, cut your own 5-inch squares from your (undoubtedly large) stash, but the simple pleasure of a pack of nicely-cut squares is always a delight... So, here we have a lot of (mostly quite simple) ideas for your packs, I know you have one or two which you haven't had the heart to open.. Take the band off!! And I have made many simple and complicated quilts and cushions and bags and such from charm packs. The link to my (HH's) website below is for a wee quilt made last February when I was firmly snowed in (the snow-plough made an 8-foot high pile across the entrance to my drive)... Helen Howes and AicthBee Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: FLOATING STONES by Helen Howes, free charm pack project available on her website
This delightful miniature CHARMING TREES, made from beautiful OAKSHOTTcharm squares, is available to purchase on HH's website	Made from charm squares, the pattern for this five-piece sewing set, APEX, is available from AitchBee's website
Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!
	PICTURE PERFECT by Elena is a charm pack quilt pattern available to purchase on ETSY. We think this is a really marvellous way of using pictorial charm squares, or cuts from novelty prints, and would make a fantastic setting for an "I spy" quilt. So simple and yet so effective with the drop shadow making the individual Polaroids float beautifully. HH also found a video on YouTube showing another version of the Polaroid block and you can find that HERE
	TEXTILES EAST is back! This annual fair of all things textile will be open to all comers again and we will be there with THE MODERN ART QUILTERS ROADSHOW: Patterns & Kits, Hand-dyed Fabric & Threads, Demonstrations & Inspiration, Take-and-Make sessions. 11th & 12th February 10:30am to 5pm each day admission; £7 PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE: The Burgess Hall, One Leisure St Ives, Cambridgeshire. PE27 6WU
	We turn, once again, to our old favourite DIARY OF A QUILTER where blogger, Amy, has collected a whopping twenty-five charm pack quilt projects for your entertainment.
	MODA are famous for their pre-cut fabrics and always have an enormous range of charm packs on the market. This pattern appears on their Inspirations page, and we were fascinated to find out how it it comes out of charm squares, but it really does - we've checked! Moda also have lots of free patterns on their website, do have a look round while you are there.
	To pre-wash or not to pre-wash, that is the question. Personally I don't. Having said that I have felt the need to occasionally, when using fat quarters from a well-known budget supermarket (they shrink enormously - far more than good quality quilting fabric) and once when I wanted to use a red batik of unknown origin. Here MODA give us some interesting information on washing small pre-cuts including jelly rolls. I didn't think it would be possible - who knew?
	This is very modern looking charm quilt is SPLASHDOWN designed by Yvonne Aumann. Yvonne used one of the Zen Chic range of fabrics designed by Brigitte Heitland for, you guessed it, MODA, and this pattern is a freebie on Brigitte's website. I like every one of Brigitte's fabric ranges but Zen Chic has always been a favourite of mine.
	With Valentine's Day in the offing this month we thought we would share this simple charm square heart with you. (Links directly to the PDF pattern) This is one of many free downloads available from the FAT QUARTER SHOP who specialise in pre-cuts of all sizes but are, sadly, based in Texas, so not practical for ordering fabric from.

	Giant scrappy blocks are very on trend in quilting and these are ideal to make from charm squares. See this one and get lots of other inspiration on this month's PINTEREST board: CHARMED, I'M SURE

	This dynamic block is CROSSING POINTS by Helen Howes, an excellent way to make use of a charm pack. See the tutorial on Helen's website.
	This 'charming' random pixilation cushion is ONE HUNDRED by Helen Howes. The pattern for this is available free on the MODERN ART QUILTERS pattern pages. Lots of other free patterns and tutorials there too. Yes it really does contain a hundred pieces, cut from twenty-five charm squares, what a bit of fun!
	Three is the magic number! Another free charm pack project from HH. This is a detail of FLOATING STONES which we have also used as this month's header.
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February 2023: CHARMED, I'm Sure