Tuesday, June 7, 2016

More Prairie Cactus

KT Winner

Congrats to:
DebMac-I really like the cactus flower projects-it's one of the patterns on my to do list.

You're the winner of our Prairie Cactus charm pack (as soon as I receive one!). Please send your mailing address to lynne@ktquilts.com. We'll send out your charm pack soon!

Thanks, ladies, for all your comments. It's just what I need in the morning to find my creative juice. Your support and enthusiasm are appreciated. 

  It's Almost Here!

I can feel it. The ground rumbling, the squeal of the brakes, the back door slamming. Wahoo! The UPS guy in brown shorts is here with boxes and boxes of Prairie Christmas precuts and bolts of fabric! Almost. Any day now we'll be receiving our new Christmas line for 2016. It's time to start thinking about your holiday quilting list. We're hoping you'll love what we've created for you this year.

As promised last week, here are more of the projects from our new Prairie Cactus book. With our new KT Diamond Templates, you can cut perfect diamond shapes from 2 1/2" Jelly Roll strips, 1 1/2" Honey Bun strips, yardage or scraps. By simply sewing the larger diamonds together end-to-end and alternating the pieced strips with a stripe background strip, you can stitch up this delightful lap quilt we call Candy Stripe. Doesn't it make you think of peppermint sticks and all sorts of Christmas candies? A KT Prairie Cactus Jelly Roll and 2 fabrics is all you need! How about this easy quilt in Me and My Sister brights? Can you see it?

Candy Stripe lap quilt (66" x 78")
We've reimagined one of our quilts that appeared in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine a few years ago as shining Christmas stars. A traditional Hunter's Star block is simplified with KT's Layered Patchwork Technique.
Cactus Stars lap quilt (66" x 78")
I cut the small 1 1/2" diamonds with our template off-grain, so none of the straight edges of the diamonds were on the straight grain of fabric. Not true 45 degree bias, but it works to prevent raveling of the exposed edges. Position the diamond on the corner of a triangle; glue the points in place with a Sewline glue pen (my favorite). Stitch about 1/8" from the cut edges of the diamond, as shown. Sew 2 triangles together for a layered bias square, then sew 4 layered bias squares together for the basic Cactus Stars block. Easy peasy!
Cactus Star block
The original Rustic Stars quilt is also offered as a bonus in the Prairie Cactus book and shows how fun it can be in non-Christmas prints. We chose 4 lights and 4 darks for a planned scrappy look featuring a Honey Bun for even easier cutting of the 1 1/2" diamonds. Kits are available soon for all the Prairie Cactus projects.

Rustic Stars lap quilt (68" x 80")

 For a quick and easy coordinate for your holiday home, make an extra 18" block for a classic pillow cover. I chose just 3 fabrics, but you could certainly utilize your scraps from any of the Prairie Cactus projects.
Prairie Cactus Pillow (18" square)
Do you visit our ktquilts.com website? Have you seen the fabric swatch charts I share for each fabric collection? Just print and save for easy reference for all your KT fabric shopping needs. Call KTQ (785-488-2120) and visit with Jamie or Robert or Joy anytime to order KT yardage ($10.50/yd everyday). We always encourage you to shop your local quilt store first, but we're here as back up if you need us.

Comment this week on your Christmas stitching plans to win a Prairie Cactus book. You'll be on your way to sewing up the holidays before 4th of July fireworks are done!


39 comments:

  1. so many great ideas...........so little time to complete them all. I saw a funny t-shirt on another blog yesterday. I said something like "I was put on the earth to sew and complete a certain number of things. I have so much fabric I will never die!" Hope it's true -another great reason to buy more fabric!
    (linesmary1@gmail.com)

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  2. Love the star pillow. I think I'll be making one for my Christmas gifts.

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  3. I'm planning some holiday dresden plate runners for Christmas gifts and also to teach that block to our quilt ministry group. Have you seen Lara Bucella's new book, Crafted Applique .. New Possibilities? I think her technique for non-fraying raw edge applique would be perfect for those Hunters Star blocks you've featured here.

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  4. I am making a Christmas table topper with a charm pack I found in my closet. Hard to believe that Christmas is only 6 months away. It will be here sooner than we think ;-)

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  5. I need inspiration for Christmas projects! Give me some ideas beloved Kannsas Troubles Queen!

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  6. The Hunter's Star has been on my "wish list to do quilts", so now the Rustic Stars lap quilt will be the one to fulfill that wish this year!

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  7. I really love the Hunter's Star quilt and the pillow. That's one quilt I do have on my list of quilts to make. I had not seen your version before so reading your post this morning definitely got my attention.

    Honestly, I haven't made a list of Christmas projects that I want to do yet this year. I do that every year and there's always something that happens to prevent me from making the things I wanted to do and then I start the year kicking myself. This year I know who I would like to sew things for as always, but I am skipping the list and will hopefully get things done.

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  8. I love stars. I want to to do a Christmas star quilt. Your hunters star would be an awesome project.

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  9. I am always in awe of your creativity. Such beautiful patterns and fabrics!

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  10. My only christmas stitching plans involve a tree skirt (and have for the last 4 or 5 years). I love your version of the hunter's star.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  11. I love the Hunters Star. You make everything look so effortless. I love the Candy Stripe too! It matches my name :-)

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  12. My son wants me to make Christmas stockings for his family (4) and then I want to make me a Christmas Quilt for my bed. Also plan to make some runners. Can't wait for Prairie Christmas fabrics!

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  13. Making a green and red Christmas for one daughter, and would love to make a Prairie Cactus quilt with Prairie Christmas fabrics for another one.

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  14. I'm making quilted placemats for both myself and my golf friend's wife. Every year I make her something small and she absolutely loves it and shows it to everyone who comes up o her house.

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  15. I'm working on several quilts right now that might end up as Christmas gifts. Other than that, I'd like to focus on smaller pieces-faster completion time.

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  16. Our first grandbaby is arriving 1st of November so I am thinking of a stocking for him. I have a lot of Christmas scraps so maybe layered patchwork made into a panel with a stocking cut from it. Or strings would work also....

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  17. I have no Christmas stitching plans yet.

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  18. I have one more wedding quilt to finish and then I get to start on my Christmas quilting. I enjoy making lap sized quilts for Christmas gifts. Last year I had started them in June now my start won't be until after July :/ I love the route you took for the Hunters Star. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  19. again another winner in my book. LOL I love the candy stripe quilt. Thanks.

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  20. I plan on getting a quilt done for my daughter and my husband for Christmas. I love your books and techniques!

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  21. I'm working on a couple of Halloween quilts right now and as soon as I finish them it's time to start on Christmas. I'm planning on several Christmas pillowcases for kids in the hospital and at least two Christmas quilts for my niece. Better get sewing, time is passing. Rina

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  22. I haven't planned any Christmas projects yet, but your star pillow looks like a good place to start!

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  23. I am finishing up a wall hanging of a tree that will serve as both Christmas and winter decor. After that I may just have to get your Prairie Cactus book to make that Candy Stripe lap quilt. I love it!

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  24. I have big plans for my xmas sewing but knowing me it'll be december before it start;-)

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  25. Love the Cactus Star blocks. I continue to be amazed at how you are simplifying these traditional blocks. Love them. I generally make PJs for my family for christmas. With nearly 40 to sew, I don't do a lot of other Christmas sewing and since I know I'll probably be doing them again, I don't plan a lot of other christmas projects. But I can see me making Cactus star pillows! They are special. Thanks.

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  27. Sewing for Christmas should begin now! I would love to make the Cactus Stars quilt! Just beautiful!

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  28. I am working on an embroidery project right now for Christmas. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  29. I can't choose between the Cactus Star and the original Rustic Star, so . . . . both??!?!?

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  30. OMG I love the Rustic Stars pattern! I'm putting that one on my to do list for sure!!

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  31. I had some plans and changed them when I saw the Cactus Star! So perfect for some on my gift list - including my brother in TX. Thanks!!

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  32. I absolutely love the Cactus Stars and Rustic Stars quilts! The Prairie Cactus pillow is gorgeous too..I must make one! I haven't planned any Christmas sewing yet so I guess I should probably start thinking about it as it will be here sooner than we think.

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  33. Not sure what I'll make for Christmas this year, but I'm sure I'll make a wall hanging with the Prairie Cactus line....maybe I can whip up one of the Prairie Women SC projects with it ----oooo, the gears are turning!!!!

    I already made 2 Rustic Star quilts in scrappy Americana and they were so much fun and sooo easy!!!!

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  34. Yes, I do visit your KT website every so often. Will you be doing any kits to make the star quilt and pillow? I'm really loving the idea of the pillow. I was thinking of making pillows with that pattern in different fabrics for different seasons for our coach and loveseat.

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  35. Love, love, love the new book! Can't wait to get started!

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  36. I see "stars" for Christmas. I am planning on making memories for each of my six children and five grandchildren

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  37. I´m working on several projects and hope to finish one of them for Christmas though I begin thinking on Christmas projects after Summer.

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  38. I am almost finished making my first Christmas gift - a table runner. Plus, I am making a Christmas quilt for myself. I have all the blocks made - still need to assemble. Lots of other plans but not started yet.

    Love, Love , love the rustic stars quilt. It just sparkles - well, like stars.

    Charlotte

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  39. I plan on sewing some table toppers for Christmas this year. I better get busy!!! I love your patterns and fabrics!!!! midwayfarms@hughes.net

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