Cathey's Crazy Quilts

Let it Snow

2008-09-18T09:58:00.001-07:00

Cozy new fabric collection from Benartex: Check out the patterns that look like knit scarves! Snow Show.

Feels Like FALL

2008-09-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Feel that little bite of autumn in the evening air? How about a beautiful new quilt to cozy up with in front of a cheery fire. All that is missing is a good book and hot toddy.

Free Pattern from Clothworks. Highlighting the Leaf Symphony collection by Cedar West.

DayDream Believer

2008-05-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

After a really long, wet & cold winter it appears we may have missed most of spring and will be diving right into summer. C'est La Vie. I'm happy to see the sunshine, finally. Here's a lovely free pattern for either a wallhanging or quilt that is capturing my mood for the time being: Daydream Believer, from Moda Fabrics, featuring their Daydreams collection.

Earth Day Ideas

2008-04-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

It's a well known fact that quilters are the ultimate fabric recyclers. But if you'd like to take it a step further, here are some "green" ideas:

Michael Miller Organics Free Pattern here Organic Garden. Here's their retail store locater.

Here in the Pac. NW we're seeing a lot more eco-friendly cloth tote bags in grocery stores, intended to replace those flimsy plastic bags that are destined to end up floating around the Pacific or in landfills for generations. Bonus - they're a heck of a lot sturdier, too! Marcus Fabrics has a great, simple & easy project to make your own, using eco-friendly canvas fabrics, too!

If you'd like to support other eco-friendly artists, here's a fabulous Etsy shop we recently found: Organic Quilt Company.

No Time to Quilt?

2008-04-02T16:59:00.001-07:00

Why not take a week and visit a fantastic Montana dude ranch while you're at it! Send the hubby to do some fly fishing, and the kids to do some horseback riding while you work on that project you've never been able to finish... Annual Cowgirl Quilt Retreat in Aug/Sept. at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch.

Free Mary Engelbreit Quilt Pattern

2008-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

From Moda fabrics: Friends & Flowers You can buy the fabric direct from Engelbreit's web store. Or buy the Quilt Kit!

12 Days of Christmas Fabric

2008-03-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

I know, Easter's barely over but it's never too early to think of Christmas quilts! 12 Days of Christmas panel & fabric collection by Nancy Halvorsen, from Benartex.

Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter fabric collection

2008-03-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Here's an Easter-inspired free pattern called "Alphabet Garden" showcasing Quilting Treasures' latest Peter Rabbit fabric collection.

Click here for fore Peter Rabbit books, gifts, toys etc

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2008-03-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here's some Irish inspiration for you today from Advanced Embroidery Designs. They've got some gorgeous Celtic embroidery designs here (and others), and recommend Time for a Chain: The Irish Chain Updatedif you're serious about making Irish Chain quilts.

Another good Irish Chain book is: Irish Chain in a Day;

And in honor of Mom, who's on a kick against all cheap plastic toys made in China.....how about using some of your scraps to make these adorable fabric Easter Eggs?

Underground Railroad Quilt Code: Fact or Myth?

2008-03-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

It's March 15th - National Quilt Day! To honor the event Mom & I wanted to share some fascinating quilt folklore. According to a National Geographic article, Two historians claim that certain quilt patterns may have held a code to help runaway slaves navigate the Underground Railroad. Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad

More info on the meaning of particular patterns, here.

But not everyone is convinced the "quilt code" is fact. There hasn't been much in the way of actual evidence to corroborate the oral history that the book was based on. But it's an inspiring story, nevertheless. And coincidentally sells a lot of patterns and quilting supplies. Which probably has a lot to do with why the story stays alive.

Free Pattern of the Week!

2008-03-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Marrakesh Tiles from Michael Miller Fabric.

All about Charm Quilts

2008-03-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting history of the charm quilt pattern. Also known as "Old Feller", "Beggar" and most recently, "Millenium" quilts. Essentially, there aren't supposed to be any repeating fabrics anywhere on the quilt. However tradition has it that mothers would often intentionally repeat one single pattern somewhere random so that sick, bedridden children could entertain themselves (in the days before TV, of course) looking for the matching "pair".

Above is a modern charm quilt by Priscilla Bianchi "Cool Attitude"

Get your other charm quilt patterns here

Butterfly Quilt

2008-03-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

Cute pattern from Joann:

Quilts for Soldiers

2008-03-04T10:20:00.001-08:00

Here's a heartwarming story about a Wisconsin Grandma who makes quilts for soldiers . Snip:

A seamstress since the days when sewing machines were a household staple, Delores has created more than 200 quilts to cover and comfort U.S. military men and women serving overseas.

"One young man e-mailed me to tell me it was so cold up in the mountains all they had to cover up with were the liners from their ponchos," Delores recalled. "They are all so grateful for a little warmth from home."

It seemed like a natural thing to do with all the piles of leftover material Delores had stacked up around the house — odds and ends saved through the years that left the grandmotherly senior asking herself "What am I going to do with all this?"

The twin-bed sized quilts she fashions with love are stuffed with mattress pads she finds at places like Goodwill and St. Vincent De Paul, and tied together with pieces of yarn the old-fashioned way.....

Through the years, Delores has heard back from dozens and dozens of soldiers telling her that her quilts are "awesome." She hears stories from them about nearly empty supply headquarters overseas, and the need for things like underwear, socks and sheets.

Several times each week, the 87-year-old searches the Website Anysoldier.com for a list of troops and units looking for supplies.

"I've also been asked to make baby quilts for children in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan. I'm glad to help," she said.

How NOT to Quilt

2008-03-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Just in case you husband wants to start helping you quilt. Make him watch this, first! Buck's guide to quilting.

No Time to Quilt?

2008-02-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

Check out these QuiltCruises.... how would you like to check out quilt shops in Russia or Scandinavia?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

2008-02-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

Fabric collection available from Andover Fabrics.
Licensed exclusively for personal use, so you won't be seeing it in commercial (bedding) products anywhere! Based on Eric Carle's

The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book

Great Soft Toy also available

Etsy Inspiration Corner

2008-02-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

Keepsake Tooth Fairy Pillows!

Coming Soon to a shop near you!

2008-02-26T22:46:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous new collection from Kona Bay Fabrics and designer Nobu Fujiyama.

Shops that have ordered Geisha
Shops that have ordered Tamiko

New Geisha fabrics (left) to be released every other month (schedule details) ; Tamiko released all at once (right)

Jinny Beyer

2008-02-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

Pattern I want to work on next: Stained Glass Star

Welcome From Cathey

2008-02-25T18:18:00.000-08:00

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Free Pattern of the Day

2008-02-25T11:50:00.000-08:00

Spring is beginning to bust out all over here in the NW. Here's one to get you in the mood.
Backyard Safari collection by Johnny Karwan. Pattern here.

Clothworks Fabrics

2008-02-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

Newest collections from Seattle-based Clothworks! sample: Fanciful Felines from Laurel Burch:

Baby slings & custom baby quilts

2008-02-25T11:12:00.000-08:00

Some very interesting & innovative quilted baby slings & other products here: Metrosupialdesigns

SeaBreeze

2008-02-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

What your daughter wants for her grandson's room SeaBreeze design set:

Free Pattern of the Week!

2008-02-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Dogwood Dynasty.

Hoffman Challenge

2008-02-19T15:32:00.001-08:00

Check out the 2008 Hoffman Challenge fabrics!

Benartex Quilting Contest

2008-02-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

Peace Love & Quilts Contest!

Welcome!

2008-02-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Crazy quilting Grandma here (Cathey). My daughter started this blog for me in the hopes that I'll be able to generate some ad revenue and pay for my quilting habit. Maybe buy a long-arm quilting machine.

I hope to share projects I'm working on, tips & tricks. Maybe start a monthly newsletter or block of the month club. Put together (or pass along) some kits and design ideas. Stay tuned!