Today I get to share the first quilt presented in my brand new book! Meet “Squiggles” from Piece and Quilt with Precuts.
Squiggles Photography courtesy of Martingale/That Patchwork Place and Brent Kane.
Piece It
I designed Squiggles so that it can be made from either four bundles of 5″ squares, or one bundle of 10″ squares. My favorite tip for working with precuts is to use a super light or super dark background, so that it will contrast with any precut bundle you choose! I love working with precuts because the math always works out nicely. For the background, you can either use 5″ squares or 2 1/2″ strips, giving you tons of versatility based on what you have on hand.
Quilt It
You can see why I named the quilt Squiggles – because of the fun squiggly lines I chose to quilt. This is usually the first quilting design I teach my students to do with a walking foot (or integrated dual feed) because they can achieve instant success from the very first stitch!
I used my favorite shade of Aurifil gray (Aluminium) because its blends with all the fabrics!
In the book, I include detailed instructions on how to piece this quilt as well as diagrams on how to actually quilt it to achieve a similar look. It’s so much easier than you might think!
More Squiggles inspiration
Now let’s take a look at what 3 of my blogging friends chose to do with this design. Be sure to click on the links to each of their blogs for more pics, an explanation of their process, and to see who’s including a bonus giveaway!
Kate Colleran – Seams Like a Dream
Here’s a sneak peek of the gorgeous colors and quilting that Kate from Seams Like a Dream chose for her version. Be sure and take a look at the beautiful color gradation she did with her blocks, along with an excellent explanation of her quilting process.
Although Kate usually send her quilts out to be quilted, I’m so proud of her for quilting this one herself. If she can do it – so can you! Pop on over to her blog to see the whole quilt, plus more inspiring “in progress” pics. You’ll love it!
Kathy Bruckman – Kathy’s Kwilts and More
I love the aqua and green color scheme that Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More chose for her version of squiggles. Here’s a small sneak peek of some of her blocks!
I’m impressed that she hand pieced her blocks and then turned them into a pretty pillow sham. Then Kathy took some of her leftovers and turned them into a matching pillow cushion. Isn’t it adorable!! Head over to her blog to see more!
Sharon Parcel – Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Sharon from Yellow Cat Quilt Designs was able to find the same charm packs I used in my quilt, and I like how she chose to quilt the wavy grid design that appears later in the book. She took my advice to quilt loosely across the quilt and then fill in with more quilting with each pass across the quilt. This allows you to decide at any point how dense you want your quilting to be.
I designed the quilting plans so that they can be interchangeable throughout the book, and they will work on nearly any quilt you can imagine! Stop by Sharon’s blog to read more about her process and see more helpful pics!
Today’s Gift – Free Pattern with book purchase
Today’s “present” is from me, for those who haven’t yet purchased their copy of the book. I’m extending my offer for a free pattern with book purchase through the end of the hop. That is, when you order the book directly from me, I’ll throw in a bonus printed pattern with your order.
You can either specify the pattern you want in the notes at checkout, or I’m happy to surprise you. But hurry – as this offer only lasts until the blog hop ends!
Click here to purchase your signed copy of Piece and Quilt with Precuts.
And of course, I’ll sign your book, too! Just leave me a note if you want me to personalize it. Be sure to check back here tomorrow to learn more about the next quilt, see more inspiring pics, and enter the next giveaway!!
Christa Quilts 
I vote for the squiggles. I just like the way the quilt looks and the many fabrics you can use with it.
I vote for squiggles I already have my book. Thanks for all you do.
Christa, I love squiggles and can’t wait to try it on some practice sandwiches. Your designs really are a gift to me as my hands shake horribly from a brain disorder I developed. I’d almost given up on quilting but but now I’m motivated to give it another try! The best part is that I don’t think anyone but I will know when the squiggles are off kilter! ☺☺☺ Thanks so much for the gifts you give to others in ways you probably don’t even know. God bless, LInda
PS: I use to subscribe to multiple quilting magazines but had canceled them. I now subscribe to one but am thinking of subscribing to more again soon.
Wow!, Christa!!
Your book looks *fantastic!!*
**Congratulations!!**
(Love the versatility I’m seeing in these wonderful patterns!!)
Pat T.
Squiggles is so fun!
Squiggles quilting is what I have used and it looks so fantastic. Thanks so much for teaching this and for your wonderful books.
djcutting2(at) gmail(dot)com