Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a list of pattern updates/corrections?
All pattern updates can be found here.
Where can I buy a pattern I saw?
My patterns are available as PDF downloads in my pattern shop, with some also available as printed booklets.
If you'd like your local shop to carry my patterns, please let them know they can order wholesale directly from me.
Some magazine or book patterns are only available in those publications, and the links to where you can purchase those will be in their respective blog posts, as well as on the Featured In page.
Can I buy a paper pattern?
Yes, you can. Some of my patterns are available as printed booklets here.
Can I buy patterns wholesale?
Yes, you can. Email me or send me a message through the contact form on this website and I'll get you set up.
What do the spools for the skill level of a pattern mean?
I use a three-spool labelling system for the skill level of my patterns.
- 1 spool is a beginner pattern. These patterns are suitable for people who are just learning to quilt, and may not yet be familiar with some terms and techniques. You should know how to sew a straight 1/4" seam, and how to cut and press fabric in a quilt. These patterns use simple blocks and large pieces, with no curves or templates. In FPP patterns, 1 spool means that the pattern uses few and large pieces of fabric, rarely uses triangles or other odd shapes, and is made up of very few sections.
- 2 spools is for advanced beginners (sometimes called adventurous beginners) and intermediate quilters. If you have made a few quilt tops and are a familiar with some basic techniques like flipping corners, or making HSTs, but still rely on both the written instructions and the diagrams, you may be an adventurous beginner/intermediate quilter. In FPP patterns, those with 2 spools tend to have smaller pieces, and more of them. There will also be some odd shaped pieces that may be a bit trickier to line up properly, and the block may be made up of 5 or more sections.
- 3 spools is for more advanced quilters. This means you are familiar with all the basic techniques, and have a good handle on keeping your fabrics organized, pieces labelled etc. These patterns may use many pieces in a block that require a good organization system, use scant seams or skinny pieces, or use a more advanced technique such as curves or HRTs. In FPP patterns, 3 spools mean that there are small fiddly bits, and possibly quite a number of sections to piece together to assemble the block.
This system is not 100% precise since some techniques that come easy to some people might be more troublesome for others. But it should give you an indication of whether a pattern is suited to your current level of quilty expertise.
The description of each pattern also includes a "Skills you'll practice" section that lists what techniques and skill are being used in the pattern, so you can decide whether this is a pattern you'd like to tackle.
What are Printable Tutorials? What is the difference between Printable Tutorials and patterns?
Printable Tutorials are a condensed and formatted version of a tutorial that is available free on the blog. They can be used as companions to the blog post, or used on their own.
PTs contain all the information from the free tutorial, but formatted closer to what my patterns look like. They include diagrams instead of photos, sizing information is neatly organized in tables, and they can be printed and kept near the sewing machine without having to refresh a computer screen every few minutes. They also usually contain a bit of extra info, such as extra sizes, not found on the blog.
Unlike patterns, though, they don't include any yardage requirements or cutting instructions, unless a specific cutting method is the main focus of the tutorial.
The pattern I bought is foundation paper pieced (FPP), how can I piece it traditionally?
FPP patterns are written differently from traditionally pieced patterns and generally can't just be converted. I use FPP both for precision, and to give me the flexibility in designing patterns that can't be (easily) done using traditional piecing techniques.
Because of that, FPP patterns are meant to be done by FPP, and traditional patterns are done traditionally. Some FPP block patterns also come in traditionally pieced variants, in which case they will be linked in the shop.
If there is no traditionally pieced option available, it either can't be done, or you'd have to "hack" it by using the FPP templates as cutting templates for each piece of fabric (don't forget to add 1/4" for seam allowance).
How much fabric is needed for the block patterns?
All my individual block patterns are designed to be made with scraps. As such, they don't contain any fabric requirements or cutting lists like a multi-block quilt pattern would.
The largest amount needed is always the background, and a fat quarter will be sufficient for all block patterns (and likely leave you with plenty left over).
Will you resize a quilt pattern for me? How much fabric do I need to make a quilt pattern in a different size?
No, and it depends. All quilt patterns sold in my shop have available sizes listed in the description and can't be altered on demand. It takes months of work to design, write and test a pattern, and I unfortunately don't have the time to adjust existing patterns as a one-off. If there is a size you think I should consider offering in future patterns, please let me know and I will take it into consideration.
However, there are a few different ways you can change the size of a quilt if the available sizes don't work for your project. Consider adding or removing rows of blocks from the top or bottom, or from the sides. You can also add borders to make a quilt larger, or to make a square quilt into a rectangle.
Since there are so many different ways to change the sizes, it's not possible for me to tell you how much fabric you will need to make any given size. This is where the staff at your local quilt shop excel, though, and they will be happy to help you figure out what you'll need in order to make the quilt exactly the size you want.
If you are looking for a local shop, here are a few lists of shops that might help you.
Canadian Quilters/Courtepointes Canadiennes
Canadian Modern Quilt Collective
Worldwide Map of Local Quilt Shops (by the LQS Contest hosted by ByAnnie.com)