Category: Patterns

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Christmas 2024

As the holiday season draws near, I want to take a moment to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. This time of year is filled with magic, warmth, and togetherness—qualities that remind us of the importance of kindness, gratitude, and love.

To my students, thank you for your hard work, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the year. You’ve brought so much energy and creativity to our classroom, and I couldn’t be prouder of all that you’ve accomplished.

May your holiday season be filled with laughter, rest, and the company of those you cherish. I hope you find time to enjoy the little things that make this time so special—sparkling lights, warm treats, and the joy of giving and receiving.

Take care of yourselves, have fun, and come back ready for more adventures in the new year!

To say thank you, I have reworked the Christmas quilt of 2011 a little and include the pattern to download for free. The first layout is for a wall quilt or throw and finishes at 51″ x 51″

Christmas 2024

If you want to use the pattern to make a tree skirt, you might like to use this alternative layout.

You may choose to buy fabric for this project, or use scraps in pieces of green or red, Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

Be blessed and stay safe this holiday,
Danél
2024

Posted on by

Beginners’ Table Runner 2024

Beginner Quilt classes starting on 6 April

Hierdie tafelloper is die kombinasie van ‘n hele paar kwilt tegnieke, om ‘n grondslag te lê vir die mees gebruikte laslapmetodes. Appliekwerk, papier fondasie laslap en tradisionele laslap word aangeraak.  Dit is ook belangrik om ‘n bietjie van die wiskunde agter die laslap te verduidelik. Dit maak dit later makliker, om enige patroon self uit te werk. Goeie gewoontes word vasgelê van die eerste oomblik.  Die projek kan voltooi word in 7 klasse.

This table runner is a combination of the three most used patchwork techniques – appliqué, piecing and paper foundation piecing. It is also important to learn how to read a quilt pattern and how to accurately calculate the cutting sizes of the blocks. This project can be completed in 7 classes.

Klasse begin 6 April 2024 – Classes start 6 April 2024

Please Whatsapp Danél Muller at 0824167690

Posted on by

2022 Lenad Quilt-along

The 2022 Quilt-along focusses on colour and tone values. Blocks are in two sizes: 12″ x 12″ and 6″ x 12″. The first Block Patterns will be ready to download shortly. Contact me to join the Thursday group in Menlyn Pretoria by sending a WhatsApp message to 0824167690. Class fees are R150 per class. The quilt finishes at 72 x 90″ (180 cm x 230cm).

Posted on by

Jacob’s Ladder – Quilt blocks from the Bible

Jacobs Ladder

“And he dreamed and behold a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached the heavens and behold the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”

Genesis 28:11-22

Jacob’s Ladder is a very old quilt block pattern, dating to before the American Revolutionary War. It is classified as a pioneer quilt pattern.

Jacob’s Ladder was first discussed in writing in a 1915 book called Quilts : Their Story and How to Make Them, by Marie Webster. It was the first authoritative book on the subject, making the claim that this pattern got its name from the Bible story of Jacob sleeping and receiving a vision of a ladder that led all the way to heaven. 

This pattern is also known as ” The Road to California” “Stepping Stones”, “Covered Wagon”, “Road to the White House”, “Tail of Benjamin’s Kite”, “Wagon Tracks” and “Underground Railroad” depending in which area it was used.

The first publication of the pattern was in 1884, as Jacob’s Ladder. There are over a dozen variations in number of colors and values or sizes. The oldest version is done in only two colors.

Jacobs Ladder in two blocks
The First Publication of the pattern was only in two colours

In 1922, as part of the Ladies Art Company of St Louis, Missouri’s booklet Quilt Pattern Book, Patchwork and Appliqué, featured three variations. Number 207, which features a four patch at the corners and a full square on two diagonal corners in Number 237. In Number 239 the corner pieces are consolidated to form Road to Oklahoma.

  • Tail of Benjamin’s Kite
  • Road to Oklahoma
  • Road to the White House
  • Jacob’s Ladder
Variations Of Jacobs Ladder

I used two shades of red plaid in the red memory quilt and I scrambled the four patches to create a checker board of colour on the intersection of the blocks.

  • Light Variation – Jacobs Ladder
  • Dark Variation
Building blocks of the quilt.
Jacobs Ladder in two shades of red plaid

Posted on by

Curves on a straight line

The Snails Trail block is based on the Square-on-square block with 5 layers, combined with a Four-Patch. The Four-Patch is inserted as the center block. By changing the colours the Snails-Trail is created.

Square-on-square
Four-Patch
Snails-Trail

A block that is sometimes confused with the Snails Trail is Monkey Wrench. Can you see the difference? Monkey Wrench is based on a four layered Square-on-Square.  The Four Patch in the center is now turned on-point.

Square-on-Square
Four-patch
Monkey-Wench

And then there is the Pig Tail Block. It is based on a six layered Square-on-square block. It doesn’t have a Four Patch in the centre.

Square-on-Square
Pig’s Tail

When you combine four Snails Trail blocks, the pattern is called Virginia Reel.

Virginia Reel
Virginia Reel

Snails Trail can also be combined with other blocks to create interesting secondary patterns. Combining Snails Trail, Monkey Wrench or Pigs-tail with Storm-at-Sea, the illusion of curves is further advanced.

It is almost impossible to believe these quilt patterns are made without curved piecing.

Monkey Wrench was first published in 1922 as part of the Lady’s Art Quilt pattern. Snails Trail was first published in 1928 in the same collection. The first references were made to the Virginia Reel in 1930.

Other patterns that use Snails Trail and or Monkey Wrench are:

  • Romantic Trail by Tammy Vanderschmitt
  • Let’s Dance – published by Beaquilter
  • Sea Scapes by Shirley Sickenger
  • And the scrappy friendly version Tornado, published by QuiltingDaily.com

My last design for the day is a design that might pass for a modern quilt using Pig-Tails and Storm-at-Sea.  Using 12” blocks with 4 ½” sashing these finishes at 95” x 95” for a big queen. 
I call it Dragon Star.

Posted on by

Pattern review – Lots of Cats

As easy quilt patterns goes, the Lots of Cats pattern must be one of the easiest! The pattern uses a lot of different fabrics and is a stash buster of note. It can be made in bolds or soft pastels.

A long time ago I made this special quilt for my sister who is crazy about cats. So many quilters are crazy about cats.

The pattern is still for sale in the shop

Lots of Cats
Quilt donated to the Rex and Sphynx breed group of South Africa

Get yours now!

Posted on by

Where to learn Basic Quilting Skills?

15 years ago, I didn’t think it possible but in 2006, I started my quilting journey. And what a journey! I jumped right into it! I didn’t know where to learn basic quilting skills.

In retrospect, I know that my quilting journey might have been a lot easier if I did a course in basic patchwork and quilt making to use as foundation for my artwork at that stage. This brings me a full circle since qualifying as an accredited quilt teacher of the South African Quilters Guild.

This quilt finishes in a quaint pictorial sampler called : “Through the Eyes of Cy”. When I developed the pattern, I used my 4 year old grandson, Cylus, to imagine how he looks at the world around him. Since he loves to draw in bright colors, these are the colors I design with.

True to my background, I designed my sampler in pictorial style, row by row with each row specializing in another technique.

Is this quilting course also for advanced quilters, you may ask. I bet that you will be challenged at some or other stage during the construction. You might also find some of the techniques you avoided previously, surprisingly stimulating. I mostly find people attracted to the mesmerizing addiction of hand piecing and needle turn applique.

“Through the eyes of Cy” is a happy, content rich quilt that will look lovely hanging in your home or cuddled by a little boy. There are also patterns available in larger sizes to cover a single bed (for a lucky boy). You also learn the basic quilting skills as you go!

Techniques included in this course include:

– Machine piecing
– Hand Piecing
– Machine Applique
– Hand Applique
– Paper Foundation Piecing
– English Paper Piecing
– Seminole braids
– Y insert seams
– Easy applications for Flying Geese
– Star Blocks
– Borders Bindings and Sleeves
– Finishing off with a pretty label
and many more…

Through the eyes of Cy - Made by Judy Barnard
Through the eyes of Cy – Made by Judy Barnard

Contact me for the starting date of the next course. I teach in the East of Pretoria.

Other courses by Danél Muller

Posted on by

A pictorial quilt-techniques quilt-along sampler.

Join me in making the “Through the eyes of Cy” pictorial quilt-techniques quilt-along sampler.

Fishes in the deep blue sea - the first block in the quilt along by Danel Muller - Lenad Quilting
Fishes in the deep blue sea – The first block in the
pictorial quilt-techniques quilt-along sampler by Danel Muller – Lenad Quilting

Every teacher needs a sampler quilt. Not strictly being a traditional quilter, I therefore vied away from the traditional sampler quilt and came up with this interesting pictorial version. This quilt finishes at 30″ x 42″ (67 cm x 102 cm) without borders.

The first block in “Through the eyes of Cy“  is Fishes in the deep blue sea. As you can see,  I used the naive therefore bright drawings depicted in the artworks of my 4 year old grandson, Cylus, as design inspiration for this pattern.

This sampler is taught over 12 weeks.

Teacher: Danel-Marié Muller
Venue: 40 on Ilkey B&B, Lynnwood Glen Pretoria
Tel: 082-416-7690
Cost: R150 per lesson
Start date: Contact me for the next date


Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Time: 9:00 – 13:00
Every first and third Saturday of the month
Time: 12:00 – 16:00

Beginners welcome
Tea and coffee is included in the class fee

In conclusion, you will need to bring the following to class:

  • A working sewing machine.
  • A rotary cutter, as well as a 12″ square ruler and cutting board
  • Scissors, pins and number 10 sewing needles
  • However, don’t bring fabric, thread as it will be discussed in the class to prevent excess and wrong purchases.

Register here or contact me if you want me to teach in your area. I am willing to travel within Gauteng (minimum 5 students).

This pictorial quilt techniques quilt-along sampler is brought to you by Lenad Quilting.

Other courses by Danél @ Lenad Quilting

Hope to see you here!

Danél

Posted on by

Lots of Cats

Lots of Cats is a happy quilt to share with a fellow cat lover—that is if you can bear to part with it! From a quilting point of view, it is a stash buster of note.  With up to 50 cats on this pattern it makes a pretty cuddle on your bed or couch to snuggle into.  The pattern is available here:

http://www.lenad.co.za/product/lots-of-cats-pdf-pattern/