I feel a chill go up my back as I look at the forecast for this week – snow may be coming – even here in eastern South Carolina. That looks like quilt-making weather to me. Let’s look at some ideas…

Flannel Rag Quilts

Fast, easy, and warm is a quilt made out of flannel fabric. The reason it is fast and simple is that you don’t have to back it with another fabric, add a layer of batting, and then quilt the layers all together. The warmth is in the fabric and the number of layers you use. The seams are simply stitched up and the frizzed. Check out the following URL for step-by-step instructions for making a flannel “rag quilt.” (Thanks to my sister, Joan Bentley, for this picture of one of her many quilts.)

http://so-sew-easy.com/how-to-make-a-rag-quilt/#_a5y_p=3657953 Step by step instructions for making a flannel quilt.

If you want to get really professional with your  flannel quilt, look for more information in the following links.

http://www.e-quilterscorner.com/blog/2013/01/30/secrets-sewing-flannel-revealed/

http://www.equilters.com/library/tips-hows/flannel-quilting.html

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/flannel-quilts/

Fleece Tied Blankets

If you are looking for a super-simple project to use with your children, this one is fool-proof. It is made with two layers of fleece cut together and tied around the edges making a fringe. The following link gives all the details you need:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/nosewfleeceprojects/ss/fleecetieblank.htm

Bible Quilts

My quilting heart will forever be bound to quilts with Bible themes, so I would be remiss not to include ideas on making quilts that share Spiritual warmth in addition to physical warmth. (Hint hint for quilting grandmothers.) I keep going back to crayon colored quilt blocks as the easiest way to put Bible pictures on a quilt. Children can even help color the pictures. Then simply include these Bible blocks along with the other blocks in your quilt.

Here is a quick overview of the process:

• Press freezer paper to the back of the 100% cotton quilt block squares to make it stiff.
• Trace Bible pictures onto blocks with the help of a light box or window and an extra fine point Sharpie pen or other permanent extra fine tip marker.
• Use Crayola Crayons to color the pictures.
• Press squares between white paper towels with a hot iron to remove wax.
• Sew your quilt top together.

There are lots of ideas for making Bible quilts on my Bible Quilts blog. This link will take you to the section on making crayon colored quilts, but feel free to browse around for other ideas while you are there.

Searching Google images is probably the fastest and simplest way to find coloring pages. Square pictures work best, so look for them or crop and adapt as needed. Here are a few links to help you find Bible pictures.

A few from Bible Quilts blog – designed for Bible quilts

AZ Coloring (Bible search)

The Color.com (Bible search – a few square Bible images)

For more wonderful ideas on making quilts, search Pinterest using some or all of these search terms: quilt, easy, flannel, rag, Bible.

Happy quilting and keep warm this winter.