Pacthwork Braids Made Easy

Hi quilty friends! I am Kate Colleran, quilt pattern designer, fabric designer and a quilter who is sometimes known as The Braid Lady! 

I made my first braid quilt, Down the Garden Path, for my book Smash Your Precut Stash. It was the first time I made a quilt with a braid and after that I was hooked! Braids are really easy to piece and can be a great stash buster!

Down the Garden Path Quilt / Finished quilt: 68 ̋ × 84 ̋

Designed and pieced by Kate Colleran, quilted by Januari Rhodes

That first quilt led to the development of my template: the Braid Template (I know a boring name but easy to remember!). Along with the template came some other new patterns using braids. Then I created a Mini Braid Template so I could make much smaller braids. You can see them here.

I filmed a tutorial with C&T Publishing that you can find here to see how to cut and sew a basic braid using the templates. 

More patterns followed. 

And now, a book!! I am so excited to share that soon a new book will be out called Patchwork Braids!

I love how the book is set up. First you will explore the basics of how to make a braid. And then there are 5 different project chapters. The first 4 explore different techniques to make a braid.

In the first project chapter, you get to try out the basic technique using 3 different projects that use a basic braid; a placemat, a small project bag and a quilt. 

Bluebell Placemat / Finished placemat: 12 1/2 ̋ × 17 1/2 ̋

MADE BY Kate Colleran

FABRICS ARE FROM the Vertex fabric line from QT Fabrics

In the next chapter you will learn to make braids with pieces of different widths, which is a great way to add a different look to your braid! There are 3 projects in this chapter too; one uses a braid to surround a panel, another is a quilt with long braids and the other project is a fun and functional tote bag!

Clementine Quilt / Finished quilt: 61 1/2 ̋ × 72 1/2 ̋

MADE BY Kate Colleran

QUILTED BY Lisa Soderborg of The Quilted Cricket

FABRICS ARE FROM the Breezy collection by Kate Colleran for Island Batik

In the next chapter, the braids have squares through the center. You will learn an easy way to add the squares and then you can whip up a small wall hanging or a cute crib quilt, or make what I like to call a faux braid quilt! This quilt looks like you made a braid for the blocks but you don't!

Arrowleaf Quilt / Finished quilt: 24 1/2 ̋ × 24 1/2 ̋

MADE BY Kate Colleran

QUILTED BY Lisa Soderborg of The Quilted Cricket

FABRICS ARE FROM the Rainbow Spice fabric collection from Sarditty for Moda Fabrics

The last technique chapter is on making braids from pieced strips. Each project uses a different technique and you will learn a lot while making the pillows, the runner and a beautiful flower quilt!

Pink Impression Quilt / Finished quilt: 58 1/2 ̋ × 68 1/2 ̋

MADE BY Kate Colleran

QUILTED BY Lisa Soderborg of The Quilted Cricket

FABRICS ARE FROM the Best of Ombré Confetti Metallics from Moda Fabrics

And the last chapter is a sampler quilt that uses all the different techniques and mixes braids with other blocks to make a sunny garden of a quilt! Did you notice that all the patterns in the book are named after flowers? I just wanted the book, and especially this last project to feel like a garden of braids!

Sunny Vale Quilt / Finished quilt: 60 1/2 ̋ × 71 ̋

MADE BY Kate Colleran

QUILTED BY Lisa Soderborg of The Quilted Cricket

FABRICS ARE FROM the Basics and Blenders collections from Island Batik

I can't wait for you all to see all the projects in the book and get started becoming a braid expert! 

In my next post on Thursday, January 30th, I will share a free placemat pattern to get you started working on braids! Stay tuned! 

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Find Smash Your Precut Stash and Patchwork Braids at C&T Publishing! 

Kate Colleran is a solo business owner, fabric and quilt pattern designer, and quilting instructor. Her quilt patterns are known for their complete, easy-to-follow instructions with an eclectic design style inspired by traditional elements and put together with a modern twist. She is the designer of the popular Braid and Mini Braid Templates and co-author of the book Smash Your Precut Stash. Kate lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. katecollerandesigns.com