The Quilt Shop

Welcome to Treadle On's Quilt Shop. Treadle On has become noted for the detail of its photographic instruction pages. The Quilt Shop is where we store those special Treadle On instruction projects that we think will be of permanent use to beginning quilters, as well as projects that are "current", i.e. on going block exchanges or mystery quilts... whatever we're up to at the moment. Some projects are only up while they are active, others seem to generate continuing interest and are left up for folks to refer to.

You'll also find some basic instructions on improving your sewing on our old sewing machines.

Perhaps most basic to Treadelon instruction is directions on how to make the basic exchange blocks we started with. These blocks have proven so useful that over the years their instructions have provided almost a basic training course in quilting for newbies. These basic blocks can be varied so much that you can quilt for years just with these patterns. The link to these instructions is down below, but just so that it doesn't get lost in the volume of material that has grown in this section, here it is in a highlighted and hopefully more noticeable form:

Here are the links to all of the current material that is kept in The Quilt Shop:

Index:

• Triangle Island Cruise - I promised a triangle quilt to follow up on Rectangle Island. It took me the best part of a year to get to it, but the Triangle Island adventure is now underway. Reports and instructions can be accessed through this link.
• "Survival - Rectangle Island" - This was the 2009 Winter Mystery Quilt. It was quite different sort of project. It was, in effect, a "mystery mystery quilt" or a mystery within a mystery. In the typical mystery quilt, each "step" is a clue to the mystery of the ultimate quilt. In this one, you have to solve a clue in order to find each step... so you actually got a clue to the clue. The whole matter was further complicated by the intrusion of Captain Dick's Evil Twin (the one who isn't Tom Selleck). He insisted on being allowed to write and place the clues, and they got pretty obscure. All the people who signed on had a wonderful time, and produced some very neat quilts, and it was suggested that the clues be left permanently in place for future adventurers. This link will take you to the beginning. Just remember, this is Treadleonia... be prepared for anything and when in doubt, go with the flow, man...
• 2008 Treadle On Birthday Block and Captain Dick's Courtyard Quilt - This link will take you to the instructions for making the "Official Treadle On Birthday Block" that celebrates our 10th Anniversary, and also to the instructions for making a nice quilt from this block.
• Captain Dick's Arrow Quilt - "Agincourt" or "Long Elk"
• "Stop Signs in Treadleonia" - A new quilt TO pattern for Summer 2007
• 2006 Treadle On Mystery Quilt - It's been awhile since we had a good mystery quilt project. This one is starting in February 2006. Hopefully, it will take a month. Enjoy! The instructions will be posted in stages, all linked to the top of the first page.

• Perfect Piecing - Well, maybe not perfect, but here is a page of thoughts on ways to improve your quilt blocks.
• Shop Apron from Blue Jeans Project - This isn't the easiest way to make a shop apron, but it was fun, and the easier ways are shown.
• Securing Seams - Most folks are used to using reverse to secure seam ends. Old people powered machines rarely have reverse, so, what to do? Here are explanations of seam securing systems favored by Grandma for use on her treadle.
• Treadle On Block Exchanges (TOBE's) - Treadle On usually runs two general block exchanges per year. This link will take you to the instructions for the current block exchange.
• TOBE Blocks - This set of pages features the instructions for the basic Treadle On Block Exchange (TOBE) blocks. These involved three basic designs: the Three Stripe, the Four Patch, and the Half -Triangle. these instructions are posted permanently, since we often use these blocks for various special events.
• Sewing Machine Cover- Here is a design for a neat and useful sewing machine cover made from TOBE blocks.
• Treadle Covers - You can also make nice covers for treadles when the machine is put away. This link shows some.
• Sewing Machine Tote Bag - Safely carrying hand crank sewing machines is a problem. They are heavy and you can't rely on the latches not to give way and dump your machine on the ground... or your feet. Here is a set of instructions for a very heavy duty tote bag for very heavy sewing machines.
• 1999 Summer Mystery Quilt - Here is an example of one of our past projects re-surfacing. We have many new subscribers, and many old ones who did not do this mystery quilt when it was first posted in 1999. It is being re-posted this summer. Enjoy!
• Treadle On Block Exchanges - Each year, Treadle On sponsors one or two block exchanges. This link will take you to the instructions for the current exchange.
• Sunbonnet Sue - The Treadle On Sunbonnet Sue quilt is quite famous. It has been exhibited in quillt shows all over the United States, and has been covered in magazines. It was one of Treadle On's early, and very ambitious projects. This link will take you to see it in great detail. Includes notes on making pre-quilted blocks.
• Joining Pre-Quilted Blocks - The Sunbonnet Sue Quilt was a test project on which I perfected a technique for joining pre-quilted blocks with no hand sewing of the back. This folder contains step by step instructions on how to do this.
• Block of the Month Project - Block of the Month programs have long been popular with quilters. Treadle On ran one of its own which provided not just 12, but 36 individual blocks, with careful pattern and instructions. Like Sunbonnet Sue, this project was designed for using the joining pre-quilted blocks system. Whether you use that system or not, it is a wonderful collection of blocks for any sampler quilt.
• Trail to Treadleonia Quilt and Shaded Four-Patch Block - This block and the resulting quilt began as one of our TOBE block exchanges. It was one of the most popular exchanges ever, and we repeated it a year later. The instructions for the entire project, from the basic exchange block to the finished quilt top in several varied layouts, is now available here.
• Denim Quilt Project - For years, I was fascinated by the idea of a denim quilt. I finally made one, learning some things in the process. Here you can see the project and what I learned.
• United We Stand - After 9-11, Treadle On sponsored a United We Stand block exchange. We used a Friendship Star block. This exchange had tremendous participation, but did prove difficult for some Onions. Star blocks, unlike our usual blocks, are not the easiest to do. This link will take you to the instructions and examples of the UWS project.
• Sewing a Small Padded Bag - Padded bags can be extremely handy. Here is a step by step demonstration of one I made for my smoking pipes. Once you get the technique down, it takes about 20 minutes per bag!
• Treadle On Theme Quilt - Many of us collect theme fabrics. Here is a great, easy pattern to make them into a quilt for someone to whom the theme is special.
• Treadleonian Triple Star Quilt - This triple star quilt is proving to be one of Treadle On's most popular projects. Take a look...
• Straight Stitch Applique and the Treadle On Hug Block - This page demonstrates the technique of straight stitch applique using fusible webbing, and provides examples of the Treadle On Hug Block.
• Applique Flash Exchange - In Summer 2004, TO had an exchange featuring straight stitch applique. Twelve blocks were exchanged. They were so nice that some folks wanted more, for a bigger quilt. A second applique exchange, called a "Flash Exchange" because of its very short deadline, was arranged, and is, at this time, underway.
• Bow Tie Blocks - The Pre-1900 Block Exchange is calling for bow tie blocks, made in the origami method. I have posted an instruction page that includes both the folded Origami Bow Tie pattern and the standard bow tie pattern, and also some picturesof finished bow tie quilts
• Bird in the Air (BITA) Blocks - The fall 2005 TOBE exchange is going to be Bird in the Air blocks. There will be two exchanges going on at once... one for a simpler, 4 patch version done traditionally, and one for a more challenging "Split 9 Patch" (kind of part 9 Patch and part Half Square Triangle) version done in sets or pairs.
• New Axehead Pattern - Quite a few years back, I made a traditional Axehead Pattern quilt. As usual, I involved the whole list in my project. There seems to be a renewed interest so I am reposting the basic information page on the pattern.