8 Tips for a Better Sampler Quilt

Have you ever seen a sampler quilt and thought it would be a fun way to try out different blocks, only to feel overwhelmed by the process. Here are my top 8 tips for getting through to the finish line with a sampler quilt.

Want to watch all the referenced videos without coming back to this video? Check out the Sampler Quilts Playlist

Affiliated Links:
Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

Long Time Gone Quilt by Jen Kingwell

Fussy Cutter's Handbook

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

Referenced Videos:
LET'S TALK ABOUT QUILT BLOCKS - KAREN'S QUILT CIRCLE WITH BARBARA BRACKMAN

HOW TO CUT STRAIGHT - QUILT SKILLS TUTORIAL

HOW TO SEW STRAIGHT

How to Iron for Quilting - A Really Good Method

Making the Perfect HST

QUILTING SKILLS - FLYING GEESE

LET'S TALK ABOUT QUILT-A-LONGS with Gnome Angel - Karen's Quilt Circle

👀Didn’t see the last video? Check Out:
🎉👌 VLOG #10-THE 4TH OF JULY QUILT

Have you checked out Karen’s Quilt Circle? Watch the latest episode here:
🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT Colour Palettes with Tom the Colour Blind Quilter

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🛑🛑Recommended Video Series You Should Check Out! 🛑🛑

TIPS & TRICKS FOR BETTER RESULTS

KQC/KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE PLAYLIST

COLOUR YOUR QUILT - The Colour Theory Series

Download my FREE Fast and Easy Stashbuster Patterns

💕My Most Watched Videos💕

BUDGET SEWING- TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE

Fast and Easy Beginner Quilt - Quilt-in-a-day Stash Buster - Free Pattern

🛠Previously Recommended Tools🛠
Where indicated, the link will direct you to Amazon where I will receive a small commission on your purchase. There is no obligation to purchase from these links. These items may be available locally or you can use or modify something that you already own.

Panasonic NI-WL 600 cordless iron

M-Aimee Wool Pressing Mat

Tractor Seat Adjustable Chair

Ipad stand

Sitting Pad

Laser Square

Ultimate 3-In-1 Color Tool

Alarm Timer Cube

LED Lighting Strip

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[dorothyyoung]

I’d like to suggest another reason for the tradition of making sampler blocks. If a quilter saw a block she liked in a friend’s quilt, she might make a “sample” block to try it out and give her a record of it. That accounts for the number of quilters in the “old days” who left behind a pile of mis-matched blocks of various sizes and techniques.

This idea occurred to me as a very young fiber artist. We had an aunt who was an avid crocheter and one year she gave my younger sister a “doll afghan”. Turns out she’d seen an afghan a friend made and auntie made up a “sample” so she could learn the pattern. She later made herself a full-size version and the “sample” was just the right size for a doll afghan to give as a gift.

[wilycat]

What I love about your thinking as it comes through on your videos/tutorials is the reinforcement that these are OUR permission granted to make changes, and to forgive mistakes. Thank you! 😊 ❤️

[paulayoung]

A friend in our quilt guild had the best idea. She kept a collection of Christmas fabrics. When we had a class with an instructor, or when she wanted to try a new block, she used her Christmas fabrics. She ended up with enough for a sampler quilt.

[melanezoe]

I am a longarm quilter. My granddaughter is coming to live with me to “learn the business”; she is 22. The first thing I will have her do is watch all of your basic videos, with the goal of making a small scrap quilt a week for charity. Thanks a lot, Karen.

[karenrich]

I'm not a quilter, but I'm dealing with the snow in Northern California, and watching your videos cheers me up and helps me forget my troubles for a while.

[LindaIngle]

That Yellow trick is fascinating!! 😀 thank you!!

[nadinemerrick]

what a genius idea to mark the back before adding sashing to even everything out!

[martirichards]

Karen, I just love you! You offer such easy but seriously helpful tips. You put a positive spin on everything and with such common sense (like if you don't like one of the blocks change it to the way you want). I use at least one of your helpful tips every time I sew whether it is your cutting technique, ironing technique, or in my 1/4" seam allowance which I am more careful about now which makes my quilting journey so much easier. I can't say enough how lucky we are that you so generously share your time and talents with us every week. :)

[BethAnn]

If you ever had the time or energy, I’d love you to do a quilt along sampler series.

[connieridl]

I am in the middle of a sampler quilt as we speak! You gave me two new tips: yellow, and fussy cutting for bed making. Both will be included. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks 😉 My tip: white/cream backgrounds in your sampler don't have to be a solid or tone on tone. I have now learned to use that white with little flowers fq that never quite fit in as a background. I love scrappy quilts and this enhances the scrappy 😁

[grandmasgarden]

I have found my happy place! Karen,
I could listen and get inspiration from you non stop!

[juliemorrison]

Great tips. Your sampler is beautiful and the maple leaf does jump out at you.👍🇦🇺

[patriciaperdasofpy]

I've never done a sampler quilt because it felt somewhat daunting and I didn't feel that my skill was up to the task. Watching this video has encouraged and inspired me as well as given me some useful tips to use whether I decide to try a sampler quilt or not. Thank you.

[rebeccawolf]

Thanks Karen! Another great and informative video! I just recently pulled out a UFO to work on that I must have put into storage about 3 years ago. I was amazed to find that my skills have improved so much since making these blocks that the imprecision of them bothered me. Some of them I had to "unsew" and re do because they were so wonky. I am not going to be discouraged though, I am encouraged that my precision has improved. : )

[itcouldbeanyone]

Using directional fabric to mark orientation - mind blown, seems so logical now you point it out. 🥳

[kathyrussell]

I appreciate the tip/trick to fix a square up size issue with the sashing…always learning from your videos.

[jo-annefalconer]

I finished my sampler quilt 2 days ago but started it in a class 30 years ago, now I discover this video! The challenge was it was a techniques class and blocks varied for 6 " to 14" fans to Cassiopeia blocks drunkards path etc. Now it's done I am inspired. Thanks for all the New idea.

[kimwinn]

Love the idea of using fabric from a bundle in each block. Your quilt is beautiful and I will try this.

[angelabatterman]

Great tips, I am just putting my toes into the quilting pool. I find your videos so helpful and they give me the courage to start something.

[rhondagarden]

I ALWAYS say, When I see new videos of yours! I rewatched you all day yesterday, well 12-6:30, while I was hand quilting, including the three you mentioned. LOL🤣 I love sampler quilts! I participated in a block swap, then added different blocks to make it large enough for a larger throw. I have to sleep in my recliner and snuggle to sleep under it every night. It's so funny that I use a block of Texas in the middle to see if I have it longways or crosswise. 😆
THANK you for the effort you put into all of your videos!! It's definitely appreciated!!
💕💓❤️💓💕
I really loved your interviews, too! AND your Fourth of July quilt really encouraged me as I signed up for a Block of the Month to do the Rainbow Stars quilt(by Chris Stiansy). I've never paper pieced on the machine before, and I will learn it through this class. I'm VERY excited to be learning a new skill. It's one of my goals in my bullet journal. (Which I started because of you! It's been a great help and joy to me!)
Make it a great day!!