Welcome to 31 Threads!

I'm so glad you're here!

I've been wanting to create a place where I can share a little more than I can squeeze into a social media post. A place where we can talk quilting, where I can share a little of what's going on in my corner of the quilting world, and where hopefully you can leave feeling a little encouraged and inspired.

So that's what you'll find here each week:

QUILTING — tips, techniques, projects and things I've learned along the way.

LIFE — a little behind-the-scenes look at what's happening with me and 31 Threads.

INSPIRE — a little encouragement for your quilting journey...and maybe life, too.

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QUILTING

Let’s Start with a Two-Color Irish Chain

I chose the Irish Chain for our first project because it’s such a great beginner-friendly quilt—but there’s also a more personal reason.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach several of my family members and friends how to quilt, and I’ve started each of them with an Irish Chain. It’s become my go-to first quilt because I’ve seen firsthand what a great project it is for learning the basics.

One of my Irish Chain quilts. There’s a reason I keep coming back to this pattern when I’m teaching someone to quilt!

It’s simple enough that a new quilter isn’t overwhelmed, but there’s still plenty to learn along the way. We’ll practice strip piecing, work on getting our seams and points to line up, and see how individual blocks come together to create a larger design.

And we’re going to do all of that using nothing but squares—no half-square triangles, flying geese, or other pieced units to worry about just yet.

Why Two Colors?

We’re keeping this version to just two fabrics for another reason—simplicity!

Choosing fabric can sometimes feel like a project all by itself when you’re new to quilting. For this quilt, you’ll simply choose one fabric for the chain and one for the background.

You can go with a light background and a darker chain for a more traditional look, or flip it and use the darker fabric for the background. Same pattern—completely different look.

And if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, don’t feel like you have to stop at two colors. Keep your background consistent and make your chain scrappy. It’s also a great way to use some of those scraps you’ve been saving!

For your first time through, though, two fabrics keep things simple and let you concentrate on learning the techniques.

And here's another bonus—this quilt is Jelly Roll friendly! Because we're using 2½" strips to make our pieced blocks, you can use precut Jelly Roll strips instead of cutting all of your strips from yardage. You'll still need some background yardage for the solid blocks, but using precuts can make getting started even easier.

Ready to Make One?

I’ve created a Two-Color Irish Chain Crib/Lap Quilt specifically with newer quilters in mind.

Finished size: 42" × 48"
Skill level: Beginner

Fabric requirements:
¾ yard — Chain Fabric
1¾ yards — Background Fabric

THIS is where I would eventually put the clean image of the new 42" × 48" quilt we’re creating for this pattern.

Download Your Free Pattern

I’ve put all the fabric requirements, cutting instructions, strip-piecing directions and quilt assembly instructions together for you.

[DOWNLOAD THE FREE TWO-COLOR IRISH CHAIN PATTERN]

file:///C:/Users/crystal.cox/Desktop/31_Threads_Two_Color_Irish_Chain_FINAL_v3.pdf

And remember—especially if this is your first quilt—we’re building skills here. Take your time and enjoy the process!

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LIFE

What’s Going On in My Little Corner of the Quilting World

While my quilting business began on social media about two years ago, I’m now about a year and a half into having my actual online store. It’s hard to believe how much has happened in that time!

Right now, one of the things I’m most excited about is that I’m working on my third quilt pattern, and I’m hoping to begin pattern testing next week.

I’m naturally drawn to modern quilting, and if you’ve seen my first two patterns, you may have noticed that I love working with solids. Both of those quilts were made using Art Gallery Fabrics PURE Solids, and solids have definitely found a special place in my quilting style.

For this third pattern, though, I’m changing things up a little.

I’m moving into wovens!

I’ll be making my sample and stocking kits using Fableism Wovens, and I’m really excited to see how the texture of the woven fabrics changes the look and feel of the quilt.

There’s also something a little different about this pattern: the blocks can be arranged in multiple layouts, so you’ll be able to take the same blocks and create different-looking quilts depending on how you choose to arrange them.

How fun is that?!

I can’t show you everything quite yet, but I’m looking forward to sharing more as the pattern moves through testing and gets closer to release. You’ll definitely be seeing some behind-the-scenes along the way!

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INSPIRE

Zechariah 4:10 — Do Not Despise Small Beginnings...

Maybe you’ve looked at quilting and thought, I could never do that.

Or maybe you’ve tried before, things didn’t turn out quite the way you hoped, and you decided you just weren’t very good at it.

Can I encourage you to let go of the idea that your quilts need to be perfect?

The minute perfection becomes the goal, we can lose so much of the joy of creating.

That seam that doesn’t match perfectly or that point that’s just a little off doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re learning.

Instead of looking at quilting as something you either can or can’t do, think of it as a collection of skills—and give yourself permission to learn them one skill at a time.

Learn to cut accurately. Then work on your quarter-inch seam. Practice matching those points.

With every project, you’ll get a little better and add another skill to what you already know.

You don’t have to be an amazing quilter today. You just have to be willing to begin.

And believe me, if I can learn to do this, anyone can!

Don’t despise the small beginnings. Sometimes they’re the beginning of something you never imagined.