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October 8, 2024
Fletcher Bag A Quick Messenger Bag from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Last Tuesday, I shared my newest pattern, the Sugar Skull quilt block. I tested the pattern using the Good Spirits fabric by Ruby Star Society. It’s their Halloween line, which hit stores a few months ago. If you follow me on Instagram, you’d know that I used this fabric for a quilt-along with the Fat Quarter Shop. A couple of months back, I made a door hanging with this fun fabric line.

Sugar Skull Quilt Block for a quick and fun halloween project

Since I didn’t have any plans for the quilt block and still had some leftover fabric, I decided to turn it into something. I settled ...

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October 1, 2024
Sugar Skull Quilt Block from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

It’s spooky season! I couldn’t be more excited that this month’s Block Mania theme aligns perfectly with my latest creative spark. October is all about sweets! Inspired by my love for Halloween and my husband’s Hispanic heritage, I took a unique approach to the theme: the Sugar Skull Quilt Block.

A sugar skull is exactly what it sounds like—a large cube of sugar molded into the shape of a skull, then decorated with bright colors, icing, glitter, and other embellishments.

In Tucson, there’s a massive street parade for Día de los Muertos. I love ...

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September 24, 2024
Nightlight Quilt with Make Modern from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Exciting News: My Nightlight Quilt is in Make Modern Magazine!

I’m beyond thrilled to share some amazing news with you all—I’m featured in this month’s Make Modern Magazine! </p>
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September 17, 2024
Making a Quilt Jacket from a Burda from Brown Bird Designs Quilts




I come from a family that subscribed to Hoard’s Dairyman, National Geographic, and Burda. To this day, as a farmer’s daughter, I still love flipping through the knee-high stacks of Burda magazines my mom has collected over the years. In fact, I even have a small stack of five Burda magazines that have somehow lost their way and found a home on my bookshelf.

The small pile of Burda magazines that are on my bookshelf

Quilt Jacket: A Three-Year Work in Progress

Each year, I pull them out and dream of making a jacket. I’ve actually been working on triangles from my Terracotta Fiori Quilt Pattern to create ...

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September 16, 2024
A Podcast, A Class and an Update from Terificreations's Weblog

Tracy Mooney and I have longed to work together again since our Generation Q(uilt) Magazine ended. And we have, as I’ve designed quilts for publications she’s edited. About a year ago we started talking seriously about having our own podcast and inviting friends to join us. And so, here we go. Click HERE. There are… Continue reading A Podcast, A Class and an Update

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September 12, 2024
Trunk Shows & Workshops from If These Threads Could Talk

I get asked all the time where am I teaching. Below is my schedule so far:

  • 9/17:  North Country Trunk Show, NY
  • 10/5: Zoom OBW Trunk Show, Arizona State Guild
  • 11/9: Zoom OBW 1, Arizona State Guild
  • 11/11-13: Thomas Sewing Center,  Lexington KY, OBW Workshop
  • 11/14: 11/17: Fantastic Quilters OBW Trunk Show & Workshop, Fairfield Glade TN
  • 12/7: Zoom OBW 2 , Arizona State Guild
  • 2025
  • 1/10:  Zoom OBW Trunk Show, Quilt Inc., Delmar, NY
  • 1/18: 60 degree Log Cabin, Thread Bears Quilt Guild, Oneida NY
  • 1/20: Sew Busy, Gloversville, NY, OBW ...

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September 3, 2024
I Heart Racing Quilt Block from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Zoom into Quilt Block Mania! </p>
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August 13, 2024
Great Jelly Roll Bash Plus Giveaway from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

I’m thrilled to announce a an event that only happens once a year — the Great Jelly Roll Bash! If you’re new to this event, you’re in for a treat. Here’s the scoop on what’s in store: I’ve invited four incredibly talented pattern designers to join me in hosting this year’s event on Zoom. Each of us has designed a unique pattern in our own distinctive style, and we’re bundling them all together for sale. Purchasing this bundle also grants you access to the exclusive Zoom event happening on September 21st—Jelly Roll ...

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August 6, 2024
Favorite Bow Quilt Block from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Hello, Quilting Friends! I’m thrilled to share with you my latest addition to Quilt Block Mania—this free bow quilt block is available for all of August. This month’s Quilt Block Mania theme is Accessories, and what accessory is more delightful and versatile than a bow? Bows are having a big moment right now, popping up everywhere in fashion, decor, and now, in our quilts!

Inspiration Behind the Favorite Bow Quilt Block

This charming block is inspired by a blog post on Ruby Star Society’s website. Devon wrote all about the Pivot Patchwork Bow, and this beautiful ...

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July 2, 2024
Readers Quilt Block for Block Mania from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

It’s Block Mania: Celebrating Reading with “Readers” Quilt Block!

Hello Quilty friends! Welcome to another Block Mania Tuesday! This month’s theme is all about celebrating reading, and I couldn’t resist creating something special for you. Introducing the “Readers” quilt block, designed with love and a touch of literary charm.

Readers Quilt Block features glasses and books

If you’re new to Block Mania, here’s the scoop: on the first Tuesday of the month, Carolin Moore orchestrates this fantastic blog hop where designers like myself craft 12” finished quilt blocks based on a theme. And the best part? You get to download these blocks ...

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June 25, 2024
Garden Star 6 Pattern Release + Giveaway from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Introducing the Garden Star 6 Quilt Pattern!

I’m over the moon to share some exciting news… It’s time for another pattern release party!! My newest quilt pattern, Garden Star 6, is here! This is the perfect addition to the Garden Star series and is sure to delight both beginners and seasoned quilters with its captivating design that is easy to assemble. So, pour yourself a cup of (insert your favorite drink), and let’s dive into the magic of quilting together!

The full quilt top is the focus of this image. It is handing on a rod iron fence. Part of a beautiful building.

Can you keep a secret? I am actually making this quilt for my nephew’s family; they ...

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June 6, 2024
Design Bootcamp Launch from Lisa H Calle's Blog

I do a 3-day design boot camp a couple of times a year. The charge is minimal for the amount of value in it, and I absolutely love doing them. The purpose of the boot camp is to give quilters a taste of what my teaching style is like, to further their quilting journey, and to encourage them to join me in either the QG Design Academy and/or QG Creative Design Society.

As you all know, I have reduced the price of the Society from $24.97 to $9.97 to make it accessible to everyone. My hope was ...

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June 4, 2024
Twinkle Star Quilt Block from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Block Mania Tuesday

Today is the day!!! It’s another block mania Tuesday, and I made it in the nick of time… I really didn’t think I was going to have a block to share this month because I just got back from teaching on a quilting cruise for a whole week!! It was so much fun!  I didn’t get to work on my block on the ship. And I didn’t get to work on it the week after I got home either… but last Monday I put on my big girl panties and got it done ...

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May 21, 2024
Conquering the Y-seam from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

I don’t know about you, but my first opinion of a Y-seam was disbelief. I saw it. Broke it down in my mind and moved on. I didn’t want to do it and I didn’t think I could do it. It wasn’t until I entered the Modern Quilt Guild color challenge back in 2018 that I decided that I would attempt the technique. I was surprised by what I found and grew to love them. Let’s explore a few patterns that use them and debunk the myth that Y-seams are hard.

What is a Y-seam ...

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May 7, 2024
Diamondback Quilt Block from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Happy Tuesday!!

Hey there quilters! It’s another Block Mania Day, and I am joining in again. This month, we’re diving headfirst into the arid beauty of the desert. As someone who calls the desert home, I couldn’t be more thrilled to share my latest creation with you all. I’m proud to present my Diamondback Quilt Block..

The Diamondback Quilt Block

You might have noticed that my block designs for this year’s block mania all share a similar style — a blend of fun, funky, and just a touch of quirky. My goal is to create a quilt with all my ...

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April 9, 2024
The Secrets Behind this Scrappy Quilt from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Half hexagon Scrappy Quilt top before it has been quilted hanging from a brick building

A Journey into Deep Colors, Scrappy Quilts and Wonky Hexagons

Welcome quilting friends! A few weeks back I shared with you my newest pattern, the Inflorescences Quilt. Today, I’m excited to take you on a whimsical journey as we unveil the back of that quilt. A creation that boasts deep, dark colors reminiscent of a starry night and mysterious galaxies, made with fabric scraps. How is this scrappy quilt possible you might ask? With a Wonky Half Hexagon template.

Let’s break the quilt down into three different half hexagons and talk about using templates ...

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April 2, 2024
Owl Quilt Block: Modern Twist on Tradition from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Snowy Owl Quilt Block

In the world of quilting, every stitch tells a story. And what better way to piece that story together than a sampler quilt? Block Mania is the perfect way for you to get a wide variety of quilt blocks for free. Meet Snowy Owl Quilt block, my take on a modern whimsy owl. This block is the perfect addition to your quilting pattern archive that can add a dash of charm and a sprinkle of magic to your quilts.

Snowy Owl Quilt Block

Today, I am yet again joining in on this month’s Block Mania blog hop, where us ...

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March 19, 2024
Quilt Scrap Project – Easter Nest DIY from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

From Scraps to Fabulous

Let’s turn trash into fun!! One of my favorite things is turning scraps into something usable. I do this in many ways. My favorite way, and the one that I have been doing for the longest, is creating dog beds out of the fabrics too small to do something with and the bits of batting that are not useable. I also love turning my scraps into larger quilt sandwiches so I can practice quilting. Then there is always the quilt back. The perfect way to practice improv quilting and put a dent into the scrap ...

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March 12, 2024
Inflorescence Quilt Pattern Release from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

Oh my goodness!! Pinch me because I think I am dreaming!! It’s another pattern release day here at Brown Bird Designs and this one has been a long time coming. I came close to picking this design to release instead of Garden Star 2 when I worked with Citrus and Mint’s playful collection many years ago. Instead, I put this design back in my pocket and have been waiting for the perfect time and perfect line to bring it into the world. This is Inflorescence Quilt, and isn’t she lovely?? Grab yourself a cup of coffee and ...

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February 27, 2024
10 Free Motion Quilting Tips from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

The Giving Challenge Finishes

Welcome to a Brown Bird Designs kind of Tuesday, where quilting is always the main topic. Today, I am finally sharing something that I’ve been meaning to reveal for months. If you follow me on Instagram or read my blog, you may have heard me mention The Giving Challenge. Every November, I take on this challenge with a different approach. In the past, I’ve done giveaways, created special projects for one cause, and made various handmade goods for different causes. Last year, I aimed to reduce my stack of charity quilt blocks, which had ...

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