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Quilting is a craft deeply rooted in tradition, history, and sentiment. Each quilt will always tell a unique story, woven with love and care. Among the vast array of quilt patterns, the Double Wedding Ring stands as a symbol of enduring love and commitment. It is traditionally made as a wedding gift, as it is a complex design, it takes time and effort to make it, so a wedding is just the right occasion to gift it!

The Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Its interlocking rings symbolize the unbreakable ...

The September Island Batik Challenge and Blog Hop is called Pieced to Perfection. We were required to make a paper-pieced project at least lap sized, using as many different fabrics as possible from our assigned collection.

I received Chromatic. It is an original collection designed by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.

Chromatic Bundle

Chromatic Fabrics

Bromeliad Garden

I chose "The Palm" block from EQ8 Block Library (under Old favorites). 

The on-point layout uses 24 blocks. I used 21 (out of the 22) fabrics from the Chromatic collection. I used three fabrics ...

Hi! I’m Mary Hertel. Welcome to my newest book “HOME SWEET HOME Paper Piecing“. Featuring 17 of my favorite block patterns, and 7 charming projects, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of creative fun for you.

If you are new to paper piecing, you can rely on any of my books to provide step by step directions. To give you even more assistance, visit me at madebymarney.com to watch paper piecing tutorials.

Did you know that as you paper piece, the block is created on the back of the paper pattern, and will be the opposite of ...

Everyone knows how much I love to design animal patterns. Here is my newest paper pieced pattern, A DOG FOR ALL SEASONS.

This adorable pattern includes all 4 blocks, LABRADOR WITH BUTTERFLY (spring); BEAGLE WITH FLOWER (summer); RETRIEVER WITH PUMPKIN (autumn); FRENCH BULLDOG WITH SCARF (winter). Use them to create pillows, potholders, or a lovely table runner for the dog lover in your life. You can keep these projects out all year!

Although they are all super cute, I am partial to this LABRADOR! He’s my fave. All of the block ...

My newest book, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING, is ready for you to enjoy.

This book features 17 of my FAVORITE BLOCK PATTERNS, and I want to share them with you. Koalas, monkeys, sea turtles, gnomes, and so much more.

This is just a sampling of the adorable blocks, and there are 10 more!

Remember…all of my blocks will fit not only in the 7 projects in this book, but will also fit into the projects in my past 6 books. That helps you achieve soooo much creativity in your sewing.

Here’s an example…

This super cute HEDGEHOG ...

I made a bit of progress on the miniature nosegays, and I learned a valuable lesson in the process. Don’t paper piece while on Zoom chatting with friends, LOL!! The last time I showed this project, I had made the copies and colored them, as there were a number of different configurations for the blocks.

On the sew day, I wanted to get started on them. I find it easier to sew several at once, doing the same piece number across several blocks. It seems to go a bit faster for me. So, I began with the first two ...

Welcome to Block Mania!! This month’s theme is all about friendship. There are some really cute blocks in this link package, so follow the links on the list below to build the perfect quilt. I have a special treat for you, so keep reading until the end. I went a little deep in thought for my block this month. As I pondered the meaning of friends, how important they are, and how people come in and out of our lives at different points, my block appeared. I just love it. As a modern maker, I took a different approach ...

What is a celebration of colors, flowers, wisdom, and prosperity?? It is what Michael Miller’s new line Elephant Cavalcade encapsulates. Twenty unique and eye-catching fabrics complete this whimsical line of fun. It has it all: strips, borders, animals, and great blenders. I can’t decide which fabric is my favorite… Well, no, my favorite is the Royal Elephant, but after that, it is hard to decide. The stripe. Any simple stripe is a fun way to shake things up, and I love them, except the mandala. That is my second favorite and it might be tied for first ...

Some of you may remember this quilt...

Easy tutorial to paper piece portions of a quilt block

All of my patterns include paper pieced blocks, which are constructed with scraps of fabric going in various directions. It is important to quilt over the finished block so it will not stretch out of shape when laundered. But, after paper piecing a lovely image, it almost hurts to quilt over it! My go to method is to use invisible thread.

These 3 invisible threads are brands that I have used and I think they are all do a good job. Superior Threads makes MonoPoly, Aurifil makes a 100% Nylon variety, and YLI makes this Monofilament 100% Nylon Invisible Thread ...

Happy Monday!!  Just when I thought my design wall couldn't get any more colorful, well I just added another layer!!  The Queen of the Nile from Pride and Joy Quilting is a new guest on the design wall as we gets started, just completely smitten with her!

I think I need a bigger design wall!!

But alas there is some custom quilting that must be done and it's a great wintery day to get that started.   But I will have the queen of the Nile peeking over my should as I quilt.

Did I tell you about my ...

These are mystery jelly rolls from last December. I am including in this years totals because I was hiding them from myself.

cute

Stash report January 29, 2023

  I bought a few mystery solid fat quarters. I like all the colors, but, I don't use solids much. I wonder why.

Stash report January 8, 2023

fabric used year to date: 12 yards  

1 1/2 yards bought more than used

I sewed 6 days last week.  including Friday sew

I made a winter wreath for Mr Snowman rug hooking project. 

Today we will be traveling to see our son's family. I hope to ...

 Oh boy, if my design wall is any indication of how 2023 will go, I'm not really sure what it's trying to say!!  Hmm it's like instead of reading tea leaves I'll be reading my unfinished blocks - what are they telling me about my future???  Just look, goodness gracious!  All of these projects were started in past years but surprisingly more than half were started last year. 

Design Wall Jan 2023

Oh 2022 was a wreck of year, it just hobbled along to the bitter end for me.  There was Drama, there was delight in retiring ...

 Another week, another finish. I am sure I won't sustain that rhythm for very long but let's make the most of it while it last!

I picked up my mini Storm at Sea top that had been ready for quilting since last January and had re-joined the UFO pile. I had originally started the piecing in 2010, not sure why it took me so long to finally get back to it really!

I found a very nice fabric in my stash, one that had been there for over 15 years for sure. 

                                        

I also sewed up the second to last Log Cabin Love block awhile back.  One to go.