Have you heard of the 2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler with Jessica Dayon?

Here are my blocks 3 and 4. I don’t love block 3. I tried reversing the colors, and it is a little odd.

Perhaps it will grow on me, but, if not, I have a Bonus Block created from the HST cutoffs and some 2-1/2″ squares. Perhaps I should have made the centers of the smaller 9-patch blocks from the solids?

You can learn more about these blocks HERE.

I can never get bored of putting these blocks into layout. So much movement and so many little piece of scraps that brings in memories of previous projects! Read more to see the latest progress and enjoy a few photos of these scrappy Ocean Wave blocks.

Last year, I focused on making half square triangles whenever I had scraps and a ...

Have you heard of the 2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler with Jessica Dayon?

It has just started, and here are my first two blocks.

Thanks to Debra, who sent me an abandoned mystery sew along project a while back. The fabrics seemed perfect for this sewalong. I have added a few solids for variety, and I really like the look so far. Thanks, Debra!

I’ll keep you posted as we go. Learn more about the sewalong HERE.

They are so much fun, you can’t make just one.

So, I made 27. I pulled an assortment of cool color 2-1/2″ squares and warm color 2-1/2″ squares from my precut scraps bin. The black and white borders came from the black print scraps bin. (Yes, I have a lot of bins).

Ta-dah, before I knew it there were blocks ready to mail off to  Many Hands and Many Hearts. You still have time to join in. They are accepting blocks until the end of February.

One of the best ways I’ve learned to start a new year is not by starting something new, but by finishing what’s already been started.

As I eased into 2026, I decided to look through my basket of nearly-there projects. You know the ones like sampler pieces, practice blocks, things that were made with intention but never quite crossed the finish line. This time, I made a simple decision: they deserved to be finished.

I grabbed a handful of leftover bindings from my scrap basket ...

I learned about Many Hands and Many Hearts from Quilting JetGirl. She recently featured their current project: Black and White Framed Charity Blocks.

Yep, I’m on board. And cutting scraps. And gathering squares. I hope to have a good number (maybe between 20-30) to send in by the deadline (end of February).

If you have scraps, why don’t you join us? It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how…

Allie’s Ellies
Fall 2025

After finishing piecing a row of quilt blocks I checked the stitch count on the BERNINA 560 and it’s just over 1.5 million stitches since the last service. That was just over five years ago. That’s not a lot of stitches when 3 million per year is average expected. I clearly have not been doing… Continue reading Welcome to 2026

I am slowly working my way through the projects inherited from Susan Nixon. It is bittersweet–glad they are finished, sorry she isn’t here to finish them…

This one is another variation of a Log Cabin, her favorite block. Here is a link to the less-than-traditional one I finished earlier in 2025.

About 60% of the blocks are Susan’s, and the rest are built by me. Some use strips that were included with the blocks, and I added some fabrics from my own (considerable) scrap stash.

The quilt is 72″x 88″. Not sure what to do with ...

I don’t use patterns very often, but I saw the Starlets pattern and knew it was just what I wanted for a patriotic couch quilt.

I did modify by replacing some of the stars with solid pieces of mostly larger print fabrics that wouldn’t work well for the small, pieced blocks. As built, it is 72″x72″.

The bandana print background has been in my stash for a long time. I believe I bought it on clearance at a local quilt shop for $2.99/yard. (Ah, those were the days…)

Husband helped to pick out the binding ...

Reflecting on My 2025 Quilting Journey

Before I list the quilts and sewing projects I worked on this year, I want to pause for a moment.

Reflection matters. Not to count finishes, not to measure productivity, and definitely not to compare with anyone else’s sewing journey. This year reminded me that progress doesn’t always look loud. Some seasons are steady. Some are quiet. Many are made up of small pockets of time, 20 minutes here, a few stitches there and THAT still counts.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t “make enough” this year, I hope ...

In a scrap bag were small pieces of some super cute farm fabric–chickens, sunflowers and text. They aren’t the kind of prints where cutting them smaller would be a good solution. But they could be combined with something else.

I added the gold geometric print in the 4-1/2″ squares and built 4-patchesout of 2-1/2″ squares using coordinating fabrics.

I even had some matching sunflower fabric for the back.

It is even cuter in person, but this at least gives you an idea. Cheap and cheerful, but it will go in the donation pile for next year ...

My Abloom Quilt Finish (Sew Sampler – May 2025)

I’m so happy to finally be sharing this finish — my Abloom quilt, made from the May 2025 Sew Sampler Box. This is one of those projects that quietly stayed with me throughout the year, and seeing it fully quilted and finished feels especially satisfying.

The fabric collection, Abloom by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics, is just beautiful. Soft, cheerful florals with a timeless feel — the kind of prints that instantly lift your mood. I especially loved working with the panel that came in the box; it really anchors the quilt and ...

From UFO to Done:

For the last five and a half years, I’ve been pulling out the project box for this Modern Star Quilt —sorting the pieces, laying them out, dreaming about the finish… and then carefully tucking it all away again. Every so often, I’d make a little progress by sewing a few star sets together, but it never seemed to get very far.

A few months ago, I made a promise to myself: I wanted to finally finish some of my UFOs so they could become part of the quilts I donate during the Giving Challenge ...

My Favourite Quilting Tools of 2025 (The Ones I Reached For Again & Again)

As the year winds down and I tidy up my sewing room for a fresh start in 2026, I always find myself reflecting on the quilting tools that truly made a difference this year. Some tools were pleasant surprises, some old favourites stayed loyal, and some became total game-changers for my quilting workflow.

If you’re looking to refresh your tool kit or find great gift ideas for a quilting friend, here are my most-used quilting tools of 2025…

1. Oliso Iron – Still My MVP

I’ve ...

When I saw this pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew, I immediately thought it would make a great scrappy Christmas quilt.I made a different scrappy Christmas quilt in 2018 And I thought it was time to make another and hopefully whittle down my Christmas fabrics a little.I like that the pieces in this block are big enough to show the fabrics.The white is a white on white print from my fabric pantry

The freemotion design Paws is one of those designs that creates a lovely texture. You just want to pet the quilt!

This design works well for quilts with themes like animals, pets, water, sea, ocean, rain, weather, wind, flying, birds, and swimming. Is there anything else that this design reminds you of?

Pattern Tutorial

Create the dynamic design Paws by moving in all directions. The design sequence its pretty simple; curve round and add a teardrop or a paisley shape inside of the curve.

The teardrop is a symmetrical shape, while the paisley is not; it has a curve. Mix ...

The virtual cookie exchange is one I look forward to. I like the opportunity to push myself into trying to convert another holiday recipe to a gluten-free version. This time, I decided to try making my younger daughter’s favorite…snickerdoodles! When I started looking at gluten-free recipes, I was surprised to see they didn’t call for cream of tarter. In my opinion, half the charm of a snickerdoodle is that slightly tart taste that lingers on your tongue. So, I went back to my 1980’s Betty Crocker Cookbook and I just subbed in the Bob’s Red ...

I have managed to finish a project, only six weeks after our newest granddaughter was born. It is based on the pattern Christmas Jam Place Mats from the Winter 2025 Issue of Quilter’s World magazine.

My blocks are 8″ square. It seemed like such a great idea, until I realized that the finished project would have over 900 pieces. In a baby quilt. But, it was too late…I really wanted to see the finished product. So, I carried on.

You may notice that each fabric appears only one time, including the yellow star centers. I tried to pick ...