This is another quilt that came from Susan Nixon prior to her death. I am trying to tie up loose ends and honor her.
The top is assembled. I had to create a few blocks to get a complete top. Should have the finish to share in a few weeks.
read moreThis quilt was finished in February. I have no idea why I didn’t report on it. I can’t even find pictures of the process.
The pieces parts came from multiple sources: some irregular improv pieces from a hand-me-down bag, jelly roll strips from a different hand me down bag, miscellaneous half-square triangles (possibly waste triangles), and some solids from my own stash.
You could make the entire quilt using a jelly roll and some background or low volume (for those HST) and some solids.
Finishes at 39″ square.
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read moreJust to get started right, this isn’t a completely original idea. I saw a picture (maybe on Pinterest) but couldn’t track it down again or find a pattern. It started the idea, though, and I would love to give credit where credit is due. So, if you know, please let me know…
That said, I started this quilt in January with the goal of using small scraps of solids and low volume prints.
In my version, the rails are 1-1/2″x3-1/2″ strips. The low volume squares are 3-1/2″. The hourglass blocks started as 4-1/2 ...
read moreMy friend, Christine, and I had a few days away at the cottage last weekend. We brought our sewing machines, projects, and handwork with us, as well as some books to read and good food to eat. It was a pretty relaxing weekend. A storm blew through and the power was off for 12 hours, but we found lots to do. We even toasted bagels and boiled water for tea on the BBQ!
I started a Tiny House quilt (online class by Jo Avery). My houses still need roofs and chimneys but I did didn't have the right colour ...
read moreSignificant progress is being made at the quilt retreat!! Thankfully, the temperature is dropping, so it's much more comfortable. I don't think any building was comfortable the previous day. Yesterday, we were nice and comfy, and with lower temperatures today, we may not even need the AC. OK, so that's me, but the others may feel differently. I actually felt slightly chilly in the room this morning!
Shoot, I meant to take a picture of the sewing room, but I'll save that for tomorrow.
I started the day (after several hours of sewing) with a walk ...
read moreI am so excited to share that I have a new book coming out later this year! Modern Scrap Quilts will be out with Stash Publications in November!
This book was originally supposed to be mostly a pattern book, but I realized I had a lot to say about scraps in the negative space, so it has ended up being a bit of a follow-up to my first book, The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook. That means that in addition to the patterns, there are lots of ideas to help you design your own quilts—and help use up some ...
read moreSusan Nixon (desertskyquilts) was an angel in my life, and in the lives of many others. I met her online through blogging, and we became friends. She visited me, shared her knowledge, and loved my daughter (Sparkle Jane).
Near the end of her life, she sorted fabric and projects and shared some UFOs (and fabric) with me. This is one of them. So happy to see it finished.
It has been gifted to my aunt, who recently celebrated cancer remission.
Quilters live on through their work and the joy and warmth they bring to the world. Amen.
NOTE: I didn ...
read moreFriend Julia came for a visit from Louisiana. She wanted to make a baby quilt. Her first quilt.
She had Mardis Gras fabric for the back.
We started pulling possibilities from my color bins. She ironed and I cut.
The FIRST BLOCK.
And, before she flew out, a finished top. (Quick info: 3″ squares. Finishes at 40″ square.)
She plans to connect with the quilting community back home. I assured her that there would be people ready and willing to help. I will share the finish when it happens.
There is another quilt kit cut and ready in her baggage ...
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After the question about a future quilt design, the responses let me know that many quilters have a supply of bonus/waste triangles sitting around. This did include me.
I pulled out leftovers from the Big Diehl Quilt and trimmed them down to 1-1/2″.
After trying a few options, I settled on a broken dishes block.
Thirty-six blocks later, I had a mini quilt.
It has been delivered to Jennifer, who loves mini quilts. So glad to have the triangles working and off to brighten someone’s day.
PS–I am working to share a variety of projects featuring ...
read moreI have a bin of assorted 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles. They are handy for a leader-ender quilt. Yes, it is a little crazy, but someone will like it.
Here is THE BLOCK. This one finishes at 60″x72″.
Always fun to have a sneak peek at the backing.
It goes in the donation pile to brighten someone’s day.
read moreImagine my delight and surprise when I opened an email last week:
Greetings,
I took your quilting intensive about three or four years ago and, at the time, didn’t finish my project. A few months ago, I found it tucked away in my closet—and I’m happy to say I’ve finally completed it.
I’m not sure if this is something you’d be interested in, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the finished quilt.
That year a project option was to build a Potato Chip Block for a donation quilt, and additional ones (as many ...
read moreI put together a year's worth of 3.5" leaders and enders to create six quilts for donation. Each is 62" x 74".
Closer to the 2025 holiday season, I will take them to a local agency that helps children and adults with developmental disabilities.
read moreWhen the call went out for donations to support my youth sewing class, Susan sent, not only fabric, but a quilt top that needed to be finished.
And now it is. Finishes at 45″ x 60″ Great use of stripy scraps. You can even see where some of the coins were pieced. Whimsy!
The back is a little wild, and I used scrappy binding from my stash.
It will bless the life of someone soon. Thanks to all of you for the generosity you offer the world. I am fortunate to be part of such a community.
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I love it when you share!
Charlene made this striking version of Calico Rose.
Sandy built this 100-patch quilt. And I love that bedframe!
Mary Q. made the cheerful version of Stutter Steps. She was particularly pleased that the math worked out and it was 36″ square when finished.
Mary Q. also made her version of the 100-patch quilt. So much fun!
Cheryl made this stunning Film at Five for her niece. I love the way the center patches are pieced.
Mary made this astonishing version of Irish Stars and entered it into a quilt show.
Marilyn made this baby ...
read moreTwo interesting piles came to me in scrap bags: Binding. But not just any binding. A lot of binding. Both were 2-1/2″ wide. The pink was scrappy from a variety of fabrics. The gray was jelly roll strips stitched together.
They languished in my bindings box, constantly overlooked. But, they had potential. Ironed out, I cut 2-1/2″ squares. And pieced 8-patch blocks.
Joined together (and bound with the remaining pink binding) they will keep a baby warm.
I plan to make a larger similar quilt in the future. Great use for a jelly roll. Or a layer cake ...
read moreLast weekend, my husband and I went to the Camp Kintail Crafter's Retreat--Christine, my usual accomplice at retreats, had other plans for the weekend so my husband agreed to go with me. He did some reading and worked on weathering some model train cars. We also went for several walks--it was a gorgeous sunny weekend. I finished off the last three blocks for this quilt. I have not decided what to name it yet... The blocks are not put together yet as they have to be all trimmed to the exact same size first. They are bigger than standard ...
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