This goes to the soon-to-be-born first baby of a young couple in our circle. I can see it being built in many color options and sizes. Enjoy!

Full Hearts Quilt

36″ x 36″

MATERIALS

Fabric in at least two different colors for the heart and strip blocks. I used scraps. You will need a total of 54 strips 2-1/2″x-1/2″. I did 18 of each color (pink, yellow, blue). You will need 36 pieces 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2 (12 of each color).

1/2 yard background fabric. Cut 72 1-1/4″x1-1/4″ squares. Cut 36 3-1 ...

A Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party Bonus!

Today I have a special treat for you!

We are deep into the Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party, and this week the designer behind Brown Bird Designs—that’s me!—shared the Sparkling Star Block. It is such a fun block to make, and I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful versions. As a bonus, I’m gifting you the Glow Bug Quilt Block Tutorial. This block captures the heart of our Block Party theme: magical summer nights filled with wonder and delight. It celebrates time spent outdoors, watching nature ...

Because I wasn’t thinking of writing a step-by-step process tutorial as I started playing with leftover bits of fabric, I don’t have everything needed to be a true TUTORIAL. But I do have this, and maybe it will inspire you to build something similar yourself.

Stars Surrounded

19-1/2″ x 19-1/2″

MATERIALS

64 high contrast HST 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2 (you can use cutoffs from a previous quilt, or create to order from 2″ squares)

41 background squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″

16 colored strips 1-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ (I cut mine in pairs ...

Why is it called the Topper Quilt? Because it started out as a TUTORIAL from Free Motion by the River. Great use of Mini Charms (one per block, or a bunch of scrap-cut squares.) AND, if you get carried away, suddenly you have a quilt top. With pillows.

NOTE: This is the front yard of my home. And you are seeing my locally-famous front yard garden. Keeps me honest about weeding…

I love how each block came together and how I was able to use fabric I had on hand. If you have mini charm packs without a purpose, each ...

Have you ever finished a quilt, folded it up, gifted it away—or tucked it somewhere safe—and later wished you had written down when you made it or who it was for? That’s exactly why quilt labels matter.

Adding a quilt label is one of those little finishing touches that doesn’t take long but makes a big difference. It helps tell the story of your quilt—who made it, when it was sewn, who received it, or even a little note if it’s a special gift.

The good news is there’s no “right” way to ...

If you’ve been following along on my quilty journey, you know that I love doing something extra special on my quilt backs. When I saw the panel from the Mystic Fable fabric line by Alexia Abegg for Ruby Star Society, I just knew I had to do something with it on the back of my Moon Spell quilt. I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to show you how I made it with a tutorial for creating the Perfect Panel Quilt Back.

This panel is absolutely beautiful. It has a vintage appliqué feel and so many charming details ...

When I am sorting scraps, or cleaning up after projects, I cut likely pieces into standard sizes: 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/2″ squares. They are so handy, sitting there in their little tubs just waiting for a project to come along.

And here it is! Double four-patch.

A large (queen? king?) size quilt made out of 4-1/2″ blocks. Yes, it is a lot, but I have a lot of squares. And I am not in a hurry. And, I already have 11 blocks. Only something like 550+ to go.

Ever made a bag that just won’t stand up the way you want it to? That’s usually where box corners come in. This simple sewing technique is what gives bags, pouches, and bins that flat bottom so they actually hold their shape and work the way they should.

The good news is there’s more than one way to do it—and none of them are hard. In this tutorial, you’ll learn 3 easy methods for sewing box corners, so you can pick the one that makes the most sense for how you like to sew. Once ...

The pattern is called Cheater Patchwork by Happy Quilting. It calls for TWO layer cakes, but I used one and filled in with coordinating solids.

Finished size is 72″x72″.

I LOVE the Henhouse line of fabric (Available at your local quilt shop or online. I got mine on Ebay). Such a great variety of prints, and the colors do a great job of walking the line between traditional and contemporary.

It was delivered to a fellow teacher who I have worked with for a few years, but just recently served with on a committee. Once you get to know ...

Learn how to make a simple no-sew banner with a star applique that’s quick, easy, and perfect for decorating your space. This is one of those projects you can put together in no time—no sewing machine needed.

If you’ve got fabric scraps sitting around and want a fast project that still looks put together, this is a great option. It’s especially fun for holidays, seasonal decorating, or adding a little handmade touch to a room without committing to a full sewing project.

The star applique gives the banner a bit of extra personality, while the no-sew ...

Learn how to give a store-bought blanket a handmade touch with a few simple sewing techniques. This is a great option when you want to create something personal and thoughtful—without starting completely from scratch.

Sometimes you need a gift quickly, or you find a blanket that’s soft and perfect… it just needs a little something extra. Adding a handmade detail can turn it into something special while still saving you time.

This project is simple, beginner-friendly, and a great way to use fabric from your stash. Whether you’re adding a border, trim, or a little bit of ...

Learn how to sew a snappy pouch that opens wide and snaps closed with a simple squeeze. This is one of those small sewing projects that’s quick to make, fun to use, and surprisingly handy to have around.

If you’ve never made a snap pouch before, you’re in for a treat. The built-in metal frame gives it that “snap” opening, making it easy to grab what you need without digging around. It’s perfect for holding sewing notions, small supplies, or even everyday items you want to keep organized.

Pouch Tutorial with a Snappy Closure

This project ...

Learn how to sew a simple mug caddy that slips right over your coffee mug and keeps your favorite sewing notions within reach. This little organizer is one of those projects you didn’t know you needed—until you make one and wonder how you ever sewed without it.

If you’re constantly reaching for clips, scissors, or a seam ripper, this mug caddy keeps everything in one spot while you sew. It wraps around your mug with elastic so it stays in place, and the pockets on the sides give you just enough room to hold the basics without ...

This week I completed my final blocks for the  2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler.

Well, I completed the block count for the middle size option. The friendship star block just didn’t appeal to me, so I found another option. Using THIS TUTORIAL, I make a 12″ bear paw variation. There wasn’t enough of any of the solid pink fabrics to make the center squares for the paw, so I used two different fabrics and created HST as an option.

Sashing and inner borders next. There is a lot to them, so it might be two weeks before I ...

Learn how to sew a quilted table runner using the quilt-as-you-go technique and a simple applique design. If you like projects that come together quickly and don’t require wrestling a full quilt through your sewing machine, this one is a fun option to try.

Quilt-as-you-go is one of those techniques that makes you wonder why you didn’t try it sooner. Instead of making the entire quilt top and quilting it later, you quilt each section as you sew it.

That means smaller pieces to handle, less bulk under your machine, and you can actually see the project coming ...

Spring always makes me want to sew something small and cheerful.

Not a full quilt. Not a big commitment. Just something quick that uses up a few scraps and brings a little bit of that “fresh start” feeling into the sewing room.

This little spring chick does exactly that.

It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and one of those projects that comes together faster than you expect. You don’t need much fabric, you don’t need anything fancy, and you probably already have everything sitting in your stash.

If you’ve been wanting a quick win at your sewing machine, this ...

This week I completed blocks 13 and 14 of the  2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler.

I appreciate more and more Jessica’s videos and the two different printable patterns. You can find blocks 13 and 14 HERE. The piecing for Block 13 was new to me, but with no hurrying and better pressing techniques, I am happy with the results.

Only one more week of blocks, then on to borders. I am looking forward to it.

Learn how to sew an quick and cute bunny using your fabric scraps, favorite spring prints or even a leftover quilt block. The simple to follow instructions will take you from beginning to end – plus there is a template you can print to use, making this a great bunny pattern.

If you’ve got a pile of fabric scraps and a soft spot for quick, giftable projects, this little bunny is calling your name. This free bunny sewing pattern is one of those simple, satisfying projects you can sew in an afternoon—and then immediately want to make three more ...

Looking for a way to use up surplus Half Square Triangles (HST)? This might be just the thing you are looking for. Gather up all the HST you have laying around, pick a size, add some low volume scraps, and, before you know it, you have a beautiful quilt to share.

I built my quilt without sashing, and the quilt sizes below assume that. You will likely come up with variations, and I would love to see them all.

NOTE: The quilt above is a 2-1/2″ HST variation using 36 blocks and finishing at 72″x72″.