What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Have you heard about the Sampler Quiltalong hosted by Days Filled With Joy? It is a beginner friendly 12-block series she is sharing on both her blog (Days Filled With Joy) and her Youtube channel.

I enjoy her writing style, and, while I have been quilting for quite a while, I find myself feeling encouraged and informed.

I am using leftovers from a previous quilt, with some new scraps added in as needed.

The quiltalong is designed with 12″ blocks, but I enjoy working small. So, I have decided to make four of each block, scaled down to 6″. The ...

It has been one month since I shared my newest leader-ender project: The Double Four Patch.

I have completed 84 blocks. As Gretchen said, “They add up.”

A sort of pinwheel star block made with 1-1/2″ cut off HST.

Mini!

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.

I have been keeping busy with quite a few projects, but it has taken a while to achieve a finish. That’s fine and of course with the cold Winter weather arriving, I am sure the finishes will follow. Cold equals time inside sewing!

I have been hunting out all the charm packs that have been squirreled away. I want to use them in projects. This quilt is made from 2 charm packs of A Breath of Avignon..

The centre stars are made from the neutral fabrics, leaving the brights for the outsides. I used a red and white spot ...

Some friends are, sadly, moving. Here is a little going away present that I hope will get used often in their new home.

We shared many fun meals, and football games, for the last several years.

Pull.

Cut.

Piece.

I love the start of a new project!

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 ...

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.

In spite of life events, I have managed to stay caught up with the  2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler.

While I have been quilting for some time, it is never too late to try something new. While working on this quiltalong, I have focused on pressing the seam allowance of my HST open after trimming them. I am surprised at the difference it makes. There is less slip due to bulk when I am assembling the blocks, and the blocks are flatter in the end. Who knew?

Not only will I have a fun quilt, but also a new-to-me technique ...

I got a little behind due to…well, life! But, I am caught up with the  2026 Sew Along: Scrappy Sampler.

Week 3 and Week 4 are available on YouTube.

I changed to using the red, white and blue color patterns. They work better with my scrapp-ier plan. I am very pleased at how blocks 7 and 8 went because of that.

I was also glad to use some of the pre-cut items that Debra included in the mystery kit she sent me. No, those are not going to waste.

Looking forward to the coming blocks this week.

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.

The blocks for my model quilt are complete, and I am working on layout.

Finish and tutorial coming soon!

I often wonder if the Winter weather makes me take on projects that take a while to finish. Do I choose ones that are going to keep me inside where it is warm? Maybe I sub-consciously do.

I have been keeping the needles working in the evenings to finish this jumper for Miss 10yo. She has already seen the yarn and very much approved of the colour.

The yarn is machine washable wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It is from the Prism range and the shade is Fairy Tale.

This is a closer look at the colour gradations.

It is ...

Yes, we have a name: Fringe Benefit.

A fringe benefit is a perk, extra or bonus received in addition to regular compensation. In this case, those cut off triangles can turn into a buy one-get one special.

If you are interested in making a quilt, large or small, using this block, I have a few suggestions:

1. Get a bloc lock ruler, if you don’t have one already. Mine is 6-1/2″. It makes the trimming faster and more accurate. They are available in many local shops or a variety of locations online.
2. Dig out all those bonus triangles. They ...

A while back I asked about “bonus half square triangles,” those pieces that can result from stitch-flip-trim patterns. Many said that they had a lot of them. Many said they weren’t sure how to use them.

I have been thinking about that, and found a number of uses for them. You will see some in upcoming posts.

But I also wanted to create a block that would use them specifically. The block can be created using (at least) three sizes of half square triangles: 2-1/2″, 2″, 1-1/2″. And you can make anything from a mini quilt, to ...

The balloon quilt block was repaired and the top assembled. Sort of interesting math in the borders, but they work OK.

Off to the quilter soon.

It was an ugly tear out. But, the more I looked at it, the more I hated it. The red was too dark and didn’t contrast well with the black.

Much better now. Before and After below.

I am assembling the top and hope to have a finished product (at least flimsy) to share by the end of the week.

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.

Friend 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 ...