What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

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.

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…

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 ...

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 ...

 Once upon a time, I came across a tutorial on how to make a quilt with collage pieces. It was a llama and I really enjoyed the process of making it.

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

Finish and tutorial coming soon!

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 ...

Daughter (Sparkle Jane) is still quilting, but with a 2-year old and a second baby due any day now, her time on social media is limited. I wanted to share a recent project of hers, though, because I got to be a part of it.

She had twelve “figure” blocks made by Susan Nixon (her quilting grandma) that she wanted to turn into something special. With the addition of 13 9-patch blocks (and a truly inspired backing) she now has a throw quilt.

Some of the blanket stitching on the figure blocks wasn’t finished, so Sparkle did that part ...

Here is my promised three-charm-packs quilt (could also be made with a layer cake or cut from scraps).

Finishes at 66″ square. Great throw, table topper, or even wall hanging (if you have a big wall).

Tutorial coming soon (probably next week).

A large pile of blocks came from Susan Nixon prior to her death. Unusual colors for a log cabin quilt. And not quite enough blocks. I added 4. Now I can’t tell which ones.

I call it Fireworks. The scattered, irregular shapes almost move. And the colors are so bright.

The finished size is 84″x84″. I don’t have definite plans for it yet, but I am sure it will have a home soon.

Young Son is getting married the end of September. She is a lovely young woman, and we are very pleased for them both. And, of course, the occasion calls for a quilt!

This is based on the CLEO Pattern . I did resize the blocks smaller, and I do love the look. Sort of modern/abstract. Or maybe just busy. Either way, it is done now… It is super scrappy with around 250 different green, brown, gold and cream fabrics.

Don’t you LOVE the gold thread in the quilting. (Thank you, Jennifer!)

We wish them a lifetime wrapped in quilty ...

There was a bag with eleven Christmas themed blocks–ten that measured 12-1/2″ and one that measured 15-1/2″.

Hmmm…what do I do with that? They are beautifully constructed, just like Susan always made. Yes, this is another finish in honor of Susan Nixon.

I created some pinwheel blocks and some strips of 2-1/2″ squares. Also, added 1-1/2″ sashing around the 15″ block.

The blocks are joined with 2-1/2″ sashing. Then a triple border of 2-1/2″ background, a pieced border of 2-1/2″ squares and a final 2-1/2″ border.

It is a fun ...

I started with the RISE pattern from Woodbury Way.

It is a great starting point. The directions for the basket alone are worth the price of the pattern. But, I did branch out and design some blocks of my own, many using scraps and leftovers from previous projects. The blocks using the bear’s paw and pinwheels were that way. The black balloon in the lower left and the green/blue one on the second row up are modeled on pictures of real balloons. So many options! So much inspiration! (SIDE NOTE: I used flying geese in the border rather ...

A free pattern is worth trying, right? Especially when the fabric is free, too!

I received a bundle of cut 2-1/2″ strips of assorted blue and green fabrics. There were so many I couldn’t see them getting used any time in the near future if I added them to my general stash of strips.

So, it was a try at something new. If I did it again I would make the quilting a darker shade of brown to help tie the front, the quilting, and the backing together better. I don’t love it, but someone will. If ...