I am emerging from the Thanksgiving weekend with a renewed appreciation for family and life in general. The traditional meal turned out great, and I had a chance to hang out with my two younger sons. How about you? Was yours filled with lots of family members, or was it a quiet celebration? That was all good but I am ready to go back to the business of quilting. How about some modern quilt projects to make in a weekend? [Edited June 6, 2020] Have you seen the book "Modern Patchwork - 12 … [Read more...] about Modern quilt projects to make in a weekend
Make a Thanksgiving Quilt with pineapples
This year I will greet my family on Thanksgiving with a different Thanksgiving quilt: the pineapple one. Long regarded as a symbol of Welcome, it will be a perfect, bright, unexpected way to remind them our house is THE place to be! How would you like to make a Thanksgiving Quilt with pineapples? [Edited May 21, 2020.] This is a UFO project in the making since 2013 - the pineapple blocks are made of strips of fabrics collected from a group of friends after we traveled to Hawaii in … [Read more...] about Make a Thanksgiving Quilt with pineapples
Sewing with Feed Sacks: get the inside scoop
My love for fabrics began to grow when I became a quilter. At first, only quilting fabrics tugged at my heart. Today, any fiber with color and texture will attract me like bears to honey. Enter the feed sack - read on to get the inside scoop about sewing with Feed Sacks. With its rich history, whimsical prints, and unlikely rise to fame, I have another reason to add to my ever-expanding fabric collection (heretofore known as 'fabric stash'). I really did not know much about feed sacks other … [Read more...] about Sewing with Feed Sacks: get the inside scoop
Free Christmas Quilt pattern with poinsettias and applique’
Are you looking for a cool Christmas quilt pattern? How about a Free Christmas Quilt pattern with poinsettias and applique'? This one is called Dancing Poinsettias and you still have time to make it before the big event! [Edited May 21, 2020.] I designed Dancing Poinsettias for Hoffman Fabrics and their beautiful collection Poised Poinsettia. It measures 55" x 55" and the blocks finish at 12". This size is ideal for a table topper or wall hanging. If you use a flannel backing, it … [Read more...] about Free Christmas Quilt pattern with poinsettias and applique’
International Quilt Festival in Houston
Last weekend, I had the privilege of visiting the Quilt Exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Although I know someone actually spent four hours viewing the quilts, the hour I was able to spend there filled me with awe and inspiration. The quilts above are by Shizuko Kuroha from Tokyo, Japan. This exhibit was called Pieces of My Life and featured her amazing, intricate quilts made with fabrics from her extensive collection of antique Japanese fabrics, especially indigo … [Read more...] about International Quilt Festival in Houston
Easy Star quilt block tutorial
Two of my quilty girlfriends and I are sewing star blocks for a quilt. We meet every month or so and exchange 12" blocks using a specific fabric collection - this way the quilt will have a more harmonious colorway. We are working with Gretel by Amy Smart for Penny Rose Fabrics. This time I chose to make a three-color star block and here is the Easy Star quilt block tutorial. When we meet today I will give them each one of these star blocks I made. Don't you love it? I found it in the book "I … [Read more...] about Easy Star quilt block tutorial