Welcome back to the Bella Skill Builder Sew Along, hosted by Fat Quarter Shop! This month we are working on blocks 3A and 3B: pineapple blocks. I have never made them before so this was a treat for me. Here they are: These are my four large blocks (10-1/2" square). Looking good for a first-timer! These are my three smaller ones (8-1/2" square). It took me 4.5 hours to make these seven blocks because I was a newbie to them, as well as it was my first time using the Creative … [Read more...] about Bella Solids Skill Builder
Spring Table Runner
Photo by Matthew Owen for Annie's Publishing. Used with permission. This pattern of mine, called Tea Time, was just published in the Quilter's World Summer 2017 edition by Annie's Publishing. It has such happy colors! Three 12" blocks with sashing and border, plus well selected fabrics, make is a quick project. This pattern is great for showcasing special fabrics if you use solid fabrics on the blocks except the center. It would also look great with novelty prints so it can be customized for … [Read more...] about Spring Table Runner
Quilt for the Beach
Photograph by Matthew Owen for Annie's Publishing. Used with permission. Here is "Lounging at the Beach", my latest pattern published in the Quilter's World Summer 2017 edition by Annie's Publishing. It measures 50" x 66" with easy-to-assemble blocks. Remember the beach chairs we take to the sand? That is what I was thinking of when I designed this quilt. The weave effect is achieved by changing fabric placement on the blocks. I used gorgeous batiks from the Tonga Surf fabric line … [Read more...] about Quilt for the Beach
Lucky Charm Quilts
I don't know about you but I have quite a collection of Charm Packs waiting to become a quilted project. I cannot resist those packs of squares from my favorite lines. The Charm Pack above has been staring at me from the shelf for a while now. Such cheerful colors! The thing is, I have no idea what I will do with it and, thus, the collection keeps growing. To be sure, I do have books with patterns for precuts, but I am always looking for fresh ideas, something different, something new. I … [Read more...] about Lucky Charm Quilts
Nature Sweet Pattern
The blocks for my newest pattern, Nature Sweet, are finally ready! I should be stitching them together tomorrow. The fabrics are so cute! Butterflies, bugs, and blossoms in this fun collection called Perch by Dear Stella. The pinwheels were easily made using the Strip Tube Ruler, which has become my most favorite method of making HSTs. I just have to look up at the table to find out the width of the strips I need to sew together as a tube, then place ruler on the stitching line and cut, … [Read more...] about Nature Sweet Pattern
Birds of Spring
I am working on a couple of new quilt patterns, and have chosen for both of them Dear Stella's new fabric collection called Perch, designed by Rae Ritchie. The beautiful, soft colors will complement my designs very well the . The first pattern should be available in one week or so. The birds, little bugs, and flowers make me feel as though Spring comes from inside my studio and spills onto the garden, not the other way around. Toby gave up watching me. Apparently, the … [Read more...] about Birds of Spring