• Sewcialities Sew-Along

    The Fat Quarter Shop is getting ready for a free block of the week sew-along called Sewcialities!  They’ve asked 18 designers (me included) to each contribute two blocks that can be made in three different sizes, 3″, 6″, or 9″.  You’ll get one block a week for 38 weeks. The fun starts Friday, September 25th, and runs through June 25th, 2021!     The blocks are all pieced, and each one is rated for difficulty.  The Fat Quarter Shop will be using the “Homestead” fabric line by April Rosenthal.  There are so many other fabric lines you can choose from, and The Fat Quarter Shop has suggestions on their blog…

  • It Takes a Village

    Moda is always thinking of customers, and it’s especially true during a pandemic.  The generosity of this company is so wonderful.  I’m sharing a gift from Moda that’s free on their website during this time.  The “Village” quilt pattern from Miss Rosie and Moda is one of my favorite quilts.  Isn’t it cute? Link to Village Pattern   I’m excited about this pattern because I’ve wanted to make it since I first saw it.  So, I’m going to sew along with everyone else.  It may take me forever to finish this quilt,  but I’m joining in, and I think my assistant Sue is going to join too!  It’s so much…

  • Let’s re-color a quilt

    Let’s face it, new fabric has a shelf life, and within a year, it can be challenging to find.  What can you do when you find a quilt you want to make, but the fabric isn’t available anymore?  I’ll show you! Cottontail Cottage is the perfect spring quilt, and it’s so much fun to stitch, but by now, the fabric is almost impossible to find.  So, I went looking for a Moda fabric line with spring colors similar to Cottontail Cottage.  Here’s my original quilt: With the help of the fabric guide inside the pattern, I selected Summer Sweet by Sherri & Chelsi, and then Sue and I set out…

  • Cake and Cupcakes Blog hop

    Welcome to the Moda All-Stars Mix-it-up blog hop! The Moda All-Stars have been sewing away with cake and cupcakes, and it’s so much fun!  When Martingale asked us to create a quilt using either Cake or Cupcake papers, I didn’t hesitate.  I love these papers!  They make piecing a quilt so easy. Of course, they remind me of my favorite treat, cupcakes!  Who can resist a few of these while you sew?  Here’s a little tip: Buy some cake or cupcakes for your family before you start sewing with these papers, and they will be encouraging you to stitch away! Now, the end result of all our mixing and stitching…

  • Let’s Make 101 Maple Street!

    I was visiting Lori Holt’s blog and saw how she walks you through each of her quilt blocks.  It really seems helpful and I’m not sure why I never thought of doing this myself.  I’ve put it in my memory banks for my next block of the month. Right now I’m waiting on fabric to arrive for my next market line and I have some down time in-between projects.  I thought I’d give you some tips and pointers on 101 Maple Street.  If you’re making 101 Maple Street as a block of the month from a quilt shop, your life is going to be easy!  Each month the shop will hand you the fabrics you…

  • Put 101 Maple Street on your calendar for August

    Tomorrow (May 1)  is the last day to pre-order your 101 Maple Street quilt kit!  I have to get kit orders into Moda, and of course, I’ll order some extra, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get one if you don’t pre-order. Join in the fun of making this quilt, and you’ll get to meet Quilly and her babies.  Quilly isn’t a name I pulled out of thin air, it’s actually the name of a real baby quail my mother rescued and nursed back to health.  I remember she loved to take dirt baths (Quilly not my mother). You’ll also meet Henrietta again, and this time she’s gathering pomegranates.  She’s…