Busy Work

Busy Work, February 2026

What could be better than experimenting with blocks and using colorful scraps? This cute design uses some of my favorite fabrics plus some odd bits and pieces.

I browsed my bins of triangles to create bright color combinations to go with 3” signature cuts. All blocks were stitched on my Singer 301 Laney, making a few at a time between other projects or when I had a minute.

The result is another bonus quilt to add to the collection. After sewing blocks together, I used a sheet for backing. Quilting was done with a serpentine stitch in vertical rows, using a walking foot on the Janome. 

Busy Work seemed like the perfect name for this 48” square beauty. I finished it back in February. Of course, there are many remnants left to sew since I generate more with each new quilt. A happy problem to have, I think!

Accuquilt dies used:
55729 Signature 3½”
55818 Bowtie HST 1½”
55147 HST 2¼”
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Star Power

Star Power, February 2026

One patch quilts can be simple or detailed, depending on design and color choices. This one features muted blue floral, medium white dots on gray, and black/white weaver print fabric.

I wanted four inch 60° diamonds but didn't have that specific die, so I cut them with a strip die. I first did layout in EQ8, then put the diamonds on my design wall before sewing together in sections.

Star Power is 48” x 52” finished. I quilted with blue thread, using a free motion meander stitch for the star, then switched to straight stitch along the seam lines for the perimeter area.

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Last week was fabulous: We finally got some rain! I received three new dies from Blue Wren in Australia, found amazing fabric bargains (79 yards for $174) at a consignment sale, and visited with family I haven't seen in a while.

Accuquilt dies used:

55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Willy-Nilly

Willy-Nilly, January 2026

To say that I have an abundance of scraps is certainly an understatement. The best thing about all these remnants is always having the makings for a quilt. I have hundreds of photo ideas clipped and stored, many more sketched in notebooks, plus dozens designed in EQ8.

This colorful 6” block is made up of triangles and chisels, turned to make secondary designs. I started with leftover cuts, then sorted through the scrap basket for more. It's such a pleasure to find and use fabric I haven't seen in a while.

All the blocks were randomly pieced and joined on Annie, my Singer 221 Featherweight. I quilted on the Janome MC 9450, using dark beige thread in a straight stitch on each side of the main seams.

Willy-Nilly seemed the perfect name for this crazy quilt, finishing at 49” square. It was a lovely way to spend a few days in my cozy sewing room during a cold snap in January.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6274 Chisels 2” x 6”

Accuquilt -
55039 Chisels 3” x 6”
55031 HST 4”
55009 HST 3”
55017 Strips 2"