Calico Cottage

Calico Cottage, May 2026

Vintage quilt blocks nearly always capture my attention. I appreciate the designs, the colors, the fabric and the skills involved. Some are simple, others very intricate, and I want to sew them all!

This quilt features a relatively easy one published in the Kansas City Star (July 1943) as Mountain Peak, and also in Farm Journal (1877 – 1970) where it was called Old Italian Design. BlockBase and EQ8 software were used to lay out the pattern that I adapted to use Blue Wren’s Dandy 4” and Accuquilt’s 4” square die.

I cut a variety of floral, plaid, dotted, and striped vintage look fabrics plus white muslin. There are twenty-five unique 9” blocks. Sashing between them is 1” strips of a gray and white number print, also used in the 2” border.

A thrifted sheet with small pink roses was used for backing. Circular shapes with loops were quilted as an allover design, using white thread and a circle ruler on my Janome.

Calico Cottage finished at 50½” square.  Can’t you just see it on a cottage bed back in the 30’s or 40’s? I stitched this happy little quilt in May.  I enjoy adding my own flair as I re-create these antique designs.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6292 Dandy 4”
6015 Strips 1”
Accuquilt
55018 Square 4”
55017 Strips 2½” 

Dreamy Lattice

Dreamy Lattice, March 2026

Peach and green prints combined with crisp white for a lovely lattice pattern in today's quilt. I think these muted colors have a vintage look.

I love working with geometric shapes like trapezoids and triangles to create different blocks. There are so many options and layouts that I'll never be able to sew them all. EQ8 software makes it fun to experiment with color choices before I start cutting.

After sewing the top, I added a wide border made up of strips and rectangles. I did free motion quilting in a ribbon pattern along the trapezoids with white thread, then switched to straight stitch in rows for the borders.

Dreamy Lattice is 61” square, and was completed in March.

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid 45° 4”
55021 HST 2”
55159 Rectangles 2” x 4” border
55017 Strips 2½” binding & border

Four Winds

Four Winds, February 2026

I can't believe we've already started the second half of 2026. I stitched this quilt back in February when it was cold.

The rose and gold prints blend nicely with the off-white burlap background. These spinner blocks are quick and easy to sew and I designed, cut, and finished the whole quilt in 3 days.

Piecing was done on Violet, my beautifully painted Singer 99. I've added a link to her story. She's now sporting a custom modified spool stand, courtesy of my in-house sewing machine expert. I truly love using all the machines we've repaired and restored.

Using Janelle (Janome MC 9450) I quilted diagonal double rows of serpentines across the blocks with cream thread. 

Four Winds finished at 49” square, and was quilt #10 for the year. I've been full of ideas and using tons of fabric from my stash. I just started on #29! Could be going for a record here, we'll see.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6557 Spinner 8”
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½” binding

Everyday America

Everyday America, May 2026

How can it already be the end of June? Time seems to be flying by at record speed. We've been busy with everyday life, settling into and organizing our home.

I am back to my normal pace in the sewing room, with a backlog of ideas waiting to be started. Today's quilt is a vintage 1920's design called Rob Peter To Pay Paul. It was also published as Sugar Bowl, Orange Peel, Turn About, and Pin Cushion. It would have been fairly common to see during the 20's through the 60's.

Red, white and blue remnants are perfect for this patriotic layout. The Janome with her HP ¼” foot made piecing these precise curves easy. I quilted in rows 2½” apart in a scallop stitch with white thread. Everyday America is 44” square, and completed in May.

With July comes the heat of summer. Temps are predicted in the high 90's with heat indexes around 110 degrees all this week in Tennessee. Guess I have no choice but to stay inside and catch up on my quilting projects! Y'all stay cool for Independence Day!

Accuquilt dies used:
55066 & 55067 Rob Peter To Pay Paul
55017 Strips 2½” binding

 

Leisure Time

Leisure Time, May 2026

Well, this queen size quilt took me a while to finish. I designed and cut it in March, then finally on May 20^th I sewed on the binding.

Whew, what a challenge! I'm used to sewing quilts quickly, but I had to take my time, even set this one aside, because my right wrist was giving me fits. I thought it was sprained, but the doc said it was tenosynovitis. Lucky me. Ice packs, rest, a splint and no heavy lifting.

I chose navy, green and blue scraps to complement our sea green bedroom. The modified kite blocks were fun to sew, using larger sides than normal and trimming the corners. I had the top done before my wrist let me down. I added a wide green striped border made from a thrifted sheet, plus light blue swirl 108” backing.

It took a while to pin the layers, since it's larger than my work table. For quilting, I used light blue thread and a gentle wave ruler to stitch an allover rectangular fishnet pattern. All sewing and quilting was done on the Janome MC9450, and that was a chore to manage with a splint on my hand.

Leisure Time finished out at 95” square and looks beautiful on our bed. She's a big 'un! I don't make this size very often, and it will be quite some time before I consider another. I'll stick to my lap size designs.

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished
55821 Triangle in Square sides 5”
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"

SNOW? ICE? and Striped Christmas Stars

Striped Christmas Stars

Hey y'all, I'm waiting for this weekend's upcoming weather system: snow-ice-sleet-rain (Snowmageddon or Icepocalypse). Our forecasters can't decide between 24” of snow or 1/2” of ice but they do know it will be very cold for several days.

I figured a Christmas themed quilt for today's blog might bring on some simple snow. I am still catching up on projects that I cut out in 2024 before our move. This one I finished in early December 2025 and displayed on our bed during the holidays.

Red dots, teal print, and a coordinating plaid look nice with natural muslin. This pretty die from Blue Wren is called Eight Point Star of Stripes. Even though it looks complicated, it is very easy to sew. It was fun to design in EQ8. I added plaid sashing and a perky border of half-square triangles.

Quilting was done with cream thread using a utility zig-zag stitch in vertical lines every 2 inches. A bright teal blender for the backing and binding finish it off beautifully. Striped Christmas Stars is 48” square.

Whether we get record breaking snow or dangerous ice remains to be seen. Nashville's record snow was 17.2” in 1892, more recently 8” in 2016. The most I've ever seen is 10-12” in 1964. Cookeville's record is 15” (1966) and the county had 17” (1993).

The Tennessee weather forecasters and the internet have people in a panic, emptying grocery shelves of bread, milk, eggs, cheese, and lunch meat three days before the event. We have food and water and will be fine. At least I have hundreds of quilts to keep us warm if the power goes out. Plus, a Singer with a hand crank so I can sew by lamplight if necessary.

Dies used:

Blue Wren
    6466 Eight Point Star of Stripes 12” finished

Accuquilt
    55021 Value die 2” HST, square
    55017 Strips 2”

Change In The Air

Finally, a quilt! This one is aptly named, since change was definitely in the air. I cut the pieces way back in November of 2024, just before packing up the sewing room for our move. It's one of several that I prepared in advance so I'd be ready to sew once we arrived.

Now forward to December 2025...Change In The Air is at long last finished! The fresh blue fabric, bright melon dots and coral print look gorgeous together. 

I wanted something large, so used six inch sections to make 18” finished blocks. Chisels, half-square triangles, rectangles, and squares made a fun design using EQ8 software to fine tune the layout.  Finished size is 56" square.

I set them on point, filling in with half blocks and hand cut corners. I added 2” blue sashing plus cornerstones and binding in a navy & light red strawberry print. All work was done on Janelle, my Janome 9450 machine. I quilted free motion in a large meandering stitch using blue thread.

It felt awesome to complete a quilt in my new space! I whipped out a few more in December, they're lined up to share with you soon. I haven't set a blog schedule just yet (too busy sewing!), so watch here or on Useful Remnants/KatieScarlett Designs Facebook page for updates.  

See you later!

Dies used:

Blue Wren

  6274 Chisels 2” x 6”
  6047 Rectangles 2” x 6”

Accuquilt

  55000 Square 6”
  55059 Squares 2”
  55021 Value die 2” HST
  55017 Strips 2”
  55399 QST 8”

Windy Day

Let's start November with an easy snuggle quilt. I pulled out a coral red peacock feather print from my stash, adding blue fabrics from the print to coordinate.

This simple windmill block is so quick to cut and sew, especially after laying it out in EQ8, then on my design wall. This quilt is alive with motion and color, don't you think?

For backing, I used the peacock feather print with leftover strips of the blues and a center section made up of one Curve in a Square block. Now it's not just a backing, but a reversible quilt.

For quilting, red variegated thread was used with serpentine stitch to make 4” grid along horizontal and vertical seam lines. Windy Day finished out at 49” square.

I'm thankful this one didn't take long, because we're still finishing up brush cutting and clearing around the home place. 

Dies used:

Blue Wren

6554 Windmill 8” block

6602 Curve in a Square 12” finished block

Amelia

Amelia

I've been staying inside and cool during this Tennessee heat wave. It's the perfect excuse to retreat to my sewing room, especially since I got to play with my new Blue Wren dies.

The block name is Propeller, a vintage design from the late 1930's that was published in the Kansas City Star under the name Air Ship Propeller.  I used EQ8 and BlockBase to lay out the quilt and experiment with color ideas. 

For my modern version, I chose summery fabric in hot pink checks and stripes, with a touch of yellow and a background of pale pink.

The curves sewed up nicely as long as I maintained a consistent ¼” seam. The yellow center piece is machine appliqued on with light yellow thread after finishing the block.

After assembling the quilt, I stitched on the block seams using baby pink thread and a serpentine design. Then I changed to straight stitch to sew across each propeller blade.

Amelia finished at 50” square, nice for a picnic once it cools down a bit. I'm too old and delicate to eat outside when it's 94 degrees with a heat index of 109!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6924 Propeller 10”
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½” binding

 

Third Chance Triangles

Third Chance Triangles

Some of these fabrics may look familiar if you've been following my blog for a while. I dipped way down into my scrap baskets for these adorable triangles and stitched them up on Annie, my sweet little Singer Featherweight 221.

Those bright colors really shine on a natural muslin background. The Pine Island die from Blue Wren normally has the triangles tilted in a square. For this project I turned the finished blocks on point, flipping every other one. EQ8 helped me preview the layout. Sides and corners are filled in with 6" half square triangles. I added borders and binding in black and cream dots.

I quilted diagonally across the quilt, using natural thread and a scallop stitch on my Janome MC9450. Third Chance Triangles finished out at 50” x 54” size. I love the modern look! 

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6555 Pine Island 6” finished
6720 Magic Strips (borders & binding)

Accuquilt 55001 Half Square Triangle 6” finished

Lavender Sensation

Lavender Sensation

Cool, soft hues of blue, lavender, and green blend together with natural muslin in this week's quilt. Doesn't it make you want to slow down for a relaxing snuggle?

I used two blocks, both cut with Blue Wren's Dynamic die. The die has three shapes, which can be combined to make at least eight different quilt blocks, possibly more. The arrangement of the shapes creates the variations.

Each 16” block is constructed with four 8” quarter squares, making it quick and easy to sew. I drew the design using Electric Quilt 8 software, and experimented some before I finalized color placement. 

Framed with 3” borders, Lavender Sensation finished out at 55” square. I quilted rows 2” apart with natural thread, using a double picot heirloom stitch and a walking foot.

I can see using this die often. I've already made a baby quilt with a completely different look using the same shapes. I'll feature it later. 

So much fun, just not enough hours in the day! 

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6954 Dynamic Block 8” quarter block
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½” binding
Accuquilt 55032 Strips 3½” borders

Spanish Tiles

Spanish Tiles, Useful Remnants 2023

What can I say about this lovely quilt?

First, my color choices fit right in for this tile-like design. Muted reds with cream and a touch of caramel blend together nicely. I laid it out in EQ8, trying different placement and making sure I had enough fabric.

Second, while the 9” Cross Roads die is beautiful, these pieces are SMALL. Those tiny triangles are 1½” cut, 1” finished. I would NEVER cut so many by hand or rotary cutter. It took long enough with the die, plus I kept losing count or dropping them. I applaud all the women over the years who cut with scissors and stitched these blocks completely by hand.

Lastly, after I got into a rhythm, piecing was fairly easy. I was happy to see that 25th block done and get to quilting. I used cream thread and the Which Way ruler to do an allover pattern across the quilt. After borders and binding, Spanish Tiles finished out at 52” square.

I am pleased with the results, but probably won't make a queen sized version. I do have a few other ideas for more designs using this die.

An interesting side note: These fabrics are not a coordinated collection, but actually from different decades. The light red chambray was a vintage 36” wide piece found at an estate sale. I used it all except for a 4” x 10” scrap. The cream swirl is new, a 108” wide bolt of backing recently purchased from Marshall Dry Goods. The other two prints (1990 and 2019) were chosen from my stash.


Accuquilt dies used:
55533 Cross Roads 9” BOB
55032 Strip 3½”
55017 Strip 2½” 

Flowing Waters

Flowing Waters by Useful Remnants

What an amazing design this turned out to be!

When I saw the new Curve in a Square die from Blue Wren, I immediately pictured a blue quilt in my mind. I had it laid out in EQ8 before my order arrived. I chose the vintage 36” cotton paisley print first (found at a 2021 estate sale), then added other fabric from my stash to coordinate.

Piecing curves can be tricky, but this die made it smooth and easy. I didn't even have to use pins! All those perfect quarter inch seams and the block arrangement give this quilt such fluid motion.

I quilted in variegated blue thread using a straight stitch and walking foot, following the waves. Flowing Waters is 48” square. I had just enough of that pretty paisley for backing and binding, with only a few small scraps left.

I love this quilt! Not every project turns out exactly how you pictured it. This one did: it's my favorite of the year.  So far. 

But I have at least two new dies on my wish list at Blue Wren right now, so those may give this one a little competition. In addition to the other three in my last order.  Thanks Norma and Edward Grimmer for helping to make our dreams come true!

Blue Wren dies used:
6602 Curve in a Square 6” finished
6720 Magic Strips (binding)

Cozy Cottage

Cozy Cottage, Useful Remnants 2022

Sweet vintage style prints are the perfect choice for this quilt. Soft aqua, green, lilac, and blue fabrics remind me of a country getaway spot or a beach house.

I used EQ8 to experiment with color placement before cutting the 12” blocks. This snuggly 48” throw was quilted with light gray thread, using a wiggly wave ruler. The backing is a cream vine design.

I may just brew a cup of tea and settle in with Cozy Cottage quilt and a good book. 

By the way, for those who are keeping track, my final 2022 project count was 50.  I was a busy girl!  

Happy New Year everyone!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6958 Candy Star
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

October Vintage Stars

Oh my, how I love this Candy Star die from Blue Wren!

It is a new version of a previously unnamed vintage block, published sometime after 1933 from Old Chelsea Station (magazine/newspaper mail order). I saw an antique quilt photo online, found the block layout in BlockBase+, and suggested the idea to Norma at Blue Wren.  Before long this new die was available. 

I selected two older fabrics from one of my garage sale finds. These autumn colored cotton prints were only 36” wide, dating around the late 1960's. Remember harvest gold, avocado green, burnt orange, and brown? They were the fashionable colors to have back then.

October Vintage Stars

I added a coordinating persimmon solid, black prints, and natural muslin to complete the look from that era. I used twelve blocks, framed with two borders. I really enjoyed sewing this retro inspired quilt, October Vintage Stars, which is 48” x 60” finished size. I quilted using a free motion meandering stitch in cream thread.

The corner sections that form the secondary stars are made with a Y-seam. I did a few test runs since I was out of practice, but only used the seam ripper once.  Key tips: sew precise 1/4" seams, stop 1/4" from edge and lockstitch, flip and sew from corner to edge, press each section the same way.   

It was very satisfying to sew, but the best thing about this die is that Blue Wren includes alternative pieces to avoid a Y-seam altogether and create more design options.

I was so inspired that I finished in only 5 days: die delivered noon Monday, quilt completed Friday. I have already designed more in EQ8/BlockBase+, and each version has a totally different look.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6958 Candy Star

Accuquilt
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strip 2½”

BlockBase ID: 2725

Blissful

Blissful

Cool aqua and soothing gray blend well together, and today's quilt features both. The fabrics coordinate perfectly even though I didn't buy them together. One or two are remnants over ten years old.

I started out with two blocks – nine-patch and drunkard's path, using EQ8 to design. After trying out several layouts on the design wall, I decided to put them on point and add pieced corners. I ended up using seven dies to cut the sections.

Blissful is 45” square after adding two strip borders. Quilting is a straight stitch in aqua thread, using a ruler and walking foot to emphasize the curves. I love the overall effect of the stitching.  Such a calming quilt!

Dies used:

Accuquilt
55743 & 55739 Drunkard's Path 9” finished
55006 Square 3½”
55009 Half Square Triangle 3½”
55018 Small Value die HST
55017 Strip 2½”

Blue Wren
6015 Strip 1½”

Sliced & Stitched

Did ya miss me last week? I needed some down time so I took a mini break to chill out.

Now I'm back with a luscious purple and gray quilt. Before cutting, I laid out the design using EQ8 software to audition different arrangements.

It didn't take long to stitch this easy modern block. For quilting, I sewed three simple straight stitch lines 1/4” apart, along each side of the slanted seams. Light gray thread blends well and emphasizes the lines while adding texture.

Sliced & Stitched finished out at 49” square.

Dies used:

Blue Wren   6600 Sliced Squares 6” finished
Accuquilt   55017 Strip 2½” for binding

There's absolutely nothing wrong with shutting things down, putting your feet up, and doing a whole lot of not much.

 ~Brian Gardner 

Charli's Lone Star

Charli's Lone Star

Baby quilts are just so sweet and happy. I make a few to have handy as gifts, but I prefer to design something personal to complement the nursery décor.

Miss Charli, the first granddaughter of my good friend, is due to arrive in June. Her room has a western theme, featuring cowhide and pink. I decided a Lone Star quilt would coordinate nicely.

Black and white mini gingham and a bandana print contrast with tiny pink roses on black and two pink fabrics. The layout was completed in EQ8 so I could preview color placement.  I added three borders to frame the star and a larger black gingham on the back.

Quilting was done using dark gray thread in straight stitch to emphasize the star design. I added serpentine stitching on the borders. Final size is 43½” square.

I presented Charli's Lone Star to her grandmother last week and the family is delighted. We're all waiting now to see how the little cowgirl looks wrapped up in this soft quilt.

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55453 LeMoyne Star (diamond shapes)
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”

Blue Wren
6522 Half Square Triangle 8½”

Machines used:
Rockette (Singer 500A)
Janelle (Janome Horizon MC9450)