Honey Sweet

Here's an adorable quilt for a cute little sweetheart.

Baby quilts are always fun to make, but this one was particularly special since I included fabric given to me by the little one's grandmama.

Soft peachy pink, muted aqua and shiny gold arrows blend well with a light gold batik dot fabric. Hexagons and triangles are arranged in a honeycomb style design.

For quilting, I created a new allover pattern using a curved ruler with light tan thread. I really like the results and will use it again.

Honey Sweet finished at 40” square. It's been done for a while but finally found its way home this past weekend.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6808 Hexagon Set 3” sides

Accuquilt 55032 Strips 3" finished

Rolling Along

What a fun quilt to make! I've seen this die but didn't realize it had been discontinued. I was lucky to find a new one in original packaging on Facebook Marketplace a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Marilyn! 

This block is easy to sew and the curves stitch up beautifully. I started with the black batik, then picked teal, lime, and cream fabric out of my stash to give a clear contrast in the circles.

After adding backing and batting, I quilted with khaki thread across the circles with 3 lines of ruler stitching in waves. Once that was done, I added free motion stitching on the cream sections.

Rolling Along finished at 48” square. I've already designed a few more color combinations in EQ8. It will make an adorable baby quilt.

By the way, how did it get to be September already? 

Accuquilt dies used:
55452 Local Color by Bill Kerr
55017 Strips 2½” binding

 

Trail Mix

Trail Mix

What a fun quilt to make! These Snail's Trail blocks are made up with old fashioned red prints and bright yellow batiks, along with a neutral gray mini dot.

The small pieces were super easy to chain sew on my Featherweight. I added a 2” red border to frame it up. For backing, I stitched a few extra blocks to use with a long strip of dots plus one of the red prints.

I quilted with a medium red/orange variegated thread. It's just the right contrast to showcase those stitches. Ruler quilting on the Janome with the curvy Elvira ruler creates a nice symmetric design. Trail Mix finished at 52” square.

Accuquilt dies used:
55196 Snail's Trail 8” BOB
55017 Strips 2½”

Colors speak louder than words

Serenity

Finally, another queen size quilt complete! This one's done in soft, relaxing colors: blue, cream, gray, cocoa brown, and seafoam aqua.

Traditional 8” hourglass blocks are framed by various cream and beige 3” strips with black batik cornerstones. The whole quilt didn't fit on my design wall, so I laid it out in sections.

All the blocks were pieced and joined on Annie, my trusty Singer Featherweight. For quilting, I used the Janome's serpentine stitch. I'll have to say, my shoulders definitely had a workout pulling and tugging that big quilt around.

I'm very happy with the results, though. Serenity came out just like I planned, adding another calming layer to our bedroom retreat.


Accuquilt dies used:
55399 Quarter Square Triangles 8½”
55006 Squares 3½”
55032 Strips 3½”

 

Lucy In The Sky

Bright yellow and orange batiks combined with a small navy print make a striking combination for this quilt.

After my last quilt, I was ready for an easy project with larger pieces. Cutting and sewing went very quickly, and I used a simple alternating row layout.

Lucy In The Sky finished at 45” x 49” after adding a 3” border. The back is yellow with gold polka dots. I quilted with gold thread, using a walking foot and serpentine stitch, 3” apart. It would make an adorable baby quilt or wall hanging.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6557 Spinner 8” block
6380 Diamond in Rectangle 4” x 8” block
Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½” binding

Weather note: March came roaring in like a lion across the southern US...rain, hail, storms and ferocious wind for three days made quite a mess. Thousands of trees are down in middle Tennessee, damaging homes, cars, and power lines. We lost two 50 and 60 foot white pine trees during the near hurricane force winds. Thankfully, they fell away from our house into our neighbor's hay field. Our electricity was only out for a few hours but many are still in the dark. Unfortunately, there were several local deaths. Our thoughts are with those families.

Tranquility

I normally use a wide variety of fabrics in my quilts. This one is an exception: I only used two. A navy mini-floral print serves as background for a lovely muted red and medium blue batik.

I used Blue Wren's Pine Bark block, which is also called Japanese Jigsaw or Japanese Puzzle. Easy cutting is a happy benefit of two color quilts.

My design wall came in handy for laying out this puzzle. After sewing all the blocks, I combined them in diagonal rows, adding the corner and border pieces as I went along.

I repeated the navy print on the back, with a single row of alternating batik/navy 6” squares. I quilted along the main diagonal seam lines using a triple serpentine stitch with silver gray thread. Tranquility finished at 49” square.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6815 Pine Bark

Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½” for binding
55000 Square 6” finished

Orange Pineapple Parfait

I couldn't resist these luscious batiks when I found them listed in an assortment bundle at Goodwill.com. Bright yellow and orange contrast beautifully with crisp white for today's cheerful quilt. 

Alternating Nine Patch and Flowering Snowball blocks create sharp lines and graceful curves with a nice secondary design. I stitched them all on my sweet Featherweight, Annie, and it didn't take long for these 12” blocks. I chose white on white vine print backing and binding.

Orange Pineapple Parfait

I switched to the Janome to quilt, using bright yellow thread on top and white underneath. I sewed a simple straight stitch, following the curves for emphasis. Binding was secured with a blanket stitch in yellow.

Orange Pineapple Parfait is 60” square and looks good enough to eat!

Accuquilt dies used:
55252 Flowering Snowball 12” BOB
55018 Small Value Die (large square 4")
55017 Strips 2½”

Purple Passion

I had several other quilts finished and ready to write about, but I moved this one to the head of the line. This new die from Blue Wren is gorgeous!

The die is called Oopsy Daisy. It is very similar to a vintage design published as America's Pride in the Laura Wheeler syndicated newspaper column, which started in 1933.

As I waited for my order to arrive from Australia, I used EQ8 to design so that when it arrived I would be ready to go. The postman delivered my package of dies on Thursday around lunchtime and I started making test blocks immediately. I cut this one and started sewing Friday morning.  I finished quilting and added the binding on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, there was no cooking or cleaning done at my house since Thursday.

Luscious purple batik and prints show off the elements of the block. The curves sew easily and quickly. I used medium lavender thread to outline stitch part of the design, then filled in with free motion quilting on the solid color. Purple Passion is 37” square and fits nicely between the windows in my sewing room.

Purple Passion

I absolutely love this one! Thanks to Norma and Edward Grimmer at Blue Wren for all their pretty dies and great customer service. Three more of their dies are waiting for me to cut and sew, and I can't wait to get started. Stay tuned!

Dies used:

Blue Wren
6816 Oopsy Daisy 6” finished quarter block, 12” finished block

Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Green Space

Green Space

We've finally sprung ahead. I'm not too crazy about the time change because I lost an hour of sewing! Anyhow, I'm happy that spring is nearly here. Daffodils are blooming and forsythia isn't far behind.

Today's quilt is two shades of green, for St. Patrick's Day and all things spring. The pale batik contrasting fabric gives just a hint of yellow and blue. Placement of the patches in these large 16” blocks creates winding paths across the quilt. I laid out the design and colors in EQ8.

Green Space is 48” square. I quilted along the curves with green thread using a decorative leafy vine stitch. In the center sections, I used a straight stitch and made a double octagon pattern. 

This one was easy and enjoyable to sew. Callie cat gave it her seal of approval.

Accuquilt dies used:

55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Don't forget to wear green on Wednesday

or the leprechauns might pinch ya!

Midnight Glow

Midnight Glow

Navy and gold batik fabrics are always a beautiful combination, and especially so in this week's quilt.

The block is very curvy, made with Blue Wren's Friendship Circles 8” die. It's their version of a vintage design of the same name. I had to piece and press carefully to keep from stretching the edges. It was worth the extra time to create this beauty!

I chose a red-violet color blender from the navy batik for the center pieces, a narrow border and binding. It creates a nice contrast, along with the creamy yellow corners. Midnight Glow is 48” square. I arranged the layout and drew the block in Electric Quilt 8.

Light gold thread was used to quilt around each ring with a walking foot. I added diagonal stitching across the blocks, then three parallel lines on the navy borders.

When I first got the die, I sewed a few test blocks to practice. I made these into a 16” pillow cover. You can see that color choice and placement create different looks. I started quilting in the center and sewed a continuous spiral with gray thread. I named the pillow design Soft & Sweet.

I may take a break from curves for a bit, but I'll definitely sew this one again. I have already designed another for scraps.

Blue Wren dies used:
6301 Friendship Circles 8”
6015 1½” strip

Accuquilt dies used:
55017 2½” strip
55032 3½” strip

To find peace, 

sometimes you have to be willing 

to lose communication 

with people, places, and things 

that create the noise in your life. 

Stormy Beach

Batik fabrics in ocean hues combine beautifully with a muted blue-gray mini dot to make the storm at sea blocks on this quilt. I've been wanting to sew this one for a while, but I don't have the die.

Fortunately, I do have individual dies for the pieces needed. I laid out the block using EQ8 to fit those dies. Perfection! I had to make more cuts that I would have with the block on board die, but it's certainly easier than rotary cutting everything.

For quilting, I stitched with cream to gray variegated thread, using a walking foot, mirroring the motion in the design. Borders are quilted with a serpentine pattern. Binding and backing is a wide beige cobblestone print. Stormy Beach is 47” square.

These seaside colors remind me of a cloudy beach after a rain: so relaxing, peaceful, and mellow. I hung it on the wall in our great room for the summer, adding other display quilts and pillows in complementary colors. We're not traveling to the beach this year due to COVID, so I made the best of it with décor.

Accuquilt dies used:
55018 Small value die
55047 Quarter square triangle 4” finished
55031 Half square triangle 4” finished
55409 Triangle in square 4” finished
55818 Half square triangle 1½”

Everything is better 

at the beach... 

even rain. 

Starfish Key

I found this beautiful starfish batik fabric last fall in Pensacola. The soft muted colors of lavender and blue on a sandy background make me wish for the beach!

Starfish Key is 40” square. It was very quick to sew with the large pieces. I quilted in an overall clamshell design using the Squiggy ruler by Angela Walters. Cream thread shows up just enough to emphasize the pattern.

This one's hanging on the wall in my spare bedroom, which is currently decorated in shades of purple, lavender, and lilac. It's a sweet retreat where I can read and relax.

Dies used:

Accuquilt 55058 8” square

Accuquilt 55399 8” quarter square triangle

Blue Wren 6522 8” half square triangle

On this Memorial Day,

I salute the brave Americans

who fought and died

for our freedom

Windy Flight

During our early October camping trip, I sewed flying geese blocks (cut with my Accuquilt cutter before we left). Once home, I arranged them in groups and added a 6” border. Don't these colors of navy, gray, green, and turquoise look great together? Some of the prints repeat the triangular design of the blocks.

Windy Flight

For the back, I cut and sewed 6” squares in the same colors, plus one flying geese square, then added double borders. I used a white and gray variegated thread and quilted randomly spaced wavy lines to give motion to the design. Windy Flight, my latest favorite quilt, is 58” square.

Refrigerator update: The saga continues but the end is in sight. I am so thankful for Lowes extended service! Since the part can't be found, they offered to refund our original purchase price for the frig! The check is on its way. Hooray!  

The down side...I have to choose a new frig and hope that it is more reliable. I know two things. 1) It won't be an LG. 2) We will absolutely buy the extended service from Lowes.

►►►►  ◄◄◄◄

The amount of good luck 

coming your way 

depends on 

your willingness to act. 

--Barbara Sher

Orange Beach

Orange Beach

For this rainy Monday I have a bright and cheerful quilt to show you. A sunset orange and aquamarine print from my stash combined beautifully with a sensational aqua, orange and yellow batik that I bought last November while visiting Orange Beach, Alabama. These medium large prints work great with the 12” flowering snowball block from Accuquilt.

Orange Beach finished out at 58” square. I quilted around the edges of each piece in orange and aqua thread. The backing is aqua and white circles that look like bubbles. 

I think it would be fabulous hanging as wall art in a beach house, or used to snuggle for cool nights on the sand. Either way, it says beach to me and I'm ready to go back right now!

By the way, I found the batik at Fabrics By The Pound in Summerdale, Alabama. Go see them if you're ever in the area and need a nice variety of good quality fabric at excellent prices.

I think this is my favorite quilt yet, but I say that all the time, don't I?

If you can't be at the beach,

then surround yourself

with colorful memories

of sand, sun, and sky.

~me

Free Spirit

Batik fabrics are high on my favorites list, so I tend to use them often. For this project, I chose coral, purple, navy, and turquoise, then added in small coordinating prints. Kite blocks, cut easily with an Accuquilt die, are fun and quick to sew. The light tan background is also used for sashing, giving the kites prime focus, with a few watermelon squares to tie them together. Borders are a neutral beige with a navy/coral pattern, also used on the back.

Free Spirit

It's a happy, free spirited quilt, measuring 48” square. The back features three flying geese blocks I had in my sampler box, set in a long center strip. I quilted with natural beige thread in a small serpentine stitch, 2” apart.

Those kites look ready for March winds and prettier days than today's rainy forecast. Our 5” of snow from last week is finally gone, along with those frigid temperatures. I did enjoy a couple of batches of snow cream but I do not like single digit temps. However, it is Tennessee; the weather turns on a dime.

“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.”

~Lauren Bacall