Country Clothesline

Country Clothesline, April 2026

Laundry blowing in the breeze, can’t you just smell the freshness of sun dried cotton?

This week’s colorful scrappy quilt reminds me of summer clothes and sheets hanging on the line in our backyard when I was little. An assortment of light and medium hued remnants made this project fun.

Flying Geese paired with strips were simple to stitch on Rockette, my Singer 500-A. Backing is a very soft vintage fabric from an estate sale, a cross-stitch pattern on light yellow background. Switching to the Janome, I quilted with pale yellow thread, using two different rulers, Which Way and Wiggly Wave.  

Country Clothesline is lap size at 48” square, ready for snuggling, to toss over the arm of the couch, or spread on the grass for a picnic.

I’m on a mission to keep my scrap bins from overflowing, so this quilt has kept them under control for a bit. There’s always a mess when I’m pulling out so much material to cut, but I absolutely enjoy playing with fabric! It’s very satisfying to remember when and where I found it. 

Of course, as I was sorting many ideas filled my brain for future projects...I will never run out of remnants...stay tuned for more bonus quilts.

Side note:  I keep a written quilt journal (using a weekly 2-page planner) of my projects with notes and sketches so I can keep up with details and techniques. I also maintain a master database where I can search, sort and find quilt names, dates, gifts/donations, and dies used. I am in the process of adding photos to it whenever I get a few minutes. 

Dies used:
Accuquilt 55456 Flying Geese 3” x 6”
Blue Wren 6047 Strips 2” x 6”

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)

Sun Dried Cotton

Sun Dried Cotton

Another scrap quilt today, with lots of pretty pieces. It reminds me of an old fashioned clothesline on a sunny day.

Can't you just picture dresses, shirts, and sheets flapping in the breeze? I'll bet if you stop to concentrate, you could get a whiff of warm sun dried cotton.

All these prints in pink, yellow, blue, aqua, green and purple were left over from other projects or small pieces from my yard sale acquisitions. I emptied a scrap basket cutting them, but don't worry, I still have many left.

I sewed twenty-five colorful Hattie's Choice blocks with a white on cream vine print as a background. Two borders frame it up nicely: one plain, another created with the same small triangles from the main block. I used plain muslin for the backing, like my grannies used to do.

Sun Dried Cotton is 48” square. To create motion, I used Angela Walter's Squiggy ruler to echo stitch large rolling waves in white thread across the whole quilt. Such a fun project!

After writing this, I feel the need to start a load of laundry, just so I can hang it outside to dry.

Accuquilt dies used:
55220 Hattie's Choice 8” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Slow down enough

to savor the moments

that make your heart happy