Lovely Day

Lovely Day, April 2026

Springtime colors of blue and violet with light gray give this wall hanging a peaceful vibe. I love how the curves and contrasts create circular movement.

Winding Ways is one of the first dies that I bought and is still one of my favorites. I did all the piecing on Rockette, my 1962 Model Singer 500-A Slant-O-Matic Rocketeer. Perfect stitches and a fabulous looking machine!

Moving over to the Janome to quilt, I followed the curves with a walking foot using light blue thread, then stitched free motion loops around the borders.

Lovely Day finished at 39” x 47” size, and is currently featured on the wall in my sewing studio where I can enjoy it every day. I adore creating beautiful things with fabric and my collection of new & vintage machines.

Accuquilt dies used:

55069 Winding Ways 8” block
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Easter Lilies

This little quilt started out as a sample block. I always cut and stitch an example of every die immediately after purchase. This is to check that it cuts and sews together properly, in case I had to return it. The truth is, I just can't wait to play with my new toys.

Purple (one of my favorite colors) contrasts nicely with avocado green and natural muslin. I changed the original layout, trimmed to a square, and added borders. I quilted with an applique stitch around the curves in cream thread.

Easter Lilies finished at 18” square. Right now it's hanging on my front door but later may be used as a table mat.

I've bought several brand new dies lately at super low prices, thanks to my ever supportive husband. He found the sale and told me to stock up! Love that man! Most of the ones I bought, like this one, had been on my wish list for a while.

As usual, I have so many ideas and not nearly enough time to stitch them. Laundry, cleaning, yard work, and cooking have sunk to the bottom of my to do list. Again.


Accuquilt dies used:
55597 Alabama Beauty BOB 12” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

Calico Prairie

Calico Prairie

Soothing colors of peach, light coral, and dusty blue are perfect for showcasing this vintage quilt design.

I selected fabrics from my stash that could have been found in 1930-1950 era day dresses or 1970's prairie skirts. I believe I had a Gunne Sax calico peasant dress with these colors back in high school.

My dependable Singer 404, Elizabeth, sewed perfect seams...and there are a lot of them. Each 8” Full Blown Tulip block has 32 pieces! Once I assembled the blocks, I added 4” borders in the dusty blue to expand the size to 48” square.

A combination of free motion quilting and ruler work finished out this one with a creative touch. Calico Prairie gave me a chance to play with stitches and enjoy memories, a perfect way to spend my time.

Accuquilt dies used:
55616 Full Blown Tulip 8” BOB
55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”

Japanese Lanterns

This cute quilt is great for using up scraps. I saw a photo of the block online and decided to recreate it. Having lots of dies comes in handy when you need different shapes, and I love the challenge of figuring out how to use them together to build a new design and save time.

Staying with my theme, I decided to piece with Tojo, my Japanese made Universal machine. I started with a stack of 2½” x 6½” rectangles, sewing three random ones together. After pressing, I carefully laid several on the 6½” snowball die to trim off the corners. Using cream background fabric, I cut new snowball corners (2½” HST) and stitched them on.

To make the lantern top/bottom strips, I cut 2½” x 3½” rectangles of cream background and black gingham. I sewed two cream and one gingham together, then used the 1½” strip die to cut perfectly sized rectangles. I sewed two of these to a 4½” x 6½” background fabric rectangle, made with 4½” strips, cut again with the 6½” square die.

I alternated these with the snowball blocks on my design wall. I liked the look, except that the lanterns on the top and bottom rows were not complete. To fix that, I added the narrow strip to those snowballs, then used a 6½” square in place of the 4½” x 6½”ones on those rows.

Once all the rows were stitched, I chose a wave ruler to quilt with cream thread 2” apart over the entire quilt. Japanese Lanterns finished out at 49” x 52” in size.

I used a lot of dies, and did a lot of cutting. I guess there could be an easier way to make this but I'm happy with how it turned out. I hope my description of the process makes sense. The extra cuts kept everything trimmed and squared up neatly. I had fun and used up a stack of remnants, so it's all good!


Dies used:
Blue Wren
6047 Rectangles 6½” x 2½” and 3½” x 2½”
6015 Strip 1½”

Accuquilt
55330 Snowball 6½”
55054 Strip 4½”
55006 Square 6½”
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Free Wheelin'

Free Wheelin'

Now this is a scrap quilt! I was reorganizing my fabric storage and found two bins of medium size scraps that got pushed back under my cutting table. Nothing to do but start cutting a new project.

At first I was just going to cut Mill Wheel blocks, but then I decided to go a little crazy. I used bright colors to cut 4½” HST pieces. I randomly sewed those together, making 4½” squares, then cut them again on the Mill Wheel die to make perfect quarter circles. I used neutral white and cream prints for the middle sections.

Then I cut black, white, and gray scraps to make 2½” sashing to go in between the blocks. Light prints went next to the colors, grays beside the neutrals, and black for the cornerstones. I created the quilt in EQ8, then placed the pieces on my design board to better distribute the fabrics before I sewed them together.

This one was so much fun to create and sew, although it did take longer to finish. It's a summer throw, so I chose lightweight flannel for batting. I used light gray thread to straight stitch along the sashing, then switched to free motion for filling swirly loops across the middle sections. I like the way it gives the impression of movement.

Free Wheelin' finished out at 52” square. I think it's fabulous that I can use remnants to make bonus quilts. I have so many bins of scraps that I may have to re-evaluate just how small a piece to save. I did throw away a big bag of tiny unusable pieces last week. I'm running out of storage space!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 
6865 Mill Wheel 8” block

Accuquilt
55031 4½” HST
55159 2½” x 4½” Rectangles
55059 2½” Squares, multiple

55017 2½” Strips

Fabricate

I've always been one to improvise. To change ingredients in a recipe, or mix styles in décor and clothing. It must be my curious nature to seek new ideas, to figure out how to make something. This quick project came from a blissful afternoon of experimenting.

I saw a similar table mat online, so looked through my dies to find shapes that might work. Of course, I used remnant pieces.  The side sections of Jackaroo Star fit together to form petals of a dresden plate block. I positioned the sewn quarters with a glue stick onto a 6” square, then stitched them down. After trimming off excess fabric and the points, I added a yellow piece (trimmed center piece from the Wheels die).

Once I put them together with sashing, quilting began. I echo stitched with cream thread, then used free motion ribbons around the gold. Fabricate is 18½” square.

I'm inspired by color, design, creativity, and nature. I love playing with fabric, making useful and beautiful items. If the results are pleasing to me, I'm not going to worry about what others expect or what's in style. It's my life, after all.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6369 Jackaroo Star
6297 Wheels
Accuquilt
55006 6 Square
55017 Strip 2½”

But it's all right now

I learned my lesson well

You see, you can't please everyone

So you got to please yourself

~Rick Nelson

Corner Bar

Modern and colorful, today's quilt features bright scraps paired with crisp white muslin. This classic nine-patch was fun and easy to make.

I used the square and stem sections of the Maple Leaf die to construct 8” blocks. They are arranged on point with 1” sashing between, and setting triangles for sides and corners. I used EQ8 to preview color placement, then laid out the blocks on my design wall as I sewed them.

Corner Bar is 54” square. I quilted with white polyester embroidery thread to add some shine to the stitching. I used a walking foot to create random square and rectangular patterns across the whole quilt. Gray and white stripes for the binding finish it off nicely.

I'll make this one again, perhaps in pastels or a monochrome scheme. Oh, the possibilities!

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55195 Maple Leaf BOB 8” finished
55553 Setting Triangles 10”
55017 Strip 2½”
Blue Wren
6015 1½” strips (sashing)

Triumphant

Another scrappy quilt! The calming navy, blue, and taupe colors are jazzed up with coral, sea green and bright cream.

I used dies to cut the triangles and 60 degree diamonds, but I had to rotary cut those pesky trapezoids. Whew, this one makes me appreciate the time saving, ease, and accuracy of dies. 

While I worked, I thought about how our grannies carefully hand cut all their pieces with scissors, using paper templates pinned onto the material. They were certainly dedicated to their sewing!

Triumphant, Jan. 2022

I named this one Triumphant, to match my mood once it was done. I like the way the diamonds form six pointed stars where they join. I already have another design in mind to emphasize those stars. I quilted with cream thread in a straight stitch along the seams. It finished out 47” x 51” in size.

You'd think my scrap bin would be smaller by now, but it seems like I have more than ever. It's a good thing I love those remnants.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6361 Traveler Star (diamonds)
Accuquilt 55429 Equilateral Triangle

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek -- Katie Scarlett Designs

I truly enjoy playing in Electric Quilt 8 using different block designs. This one started as a 12” sample of Blue Wren's Turkey Tracks die, then it grew into a lap quilt. I'm loving the color combination of navy, orange, and yellow with natural muslin.

For alternate blocks, I substituted four-patch segments with the curved center section of turkey tracks. I started out with five turkey tracks and four alternate blocks. After putting them together it seemed unfinished, so I added a border all around, extending the four-patch sets and 4” muslin squares.

Quilting really stands out with diagonal serpentine lines in medium blue thread. The backing and binding is navy with white mini dots. Turkey Creek finished at 44” square.

You'll be seeing this die again soon...I already have another vintage block laid out using some of the pieces. A quilter's brain never stops generating new ideas!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6664 Turkey Tracks 6” finished quarter block
Accuquilt
55017 Strips 2½”
55059 Square 2½” multiples
55018 Small Value Die 4” square

Thank goodness

for the instant pot,

the crock pot,

and a husband

who's learned how to cook.

Classic Elegance

Classic Elegance

You just can't go wrong pairing classic black and white, and this quilt is a fine example.

Simple monochrome prints along with a white on white floral fabric make this design so definitive. I absolutely love the 12” Spinning Star die by Blue Wren Dies in Australia.

The backing is an adorable cat print. I quilted with light gray thread on top and white in the bobbin, using the Creative Grids Elvira ruler. Those gray serpentine lines make the stars really look like they're moving air.

Classic Elegance finished out at 54” square after I added borders.

There's no time to waste around here, Between my fabulous fabric acquisition and three more new dies, my head is spinning with new ideas. Stay tuned.

Blue Wren Dies:
6358  Spinning Star 12"
6720 Magic Strips (border)

I'm never bored.

There are too many

interesting,

creative,

relaxing,

fun,

exciting,

and satisfying

things to do!

Violet Quartet

This cute little flower quilt was a spur of the moment inspiration. I had leftover pieces of green cut for my last project, so why not use them now?

I added pretty violet batik flower petals, making four blocks, then framed them with 1” green strips.

Quilting is simply serpentine stitch about 2” apart in green thread. Violet Quartet is 19” square and didn't take long to whip up.

The backing makes this a reversible two for one: I used shamrock fabric and more leftover strips. How's that for creativity?

While I enjoy planning ahead, sometimes it's more fun to go with the flow and see where it leads you.

Dies used:
Accuquilt 55409 Triangle in Square 4" fin
Blue Wren 6015 1 ½” Strips

Follow your creative impulse

Baby Buggy Wheels

Baby Buggy Wheels

As promised, here's my latest quilt, made using the new Wheels die from Blue Wren.

I stitched up one from remnants to test the die and decided to use it in this baby quilt. The hot pink with black and white fabric is a striking contrast and creates a pinwheel secondary design.

You do have to pay attention to which way the fabric for the outer frame is laid on the die. The sections sew together very easily. I hand stitched the center octagon after the block was finished, although you could glue it and then topstitch. Baby Buggy Wheels is 36” square.

Quilting was done in dark gray thread with the Squiggy ruler across the centers and between each block. Then I added a small serpentine stitch with a walking foot to fill in.

What a cute little quilt this makes! I have several more ideas for this block, so stay tuned.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6297 Wheels 12” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

November = crisp frosty mornings

 

Transitions

This week's quilt is simple, although it looks complicated. I started with a postage stamp print purchased last year in Pensacola. I cut half square triangles in two sizes using navy and sea green fabrics that match the print.

I added cream muslin 3” squares, then sashing of slim strips with orange squares between each 6” square. A navy border frames it up nicely. Transitions is 48” x 56” in size.

The blocks were quick easy to cut and sew. I laid it out in EQ8 before finalizing the quilt fabrics. I used the same cream muslin for backing, and channel quilted with cream thread in a straight stitch one inch apart.

I saw a photo of this design in different colors online, but I don't know the original pattern name. Transitions seemed like the right description of this quilt with interesting lines and borders.

I love the whole creative process: being inspired, choosing colors, adding my personal touches, cutting, stitching, and quilting.

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55006 square 3½”
55009 HST 3½”
55001 HST 6½”
55032 3½” strip
55017 2½” strip

Blue Wren
6015 1½” strip
(sashing and squares)

Interesting things happen
along borders - transitions -
not in the middle
where everything is the same.
Neal Stephenson
 

Just Playin'

Sometimes I like experimenting with designs and trying new color combinations. Other days I practice free motion and ruler quilting techniques on sample blocks. Little projects like these mats are perfect for that, and useful to boot.

The table mat is made using Hattie's Choice blocks, but I substituted two triangles for in place of the diamond shape to give it more interest. After framing them with strips, I used Creative Grids Slim ruler by Angela Walters to quilt over the whole piece. It looks like rows of picket fences or roof tiles, don't you think?

Project #2--I haven't made many quilts with the wedge die so I cut a few pieces to play with. I added white 1” strips on either side of the center wedges for an outline. 

Free motion quilting is kind of like doodling. I started with swoops inside the print fabrics.  I wanted to fill in the peach outside sections densely. I think I did pretty good for my first attempt at cobblestones. Callie won't notice any mistakes anyway; this is a cat mat for her.

 

Playin' around in the sewing room is relaxing and fun, and keeps me distracted from doing housework. I use up scraps, learn new techniques, practice skills, and create new ideas for future quilts. It's quite satisfying to work on small pieces that finish in a snap.


Dies used:
Accuquilt
55220 Hattie's Choice 8” block
55439 Wedge 9” finished
55017 2 ½” strip

Blue Wren
6015 1 ½” strip 

Play is the highest form of research.

Albert Einstein

Feelin' Groovy

These colors remind me of 1967. Bright pink, orange, green, yellow, and aqua are balanced by navy. I started with a half-yard bundle called Art Gallery, from Pineapple Fabrics, then added a few of my own pieces (some from my new $1 stash).

I designed the layout in EQ8 before sewing them all together. I quilted with orange thread in diagonal lines, one straight stitch, one serpentine. I love this one! The solid orange backing has a strip of 6” squares running down the center.

Feelin' Groovy is 44” x 53” size, nice for a picnic or a nap, if the dazzling colors don't keep you awake. 

Accuquilt dies used:
55147 Half square triangle 2 ¼” finished
55731 Signature 4 ½” finished
55017 2½” strip
55000 6½” square 

Ba da-da da-da da-da, feeling groovy

--Paul Simon

Butterfly Joy

Butterfly Joy

Here's another scrappy project for you.  I nearly couldn't shut the lid on my box of 2 ½” squares, even though I used some a few weeks ago.  This time I decided to stitch up this Flutterbye pattern to make room.

Happy flower colors of yellow, orange, lilac, and pink combine well with sky blue, grassy green, and watery aqua. I used white, cream and gray for the contrasting pieces. 

There are two narrow borders, one in white and the other in yellow with corner designs to match the block pattern.

What a sweet summery little quilt! Butterfly Joy is 44” square. The backing is a black and white friendship themed word print. I quilted with white thread with leafy looking loops done in free motion.

I still can't get over my amazing find of $1 per yard fabric. I know I saved at least $3000 with that deal. Nearly every piece is calling “pick me, pick me to make something now.” I don't know how I managed to get all of it in my sewing room, either! The house may be leaning slightly...

Accuquilt dies used:
55409 Triangle in square 4” finished (sides of triangle)
55017 2½” strip
55059 2½” square multiple

July in Tennessee =
Hot as all get-out!

Easy Pieces

Here's another multicolored scrap quilt made from my stash box of 2½” squares. Quick work, since all I had to cut were the cream/white pieces. I designed the basic layout in EQ8.

Sewing straight seams in batches was a breeze. I tried to keep the colors balanced but didn't fuss too much. Perfection can be stressful and I only wanted to play.

I quilted with white thread in straight lines on the strip sections and in a crosshatch pattern on the eight and sixteen patch blocks. Easy Pieces is 42” square.

I really enjoyed those three mornings stitching away in the sewing room with smooth jazz playing in the background. The thing is, I hardly made a dent in that scrap box, plus I have more remnants to cut. Don't worry, I've already designed another fun project for those.

Accuquilt dies used:
55017 2½” strip
55059 2½” square multiple

Some days 

are simply meant 

for playing 

Harmony

Basic nine-patch squares and churn dash blocks work well together. For this lap quilt I chose an aqua blender, paired with two black and white prints and a multicolored dot on black. I designed the layout in Electric Quilt 8. 

After sewing and arranging the blocks, I added a 3” inner border. The outer border is made up of half rectangle triangles separated by a small strip to make the design come out evenly. 

Harmony is 48” square. I quilted the center section with a triple serpentine stitch in aqua thread, and used edge stitching to accent the first border. On the outer border I free motion quilted in the aqua sections and the four corners. Cool and refreshing with great contrast, this one's another favorite of mine. 

I am really enjoying my sewing time this summer. After completing the quilt, I put everything away and thoroughly cleaned my sewing room. It's been so nice to come into a peaceful, neat space every morning. Don't worry, it won't last long...I've already started my next quilt and the scrap baskets need managing.

Accuquilt dies used:
55339 Churn Dash 9” finished
55006 3 ½” square
55411 Half rectangle triangle 3” x 6” finished
55032 3 ½” strip
55017 2 ½” strip

Without balance 

there is no 

H A R M O N Y

Sunflower Morning

Sunflower Morning

Here's a cheerful quilt for a rainy spring Monday.

Bright yellow fabric complements this beautiful orange and yellow sunflower batik print. I used an isosceles triangle die from Blue Wren to create one large Morningstar block.  Corners are 6 ½” HST and it's framed with 3 ½” strips. Sunflower Morning finished out at 26 ½” square.

I am still practicing my ruler quilting skills, this time with the Elvira ruler from Angela Walters. Smaller projects are easy to maneuver, so I outlined each triangle with scallops in bright yellow thread. Borders feature parallel serpentine lines.

I really enjoyed the creative process with this quilt that I finished in late March. Being isolated at home isn't so bad when you have a wonderful hobby like sewing and a huge stash of fabric.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6396 Isosceles Triangle 5” x 6”

Accuquilt 55001 6 ½” Half Square Triangle

Accuquilt 55032 3 ½” strip

"Home should be an anchor, 

a port in a storm, a refuge, 

a happy place in which to dwell, 

a place where we are loved 

and where we can love." 

Marvin J. Ashton

Down In Mississippi

This week's quilt is made with a vintage block called Mississippi. I used light fabrics in lime, aqua, lavender and cream. The large 13” blocks were easy to cut with AccuQuilt dies. I used a Blue Wren strip cutter die for the narrow sashing.

Down In Mississippi finished out at 45” x 60” size. I quilted with cream thread, using Angela Walters' Elvira ruler to free motion stitch wavy lines. It was great practice and so enjoyable.

Down In Mississippi

I've had plenty of time to quilt the past two weeks, since we haven't left the house because of that nasty virus. It isn't a hardship to stay in because my home is a refuge, a place where I'm comfortable and happy.

I like puttering around, sitting on the porch, hanging out with my husband. I can always find something to do. So far, we have enough supplies and food. I really don't like grocery shopping anyway, so I haven't missed that a bit.  My fabric inventory would probably sustain me for a year.  

I wish more people would take this pandemic seriously and just stay at home. Sure, I miss breakfast at our favorite diner, our April camping trip was canceled, I'd like to shop for spring flowers, and I won't get my hair cut on schedule. But I don't think any of that is more important than our health or our lives.

The number of cases, and sadly, the death toll is rising quickly.  STAY HOME, PEOPLE!!

Accuquilt dies used:

55010 5” Square charm

55147 Half square triangle 2 ¼” finished

55731 Signature 4 ½” finished

Blue Wren die used:

6015 1 ½” strip cutter