Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect, June 2026

It’s amazing how color and layout can completely change the look of a design. A simple kaleidoscope block has the potential to make a wide variety of quilts.

I played with arrangements in Electric Quilt 8 before settling on this one. Going to my remnant baskets and leftover pieces gave me a rainbow of colors, hues, and fabrics to complement the off-white linen print that I bought at Marshall Dry Goods.

Triangles are one of my favorites to work with and Blue Wren’s Galaxy of Stars 9” die is a nice size for this snuggle quilt. I did all the piecing on Midnight, my lovely painted Singer 404. His gorgeous ¼” straight stitch seams made matching points effortless.

Switching to Janome, I quilted free motion ribbons across the off-white sections and straight stitch outlines along the colors. Ripple Effect finished at 46” square, just right for a baby quilt, table topper, or wall hanging.

My brain and my computer are full of more ideas since I finished this one back in June. I will likely never get them all done, but that’s my motivation to sew every day!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6969 Galaxy of Stars 9”

ZZ Top

ZZ Top, August 2026

Sometimes the simplest shapes can be combined to create unique designs. I started this quilt by cutting up medium sized scraps into half square triangles and rectangles. I had no particular layout in mind.

By the time I had added some natural muslin and sewed a few blocks, an idea popped into my head and this quilt was the result. By flipping two sections together, the Z began to take shape when I added 1” muslin sashing.

After I finished the blocks, I remembered a colorful guitar print for a border and backing, so naming it ZZ Top made perfect sense to me. I pieced everything on my Singer 99 called Bogart. I chose a utility zig-zag stitch for quilting on the Janome.

ZZ Top finished at 46” x 54” and yes, I definitely played their music and even danced a little bit while working on this one. Such a fun and happy quilt!

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55159 Rectangle 2” x 4” finished
Blue Wren 6015 Strips 1” finished

 

Eureka!

Eureka! August 2026

I finally solved the puzzle to make this block with dies. It’s my variation of the Wensleydale by Jen Kingwell. I love her work and admire all her beautiful designs.

There’s a back story here. First, I do NOT enjoy paper piecing—too much cutting and trimming and tearing. I’m spoiled by my Accuquilt cutter, dies, and Blue Wren dies. With them I rarely have to trim or square up blocks after sewing.

I wanted to find an easy way to reproduce the Wensleydale look using the dies I have but just couldn’t figure it out. After several attempts and adjusting my design more than once, I finally have a similar version that I like. Here’s a few photos to show how it goes together.

The center is Blue Wren’s 3” x 6” Diamond in Rectangle, then I added Accuquilt’s 3” Triangle in Square sections and finished off with 3” x 6” Half Rectangle Triangles around the block. It is not a perfect copy of her design but my interpretation of that style.

It felt so great to finish this quilt. I used blue, green, tan, cream and white scraps. After joining the blocks, I added 3” borders. Quilting with light blue thread, I outlined the large diamonds in straight stitches. Eureka! finished at 53” square.

If you like paper piecing, please buy Jen Kingwell’s books and templates to make her Wensleydale design. You may reproduce my die cut version for your own use, but, as with all my quilts, please do not publish or sell the pattern.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6381 Diamond in a Rectangle 3” x 6” finished

Accuquilt
55027 Triangle in a Square 3” finished
55411 Half Rectangle Triangle 3” x 6” finished
55032 Strips 3” borders
55017 Strips 2” binding

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

Braided Blue

Oh, I love this adorable quilted mat! I've been on a roll with curves lately.

A classic color combination of clear navy blue and crisp white fabric is perfect here. The design is created with a new die from Blue Wren, called Wave Peak.

The small 4” blocks fit together like a puzzle to form a lovely wave or braid. I set them on point, then filled in the outside with white setting triangles.

For quilting, I used a straight stitch and white thread with a walking foot, following around the curves. On the outside edges I added two rows of echo curves.

Braided Blue is only 23” square, since I wanted table mat or small wall hanging size. A larger quilt can be made by adding another round of the braids.

So cute and so much fun to make! I'll be experimenting with this die to create borders or combine with other blocks.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6633 Wave Peak 4” finished

Midnight Shift

Midnight Shift

I'm back, relaxed and recharged after spending two weeks camping at Dale Hollow Dam. Walking the trail, sitting by the trout stream, reading, people watching, and hanging out with my sweet husband was so nice. We had a delicious Mexican meal at Los Primos on my birthday.

Since I can't go that long without sewing, my Singer Featherweight (Annie) and two tubs of scraps went with us.  I sewed blocks for two different scrap quilts, and I'll finish those soon. A couple of cool rainy days gave me a chance to sort quilt idea photos on my computer, and I designed a few quilts in EQ8.

I cut all the half hexagon shapes for this quilt on the Accuquilt cutter before we left. Dark navy blue prints with crisp white on white vine fabric is a classic look. It didn't take long to sew these together in rows. I improvised a design wall by pinning them to the valance on our back window.

After we got home, I sandwiched the layers and quilted on the Janome. With dark blue thread and the 2-point shell stitch, I used a ruler to sew vertical lines. Some of those utility stitches are fantastic for quilting. Midnight Shift finished out at 46” x 50” size.

Accuquilt dies used:

55437 Half Hexagon 4¼” finished
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Dynamic Star

Dynamic Star
2024 Useful Remnants

Pink, green, and paisley fabric give this giant star a modern spring vibe. I started with two remnant pieces in the center, then chose coordinating colors from my stash for the other layers.

This is similar to a Morning Star or Texas Star block, but it's expanded to fit the whole quilt top instead of narrowing back to points. I used one of the shapes from Blue Wren's Dynamic Star die to cut all the triangles. The large size made everything go together quickly.

Layout on my design wall helped me keep the eight sections in the right order. I filled in the edges with a 2" strip to match up with the corners, then added setting triangles last. 

 

I decided on pink thread to quilt free motion curves inside each side of the diamonds. Finished size for Dynamic Star is 49½” square.

It was fun to design, cut, piece and quilt. I'd planned to donate it, but I may wait a bit so I can enjoy it myself. I'll definitely do this one again in other colors. 

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6954 Dynamic Star (smaller triangle)

 

Diamond Chain

Diamond Chain

Simple squares and half square triangles can be combined using different sizes and configurations to create interesting quilt patterns.

Diamond Chain is my impression of a photo clipped from a magazine many years ago. I used scraps of navy, blue, wine, and green prints and added cream muslin for the four-patch blocks. The larger squares are dusty peach floral and cream. Two borders frame this fall throw nicely.

Quilting with cream thread, I sewed scallop stitch diagonally in rows 3” apart. Diamond Chain is 58” square.

I love the variety and challenge of experimenting with new designs. I truly enjoy seeing a quilt photo and figuring out how to sew it. I find ideas all the time, in tile patterns, clothing, magazines, architecture, and nature. Always looking, because the next cool project might be just around the corner.

Accuquilt dies used:
55006 3½” Square
55009 3½” Half Square Triangle
55000 6½” Square
55017 Strips 2½”
55032 Strips 3½”

 

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

Hilltop Chain

Remnants, scraps, leftovers...whatever you call them, these pieces of material have been saved in most sewing rooms for decades.

Today's quilt is the result of a cutting session with the Accuquilt Weathervane die and a big basket of scraps. I used shape B (pentagon) to cut colorful prints. Shapes A and D were cut from natural muslin. The block I sewed is a variation of a vintage one called Old Italian Block or Mountain Peak.

What a fun quilt to make! I used Rockette, my 1962 Singer 500A for piecing. This one reminds me of the simple bed quilts that Granny Hill and Granny Rose sewed. Hilltop Chain is snuggle size, at 51” square. I quilted across the muslin squares using bright variegated thread, using a multi-stitch zig zag pattern.

I am happiest when I'm creating something new out of remnants, and when I'm experimenting with quilt designs. I promise you it's been a happy, scrappy summer at my house.

Accuquilt dies used:
55544 Weathervane 8” finished Shapes A, B, and D
55017 Strip 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”

 

Whatnots

Whatnots

I love this colorful scrap quilt!

Hexagon, triangle and diamond shapes were easy to cut using Blue Wren's 3” Hexagon set. My remnant bins are a little lighter now but I'm reasonably sure that I will never run out of scraps.

I didn't use a pattern: I laid out pieces on my design wall and started sewing them into sections, then into rows. Finally I joined the rows and trimmed the sides. I added borders in the same white on white as the hexagons. Lots of pieces, but accurate seams on my Singer Featherweight made matching them a breeze.

I used white thread to quilt an allover diamond pattern in a straight stitch. Whatnots is 48” square.

Bonus quilts made from leftover bits are so delightfully satisfying to finish.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6808 Hexagon Set 3” sides
Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½” binding
55032 Strip 3½” borders

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)

Springtime Cabin

Remnants again, this time for a colorful log cabin quilt.

I love the crisp white and light gray neutrals alongside all those bright happy prints! I used EQ8 to experiment with several layouts before choosing this one.

Using a ruler, I straight stitch quilted 3” grids diagonally across the whole surface with white thread. In keeping with the classic design, I added binding of gray and white stripes. Springtime Cabin is 49” square, a perfect lap size.

It's fortunate that I love to sew scrappy quilts, because there are bins full of remnants still hiding under my cutting table. As I told a friend recently, there's bound to be a law against throwing out completely usable fabric.  

Accuquilt dies used:
55349 Log Cabin BOB 12” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

Gin Blossoms

I've been playing again. Some of my best ideas come when I'm cutting scraps or straightening up the sewing room. Today's project is one of them.

I like to mix elements from seemingly unrelated dies to form new blocks. Chalk that up to creative curiosity and a love of puzzles. I've never been afraid to change a pattern or design to suit me.

This medallion table mat combines three dies: kite, triangle in square and drunkard's path. I've seen a similar design somewhere before but of course I changed the layout. Shades of rusty red, salmon pink, and stone make a pleasing palette. After adding a 3” border and a chevron binding, Gin Blossoms final size is 23” square.

I free motion quilted with ecru thread using a medium wave ruler in rows 3” apart, then rotated and straight stitched across the curves.

Winter is a natural time to rest and recharge. I highly recommend letting go of expectations, responsibility, and self imposed restrictions. Play a little and see where it takes you.

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55739/55743 Drunkard's Path 4½” (trimmed to 4”)
55032 Strip 3½”
55017 Strip 2½” 

Detours

Red, white, and blue always look good together, especially in a quilt. This one has lots of small pieces! I didn't have a pattern in mind when I started, but it all came together in the end.

The center section of each block is the adorable Blue Wren 4” periwinkle die (from Australia). I had intended to use them as a border, so I started cutting scraps in May, right after I got the die. I worked on sewing and cutting between other projects whenever I had spare time, keeping my Featherweight set up just for piecing.

As I stitched, I decided to feature the little periwinkles all across the quilt instead. I added half square triangles in light blue and red prints to frame them. I set the blocks on point, adding blue/white stripe sashing with navy and white mini dot square accents.

Detours

Detours finished out at 49” square. I quilted in pale blue-gray thread, using a walking foot and small serpentine stitch along seam lines in both directions. I used the navy and white mini dot as backing/binding.

My original plan was diverted, and took longer to complete than I planned. I had fabric, scraps, and dies scattered all over the sewing room, but I love the results. 

Sometimes you just have to follow where the fabric leads you!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6377 Periwinkle 4” finished
6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” finished

Accuquilt
55009 3½” Half Square Triangle
55017 Strip 2½”
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55018 Small value die (squares & half square triangles)

 

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 

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

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