Sticks & Stones

And now something calm and cool…

I’ve been working with bright and lively scraps and thought it might be time for a change. These traditional arrowhead blocks are perfect for relaxing blue, tan, and cream fabrics.

Designed in EQ8 using dies I have on hand, the blocks are 11” finished. There are so many variations when you take time to experiment. I pieced on Bogart, my wrinkle finish Singer 99.

I used the Janome MC9450 to add serpentine quilting diagonally in both directions, following the design lines. Ecru thread on top and light blue in the bobbin to match the blue swirl backing.

Sticks & Stones is 57” square, such a pretty, peaceful quilt in neutral colors that I finished in July.

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55059 Squares 2½”
55031 Half Square Triangle 4½”

Blue Wren
6274 Chisels 45° 2½” x 6½”

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 You may reproduce my die cut version for your own use, but, as with all my quilts, please do not publish or sell the pattern.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

Kilkenny

Kilkenny, March 2026

This quilt design was an experiment with leftovers and a new die. Creating variations of blocks is one of my favorite pastimes and this was a definite success.

I added a white on natural fabric to green scraps from my Forest Path quilt to make 5” x 7¼” rectangle blocks, using pieces from the Flying Fish die. I set the prints in rows with a strip between each one.

I quilted with variegated green thread, outlining the green pieces with straight stitch, then adding a triple serpentine across the strips. A thrifted lime & green striped sheet made perfect backing and binding.

Kilkenny finished out at 45” x 55” size. I'm so happy with the results of my thinking outside the block experiment! It's very satisfying to create a beautiful bonus quilt from remnants and a random idea.

Accuquilt dies used:
55498 Flying Fish 9” BOB
55017 Strips 2½” strips & binding

 

Spin-Off and more FABRIC

Spin-Off

Here I go again, experimenting with scraps and dies.

I started with four 2½” x 6½” cuts of three different scrap fabrics, sewing them together. Then I cut that square with the X-Quisite die to make the signature shape. White on white dotted triangle corners were added, then the four blocks stitched together to make the spinner.

Rockette, my trusty Singer 500A needed a little exercise and she handled all the piecing with ease. I separated the blocks with 2” sashing and added 4” borders around the perimeter to make Spin-Off 48” square. I used a utility stitch to quilt in rows using off-white thread.

It's a perfect little quilt to add to my ever growing donation stack. That doesn't mean my scrap collection is shrinking, because I believe they are multiplying like bunnies while I'm not looking. Or maybe I'm collecting more material than I'm using. Did I mention I was gifted 14 tubs of fabric the other day? We're either gonna need a bigger house or I have to find a way to sew more!

It's National Sewing Month, so I challenge you all to sew or do something creative in your sewing space every day...have fun!

Dies used:

Blue Wren
6047 Rectangles 2½” x 6½” and 2½” x 3½”
6656 X-Quisite 6” finished

Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½”
55054 Strip 4½”

 

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”

 

Cut And Try Sampler

Cut And Try Sampler, 2023

Today's quilt is a combination of sample and experimental blocks, in purple, aqua, white and gray prints.  

Whenever I buy a new die, I immediately cut and sew a block to test accuracy and quality. I choose three or four coordinating colors for these trials. I use the same fabric when I'm experimenting with variations or new designs.

Once I get enough blocks, I'll arrange them on the design wall, then join them with a complementary sashing or background. I don't worry if they are different sizes, the variety is what makes these projects unique. It's a fun way to keep those trial blocks from stacking up and I get another bonus quilt!

I quilted 2” rows with a small serpentine stitch using light gray thread. Cut And Try Sampler ended up 49½” x 48” size. 

Now to choose a new color group for the next batch.