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

Dreamy Lattice

Dreamy Lattice, March 2026

Peach and green prints combined with crisp white for a lovely lattice pattern in today's quilt. I think these muted colors have a vintage look.

I love working with geometric shapes like trapezoids and triangles to create different blocks. There are so many options and layouts that I'll never be able to sew them all. EQ8 software makes it fun to experiment with color choices before I start cutting.

After sewing the top, I added a wide border made up of strips and rectangles. I did free motion quilting in a ribbon pattern along the trapezoids with white thread, then switched to straight stitch in rows for the borders.

Dreamy Lattice is 61” square, and was completed in March.

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid 45° 4”
55021 HST 2”
55159 Rectangles 2” x 4” border
55017 Strips 2½” binding & border

Star Power

Star Power, February 2026

One patch quilts can be simple or detailed, depending on design and color choices. This one features muted blue floral, medium white dots on gray, and black/white weaver print fabric.

I wanted four inch 60° diamonds but didn't have that specific die, so I cut them with a strip die. I first did layout in EQ8, then put the diamonds on my design wall before sewing together in sections.

Star Power is 48” x 52” finished. I quilted with blue thread, using a free motion meander stitch for the star, then switched to straight stitch along the seam lines for the perimeter area.

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Last week was fabulous: We finally got some rain! I received three new dies from Blue Wren in Australia, found amazing fabric bargains (79 yards for $174) at a consignment sale, and visited with family I haven't seen in a while.

Accuquilt dies used:

55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Doc's Folly

Doc's Folly

I love vintage quilt block designs, and Propeller is one of my favorites. Published as Air Ship Propeller in the Kansas City Star around 1938, you could buy the pattern by mail order. I ordered this die from Blue Wren a few years ago.

My latest version features black, cream, light red, and melon remnant prints. It has a kind of steam punk look with this coloring. I designed it in EQ8 and cut most of the pieces last November. I pieced the block in January on Annie, my Singer Featherweight 221, also using it to applique the center circles.

As I was arranging the blocks on my design board, my husband walked in and wondered if I could shift the rows, and I love the effect. He also helped choose the center circle fabric, and named the quilt Doc's Folly. He's a wonderful supporter of my quilting obsession and definitely a keeper!

I used a tan vine print sheet for backing, and free motion quilted in a large meandering stitch with tan thread on the Janelle, my Janome MC9450. Finished size is 50” square, and it's folded over the love seat in our living room right now.

See you next week!

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6924 Propeller 10” block
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½” binding

Girly Hearts

Here's a sweet lap quilt for Valentine's Day that's fun and easy to sew.

Pink scrappy hearts float on a lavender floral background, with a border of parallelograms around the perimeter. Girly Hearts is 48” square, and quilted with white thread in a free motion meandering stitch. I stitched and quilted on Janelle, my Janome MC9450 machine.

The Half Hearted die from Blue Wren is definitely one I'll use again. I actually sewed this quilt in December 2024, before packing up everything for our move. 

I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head that I don't know what to do next. Good thing I have a pending projects list, although it is getting longer and longer.

My current focus is cutting into my mountain of remnants. I can't stand to throw away even the smallest bits of fabric! Thankfully some of my dies can cut tiny pieces so I don't have to do it with scissors like our grannies did. Watch for lots of wild colorful quilts later this year.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
  6911 Half Hearted 9” block
  6015 Strips 1½”

Accuquilt
  55004 Parallelograms 3”
 55008 HST 3”

Change In The Air

Finally, a quilt! This one is aptly named, since change was definitely in the air. I cut the pieces way back in November of 2024, just before packing up the sewing room for our move. It's one of several that I prepared in advance so I'd be ready to sew once we arrived.

Now forward to December 2025...Change In The Air is at long last finished! The fresh blue fabric, bright melon dots and coral print look gorgeous together. 

I wanted something large, so used six inch sections to make 18” finished blocks. Chisels, half-square triangles, rectangles, and squares made a fun design using EQ8 software to fine tune the layout.  Finished size is 56" square.

I set them on point, filling in with half blocks and hand cut corners. I added 2” blue sashing plus cornerstones and binding in a navy & light red strawberry print. All work was done on Janelle, my Janome 9450 machine. I quilted free motion in a large meandering stitch using blue thread.

It felt awesome to complete a quilt in my new space! I whipped out a few more in December, they're lined up to share with you soon. I haven't set a blog schedule just yet (too busy sewing!), so watch here or on Useful Remnants/KatieScarlett Designs Facebook page for updates.  

See you later!

Dies used:

Blue Wren

  6274 Chisels 2” x 6”
  6047 Rectangles 2” x 6”

Accuquilt

  55000 Square 6”
  55059 Squares 2”
  55021 Value die 2” HST
  55017 Strips 2”
  55399 QST 8”

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

 

Amethyst Dreams

This sweet purple quilt makes me want to grab a book and snuggle in for a while.

Three lovely prints coordinate nicely with a bright white tone on tone fabric. I used Blue Wren's 5” Gem Star die for the center blocks, making all those points and seams easy to match. Amethyst Dreams finished at 50” square after adding the borders.

I chose light blue thread for free motion quilting in long rows using a circle ruler. Then I switched to a straight stitch across the curves, guided by a straight ruler. It made for a unique design that I will use again.

I love experimenting with everything about sewing and quilts, from color to finishing. My mama started me early, at about age 3, hand stitching little scraps of material. Even after sixty plus years of sewing, I still enjoy trying and learning new techniques. Guess I'll never stop!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6817 Gem Star 5” finished quarter square
Accuquilt 55488 Strip 5½”

 

Bohemian Rhapsody

Here's the second scrap quilt that I pieced during our camping trip. Hot pink, navy, bright aqua, chrome yellow, and vivid orange prints blend together for a wild hippie 1970's vibe. I enjoyed sewing all these blocks on the Featherweight.

Once we got home, I arranged them on my design wall and looked in my inventory for sashing fabric. My final choice is unusual, but suggested by my husband, so I went for it. The small yellow flowers on a black background look very similar to a peasant dress that I wore in high school.

Bohemian Rhapsody finished at 48” square. I quilted with dark gray thread in a free motion meandering pattern, while listening to the music of the 70's...perfect!  

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55601 Mill & Stars 8” finished
55017 Strips 2½”
Blue Wren 6015 Strips 1½”

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)

 

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”

Times Past

I nearly forgot about this little remnant quilt! I sewed it back in October, then put it away without sharing it on the blog.

The fabric in this reversible table mat reminds me of vintage brocade. The muted brown, tan, green, and rose colors work beautifully with black accents. 

I used isosceles triangles plus half square triangles to make kaleidoscope blocks for one side. The reverse is half-square triangles of the brocade print with black gingham, plus two borders.

I did all the piecing on Violet, our restored and painted Singer 99. She's a joy to sew with. Quilting was fun with free motion meandering stitches in tan thread using the Janome.

Times Past is 24½” square, an old fashioned classic look for a change of pace.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6396 Isosceles Triangles

Accuquilt
55009 Half Square Triangles 3" finished
55031 Half Square Triangles 4” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

Oriental Fans

This lovely fan is another old block that I requested from Blue Wren. It is based on a Laura Wheeler design called Pride of the North. I used coral, cream and black colors that remind me of oriental wall hangings.

After sewing the four blocks, I set them on point, then added two borders and setting triangles for framing. I straight stitched along the fan seams and filled in the curves and borders with free motion quilting using white thread.

The backing repeats the cute cat print from the center fan blade. Callie would have loved sleeping on this. The final touch is a white and black thin striped binding. Oriental Fans finished out at 40” square.

I have several color selections laid out in EQ8 for this block. There are just not enough hours in the day to sew and finish all my quilt ideas!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 
6981 Abaniko 12” block

Accuquilt
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Diamond Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed making this lap quilt. Scraps in a multitude of colors and styles combine beautifully with a white vine print on cream.

The diamond shapes appear once the blocks are sewn together, and float over the background four point stars. The Gem Star die makes quick work of cutting small narrow scraps. This is one of those clever blocks that has different looks depending on fabric color and placement. 

Diamond Stars finished out at 51” square. For quilting, I used white thread to stitch free motion ribbon loop patterns across the stars. Once I get into a rhythm, it goes pretty quickly and is relaxing to do.  

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6817 Gem Star 5” quarter block
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

Do something you love every day!

Life Is A Highway

Life Is A Highway

Yep, I've been cutting up remnants again!

I already had a bin of random 3½” half square triangles, so I decided to cut signature shapes to coordinate for a colorful and busy lap quilt. 

I played with several layouts and ended up with the blocks on point in double rows, adding white on cream print squares in between. I finished with setting triangles around the sides and corners.

Life Is A Highway measures 53” x 58” in size. For quilting, I used medium cream thread to free motion ribbon candy patterns across each block. It's really relaxing and fun to get in the rhythm of stitching.

Apparently I love color, because there aren't many shades missing from my stash. These scrappy designs allow me to use odd bits and even ugly fabric that wouldn't work as a primary choice.

Every quilt I finish gives me scraps to make others, even though I toss anything that's less than two inches. Another bonus quilt complete, with more to come. 

Accuquilt dies used:
55356 Signature 4½” finished
55010 Square 5"
55019 Half Square Triangle 3½”
55805 Half Square Triangle 5” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

Thankful 

for the time 

I spend quilting! 

October Vintage Stars

Oh my, how I love this Candy Star die from Blue Wren!

It is a new version of a previously unnamed vintage block, published sometime after 1933 from Old Chelsea Station (magazine/newspaper mail order). I saw an antique quilt photo online, found the block layout in BlockBase+, and suggested the idea to Norma at Blue Wren.  Before long this new die was available. 

I selected two older fabrics from one of my garage sale finds. These autumn colored cotton prints were only 36” wide, dating around the late 1960's. Remember harvest gold, avocado green, burnt orange, and brown? They were the fashionable colors to have back then.

October Vintage Stars

I added a coordinating persimmon solid, black prints, and natural muslin to complete the look from that era. I used twelve blocks, framed with two borders. I really enjoyed sewing this retro inspired quilt, October Vintage Stars, which is 48” x 60” finished size. I quilted using a free motion meandering stitch in cream thread.

The corner sections that form the secondary stars are made with a Y-seam. I did a few test runs since I was out of practice, but only used the seam ripper once.  Key tips: sew precise 1/4" seams, stop 1/4" from edge and lockstitch, flip and sew from corner to edge, press each section the same way.   

It was very satisfying to sew, but the best thing about this die is that Blue Wren includes alternative pieces to avoid a Y-seam altogether and create more design options.

I was so inspired that I finished in only 5 days: die delivered noon Monday, quilt completed Friday. I have already designed more in EQ8/BlockBase+, and each version has a totally different look.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6958 Candy Star

Accuquilt
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strip 2½”

BlockBase ID: 2725

Thrifty Threads

It's another bonus quilt!

I had a major remnant cutting session not long ago, filling a small storage box with two sizes of rectangles. Last week I wanted a quick simple project, so all I had to do was cut the solid khaki broadcloth pieces and stitch everything together.

I pieced the backing from two larger fabrics. Free motion quilting in loops using tan thread really stands out, plus flowing between short to long rows creates a nice pattern. Thrifty Threads finished at 48” x 50” for a nice scrappy lap quilt to add to my gift/donation shelf.

This handy die is one of my favorites to rescue and recycle leftover material. There are so many ways to use these rectangles: sashing, borders, rail fence blocks, and more.

I didn't want to start anything complicated because my latest purchase from Blue Wren is due to arrive any day now! The shipment landed in California last Sunday and cleared customs on Thursday. USPS shows them in Nashville now, and I already have fabric pulled and waiting.  No housework on the horizon...thankfully my man is willing to cook. 

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6047 2” x 3” and 2” x 6” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

 

Baubles & Beads

Baubles & Beads

Remember my new design sneak peek a couple of weeks ago?

It's finished and I love it! The blade sections of the Blue Wren Windspinner die make a sweet curved design arranged in this way. I fan folded to get them to match up the way I wanted.

Colorful remnants combined with natural muslin give this little quilt a vintage vibe. I pieced everything on Annie, my Featherweight. Lots of stitching with slight curves but she handled it well.

I switched to the Janome so I could free motion over the muslin fabric. I really enjoyed quilting those flowing lines. I got into a relaxing rhythm and finished in no time. (So much better than last week's uncooperative ruler experience.)

Straight stitching along each side of the angled seams made a wide double zig-zag row across the prints.

Baubles & Beads measures 42½” x 44½” size, good for table mat, wall hanging, or baby quilt.  Size could easily be changed by adding more rows or cutting more scraps!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6289 Windspinner
Accuquilt 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

Endless Love

For this lovely beauty, I used nearly all of the red heart fabric from my cache. Red, white, and pink prints are a nice combination for a Valentine quilt.

I used the 10” Periwinkle die from Blue Wren to cut twenty-five blocks. These were stitched on my Singer Featherweight, Annie. Borders and backing feature a red on red small floral print.

I quilted using Janelle (Janome MC9450) with red thread, in a serpentine stitch along block seams, then free motion quilted scallops around the center star section. On the 5” borders I added a pretty heart stitch and a larger serpentine with white thread.

Endless Love is 60” square, nice size for snuggling on the couch with my sweet Valentine, Jerold.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blue Wren dies used:
6077 10” Periwinkle
6720 Magic Strips (borders and binding)