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

Early Spring

Early Spring, March 2026

This pretty quilt reminds me of springtime. The light blue with colorful dots, a coordinating coral red hashed pattern, and crisp white are perfect for this block design.

Star and Cross is a vintage pattern from the 1930's and 40's, also published as Shining Hour and North Star. I love how the stars are split by the crosses. It looks complicated but is really simple to sew. I added a couple of borders to frame it up.

I pieced everything on Rockette, my Singer 500A. White thread was used for quilting through the center of each white cross and along either side, using a utility multi zig-zag and straight stitch on Janelle (Janome MC9450).  Early Spring finished at 50" square. 

These colors seemed like the perfect choice for today's Memorial Day blog. We finally got some of the rain we needed, over 4” this past week through yesterday. Still cloudy with a chance today so probably no picnic around here. It's been nice to sit on the screened porch though, listening to rain on the roof and watching that grass green up.

Accuquilt dies used:
55635 Star & Cross 10” BOB
55017 Strips 2½”
55032 Strips 3½”

Savannah Spring

Savannah Spring, December 2025

Colors of springtime include lilac and lavender, and they happen to be my favorites. I added in a dash of lime for contrast to make this quilt sing.

Large 8” triangles made piecing easy on my Singer 221 Featherweight, Annie. Switching to the Janome, I used lilac thread and a walking foot to quilt straight lines along all seams to emphasize the triangle shapes.

Finished and gifted last December, Savannah Spring finished out at 48” x 50” size. I wanted to keep this one, but I can and mostly likely will make another in similar colors.

I've been resting some from our improvement projects, and sneezing my way through this unpredictable spring weather. There's a new set of allergens over this way, but I'm getting a handle on it.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6568 Equilateral Triangle 8”
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2”

Forest Path

Things are beginning to green up around here, as my mama used to say. Springtime brings nature's mix of colors and hues to inspire me. I used a variety of those dark and medium green shades in this modern style hexagon quilt.

It went together easily using half-hexagon and equilateral triangle dies. I laid the sections out on my design wall before sewing them together in rows.

Quilting was done with a straight stitch 1” away from each seam, using variegated green thread and a walking foot. The even stitching really emphasizes the hexagon and triangle shapes.  

Forest Path finished out at 52” x 56” throw size, and is folded nicely on my hallway quilt rack. This one is definitely a keeper!

Accuquilt dies used:

55437 Half-hexagon 4¼” finished
55429 Equilateral Triangle 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)

 

Primavera

I've been thinking about spring since the ground hog predicted an early one.

I finished this pretty quilt late last month after getting the Windmill die from Blue Wren. Such a fun, quick and easy one to sew. The layout takes a bit of thought, much like some of the jigsaw puzzles I work. My design wall came in handy.

Lovely pink, green, and cream print remnants create windmills scattered across the front and framed with natural muslin. For quilting I used a spiral ruler and pale pink thread to stitch in the centers of each windmill, then down to the next one. It's just right to emphasize the breezy movement of the blocks.

Primavera finished up at 48” square. I can't wait to try another version of this one. It will make a cute baby or donation quilt. But that will have to wait until I finish the quilts I've already cut from my other two new dies. 

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6554 Windmill 8” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½”

 

Signs Of Spring

Here's a sweet quilt that reminds me of April rain and flower blooms.

I used batiks of shades of peony pink, lavender, sky blue, light teal, sunny yellow and grassy green for triangles to accent the calm gray pin dots. 

The backing is pieced using a white and gray wood grain print, strips of 3” x 6” rectangles, along with a section of gray dots.

Signs of Spring is 48” square. I quilted with pale gray thread, doing free motion scribbles diagonally across the blocks. The die is another new design from Blue Wren, called X-Quisite.

April is one of my favorite months. I just feel energized when the weather is warm, with flowers blooming. And, my birthday is in a few days. I think cake and ice cream should be on the menu, don't you?


Dies used:
Blue Wren 6656 X-Quisite 6” finished

Accuquilt
55005 Rectangle 3” x 6” finished
55017 Strip 2½” binding

 

Terraces, and A Sad Goodbye

Terraces

Crisp white combined with just about any color makes a pretty quilt. This one is particularly bright and springy using fresh green scraps.

Terraces features 2” x 3” rectangles, 3” squares, triangles, and strips surrounding a 6” center square. I saw a similar one at a quilt show but I don't remember who made it. I laid it out in EQ8 but also played with fabric placement on my design wall.

Finished size is 54” square. I quilted with white thread in several different stitches around each section. The back is pieced with some of the leftover rectangles and a beautiful large green and white floral print.

 

Today is the first day of spring, and sunny here in Tennessee. The only problem is the 17 degree low temperature this morning. Oh well, that's what quilts are for.

On a sad note, I'll be working alone in the sewing room from now on. We lost our precious Callie cat last Thursday after a short illness. She was 12 years old and had a good day on Wednesday, playing outside in the sunshine, even tracking a mouse. I will surely miss our morning cuddles and that sweet face!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6047 Rectangles 2½” x 3½”

Accuquilt
55009 Half Square Triangles 3½”
55032 Strip 3½”
55000 Square 6½”
55006 Square 3½”

 

Spring Ahead

Although I sewed this project during a January snow, I was thinking of springtime. Soft yellow, coral, and aqua paired with black and white create a sweet baby quilt.

I used medium gray thread to showcase a loopy ruler quilting design. Spring Ahead finished out at 40” square. This one only took a couple of days to finish. 

All the fabrics were left over from other projects, part of my stash of quarter and half yard pieces. I'm on a continuing mission to pare down my scrap collection. While I haven't bought fabric in several months, I did buy several new dies. My mind is overflowing with ideas!

Accuquilt dies used:
55339 Churn Dash 9” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

Let no remnant go unused

Déjà vu

I'm loving the spring weather, except for last week's Red Bud Winter, when I had to cover my budding azaleas and tender hosta with sheets.

I did finish another scrap quilt with a definite spring feel. This vintage block was published as far back as the 1890's and has several names: Monkey Wrench, Double Wrench, Bride's Knot, Maltese Cross, and Churn Dash. I'm sure it was stitched long before those dates.

For my version, I turned the block on point and added narrow yellow sashing in between. I named it Déjà vu because all of the fabric was left over from other quilting projects. Quilting was done diagonally in both directions, using a pretty picot stitch with yellow thread. It finished out at 48” square.

Deja vu - Useful Remnants

I so enjoy creating vintage style quilts. Even though some of the prints are clearly modern, it has an antique look overall. And it's a bonus to use remnants instead of new yardage. Must be the genes from my ancestors to save every little scrap.

I'm going outside to play today, after I tackle a couple more spring cleaning tasks. It's blissful to take advantage of sunshine and pretty weather when you can.

Accuquilt dies:
55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55059 Square 2½” multiples
55017 Strip 2½” (binding)

Blue Wren 6015 1½” Strips (sashing)

Spring Cleaning

I didn't do much sewing last week. Between spring cleaning and stormy days when my machine was unplugged, my stitching time was limited.

When I'm really in the mood to clean, I go all out. Our camper needed the full treatment since it hasn't been used for almost 18 months. Because of COVID, we canceled all our 2020 trips. Oh, we aired it out and unloaded some gear during that time, but it was still a little dusty and stale.

We spent all week. EVERYTHING came out: pots, pans, dishes, linens, all the stuff that normally stays in there. Lots of laundry and several dishwasher loads made it all fresh and clean. I wiped down walls and cabinets, replaced shelf liner, vacuumed, mopped and dusted.

I find it very satisfying to clean and organize once I get started. I culled out duplicate, expired or unused items before moving it all neatly back in. Rockette, my sturdy Singer 500-A, is stashed snugly in a cabinet with her sewing supplies and a couple of quilt kits. I've loaded basic clothing and canned goods. 

Now the camper is ready for our next trip--a few weeks after we get our 2^nd vaccine. All I'll need to add is fresh food.

Spring cleaning will now carry over into the house, but not until we rest and rejuvenate. I logged several miles just toting things back and forth. Thank goodness I had the help of my favorite guy. He finished indoor and outdoor trailer maintenance as well.  We're a great team.

Spring time

is the perfect time

to clean!

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

Green Space

Green Space

We've finally sprung ahead. I'm not too crazy about the time change because I lost an hour of sewing! Anyhow, I'm happy that spring is nearly here. Daffodils are blooming and forsythia isn't far behind.

Today's quilt is two shades of green, for St. Patrick's Day and all things spring. The pale batik contrasting fabric gives just a hint of yellow and blue. Placement of the patches in these large 16” blocks creates winding paths across the quilt. I laid out the design and colors in EQ8.

Green Space is 48” square. I quilted along the curves with green thread using a decorative leafy vine stitch. In the center sections, I used a straight stitch and made a double octagon pattern. 

This one was easy and enjoyable to sew. Callie cat gave it her seal of approval.

Accuquilt dies used:

55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Don't forget to wear green on Wednesday

or the leprechauns might pinch ya!

Flight Patterns

I had a great time stitching these flying geese blocks. Scrumptious colors of melon and pear from my stash contrast well with natural muslin.

I arranged the layout using EQ8 and cut the fabric with Accuquilt GO. Flight Patterns makes me think of spring even though it's a snowy winter day. It's 54” square and I'm snuggled up in it right now.

Quilting was done with cream thread, using Creative Grids Elvira ruler by Angela Walters. I really like stitching with this handy tool. The curvy lines give additional motion to the design.

Accuquilt dies used:
55456 Flying Geese 3 ½” x 6 ½”
55055 Rectangle 3 ½” x 6 ½”
55000 Square 6 ½”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Geese have sense enough
to fly south for the winter...

 

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

Walkabout

Bright colors make beautiful quilts, and this one's no exception. One of my goals this year is to use more of my older fabric. One cold afternoon in February I began with a cheerful red, blue, green, yellow and white stripe for backing and border. Choosing four or five prints in each color, I started cutting winding way blocks with the Accuquilt die.

Walkabout

Each block is different, random other than alternating light and dark hues. Sewing went fairly quickly even with the curves. I arranged the blocks on my design wall to balance out color placement. I quilted around the circles in bright yellow thread, then added another parallel row ½” away. The intersecting lines really show off the circles; on the back they look like celtic designs.

Walkabout is 44” square, a nice size for table topper, wall quilt or kid's play mat. This one's a winner: I used up more fabric and really enjoyed the project from start to finish.

Side note: Excellent sales for National Quilting & Sewing Month at my favorite online stores have tempted me to add significant yardage to my already overflowing stash. My husband kindly encouraged me to buy whatever I wanted, so I did not resist. He's a sweetheart and I will be blissfully busy for years to come.

Out For A Spin

Color? Check.

Contrast? Check.

Balance?  Check. 

Motion? Check.

I clicked all my favorite boxes on this quilt, with the bonus of using some of my scraps. I cut black and white triangles with the Accuquilt kite die (it's getting a lot of use lately) and added one to a corner on brightly colored and neutral 4 ½” squares. I tried several arrangements on my design wall before finalizing this spinning star look.

Out For A Spin

Out For A Spin is 45” square. After attaching it to the Flynn frame, I free motion quilted scribbles on the squares using pale gray thread. Off the frame, I added simple swirls in the center of each star. Backing is a black and white print; binding is a tiny stripe.

On a side note, our weather here in Tennessee is crazier than usual. We've had no snow to speak of this winter, only heavy rain, making our yard a swamp. Last Wednesday it was nearly 70 degrees and I spent time out in the fresh air,  walking and doing a little yard work. Today the high is only 30 degrees, so I'll do my walking indoors.  On my to do list:  kielbasa soup, laundry, and sewing!

It's Spring, Right?

Remember back in February, when it was 75 degrees here in Tennessee? Well, now it is April; the high Saturday was 35 with snow flurries, and the low dropped to 25. Good grief! Mother Nature is playing tricks on us. I had azaleas budding, early iris blooming, hosta leafed out and apple trees blossoming. I picked the iris, covered the rest with sheets; hopefully they will survive.

We've been preparing the camper for a spring trek. I don't know whether to pack coats or shorts. Probably both. There are definitely quilts in there. With our unpredictable weather, it could be freezing in June. We always load too much stuff anyway, but I like to be prepared. We are not minimalists and prefer to be comfortable. The basics stay in all season, until we winterize for storage. 

Sewing at the campground? Absolutely. I have a little Singer machine, shoe boxes of cut scraps, a mini iron, and a kit of everything I need to stitch away on small projects. I also use our time away to design new quilts on my laptop. Inspiration is abundant in nature, whatever the weather.

Despite the forecast,

live like it's spring.

~Lily Pulitzer

Sassy Bows

Sassy Bows

Wouldn't this make a great baby quilt? The size is 35” square, just right for snuggling up that little cutie. It could also hang on the wall of a nursery or kid's playroom. The 4” bow tie Accuquilt die made quick work of cutting, especially the small pieces. 

I chose random bright colors from my scrap bins, alternated with a mini-dot of white on light gray. I quilted diagonally with a swirling stitch in white thread. The binding and back is a colorful random stripe on white. Sassy Bows went together quickly...I finished it in two days.

I am having so much fun lately, designing and sewing new projects. My creative energy is off the charts. I'm glad I'm retired, but there still aren't enough hours in the day to sew like I want. That bothersome housework, cooking, and grocery shopping get in the way.

Speaking of housework, I did spend a day doing a little spring cleaning and freshening up. I moved a couple of pieces of furniture, changed a few decorative items, and bought colorful dish towels for the kitchen. I had to pick my daffodils because of last week's crazy snow and freezing temps, and they look lovely in vintage vases. 

Seeing all the spring things gave me even more inspiration, so back to the sewing room I go! Supper's in the crockpot.

Spring is the time

of plans and projects.

~Leo Tolstoy

Spring Geese

Today's lap quilt is the result of saving scraps and remnants from other projects. I paired bright spring pastels in yellow, lavender, pink, peach, and aqua with colorful mini dots and a white on white triangle print for maximum contrast. The backing is a coordinating stripe. I quilted with white thread down and across the geese rows in straight lines, then outlined the center blocks. This girly Spring Geese quilt is 48” square.

I had already cut the pieces using the Accuquilt flying geese 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" die. I've been trying to keep up with cutting leftovers into sizes that I frequently use. I store them by size in plastic bins labeled with washi tape, so my stash stays neat and organized. As a bonus, when I want to sew something scrappy, I can just grab the pieces and start right away.

I like to use EQ8 to design, but this time I arranged the flying geese on my design wall as I sewed them. It's sort of like working a jigsaw puzzle. My design wall is simple: just a 40” x 60” piece of 3/4” foam board wrapped with white flannel, hanging on the wall beside my machine.