Have you been wanting to sew an orange peel quilt? It is such a charming shape, with its soft curves and pretty points. My Wild Oranges design has a concentration of dark values and orange peel blocks at the quilt center. The quilt softens around the edges with a calmer energy.
Read MoreI had to get my hands on the shapes and colors in order to design this quilt in real life. I want to play with both flower and round shapes with my orange peel quilt, as well as an upward-growing leafy vine layout. To keep things flowing and interacting, I also allow broken quartets. Such a pleasure to design!
Read MoreI so appreciate your suggestions about possible background colors for my red, red, red economy stars quilt! Here I try out a few and come up with a plan that strikes me as adventurous.
Read MoreMy next quilt is going to be red, red, red. I don’t reach for my red fabrics often, but I actually find the color incredibly beautiful when used intensely. I have in mind small Economy Stars in a compact layout. I’ll start by cutting scraps - - -
Read MoreFrom a distance and viewed through our social media lenses, it can appear that beautiful things simply slip into being, blooming as effortlessly as wildflowers. But in reality, there is Friction. With almost every quilt I’ve made, there are moments where I struggle to move forward, moments when I question my sense of design.
Read MoreYour Pas de Deux beginnings are inspiring me today. I’m feeling the tug to finish the scrappy rainbow version I’ve already started, and begin a fresh Pas de Deux quilt with a limited palette. Why not? It’s not, after all, a particularly time-consuming quilt.
Read MoreThe other day I found myself between projects and decided, on a whim, to dive into a box of orphan blocks. If I feel like facing the challenge of making do with such elements, I shouldn’t waste the opportunity! Here we go.
Read MoreThis is where it begins. I can hole away for hours putting pencil to paper in my graph paper quilt journal. Some parts come easily and others are erased and re-drawn over and over and yet over again. Today you’ll see what I have created! My fingers and toes are crossed that you like it!!
Read MoreAbout a month ago I had the idea to sew a patchwork selfie. Not a literal picture of myself (haha), but a sort of patchwork autobiography with symbolic blocks and lots of words to capture who I am and who I have been.
Read MoreCue the trumpets! It’s pattern release day. I’m super excited to present my newest pattern - - - Honeycomb Stars! From basketweave to patchwork to pattern, I’ve been cooking this up for you. Machine-sewn and fuss-free. Create a glowing blend of color value, from my sewing room to yours!
Read MoreNotice that the sashing colors are white and taupe - two fairly similar shades. Even though some blocks have fairly strong contrast, the pools of low contrast in between create an overall gentle and peaceful vibe.
Read MoreContrast is a classic element of design, referring to the juxtaposition of differences: big vs. small, light vs dark, shiny vs matte. I use color and value contrast very often in my work. It’s one of the things that probably makes my quilts look like “me”.
Read MoreI loved reading all of your reactions and ideas to the Economy Star sketches and fabric options. Of course there was support for each one. It just goes to show that there is no right or wrong when it comes to art and fabric choices!
Read MoreHeather Ross fabrics are made of fairytales and sunshine. Today I’m designing a quilt starting with a very special stack - the Heather Ross 20th Anniversary collection. My design process flows from fabric to patchwork and back again.
Read MoreNow, don’t be afraid! This is a chance to show off some fabrics that you really love. I have some tips today (and a fun surprise) to help you make good choices.
Read MoreStitch, stitch, whirrrr. It’s always a wonder that humble thread can transform flimsy pieces of fabric into a new and wonderful whole. Patchwork is a just fabric mosaic, and thankfully our tools are much lighter and easier than stone and mortar.
Read MoreWhen you feel a bit down, do you turn to patchwork for comfort? I totally do. After we lost the bid for that graceful 1930’s house, I was dealing with a lot of negative emotions, so I decided to start something new.
Read MoreHello, friends! Ok are you ready to see the whole quilt? Today is big finish day. Yippee! I’m so glad to bring you my completed Seafarers quilt and the pattern too.
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