Is it just me, or does quilt-making feel sometimes a bit like stirring molasses? It looks like it should be easy and then the resistance takes you by surprise. Putting together my latest quilt top wasn’t all that dramatic, but it did go slower than I expected because I didn’t have the right fabrics on hand.
Read MoreWe are settling in at home again after our summer travels, picking up our old rhythms and making some new ones as well. Part of settling in for me is starting a new quilt, and I am very happy that my next project will be a quilt for Elora’s bed!
Read MoreA design wall allows the fabrics to speak to me along the way. Rather than following the prescribed route, sometimes we changed course. I am sure for the better. Here are several color choice processes facilitated by my design wall today.
Read MoreYesterday was a treat. The sun was shining, Elora was playing happily with a neighborhood friend, and I was able to spend loads of time in my sewing room. My goal? To start on Collaboration, a spin-off quilt for Positivities club. I got a great, leaping start!
Read MoreOkay, can you give me some feedback? Given that I want to use the Brimming print, is there one or two other prints that you would suggest removing? In other words, does something stand out in a bad way or do you have any other tips for me regarding my fabric mix?
Read MoreMy favorite setting in the whole wide world is the beach at sunset. The constant crashing of the waves, the warm breeze on bare skin and that showy blast of sunset colors - no place delights and inspires and simultaneously soothes my soul like it.
Read MoreYou know what I love? When “start a new quilt” is at the top of my mental “to do” list. That is a good way to start the week! I had in mind to sew a more challenging quilt next, but wasn’t feeling it this morning. Instead, I gave myself the gift of freedom and have embarked on a feel-good, easy sew.
Read MoreThis week I really took my time with choosing the fabrics for my Inhibition quilt, especially the elements of the fan block. I will be using few fabrics, as I sense that repetition will be an important design element for this quilt. That makes each fabric choice weighty. What a contrast to relaxed scrappy sewing, where everything goes.
Read MoreThese bright, happy fabrics are my next quilt. It’s going to be quick, easy and perfectly pointy. Can you already guess what I’ll be sewing? Teeter Totter is gearing up for an April 17 pattern release and May sew-along!
Read MoreOn Monday I got to hold baby Livia for the first time! Such sweetness. Her quilt is coming along. Would you like to see? Choosing fabrics for the center medallion flower was challenging. It’s a totally different look than my original Nineteen Thirty quilt.
Read MoreFor my second go at Wild Oranges, I am inspired by the teal and green palette of my Orange Peel blocks for Pas de Deux. Watch my fabric selection process unfold from the original, oversize pull to a curated collection organized on the Fabric Key.
Read MoreSo, you already have your copy of the Wild Oranges pattern? Now, let’s talk about those fabric choices. Will you be working from your stash or featuring a fabric collection with your Wild Oranges quilt? Here are two possible flows for selecting fabrics.
Read MoreFor my second version of Pas de Deux, I’m choosing a color palette for the quilt as a whole. I want a limited palette of 3 or so colors, so that the patchwork groups naturally harmonize and the edges between them can blur. Here’s how I pulled together fabrics, questioned myself and spiraled finally toward a decision.
Read MoreIs making fabric and color choices taking way too long? When fabric choices feel disjointed color-wise, repeating fabrics and colors will help, but first you need to feel certain about those choices. Here’s how to refine and clarify a color scheme for patchwork.
Read MoreToday’s post is all about fabric - making choices and organizing your fabrics as needed for the pattern. I discuss a monochromatic vs. multicolor palette, how to sort fabrics by value and the difference if you sort by color.
Read MoreToday I get to start a new quilt in bright, saturated colors. Know why? Because I’m gearing up for a pattern release and sew-along this June! Here’s how I assembled this bright, saturated mix of fabrics.
Read MoreThe economy quilt block is a classic. With just three fabrics and square-in-square shapes, it’s the ideal block for framing cute prints like those created by Heather Ross. Here are some different ways I went about combining the fabrics.
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.
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