I love sewing curves. I used to be terrified of them. Then when I learned the ins and outs, I felt empowered; however, it was still a high-focus endeavor to piece patchwork curves. Now I feel both relaxed and engaged when I sew this type of patchwork. It requires more attention than straight lines, but the payoff is so cool!
Read MoreTa da! My first cheery Sunshower’s rainbow block! I used two different background fabrics: Tarrytown Holepunch Dot Orchid and a Tilda Basics tiny star print. I was wondering if two backgrounds would look strange, but I like the effect. For my arches I have a red strawberry Heather Ross print, a golden yellow tone on tone print and two solids from the Ruby + Bee collection.
Read MoreIf I had to sew one kind of quilt for the rest of my life, I would sew scrap quilts! Now I realize that I would theoretically eventually run out of scraps. But are we sure about that? It seems like scraps have a way of mysteriously multiplying??? In any case, I certainly have loads of scraps now and making something beautiful from all those leftover bits and pieces is one of the most satisfying aspects of quilt-making. Here are my favorite 10 scrap quilt experiences so far - - -
Read MoreLog Cabin blocks easy and satisfying. They show off fabric so beautifully and can be sewn in a million different ways. The log cabin block can be simple or fancy, traditionally pieced or quilt-as-you-go, wonky or tidy, scrappy or fussy cut. In every form, I love them! Here are my favorite 8 log cabin blocks.
Read MoreThe wonky star block has a sort of organic twinkle. The irregular points flash with personality. It’s my favorite block for using up triangle scraps, as each block uses 8 triangles - one for each star point! This tutorial is flexible for making block of diverse sizes.
Read MoreToday I spent an hour or so sewing some deliciously simple blocks for the Comfort circle of do. Good Stitches. Eva-Marie @ZusJeb, our queen bee this month, has asked for simple cross blocks in clear, summery colors. Though such colors aren’t my forte, I did find some good candidates in my scrap drawers. You can always count on orange to make things feel fresh and summery.
Read MoreJacob’s Ladder has a few variations, but this one is made up of 4-patch blocks and HST blocks. Fortunately we were tipped to start the 4-patch blocks by sewing two long strips together. Then we subcut the already-sewn strips to quickly create pairs of squares. That’s strip-piecing - efficient, but easy to forget to do!
Read MoreBut after my second or third batch of blocks, I felt a nagging worry. Perhaps this spring palette was sprung too soon, given that it’s still winter here in The Netherlands and given the bumpy shape of my days? Maybe these fabrics don’t fit me after all.
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 MoreYou know what I love? A sweet patchwork assignment to kick off a new year of charity sewing. Since 2010 I have been organizing an international quilting charity bee called do. Good Stitches. The idea is simple: use your creative patchwork energy to bless others.
Read MoreThese Crossroads blocks are brightening up my space! It’s such a smorgasbord of color and pattern, courtesy of the amazing Anna Maria Horner. I’m using mainly her new Our Fair Home collection, but also string scraps from collections past.
Read MoreWhen I began sketching Positivities the first element that alighted on paper was North Star. It all started with this one block, which set the direction and tone for the quilt. The quilt evolved into a mixture of star, curve and plus elements, floating on a consistent background fabric.
Read MoreIt’s not everyday that I get to sew. I know, isn’t that funny since this is my job? Ironically, my workday doesn’t always include patchwork, and I can honestly go weeks without sitting down behind my machine if I am busy with producing patterns and/or longarm quilting.
Read MoreYesterday I got to start a new quilt. Yay for fabric scraps! I guess it’s been since May that I worked with them? That’s a bit too long in my book. I am even following the siren song of rainbow order scraps. Here we go again!
Read MoreI am a member of the European/Dutch circle of do. Good Stitches. We collaborate on charity quilts throughout the year and donate them to various good causes. Now we’re starting a new quilt again after the summer break. The assignment? Improv Floating Squares blocks, as inspired by the first score of The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters.
Read MoreHere is my wall full of children! They do look happy together, don’t they? To me the bright, solid backgrounds are key to that effect. The solid backgrounds stamp the quilt with a sense of childhood joy, without being crazy-busy to the eye.
Read MoreThis quilt is made up of big blocks, each one of a different child figure. I arranged solids as colorful backgrounds and paired them with various print fabrics to ensure a nice spread of patterns, colors and value. It looks happy, no? Come see the first blocks!
Read MoreYour rainbow messages, bee block rainbows and a fresh take on my Rainbow Plus quilt. This is the third time that I started fresh with arranging the pieces. This time, I am really loving it! May you enjoy the beautiful colors of today.
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