Dec
13

In the Pumpkin Patch

Posted Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 in Fabric Stash, Magazines, Patterns | Read More

I started this quilt last fall. It is another quilt by Bonnie Hunter and was in Quiltmaker magazine. The instructions in the magazine were not written by Bonnie. The pumpkins were supposed to be paper pieced but I skipped that and made strip sets. I then cut them into the size pumpkins I wanted and added corner blocks.

The orange fabric I used was from a fat quarter bundle that I ordered online. Most of the background fabric was given to me by a very dear friend from back home. I had given her a ticket for a bus trip to a quilt show that I was unable to attend. She surprised me with a gift bag STUFFED FULL of fabric. Included with lots of other fabrics were text prints. She knew I loved  text prints but didn’t have any in my stash. I saved them for a special quilt and this is the quilt I chose to use them in. Thank you Kris! I love this quilt!

I still need to hand stitch the binding to the back but it will have to wait until all the Christmas quilting is finished! To see a close up of the text prints, click on the picture.

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Sep
24

“Mingled” Baby Quilt

Posted Saturday, September 24th, 2016 in baby quilt, Patterns | Read More

My local quilt shop had a “baby shower” sale last weekend. They had sample quilts hanging in the shop that were made from the new patterns/book. The first quilt to catch my attention was the Mingled pattern. It is a very simple quilt but the assembly was intriguing. When the shop owner explained how it went together, I knew I had to make one.

I had some leftover flannel from a kit I bought several years ago that would be perfect for this quilt. As soon as I got home with the pattern, I checked to see if I could use the flannel  to make the Mingled quilt. By adding just one more piece of flannel, I had enough to make it.

The quilt is made in three vertical rows with the center row made of Half Square Triangles (HST). The only difficulty I had in making this quilt top was turning the triangles the wrong direction. I put the pieces on my small portable design wall to make sure I had each color in the correct position. This is a very easy quilt to sew.

I have plans to use this pattern again and make some changes to the length of the larger pieces. By changing the size on one side, the points could be off center. To make a larger quilt, more fabrics could be added plus a border. I am not adding a border to this quilt. It is a small quilt, 34″ X 40″.

Stay tuned to see what other projects I have been sewing!

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Mar
17

National Quilting Day – March 15, 2014

Posted Monday, March 17th, 2014 in Patterns, Quilt Shows | Read More

Did you celebrated National Quilting Day on Saturday? I spent the day with friends at the Gathering of Quilters in Fort Wayne. I have gone to the Gathering for several years and think this was the best I have attended. The quilts in the show were wonderful and there was a nice mix of vendors. Of course I had to purchase some goodies. I found two (new to me) panels to make cloth books for Eli and Samantha.  Kris and I found a pattern with templates for a different style dresden plate block. We both purchased it and made a block when we went home. You can see Kris’ block here.

I pulled fabric from my stash to try the block. I haven’t stitched it to a background fabric or stitched the circle to the block.

The name of the pattern is “Dresden Star”  by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. The pattern and templates can be purchased at her online store under Traditional Quilt Patterns.

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Jul
12

Hello Sun BOM in July

Posted Thursday, July 12th, 2012 in Fabric Stash, Patterns | Read More

This month the Block of the Month pattern did not have a picture of the finished block. I usually follow the suggested colors in the block but had to use my imagination this time. Since the sun is setting, I changed the background from the white fabric used in the previous blocks to an orange/yellow to resemble the sky at sunset. The post the gull is perched on is cut from a stripe in a  fat quarter of African fabric. It was the only piece in my stash that resembled  wood grain.

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Jun
7

“Sliced Apples QAL” (quilt along)

Posted Thursday, June 7th, 2012 in Patterns | Read More

My friend Kris invited me to join an online quilt along. Fabric requirements included three matching charm packs and two plain charm packs. (Charm packs are packages of forty two 5 inch squares of coordinating fabric.) I had the charm packs I needed in my stash. I only needed to buy fabric for the borders.

The first instructions posted were for cutting the borders. I decided to wait until I had the center constructed to cut the borders. The second set of instructions told how to construct the half square triangle blocks using the charm packs. Following the picture for the finished quilt, I made the center and added the borders.

I haven’t yet decided how I will quilt it. Any suggestions for quilting?

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Apr
15

2012 Quilt for “Relay for Life”

Posted Sunday, April 15th, 2012 in Patterns, Quilting | Read More

Each year my small quilt group, Piecemakers, makes a quilt to be raffled for Relay for Life. The group was given a large piece of bright pink fabric to use in the quilt. We decided to use it with black and white fabric to tone down the bright pink color. Ten of us were given six squares of the pink to use with our own black and white prints. We each made 6 nine patch blocks with the pink in the center square. The nine patches were cut into quarters, turning two quarters 180 degrees and sewn back together. The block is called 9 to 4 or Disappearing Nine Patch.

We added a small flange of the pink fabric between the quilt top and the border. The flange was top stitched to avoid catching it on the machine foot while quilting.

I quilted it with white thread in a  loopy meandering pattern.

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Sep
4

Table Runner September 2010

Posted Saturday, September 4th, 2010 in My Projects, Patterns, Quilting | Read More

This is the table runner for September. I did not put the appliques in the border squares as suggested in the pattern. I thought of scattering swirls or leaves in the border but decided not to add anything .

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Aug
15

Edyta Sitar Quilt Class

Posted Sunday, August 15th, 2010 in Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Guilds, Quilt Shows, Quilting | Read More

Edyta Sitar was the featured artist at the Appleseed Quilt Show at the Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana  last week. She taught a workshop called Hannah’s  Sugar Baskets which I attended. The cost of the class included a kit of fabric. She gave us enough fabric to make the 12 baskets plus extra,  triangle paper for 700 HSTs, recipe cards with the patterns, a folder with quilt layout sheets, and her 2011 calendar that includes 3 patterns. The fabric for the class was cut into strips and ready to make half square triangles using the triangle paper.

She had each of us (21 students)  sew five sheets of HST (half square triangles), cut them apart and share with the class. We kept 7 HSTs from each sheet  and put the rest into 21 piles. When everyone was finished sewing and cutting, we each received one of the piles of HSTs.  This created a very nice variety of fabrics and colors that all coordinated.

After lunch we removed the paper from the HSTs and trimmed the ‘dog ears’ from the squares. She then demonstrated how the basket blocks were assembled, giving us hints on color placement. She also gave us tips on choosing fabric patterns. She told us to choose five prints,small, medium, and large size, dots, and stripes. We then assembled blocks until the end of the class.

During the class, Edyta displayed many of her finished quilts, showing them as she taught the class.

I attended this class with two of my very good friends, Cheryl and Kris. During the two hour lunch break, we visited the vendors and viewed some of the quilts displayed in the quilt show.

I returned to the Coliseum the next day to meet another good quilting friend,Sharon.  I met her on an online quilting forum a few years ago.

Below are the baskets I made with the HSTs from the class.

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Jul
17

“Peekaboo Monkeys” part 2

Posted Saturday, July 17th, 2010 in Fabrics, Family, My Projects, Patterns, Quilting | Read More

The quilt is finished! I bought the book and fabric kit in December and it sat on my sewing table while I worked on lots of other quilts this year. I decided to work on it while on vacation last week. The applique is the reason for the delay. Applique is NOT my favorite thing to do! It went together very quickly and was fun, even doing the applique! I used a straight utility stitch on my Viking Quilt Designer for the embroidery on the faces rather than hand work. It isn’t perfect but as a friend says, “Finished is better than perfect.”

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Jul
11

Piecemakers Workshop

Posted Sunday, July 11th, 2010 in Patterns, Quilt Blocks, Quilting, Websites | Read More


On Saturday, July 10, nine members of  Piecemakers Quilt Group met at Grace United Methodist Church for a workshop and pot luck lunch. This is an annual event where we all work on our own projects but use the same pattern. This year we decided to not start a new project, but to bring an unfinished object (UFO) to complete.  This event was so successful that we now plan to hold another workshop in the fall.

The project that I took to the workshop was the Fun and Done quilt that I started at the workshop last year. It is a quilt- as- you- go pattern. I had completed 48 blocks and had them joined into rows. On Saturday I top-stitched the sashing pieces that finish the quilt. When the workshop ended I had all the sashing finished and just had to top-stitch the binding which I did at home.


The finished quilt is approximately 45 X 60 inches.

To see more Fun and Done patterns go to  http://www.prairieskyquilting.com

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Jul
4

July 2010 Table Runner

Posted Sunday, July 4th, 2010 in Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilting, table runner | Read More

This is the July table runner from the Calendar Table Runners pattern that I have been using all year. This month I followed the pattern suggestions for all the colors and appliques. I have a piece of fabric for the backing that has red and blue stars on a white background.

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Jun
19

Columbus, Ohio quilt show

Posted Saturday, June 19th, 2010 in Fabrics, Moda charm pack, Patterns, Quilt Shows, Quilting, Websites | Read More

My daughter and I went to the National Quilt Show on Thursday, June 17. Jennifer lives just a few minutes from the Convention Center where the show is held.  We arrived at the show about 10:30 AM and shopped at the vendors and admired quilts until about 4:00 PM. Here are some of the items we bought.





These are the patterns and kit that Jennifer bought for herself. She insisted on buying me most of the items that I chose as a belated Mother’s Day gift as well as buying my ticket , lunch, and some wonderful ice cream when we left the show.


I met Marie Bostwick, the author of  this book. I told her I was her friend on facebook and she gave me a hug. She asked if we had a camera. Jennifer used her cell phone to take a picture of us together. http://mariebostwick.com/



We also met Rebecca Barker, the artist of Quiltscapes. Here is a link to her art.  http://www.barkerquiltscapes.com/

I bought a new  Quiltscapes mouse pad for my desk at home. I have the “spools” mouse pad on my desk at work.

I had a wonderful time with my daughter and thoroughly enjoyed  the quilt show. We plan to make this an annual event.

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Jun
15

June Table Runner

Posted Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 in My Projects, Patterns, table runner | Read More

This month I followed the pattern colors  but did not put the applique in the border squares. I plan to use a small satin stitch for the applique.  I am looking for small black buttons in the shape of watermelon seeds instead of the suggested appliqued seeds. The runner is diplayed on the small design board that I made this week.

I had strips of red fabric left over from a bento box quilt that I made  in Ohio State colors for my daughter. I like the variety of reds in the watermelons.

Update: 6/21/2010

I stitched the appliques with a small satin stitch. The pattern called for small black appliqued seeds on the watermelon. Not wanting to applique the small pieces, I   stitched the seeds using stitch number 36  on my Janome 10001.


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Jun
9

Bridal Path + 9 to 4

Posted Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 in Fabrics, Patterns, Quilt Blocks, Quilt Guilds, Quilting | Read More

I won six Bridal Path blocks at the Appleseed Quilters Guild meeting on June 1. I bought white fabric with black polka dots  to use as plain blocks between the pieced blocks and I purchased black with mini  dots to use for binding. When I got home I realized I didn’t have enough of the white to make four 12 1/2 inch squares. Not wanting to wait until I could go shopping again, I decided to use the fabric I had and made four pieced (9 to 4) blocks instead of the plain squares. By cutting the binding a bit smaller than usual, I had just enough to make the binding.


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May
31

Block of the Month -June 2010

Posted Monday, May 31st, 2010 in Fabric Stash, Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Guilds | Read More

I made two blocks  for the block of the month at the Appleseed Quilters Guild meeting on June 1. This block is called Bridal Path with one change. The center 9 patch is changed to 9 solid squares rather then pieced squares in the corners. Here are the blocks I made.

The colors we were asked to use were black and white with jewel tone colors for the star points. These were fabrics from my stash.

An update: I took the blocks to quilt guild last night and won the Block of the Month blocks.The blocks below are the four that I won in addition to my two blocks shown above.

I plan to use five of the blocks to make a table topper.



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May
18

Relay for Life Quilt-2010

Posted Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 in Fabrics, Patterns, Quilt Guilds, Quilting | Read More

This quilt was made by the Piecemakers Quilt Group  for Relay for Life 2010. We worked together at our weekly meetings to make the blocks.  The block pattern is Road to California. Colleen Richter finished the top and I quilted it.  Colleen put the binding on it.

I made this label on my embroidery machine . Colleen framed it with the dark purple fabric and sewed it to the back of the quilt.

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May
3

Mystery Table Runner

Posted Monday, May 3rd, 2010 in Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Blocks, Quilt Classes, Quilting | Read More

I made this table runner when I was teaching a mystery class at Piecemakers Quilt Group last year. It is rather large and if I were to do it again, I would not add the borders or  would make smaller blocks.

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May
2

Planning a new project

Posted Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 in Fabric Stash, Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Blocks | Read More

I saw this collection of Frolic fabrics by Moda at Threads of Tradition quilt shop in Archbold and just had to have them. There are 11 fat quarters. I will use them to make a small version of  Turning Twenty Again putting an embroidery design in each block. I am thinking of using a dark brown embroidery thread to do a floral design.

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Apr
23

Relay for Life Quilt – 2010

Posted Friday, April 23rd, 2010 in My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Blocks, Quilt Guilds | Read More

Every year since 2006, Piecemaker Quilt Group members have made a group quilt for Relay for Life. The team from St. John’s Lutheran Church raffles it as one of their fund raisers. Colleen co0rdinates the project and provides the fabric. Each member of Piecemakers makes one or more blocks and Colleen puts the quilt top together. I quilt it and embroider a label and Colleen puts the binding and label on it. This year the quilt top contains thirty-six 12 inch blocks plus a three inch border around the outside edge. We used three purple fabrics and the Road to California pattern.


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Apr
17

International Quilt Festival 2010-Chicago

Posted Saturday, April 17th, 2010 in Fabric Stash, Fabrics, My Projects, Patterns, Quilt Guilds, Quilt Shows, Quilting | Read More

On Friday, I went to the International Quilt Festival in Chicago. Elsie, Carol, and I met in the church parking lot at 6:00 AM to travel together to Fort Wayne.  There we met friends and members of the Appleseed Quilters Guild and boarded a chartered bus to Chicago. We left Fort Wayne at 7:30 AM and arrived at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont about four hours later.

There was a large crowd at the festival. The aisles were very crowded and some of the vendor booths were very congested. I bought  several quilting items. I purchased a quilting novel,” The Lover’s Knot”, from the author, Clare O’Donohue, and had her autograph it.  She told me she is a quilter also.

My largest purchase was a pack of 21 batik fat quarters in the booth of Edyta Sitar. Edyta will be teaching classes at the Appleseed Quilt show in August. I have signed up for one of her classes, Hannah’s Sugar Basket.

I also bought two small wall hanging kits, a special square up ruler for rectangles, and a quilt ruler connector.

This is the pack of batik fat quarters.

These are the other items that I purchased.

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