Meet Mary Frances Wood of Virginia

Mary Frances Wood of VA makes these charming blocks that include selvages when she is between quilting projects. She makes them without foundation fabric. She just sews the selvages together then trims the block to the size she wants. Mary Frances says that this carefree sewing is very relaxing. Her happy heart shows through in her work, doesn't it?

Take a look at the block with the triangle above. The center has a 3-D optical illusion that I really like.

Her selvage quilting style differs from that of Gail Mitchell (the maker of the "Cat Mat" featured in the sidebar). Mary Frances features the printed part of the fabric, just adding selvages like the spice in a stew. Gail Mitchell, on the other hand, features the white stripe with the writing and uses hardly any colored printed part of the fabric at all. I love the results of both methods!