New Quilt Pattern: Checkmate and a Little Trick!

                                    

The little squares in this quilt remind me of castle walls or the rooks in a chess game. And this quilt is a real winner, hence the name: Checkmate. It's just a center medallion with three solid borders and three "little squares" borders. 

Take a look at the corners of the pieced borders: they're rather perfect! Haha. This isn't due to genius or great sewing skills. Just a "liberated quilting" trick: increase the seam allowances here and there between the squares until you get the perfect length. See pattern for details and photos.

See the pattern here: Checkmate Quilt Pattern. 

The colors are more accurate in these last two pics. The fabrics used are: Kona Charcoal, Kona Stone, and Kona Cream. I'm enjoying a break from the scrappy look for a while. Modern vibes here. :)

Zoom Staging with Wall Quilts!

A new modern quilt pattern with Zoom staging in mind! Create an elegant home office setting with a modern wall quilt. This throw/wall quilt measures 50" x 67." Neutral colors, or use your favorite palette. Visit my quilt pattern shop on Etsy. 

 

Quilter's Plaid - The first quilt pattern of 2022!

I love the plaid vibe of this quilt! The dark, light and medium values from my stash play well together and give a nice translucent look. This easy pattern can turn stash into gifts for loved ones fast.

You could make it scrappy or use some repeating fabric squares in horizontal or vertical rows as I've done in this sample quilt. The number of squares that are repeated vary. 

See this pattern in my Etsy shop here: Quilter's Plaid. Instant download, start creating now! 

 

This two-color scrap quilt is fast and fun to make, see pattern here: Far Horizon.

Cut a bunch of scraps by eye, using scissors. 

Trim with a rotary cutter after sewing the strips. 

This is the fast way to do it. No hassle.

Even though the scraps are different heights, it's easy to get a nice straight horizon. 

And I love that contrast line. I want to try purple and yellow next time.

This is a twin size. But a wall size for my quilt room would be nice.

And here's a tip for new quilters: When pinning, place pins out of the path of the needle so that you don't run over the pin. I've done that and have broken the needle and the pin. Broken bits fall into the machine and do some real damage. Plus repairmen are generally horrified that we'd do this. I thought it was inevitable now and then. Guess not. So now I pin like this (see below). 

 

The Bee's Knees Scrap Quilt Pattern!

 

Another scrap quilt and pattern done! See the pattern here: The Bee's Knees Quilt Pattern. I can't get used to writing "sawtooths." It feels like it should be "sawteeth," but that's not much better. It reminds me of driving through the Beartooth Mountains and seeing signs for "The Beartooths." 

I like how the two sawtooth rows anchor the sea of scraps. This quilt is loaded with little surprises in the style of an "I Spy" quilt. There's food, seashells, digitally printed flowers (below) and lots more. I'm keeping a big box of rectangular scraps near my sewing machine for when I have just a few minutes. The scrap strips pile up fast. And there are so many ways to use them. 

New Quilt: Dance of the Bowties

 

This quilt features the classic bowtie block in a whimsical layout. It’s surprisingly easy to make because there are no Y-seams! See the new pattern here: Dance of the Bowties. 

Staying home to avoid Covid has been good for quilting, but I'm so ready to get out and visit with my family and friends! In the meantime check out this new quilt. Like all my favorites, it's much easier than it looks. 

Supposed to Be Quilting

 

You're right, Bill. Haha. I'll get right on it.

But first, some serious cuteness (below). Doesn't that just warm your heart? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

There's just something about a pink rose. 

Enjoy the day. Spring is on the way!

Yarn-Bombed Tree

A little yarn-bombing to brighten your day! I wish they included a pic as it was being decorated. They did a very thorough job! Haha.

 

Lunar Calendar for 2021!

 I just bought a copy of this awesome lunar calendar. And not just because my dear sweet niece made it and started selling them this morning on Etsy. Visit here: Amelia Sherman Designs. Please "like" it. It's exciting to watch the numbers climb! 

You can look up any day of the year and see what the phase of the moon will be. Plan your outdoor dinner party to coincide with a full moon. (Won't that be nice!) 

This calendar is a nice combination of art and science, and a useful decoration. 

Amelia is very artistic. Here she is working on a furniture-making project. 

Good luck, Amelia! 

Bunting Quilt by Sandra in Brazil!

 

This beautiful quilt was created by Sandra de Faria from Brazil.  I love how it's light and airy, but has a gentle touch of vibrant colors too. The border makes a stunning frame. Take a look at the lavish quilting too. Nice job Sandra! 

Thank you so much for sharing this photo. We quilters love to see all the different versions of these patterns.  😀

She was inspired by my Bunting quilt pattern.

The Lasagna Quilt!

Turn scraps into a Lasagna quilt, layer by layer. So much fun, it's hard to stop. 

This quilt measures 51" x 67" but its easy to make it any size you like.

See the pattern here: Lasagna Quilt.

 

New Quilt Pattern: Adirondack

"Adirondack" is a quilt that would be right at home on the porch of a grand old camp in upstate New York. Add a some red and black buffalo plaid, and you can almost smell a wood fire. What a perfect time to be making scrap quilts, staying home in the winter.  :)

See "Adirondack" here.

This quilt measures 60" wide x 80" long.

No seam-matching. Anywhere. 

 

Happy New Year! 102 Spools in 2020!

 

Wow, what a year it was! I went through 102 spools of thread! I had the pedal to the metal this year making well over 2,000 face masks (some donated, some for family and friends, and many sold on Etsy).  Demand for masks has slowed down just recently, leaving some time for quilt making. Finally. 

Here's my latest quilt:

"Home Free" measures 60" x 84." Last quilt of 2020.

New Pattern: Meraki

 

Meraki is a Greek word that refers to the creativity and love that we put into things we make. 

This quilt takes a lot of sewing, but it goes together fast because the method is "liberated" and there's not much measuring required. Scrap quilts are the best, right? Especially when we're sheltering in place.

See the Meraki pattern here.

New Pattern: Town Square!

This quilt has two variations of the log cabin block separated by a nice saw tooth border. A piano key outer border adds a little elbow room for a light and airy vibe. This pattern isn't fussy when it comes to measuring. Gwen Marston's liberated quilting principles apply here.

View the pattern here. Immediate download, no waiting.

Scrap quilts are perfect for this stay-at-home year, aren't they? We quilters are so smart to have stashed away plenty of fabric for a time like this! (I have about 10 years worth!) 

Stay safe out there! xoxo

New Quilt Pattern: Stepping Stones

 

See the Stepping Stones quilt pattern.

Here are a few variations to show you the versatility of this block. 

Post your version on Instagram using #steppingstonesquilt. 

New Scrap Quilt Pattern: Cactus Rose

 

Quarantined at home? Start creating this easy scrap quilt now: 

Cactus Rose Quilt Pattern download.

Autumn Maple Leaves Face Mask

 

Welcome to October! Who knew we'd still be wearing masks in October? But it looks like this will be the case for a while yet. Let's make the best of it with interesting masks like this autumn maple leaf design. If you're a redhead, this is a no-brainer. Comfy 3 layer mask will be your favorite.

See more about this mask here.

Do you Pin? I'd love it if you'd Pin this.  :)

Sakura Cherry Blossoms Face Mask

 

This gorgeous fabric by Moda is called Sakura, which means cherry blossoms in Japanese.

I think it makes a stunning face mask because it looks like rosy cheeks. 

I love the color and the soft flower petals. 

This was a purchase yesterday at my favorite quilt shop: The Quilted Ewe in New Hartford, CT. 

To see more about this mask on Etsy, click here.