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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

· March 3, 2014

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When this beautiful fat quarter bundle arrived fro

When this beautiful fat quarter bundle arrived from @bindedwithlove I was a teeny bit disappointed that there were some textured wovens included. Because of the looser weave I wanted to make something with larger pieces so I designed this log cabin variation quilt. Now I love the fabrics and the quilt.

The pattern, Beneath the Stars, will be released very soon!

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Today's prompt, WIP Organization, was a real eye-o

Today's prompt, WIP Organization, was a real eye-opener! I keep a spreadsheet for quilts in progress and when I took a look at it three things became clear:

1. I need to spend more time sewing. I have A LOT of quilts in progress.
2. I underestimate how much time it will take to complete a project.
3. I have wildly overestimated how many years I have left to complete these quilts!!!

Recently I started storing quilts in progress in these large zippered bags. They have just enough transparency to see what's in the bag, they don't take up as much room as boxes or bins, and they are easily stored in a basket or fabric bin.

I also keep a paper tracker of more recent works in progress. You can download a copy of this tracker from the Free Resources section of my website (link in bio).

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My favorite pressing tools: 🧵24" x 60" ironing

My favorite pressing tools:

🧵24" x 60" ironing board

🧵wool pressing mat that covers the ironing board

🧵white cotton terry bath towel to protect the wool
mat and provide a little friction when pressing

🧵Blank & Decker Evensteam iron. I ALWAYS use steam and this model steams like crazy.

Watch the video to see one of my favorite pressing techniques for flat seams...stack pressing!

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During one of my very first quilting classes with

During one of my very first quilting classes with the incomparable Mary Ellen Hopkins, she said one of the best cutting tables is an architect's table with an angled top. That way, you can't pile too much stuff on it. I always think about her as I go about the unending task of keeping my cutting table clear.

I am fortunate to have a large @Traceys.tables cutting table. There is plenty of room for a 24" x 36" cutting mat, a drawer for cutters, blade, scissors, and other notions, and storage space underneath. I also have a large ruler rack that fits on the table along with a little scrap bin. Larger rulers and additional cutting mats are in a standing rack beside the cutting table.

On the wall beside the cutting table, I have a magnetic bulletin board (from Ikea). I love it for hanging cutting instructions at eye level. There are also two small floating shelves that hold smaller rulers, a calculator, and sharps container for used blades and needles. I also have a few hooks on the side of the bookcase opposite the cutting table to hold rulers I use infrequently. It really helps to have everything I need for cutting easily accessible.

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It took years to figure out a fabric storage syste

It took years to figure out a fabric storage system that works for me. So far, the methods I'm using now keep everything organized and readily available. I always admire people who have beautiful open shelves of color coordinated fabric. With the quantity of fabric in my sewing room, I know I could never keep that up.

All of my fabric is stored away from light, either in a closed cupboard or in a cubby bin and is organized by quantity. Everything over 1 yard is wrapped on comic book boards. 1/2 yard cuts up to 1 yard is folded and stacked by color on shelves. Fat quarters are folded and stored by color in plastic totes so they are easy to pull out. I consider anything smaller than a fat quarter a scrap and is stored by color in a cubby bin.

I don't like wasting time looking for fabric and this method makes it easy to find a particular color and immediately know how much I have of it. I love scrap quilts and always try to shop my stash first!

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The scrappy pineapple quilt in the second photo is one of my favorite finishes. There are so many memories in the hundreds of fabric in this quilt.

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As we wrap up the first week of #IGQuiltFest2025,

As we wrap up the first week of #IGQuiltFest2025, I again want to thank Amy @amyscreativeside for organizing this amazing event. Today's prompt is "lesson learned."

Over the years, I've learned many lessons, but maybe the most valuable one is that it is okay to cut your losses. Life's too short to continue a project if you're not enjoying it. This string spiderweb is from a Bonnie Hunter retreat I attended several years ago. I tried to get into this project but I DETEST foundation piecing (and paper piecing, hand piecing, or any other technique where I can't sew pedal to the metal-haha!). During class I finished a handlful of blocks and the project languished with it's giant bag of strings for years. I didn't want to completely abandon the project because Bonnie signed one of the blocks so I ended up making enough blocks for a bed runner, quilted it, and called it good.

So, my lesson learned is that it's okay to pivot on a project and make something else or even get rid of a UFO. Many guilds have put and take tables and someone else might enjoy finishing your project. It's even okay to trash something if it's not giving you joy!

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Quilty fashion is pretty much a been there, done t

Quilty fashion is pretty much a been there, done that, don't want to go back kind of thing for me. I admire all the beautiful garments that others create, but I don't like to sew clothing, and have never been one to jump on fashion trends. Not only that, my family still hasn't let me forget the matching Thanksgiving outfits I made 25 years ago. Haha!

Now my most quilty fashion is a handful of graphic t-shirts.

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Today's IGFest2025 prompt is "Why do you quilt?" A

Today's IGFest2025 prompt is "Why do you quilt?" A better question might be, "Why doesn't everyone quilt?" I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't discovered quilting.

My tagline is, "Use fabric. Make quilts. Have fun." and that pretty much sums up why I quilt. Fabric is what initially drew me in and it has inspired me for over 35 years. There is so much beautiful fabric and just when you think it can't get any better, it does!

Then there is endless inspiration from quilt blocks. Each block in these books opens a wealth of possibilities for new quilt designs.

But maybe the most important reason is that quilting is fun. The third picture is an early morning view of a retreat room. Soon after the picture was taken, the room filled with enthusiastic quilters from the US and Canada at our annual retreat. It is a week of sewing, laughter, and renewing our friendships. Quilters are fun and some of the best humans on the planet. I treasure the friends I've made through quilting.

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