Meet the Rutilant Quilt Pattern! Rutilant is a quick and easy scrappy layer cake friendly quilt pattern. Rutilant is an advanced beginner pattern and you can make a throw using a combo of layer cake squares and fat eighths. Or go completely scrappy. Your choice.

This scrap friendly free quilt pattern is in my pattern shop. Wait. Hold up. Did I say free? Yes! This is a FREE quilt pattern. A gift for you! Go…. and bring forth the scrap bins.

This quilt pattern is based off a little part of the Patchwork Auditions quilt. Patchwork Auditions is a quilt along I hosted that focuses on color placement in quilt blocks. I experimented with six different quilt blocks, changing colors and backgrounds to challenge our thinking. We get used to seeing quilt blocks colored a certain way and forget the explore variations. That project was entirely about Playing - Exploring - Enjoying fabrics and fun.

The Economy Block was the 4th block used in the quilt along and it’s one of my favorites.

I had a number of scraps and family friends that needed a quilt hug, so I began making 12” economy blocks for a scrappy quilt for them. I sewed 12 blocks, added some sashing and a border. It’s a great scrappy quilt and I thought I’d write up a little free pattern just for you.

PATTERN DETAILS

FREE QUILT PATTERN - To get the pattern, add the Rutilant Pattern to your cart. Please complete the checkout process. It will be emailed to you after checkout. It will ask you to fill out shipping info - But NO PAYMENT info is collected if Rutilant is the only item in your cart. This is the process for offering free PDF product and the only way I can keep track of how many people are interested in my free patterns. lol We’re gonna make it work!

The Rutilant Quilt Pattern. Finished Block Size: 12” x 12” | Finished Quilt Size: 64” x 79”

Advanced Beginner pattern

Make 12 Economy blocks

Scrappy. Make using Layer Cake squares (10” squares) and/or Fat Eighths (9” x 21”)

Pattern available in Print and PDF in my shop.

Every once in a while, you get one of those real lookers - and this quilt IS IT! This quilt is my Gatekeeper Quilt Pattern - an awesome advanced beginner Irish Chain quilt pattern. This is my 3rd Gatekeeper, and the Delfina fabric line by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics knocks it completely out of the park.

Nothing beats the sweet simplicity of the Irish Chain quilt block and look. This version is fresh and modern, yet completely founded in traditional patchwork. The best combo of modern + traditional. I love this pattern because it is made up completely of only squares and rectangles. Basic piecing - yet such a stunning and classy look. It comes together really quickly with strip piecing to boot.

It never ceases to amaze me how the quilting makes each and every quilt top come alive. You finish a top, and think “Yeah, this looks good”…. and then it’s quilted. An entirely new life is breathed into the flimsy top. Estill quilted this for me - I think it was over the lockdown in Spring 2020 - so the shop wasn’t open, and I wasn’t able to chat with him about design. I just asked that he pick out a good design for me. Boy, did he ever! It’s texture is just amazing!

QUILT FINISH

Pattern: Gatekeeper Quilt Pattern available in PDF and Print in my shop.

Size: 70” x 70”

Fabric: Edyta Sitar’s Delfina line for Andover on Kona Bone background.

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Estill at Red Rooster Quilts in Dublin, Ohio

Read more about this quilt in the blog post here.

Wub, the cat, takes advantage of every fresh quilt she can. :)

Pattern available in Print and PDF in my shop.

The Old Mohawk Quilt Pattern is available in my shop.

Hello Old Mohawk Quilt Pattern! This advanced beginner quilt puts a smile on my face whenever I see it. It’s some sunny half square triangle cheer with all the yellow prints. Traditional quilt blocks mixed with a fresh modern color palette make this quilt a fun sew. My fabric choices here for this crib size Old Mohawk are reflective of that need for SUN on my face. Especially in the long cold winter. Spring flowers and sun were the color palette inspiration for this fabric pull from my stash.

Old Mohawk is a quilt pattern made for stash fabric pulls - mixing and matching fabrics and designers. I gave this quilt a different personality by choosing Robert Kaufman Chambray in Slate as my background. Chambray, where have you been all my life?! That blue-ish grey tone and texture add SO much to this quilt. It's the perfect balance of understated regality. The other prints on the front of the quilt each come from a different fabric line and manufacturer. It was fun to pull together an entirely new palette from prints I already had in my stash.

There is only one quilt block in this quilt. The pattern and stripe look is made by changing what prints are used in each block. This is a great way to make a quilt easy to put together, yet, it looks more complex with the varied colors and prints.

It's backed with Robert Kaufman Flannel in a sunny yellow polka dot and bound with a Brenda Ratliff One Room Schoolhouse print.

The Old Mohawk Quilt Pattern is available in my shop.

The Conversation Sampler is available in both Print and PDF in my shop.

Each one of the block of the month quilts I design are a labor of love. And this Conversation Redwork Quilt Sampler is no exception. This quilt combines traditional piecing and the classic redwork embroidery concept, with a modern quilt design in the oversized heart shape. It makes a fantastic Christmas or Valentine’s quilt!

There is so much work in each row - it is very rewarding to see a project like this through. The thrill of a BOM finish always amazes me!

Fabric used for this quilt is from various lines of Scandi prints from Makower UK. They release a new series of coordinating holiday prints each year for the past several years. Kona Snow is the white background fabric for my Red + White version of this sampler. On the back, a little something new for me. The ladies at the shop where I work use a lot of minky on the backs of quilts and I decided to give it a try. This scarlet minky is divine! Instant family favorite. I’m sure I’ll be using lots more minky in the future.

The weight of this quilt is quite heavy with the cotton quilt top, batting, and the minky on the back. Since the redwork prints are holiday themed and the overall shape of this quilt is a heart, it’s the perfect heavy and warm quilt to keep the whole family toasty from December through February. Exactly when it’s freezing cold in the midWest!

The Conversation Sampler is available in both Print and PDF in my shop.

Folk Star Quilt PDF Pattern is available in my shop.

This quilt was a fun one to make, using up some colorful fabrics. It’s a bright ray of sunshine!

I tried to make this quilt using a little bit of everything from my stash and scraps. The corners can use leftover 10” Layer Cake squares in the colorful triangles at each corner of the quilt. The center of the quilt features 4 simple sampler blocks that all build off of each other, using small yardages (1 FQ and 1 HY).

I sewed 2 different neutrals in this quilt. There is a white background to feature the sampler block work, and to make the large HSTs with aqua for the big star. But the aqua star points also feature a second neutral - Notorious Cloud Metallic from Cotton and Steel. I love how it adds some visual interest without overwhelming or distracting from the main design elements of the quilt. I’m smitten! I also used the taupe metallic print as the binding. ;)

This quilt uses some larger piecing (for me) and it was fun to sew up!

Folk Star Quilt PDF Pattern is available in my shop.

Conversation Sampler is available in PDF and Print in my shop.

Block of the Month quilts have long been a passion of mine. And easily following into that category are Row of the Month quilts. Conversation is a quilt I dreamed up after seeing a cross-stitched heart, where each of the cross-stitch rows was stitched in a different color. Automatically, my brain converts anything I see into a quilt design. I couldn’t wait to create quilt blocks in the shape of a heart to show off intricate piecing, stunning color, and a large whole quilt design. I am in love with how it turned out. Quilts are usually giant hugs that you can give to friends and family. Now, this quilt takes that hug another step even further!

All of the blocks have been chosen to have more basic piecing - this allows the block design to stand out when made repeatedly across the row in a variety of colors. It looks like a candy heart when you use such bright and yummy colors.

Funny story about this quilt. BOMs take forevvvvvvvvver to produce. Design is first of course, then there is writing all the row patterns, drawing illustrations, making the sample, testing all instructions, sending out the pattern for technical editing, reviewing all instructions, photography, printing and distribution. Not to mention marketing and a quilt along. Oh boy. Somewhere along the way, I choose a name for the quilt.

The candy heart association made me think of the popular candies seen around Valentine’s Day - Conversation Hearts (also known as Sweethearts). Each candy heart has a special message on it that you can give to those you love or your sweetie.

The Necco company, one of the oldest candy companies in the United States, had been producing these heart candies for 171 years. 171 YEARS!! Just in time to launch the BOM I named after said candies, Necco announced bankruptcy and NO Conversation Heart candies were produced in 2019. To say that I about passed out is an understatement. 171 years of making candy and the ONE year I plan a BOM around it, they are unavailable! I’d been planning all my block shots for the quilt along using those candies as props. I sent my dad on a wild goose chase to b.a. Sweeties in Cleveland, one of the biggest candy warehouses in the country and stocker of “vintage” candies, looking for the Necco hearts. He found the LAST of the remaining hearts from the previous year, and was able to buy me some for the BOM.

Now just to be clear, there is a similar product available from Brach’s, but I grew up on Necco and that is what conversation hearts are supposed to be for me.

Anyway, just some crazy drama to add to a BOM quilt launch lol!! Maybe next time I’ll name my program after leaves or the sun. You know, something I can count on. :)

Conversation Sampler is available in PDF and Print in my shop.

Hoop Quilt Pattern available in PDF and Print.

It’s no secret I love hand embroidery. I also love to combine quilting patchwork and embroidery. I especially love it during the cold weather months when I can stitch by the fire.

I decided to make this little modified Hoop Quilt to include some embroidered floral art. This hoop combines curved piecing, raw edge appliqué, hand quilting, and hand embroidery. That is quite a few sewing techniques to combine in one project - but I love the way it came out. I also added the rainbow binding wrapped around the 12” hoop. I always think it’s a mistake to cut all those fabrics and sew the strips back together while I’m working on the project. Then once it’s done, I think every hoop should have rainbow binding. :)

Rainbow Halo uses:

Lecien L’s Modern Fiesta Fabrics

Lecien Cosmo Floss

BettyCrockerAss Quarter Circle Templates

12” Embroidery Hoop

Hoop Quilt Pattern available in PDF and Print.

Lakeside Sampler is available in Print or PDF in my shop.

Summertime every year takes me back. Back to when life was carefree. Back to watermelon and popsicles. Back to splashing in the water in the hot sun. Back to sand between my toes.

I love the beach, the lake, any body of water really. So I just had to make a quilt dedicated to one of my favorite past times. Kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and pontoons. Yup, I’m a slow floater. :) Those trips where I lose track of days and time. This pattern captures that need to spend time near the water.

I couldn't resist making decorated oars into a sampler quilt pattern. After all, I absolutely love to create samplers of all shapes and sizes, and this particular take on a sampler has my lake lovin' heart.

Lakeside Sampler Quilt Pattern Details

Mix tone-on-tone prints + solids (keep it simple to highlight the paddles)

Finished Quilt Size 84" x 72"

22 page Intermediate Pattern with detailed instructions, full color diagrams

Row Pattern: Assembled an Oar at a Time

Fabric Organization Chart guides you on selecting colors & light/med/dark shades

Full Size Templates provided (NO Paper Piecing)

Quilt Specs

Name: Lakeside Sampler Quilt

Size: 84" x 72"

Fabric: Fabric is a combo of the best nautical primary colors of RJR's Cotton Supreme Solids. And a red pin stripe binding (RJR Basic 2960-011).

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Straight line bubble quilting by Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures (Dublin, Ohio).

Lakeside Sampler PDF Pattern or Print Pattern is available in the shop.

Old Mohawk Quilt PDF Pattern is available in the shop.

Have you made a resolution to use your Stash this year? I am slowly making dents in mine and am always working on using what I have.

The Old Mohawk Pattern is perfect for using up stash. This pattern utilitizes the Contrary Wife block in 5 different color combinations to make a unique mosaic pattern with a stripe that reminds me of a mohawk. :) The mixing of prints and solids makes delightful color combinations, and I love to mix and match from my stash.

Crib - Queen size pattern options. The cool thing about this pattern is that the bigger the quilt, the bigger the blocks you make. It would be so fun to make one of the larger sizes to show off large scale prints.

Old Mohawk Pattern Details

Stash-Busting - designed to mix and match collections + prints + solids

Instructions for 4 different sizes (Crib-Queen)

Advanced Beginner Pattern

Uses one background fabric and 8 other prints/solids

Fabric Organization Chart included guides color selection & light/med/dark shades

Supplemental Video Tutorial for making 8 Half Square Triangles at a Time

Quilt Specs

Name: Old Mohawk Quilt

Size: 51" x 68"

Fabric: Fabric is a variety of scraps/stash with a Kona Snow background and Cotton + Steel prints, RJR Cotton Supreme Solids and RK Blueberry Park binding.

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Straight line quilting by me

Old Mohawk Quilt PDF Pattern is available in the shop.

Pattern available in PDF.

Stash-Busting: Designed to mix and match collections + prints + solids + scraps

Based on 2” Squares

Instructions for 4 different sizes

Baby 36" x 36" | Lap 60" x 60" | Double 84" x 84" | King 108" x 108"

Advanced Beginner Pattern

6 page PDF Pattern

Uses one background fabric and assorted scraps

Here's what I love about this quilt: Using scraps and stash. Blending fabric lines - both prints and solids. Each block becomes unique. Any time I decide to attempt a dent in my stash….. it seems I end up with more scraps and another quilt - but no less stash! lol It’s ok, I obviously love to dip into the scrap bin, and there’s always another print in my stash or fabric that just came out that I must use. Irish Chain quilts will always have my heart. So glad I made this one and was able to gift it to a friend.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Jack and Benny Quilt

Size: 60" x 60"

Fabric: Scraps in ALLL the colors

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Kathy of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Pattern available in PDF or Print.

A while ago, I decided that I needed to remake the Omni Quilt Pattern in a sweet, scrappy, and feminine rendition.  The original uses black, a color I rarely use, and to show a completely different side of this pattern, I wanted pinks.  Pastels.  Feminine wispiness.  Autocorrect is actually recognizing wispiness as a word.  I'm going with it.

I made these blocks one at a time, pulling from a stack of aqua and peach stash and scraps. Casually attempting to match the Brambleberry Ridge print from Violet Craft.

Taking the time to enjoy the process. Even the binding is scrappy.

Here's what I love about this quilt:

Using scraps and stash.  Blending fabric lines - both prints and solids.

Each block becomes unique.

The airy feel that so starkly contrasts the original Omni.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Feminine Omni Quilt

Size: 61" x 61" 

Fabric:   Scraps in aquas, golds, pinks on Brambleberry Ridge White Floral background

Piecing:  Me

Quilting:  Kathy of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

Pattern available in PDF.

This new pattern utilitizes the Granny Square block (sometimes called Arbor Window) in 2 different sizes.  The delightful scrappy color combinations will make a serious dent in scrap bins.

And only squares to cut!  No triangles, HSTs or any other complicated piecing techniques.  Just squares.

I finished this quilt in 2016 and there were many requests for a pattern.  I admit I dragged my feet on the pattern because I knew this pattern was needed in many size options.

AND the quilty math for making 2 different size granny blocks match up with granny borders is not easy!!

I wrote the pattern to make this quilt in any of the FIVE sizes.  Baby - King. 

Farmhouse Porch Pattern.  

Quilt Pattern especially for Scraps

Instructions for 5 different sizes (Baby-King)

Advanced Beginner Pattern

Based on 2 sizes of Granny Square Blocks (Large in center; Small in second Border)

Uses one background fabric and one border fabric to create continuity

Supplemental Video Tutorial

It's important to have a method of creating continuity in a scrappy quilt.  Sometimes this can be hard to do.  Scrappy quilts can end up looking like scrap vomit.  :/

To avoid running into that problem, this pattern uses a common white background in every Granny square block.  It keeps some uniformity when combining so many prints and colors.  Then to give the quilt some oomph, but also a place to rest, I chose a dark tone-on-tone navy print (Add It Up from Cotton + Steel) for the first border.  It makes a bold statement, but also allows the eye to rest as the granny squares transition from large squares in the center to smaller squares in the border.

This technique works beautifully for combining so many scraps and bitty bits!

Schedule

Pattern available in PDF and Print.

It's always rewarding to get to the end of a Block of the Month program.  It feels like such a big accomplishment to get to show off a year's worth of work.  This year's Chocolatier finish makes my heart smile.  I mean, how could I not love this collection of rainbowy goodness.

The 6" blocks within the LeMoyne Star really shine.  They are a great collection of skill builders.  With small blocks, they are not as complex as some of my other BOMs.  I really enjoyed piecing these.  I used RJR's Cotton Supreme Solids to make this quilt  - with a just teeny tiny scrappy print thrown in each block.  (See the list of skus at the end of this post to replicate this rainbow.)

The scrappy binding completes the rainbow around the quilt.

I backed this quilt in an aqua houndstooth flannel - which means my family will be chomping at the bit to cuddle up in this one this winter.  Don't mind those birthday balloons still hanging up from August birthdays at my house!  They went perfectly with the rainbow quilt hee hee.

Quilt Stats.

Name: Chocolatier Block of the Month Sampler (Skittles version) Pattern available in PDF and Print.

Size: 72" x 72"

Fabric:  RJR Cotton Supreme Solids
#217 Hot Pink
#181 Rhododendron
#209 Cantaloupe
#159 Mandarin
#337 Citron
#326 Sunny Delight
#249 Sprout
#347 Grass is a always Greener
#274 Riviera
#354 Horizon
#330 Tickled Pink
#333 Bougainvillea
#356 Moulin Rouge
#110 Red Wagon
#313 Carolina
#251 Anemone
#033 Optical White 

2792-02 RJR, Shiny Objects, called Flurries in Winter Storm. Background

Piecing:  Me 

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, OH

Schedule

Based on the Hoop Quilts Pattern available in PDF and Print.

I have so many ideas for Hoop Quilts, and I finally found a little time to put needle and thread together for this one.  Improv piecing.  Combining this technique with the modern black and white prints of Me+You Indah Batiks had been calling to me.

The pie shape of each Drunkard's Path block utilizes improv.  I was able to use the bright colors in contrast with black solid to make a block slightly bigger than the curved template.  Positioning and direction of the curve template on top of the block could drastically change how the pieced looked.  I was going for a crystallized look.

After piecing the quadrants together, I used matchstick quilting in the solid black area.  It really gave it great texture.  

Add some hand stitching in the color areas....

And, poof!  It has that added pop needed to make it shine.  I love using elements in the prints as hand stitched designs or echoes in the solid areas.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Improv Hoop Quilt

Size: 14" 

Fabric:   Me+You Indah Batiks by Hoffman Fabrics

Piecing:  Me

Quilting/Embroidery:  Me

Schedule

Based on the Hoop Quilts Pattern available in PDF and Print.

This round variation of a mini quilt uses my Hoop Quilt pattern to frame up a quilt block inside a large quilting hoop or embroidery hoop.  I absolutely love these as wall hangings and gifts.

I decided to use the Harvest color way of the Bountiful Fabric Collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.  It has such a delicate calmness to it that called to me right away.  When I first start making a Hoop Quilt, I always try to do a fabric pull and embroidery floss pull at the same time.  It gives me more options and ideas when I can see all the possibilities laid out together. 

The pattern is based on using half-square triangles (HSTs) pieced inside a drunkard's path curve block.  There are hundreds of (if not more) options on how to lay out 16 HSTs, so I started there.  Making pretty HSTs and eating chocolate truffles.  ;)  I highly recommend both the fabric AND the truffles.

I just couldn't get the idea of basket quilt blocks out of my mind when working with this collection.  Not only the name Bountiful, which brings to mind those pictures of overflowing cornucopias at the holidays, but the colors were inspiring as well.  This palette, so soft and gentle, begged to become a basket block.  So, of course, when the fabric begs, you oblige, right?

It was easy to substitute a couple of squares/rectangles where HSTs were supposed to be.  I was pumped to watch this come together because the pattern easily accommodates on-point blocks. 

After sewing the mini quilt top, it was time to embellish.  This is often my favorite part of making a Hoop Quilt.  It's so relaxing and therapeutic to hand stitch. I added some big stitching around the border and couldn't stop myself from going a wee bit crazy with the cabbage roses.  

Quilt Specs.

Name: Bountiful Hoop Quilt

Size: 14" 

Fabric:   Bountiful by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics

Piecing:  Me

Quilting/Embroidery:  Me

Schedule

Based on the Hoop Quilts Pattern available in PDF and Print.

Every Hoop Quilt is different and special.  

I've been admiring Jessica of Namaste Embroidery's work for a few months now.  It's been on my mind the try out her pattern for a while now on a Hoop Quilt.  This was the perfect one.  This embroidery gives the hoop the oomph it needed.  The rich colors of the Anna Maria Horner True Colors charm pack and the coordinating DMC embroidery threads combine together so sweetly.

Embroidery Pattern:  "We Can Do Hard Things" Embroidery Pattern by Namaste Embroidery. 

In addition to the embroidery, I decided to add some big stitches in the centers of the pieced diamonds.  I had a really hard time picking out what color to big stitch here.  Since the colors in the HSTs are so varied, I finally settled on an off-white to match the background.  

All the details on joining the HOOP QUILT ALONG are here.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Hoop QuiltAlong Hoop

Size: 14" 

Fabric:   True Colors by Anna Maria Horner for FreeSpirit

Piecing:  Me

Quilting/Embroidery:  Me

Schedule

Based on the Hoop Quilts Pattern available in PDF and Print.

We tend to get settled in our comfort zones as artists and I have been tending to stick with vibrant, saturated tone-on-tone fabrics lately.  I knew that Maureen's collection would be softer, more muted and completely bohemian.  Something completely different from my norm lately.

A HOOP QUILT with the Soulful collection is perfect. I arranged the center HSTs in another of the endless possibilities for 16 HSTs.  This one a nice block X.  I decided to appliqué the doilies on the curve of the circle.  

The tiny voice in my head told me to take this HOOP QUILT to the next level with cotton crochet lace.  I wrapped the hoop in the Deepest Purpose Soulful print.  Then I used the left over binding, combined with the lace and some Pure Elements solid to complete the streamers hanging below the hoop to make the dreamiest of dreamcatchers.

Soulful and the hoop concept married for the perfect combo.  

Quilt Specs.

Name: Soulful Hoop Quilt

Size: 18"  

Fabric:   Soulful by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics

Piecing:  Me

Quilting/Embroidery:  Me

Schedule

The Hoop Quilts Pattern is available in PDF and Print.

HOOP QUILTS are here... break out of the BLOCK!
Quick, inexpensive, different, ROUND and super fun.

Hoop Quilts are sweet round minis, made with love and a little spunk.  And they want to be displayed pretty much anywhere you can possibly think of.  Sewing room? Yes please.  Bedrooms? For sure. Tiny hallway? Absolutely! Hoop Quilts fit perfectly in just about any space.

The Hoop Quilts Pattern includes:

*detailed step-by-step instructions
*full color photos and diagrams
*full scale templates
*links to video tutorials for additional help

*Charm pack or Scrap Friendly*

*instructions provided for 3 different sizes
(Hoops Quilts can be made with 12", 18" or 23" size large quilting hoops.)

*Add as much quilting as you like (none, hand or machine) - quilt top is fused to fusible fleece for body

Find HOOPs here.

The designs used in the pattern are built on basics.  Half-square triangles that end up in a circular "block".  It's a simple and stunning way to display favorite fabrics and embellish them with big stitches.

The fabrics used for all 3 hoops could not be any more PERFECT.  These beautiful saturated colors all come from Me+You Fabrics (Hoffman) and are Indah Batiks and Solids.  I started with a Warm Indah Batik FQ bundle and added a couple aquas from the Honest hexagon precut.  These modern batik prints speak straight to my tone-on-tone lovin' heart.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Hoop Quilts

Size: 12", 18" and 23" 

Fabric:   Me+You Indah Batiks by Hoffman Fabrics

Piecing:  Me

Quilting/Embroidery:  Me

Schedule

Free Pattern when you sign up for my newsletter here.

FORMATION: Make Your Sampler Fly
It's no secret I love samplers of all shapes and sizes.  Finding unique settings is....well... an obsession of mine.  That's probably not a secret either. ;)

Sometimes, I want to make a quick and easy quilt. Ok.. we all know quick and easy are relative.. but compared to my year-long Block of the Month programs, this quilt is Speedy Gonzales.

Let me introduce you to Formation.

Formation: A beginner 4 block sampler based on the iconic Star Block.  The center of each star teaches a different piecing basic. The quilt then takes flight by framing the stars in beautiful huge Flying Geese.

Finished Block is 13 1/2" x 27"  | Finished Quilt is 52" x 60".
 

FORMATION appeared at QuiltCon 2018 in Pasadena, CA in the juried show.

CHOOSING FABRIC MADE SIMPLE.  Don't fret over fabric for this quilt.  I wanted to keep things super basic.  Very clean.  Very simple.  Very graphic.

You will need just 6 fabrics for this quilt.  4 color prints or solids (tone-on-tone or tone-and-white work best) for the Geese.  White.  And a background fabric.  I chose Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dye in Taupe as my background.  That's it.  A formula for success. 
 

Did I mention Formation is FREE for those who subscribe to my newsletter?  

Sign up for the newsletter here and get your Formation Sampler Pattern delivered to your inbox. 

FORMATION will be delivered in a separate email a few minutes after you confirm your subscription.  Check your spam folder if your pattern does not arrive.  Be sure to save your Pattern some place safe after you download.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Formation Sampler

Size: 52" x 60" 

Fabric:   4 assorted color prints or solids (tone-on-tone or tone-and-white work best) for the Geese.  White.  Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dye in Taupe as my background.

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmery of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

Pattern available in PDF and Print.

I must confess that I actually have TWO stashes in my sewing room.  One is a collection of FQs, half yards, and yards of neatly folded fabric sorted by color.  The second is hidden inside drawers, cups and bins.  It's my stash of dark chocolate I keep secret from my kids.  ;)  Don't mess with a woman's chocolate!

The Chocolatier Block of the Month Quilt celebrates my love of chocolate. I love piecing traditional skill-building blocks.  The quilt blocks are set in a LeMoyne Star destined to look like shiny wrapped chocolates.  To me, me they look like wrapped truffles.  An argyle compass emphasizes the star's beauty and it's all framed with a beautiful bracelet border.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Chocolatier Block of the Month Sampler Pattern. Pattern available in PDF and Print.

Size: 72" x 72"

Fabric:  RJR Cotton Supreme Solids

#353 Twilight

#290 Putting Green

#277 Elephantastic Pink

#355 Beach Coral

#198 Cocoa

#195 Bronze

0016-42 Home Essentials White/Aqua Polka Dot background

Piecing:  Me 

Quilting: Mindy Powell, Quilting Together with Mindy

Schedule

Bonfire Pattern available in my book (signed copies) in the shop.

The Bonfire Sampler is a part of my first book, Sister Sampler Quilts.  And to run a BOM from my own book, well.... that's seriously a dream come true.  Thank you all for your love and support of the book this year.

I have not one, but two quilt finishes to show you.  

At the beginning, I encouraged participants to partner up with a "sister".  Someone to sew along with and trade blocks with to make 2 similar, yet different quilts.  I partnered with my mom and we have spent the past year sewing our blocks, sharing pics and color combinations, and trading blocks to make 2 very special quilts.  Since we have never worked on a project together before, this BOM holds a special place in my heart.

We both worked from a fat quarter bundle of Blueberry Park (warm colors) by Karen Lewis for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  The blocks use Kona Snow as their background, and I framed up the whole quilt using Kona Cerise.  
 

Mom went for a subtle look, using RK Quilter's Linen as her background for the star points.  She also used Kona Snow as the background for her block work, so both of our block sets were pieced using the same block background color.  It makes the whole quilt flow nicely. I like how she selected the same large scale daisy print in 4 colors to be the large star points in the quilt setting.

Although our BOM is now officially over, it's never too late to start this project on your own or with a friend.  

Quilt Specs.

Name: Bonfire Block of the Month Sampler

Size: 82" x 82" 

Fabric:  Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis for Robert Kaufman, Kona Solid Cerise and RK Quilter's Linen in Straw

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmery of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

Kin Coterie is the quilt I designed and made to teach on Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting TV Show (Episode #2802).  It's a colorful companion project to the sampler quilts seen in my book, Sister Sampler Quilts.  It uses one of my favorite techniques - string blocks as a component inside traditional quilt blocks.

The pattern appears in the September/October 2016 issue of Love of Quilting.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Kin Coterie

Size: 35" x 50" 

Fabric:  L's Modern Basics by Lecien Fabrics

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

Patchwork Napkins - pretty handmade cloth napkins, perfect for use on a summer or fall picnic.  They look absolutely exquisite at this elegant wine and cheese picnic.  These napkins use the One Room Schoolhouse fabric line from RJR in four different patchwork block combinations.  The vibrant colors just pop against the neutral sparkle of the Cotton + Steel Notorious basic.

The Patchwork Napkins Pattern is available in the 2017 Quilter's Planner.  It is also offered as an individual PDF in my shop.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Patchwork Napkins

Size: 14" x 14" 

Fabric:  One Room Schoolhouse by Brenda Ratliff for RJR, Cotton + Steel basic background

Piecing:  Me

Schedule

Blocks in these quilts are from Sister Sampler Quilts book.  Set in this Setting Pattern.  Or try these blocks FREE from the Patchwork Auditions Series.

I created 2 similar designs for a WORKSHOP based on the Patchwork Auditions series quilt I made last year, my book Sister Sampler Quilts, and my love of all things samplers.

So many times, we become ingrained at seeing blocks colored a certain way. The original Patchwork Auditions looks at 7 simple/classic blocks and exposes alternate colorings.  I loved this exercise and wanted to do it again, only this time with some more complex blocks.

The navy 4 block sampler quilt uses the Rising Star block from my book.  I sketched out alternate ways to color this block and then chose to sew my favorites.

Just like the first quilt, Workshop Quilt #2 is a 4 block sampler quilt.  It uses 2 blocks this time, instead of just one. This quilt has 2 Rising Star blocks and 2 Moon & Star blocks from my book.  

Quilt Specs.

Name: Patchwork Auditions Workshop Quilt #1

Size: 52" x 60"

Fabric:  Various Cotton + Steel prints + misc from my stash

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures - Straight lines with bubbles

Quilt Specs.

Name: Patchwork Auditions Workshop Quilt #2

Size: 52" x 60"

Fabric:  Various Denyse Schmidt prints, One Room Schoolhouse (Yellow), Lotta Jansdotter (Black), steel chambray from Robert Kaufman

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures - Straight lines with bubbles

Schedule

Bonfire Pattern available in my book (signed copies) in the shop.

SAMPLER - The Quilt Design.

Bonfire uses 16 skill-building blocks (2 each of 8 block patterns) and frames them in a setting reminiscent of a star or bear's paw block.  The sample is scrappy.  It uses a combination of prints and solids, across several fabric manufacturers and fabric lines.  This quilt is great for using up those scraps and stash.

SISTERS - Sister Blocks.

Blocks are made in pairs in this quilt. Each pair are called "Sister Blocks".  Making BOM blocks in pairs allows you to learn as you work.  Each time we make a block, we learn about color and fabric placement, value, tone, scale, etc.  By making two of each block, we can play, improve upon our selections, or try out something different.  The Sister blocks can be "Identical twins" if you like or truly unique as all sisters really are.

Quilt Specs:

Pattern: Bonfire from Sister Sampler Quilts

Quilt Size: 64" x 64"

Fabric: Scrappy

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, OH

Schedule

The Omni Quilt Pattern is available in PDF and Print.

Omni pushes me outside my comfort zone by designing in black and white.  It's always good to push yourself, right? Omni is a dazzling sprinkle of stars, based on Aunt Mary's block from 1906.  I used the Gradiance line from Maywood Studio for this quilt, and I just couldn't help myself to add that little splash of yellow into these stars.  That POP of color makes the stars sparkle.

I took this quilt to my husband's grandfather's home. I had 2 quilts to photograph on his property. It's beautiful old red farmhouse set deep in the woods in Michigan.  Spring was just starting to appear when I took these shots. 

The quilt uses black and white solids in the stars, with a yellow accent color.  The background is a beautiful lacey grey floral.  It's very soft and sweet.  The only other print used in this quilt is for the large center star.  Sometimes I really enjoy keeping things simple, using such a basic color palette.  It allows you to appreciate the form of the quilt block.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Omni

Size: 61" x 61" 

Fabric:  Gradience by Maywood Studios

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

This pattern is available in PDF and Print.

The Gatekeeper pattern goes together quickly with strip piecing.  Next thing you know, you have a lovely 70" x 70" quilt put together and only had to cut strips and squares/rectangles.  Pretty slick.

This version of the Gatekeeper quilt uses the new fabric line called One Room Schoolhouse.  This line has such cheery colors and a modern, yet vintage vibe.  The collection is what I would call modern 30s if there is such a thing? 

These photos were taken at my husband's grandfather's home.  I absolutely adore his property.  It's beautiful old red farmhouse set deep in the woods in Michigan.  Spring was just starting to appear when I took these shots.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Gatekeeper

Size: 70" x 70" 

Fabric:  One Room Schoolhouse by Brenda Ratliff for RJR 

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

This pattern is available in PDF and Print.

This quilt is my fourth child.  That is how I introduce it whenever I speak to guilds.  Hands down my favorite quilt EVER.  The color, the design, the simple inspiration from a child's pair of moccasins.

The design of the blockwork is taken from both the Sister's Choice and Japanese X and + blocks.  Then the monthly blocks are set within the X and + in both a yellow and orange color way.

Moccasin is well traveled:

*Fall Market 2014 in Houston, TX

*Spring Market 2015 in Minneapolis, MN
*QuiltCon 2015 Show in Austin, TX, making it on local TV coverage there
*Bernina University in Scottsdale, AZ in 2015

If you have seen this quilt in person, then you know we must give credit where credit is due.  Mindy Powell is the incredibly talented long arm quilter who quilted Moccasin for me.  Every time I show this quilt, it is met with that sound of inhaling air, as your breath is taken away.  Mindy's quilting is unbelievable.

When I sent this quilt top off to her, I only specified the pebbles and swirls I wanted in the navy blue background space.  Everything else I left up to her discretion.  The details that came back were jaw dropping.  Especially the motif she created around the center Dresden/Irish Chain detail in the middle of the quilt.  

Moccasin can be run as a Block of the Month Club. 

Quilt Specs:

Name:  Moccasin Block of the Month Sampler

Size: 67" x 67"

Fabric:  RJR Cotton Supreme Solids

#280 Night background

#181 Rhododendron

#333 Bougainvillea

#276 Tangerine Dream

#092 Golden Rod

#219 Pinot Noir

#111 French Vanilla

#330 Tickled Pink

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Mindy Powell of Quilting Together with Mindy

Schedule

Details on the Free Quilt Along here.

I started work on this project back as a means to think outside the box.  (And a way to use up scraps.)  I wanted to explore the many different ways to color quilt blocks - especially ones we have all seen and used many many times.

This quilt is the result of that artistic exploration.

There are 7 different classic quilt blocks in this quilt.  Most of the blocks were made three times - but each one is constructed using a different coloring scheme.  For example, there are 3 Churn Dash blocks included in the quilt.  Can you find them all in the finished quilt?
 

The finished setting takes the quilt blocks and sets them into rows.  There are both 12" and 16" finished blocks, and to make the math work out for the 12" rows, I added some flying geese and rainbow blocks to round it out.

This quilt is HUGE.  It's 80" x 88".  It was really hard to photograph.  It's fun though because I made it completely from scraps and my stash.

Patchwork Auditions is backed with a Remix Flannel.  So soft and warm.  All the colors in the Remix print go nicely with the scrappy front.  

The Patchwork Auditions series is a FREE Quilt Along series here.  Try making a block or two - and maybe you'll end up with a whole quilt yourself!  The instructions for the full size quilt are all a part of the series.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Patchwork Auditions

Size: 80" x 88"

Fabric:  Misc scraps and stash fabric with Architextures Handwriting print background

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

This fun little project is easy to sew up and utilizes one of my favorite block making concepts.  For this runner, a traditional quilt block is modernized by inverting the colors in adjacent blocks.  An entire sampler is dedicated to this block fun in my book, Sister Sampler Quilts.

RJR Cotton Supreme Solids in warm and sunny shades of yellow bring this small quilt to life.  

This cheery table runner is featured in the Jan/Feb 2016 issue of McCall's Quilting magazine.  It even made the cover!.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Sunny Sampler Table runner

Size: 17" x 49" 

Fabric:  RJR Cotton Supreme Solids

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Me

Schedule

Pattern available in PDF and Print.

The Lacuna Sampler Quilt uses six different blocks in the middle of the "wheels".  Each wheel features a piecing basic skill: the pinwheel, hourglass, star, diamond-in-the-square, cross, and framed square.  Great classics.  The overall quilt design is based on the Cheyenne block and  I wanted to create an easy sampler inside the wheels.

The sampler blocks surround a gorgeous giant interpretation of the wheel.  Only this time, the center block is a rainbow of patchwork.

So what does Lacuna mean?  Personally, I think Lacuna is a sexy word for something so simple.

Lacuna NOUN

noun: lacuna · plural noun: lacunae · plural noun: lacunas

an unfilled space or interval; a gap: 

example Lacuna (music), an extended silence in a piece of music

In the case of the Lacuna Sampler Quilt here, I've named this quilt Lacuna because of the white space in the exact center of the quilt.  There is so much color and activity going on in the rest of the quilt - but it's in the exact center that there is a dead spot.  A gap.  An unfilled space.
 

Quilt Specs:

Name: Lacuna Sampler Quilt   

Finished Quilt Size: 63" x 63"

Fabric:  Pie Making Day by Brenda Ratliff for RJR Fabrics

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

Pattern available as part of Sister Sampler Quilts book or as a stand-alone PDF pattern.

The Vice Versa Block of the Month Sampler Quilt takes old classic blocks, inverts the background and colors, and sets them in a modern and funky way. This quilt started my love of playing with color and value within blocks.

The Vice Versa Blocks.

The blocks used in this project were chosen for their polarity.  The ability to construct the blocks with positive and negative space - and then invert them.  With each block, there will be two sides to each coin.  One where you put the background fabrics in the most "common" locations.  The second block will be the reverse - putting the color in the background.

The star blocks to the left are the same exact block.  A star within a star.  The left and right blocks are inverses of each other.  Yin and yang if you will.  They are opposing, yet complimentary blocks.  And when the two combine, the whole is greater than the separate blocks by far.

Quilt Specs:

Name: Vice Versa BOM Sampler Quilt

Size:
Lap. 57.5" x 57.5" (9" finished blocks) 
Large Twin 74.5" x 74.5" (12" finished blocks)

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Me

Schedule

The Sunny Sampler showcases the traditional Sunshine block from the Ladies' Art Company in 1897.  The three blocks used in this quilt are all variations based on that Sunshine block.  It makes for a fun mini sampler using 3 quilt block patterns to make 9 total blocks for the quilt.

At left is a close up of the custom quilting I designed along with Kathy Balmert.  She quilted the motifs to relay three different ideas of sunshine radiating within each of the three similar blocks.  In the sashing, there is a wishbone pattern.

Found in the January 2015 Issue of American Quilter magazine.  Cover quilt.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Sunny Sampler 

Size: 62" x 62" 

Fabric:  American Made Brand Cotton Solids by Clothworks

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures, Dublin, Ohio

Schedule

Pattern available in PDF and Print.

The Bella Maiden quilt features an oversized Old Maid's Puzzle block. With all the complimentary triangles that match and mate in this block, it felt extremely fitting that an over sized version of this block should also be composed of triangles.  This time as Half-Square Triangles.

I enjoyed piecing this quilt as each triangle in the overall design is composed of both prints and solids.  The HSTs pair the solids and prints together to add dimension to the quilt. 

Quilt Specs.

Name: Bella Maiden Quilt Pattern

Size: 64" x 64"

Design: by AnneMarie Chany

Fabric:  April Showers by Bonnie & Camille for Moda

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

Schedule

This pattern is available in PDF and Print.

This quilt mimics the elegance of an Irish Chain with a little sass on the side to give it a light and modern feel.  I love how the strips at the edges of the quilt extend out into the negative space.  

This truly IS an "easy" quilt.  No triangles or other fussy pieces to play with.  Just simple squares and rectangles.  This whole quilt breaks down into 3 basic blocks, which makes it simple to put together.

This quilt design reminds me of a garden gate and trellis.  Spring flowers in full bloom.  

Quilt Specs.

Name: Gatekeeper

Size: 70" x 70"

Design: by AnneMarie Chany

Fabric:  Happy Tones by Michael Miller

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

Pattern available as part of Sister Sampler Quilts book or as a stand-alone PDF pattern.

10 classic traditional blocks made in "sister" pairs are set in opposing halves of the quilt. This quilt has a theme centered around your favorite women. Be it a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister or Friend. We all have a woman that we look up to and aspire to be like. These ten quilt blocks all honor those women, using their name as the block name. Sister's Choice, Grandmother's Frame.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Sisters' Ten Block of the Month Club 2013

Size: 78" x 78"

Design: traditional quilt blocks all with names leading to important women in our lives, set in a more modern setting with a large negative space on the diagonal - design and layout by me

Fabric:  Lucky Penny by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics, background is Quilters' Linen in Straw by Robert Kaufman.  Backing and binding is Chicopee by Denyse Schmidt for FreeSpirit.

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

Pattern available as a PDF Download.

The Horsefly quilt is the Shoo-fly quilt block on steroids, with the whole quilt finishing around 75" x 75".  In my home, quilts need to be big - either to set a bed, host a picnic, or cover all the kiddos during movies and popcorn.  Horsefly fits the bill.

The pattern is based around off-centered 4-patch and 9-patch blocks that make up mosaics of color.  It makes a nice large sized confident beginner's quilt.  Most of the blocks are strip pieced, which makes putting all those mosaics together a snap. Finishing off a quilt with stripe binding adds the perfect touch too.

Quilt Specs:

Finished size: 74 1/2" x 74 1/2"

Fabric: Textured Basics by Patty Young

Piecing: Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule

Pattern available as a PDF Download.

This quilt is a pattern for fat quarters or scraps with a little spring in it's step.  I decided to call this quilt Boxstep because the four squares in the corners of the block reminded me of the dancing diagram that teaches the "box step" in ballroom dancing.

I made a Lap size quilt and it is perfectly suited to a little outside picnicking or daydreaming.  

This quilt pattern is geared for Advanced Beginners.  The 2 main piecing techniques used in this quilt are Hourglass blocks and No-Waste Flying Geese.  If you've never tried these techniques, I've provided clear instructions and diagrams to help you through it.  They are so much fun!

*Fat Quarter and Scrap Friendly*

Quilt Specs.

Name: Boxstep

Size: 62" x 62" 

Fabric:  Assorted Fat Quarters and scraps

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Me

Schedule

Ripple is a very BASIC paper pieced pattern.  It uses only 5 fat quarters plus a background fabric. Although I used pinks, oranges and reds, you can still feel the ripple effect of a stone dropped in the water. 

I love the scrappy binding on this quilt.  But not just any scrappy binding, instead it has an ombre effect starting at the top left corner.  It starts red and then radiates around the quilt ending with a cool pink in the lower right corner.  
 

Download the FREE PATTERN.

Ripple also appears in the June-July 2013 issue at Generation Q magazine.

Quilt Specs.

Name: ripple

Size: 51" x 56"

Design: easy paper-pieced block design

Fabric:  fat quarters from my stash, some Sketch, some Houndstooth, Terrain Orange print on Kona White.

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Me

Schedule

Here is Lagoon for it's watery palette of color and the large pinwheels that make me think of gently flowing water. 
At the beginning of this 2012, Penny McMorris (co-founder and vice-president of Electric Quilt) contacted me about guesting along with her on a segment for Quilting Arts TV with host Pokey Bolton.  She proposed a design challenge that we present on the segment of the show.  

The challenge: both of us started with the same basic block.  Then independently, we used EQ7 to create a new block design based upon the original. The TV segment demonstrates some of the interesting ways that quilts can be designed on the computer - before you cut up your fabric.  Both Penny and I chose one quilt design to make into a sample.  Lagoon is the product of this fun experiment.
 
This quilt appears on Quilting Arts TV Episode 1107.

Quilt Specs.

Name: Lagoon

Size: 65" x 65"

Design: pixelated block design and layout by me

Fabric:  Robert Kaufman Konas in greens, blues, and purples on Kona White.

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Kathy Balmert of Quilty Pleasures

Schedule