Friday, October 25, 2019

Boardwalk Quilt

I regularly film for Annie's Creative Studio and also regularly fall in love with the project I demonstrate!  The Boardwalk Quilt is one example:


In the video I showed how to free-motion quilt swirls, but I quilted another version of this quilt with ribbon candy.


Isn't this quilt just perfect?!?!?  These Riley Blake fabrics are so happy that I just had to use them!

I will shortly mail this quilt to a relative who needs a hug right now.  I will miss the quilt, but it will have a lovely new home with a lovely new lady.

If you'd like to make this quilt along with me, the pattern and video instructions are available on Annie's Creative Studio -- Boardwalk Quilt.

      "The eye-catching Boardwalk Quilt mixes straight lines with quilted swirls for an engaging counterpoint that will lift your spirits!

The Boardwalk quilt is shown in cool blues and greens with white sashing, but will pop in any colorway. In this Learn, Make, Create! episode brought to you by Annie's Creative Studio, quilting expert Debby Brown demonstrates tips to piece the blocks and adds a bonus free-motion swirl design tutorial. The pattern calls for batik fabrics, but any may be used.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
•             Piece the stunning Boardwalk Quilt.
•             Machine-quilt a free-motion overall swirl design.

Annie's Creative Studio is a subscription-based platform where you can learn from experts (like me!) how to quilt, knit, crochet, and more!  If you aren't a member yet, sign up for a free trial to watch the entire episode.



Friday, October 18, 2019

Bowl of (Spooky) Cherries for Halloween

Like many quilters, I have an extensive collection of scraps.  I dug into them on the 4th of July and pulled out a lovely collection of orange fabrics.  My quilt-loving daughter-in-love is a Halloween loving gal.  I showed her a photo of the fabrics I was pulling and she agreed that this quilt was for her.  She thinks that every quilt I make should be for her so this isn't unusual, but when she said she'd die without it, I knew I was onto something special.

I designed my latest Cutie Quilt, Bowl of Cherries, on paper and made my first sample from these lovely orange fabrics.


This just glows, doesn't it?  My daughter-in-love chose an orange bat fabric for the border and black and white ghost fabrics on the quilt backing.

I was only recently able to finish this quilt.  The second half of 2019 has made quilting difficult for me since I broke my collarbone on July 5 and a tree flattened my house on September 16.  I've been either unable to quilt or too busy with house stuff to get much quilting done!

Finally, I stitched my favorite ribbon candy using a rust-orange thread on the black fabric strips and free-motion leaves everywhere else.


Several people have tried to claim this quilt as their own and my daughter-in-love has a generous offer for them:


If you want in on the rental offer, you can contact me. 




Thursday, October 17, 2019

New Episode: Diamond Twist

I'm so excited to show you another episode I filmed for Annie's Creative Studio:


I had so much fun piecing Diamond Twist; I know you will too!

Annie's Creative Studio is a subscription-based platform where you can learn from experts (like me!) how to quilt, nit, crochet, and more!  If you aren't a member yet, sign up for a free trial to watch the entire episode.

Class Description:

Give your quilt blocks a twist by adding angled pieces and the result is this stunning Diamond Twist Quilt design that dances across the rows. This gorgeous square throw quilt pattern by Linda Miller makes a 69 3/4" x 69 3/4" quilt.

Learn how to complete the original and reversed Dog Tooth Violet blocks in this Learn, Make, Create! episode with expert quilter Debby Brown.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

  • Make accurate flying geese units.
  • Piece with templates.
  • Keep blocks organized.
  • Complete the Diamond Twist Quilt.
Sign in to Annie's Creative Studio, download your pattern, and make this quilt along with me!

Friday, October 11, 2019

New Cutie Pattern -- Sneak Peek!

I'm tickled to be speaking at the Dutchess Heritage Quilt Show this weekend.  I'm even more tickled to give you the first glimpse of the Cutie Pattern the show asked me to design for their show.

This weekend is the 135th anniversary of the birth of Eleanor Roosevelt and the show's theme is one of her quotes:

"The way to begin, is to begin."  -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Working with this theme, I designed a Cutie Pattern named Beginning:


This quilt contains quarter-square triangles.  I have tips for insuring these blocks end up the right size and a fun trick for easily trimming the blocks.

On Monday, October 14, I'm teaching Beginning as a full-day workshop.  This quilt contains applique and the students will learn several different applique techniques and hopefully find one they love!


There's still time to sign up for this workshop.  Visit the Dutchess Heritage Quilt Show this weekend, sign up on site to take the workshop, and shop the quilt show vendor mall to pick up your supplies for class. 

We're going to have so much fun!

For those unable to attend the quilt show, check back next week and I'll have the pattern up on my website.

Have a great weekend!



Friday, October 04, 2019

Life is Sweet (Tooth)!

Of the dozens of quilt patterns I have designed, Sweet Tooth might be the one I have made the most.


I can explain my love for this quilt in two words:  Ribbon Candy.  Are you a fan of ribbon candy?  Can you stitch it freehand?  Or would a stencil help you?

Thursday, October 03, 2019

Stress Sewing -- Strings edition

I'm under a wee bit of stress since a tree smooshed my house.  While I am dealing with phone call after phone call after phone call and trying to figure out what the next six months of our lives will look like as we rebuild, I'm doing a little sewing.

Since I'm packing for our move and downsizing my possessions, I started de-cluttering my fabric with the smallest bits possible.  That'll help, right?

I'm working on stitching up my strings:


I had my strings in a huge basket waiting for me to twist them into twine for trivets and rugs, but decided that stitching them up would be quicker.  And I'll always make more.

I stitched up a bunch of black/white/gray blocks:


Some neutral blocks:


And a bunch of "anything goes" blocks:


I recently finished a quilt of anything goes strings and cheddar fabric and have just listed it for sale on my website.  There's nothing wrong with the quilts that I'm selling; I simply want fewer quilts to pack and move!

I didn't finish enough blocks of any one kind to make a quilt but these blocks are now completed and stored, waiting for another "stress sewing -- strings" so I can make more!


Are you a string piecer?  I've made these blocks to fit my Big Cheese Cutie Quilt pattern, but there are many more ideas in Bonnie Hunter's String Frenzy and String Fling books.