September Donation Blocks

I worked on the Black Improv a lot, which doesn’t really have blocks, so that means fewer for this post. I added a few blocks in green and white to my stash of pieces for the next Sidewalk.

I finished working on the Black Improv top quicker than expected. Since it was already out and not completely empty, I kept the Black-Grey-Brown scrap bin out and made a few blocks from brown and grey. I just wanted to lighten the box up a little bit more. I don’t have much brown and I used all the strips to make the brown strip blocks you see below. I also made a couple of grey blocks and one black strip block. I’ll save these for another rainbow strip quilt or when I get enough Black-Grey-Brown strip blocks.

Once I was done with the Black-Grey-Brown strips, I got out the white bin, which was overflowing – again- and started in on white strip blocks. I don’t know whether I’ll make a white strip quilt like the last one or make a Sidewalk quilt with a color for the background. I like the idea of a blue background.

I have numbered the black strip block as #10, but I don’t really know what number it is. I suspect it is about #41 since I made one black strip donation quilt. Still, the other blocks aren’t numbered, so here we are.

Various & Sundry 2025 #9

Admin

I am so excited to have some new readers. Regardless of whether you are a new reader or have been reading for awhile, I appreciate your comments and engagement. Thank you!!

I have decided to offer classes on a wider basis. Check out the topics available and let me know if you are interested.

Projects, Classes, Patterns, Techniques & Tutorials

I got a free pattern for a Mini Tote from Olfa on Instagram. That led me to a new website/blog called Flower Sew. WOW! Someone else who updates a blog and provides tutorials. She is marketed as an Olfa expert. I see cool, useful projects like a mat carrier and a car trash bag. It turns out that you don’t have to go through the IG rigamarole to get the Mini Tote pattern. It is available on the Olfa blog.

Tools, Books, Fabric, Notions, Services & Supplies

Remember last month I talked about not finding the Whisper color way in the Alison Glass fabrics? Instead of being sensible and moving on with my life, I emailed them. They had forgotten to add the link or something. The assistant gave it to me and I bought the FQ pack. I even found a pattern I am going to use with those fabrics. It is from a recent Today’s Quilter issue (129) and satisfies my desire to make a Basket quilt. It isn’t a complicated Basket quilt or a Sampler basket quilt but I think it will go quite well with these fabrics. The description from the website is “Brilliant Baskets – Use up fabrics scraps to create a striking Basket block quilt” I don’t think I need to follow the pattern exactly. I really like Basket blocks, but I don’t know why. I always put one in my Sampler quilts, or almost always.

Tim and Cyndi went to South Carolina for a retreat. I recently got on the mailing list of the company, Jittery Wings, who puts on the retreat. I was super excited to see how many of the Art Gallery solids they have. The Pineapple color is gorgeous, as is Verve Violet, Cherry Lip Gloss, Raspberry Rose, Sweet Pink, and Maldives. And more. I love these Pure Solids.

Kaffe Fassett has come out with another book, Quilts in London**. When does that man sleep? The quilts and images in this book were photographed at Camden Lock. The quilts look similar to quilts in other books, but the photos, as usual, are colorful and inspiring.

For Canadian readers, though they ship tot he US as well, check out Atelier Fibre Arts. They have a wide range of zipper tape colors.

Dashwood Studios has a tone-on-tone called Twist. Great colors and a small, but fun design.

Stash Fabrics now sells Soft & Stable off the roll and by the yard. The S&S off the roll is 58 inches wide, which is GREAT. I thought at first it was another shop selling rolls of S&S, but I don’t see that as an option.  If you get it in the package (36 in. x 58 in.) it is $23.95, so you get a slight discount for getting it off the roll.

Red Thread Studio has a Pure Solids bundle of the month program. I am sorely tempted as I am feeling a bit of a lack of solids lately. My first thought was what if I get brown and burgundy and navy? After thinking about it, however, it might be better for me just to buy a few solids whenever I place an order or see them in the shop. 

I used the Snap Setter the other day and was reminded of this video, which shows you how to install the snaps. I like the Snap Setter to install snaps.

Exhibits and Organizations

BAMPFA has the Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California on view through November 30.

Media & Articles

The Pleasure of Patterns in Art: The interplay between repetition and variation is central to how we perceive structure, rhythm, and depth across mediums- this is an interesting article, which talks about repetition and its effect on the brain. It shows you how to look beyond the images in a work at “hidden” repetition.

NQR

For those of you who contributed to my sister’s Recovery Ranch Sanctuary project, your money has not gone to waste. She lost the place where she was going to set it up, but thinks she found a better place. She is also nearly through with the 501(c)(3) paperwork. It is moving forward, if slowly, and it is not too late to contribute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

Started Sidewalk #4

Sidewalk #4 Start
Sidewalk #4 Start

I started Sidewalk #4. As you can see from the photo, I am using my design floor. The design walls are full. I can’t take Country Revival/The Sad Quilt off the large design wall until I get more sewn. 

Sidewalk is too big for the small design wall so design floor it is. Not my preference, but needs must. Too many projects on the go, so I needed to get one of them off my list.

I have been randomly sewing Half 16 Patch blocks to the white background pieces as leaders and enders, so I have a small start. I have a lot to do, however. The Community quilt team for the guild really needs backs, so that is an extra step. I know I normally do it, but was considering being lazy this time. More fabric used, however.

Finished: Patchwork Palooza Block 3

Patchwork Palooza #3: Light Keeper
Patchwork Palooza #3: Light Keeper

I finished another one of the Patchwork Palooza blocks that I skipped. This one is called “Light Keeper” by the project designer.

I might have used lavender instead of the blue, but I like it. As mentioned, I am concerned I will run short of the lavender. I didn’t decide not to use the lavender because of that, but I need to make sure I don’t make decisions like that. If I do run out of the lavender, I can either buy more or consider it a design challenge.

Julie’s block looks great and very different from mine. That is the thing I love about block projects.

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2 Complete

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: front
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: front

Yay! I finished the Multi-Pocket Organizer for my handbag! That is the intention anyway. More and more I have been thinking of sending this to a friend. It isn’t that I don’t like and don’t think it will be useful, but it is telling me it wants to go to my friend. We’ll see. I can always make another even with the same, or similar fabrics.

Above is the front of the organizer. It has a divided slip pocket that can be useful for pens or other item you need quickly.

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: back
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: back

The back of the bag has an interior zipper pocket. 

I used the Heather Bailey flower fabric as the exterior. If you look at the front and the back, you will see that I used the exterior fabric for the slip pocket. I was trying to give the most space to the large print. The Tula dot print on the front is sort of like a tone-on-tone and I thought it would work under the slip pocket. I am not sure I was successful. The only thing I don’t like about the heather Bailey fabric are the flies. I didn’t notice them until I cut out the pieces. If they were bees it would be different.

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: divider pocket open
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: divider pocket open

Inside are a lot of pockets. The first one I made, according to the directions, after assembling the exterior was the divider pocket. In the photo, left, it is wide open. The inside is made from one of the Tula neon fabrics. The taupe/grey (?) background was a bold choice for me, but I wanted to use the fabric and it went with the dots I used on the exterior. 

The ruffly pockets are sewn to the lining and made with elastic. I was looking for a tool I have, the Clover Clip & Glide Bodkin**, which is great for slipping something like elastic through a channel, but couldn’t find it. I am sure it will turn up when I don’t need it. 

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: interior
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: interior

The photo, right, shows the inside with the divider pocket mostly closed and a bit of the exterior. I used the exterior fabric on the divider zipper pocket, though lining fabric would work as well.

One thing I learned is to make the handles and zipper tabs out of the exterior fabric. They would blend in better.

This is a good project and it doesn’t take very long to make. Again, the pattern is from Sotak Handmade. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

 

 

Black Improv Progresses

Black Improv - Sept. 2025
Black Improv – Sept. 2025

I have been working diligently on the Black Improv. Surprisingly it is getting quite large. Not king-sized or anything, but large for one of my donation quilts.

After having this piece languish for a long time, I thought it would be a chose to finish it. Even though I am not finished yet, I am having fun working on it. So many stripes!!

I am using the strips I cut for color strip blocks to make the quilt bigger and to make the piecing a little easier. I know I will make more black scraps at some point, so why not?

At the widest and tallest points in the photo above, the piece is 38w x 35l. It is getting to be the size I like giving to the Community Giving project.

Palooza 3 Settings

I am trying to get through the backlog of blocks I missed, so I got started on block #3 after finishing block 10.

Patchwork Palooza #3: Light Keeper suggested layout
Patchwork Palooza #3: Light Keeper suggested layout

Once I cut out the pieces I messed around with them to see how they would look with the colors in different places. First, was the suggested layout.

The basis is, basically, a standard Monkey Wrench, also called Churn Dash. It is enhanced with a square in a square in the center. Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilts** calls this construction an ‘Unequal Nine Patch’. That is a category in her book. 

In Jinny Beyer’s The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns, this block is a slightly simplified version of Triangles and Stripes from Ladies Art Company, 1897. See page 85 for other names and references.

Light Keeper alternate
Light Keeper alternate

Anyway, I thought the layout above looked good. The Churn Dash part (dotted strips and triangles) looked good. However, since I had the pieces, I wanted to see how it would look with blue in the center. 

I think it also looks good, but has more of a circular effect. Maybe I need to do both?

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

More Four Patch Fun

I just keep making these blocks.

I am still working through my Half Hexie Star strips, though I am almost out of lights, so I’ll have to cut a strip to make some backgrounds. 

I have about 32 of these so far.

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

Patchwork Palooza Block 9

Patchwork Palooza block 9
Patchwork Palooza block 9

I finished Patchwork Palooza block #9, Starboard and Steady. 

In Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Quilt Patterns**, this block is called Aunt Addie’s Album from Hearth & Home.

I wanted the darker pink on the outside of the star points, but got the pieces mixed up. I am not super fond of all of the medium pink and might make this block again so I can change the center. We’ll see once I have caught up with the blocks I missed. 

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

 

 

 

 

**N.B.: Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Gifts from Carrie

Gifts from Carrie
Gifts from Carrie

Carrie is always trying something new and I love to see what she is working on. We went out to lunch the other week and she gave me a lovely pouch and some fabric.

One of the best parts is that we dissect whatever pouch or bag she has made. In this case, she told me about the video she used and I told her about the Sew Sweetness Live Show Bag Lab where Sara showed how to finish a zipper. This finish is used in her Dogwood Pouches pattern. We always have a great time talking about bags. I feel like it is ridiculous, but I enjoy the exercise so much. Perhaps it is part of the mental challenge of making bags?

The fabric came from the recent fabric sale that SCVQA held. It was so nice her to think of me.

I have mentioned several times that Carrie took a beginning quilt class and followed up with the design class from me during the Pandemic. She has become a fearless bag maker and it makes me very proud. 

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2

After finishing the first Multi-Pocket Organizer, I wanted to make another. Over the weekend, using some of my favorite fabrics, I cut one out for me. Finding out that it would fit and work well in my handbag helped me decide to take the plunge. Yes, I need to get working on Christmas gifts, but occasionally, I need a break.

I cut everything out and used some bits of fusible fleece to interface certain parts (as indicated in the pattern). I wanted to use up pieces I had laying around and making something for myself was a good use of them. If it didn’t work, I wouldn’t give a substandard bag to someone else. 

Multi-Pocket Organizer #2 front pocket
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2 front pocket

After the cutting, it took me a few days to get back to it, but then I was able to make the front pocket. It took me two tries, but after following the directions (rather than remembering), it worked out fine. 

As you can see, I cut out the corners despite my session with Lynette on anchoring the lining. I have an idea for anchoring the lining on this bag and will try it. Boxing or not boxing the corners makes no difference in my idea. Stay tuned for more on whether it worked.

Patchwork Palooza Block 10

Patchwork Palooza 10
Patchwork Palooza 10

I made Block 10 almost as soon as I received it last week. I am trying hard to keep up.

The Patchwork Palooza project calls this block Turn, Turn, Turn. It is, however, a classic Dutchman’s Puzzle. This is one of the blocks I use when I teach my Sampler class. It is a great block and using the 4-at-a-time method for making the Flying Geese makes it easy to put together. I pressed some seams open in order to lessen the bulk. I haven’t done that before, but might make it a habit. 

To trim, I used the Wing Clipper ruler by Studio 180 Designs**. You can easily use any ruler as long as you are careful. As you know, I love that ruler and the lines on it make lining up the ruler to trim super easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

Black Improv Progresses

Black Improv in process
Black Improv in process

I haven’t made much progress on this piece, but I haven’t given on it either. After I posted about the most recent Color Improv finishes, I got some nice feedback and decided to get back to this piece.

I had a couple of the strip blocks and I decided to add them to the piece so as to make it larger sooner. 

It has been a struggle, because I have the half 16 patch blocks for the next Sidewalk quilt as leaders and enders as well as the Four Patch Fun piecing. 

So much quilty goodness!!

 

Cosmic Crazy Complete

Cosmic Crazy donation top
Cosmic Crazy donation top

I quickly completed Cosmic Crazy over the weekend so it would be ready when I went to Sew Day. I didn’t know how much time I would have to sew after my mom’s surgery.

I didn’t have the kind of gold fabric I was imagining, so I used this yellow with red dots. I hope that it isn’t too ugly. 

Cosmic Crazy Back
Cosmic Crazy Back

 

I used some greens as the back and am calling this one done. Not a great work, but someone will like it. At least that is what I am telling myself.

Why Take a Sampler Class

Aqua-Red Sampler with prize
Aqua-Red Sampler with prize

We all get excited about quiltmaking and want instant success. A lot of the current patterns are set up for that. I wholeheartedly agree that making a quilt or two out of the gate can set someone up as a life long quiltmaker. 

Limiting yourself to patterns only limits your own creativity. 

 

Sampler
Sampler

At some point, however, we want to go beyond making patterns. This is when making a sampler quilt or taking a sampler quilt class can add to your skills in a positive way.

A sampler is a quilt made from different blocks. The blocks can be anything, but in a good class each block represents a different skill. As you work through each block you add new skills to your quiltmaking toolbox. Once you have learned the basics, you have the skills to make your own designs, make quilts you see or make changes to patterns with confidence.

Handbag Sampler - all the blocks
Handbag Sampler – all the blocks

Even if you have been making quilts for awhile a sampler class can help you learn about block grids, resizing blocks and choosing better methods of construction. You also get a sense of when to press open and when to press to the side.

Making a sampler is also fun. You don’t get stuck making the same units over and over. Each block or section has something new. You can place fabrics in different places and get a break from chain piecing the same units.

Finished: Star Sampler
Finished: Star Sampler

Samplers can have themes as well. Star Samplers, like the one I made, are very popular.  Samplers with curved blocks or using a certain specialty ruler can also be great learning experiences.

Look into a sampler class as your next workshop. You can also contact me about teaching in person (locally) or via Zoom.