If you like big blocks, you will like this 24" Woven Star as the November 5 block (today). I first made this about 20 years ago, simplifying a common block pattern. It appeared in Quilt magazine (when I was an editor) with this cute doggy! Woven Star quilt  I simplified it by removing the templates and making it with rotary cutting. I added the woven effect by making strong contrast between the colors. Let's see some more quilts. Center Woven Ribbon Star in my Galaxy of Stars quilt Woven Ribbon Star (24") as the center of a child's quilt Same star, different borders My sister Janet (who has the calendar) chose to make FOUR of these large blocks and use sashing and no borders. Very lovely! Janet's 4 Block Woven Ribbon Star And one more using Kaffe Fasset bold prints. Notice that my borders are the same color BUT not the same print. Yes, I give you permission to do the same! Woven Ribbon Star using Kaffe Fassett prints I offer the 24" star in my Galaxy of Stars...

I was asked to teach my Flying Swallows class again, though it hasn't been confirmed. I started thinking about those diamonds and how they appear in several other vintage inspired quilts I've made. First, my most recent Flying Swallows quilt using Michael Miller's Fairy Frost fabrics for those diamonds: Flying Swallows : 48" x 48" The diamonds are easily rotary cut from 2-1/2" strips (this shows cutting from 3-1/2" strips, but the same method). Think differently about those diagonal lines on your rulers! My first Flying Swallows : First Flying Swallows from 2000. Now let's look at the diamonds - very neat, huh? NO templates! Rotary cut 45 degree diamonds Swallows in the Window uses the SAME diamonds. The way the background triangles are arranged and the addition of a center square makes this unique. Here's the vintage pattern for a 9" block (gasp!!) And my most recent Swallows in the Window quilt (my second one). Uses the SAME diamonds. Sw...

Nope. It's not a block in my new calendar. This is a quilt pattern that needs a template or ruler to cut the shape. Not hard - just makes things go so much faster! But each of the FREE patterns has a very usable template. I turned the page on my wall calendar and this is the quilt that's featured (from 2014, but the days are the same in both years!) The Kaleidoscope is a pattern I've used for at least a dozen quilts - small, large, table runners. I've used it to create designs with the collections of a few fabric companies. Here's the one I did for Benartex in 2011 (and the FREE pattern link). There's a lot of "fool the eye" coloring going on here! Merry Go Round Kaleidoscope Quilt : 40" x 40". 12" block And one I made with a fun kids' print with some Sockey fabrics. I donated this to my guild for our kids' charity outreach. Here's one I did using a Windham Feedsack collection (and the link to FREE pattern). Feedsack Kaleidos...

Yes, it's Halloween and while not my favorite holiday, I did let my 3 daughters go trick or treating just to keep them in their social loop! But they never could have scary costumes - just fun ones like M and Ms or ballerinas. Today's calendar block is the Pumpkin Patch! It was made by Linda D, one of my Calendar Girls. Pumpkin Patch: 12" Here's my Pumpkin Patch block, sitting on the front porch keeping my real pumpkin company, along with some of our garden tomatoes. I used some Benartex fabrics from their Harvest Keepsakes Collection . Because it's Halloween, I'll share one of my own Halloween quilts from 25 years ago: 8 Block Halloween quilt using a stack 'n whack method Here is the pattern page for my previous Block a Day Calendar (2007 with Martingale). Yes, it's a Drunkard's Path. The block is called Ghost Walk. Those are quarter circles which are appliquéd to squares, my cheater's method for Drunkard's Path! Hope your day isn't fil...

 What? That sounds crazy, doesn't it? But Julia R. took it upon herself to chase them and make them line up perfectly! Will you look at those points? Wild Goose Chase: 12" Julia chose a lovely collection called Duchess by Windham Fabrics. What a special set of reds and blues and blenders. Fat quarters of Duchess by Windham Fabrics There are 16 sets of Flying Geese in that block, and all done beautifully. The center is a perfect place to showcase a lovely print, too. I hope my calendar is on your holiday wish list. It's a quilter's gift that gives all year long. You can find my calendar: on  Amazon at  C&T Publishing and in  Barnes & Noble  stores

 It's never too early to think about Christmas, especially if you're a quilter. We need time to cut and sew and quilt and bind. This new collection by Windham Fabrics -  Jolly Christmas  - has been a fun way to get ready. Not sure where I'm going, so I invited some of my quilting buddies to join me. Here are the fabrics that Windham supplied. Yes, Santa is there in red and green - of course! Jolly Christmas  by Windham Fabrics I first made this Christmas Star using an old pattern from 2006. Those four green Santa print squares are cut 6-1/2". The link for the FREE pattern is below the quilt (Windham Fabrics web site). Jolly Christmas Star : 30" x 30" Then I asked my Calendar Girls to stitch ANY 12" block from my new Quilter's Perpetual Block a Day Calendar they wished. I gave each of them 2-3 fat quarters of this collection. Their deadline was October 1. I'll put the blocks together and it may become a charity quilt for some little kid. Let'...

What's with the Goose going around in circles? I wonder where this block got its name? It's a traditional block that's been around for decades. The block is filled with 16 Flying Geese units - go ahead and count them! It's the block for today, October 24. It was made by one of my Calendar Girls, Kathy G. Gosling Go Round: 12" Don't you just love that collection of animal prints she has been using? They're called Under the Canopy by Windham Fabrics. Let's see those fabrics again: Under the Canopy  by Windham Fabrics That is such a foxy fox! And her supporting prints are fabulous, too. I know Kathy has been enjoying working with them and making sure the animals get front and center in each of the blocks she creates. Thank you, Kathy! You can find my calendar: on  Amazon at  C&T Publishing and in  Barnes & Noble  stores