The Squash Blossom Block? What? Are we talking food? No, that's the name of the block and it appears in my Quilter's New Perpetual Block a Day Calendar . (Click that link for 15% off!) And the Sewalong is featuring selected fabrics from the Benartex Superior Solids Collection. Here are the six I chose (and only used 4 in my block). Superior Solids by Benartex Fabrics They heard that they were going to star in a block and insisted on being photographed with the popular new calendar . I had to comply! THIS IS A PHOTO HEAVY POST - SCROLL THROUGH AND YOU WILL GET ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS SIMPLE BLOCK WITH A FEW STITCHING TRICKS! Link to the 3 page pdf: Squash Blossom Block Let's get going on how I created this simple block. Here's the calendar image and then you'll understand the cutting and piecing a little better. Squash Blossom block in calendar  (on sale until May 31!) Rectangles, triangles and yes - I FORGOT TO LABEL FOR THE SQUARES! Yikes! But, I...

Tweet, tweet! I overlooked these two lovely blocks created by two of my Calendar Girls. They are the April 19 block (which was Sunday). But it's better late than never, right? Bird Tracks is a 12" block. Isn't this sweet with the little birdies ready to tweet on that porcelain flower bed? This was made by Julia R. She chose to use a stripe in those larger squares and oriented the stripes in two directions. Bird Tracks by Julia R. - 12" She has been using the Duchess Collection by Windham Fabrics: Kathy G. also made the Bird Tracks block. She has been working with Under the Canopy fabrics, also by Windham. Here is Kathy's Bird Tracks block, using that awesome animal print in the center square! Bird Tracks by Kathy G. Thank you, Julia and Kathy, for such lovely blocks. I know they're close to having a dozen blocks made with their collections. It will be awesome to see them all together! Check your local quilt shop for my calendar. It's also back in stock wit...

Yes, another free quilt pattern! What can I say? I've been designing for fabric companies for 20+ years and many of the companies have removed those free patterns from their web sites (except for Windham). I designed and made a quilt for Blank Quilting and called it Color Blox Stars . That link will take you to my own website ( QuilterbyDesign ) where you will find the pdf. But, first, let's see the Sister's Choice block! Yes, it's a nice, 15" size. Here's a photo of my sister Janet's block: Sister's Choice by Janet G. And a block I made almost 15 years ago: Sister's Choice Here's a photo of the real quilt I stitched using this Tribecca Collection. Yes, the center of the blocks are a single piece of fabric and not the 9-Patch. But, if you've got the calendar you have the option of using either one. These are 15" blocks with sashing and borders. Color Blox Stars : 65" x 65" And I used 2 other colorways of the collection. First,...

Today is April 18 and the block today is Double Squares. I have two contributions by my Calendar Girls AND a FREE quilt pattern that I designed for Windham Fabrics several years ago. First block is by Barb R. Double Squares: 12"   Second block is by Kathy M. Double Squares: 12" I made the block using a 2016 Benartex collection called "What's in My Pantry?" I wanted to feature the chili peppers in the center. Check out this blog post to see all the steps! Here are the parts: Double Squares block parts And stitched: Lots of chili peppers! And what about a center block with a black background? Yes, the stripes in these two blocks go in different directions! You can see the tutorial on how to cut your striped fabric so they all go in the same direction. One more block with chili peppers! And here's the link to a quilt made using the Double Squares block and a Windham Fabrics collection called "South of the Border." That cactus block in the center is...

Yesterday you saw my Kimono quilts and pattern . Today I'm featuring my Japanese Lantern. It is 9" in the calendar, so it's a different size than the 12" x 14" Kimono. Here is one made by my Calendar Girlfriend, Diann C. Japanese Lantern She has been sewing with the Tempest Collection by Windham Fabrics: Tempest Collection I stitched a Lantern block several months ago. Here's mine: 9" Japanese Lantern Here is some digital artwork from 25 years ago when I patterned this for Quilt Magazine. My Kimono pattern is different than my calendar block. Very simple arrangement of 4 blocks. I hope you are enjoying seeing all these fun blocks in so many different fabrics. Check your local quilt shop for my  calendar . It's also back in stock with C&T and other retailers! on  Amazon at  C&T Publishing and in  Barnes & Noble  stores

Today is April 16 and I resized one of my Kimono patterns to 12" x 14" - not a square! Why? Well, because it looks better that way! Here is the block as I made it last year using a blender collection by Benartex called Equinox. Kimono: 12" x 14" Let me show you my 3 kimono quilts - yes, three! But, first, a tiny postcard I created about 20 years ago where I actually cut out those fabric shoe motifs and added them to the front. Isn't this cute? Tiny kimono postcard Here is the first quilt I stitched with the very simple Kimono block (12" x 14"). I created this for a class I taught in Atlanta almost 20 years ago! Bamboo Garden Kimono quilt : 43" x 56" Then I used a wonderful Asian inspired collection by Windham Fabrics called Sashiko: Four block Kimono quilt Then I made nine blocks using some Kaffe Fassett fabrics. I was stumped on how to make my fabric stretch for those borders and then decided to add those squares on point! No piecing! 9 Bloc...

Today is April 14. (Did you finish your taxes . . .?) The calendar block for today is Rising Sun. We all look for the sun every morning and when it comes out from behind the clouds, it's an amazing sight to see. Here is the block as it appears in my calendar, along with the fabric patches waiting to be joined. I used the Equinox Collection by Benartex. Rising Sun: 18" The center square is a whopping 9" (finished) and is the perfect place for an awesome print. It's sort of boring in these lovely blenders . . . . . . so I took it upon myself to fill it in with a small Grandmother's Flower Garden (GFG) using English Paper Piecing. Rising Sun with GFG in center I haven't attached it yet. I'm still thinking. I have included 49 blocks that finish to 18" in my calendar ! What a quick way to get a quilt done, right? Do you have your copy yet? Check your local quilt shop for my calendar. It's also back in stock with C&T and other retailers! on  Amazo...