. . . is having a five month Quiltalong and it's provided free to all. The NMAI is reflecting on our 250th anniversary and . . . "This five-month, mystery-style quilt along invites quilters and anyone interested in quilting to sew along. You don’t need to be an expert quilter to participate." Here is the first block designed by Lauren Good Day. The blocks will finish to 10". I realized that I didn't want to make 5 little bison, so I enlarged one of them by 200%, made my templates (freezer paper), pulled my fabrics and tested my sewing machine stitches on my scraps. I also wanted the bison to be grazing on grass, so I added some green: My fabrics for the NMAI Quiltalong Here is my bison. Yes, she faces west! Now I need a name for Lady Bison. Any suggestions? Bison block #1 Click that link and you will read about the 5 contributors to this wonderful Quiltalong. I can't wait for the Hawaiian designer (Cissy Serrao) to reveal her block in July. I have a suspic...

This is a repost from last year, but I love this block so much!  Not sure why this block has this name, but, that's the way it's been for about 100 years. Here it is from the early 1920s as shared by Ruby McKim for the Kansas City Star (newspaper). Goose in the Pond is the June 3 block in my new  Block a Day Calendar  and it is 15" square. First, the fabrics I chose: Windham Fabrics:  Moonlit  and Solstice Those 9 patch units are small! I did a lot of piecing, but sometimes you have to change your mind as you go. I didn't like the center square to be the light green. So, yes, I took it apart! 5 horizontal sections of the Goose in the Pond Variation Here is my finished block. Whew- what a lot of pieces! But, I do like that center better with one of the Solstice prints, don't you? Goose in the Pond Variation: 15" block I had a similar block in my 2007 calendar and this is how Patricia Bryant photographed it: Goose in the Pond by Patricia Bryant I really like com...

Here is another vintage block updated with today's fabrics. I ran this block in my first perpetual Block a Day calendar (2007, Martingale). And I certainly wanted to include it in my new version. Steps to the Altar: 12" by Patricia Bryant of Australia  But, hey! Wait a minute! That's not how it appears in my NEW calendar after all! There is another block with the same name and that is shown in today's calendar page. Lots of squares and triangles in each block, but they certainly aren't in the same place! This goes to show you that just because blocks have the same name, they do not always look the same. Either way, this would make a lovely quilt for a wedding.

I have revisited many of my first quilts and it brings me happy memories. I hand quilted the early ones and then moved on to machine quilting for speed (to get published). This was the early 1990s. One that falls between the two methods is this machine embroidery quilt I made using some leftovers from a kids' class I taught one summer in Vacation Bible School. I can't remember what we did, but my daughter Hilary helped me as we worked with 5 different classes of kids in one day - whew! These lovely bright print strips were leftover and I combined them with my new Pfaff 7570 designs: 5" blocks; 1/2" sashings; 33" x 44" quilt with 35 blocks How did I do that? I had a Pfaff card with quilt specific designs on it. These would be captured on a 6" square and would then finish to a 5" block. I used 3 layers (top, batting and backing). Each was a mini quilt. Here are some blocks up close: So many quilt blocks stitched in outline! And some more (yes, I adde...

Today I share the last of the Easy Logs Blocks - #4 and #5.  Easy Logs Block #4 for May 26 Block #5 is the block on the far right with the yellow square on point. Easy Logs Block #5 for May 27 Here are all 5: All 5 of the Easy Logs blocks   And, here's the FUN quilt top. Measures 52" x 52". That border fabric is 20 years old and time to be used, right? Easy Logs Quilt: 52" x 52"

Today's block was yesterday's calendar block and uses ONLY strips - no triangles or squares. The center is composed of 2 different sizes of logs (ie, the 3 strips are NOT the same size). Let's see it: Easy Logs Block #3: 8" Let's see it in the 5 block lineup - yes, it's in the center: Five Easy Logs blocks NOW let's see what I mean by companions! I decided to add some English Paper Pieced units that I made several years ago from some REALLY old novelty print fabric. How old? Probably 30+ years! I bought this crazy people print a long time ago: Equinox fabric strips and 2" hexagons I have plans and you will see what I did with these tomorrow. I mixed my Easy Logs blocks with these hexagon blocks and it's such a cute kid's quilt! I realized today I haven't put the border on yet, so - chop, chop - I'm doing that right now! Of course, you will need your own copy of the  calendar  to know how to cut and stitch each of the 12 blocks. Remember...

Today is May 25 and Memorial Day in the USA. It is a day for remembrance of those whom we've lost in defense of our freedom. It's not a day to celebrate but to remember. Yes, there are a lot of barbeques and family get togethers and lots of red, white and blue. My sister Janet has been working with my calendar and stitching a block a month. She made 12 blocks and turned 9 of them into this fabulous quilt for a sick friend. These are 18" blocks! Hey, Hey USA by Janet Gawbill You can do a search here on the blog for "Calendar Girls" or even "Janet" to see her awesome blocks. Here's one I really love and have made it several times myself: Old Glory Star: 18" Thank you, Janet, for being such a trouper to make all these blocks. But, just think: you have a gorgeous quilt for your friend. Let's not forget how "a quilt is not a quilt unless it's quilted." Have a wonderful day wherever you live. (We're getting swamped with rain, bu...