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...

Today's block is the Easy Logs #2. Same logs on the outside with an hourglass in the center. These Easy Logs blocks finish to 8". Easy Logs Block #2 - 8" finished  Let's see all 5 of them together again: Five Easy Logs Blocks Very simple. Very fat quarter friendly. I was using fat quarters of the Benartex Equinox Collection for these and it was fun to not have to think about pulling fabrics. They go together so well! Equinox fabrics by Benartex Of course, you will need your own copy of the  calendar  to know how to cut and stitch each of the 12 blocks. Remember, if you don't have yours yet, the 15% off coupon is still available until the end of this month (May).

Yes, I did say EASY and these truly are. And when they are put together into a quilt, they create a lot of movement. I will be featuring each block individually, but here they are together: Five of the Easy Logs Blocks using Benartex Equinox fabrics Here is Linda D.'s block #1. Easy Logs Block #1 by Linda D. My friend Jan Jolly made a quilt using this block over 20 years ago. Here it is: Easy Logs Quilt by Jan Jolly: 64" x 76" You can see the calendar block for today on the left in the top photo. I went on to design 4 more and they'll be shared in the next 4 days. Stay tuned! And I'll show you how I've combined them with some fun novelty prints for a great kid's quilt.

Today is May 22 and my calendar block today is a whopping 16". But it has a lot of parts and is stitched in diagonal rows, so that can be a challenge.  First, let's see the block as it appears in the calendar. Actually, it was recolored in lovely blenders by the C&T graphic artist, so it looks a lot better in the calendar ! Antique Album: 16" I cut and stitched it several months ago using the Benartex Collection of blenders called Equinox. Here are the parts: Patches are sewn along the diagonals Here is the block sewn: Antique Album in Equinox fabrics: 18" And here is a quilt made using 9 of these Antique Album blocks. This was made by my friend and fellow editor Jean Ann Wright. It appeared in my second book, Supersize 'Em Quilts (2009). If you have a copy, it's on page 76! Secret Garden Album by Jean Ann Wright: 72" x 72" And, yes, the "album" part of the block's name is for that center white fabric for gathering signatures in a ...