You know about my 2016 QALs (Quilt Alongs), but let me tell you about a few others that are in partnership with my publisher (Martingale). Seems like quilt-alongs (QALs) are everywhere right now—boy, are they are hot! Online QALs are a great way to meet online friends who share your passion for patchwork. Plus, you get the  inspiration to start a project  and  the motivation to complete it.  Your online friends will be cheering your progress all the way to the finish line! Here’s a quick look at the latest QALs being hosted by Martingale authors, along with a special QAL hosted by our friends at  American Patchwork and Quilting  that features Martingale’s fearless leader, Jennifer Keltner. A big PLUS in our book! This one you are familiar with. While it does REQUIRE the purchase of my perpetual quilt calendar (ie, it's not tied to any one calendar year), it gives you 12 quilt patterns (not just blocks)! You can find the link to this here: 2016 Calendar Girls QAL

First, I must announce the winner to the Oh, Fudge 10" square bundle of fabrics from Benartex. Nancy R. of Virginia is the lucky winner. Congratulations, Nancy! I make a LOT of samples. Some to test my own patterns before I teach. Some, just to play with fabric (what fun, huh?) I gave these four to Kathy Gray of Virginia who donated her longarm services to finish them off. Let me show them to you, ok? Since my original Butterfly quilt was stolen in 2005, I remade it using some fun bright prints. This is 38" x 56"and has gone to a specific hospital wing here in Fairfax, VA called the Butterfly Unit. I understand it is not a happy place as it's full of sick children who are gravely ill. They ask for quilt donations with a butterfly theme. Now my quilt is really happy, to be able to cheer up an ill child! Bright Butterflies at Night This quilt was just a test-drive using hexagons. No set in seams, of course. And I used my tried and true Magical Mitering Te

I pulled out my Stacked Hearts pattern and created a freezer paper stencil so that I could free motion quilt in a whole cloth manner. First, I traced the applique onto the paper side of freezer paper. Stacked Hearts appliqué pattern Then I cut it out and ironed it to the center of a shaded pink rectangle of fabric. Layered with Warm and Natural batting and a backing. Selected pink thread to blend with the pink. Iron freezer paper template to center What was my approach? First, I would stitch around the  Stacked Hearts  template. Then, I peel off the paper and free motion quilt INSIDE the hearts. Then, I quilted outside the shapes. Simple. Easy. It sure is better than following a stencil. Just a simple outline. The rest is just doodling.  Now the fun begins. Let's see the first quilt I made, under the HQ Sweet 16 needle: Stacked Hearts quilt being quilted. Yes, those are my humble machine quilting helpers And can we see the quilt, huh? Stacked Hearts min

FINALLY have a winner of the 10" bundle of Fudge fabrics. Nancy R. of Virginia is the lucky winner. I have NEW POLICY. There is a 24 hour limit from the time I select a winner and I've notified her (or him). Then I pick another person. If you don't check your email but once or twice a week (and I did have someone take an entire week to get ahold of me, after I chose a second name!) - then I apologize ahead of time. My blog, my rules, my prizes. If that doesn't sit well with you, then, OH FUDGE I say! Yes, it's true. I feature Fudge today that contains no calories. You can consume as much as you wish and not fear gaining a single pound. 10" Square bundle of the Oh Fudge Collection by Benartex Today is Technique Tuesday over at the Sew in Love with Fabric blog ( Benartex ) and I have a quick tutorial using these luscious, no-calorie fabrics. Quite yummy! I selected 6 of the squares to go with some letters I made last February using a reds collec

Just wanted to show you some new quilts that are new workshops. I begin teaching these in March for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo . First comes Atlanta and then Lakeland, Florida. A week off and then to Cleveland, OH. Ezekiel's Crown is a paper piecing project that adds curved piecing. It is not for novices but for those wanting to learn several techniques to expand their skills. Not hard, just takes a little time to put it all together. Don't you love the center? It's what I call "When Four Blocks Make Five." Ezekiel's Crown Quilt Second is Patty's Summer Parasol , a redo of an old, traditional block. This is a variation on a Double Wedding Ring (can you believe it?) It appeared in newspapers in 1953. Can you believe these templates? Patty's Summer Parasols 12" Blocks. Paper Pieced Arcs And the paper pieced arcs: Pixie Sticks is returning from last fall, since I did not teach it yet in Atlanta, Lakeland or Clevela