I have always loved to recycle. In fact, I was recycling items before there was even a word for it (back in the early 1960s). And recycling magazine articles that I wrote 20 years ago is something I also love to do. As you know, I was an editor with Quilt Magazine for 14 years (1993-2007) and published hundreds of quilts and almost 1,000 technique articles (yes, that's true!) One that I just re-discovered is from Sampler Quilts 2003. It's my Hexagon Sampler Blocks. It wasn't associated with a real quilt, just some blocks I designed and provided steps for making (along with templates). Parts to Baby Blocks using Meadow fabrics by Windham I reused the patterns for one or two of my 18 Block a Day calendars. Here is the way the entry for 2010 appears. I created 6 blocks in a simple setting. These use English Paper Piecing. Hexagon Sampler from my 2010 Block a Day calendar The blocks finish to 9". I've made all of them using the Meadow Collection by Windham Fabrics . I ...

If you've had trouble leaving a comment on my blog in the past few months, please know that I was alerted to this and made a change just this morning. Google did something to ostracize those without Google accounts. First, a quilt so you can be entertained! One of my Christmas quilts recently finished. Seasons Greetings Panel Quilt: 42" x 44" Now, back to Google. I want to hear from you if you want to leave a comment! I love knowing what you think of what I share here. If you try to leave a comment and it doesn't work, send me an email: kratovil@his.com More quilty stuff: This is a candle mat I made with that same collection (Seasons Greetings by Benartex) in 2014. I used the very last of the panels on the back: Back of Seasons Greetings quilt (6 extra panels) Now, back to Google. They have turned off the notifications via email for me - and I own the blogger account! I have to remind myself to visit my own page because I no longer get emails about new posts. I can...

Just when I think I'm done with a particular pattern, it shouts at me from another room and I have to pay attention! My sister in law asked for a cheering-up quilt for a friend whose husband is going through chemo. She sits with him during his treatment and Sarah thought it would be nice to have something cuddly on her lap. Hence, she chose this Stacked Kites quilt I made a few years ago.  Stacked Kites quilt : 44" x 54" I taught a Rose Star class a few years ago and even had a simple template made to make cutting those kite shapes easier. Here is my Rose Star class sample: Rose Star table topper Here's my simple acrylic template (I have not a single one left): Kite template for 5" kites You may even have one of the "specialty" rulers on the market. They are cumbersome to operate, especially the Clearview Triangle that came with NO INSTRUCTIONS for cutting kites. I asked them about that. Crickets. (It's a $27 ruler, btw) Creative Grids Kite ruler (...

I shared this post a few years ago and then up popped an ad from Connecting Threads about the fabric collection today. I pulled out my blocks and remaining yardage using  Warp and Weft  by Benartex.                                    Here is a repeat post that also is a fun tutorial: Warp and Weft  by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr of  Modern Quilt Studio  debuted in early 2019. These fabrics are not your ordinary cottons that are surface dyed, but are wovens with colored threads. As soon as I saw them I knew just what I'd like to stitch with them. My tried and true " Yikes! Those Stripes " pattern is a go-to anytime there are fabrics such as these in my studio. I featured these when they first came out and I came upon the blocks hanging in my closet the other day. I think I need to make some more. Let's see what I said about them 2+ years ago: First, the fa...

. . . for now, at least! (Check last week's posts to see the other 3 quilts I made with many of the same fabrics.) I emptied my workshop box of all the blocks and parts using the same fabrics and found that I could squeeze one more quilt out of them! Added a lovely yellow print for the setting triangles and here she is! Holiday Splendor #2: 46" x 48"  These are the units I put together with larger triangles. These went on the back: Diamonds and triangles I had lots of red diamonds with small yellow triangles. Two different reds, but when you're trying to squeeze another quilt out, it's ok if they don't "match." I put the units shown above together for the center of the quilt back! I made two of these. Found an awesome print at Joann's last week and pieced the back. What do you think? I wanted to make sure there was a rod pocket at the top but ran out of the main print. Found something with similar colors. It works and more than that - the quilt i...

This fun collection of holiday mice dancing and gift giving and generally getting into some mischief has been with me for over 10 years. I made 2 kids' quilts and gave them away, but still had some block parts.  One of 6 block/units featuring these mice I had some stars left over from another quilt using the same yellow and red prints. I discovered about 1/2 yard of the yellow and jumped for joy - now I had enough for this last quilt. Here is the first mouse quilt. I used my Hexagon Wreath and Stars pattern (first published with Creative Grids rulers). Hexagon Wreath and Stars: 40" x 45" https://www.etsy.com/listing/824780000/hexagon-wreath-and-stars-quilt-pattern This is the blue and white quilt that was made first. Compare this with the red quilt above. Same everything, but the white borders made everything float after the stars! Hexagon Wreath and Stars: 39" x 43" I had enough of the mouse prints to make a second quilt. A little funky with those split stars,...

What? Is my iron flat? Is it still hot? What am I talking about?! Well - this vintage inspired quilt from 2000 which I made using some lovely reproduction 1930s prints. 1930s Flat Iron: 70" x 83" Just two sizes of triangles create this 10" x 11" block. I set it with a white/cream solid, squared up the sides and then added that appliquéd border. I plan on giving this to my dear daughter for Christmas. She loves all things 1930s and it has sat in my closet for too long. I know she will treasure (and use) it! To me, this has the flavor of a Sugarloaf block. I've made several quilts using that vintage block. Here's one that is made with Christmas colors: Magic Triangles (Sugarloaf): 32" x 43" I disguised the 6 blocks by putting them together two by two. Here's one of the 6 blocks. Magic Triangles Block: 12" x 14" I made a LOT of extra block parts and pulled open the box the other day. I was able to make not one, but TWO more quilts. I...