Well, what's a kimono without props? I designed this block about 25 years ago for paper piecing. Then I turned it into one for rotary cutting and sewing. I call it my Japanese Lantern. It is the April 17 block in my upcoming Block a Day Calendar by C&T Publishing. Japanese Lantern: 9" I realized (too late) that I should have made it 12" so that it can be used with the Kimono from yesterday. So, I will offer this to calendar owners in the 12" size, too. Once it comes out I will make that announcement. Then the two blocks can go together! Here is a digital file created 25 years ago for Quilt Magazine. The kimono is slightly different, but this is how I envision the two blocks together in a simple quilt: All I need to do is add a simple strip to the bottom of the Lantern to make it the 14" height. Here are two blocks I made yesterday using the Equinox Collection by Benartex. I am going to remake them one more time using a lighter blue for the Lantern (and a lar...

Today is April 16 and the block featured in my new calendar is the Kimono. Wanna see? Tiny Kimono Oh, dang! How'd that slip in? But, isn't this cute? I made a 4 x 6 postcard about 20 years ago and even found some sandals I could cut out and attach. Here's a quilt made using the calendar block. I just gave this to a dear friend last week. She was SO delighted! Bamboo Garden Kimono quilt The block in the calendar is 12" x 14" ( The blocks in the quilt above are larger.  )Yes, they are 12" x 14"! I just checked.  And you can get the pattern for the quilt above in my Etsy store . The calendar is due to hit your local quilt shops and Amazon by mid June. It is published by C&T Publishing - check out their Facebook page to see all sorts of other gorgeous craft book offerings. (Evidently their page was shut down for 2 years and they had to start all over again! What a shame) New Block a Day Calendar The Kimono block is easy and quick. And it's NOT squar...

I had a request yesterday from someone for my Hearts on Fire quilt pattern. I realized I didn't have it up at my Etsy shop, so I reactivated it. Do you remember this? All raw edge appliqué using batiks. Hearts on Fire : 46" x 63" I made this quilt almost 25 years ago. I donated it for a charity fund raiser (never doing that again!) and I truly hope the new owner treasures it. Here are a few of the steps I took when I made a smaller quilt using some Benartex fabrics: Five block Hearts on Fire What's fun is that when you cut out the larger hearts, you get a small heart as a bonus! A left and right half-heart with bonus tiny heart halves Then, as you cut using freezer paper as your template, you can get another set of small hearts out of the fabric rectangles. Here is a single block from the front after stitching. The rectangle halves are stitched FIRST, and then joined with the center vertical seam. Single heart block Here is a closeup from the back. Yes, I clipped awa...

Number 19. I'm not kidding! This is quilt calendar #19. And she's coming to a quilt shop (or Amazon) near you. Mine came last week and here is the photo before I even tore off the plastic covering. Perpetual Block-a-Day calendar by C&T Publishing I was playing around with some Benartex fabrics last month and made this lovely Ribbon of Promise (the October 1 calendar block). Pieced Ribbon: 14" x 14" And the Double Hearts block from January (why I didn't put it into February, I don't know!) Double Hearts: 16" x 16" I have a few dozen quilts that feature many of the blocks. One of the blocks is my Boomer. I made this quilt 30 years ago and decided to put the block into the calendar. Obviously, I've embellished her with a little ruffled skirt and blooming flowers at her feet. Isn't she cute? She appears in July. Boomer: 9" x 9" And a fun quilt that I've made a few times - using 3 different 10" blocks that are simplified log...

 I love inspiration from vintage blocks. Home Circle is a perfect pattern for many fabrics. I like good contrast and  that's what is happening in this orange quilt. Yes! I said orange! I had this quilted last week and just put the binding on yesterday. Blocks are 15" x 15". This is going to our local guild's charity outreach (probably an adult who doesn't mind orange). Home Circle : 45" x 52" Or maybe I should view it this way: Home Circle turned 1/4 Here is another version I've made (and have given away). This uses a gorgeous "marble" group by Michael Miller. Home Circle with 7 blocks: 60" x 60" Here it is lying flat so you can see all the blocks and sashings. Notice the top and bottom vertical strips. This makes for a "square" quilt because those strips are 1/2 the width of the blocks (2 half strips per row make for another "block.") Home Circle with borders And one made digitally using some daisy themed pri...

Well, I don't have any real ones to speak of. My wedding band has a few chips. I didn't get an engagement ring (my call). But I have FABRIC jewels and they are lovely! This is my  Scrappy Diamonds to Jewels  quilt which was a workshop for a few years. Scrappy Diamonds to Jewels : 48" x 52" Here is one I made almost 30 years ago where I incorporated some vintage crochet flowers and an awesome basket into the quilt. This now lives with my oldest daughter who loves things like this. Jewels begin as diamonds. You don't need templates. They are easy to cut using your standard ruler with 60 degree lines - any size. These were cut 4-1/2" from flat side to flat side. Taking the tip off one end (there is a formula for this!) Removing small triangle to make the diamond a jewel And my stack of jewels ready to be combined with small plain triangles. Then, I added some Kona Snow triangles to two short sides of each jewel and joined them in sets of 6. Of course, no y-seams...

 Yes, that's what I said! The same shapes in larger sizes, but not pieced by hand. This is a block I wanted to make from the perpetual calendar by Katja Marek. It appears on February 10. February 10 block stitched by machine Let's look at the parts:. Oh, no! There's going to be a y-seam! This is why I always make a sample block before I commit to the fabrics chosen for my project. 3 block parts in sample fabrics I was able to rotary cut the 3 patches easily. I wanted a 6" high finished block. Looks like I managed the y-seam! Here is my set of 6 pieced hexagon blocks with added triangles so that it would make a nice center: But, I ran out of the light print fabrics and had to piece one of the triangles. Do you think it will make a difference? Here it is from the front, up close and personal. I decided to add some borders. I began with a green from a Kaffe Fassett scrap pile, but didn't like it. Rip, rip! I found a wonderful stripe that goes well with the inner fabri...