Tchotchkes

I am a new member of the @unscriptedquiltsbee. I was very excited to join - there are a total of 11 members. (My first bee block was for the Illusions prompt - you can see it here.)

April, my second bee block, was requested by Charles @feltlikesweets. He asked us to imagine the closet floor of a child in middle school cluttered with tchotchkes. He sent along fabric - reminiscent perhaps of orange shag carpet from when he was a kid? - along with a bag filled with fun items shown above.

We were welcome to make as few or as many as we wanted. We could add items from our own homes as well.

The panel is 14.5” x 28.5” and was a lot of fun to put together. I am particularly proud of the Barbie shoe and the chess piece. Probably the most difficult part for me was letting go on what the right scale was. 

Charles and I are both members of the Triangle MQG and I used time at our retreat last weekend to finish up the panel and hand deliver my block!

Such fun. I'm now ready for the May challenge!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Square Up Quilt

Fat Quarter Shop has released a new pattern called Square Up! I was excited when they asked if I would like to make a sample quilt. (All the information on the pattern will be on the FQS blog.)

The fabric is from Ruby Star Society - Salutations! Precuts and yardage ship in May and I was lucky to get a layer cake to play with for this quilt. The pattern itself it written for fat quarters so there was a bit of (easy) math to adopt it for a layer cake.

The blocks were quite fun to assemble. I deviated slightly from the pattern by making the sashing between rows bigger and increasing the size of the border. The quilt finished at ~ 50" x 70".

Love, love the fabrics I got to play with. The quilt top went together quickly.

For the quilting, I did a simple 3" grid which finishes quickly. 

I plan to donate the quilt to my guild's community giving project. Thanks Fat Quarter Shop for asking me to make this quilt and supplying the fabric!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Orange Overload - My Pantone Challenge Quilt

I've entered the Pantone challenge for the last two years but wasn't so certain that I would do so once I learned that the Pantone Color of the year is Mocha Mousse. (Read about this year's challenge.)

But once I organized my solids into three color families, I found I liked the browns I had - Paintbrush Studios Old Gold, Golden Brown and Toast - with yellows and oranges! So I decided to play with color that is nothing like combinations that I've used before. This quilt is also an experiment playing with the double wedding ring block (see this post) before I tackle one queen sized. As a result, I've scaled down my design for the queen sized quilt - more on that soon.

Thankfully there is an opportunity to link up just the top because I won't have time to get this quilted before the link-up closes. This was true for my prior two entries - they also went into the top only category. The quilt top is 35" x 35".

My 2023 entry for Viva Magenta was my Echo quilt, which hung in QuiltCon and was in QuiltCon magazine. My 2024 entry for Peach Fuzz was Peachy Kean was in Make Modern magazine!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Transforming a Shirt

My sister wanted to create two vests - although initially it was two shirts - from a NY Yankee shirt that belonged to her husband. While I have made quilt coats, I don't consider myself a garment sewer and sewing with jersey fabric is not something I felt comfortable taking on. Plus, there really wasn't enough fabric in one shirt to create two kid sized - size 2 and size 4 - shirts.

After much discussion, she decided two vests would work just fine. She purchased some jersey knit that matched the blue perfectly for the back and lining of the vests along with a vest pattern.

While I used the pattern to cut out the pieces, I made up the remainder of the assembly process! Everything was lined with interfacing and I made a full lining for the vests. The armholes and shoulder seams were left open so I turned the vest/lining inside out and then did some binding around the armholes (see top photo) and covered the shoulder seams.

My sister was thrilled with the finish and my nephews look quite adorable in them. All in all, the project was a fun kind of challenge but it took 8 hours to do, start to finish, which is about twice as much as I expected.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Block Granny Squares

I am new to crochet and, as I've shared before, am busy making a whole bunch of granny squares for a blanket. (Read about the project.) Needless to say that I've not mastered consistent tension so I'm dealing with a bunch of slightly different sizing and a tendency for the squares to roll up.

So I decided to block them!

There are boards you can buy specifically for blocking granny squares but I decided to start with some T pins and use the foam mats that I use for quilt blocking.

I used painters tape to block off squares. Squares are pinned down, spritzed with water and then left to dry overnight. It is working so well!  I am loving these beautiful stacks of squares all sized up!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Experiments with the Double Wedding Ring Block

Way back in 2018, I finished a hand pieced, hand quilted double-wedding ring quilt (see the quilt!) This is one of my all time favorites and hangs on the wall in my sewing room. The ring templates were from a class with Tara Faughnan. 

Now I want to make another, this time bed sized.

After experimenting with cardboard templates drawn in Eq8 and the resulting inaccurate blocks, I purchased these templates and have set about making some practice blocks using a a beautiful palette of oranges and yellows. (Contrast colors will be added!) This palette is an usual one for me and, as such, fits my guilds challenge for this year to make a quilt that takes you out of your color comfort zone!

Not sure how big my orange experiment will be because my ultimate goal is to make a new quilt for my queen sized bed. I purchased a bolt (i.e. 10 yards) of a solid blue with the objective of using some of these yummy fabrics for the rings and other random parts of the block.

Once my practice blocks are done, I will start the cutting and then create kits for myself in preparation for an upcoming guild retreat. Can't wait to play with these fabrics!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Low Volume Scrap Bag

When I was working on upgrading my denim jacket, I created a couple of panels that I ended up not using so I made a bag! I just love it! 

The size of this bag is just perfect. I started with 2 quilted pieces 7.5" tall and 10.5" wide with 1.5" corners cut out before I sewed.

It went together fast and easy and although I have no immediate use for the bag, I am confident that it will get used often. It is so fun!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Blocks and Backs

I enjoy making bright simple pattern quilts to donate to my guilds community giving project. I just got a fun layer cake from Fat Quarter Shop - Ruby Star Salutations! Such fun fabric to work with. The quilt is part of a new FQS pattern release so I look forward to sharing the final quilt in April.

Sorting through my stash and unfinished quilt tops, I came across one I made last year also intended for a donation for our community giving project. 

In addition, I found some large scraps and some smaller quilt tops - perfect for assembling them into a quilt backing! Since these quilts are going to young kids and teens, I like the backing to be colorful.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Granny Square Update

Last fall, I taught myself to crochet - thanks youtube! - and I started making little granny squares using the beautiful 32 color pack of Cotton Chirps from Purl Soho (pictured below). My goal is a blanket - for me! - and I am making great progress on my granny squares. 

Each 25 gram ball makes 5- 6 small granny squares. There were 31 usable colors (the 32nd color is what I am using to outline each square.

Although my original plan was to join them together without the white, I decided it really balances everything out.

I've got squares in 3 different stages. 52 of them are all ready to be joined, all yarn tails buried except for the final one. 58 are awaiting the (tedious) yarn tail burying process. 44 are waiting for their white border.

Then, there are a bunch still to be made from these skeins.

Each square is 4" x 4". Depending how many I add of the gray/black ones, I could end up with a 13 x 13 layout or a 52" square blanket. Giving this was a learning project, some of the my squares are not quite the same size so I may need to block before assembly.

Making these little squares bring me such joy. I am already planning what I will work on next once I get this blanket assembled.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Bee Block - Illusions

I've recently joined my very first bee - the unscripted quilts bee @unscriptedquiltsbee. There are a total of 11 members and what a thrill it was to receive an invite to join.

March was the first month I participated and the prompt was to make an optical illusions block - any size, any fabric colors.

I drafted the FPP pattern with a combination of EQ8 and drawing lines by hand. The pattern was the hard part - once completed, this was a fun and easy sew. 

The block is on its way to E.A. @eacox24.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

The Trail Tote - My Latest Bag!

I really enjoy making bags using patterns from Noodle-head and jumped on making a Trail Tote as soon as the bag was available. The bag was made with faux-leather purchased at QuiltCon from Sallie Tomato (similar to this.)

I made the small size which is just perfect for holding my wallet, sunglass case and my phone. For the lining, I used some pretty fabric my son picked up for me in Japan. I also added a zipped pocket on the inside using netting. 

The idea was to have a pocket to corral small items that might otherwise fall out since the bag has only a magnetic closure. For the pocket on the outside, I carefully cut a rectangle in the outer fabric and lined up the zipper pocket. Since pins would leave marks, I used some painters tape to hold things in place.

I've used it many times so far and it is just perfect!

This is actually the third bag I've made this year - I used the Explorer Tote at QuiltCon and it was perfect for carrying snacks and purchases. I also made the Compass Bag.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

QuiltCon 2025 - The Best Bits

It has been fun to capture my experiences at QuiltCon Phoenix in a series of blog posts. If you missed them, read about My Quilts, The Workshop, and All the Quilts. Today's post is my final post - all the best bits! 

I also have a post of QuiltCon memories from year's past. Phoenix was my fifth in-person show - the others were Savanah, Nashville, Austin, Atlanta, and Raleigh.

Friends - new and old - are what I look forward to each year. For the 3rd year in a row, I shared an AirBnB with my buddies Frances, Kristen, and Jenn. It  is a real treat to hang out at and after the show with them.

I exchanged hugs with people chat with all year on-line and look forward to seeing in person - Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl being one of my favorites! I also got to meet Veruschka @prideandjoyquilting whose quilt Dignity won Best In Show. She is one of the warmest people I've ever met and greeted me genuinely and said she enjoyed my work. Nancy, one of my sisters, joined me Thursday morning and we enjoyed clowning around together in photos. Finally, I recently joined the  @quiltsunscriptedbee and enjoyed meeting everyone at dinner. 

Left top: Members of quiltsunscripted bee - Elizabeth, Sarah, Sarah, Chris, Emily, me, and Charles
Left bottom: Nancy and me
Right top to bottom, Yvonne, Veruschka, and Ellyn (another quiltsunscripted bee member)

QuiltCon fashion is a real thing. There were so many amazing outfits, quilt coats, jackets and bags on display. (I made myself a new bag and wore a jean jacket that I have been busy dressing up!) One of the most unique outfits was worn by Lorelai @pigs.in.a.blanket.quilting and her mom. Lorelai is 15 and won first prize in the youth category with her quilt Magnetized. The MQG captured lots of fashion on their IG - check it out.

Volunteering is something I look forward to every year and this time did not disappoint. I was able to only work one shirt - Wednesday during registration. At first, I was a greater along with Heather @fire4hairlady. Then I got 'promoted' to photographer and assisted with the selfie station!

Being fortunate enough to have two quilts in the show, I enjoyed a bit of quilt stalking.... essentially standing back from the quilt and watch people's reaction. I did not do this as much as I've done in prior shows but it was still fun!

And then there is always the shopping. I was not searching for anything particular but have fallen in love with the Ruby Star bear so sought out the fabric in different colorways. I also got some vegan leather (not pictured) which I've already made into a bag that I will share soon.

A series of four blog posts doesn't really adequately cover the show but the posts at least give me an opportunity to capture some highlights. I do want to thank the amazing MQG staff for their work in pulling off this show every year. They are the best!

QuiltCon will be in Raleigh (!!!!) in 2026 and then return to Phoenix in 2027.

You can read wrap-up posts from prior years - Raleigh 2024, Atlanta 2023, QuiltCon Together 2021, Austin 2020, Nashville 2019, and Savanah 2017.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

QuiltCon 2025 - All the Quilts

QuiltCon has been over for several weeks yet I am still thinking about the show, meeting new and old friends and all the quilts. Each time I see quilts shared in someone else's QuiltCon recap, I find quilts that I have no memory of seeing ever before yet I am positive I saw every quilt in the show more than once!

(This is part 3 of my series on QuiltCon 2025. For more QuiltCon recap, read about My Quilts and The Workshop. I hope to have one final wrap-up post later this week.)

Dignity by Veruschka Zarate @prideandjoyquilting won Best in Show. I'd seen photos of her progress on IG but to see the quilt and the perfectly aligned back in person was just amazing! I had the opportunity to meet Veruschka in person - she is amazingly welcoming and kind.

I walked the show floor several times. At first, carefully reading each quilt story, sometimes with a friend and sometimes by myself. I then walked back through categories stopping to gaze at what caught my eye.

I captured photos of my favorites. That said, as other people share, I keep getting surprised by quilts that I am certain I saw but have no memory of!

These are shown here in no particular order.

First up is the fabric challenge category. There were so many amazing entries that it was hard to pick a favorite. (My quilt Arcturus was in this category.)

Top row: Unboxed by @paulasteel.quilts, Gegenwind by @alpsandoceanquilts, Chesire by @stephskardal (2nd place winner)

2nd row: Unplugged by @jenngeorgeburt, Arturus by me @elmstreetqults, and Quilts' View by @smallhenstudio

3rd row Compass Star by Debbie Schultz,  Flutterby @betsy.vinegrad, and Urban Equalizer by @sarahruiz

Color! There were so many quilters that dazzled me with their color choices and placements. Here are just a few.

1st row:  Countercurrent by @barbdanzi (2nd Place winner), Serenity by @modernstitchwitch and X Factor by @karin_rabe_vance

2nd row: Another Dance with the Dragon by @modernstitchwitch, Is Neon A Neutral by @jeeasterly and Light Me Up by @peache.and.patchwork (1st place winner)

3rd row Sliced by @dramystitches, Square Bloom by @jowoquilts and Neural Overlap by @jeanne.garcia

And then there are the quilts that make me smile. The first two rows were the playful ones, the bottom row were the map quilts. (I want to make a map quilt someday.)

1st row:    Blobs by @Dre_Luciole_Quilts, Oasis by @cassandra.beaver, and Propagate by @emilywattsquilts

2nd row: Levitation by @salsquilts, Graduation Day by @scaseyquilts and Desperados by @hixsonir

3rd row:   Sidewalk Repair by @studioquilts, Harrison Map by @bimbambuki_blog, and Rock Harbor, Isle Royale by @shea.making.doing

I always enjoy the handwork category. I aspire to enter a handwork quilt into the show one day. These were my favorites.

 In Jordan Year (Quilt of Golden Delights) @laurahartrich hand embroidered a delightful experience each day for a year. (This quilts won People's Choice award.)   The stitching in Moving On by @psbquilts enhanced the color transition between blocks. The Isomeric by @thequiltedhand was made as a gift to her third miscarriage.

This final batch were another amazing group of quilts I went back to see more than once.

1st row: Nurturing the Pod @janemadlyquilting, Figure Study 5 by @kerrimcqueengreen, and CandiLand 2: Carnival by @candipursuits

2nd row: Alecia Beth (aka Pink) by @quiltedpeacock, Exist Out Loud by @exhaustedoctopus, and NYC Fire Escapes by @sewingp

3rd row: Erratic Connotation by @catlucia, Fanciful by Mackenzie Leake, and Orange Blast by @mili.tra

Finally, I was invited to contribute a block to @flourishingpalms potholder quilt. It was a fun project to be a part of. Linda has a bunch of posts with quilts from QuiltCon including a group shot of some of the contributors - read it here.

There were so many amazing quilts in the show. Can't wait for QuiltCon 2026 back in Raleigh!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

QuiltCon 2025 - The Workshop

I've got several posts planned to capture all the magic that was QuiltCon. You can read about My Quilts in a prior post. There are 2 or 3 more posts to come.

Each year I enjoy taking a half-day workshop. I typically choose the topic based on the instructor - I want someone that I admire and have not had the chance to take a class with. This year, I took Kitty's @nightquilter course Improv Piece Your Life. Kitty is a friend and was a contributor to my Patent Pending quilt which was on display QuiltCon 2023.

We made several different kinds of improv blocks. The most exiting was small inset circles - I'm holding it in the picture above with Kitty. Patience and glue were the key ingredients for success.

We modeled the blocks after Kitty's amazing quilt that tracked her life in summer 2023. The quilt top is not yet complete but it looks amazing.

If you ever have the chance to take a workshop with Kitty, I highly recommend!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

QuiltCon 2025 - My Quilts

Phoenix was the site of QuiltCon for 2025 and I had a terrific time! The conference center was really nice with plenty of wide open spaces for the quilts and the vendors. 

I arrived on Wednesday, spent time with my sister visiting the Botanical Gardens and then did my favorite volunteering shift during registration. (If you've an upcoming visit to Phoenix, I would highly recommend spending time at the gardens.)

I was fortunate enough to have two quilts juried into the show. Showing them off to my sister Thursday morning was priority one! (She encouraged a fun photoshoot too.)

For fellow Trekkies, Island in the Sky is my rendition of the utopian island featured in TOS “The Cloud Minders” episode.

Inspired by Irene Roderick’s Dancing with the Wall book, the creation process for this quilt was a slow dance as I worked through different book chapters to create a pile of improv units over the course of several months. Overall, the final dance with the design wall was an incredibly fun and playful experience.

This is one of my all time favorite makes and it was thrilling to see it in the show. It was in the Small Quilts category.

Arcturus, a red-giant star, is the 4th brightness star in the Northern sky. It is easy to find for amateur stargazers (like me!) by following the curve of the Big Dipper's handle - extend the curve beyond the handle and you’ll find Arcturus. The star can be found right overhead in the summer night sky. 

The quilt design was loosely based on the concept of a medallion quilt and was a fun challenge to assemble.

Arcturus was in the Fabric Challenge category. The other quilts in this category were just spectacular and one of my favorite group of quilts to explore.

I wore my work in progress denim jacket while at the show. I think I got more compliments on it then my quilts! :-)

I plan a series of posts about QuiltCon in the next week or so as I have done in the past. For a summary of previous QuiltCon memories, see this post.

Have a wonderful day! Patty