Friend Retreat

Spent time this past weekend with 7 quilting friends at a retreat center near Ashville NC. We drew names ahead of time to put together little gift bags for each other. My person collects pin cushions. I had fun putting this one together although adding the crushed walnuts was an adventure! I rounded out her gift with some fun socks, a mini fabric bundle and a small tomato pincushion.

In return, a very generous friend gifted me a wonderful selection of low volume fabric!

The layout for our sewing tables was a bit tight of space once you had eight people sitting and constantly getting up to press or cut fabric but we made it work. I was one of the first to arrive and grabbed what turned out to be a perfect spot in the corner!

I brought along multiple projects - of which I finished none of them! 

1. I was testing an upcoming pattern and decided I wanted to make a change to the one of the colors so instead of finishing, I ended up making most of the blocks but not assembling. 
2. My second project (seen on the design wall) was to FPP a phrase for a wall hanging. By plan, I made the letters only and will assemble the wall hanging at home. 
3. Had a bee block to work on for November's prompt. While I had the time and the fabric to finish, I wasn't sure I liked where it was headed so I put it aside
4. Started a 2 color FPP of a coyote for a mini quilt and after sewing for about 20 minutes, realized I reversed the colors and the coyote was going to be sky colored. Will reprint and restart this project now at home.
5. Started big stitch quilting my project from a May workshop

I am so very fortunate to have such a fun group of friends for a quilting getaway. So many laughs and far too much food! Our next retreat is in April!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Ruby Star Economy Quilt Finish

Way back in October 2024, I started making economy blocks as my retreat sewing project. They were fun to assembly - so many cute images. Finishing the quilt was a goal for this year but it took a back seat to the quilts I made for QuiltCon.

The smaller blocks went on the back along with leftover large scraps. Making a pieced back is not a favorite thing for me but I think it worked out just fine for this quilt.

A spiral quilting design is one of my all time favorites! This quilt is just for me! It will hang out on the chair in my sewing space and get much use when I sit and read or stitch.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Celebration of My QuiltCon 2026 Entries

With QuiltCon submission behind us (whew!), I wanted to share a sneak peak of the four quilts I submitted to the show. While each quilt brought its own set of challenges, I am very proud of my work and want to celebrate my submissions!

From left to right:

• Happy Dance was entered into Improv. This quilt was such fun to make. The bright colors make me happy.

• Lavender Marmalade was entered into the diamond challenge. I did a lot (for me) custom walking foot quilting which resulted in so, so many threads needed to be buried.

• Play Time! was entered into group/bee quilts and is the result of a collaboration with my @quiltsunscriptedbee friends.

• 1 1 2 3 5 8 was entered into the fabric challenge. This is the first quilt I’ve entered into the show that is entirely hand quilted.

I'll post more information about these quilts soon. Until then, fingers crossed that some of my quilts will hang in the show in Raleigh. Congratulations and good luck to everyone who submitted!

Have a wonderful day! Patty