My upcoming pattern, Breakwall (not released yet) lends itself to big blocks, bright colors and a modern design.
I’m known to use bright colors, and a lot of colors, and Breakwall does not disappoint! Although once finished, I had several leftover fabric pieces of the same height but varying widths. There were too many to store and some were just too small. I didn’t want to cut them to a standard size because of too much waste. I also had leftover white strips with the same issues for storage, size, etc.
What else can be done then? Make a quilt top! I knew I didn’t have enough color pieces for a throw size so I decided to make a baby/crib size. Not really having a plan, I basically sewed random leftover pieces to a short-end white strip. Making sure colors complimented one another, I kept the process going until I had around 43″ across or so. I kept going and going until I had 9 strips.
Looking too busy with no break in between strips, I added a white strip for somewhere for the eye to rest. I sewed 4 rows together with sashing, trimming the length to 42″. After sewing it all together and trimming, I had a nice size crib quilt top. It measures 42″ x 51 3/4″. It’s a perfect size for a toddler or small child.
Funnily enough, I have no need for anything this size, but figured there might be a quilter out there who does but doesn’t have time to make one. I also think if you’re learning to longarm, practicing your new skills on a quilt like this would be great.
For whatever need you have, this playful and fun quilt top is for sale in my Etsy shop!
Every new year I look back at all the projects I’d made the previous year. Some years I’m surprised how much I did; other years I’m surprised how much I didn’t make!
2024 was a year where I really didn’t make a whole lot, partly because I was running out of room to store quilts. I wanted to part with some but needed a good cause. I ended up donating 4; three to Hurricane Helene victims in NC and one to fire victims in LA. I strongly felt they needed quilts much more than I needed them sitting in my curio cabinet, so off they went to new owners.
Here’s a look at what was accomplished last year…
In January I released my Classic Plaid quilt pattern; one that I had written a few years prior. It’s beginner friendly and is a really quick sew. It’s available in my Etsy shop. The quilt is also for sale!
In May, I made a cute little clothespin hanger for the drying rack I use outside. It’s nice to make useful items for around the house.
To add to that, I made some decorative pillows for my bed. I had the yardage for a few years, just waiting for the right project and these were definitely it.
In June, I made another Wee Three Trees with leftover fabric from my Winter Woodlands quilt. I ended up selling this mini on Etsy, but it’s always a fun make. Wee Three Trees has been my most popular pattern since its release!
In August, I listed my Love to Sew cross stitch pattern. Again, I’d written it a few years back but somehow didn’t release the pattern then. It was enjoyable to make something different. I’m thinking about a new cross stitch pattern, just got to put the pencil to the paper…
In August, when it was way too hot for any outdoor activities, I’d decided to take a few hundred already trimmed HST and sew them together. I thought I’d make a throw quilt for myself but then realized there weren’t enough HST for anything larger than crib size. I ended up selling this on Etsy.
In November I released my Merry Little Stars mini quilt pattern. One of my all time favorite fabric collections is Evergreen by Basic Grey for Moda. I had just enough left to make the stars and I was lucky enough to find yardage for the borders and binding. I loved having this displayed on my coffee table during the holiday season.
In December I’d gotten back my Winter Woodlands quilt from my longarmer. It’s quilted in swirls and lovely snowflakes. I released this pattern last year, and it was a favorite both seasons. It’s very simple and all you need is a jelly roll and some background yardage. I used Merry Little Christmas by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.
For now, that’s all I can share. 😉
Upcoming, I have a queen sized quilt to be featured in American Patchwork and Quilting. It’s a pattern that allows for so much color and it’s designed for fat quarters. I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone.
In November last year I was so eager to release my Winter Woodlands quilt that I did so before it was completely finished. The pattern cover photo is just the quilt top, but now that it’s professionally quilted and a completed quilt, I’ve got a new cover shot for the pattern.
As I normally do, I had it quilted with thread that blends into the background; in this case, white. The edge-to-edge quilting motif is Becker’s Winter Wonderland by Urban Elementz.
The snowflakes are really detailed and are perfect for this treed pattern. I especially like how they are ‘correct’ snowflakes, having 6 points. I see a lot of 8 pointed snowflakes out there, but, ummm, they’re not right! And I’m speaking from decades of living in a snowbelt region. 😉
Because this pattern is designed for 2 1/2″ strips, I used strips from the jelly roll for the binding. It’s a nice transition from print to print, which coordinates well with the stripey trees.
The backing is a really fun print called Frosty Merry Mints by Wilmington Prints. I just love these snowman gents! The quilt top fabrics are Bella Solid White and Moda’s Merry Little Christmas by Bonnie and Camille.
Winter Woodlands is a one size throw quilt pattern and is great for the confident beginner quilter. And in celebration of my finish, I’m offering the pattern 20% off for the entire week.
It honestly doesn’t take too long to make as it’s a cozy size (55″ x 60 ½”) and it’s an excellent choice for the holidays and chilly winter nights!
There’s plenty of time left to sew a holiday quilt, right? If you’re with me on that, why not check out these beautiful kits from Batiks Plus More.
Julie put these together with, you guessed it, batiks, and what lovely, rich colors. 🙂 She’s still got a few in stock so now’s the time to go shopping. 😉
I released this modern quilt pattern a couple of years ago, offering it in two versions. The original, Holiday Hemlocks and a scrappy version, Scrappy Holiday Hemlocks.
Either version is suitable for the advanced beginner quilter, and it’s so fun to watch it come together.
Both patterns are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.
Whether you sew a kit or use your own stash, Holiday Hemlocks is a great quilt to make for getting into the holiday spirit!
Designed with cuteness and beginners in mind, this little mini is so easy. Here’s why. The stars are made using the stitch-and-flip method so there’s no points to line up or worry about sewing the points off! The triangles on the top and bottom borders are also stitch-and-flip, giving the stars a bit of flair easily.
As far as fabric requirements go, it doesn’t require much; 2 fat quarters, one 10″ square & yardage, but 2 1/2″ precut strips can easily be substituted for the color fabrics. Even scraps will do if you want a scrappy look. And it can be sewn up in a day or weekend.
Here are a few photos of how I made mine. Quilted lines were sewn 1″ apart using a longer stitch length to give a more sophisticated look. The lines are at a 45 degree angle marked with my hera marker. The results are petite squares on point. 🙂
For the stars, I used fabric from Moda’s Evergreen collection by BasicGrey. This is one of my all-time favorite fabric lines but unfortunately it’s long been out-of-print. The triangles around the stars are Riley Blake’s Blossom in silver. The backing is Frosty Merry-Mints by Wilmington Prints.
I wanted a folk pattern for the striped borders (and binding) to coordinate with the green folk-inspired star fabric, so I purchased a BasicGrey red and white dainty print from the Pine Valley collection. I love all the pretty Christmas symbols included.
Merry Little Stars measures 10 1/2″ x 30 1/2″. It’s versatile because it can be displayed as a wall hanging, laid out on your holiday tablescape or set out as a table runner.
With that one finished, I’ve got another one in the works. I used BasicGrey (a huge fan!) Grunge Seeing Stars in yellow and green. Perfect! The striped borders give a candy cane vibe in classic red and white.
I’m excited to put mine out for the holidays and I’m also thinking about making another with non-traditional holiday colors. I think it would look great in any color combo, wouldn’t it?
When organizing fabrics a while back, I rediscovered a box of 2 1/2″ half square triangles I’d saved from various projects throughout the years.
I’m sure my intentions were good when I took the time to square them up and save them, but fast forward some years…I don’t have any projects in mind for their use.
That said, I decided to sew them all together, at random, and make a quilt top. Based on the box contents, it seemed there’d be enough for a nice baby/crib size top but I did have to add a few plain squares to have enough to finish.
Because all the HST had color on one half and a light solid (white, off white or tone on tone) on the other, no matter the position or color, it was bound to make a pretty, colorful top.
I began by chain piecing pairs together. I really enjoy making projects like this where anything goes! As quilters, we’re used to following patterns (of course) but it is nice to take a break and just let yourself create as you go. 🙂
So to me, random meant color and position. Sometimes I matched colors, sometimes not, altogether trying to make sure colors complimented one another. As far as the unit shaping went, some pairs were flying geese while some triangles were in the same or opposite direction. I tried to keep all varieties equal.
The quilt top has a lovely array of colors and fabrics from Art Gallery, Moda, Andover, Windham, Kona and more. Many of the fabrics are discontinued which makes it kind of neat as a throw-back type quilt top.
So, after a several hours, here’s the completed quilt top!
The finished size is 36″ x 41 ¾”, perfect for a baby, toddler or small child—it just needs a quilter! Since I don’t have any little ones, I’m hoping a quilter who does can make a complete quilt out of it. It’s for sale on my Etsy shop.
That’s another project down for the year, again using what I had on hand.
I’ve just finished a new pattern that’s ready to send out for longarming. I’m not sure what’s up next but I’m sure I’ll find something!
Well, I really don’t know how I did it, but after creating this pattern 4 years ago (when I returned to cross stitching), I took photos, etc. but somehow managed to *not* post it.
I wonder whether or not I wrote a blog post about it, forgot about it, deleted it, or what…but the pattern is now for sale in my Etsy shop. Better late than never, as it’s said.
So, here it is, my Love to Sew cross stitch pattern…
Back in 2020, I wanted to combine by love of sewing with my revisited hobby (I was big into cross stitch in the 90s). Then, there seemed to be a resurgence of the craft so I thought I’d try my hand at writing a pattern.
Once finished, it measures 2″ W x 2 1/4″ H (stitched on 14 count Aida fabric). It’s a little design that gives a big message!
What’s more– Love to Sew frames nicely into a 3″ x 4″ or 4″ x 4″ photo frame, so no need for custom framing!
I framed mine in a 4″ square frame. I also had shown it off in a 4″ x 4″ shadow box on a corner shelf for a while.
It’s easily stitched by a beginner and is most certainly a quick finish. I think it’d be great also as a pincushion, Christmas ornament or a wall hanging.
Whether you’re new to cross stitch or have been stitching for years, and you love quilting and/or sewing, personalize it and make it your own with your favorite color combo. 🙂
During the 2019 holiday season, I released one of my favorite patterns, Wee Three Trees. It’s been nearly 5 years now so I thought I’d revisit the pattern and make a new one.
I decided to use leftover fabric from my Winter Woodlands quilt. Since both patterns are 2 1/2″ strip friendly, I was able to use strips from my Merry Little Christmas jelly roll by Moda.
For my new version, I made a slight alteration by easily changing the direction of the right-hand border. By doing so, it gives a bit of a different look which shows that you can take this pattern and add your own little touches.
In addition, I chose solid white for the background instead of tone-on-tone.
I crosshatch quilted my original Wee Three Trees mini as I did this time, too. I love how crosshatch quilting on a rectangle creates diamonds. Classy and timeless!
Otherwise, nothing else differed. This cute little mini quilt goes together relatively quick—you can finish it in a day or it makes a great weekend project. The pattern is suitable for a confident quilter yet is fun for quilters of all skill levels.
Wee Three Trees mini quilt pattern is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, as a PDF download or paper copy.
Remember, it’s not too early to start that holiday sewing!
I’d always loved hanging clothes outside while living in PA, but for the past 12 years I’ve really missed the crispness of line-dried clothes. Since a clothesline isn’t feasible where I’m at now, I purchased a drying rack instead.
Afterwards, I quickly discovered the need for a clothespin bag. I found a few tutorials, blended my favorite parts and made my own version.
Here’s what I did to make mine.
First of all, sizes can vary! Since I can’t dry a lot at once, I needed a smaller bag for fewer pins. Once you decide on bag size, choose your clothes hanger size. For a smaller bag, you’ll need a baby clothes hanger, for larger bag, an adult size hanger.
I had a wooden hanger that measured 12″ which was too big, so my husband cut it down to 9″, evenly taking pieces from each side.
For fabric, I used leftover backing yardage from my On Point Nine Patch quilt for the front and back. For the lining, I used red Shabby yardage by Riley Blake. Fat quarters will also work. Whatever you use, you’ll need 2 each of 2 coordinating fabrics.
To get started, on plain paper, trace your hanger around the top and mark the side, but add a bit more to the sides for some give (approximately 1/4″ per side). This will determine the top shape and width.
Decide your length. I made the length about an inch longer than the width, based on how many clothes pins I would need to fit inside. Add 1/2″ around all sides for seam allowance.
When determining the hole, think about your hand size and allow for pins in your hand to fit easily in and out. Place the hole about 2 1/2″ from the top and centered from side to side.
This is what my pattern looked like before cutting.
Before cutting fabric, cut out the hole on the pattern.
To make the front panel, place the front and lining pieces right sides together. Pin down the pattern using plenty of pins around all edges. Cut outside edges.
Draw a line on the fabric, tracing the circle (do not cut a hole in the fabric). Next, sew along the drawn circle line.
Once sewn, cut out the hole leaving a narrow seam allowance. Clip several small slits in the seam to help it lie flat.
Turn the two pieces right side out and press. Sew a 1/8″ top stitch around the circle.
To help keep the layers together, run a zigzag stitch around the entire outside edge. This will also help reduce fraying.
To make the back panel, place the back and lining pieces wrong sides together. Pin the pattern down then cut along the outside edges, ignoring the hole—don’t cut it out!
To complete the bag, place the front panel on the back panel with the outsides facing. Line up all sides, pin and sew a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Make sure to leave a small opening, approximately 1/2″ to 1″, at the top for the clothes hanger hook. The opening size will depend on the type of hanger. My thin metal hook required a smaller opening.
For extra reinforcement, backstitch on both sides of the hook opening and in the bottom corners.
Before turning right side out, cut off all four corners making sure to not cut any stitches. Once you turn the bag out, poke out corners with a blunted object. Press.
Lastly, insert your hanger.
My finished bag measures 9 1/2″ x 11″
Enjoy your cute clothespin bag and your freshly dried laundry!
After years of the same 2 pillows on my bed, I decided to make new. As usual, using what I already have, I went through my storage drawers and found perfect fabric go-togethers for 3 new pillows.
I planned to make 2 – 16″ x 16″ squares pillows and 1 – 10″ x 18″ lumbar pillow to be placed in front.
For the lumbar pillow, I used a fat quarter from Art Gallery’s Paperie collection. This line is years out of print now, and I’ve had it for a very, very long time.
Also years ago, I was drawn to the Compass print from Andover Fabrics. I’d purchased around a yard so I chose that and a striped polka-dot print from I can’t remember who…
I didn’t sew in zippers, not for any reasons other than 1. they usually show on the bottom unless they’re invisible (don’t have any, don’t know how to sew them). 2. I made pillows recently and hand-sewed the bottom with an intricate blanket stitch which worked well. Additionally, they’re decorative so no need to remove covers for laundering.
For the 16″ pillows, I needed 4 sides which = 12 striped strips and 16 background strips total. I cut all strips 2 7/8″ x 16 1/2″. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance I made 4 panels.
I sewed 2 panels together at the top using the side of my standard foot for the seam allowance. This method allowed me to line up my seams nicely.
To prevent seams from showing through to the front, also to give more loft, I ironed on Pellon Fusible Fleece 987 for a smooth finish.
After attaching the fusible fleece, I sewed the sides and a portion of the bottom, leaving a large enough hole to fit a 16″ square pillow form. I also cut away corners and pushed them out using a blunted stick.
Once the forms were inserted, I pressed a seam at the opening on both panels, pinned them closed, ran a basting stitch then removed pins.
Remember this stuff?
I don’t think it’s made anymore, but one box will last f o r e v e r. I’ve had this for several years and still have plenty left. Since I no longer sew bindings on by hand, I haven’t used it in a long time. But let me tell you, it works like a champ!
Here’s a look at my hand-sewn seams…
I was pretty pleased with the results. And it didn’t take all that long either.
Monday Morning Designs 