What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

When I showed you the beginning of this block design and construction, I had printed out the foundation pattern using the EQ automatic grouping and numbering. I cut the pieces apart and started in sewing, then I noticed a problem. One of the sections would have a y-seam.

I pulled up the design in EQ8 again, and set the foundation export to group and number the sections manually. This way, I can eliminate the y-seam. Now, I have four sections with all straight seams, and one triangle corner for each quarter. I colored the quarters with pencils because I forgot ...

Island Batik's February Challenge and BlogHop requires the ambassadors to use their assigned Fall 2024 collection (I got Radiant Burst) and the Studio 180 Design Tool (I got Wing Clipper) to make a Table Runner or a Bed Runner.

Sounds simple? Yes. But wait there is more.

1. We must make at least 12 units.

2. Use as many fabrics (from the 20 in the collection) as possible.

NOW, we have a challenge :-)

Well, here is my response.

Glowing Front

And I used leftover blocks from Mirabelle to make the backing, so it is two-sided. 

Moody Back

Double-Sided Runner ...

My annual Christmas quilt design for the blog! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! XXX Annika Continue reading →

I have a new finish and I am so excited to show it to you!

Meet Pesto Mushrooms :-)

Pesto Mushrooms

When I was asked to make a Birthday Quilt for a 6-year old boy who loves the color Green and is fascinated with Mushrooms, I said Yes, please :-D

The Pesto (Green Fabrics) was the easy part.  I wasn't sure how to incorporate mushrooms.

Pieced or Appliqued? Small or Large? A mix of large portabellas and tiny enokis?

I turned to EQ8 and found a template for mushroom applique.  BINGO!!!! In EQ8, the dots are applique as well. I ...

The next two weeks will be a flurry of Fall Fortnight Fun! I have two new projects with free patterns for you, a new recipe to try, a pretty table to get us in the mood for fall, and a couple of surprises. The best news is that my affiliate sponsors have all agreed to provide prizes for the event. We will start today with the first project. Since we only have two weeks, there is no time to waste!

Let’s dive right in! Here is the first project, a fun table topper or wall hanging. You might recognize ...

I have two new quilts to share.

Austin was published in Make Modern #60.

Good Tidings was published in Annie's Christmas Pattern Book.

Good Tidings

Both quilts were made using Island Batik Fabrics collection Peppermint Sprinkles. 

Peppermint Sprinkles is a beautiful collection - perfect for Holiday sewing. I love that it has elements of the season such as reindeer and snowflakes but it isn't so Christmassy that the quilt/decor becomes outdated by January 1.  It has year round appeal.

That was my thought process as I designed Good Tidings in EQ8.  A fellow quilter/blogger once said that ...

Do you remember Diva?

Designed in EQ8, Diva was published in Make Modern Issue 58. Now, she is available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop.

I made Diva using the Vintage Charm collection, combined with Island Batik Solids in Red, Orange, Yellow and Fuchsia. The focus fabric strip sets were scraps leftover from making Kashvi, but there is nothing scrappy about Diva!

Finishing at 51" by 68" she glides in royal splendor. And although you may think that she is set in her ways, she is very adaptable. I encourage you to take a look at the various ...

Have you seen my newest finish? Fireworks was published in Make Modern Issue 59.

Published in MM#59

Fireworks was designed in EQ8 and made using Fire and Ice, an original collection designed by Claudia Pfeil. 

I love this pattern because it is not paper-pieced and requires no special rulers, making it very accessible to quilters of all skill-levels.  

I like big blocks :-)

Made of 12 large blocks, Fireworks finished at 60" by 79". The background and binding is Egg White, an Island Batik Neutral available all year round. The backing is Dove, an Island Batik Basic from the Bodacious ...

Hope you had a good holiday celebration!

I have some good news and I promise I will get to it. But please let me whine first. After all, if I don't do it here, where can I?

In Yorktown

Paul and I decided to visit Colonial Williamsburg so we made hotel reservations a few weeks in advance. The plan was to spend July 4th in Yorktown, July 5th in Williamsburg, and July 6th in Jamestown.

I booked us a sailboat cruise (6:30 - 8:30) on the York river, after which we could watch the fireworks. As we drove ...

Just a cheerful picture of an Easter bunny quilt design today! XXX Annika Continue reading →

Quilt designs for Spring, with the Tulip Patch block, the latest Inklingo shape collection! Continue reading →

A quilt design inspired by the latest Inklingo shape collection. It is my take on Willyne Hammerstein's Night And Day Quilt (from the Millefiori Quilts 5 book) Continue reading →

I think the title says it all, just maybe have to explain that the dragon in progress refers to both a quilt design and me applying makeup ;-) XXX Annika Continue reading →

Pictures of works in progress - a Dragon Quilt Design and a Kaffe Fassett patchwork top - XXX Annika Continue reading →

So, I pulled these four-patch posies out of the stash closet the other day, they'd aged well. These are all fussy cut and reassembled from the same large scale print. Turning to the laptop and EQ8 I was able to draw up a setting for them that, hopefully will show off each block's individual beauty. It's about time. I seriously couldn't remember how long they'd been languishing until I searched

So, I pulled these four-patch posies out of the stash closet the other day, they'd aged well. These are all fussy cut and reassembled from the same large scale print. Turning to the laptop and EQ8 I was able to draw up a setting for them that, hopefully will show off each block's individual beauty. It's about time. I seriously couldn't remember how long they'd been languishing until I searched

It is January 1, 2024. First day of the new year - one day to reflect and introspect before the onslaught of work and responsibilities.

A review post is always tricky. What do I include? What do I leave out? And how do I say it? Should it be just quilting? But my feelings are so entangled with the threads of my quilts. Can you really keep your work and thoughts in water-tight compartments?

Unable to separate my feelings from my work

I will try to focus on my quilts and if my feelings seep in so be it. Here are ...

Wishing you the very best this holiday season. I designed a quilt which will hopefully especially suit those who find this a difficult time of year. XXX Annika Continue reading →

Meet Nilsa. She is my newest finish and a pattern is available now.

At 60" by 83", Nilsa can be a Mercyful Quilt. The pattern can also be used to make a Quilt of Valor.

Nilsa, 60" by 83"

I used the Island Batik collection - Blushing Garden to make Nilsa. 

Have you seen Blushing Garden? It is a beautiful collection with my favorite colors - red, pink and gold. Even a bit of teal to brighten things up. They are beautiful and sunny!

Hi there! Thank you for joining us for the tenth week of the Transparendo Sewalong. We are 2/3 rds of the way through the sewalong. Are you sewing along with us? You still can jump in and make 12 blocks for the quilt top as shown in the book and enter your finished quilt top for the random drawing in Week 15 for your chance to win a full-version copy of EQ8 sponsored by our platinum sponsor - The Electric Quilt Company.