Instructions - Tag plus The Maker's Panel Quilt Kit

Can you believe that when I designed the Maker's Panel as part of the Tag fabric collection this quilt did not occur to me? A bed quilt with the words "Make Every Single Day" right on them. How did that not occur to me? So, of course, when it did I HAD to make up a bed quilt for it. 

My sketchbook was filled with pages of ideas until I settled on this one. I wanted the panel and its instructions to be the centrepiece, obviously, but it needed to be framed just right. In addition to the panel there are only 3 other fabrics in the quilt top. Almost a record for me! And that yellow! I love a yellow quilt.

Now you can get a complete kit for this quilt from Connecting Threads. All the panel and fabric you need (minus backing) plus the pattern. It is a quick and easy quilt, I promise. If you love the pattern but maybe want to change up the yellow you can still get the Makers Panel and the Tag fabric from Connecting Threads, pattern purchased separately. 

Perfect for the child moving in to their first big kid bed or the almost adult moving into their dorm room. Not only is it a perfect reminder for each of us to make the most of every day, but the perfect reminder to make your bed every day. 

I promise I won't complain either if you decide to replace the Maker's Panel with your own block or panel too. I love to see creativity when it comes to my designs. Go ahead, make it your own. 

Shout out to my friend Kourtney with Agnes in August for lending me her home and wickedly adorable daughter for the photo shoot. 

Hopscotch - Perfect Kids Quilt with Tag Fabrics

Hopscotch

70'' x 88''

In the fabric design process not everything makes it. My designs evolved, changed, and both got cut and grew. One of the prints that got cut was based off sidewalk chalk games, like Hopscotch and Four Square. The entire line is based on the marks that we make throughout our life, so the sidewalk chalk made so much sense. But things happen. And so when that design got cut I immediately regrouped and designed an entire quilt around Hopscotch! Win win.

And can we talk about that 80s laser school photo background quilting? Not planned to be that influence, it was about adding colour to the quilt, but oh so fun.

This pattern is really easy. Some applique for the numbers, but otherwise straight piecing and not much of it, really. This makes it perfect for impatient children who just want it done so they can play!

My son, who is now 5, was desperate for this quilt to be finished and then back home so he could play. The day it arrived back from Connecting Threads it was immediately spread on the living room floor and painted rocks procured. We hopscotched with the snow falling for over an hour. Currently, it is hanging over some furniture in his room creating a fort, a fort he slept in last night. It is truly a kids quilt. 

The pattern itself makes a twin sized quilt, but with some wider side borders it is easily transported to a double/full bed. You can buy the pattern from my own Etsy store, or both the pattern and a full kit direct from Connecting Threads. 

Whether you use Tag fabrics or any favourites of your own, this quilt is a guaranteed smile maker!

Sewing Machine Quilt Pattern Launch!

Announcing my latest pattern - The Sewing Machine Quilt!

This one was a long time coming. But it is finally here and I'm excited to share it with you. It includes:

- Improv and Precision Piecing instructions

- Two blocks sizes: 10'' and 20'' (finished)

- Quilt layout suggestions

- Fabric requirements for quilts from Mini to King

It is available in print and PDF. Contact me for wholesale orders.

This was the quilt that brought me out of a big creative slump. I was struggling to get going and find joy in my piecing, I was burnt out. A teaching gig came along and changed everything. It was an Improv class at Quilt Canada, a most traditional of shows. My students came with open minds and a spirit of adventure. They completely changed everything for me. At one point in the class I always have them throw out ideas for shapes we could piece improvisationally. Just like an improv comedy show! Someone suggested sewing machine. Yes, a sewing machine. I got so excited by the idea that the day I came home I think I made a half dozen of them. It was game on after that. I got excited to create again. 

Buy the pattern here.

If you would like some guidance with Improv or more on the thought process on a pattern like this check out my Creative Live classes on Improv Basics and Translating Inspiration.

With piecing options and all the directions to get you going any which way you like this pattern acts like a guide. It is a love letter to the main tool in our quilting arsenal. 

Mod Christmas Tree Take 2 - In Modern Patchwork

It's that time of year! Snow and Christmas trees and frenzied making. Cookies and cocoa and stress. It's all there. In the midst of it I hope everyone gets at least one moment to step back and appreciate their favourite parts.

My favourite part, as long time readers know, is the tree. Not so much the tree up and all sparkly and covered in handmade ornaments, but the getting of the tree. Last year I celebrated that with a quilt. A fun, modern quilt honouring the tree and my son's new found obsession with Christmas.  The obsession with Christmas and the quilt hasn't changed.

Modern Patchwork, a lovely magazine, asked me to contribute the quilt to their latest Winter issue. I was happy to oblige. I offered them an alternate colour way, but they chose the original. I still made the other colour way though. In this great line from Dear Stella, Mount Snow. Mittens and trees and bikes. It really is super sweet.



For this version I picked out the low volume, soft prints from the line and paired them with a few random, coordinating prints from my stash. Originally, my plan was to make the whole thing low volume, with soft contrast for the trees. But that felt too soft. So I grabbed the red Net print, also from Dear Stella, for the background. I love, love, love low volume paired with red.

The pattern itself is quite simple. The hardest part being the cutting of the angles for the background pieces around the trees. Last year I went from start to finish on this quilt in a few days. This year I have this top done but it won't get quilted, unfortunately.

Now is the time to slow down and celebrate, to make the cookies and take in special moments with the kids. I hope you have the chance to do the same.

Pick up a copy of Modern Patchwork at your local quilt shop, magazine rack, or online.