Fellow Quilters,

Greetings from Guatemala, the land of heat, humidity and crawling creatures.  Hubby and I are on a wee vacation and I’m hoping my internet connection is now strong enough to allow me to post this – my apologies if you popped in earlier and read my jfkldjafk;h;af.

It is the first Tuesday of the month and that means another round of Quilt Block Mania.  I must admit that I was somewhat apprehensive about the theme for this month – bugs – since I am not a fan of bugs of any kind.  However, the color palette chosen by organizer Carolina of Always Expect Moore drew me in: lovely iridescent teals, greens and deep navy.  The trick for this piecing gal was trying to create a block that was not applique based.  My modern side stepped in and created a mostly-pieced block with a hint of applique – I hope you like it!  Here is my Arachnid block (you can find the pattern here).

Arachnid block by Patti’s Patchwork

Truth be told, I have arachnophobia.  Yup!  It is hard to believe that, when I was a kid, I frequented a hedge at the front of our house to capture spiders in a baby food jar.  I would collect several spiders during each session.  Where oh where did that girl go and where did my arachnophobia come from?!?  When I think of this block, I prefer to think of the Jim Stafford song that goes something like “I don’t like spiders and snakes but that’s not what it takes to love you, oooh whooo”.  Hands up if you know it!

This block looks somewhat spider-ish on its own and is quite easy to piece – simply slash the background and insert the “legs” strips before adding the appliqued circle.  But look what happens when we combine several blocks, and how the layout can affect the impact of the block.  In this first example I used a typical on-point layout that has ¼-square triangles in the corners.  The geometric effect isn’t quite what I had in mind for this block/quilt – I don’t really like what is happening at the edges.

Arachnid blocks on-point in a typical 3×4 layout

But look what happens when I use the not-so-common on-point layout that has two ½-square triangles in each corner.  Can you see the block?  The effect is mesmerizing!  Symmetry at its finest!!

Same block on-point with the alternate 3×4 layout – much better!

Of course, you can also combine it with any of the other insect-themed blocks from the other participating QBM designers – there are a few new ones this month so please click on the links below to check them out.

Ladybug Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Snail by Appliques Quilts and More
Dragonfly by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Aragog by Inquiring Quilter
Bugs in a Jar Quilt Block by Julia of Inflorescence
Christmas Beetle by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Bug Jar Quilt Block
Butterfly by Penny Spool Quilts
Beetle Bug by Perkins Dry Goods
Caterpillar by QuiltFabrication
Jewel Beetle by Sugar Sand Quilt Company
Bumblebee Block by BoBerry Design Co.
Arachnid at Patti’s Patchwork
Butterfly Wreath by Jessica of Blue Sky Modern Craft
Marvelous Moth by Blue Bear Quilts

I’ve had my nose to the grindstone the past 2 months finalizing several new patterns using some of Northcott’s new releases.  Since country is near and dear to my heart (I have a dozen pair of western boots and counting – see note below about Pigeon Forge), I jumped at the chance to design with Howdy Christmas and did this down-home design called Hometown Holidays (you can find it here).

I also did a simple but very effective design taking full advantage of the selvage-to-selvage ombre print in Bliss – this one is called Stratify and includes 2 size options (find it here).

And my most popular release ever is Take Flight, using Northcott’s drop-dead-gorgeous Soar collection.  This pattern includes 3 size options (find it here), of which the throw size is available shortly from Keepsake Quilting or your local quilt shop.

Shortly after my vacay ends, I will be heading to Pigeon Forge TN for this year’s A Mountain Quiltfest June 6-9, where I will be teaching 4 classes alongside the inimitable Bonnie Hunter, Linda Hahn, Jocelyn de Jonge and more.  I hear tell there is still space in my Hexie Crush class and my Panel Pizzazz class.  I am thrilled to be back in TN for this fantastic event after 2 years of travel restrictions.  The selection of classes, vendor mall and amazing display of quilts make this a go-to event.  I highly recommend it!

Finally, this month is my birthday, and I will be celebrating by offering a newsworthy subscriber-only special for my newsletter peeps.  If you’re not yet a subscriber to my newsletter you can find the link at the bottom of the main page here.

Thanks for reading and for your patience this month, and we’ll chat again soon 😊

Cheers,

Patti

Fellow Quilters,

How have you been?  The last time we chatted, it will still winter.  For the past few weeks I’ve been buried in an avalanche of paperwork and video editing for looming deadlines but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I’m excited to be travelling to A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge TN June 6-9 to teach 4 classes, two of which are already sold out – woohoo!  If you’d like to take my Panel Pizzazz (#44) or Hexie Crush (#21) class don’t delay – they’re selling fast.

Mountain Quiltfest classes available June 7th and 9th

I did a Quilt-along with my Hexie Crush pattern a year ago, and I’m thrilled to be sharing all my tips for this lovely quilt with the MQF posse.  In the Panel Pizzazz class, we’ll talk fabulous flying geese and incorporating panels in our quilts.  There are so many great panels available, and I can’t wait to see what the students bring to class.

Speaking of panels, my Hometown Holidays pattern is hot off the press.  Featuring Northcott’s Howdy Christmas, it includes 3 size options and would work equally well with just about any standard 24” x 42” panel.

Two new patterns

And Stratify is a quick contemporary quilt that showcases a selvage-to-selvage ombre.  I used the gorgeous new Bliss Ombre and love how it looks in both the lap size and the queen-size.

Now that I’ve resurfaced, I see that the sun is shining, the tulips are popping up and the birds are twitterpated as Bambi would say.  Spring is here!!  Soon we’ll see the pale pastel colors of young buds and soft Spring grass – the colors that remind me of Easter.  So pretty!

Those same lovely delicate shades are also in this month’s Quilt Block Mania organized by Carolina at Always Expect Moore, and the theme is “Tea”.  The 16 participating designers went all out creating assorted cakes, baked goodies, stacks of cups and the like.  Here is a complete list of the designers’ blocks and links to their blog posts today:

Tea Time Mug by Carolina Moore
Afternoon Tea by Inquiring Quilter
Not Your Grandma’s Cup of Tea
Stacked Tea Cups by Appliques Quilts and More
Tea Time by Manon Hunt
Muffin Quilt Block by Julia of Inflorescence
Teapot by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
T is for Temperance by Scrapdash
You Can Brew It
French Macaron by Penny Spool Quilts
Tea Party at Perkins Dry Goods
Teatime Cakes by QuiltFabrication
Broken Sugar Bowl by Becca Fenstermaker
Cake Anyone? by Kaye Collins
Tea Time by Patchwork Breeze
3-Tiered Serving Tray by Nancy Scott of Masterpiece Quilting

Being a tea drinker, I went straight to the good stuff – tea leaves.  I like mine good and strong.  By the time my morning cuppa has steeped, it rivals most cups of coffee for caffeine levels.

So, the traditional Tea Leaf block is quite old, and has some unusual angles in it, resulting in bias edges on the block – no so quilter-friendly.

The original tea leaf block and my re-imagined block

Examining the block, I re-imagined it without bias edges – much better for flat quilts.  I present to you my “Not Your Grandma’s Cup of Tea”.   You can find the pattern here.

Not Your Grandma’s Cup of Tea by Patti’s Patchwork

I’d like to share a couple of tips for cutting the pieces with the templates.  Tip #1:  Fold your fabric wrong sides together to cut mirror-image pairs of pieces using the asymmetrical T2 and T3 templates for the outside “leaves”.  It’s much faster than cutting single layer pieces and wondering if you have the correct number of each piece.

Tape the template to the underside of a ruler, aligning it with the ruler edges, then cut along edge of ruler

Tip #2:  Tape the paper template to the underside of a ruler to cut the pieces of T1, T2 and T3.  You won’t inadvertently trim your template each time you cut, and it’s faster.  Many of us have these assorted triangle rulers, and this is an excellent opportunity to get double duty from them.  Who doesn’t like a tool that does more than one thing?

Make a 38″ x 13″ runner with 3 on-point blocks and 4 quarter-blocks

This block would make a lovely table runner, perfect for afternoon tea – so pretty!  Just 3 blocks and 4 quarter-blocks and you’re done.  You could start it this morning and have it done by Tea Time.

Time for tea and chocolate with a friend using the good stuff

For my photo, I pulled out my good china and silverware.  I quite like it but seldom use it, but I think that’s about to change.  You see, I lost a dear friend last week, taken much too soon.  I am reminded that life is unpredictable.  Laundry and cleaning will always be there.  Friends – not so much.  So let’s make a promise to use the good dishes, eat the chocolate, buy the fabric, and have tea (or wine) with our friends.

Hugs,

Patti

Fellow Quilters,

Welcome to February and this month’s Quilt Block Mania blog tour.  In my area February brings longer sunnier days (January is quite overcast with lots of snow – especially this year!) and the promise of Spring.  And Spring brings the beginning of wedding season, the theme for this month’s Quilt Block Mania organized by Carolina at AlwaysExpectMoore.com.

The palette for this month’s blocks is soft and delicate – vanilla, blush pink, and misty aqua in various shades.  I found the perfect match of colors in Northcott’s Toscana suede-texture blenders. (PS.  There might be a Toscana giveaway at the end of this post.)

Classic weddings can be formal affairs, with the groom and his entourage wearing tuxedos and bowties, so my block has some of those bowties, and a simple appliqued heart – for the romance of the day of course!  Here is Tying the Knot.

Tying the Knot by Patti’s Patchwork

These bowties are 3-dimensional – the knot is floating!  This adds nice texture to the block and is surprisingly easy to do.  In my instructions I used a different fabric for the bowtie so that you would be able to see the contrast of the front and back of the bowtie fabric.  The pictures are from my Wall Street Wardrobe pattern which you can find here.  You can find the Tying the Knot instructions

here.

Fifteen other designers are also sharing their blocks with you – you can find them here:

Wedding Dress Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
With This Ring by Inquiring Quilter
Wedding cake by Powered By Quilting
Loopy Hearts by Becca Fenstermaker
Tying the Knot by Patti’s Patchwork
Car with Wedding Couple by Appliques Quilts and More
True Lover’s Knot by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Vintage Hankie Dress Quilt Block by Kaye Collins
Wedding Invitation Quilt Block by Julia of Inflorescence
Wedding Chapel by QuiltFabrication
Lucky horseshoe charm by Sue Griffiths
Apple Blossom Quilt Block by Scrapdash
Solitaire by Penny Spool Quilts
Something New by Perkins Dry Goods
Courthouse steps by Sew Joy Creations
Hearts Aflutter by Blue Bear Quilts

Just for fun I mocked up a nice-sized lap quilt with Tying the Knot.  This is 47” x 59” – I think it would make a lovely signature quilt for a wedding.

Tying the Knot lap quilt is 47″ x 59″

Have you ever made a quilt for a wedding gift?  I have done 2 wedding-themed patterns:  Circle of Love is a classic double wedding ring, and White Lace and Promises is based on a block called English Wedding.  I have made 3 quilts as wedding gifts and I have 2 waiting to be made.  Leave a comment below telling me about your wedding quilt story for a chance to win a 2yd packet of Toscana.  Please comment by midnight February 7.

I have been working behind the scenes on an exciting feel-good project that I can now share with you.  The For the Brave and With Glowing Hearts Quilt-alongs are starting in 4 short weeks.

Sign-ups are now open for this 10-month Block-of-the-month Quilt-along.  I’ll be sending out a preliminary newsletter with details in the next week or two – sign up now so you don’t miss out.  The quilt-along is free and chock-a-block full of great tips as we make this special quilt.  Simply purchase the pattern at your local quilt shop (you can find the fabrics there as well) or from Patti’s Patchwork.  You can find all the details here.  I’d love to have you quilt-along with me 😊

Cheers,

Patti

My wintery backyard view today

Fellow Quilters,

Happy New Year!  After a bit of family time over the holidays I am chomping at the bit to get back into sewing/quilting mode, and I hope you are too 😊.  After a fresh snowfall last night, today is pretty-as-a-picture but cold – a perfect reason to hunker down in my sewing space with a cuppa and a new block to make.

It is also Quilt Block Mania day – yay!  That means a new batch of free quilt block patterns, including one by yours truly.  If you’re popping in from another blogger’s site, you can subscribe at the link on the right.

The theme this month is pets, and chances are that if you don’t have one, you know someone who does.  #1 Son has a cat that just had a litter of 4 kittens (so cute!!), and #2 Son has an adorable dog.  There are so many options for pets, and this month’s color palette inspired me to design a block featuring rabbits.  You can get my Bunny Buddies pattern here.

Bunny Buddies pattern by Patti’s Patchwork (QBM January 2022)

You could easily turn the rabbits into other animals by changing the shape of their ears.  Here’s a nice throw-size comfy quilt perfect for your favorite pet-lover.

Make 12 blocks for an easy 53″ x 67″ throw – bunnies everywhere!!

You could even make a pet sampler quilt using blocks from the other participating designers this month.  Find the links to their blocks here:

Chicken Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
First Snow by Inquiring Quilter
Clown Fish by Powered By Quilting
Bunny Buddies at Patti’s Patchwork
Cute Turtle by Appliques Quilts and More
Doghouse Quilt Block by Kaye Collins
Scottie Dog
Dog Bone by QuiltFabrication
Bird Feeder by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Birdie Block by Blue Bear Quilts
Fishies at Perkins Dry Goods
Parlor Panther Queen at Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Perky Pig by Masterpiece Quilting

If you’re on Facebook, there’s a Facebook group for Quilt Block Mania – a great place where you can share pics of your blocks and projects made with the monthly patterns.

Speaking of samplers, it’s not too late to join my Cottage Sampler quilt-along.

Sign up for the quilt-along at Patti’s Patchwork

We officially started last week but the sewing doesn’t begin until this week.  It runs until March 16, by which time you’ll have a drop-dead gorgeous quilt top ready to be quilted.  You can sign up here and get your pattern here.  I’ve been testing out some video recording to include in my weekly quilt-along newsletters that are chock-full of how-to-tips.  Bonus: there are weekly prizes 😊

Quilt Bee at Sea Jan 30 – Feb 18, 2023

The much-anticipated Quilt Bee at Sea Hawaiian cruise that I’m teaching on, scheduled for next month, has been postponed for a year due to Covid-related issues ☹.  The good news, however, is that sign-ups for it have re-opened 😊.  If cruising to this tropical paradise next February 2023 while quilting-’til-you-wilt on sea days sounds like something you’d love to do, find out more here.   It will be SO. MUCH. FUN.

Last but definitely not least, I have a project in the January/February 2022 issue of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting magazine – woohoo!!

With Heartfelt Thanks featured in the Jan/Feb Love of Quilting magazine

I am always honored to have a quilt featured in a magazine, and it is an extra-special honor when that quilt is selected as a Quilts of Valor project paying tribute to our valued veterans.  This quilt was made with Northcott’s Stonehenge Stars & Stripes, supporting QOV, and is easy enough for anyone who wants to show their gratitude.   You could say that Quilts of Valor quilts are a pet project of mine!

Love of Quilting January/February 2022

Fons & Porter has given me a copy of this issue to give away.  For a chance to win it, please leave a comment below telling me about your favorite or current pet project.  Deadline:  midnight January 11, 2022.  I can’t wait to read your comments!

Until next time,

Patti

Fellow Quilters,

I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself!  My second quilt-along, the Cottage Sampler QAL, is starting in just 11 days.  I had so much fun hosting the Hexie Crush QAL earlier this year, and this one is going to be WAAAY bigger and better.  Sign-ups have been brisk the past few weeks and if you haven’t joined yet, here’s why you’ll want to.

The Cottage Sampler QAL is based on my new Cottage Sampler quilt pattern. I designed the pattern with the stellar Canoe Lake fabric collection – my second collection for Banyan Batiks, the batik division of Northcott.  It is one of THE best-selling Banyan collections (she says modestly) and has just shipped to quilt shops – well – everywhere!  You can use the awesome Product Finder on the Canoe Lake page of Northcott’s website to find shops in your area that have received their shipment.

So, I am a panel-and-border-stripe gal.  If a collection has one or both, you can be sure I’m going to use them in a quilt or project.  Naturally, when I designed Canoe Lake, I included a 9″ square mini panel and a coordinating lengthwise border stripe.  The panel features a classic lakeside scene of a canoe beached on the cattail-lined shore of a tree-rimmed lake as the sun rises/sets over the hills.  I have very fond memories of paddling on such a lake as a kid.

My new Canoe Lake fabric collection – Autumn Blaze, Lakeside, and Misty Morn

The fir tree border stripe is cleverly designed to be not-so-directional – the trees go both ways.  And with 5 repeats across the width of fabric there is enough to border a quilt AND use for bands on matching pillowcases – who doesn’t love batik pillowcases?!?  So luxurious!

The collection has 3 fabulous colorways from cottage country:

• Autumn Blaze mixes golds, rust and burgundy – the resplendent colors of maples in the Fall
• Lakeside has forest greens and sandy-beach tans
• Misty Morning includes soft smoky blue/sage/gray accented with berry (this one just might be my favorite)

I knew from Day 1 that I wanted to host a QAL with Canoe Lake, so the Cottage Sampler pattern was born.  Half of the blocks feature the mini panel with a pieced frame.  The remaining 6 different blocks are pieced using the coordinates from the collection.  The pattern includes 2 sizes – a 55″ x 70″ throw-size, with 1 each of the 6 pieced blocks, and a 96″ x 96″ wow-factor queen-size that has 2 each of the pieced blocks.

Sign up for the quilt-along at Patti’s Patchwork

What will we be making in the Cottage Sampler QAL? You choose!!  Simply pick your preferred size and color option and quilt along with me.  I’ll be making all 3 colorways, and making the throw AND queen-size options. Yup, busy gal!

Here’s what’s included:

• I’ll be doing weekly posts from Dec 29 to March 16 through the Cottage Sampler QAL newsletter (sign up here)
• Posts will include lots of tips and tricks to help you successfully make each block (or pair of blocks if you’re making the queen-size)
• Video how-to’s included in weekly posts (as needed)
• We’ll share our photos and comments in the Cottage Sampler Facebook group.
• Weekly prizes to randomly-selected active QAL’ers – those who actively participate (post pics/ask questions/provide feedback)
• I’ll answer any questions you may have as we go along – I love questions!!
• Cost to participate:  FREE!  You will need a copy of the pattern to follow along though.  You can purchase one at your local quilt shop or from me here.

Speaking of local shops, a few of my favorite shops have kits available:

• Claudson’s Sew & Soak in La Grande, OR has Misty Morning kits in throw and queen-size
• Country Concessions in Cookstown ON also has Misty Morning kits in both sizes
• Willow Basket Quilting Shoppe in Prince George, BC has Autumn Blaze in queen-size

You can also find shops that have purchased the fabrics and patterns on Northcott’s site by using the Product Finder here.

This is the perfect project to work on together as we spend some quality quilty time in our sewing space this winter.  If all goes well, we’ll have a cozy new quilt ready for the cottage, cabin or retreat by summer.  It also makes a fab guy quilt – just saying.  Please sign up now – I can’t wait to quilt-along with you!

See you in 11 days 🙂

Cheers,
Patti

November’s QBM blocks

Fellow Quilters,

It’s the first Tuesday of the month and that means Quilt Block Mania, and time for another round of free blocks from some generous designers.  Many of you have commented that you are really enjoying this monthly event.  I’m glad, as I am too.

This month’s theme is food – yum!  Here is the tasty palette presented to us by organizer Carolina at Always Expect Moore.

This month’s chosen color palette from the Seeds website

And here is a list of the other 15 participating bloggers.

Hot Dog Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Corn off the Cob Quilt Block at Scrapdash
Pumpkin Pie by Appliques Quilts and More
Ice Cream Cones by QuiltFabrication
Citrus Wedges by Patti’s Patchwork
Peppers at Blue Bear Quilts
Pineapple at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Strawberry by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Home for the Holidays by Inquiring Quilter
Red Delicious at Perkins Dry Goods
Pumpkin Quilt Block
Little Lemons by Love Sew Modern
Sew the Carrots Go Round Block at Patchwork Breeze
Cake Quilt Block at Masterpiece Quilting
Avocado at EvaPaige Quilt Designs

Even though the picture shows veggies, I’m thinking fruit.

For my 12” block I selected a variety of Toscana and Canvas textures from Northcott along with some fun new Glam blenders from Patrick Lose Studio.  When I mixed them together I saw citrus wedges – lemons, limes, oranges and – my favorite – ruby red grapefruit.

Citrus-flavored fruit jelly slices

The wedges made with Glam remind me of the sugar-coated citrus jellies I had as a kid – my Nana would buy them from iconic candy maker Laura Secord as a special treat for us grands.  Here is my Citrus Wedges pattern.  Pucker up!

Citrus Wedges block by Patti Carey

In the instructions I recommend that you press seams toward the wedges, even though it adds a bit of bulk.  Why would I do this?  Because when I quilt this, I want to stitch in the ditch in the dark green background and those fruit slices will pop off the quilt, ripe for the picking.

I also press all the seams in a counter-clockwise direction to “spin” the seams at the center of the block – this helps distribute the bulk of those 8 seams coming together.

Press seams counter-clockwise to minimize the bulk

If you’re visiting from another blogger’s site and are not familiar with me, welcome!  In addition to blogging (you can subscribe up there on the right), I design patterns at Patti’s Patchwork and the tips above are the type of thing I like to include in my extensive range of popular quilt patterns.  When I host quilt-alongs I even include videos showing many of the steps in creating our blocks and assembling our quilt.  My Cottage Sampler QAL is starting December 29, running through until March 16, and you can sign up here to join the fun and learn a trick or two along the way while you make a fabulous throw or queen-size quilt using my Cottage Sampler pattern.

Sign up for the quilt-along at Patti’s Patchwork

This pattern showcases my Canoe Lake fabric collection and I’ll be making blocks in all 3 colorways during the QAL.

Speaking of QAL-type events, I participated in the Seaside Adventures Row-along in September – it ran from early September to last week, and the wrap-up week is this week.  Visit Quilting Room with Mel to see the quilts made with many of the seaside-themed rows.  My tropical fish row is still available for free – find the link in my blog post here.

That’s all for now!

Chat soon,

Patti