Harlequin Twist Quilt

I am thrilled to share my second Make Modern published quilt- "Harlequin Twist". This quilt reminds me of summer days spent at the fair. The design was inspired by Merry-go- Rounds, Carnival Rides and Circus Tents. The colors were inspired by all my favorite treats.... Cotton Candy, Bubble gum and Ice Cream. Yummy!!!

 The quilt construction is much easier than it appears. The blocks can be made using the typical rulers that most quilters have. If you have a large 60 degree ruler, that makes things even easier.  This original quilt is a king size measuring 118" x 102". 

Me and My Mum are working on smaller versions too, which will be available for sale once we get them finished and the patterns are printed, so be sure to check back for news on that!!

If you are interested in purchasing Issue 23 of Make Modern you can do so here.

You can always get a full years subscription to "Make Modern" as well. It is an excellent value!!! Be sure to check them out here

Tulip Fields Quilt

I am pleased to announce that I have another quilt tutorial being released on the Modabakeshop. "Tulip Fields" is a quilt inspired by the stunning Vanco Tulip fields, located here in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

My version uses the lovely "Well Said" fabric collection by Sandy Gervais. I also pieced the quilt backing using the "Well Said" panel available for this collection. 

My Mum's version using "Sun Prints" Collection by Alison Glass, is super bright and fun using a scrappier approach to making the tulip blocks.

I thought I would offer a diagram and mini tutorial showing how I pieced my backing:

I wanted the backing to be 4" larger all the way around. Because I had regular yardage each full side piece measures 41" wide. Doubled = 82". If I want 104" in width I need a section in the middle that measures 22" finished.

I was able to make 2 extra 18" tulip blocks. I added 2 1/2" strips to all 4 sides of the blocks to yield a 22 1/2" x 22 1/2" square.

From the panel cut (4) squares 10 1/2" x 10 1/2". 

From the Background fabric cut out (4) 12 1/2" x 10 1/2" pieces that will placed to the right or left of the panel squares, according to the layout.

From the background cut out (5) 2 1/2" x 22 1/2" strips to add between the large blocks and panel pieces. 

Lastly cut out (2) 5" x 22 1/2" strips to add to the top and bottom of the pieced portion of the backing.

Sew the pieced portion between (2) 104" x 41 1/2"(WOF) lengths to complete your pieced backing.

Ribbon Rings in Make Modern Issue 21

I am so very excited to announce that I am a published designer in Make Modern magazine Issue 21!!! I had so much fun designing and making these quilts. They are 2 1/2" strip friendly and go together much easier than they look. Here's the glamour shot as it appears in the magazine.....

I tell ya it takes longer than you would think to get a photo just right. The weather here this winter has been great, but sunny & non windy days are far and few between. Here are a few shots less than perfect....

I took some photos that I thought were great until I got inside and realized my mitten was in the upper left corner of every single one!! LOL. Ah winter in Canada so much fun!!

Oops lost the light in this one....

It may have taken lots of practice but I think I got a great shot in the end.

My Mum made a larger version of the "Ribbon Rings" quilt, using prints instead of solids and I think it looks pretty awesome too.

If you would like to purchase Issue 21 of Make Modern you can find it here. 

Want to order another Issue or get a subscription? Use the link here. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on "Ribbon Rings"so please leave a comment below. If you decide to make a "Ribbon Rings" quilt, I'd love to see it too. You can send me your photos on instagram @catequilter.

Almost Finished Friday

I look back to when I "re"started working on the "Sunkissed by Spring" Quilt (Nov.3 2017), and although I couldn't work on it every Friday..... I did try my best to work on it when I was in my Sewing room and it happened to be a Friday.
 At long last I can say it is finally (Almost) finished!!! It's a completed Quilt Top and that is good enough for me!!!

 I literally have a closet full of completed quilt tops, but they don't bother me as much as the bins of half started blocks. It feels good to finally have this quilt top assembled!!! I loved the pattern as soon as I saw it, but the fabric I ordered just wasn't that great. Don't get me wrong I loved the designs on the fabrics, but the cotton felt quite thin. 

So, it went into hibernation or a time out, I don't know... I just wasn't ready to deal with it. But it occurred to me that I paid $$$ for that fabric (poor quality that it was), and it was pretty after all, so I brought it out of solitary confinement and thought to myself " hey, you've been wanting to learn how to Free Motion Quilt, and it's not like I'm going to be any good in the beginning. Why not have a not so important quilt lying in wait for the day when I want to tackle FMQ'ing an entire quilt, but won't be crushed if it doesn't turn out as awesome as I want."

So that's the plan. It can go into the closet and I know it will be there waiting for me when I am brave enough to jump in to Free Motion Quilting an entire quilt. 

Don't think that I have been keeping my Mum from having "Finish it up Friday" fun. We worked on these blocks together over the last few months and hers is so close to finished.... She noticed one of her blocks had an oops, and she knew she wouldn't be able to unsee it, so after she fixes hers up I will post a pic of hers too.

Hmm, what will my next FIUF project be??? I have some quilty obligations to see to in March, so we will see. 

Be sure to come back to see my Mum's "Sunkissed by Spring" and in March I will have a fun project reveal to share that I've been keeping secret!!

Welcome to Finish it up Friday!!!

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of half finished projects. I start out strong and then oh look, SQUIRREL!!! LOL,  but really what with pattern designing, and writing, and hosting a Quilt-Along, and the fact that My Mum is a faster quilter than me, I have accumulated several totes of projects in various stages of completion. I'm not talking about completed tops (I have a ton of those too).  So in an effort to free up some totes and move things from one pile to another, I have decided that on Fridays I will pull out an unfinished project and work on it on Fridays until they are completed tops and the tote is empty.

I hope you will join me on my journey to free up some room and cross some long standing projects off my list (so I can start more, LOL). Maybe even consider finishing your own unfinished projects.

Me and My Mum are working on a project we began pulling fabric for in 2011. Six years ago!!! Here are some of the blocks we had completed so far:

  Just 24 left until we can start putting the quilt together.

Feel free to share your progress with me and I will post it here along with our progress for "Finish it up Fridays!!!

Moroccan Tiles Quilt

Autumn is here in Prince Edward Island. Cooler temperature make me want to snuggle under a quilt with hot cocoa. I love the way the leaves change their colors from greens, to yellows, reds and browns. I think it is nature's way of showing one last burst of beauty before the sparseness of winter. Don't get me wrong, I think winter has its own beauty. But this post is about my feelings for Fall. Rich earthy tones, Spices that fill the air. Apples and pumpkins are just some of what I love most.

I am so pleased to announce another tutorial for the modabakeshop. The backdrop for this quilt, shows off Autumn's harvest. I hope you like "Moroccan Tiles".  This tutorial really knows how to let your favorite fabrics shine! It uses a Layer Cake and 2 Charm packs with some background and an accent. I think this project would be lovely in Batiks, Rich Autumn colors or super bright shades. Of course you could use a Fat Quarter bundle quite easily too. So grab your favorite fabrics and start showing them off!  I hope you try my method for constructing this quilt. (I promise it goes together quite quickly, once you get the method down).

Stay tuned in the coming months for a holiday inspired version, that Me and My Mum will be making: Here is a sneak peek of my version...

This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, and I am truly thankful for so much. I think after an afternoon with family and amazingly tasty food, I will be ready to snuggle up under my "Moroccan Tiles Quilt"

Web Weaver Tutorial and Alternate Layouts

Hi everyone, I am so pleased to share another Modabakeshop tutorial with you today.

I call this quilt "Web Weaver" because I felt like  a spider making a web as I went around and around this block. It is a very big block, it finishes a smidge over 22 1/2". (That's with the setting corners on it). The block is 16" finished without the corners and alternatively you could just focus on the centre of the block for a 8" finished block. Lots of options to play around with!!!

I have also decided to add a few other layout options that I played around with while designing this quilt/block. 

Here is the 16" block on it's own:

Here is a striped "On Point" version:

Regular setting with outer border:

Regular setting with sashing and border:

This block looks really complicated, but as long as you take care to match seams, it actually comes together quite nicely. 
I'd love to see any blocks/quilts that you make using my tutorial, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us using the link in the "Contact Us" tab.