Quilt Superblooms this Summer

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Penny Haren

I love the way these latest projects by Robin Pickens combines stunning large floral prints with pieced flowers and quilt blocks. The pieced blocks and flowers pop next to the beautiful prints and makes the whole project manageable. An entire quilt of all of these mini blocks would be a little intimidating, even for those like me who like to work in mini.

Gathering Wildflowers uses a large width-of-fabric print as a colorful accent to sweet floral quilt blocks. This pattern makes a 53″ x 57″ wall/lap sized quilt. Traditional patchwork piecing is used with HST, flying geese and snowball corners. The dark blue is stunning. The white screams Spring and Summer.

Fiona’s Daisy Chain is an Irish chain quilt with added large focal print in the spaces between the chain piecing. Play with variations of backgrounds in the chain to get the rows of daisy flowers to pop out. The fabrics chosen for the nine-patches gives the look of daisies.

Centerpieced is a pattern for a quilted table runner. Once again, Robin showcases miniature blocks made with a charm pack of 5″ squares that run down the center of this table runner. Sides of the runner use large width-of-fabric print for the borders. Robin is also known for stunning cross-stitch designs. I think I would like to cross-stitch the mini blocks. The different textures would be amazing!

Turn Signal uses a Jelly Roll of 2 1/2″ x width-of-fabric strips with large florals from her Superbloom line. The “turn” of lines makes for a dynamic and striking quilt and a chance to highlight your favorite big prints on the ends.

These patterns will start shipping next month so check with your local quilt shop to see if they can order them for you!

Take Your Quilting to the Barn!

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Penny Haren

Summer is the perfect time for making barn quilts. Outdoor painting, where there’s lots of room, can turn this into a family project!

The Barn Quilt Manual by Sheila Sinclair Snyder of License to Quilt is a 100 page instruction manual with complete instructions on “how to” make a Barn Quilt. Gather the supplies from the thorough list which describes each item with detailed pictures. Choose from over 75 full color quilt block patterns. The patterns are all designed to fit a square board, 2 foot x 2 foot, and can easily be transposed to other square dimensions. Have fun choosing a color scheme, then hang your Barn Quilt outdoors for many years of enjoyment.

Make one for yourself, and once you see how fun it is, why not host a party? Or get the entire family involved and make several for Christmas gifts. With 75 blocks to choose from, it will be easy to choose the perfect block for each recipient. The book will be shipping in June, in plenty time for summer fun. Why not ask your local quilt shop to order you a copy today?

Quilt Jackets! Need I Say More?

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Connie Buick

I have been making quilt jackets for over a year now and they are ALWAYS noticed by people everywhere I go. Even my kids requested and received them. They are in their 20’s. There are so many different patterns and styles out there- a couple of Instagrammers have been selling them for $1000! Even if you have never sewn garments, most of the jackets are ‘sew’ easy to make and they are usually oversized so that fit isn’t a huge issue. Remember that you can go to Instagram and #hashtag the pattern you are considering, and you will likely see a lot of pictures of that jacket made in many different ways. It will give you a good idea of whether you like it or not. One of my favorites is the Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studio. There are sizes from 0-30 so you will surely find your size.

This one fits a little closer than others, so you might want to size up. Although it’s shown here in a solid quilted fabric, it can be made using a quilt- just cut the pieces, sew, and bind. No need for a separate lining because your quilt is already lined!

I haven’t made the Laura Jacket by Melly and Me yet, but I sure like the simple design. It is similar to the ones I have made, but mine are closer to waist length, and they have a hood. Both are easy adjustments to this jacket.

To make comfy, fashionable living even more fun, make a mommy and me match for a little one. Melly and Me has also designed this Tic Tac Toe pattern for children in sizes from 3-8.

You must have a quilt or two that you don’t use, or don’t love, that you could turn into a jacket. Make it useful. You’ll be surprised at how much you love it.

You might think that we could leave the men out of this discussion, BUT NO! I am here to tell you that I have gotten more compliments from stylish young men (20 something’s) than anyone. Weird right? The more colorful the better. So why not make a man in your life the Beachcomber Jacket from Friday Pattern Company? You would have to make some adjustments to this one if using an already finished quilt but MAN! You would be a superstar. I’m pretty sure this will be my next make.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

In the meantime, here are some examples of Men’s Quilted Jackets. It takes a special man.

Childhood Memories with Meags & Me

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Penny Haren

The newest designs by Meags & Me are sure to make you smile. Who hasn’t sung “You are my Sunshine” to a child? Cheerful suns and soft clouds create a cozy quilt for your favorite people. It finishes to 44″ x 48″ – the perfect size for the little one in your life.

And then there is our favorite tongue-twister featuring Woodchuck Chuck.

Bee Happy showcases a modern take on Sunbonnet Sue, surrounded by buzzing bees, flowers and a beehive. Combined with a variety of pieced blocks, this quilt is sure to be a family heirloom.

All of these quilts were created with a new line of fabric from Clothworks, ‘Honeybee’, designed by Meags & Me. It is available in bolts as well as pre-cuts. This vibrant fabric collection features an assortment of honeybee-themed designs, perfect for quilting, crafting, and sewing projects. The set includes a variety of patterns from large sunflowers and honeybees to delicate floral prints and geometric designs, all rendered in a soothing palette of blues, greens, and yellows. The intricate illustrations provide a charming and cohesive look, ideal for creating detailed and eye-catching projects.

The patterns and fabric will be available the end of April so why not let your favorite quilt shop know that you would like it ALL!

The Little Ghost Quilts Series

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Penny Haren

The Halloween version of this book was the favorite for the littles in our family this Fall so I have already pre-ordered Winter Surprise. How could I resist after reading the synopsis?

When you’re a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! But it does mean you can float around in cold weather . . . an adorable picture book about a ghost who wants to share the magic of the season with his chilly sheet friends.

The little ghost quilt loves being out in the cold. For once, he doesn’t overheat, and he likes how the snowflakes make his patches look polka-dotted. His friends, who are sheets, get too cold in the winter weather and have to stay inside, but the little ghost quilt doesn’t mind. He enjoys slowly drifting along on his own. On one of his frosty flights, he sees something happening in the town. People are putting up warm, twinkling lights, and there’s a fun festive feeling everywhere — like Halloween, his favorite season, but with snowmen and wreaths and candles in windows instead of pumpkins. He is filled with excitement and happiness looking at all the beautiful decorations and joyous people, yet he can’t help but feel sad that his friends can’t be there. But then, after almost getting caught in a blizzard, the little ghost quilt is struck by inspiration.

The Original
Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can’t whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.He doesn’t know why he’s a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn’t really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can’t keep up. But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he’s a quilt . . . and he realizes that it’s OK to be different.

The original is In stock now. The new book is due to arrive in August.