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Have you been wondering about the what type of impact the new tariffs (coming May 1st) will have on your favorite quilting fabrics and supplies? There's a lot of info being thrown around and a lot of it can sound, well, scary. To give you some reassurance, let's have a chat about what I know and what you can expect from me and Purple Daisies Quilting…

It's the final month of 2024 and your Quilt Block Mania designers have a Sparkle-filled finale for you! From twinkling stars to diamond rings, all 15 quilt blocks are free for the month of December. 

My design, Prismatic Points, is a vibrant and modern take on the classic Lemoyne Star quilt block. A little bit of paper piecing goes a long way to make this block sparkle and shine! This design is perfect if you're a beginner who wants to give paper piecing a try and I'll walk you through it step-by-step.

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks. 

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Sparkle Heart by Carolina Moore
Sparkly Star by Patchwork Breeze
Diamond Ring by Crafty Staci
Stellar by Inquiring Quilter
Sparkle Star by Scrapdash
Snowflake by QuiltFabrication
Starburst by Patti's Patchwork
Tree by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Sparkle with San Diego Sewn
Aurora by Emerald Falls Quilts
Twinkle Twinkle by Epida Studio
Sparkly Ohio Star by Oh Kaye Quilting
Crown by Appliques Quilts and More
Sparkly Christmas Bell by Around the Bobbin
Prismatic Points by Cristy Fincher

Another fantastic month of Quilt Block Mania is here! Your designers have 15 brand new market-themed quilt block designs for you, and they're free to download throughout the month of November.

There’s something so special about telling a story through a quilt, and my latest design, Flower Shop, is blooming with sentimental roots. This block is a tribute to my amazing mother-in-law, a talented floral designer whose family flower shop, Watson's Flowers in Tempe, Arizona, has been filling people’s lives with beautiful blooms for 5 generations.

Each element of this block pays homage to the artistry and vibrant colors found in the quintessential Watson's Flowers sign: bright pinks and teal green with a splash of yellow. Tulips line the roof of the shop's classic storefront with an large window and glass door (perfect for fussy-cutting!). 

For those who’ve spent any time around a flower shop, you know there’s a kind of magic in seeing rows of blossoms—roses, lilies, daisies—all waiting for their moment to spread joy and love. I wanted Flower Shop to capture that joyful, lively vibe while honoring the Watson family legacy. 

This block is perfect for anyone who loves flowers. Whether you go bold and bright, soft and romantic, or somewhere in between, you can reflect your style in your own Flower Shop . So, here’s to blooming creativity and a heartfelt nod to family roots—one petal (or patch) at a time!

Flower Shop builds on skills from my other Quilt Block Mania patterns and is perfect for practicing and fine tuning your piecing skills. The pattern features Stitch & Flip corners with other traditional piecing techniques. 

How do some guilt-free sweets sound? Quilt Block Mania is back with 14 new Sweets-Themed quilt block designs for you! Best of all, they're all free for the month of October 2024. 

This might controversial to say, but if given the choice I'll choose pie over cake any day! My husband and I even served pie instead of cake at our wedding reception and it was a huge hit.

Designing this Sweet Slice of pie for this month's Sweets-themed Quilt Block Mania didn't satisfy my sweet tooth quite like the real thing, but it sure turned out cute. What do you think? 

If cherry isn't your jam, you can customize the block to look like your favorite pie flavor. Lemon meringue, pumpkin, and blueberry are yummy too!

  

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks. 

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Donut Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Swirly Lollipop by Patchwork Breeze
Caramel Apples by Crafty Staci
Scrappy Cookie by Katie Mae Quilts
Gingerbread People by Inquiring Quilter
Sweet Hearts by Scrapdash
Chocolate Roll by QuiltFabrication
Salt Water Taffy by Patti's Patchwork
Sugar Skull Quilt Block by Brown Bird Designs
Lollipop Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Chocolate Box by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Let them Eat Cake
Yummy Yummy
Banana Split by Appliques Quilts and More
Sweet Slice by Cristy Fincher

Hop on in for another ride on the Quilt Block Mania caravan! 
This month's theme is "Transportation" and your designers have 16 new quilt block designs for you! Best of all, they're all free for the month of September 2024. 

Let's hit the road! My Gone Camping quilt block is the cutest little camper and perfect for any road-trip or camping themed quilt. Change and customize your quilt blocks to create a fabulous caravan of campers-in-tow. 

Gone Camping is perfect for beginners looking for a little more adventure on their quilting journey. The pattern features Stitch & Flip corners with other traditional piecing techniques. You're in the driver's seat and totally got this! 

Train Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Hot Air Balloon by Patchwork Breeze
Bronco by Crafty Staci
Amish Buggy by Inquiring Quilter
Wagon Wheel by Scrapdash
Go Kart by QuiltFabrication
Set Sail by Patti's Patchwork
I heart racing by Brown Bird Designs
Scooter Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Flip Flops by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Appliques Quilts and More
Bicycle FPP Block by Julia Wachs Designs
Deep Blue See by Epida Studio
Jeep Quilt Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
"Hippie"mobile / Magic Bus
Gone Camping by Cristy Fincher

Quilt Block Mania is all about "Accessories" this month, and I have such a fun quilt block design for you! We all need an accessory to keep all of our other accessories inside of, so I designed this super cute Tote Bag block. 

I love me a good tote! And I know I'm not alone. My love of tote bags began in the summer of 1987 with my very first ESPRIT bag. I went everywhere with me - school, slumber parties, vacations, and the mall (of course!). Despite the way it dug into my shoulder and its lack of pockets, I loved that tote bag.

The top shelf of my closet is lined with tote bags which are filled with more tote bags. It's like my own little memory lane. My kids' preschool tote bags are covered in their painted hand prints and are my favorites. I also have bags from my favorite quilt shows and vacations which double as the best grocery shopping bags.

Do you have a favorite tote bag? Tell me about it in the comments!

My Tote Bag quilt block design is going to be a fast favorite! There are so many fun color combinations that you can use and ways that you can personalize it. I added a classic star block to the center panel of the tote and included a simple option without the star block - the choice is yours! Here's a design option with solid fabric and one with fabrics from the NEW I Heart Ombre Collection coming out later this month 😍.

   

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks. 

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Santa's Belt by Carolina Moore
Bracelet Quilt Block by Patchwork Breeze
Boot by Crafty Staci
Seam Rippers by Inquiring Quilter
Bow Tie Quilt Block by Scrapdash
Lipstick by QuiltFabrication
Favorite Bow by Brown Bird Designs
City Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Summer Hat by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Lingerie by Appliques Quilts and More
Necklace by Slightly Biased Quilts
Quilted Tote Bag by Cristy Fincher
Yes, M'Lady by Epida Studio
ZipZip Purse by Oh Kaye Quilting
Nail Your Style by Orange Blossom QDS

Thank you for visiting my blog for July's Quilt Block Mania! 
This month's theme is "Books" and your designers have 21 new quilt block designs for you! Best of all, they're all free for the month of July 2024. 

I'm really excited to share my newest quilt block design with you! It's definitely my new favorite and I think you'll love making your own. Book Lover is perfect for any lover of books, old and young! There are so many fun ways to customize the quilt block, too. I can see you using fun, novelty prints for the pages of the book, or changing the colors of the heart, or even making the pages out of treasured t-shirts. What you create will be special beyond words.

For my own block, to show my love of sewing and creating I used a favorite print from the "Maker" collection by Art Gallery Fabrics and a paint swatch print by Carrie Bloomston. I also used PURE Solids by Art Gallery Fabrics in Very Berry (the heart), Vintage Walnut (the book cover), and Tranquil Waters (the background).

Book Lover isn't difficult to make, especially if you've made any of my other Quilt Block Mania designs. The pattern features Stitch & Flip corners with other traditional piecing techniques - you totally got this! 

If you signed up for any of my Quilt Block Mania patterns in the past, there's no need to sign up again. You'll receive the pattern in a separate email newsletter.

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks. 

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Audio Book Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
EAT Cookbook by Patchwork Breeze
Tea and Books by Crafty Staci
Hedwig by Inquiring Quilter
The Library Quilt
Book Shelf by QuiltFabrication
Readers block by brown bird designs
Reading Bear by Colette Belt Designs
By the Book by Happy Hour Stitches
Garden Books
Bookworm by Appliques Quilts and More
Spruce Up Your Reading with a Free Bookmark Quilt Block
Retro Bookcase by Amanda Harris
Adventures of a Burlgar by Sondrasa of Art Quilts by Design
The English Patient by Flowerodg+Co
Under the Apple Tree by Epida Studio
Stack of Books by Oh Kaye Quilting
Read Banned Books by Beth Clifton
Open Book by Manderley Makes
Adventure Awaits
Book Lover by Cristy Fincher

My quilting friends, a new month of Quilt Block mania is here! This month, your designer have put together a mountain-themed collection of designs that'll put you on top of the world.

Gather ‘round! I’m thrilled to share my latest quilt block design, Red Rocks, an updated twist on the classic Wood Lily block with a story woven into every stitch. The inspiration? A magical day in Sedona, AZ—my wedding! (Awe! Look at us, we were so youthful!) 

If you've ever been to Sedona, you know it's hard not to fall in love with stunning landscape. Those iconic red rock formations, the way the light dances over them at sunset, and the feeling that you're in a place both ancient and otherworldly can take your breath away.

In creating this block, I wanted to capture the essence of Sedona: the rusty reds, burnt oranges, and desert golds against a blue sky so clear it feels like you could fall right into it. These colors are a reminder and a tribute to the day that changed my life.

So, what can you expect from the Red Rocks pattern? Nested seams and points echoing Cathedral Hill and a gradient of colors matching Sedona’s sweeping vistas. Working with these colors feels like bringing a piece of the desert straight into your sewing room (minus any cacti, I promise).

Whether Sedona is a favorite getaway or a future destination, Red Rocks adds a little spirit of the Southwest to any project. I can't wait to see how you all interpret this design! Will you go for rich, earthy tones to match the classic red rock palette, or maybe put your own twist on it?

Minimum Fabric Requirements:
for (1) 12"x12" finished quilt block: fat eighths or scraps of multiple colors

The Red Rocks Quilt Block, along with the other QBM blocks, measure 12.5"x12.5", unfinished. Each block is free during the month of June, so you can combine multiple blocks into a fabulous quilt or pick and choose your favorites. (Scroll down for the list of designers and links to their patterns). After June 2024, my pattern will be available to purchase as a download in my shop for $6. 

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks.

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Snow-Capped Mountain by Carolina Moore
Mountain Tunnel by Patchwork Breeze
Driving through the Mountains by Crafty Staci
Snowdon Lily
Mountain by Inquiring Quilter
Boondocking by Scrapdash
Blue Ridge Mountains Appliqué by Sew Worthy Mama
Purple Mountains Majesty by QuiltFabrication
Misted Mountains by Patti's Patchwork
Star
Hiking Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Edelweiss by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Forest Bird by Slightly Biased Quilts
Mountain Forest by Oh Kaye Quilting
Snow Hat by Amanda Harris
Rhododendrom by Emerald Falls Quilts
Log Cabin by Appliques Quilts and More
Take a Hike by Epida Studio
Winter Night by Studio B Quilt
Sedona Red Rocks
Almost Heaven

Thank you for visiting my blog for May's Quilt Block Mania! 
This month's theme is "Desert" and your designers have 18 new quilt block designs for you! Best of all, they're all free for the month of May 2024. 

I live in Tempe, AZ which is on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert. Between Phoenix and Tempe, I've lived in Arizona since I was a baby. I love it here, despite the unrelenting heat of the summer. It's the other three seasons that make up for the 110º+, cook-an-egg-on-the-asphalt days.

It's absolutely gorgeous outside this time of year! Flowers & cacti are in bloom, butterflies are fluttering about, bees are buzzing, and birds are playing in the Texas Ranger bushes - and that's just in my front yard! 

The Desert Poppy is one of my favorite desert flowers. From bright yellow to dark orange, they're popping up all over my neighborhood. Not only are these sweet little blooms bright and cheery, but they're incredibly resilient. They sprout from underneath rocks without constant watering - amazing, right?!

  

On one of my morning walks, my neighbor's poppies had just bloomed and seeing them instantly improved my mood. I took a few pictures just for fun and they ended up being the inspiration for my desert-themed quilt block: Desert Poppy.

With just two intersecting seams, the Desert Poppy Quilt Block is a great project for a confident beginner. A few narrow rectangles in the pattern might give a true beginner a challenge, but they become easier with more practice. The pattern features Stitch & Flip corners with traditional piecing techniques. It's scrap-friendly and comes with three color options: orange, yellow, orange-red, and white.

Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Coiled Snake by Carolina Moore
Pyramids by Patchwork Breeze
Bison Skull by Crafty Staci
Renewal (snake) by Eudaimonia Studio
Gecko by Inquiring Quilter
Cactus Rose by Scrapdash
Oasis by Appliques Quilts and More
Adobe House by QuiltFabrication
Sand in my Toes by Patti's Patchwork
Diamondback Quilt Block by Brown Bird Designs
Desert Bear by Colette Belt Design
Yucca by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Desert Poppy by Cristy Fincher
Palm Tree by Slightly Biased Quilts
Desert Cactus
A Prickly Pear in the Garden
Goldenhead Flower by Emerald Falls Quilts
Blooming in the Desert
Tucson Too Late by Orange Blossom

It's Quilt Block Mania time! This month's theme is "Beach" and your designers have 21 sun-kissed quilt block designs for you! And they're all free for the month of April 2024. 

When my husband and I got married, we went on a Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon and had the most wonderful time exploring the beaches in Jamaica and Cozumel. The water and beaches of the Cayman Islands completely took my breath away! Next month, we're celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary so I decided to design a block that reminded me of our honeymoon cruise. 

Seaside Horizon has it all: the sand, ocean, a pier, a sunset (or sunrise, your choice!), and a ship waiting to take you away. I thought it would be beautiful in other colors as well, so I included three different variations for you - enjoy!

  

The Seaside Horizon Quilt Block is perfect for beginner to intermediate quilters that are looking to fine-tune and build their piecing skills. It features Stitch & Flip corners and traditional piecing techniques. It's super scrap-friendly too!

I freshened it up for you and updated links and images - enjoy! 

Glue Basting is a game changer and is one of my favorite sewing and quilting tools. It helps me with efficiency and accuracy when I sew, which makes me happier with my results. Most of the time, when I mention glue basting to new quilters, or to experienced quilters who are new to me, I see confused looks come over their faces. But, they change their tunes really fast when they see what can be done with glue basting and how much it can improve their results. 

• Simply draw a fine line of glue inside on the inside of your seam allowance. I draw mine about 1/8" from the selvage. The glue shouldn't be right on your seam line.

• Line up, or nest, the next piece with your first. Be sure that all edges are lined up, just as you would if you were pinning. Then, heat set the glued edge with a hot dry iron. Heat setting dries the glue completely, and just takes a quick second or two because the line of glue is so fine and thin. The heat setting also prevents any shifting. Awesome, right? Immediately, you'll experience more accuracy in your sewing and piecing.

• Then sew as usual. When I piece, I prefer 1.6-1.8 stitch length. After sewing, press to the side.

It's Quilt Block Mania time! This month's theme is "Drinks" and your designers have 27 refreshing quilt block designs for you! Yes, you read that right: 27 designs and they're all free for the month of March 2024. From tea to lemonade to champagne, there's something for everyone.

I'm a child of the 70's and 80's so it probably goes without saying that I grew up with cabinets full of Tupperware. As a kid, I loved (like super loved) the coordinated color combinations of bowls, cups, and containers. My cousins and I hosted the best Kool-Aid parties and felt like real grown-ups pouring Mountain Berry Punch and lemonade from the classic Tupperware Pitcher. Those were the days, right?

These happy memories inspired me to design a Tupperware Pitcher with a quilty twist for my Drinks themed quilt block. I love how it turned out! I hope it sparks some happy memories for you too. I also included a few fun color variations for you: Pink Lemonade, Orange Juice, and Cherry Kool-Aid.

          

The Tupperware Pitcher Quilt Block is perfect intermediate quilters who are looking to fine-tune and build their piecing skills. It features Stitch & Flip corners and traditional piecing techniques. It's a scrap-friendly block, too!

Minimum Fabric Requirements:
for (1) 12"x12" finished quilt block:

• Main Pitcher Color - (1) fat quarter
• Star/Juice Color - (1) fat eighth
• Background - (1) fat quarter
• Top of Cup - scraps
• Top of Pitcher - scraps

The Tupperware Pitcher Quilt Block, along with the other QBM blocks, measure 12.5"x12.5", unfinished. Each block is FREE during the month of March 2024, so you can combine blocks into a fabulous quilt or pick and choose your favorites. (Scroll down for the list of designers and links to their patterns). After March 2024, my pattern will be available to purchase as a download in my shop for $6. 

Be sure to join the Quilt Block Mania Facebook Group for inspiration and to share your own blocks.

Check out the other Drinks-themed blocks from the Quilt Block Mania Designers: 

Champagne Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Martini by Crafty Staci
You Shake Me Up
Scrappy Mug by Katie Mae Quilts
Pina Colada by Appliques Quilts and More
Cosmopolitan by Inquiring Quilter
Cups and Saucers
Bubble Tea by Inflorescence Designs
Beer Pong by Patti's Patchwork
Perfect Flying Geese
Bear Loves Cocoa by Colette Belt Designs
Coffee Bean by Sewistry
Sip & Stitch by Happy Hour Stitches
I'm a LIttle Teapot
Bit too Much by Epida Studio
Tupperware Pitcher by Cristy Fincher
Ice Cubes by Create with Claudia
Cherry by Slightly Biased Quilts
Tea for Me by Craftapalooza Designs
French Press by Oh Kaye Quilting
Sew Fresh FPP Block by San Diego Sewn
Cheerwine by Emerald Falls Quilts
Release the Kraken by Art Quilts by Design
But First Coffee by Paleofish Designs
Margarita by Sallys Sewing Circle
Iced Lemonade by Patchwork Breeze