Machine Piecing

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. 

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

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