Month: April 2025

Sunday Summary: April 27

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

One Finish!

This was finished awhile ago, but this past week was the first time I posted about it on my blog. Check THIS POST for details. (photo credit: Jerry Khiev)

and maybe a 2nd …

12" Mini using Petal Poetry (by Jerry Khiev for Megan Best of Best Quilter)

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – March 89 / 90 days
  • April: 27 / 27 days
  • Total: 116 / 117 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Still need to work on this week’s clue: adding sashing and cornerstones.
  • Swan – still piecing it
  • A Secret project

Quilting projects:

  • Yellow – rectangles
  • Island Batik May

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The Petal Poetry quilts used a total of 8.5 yards.

  • Fabric used in the last week: 8.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     89 yards. {24 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    9.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              79.5 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday. XX NOT DONE!!
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage in progress
  3. Island Batik May – sandwich and quilt in progress
  4. Finish Island Batik June in progress
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for next week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday.
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage
  3. Island Batik May – quilt
  4. Finish Island Batik June
  5. Quilt Yellow – rectangles
  6. A Secret project – get to flimsy stage
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Befitting Fours

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

I sent this design into Island Batik in February 2024 and it was accepted for the Fall/Winter ’24 Catalogue. The quilt was made last spring and then sent to Island Batik in California for it’s special photo shoot! (Thank you, Jerry Khiev). If you recognize the pattern, it’s because it was the Fall ’23 Mystery quilt on my blog. (Pattern is now removed).

For this quilt, I used a BEAUTIFUL collection called Petal Poetry (by Jerry Khiev for Megan Best of Best Quilter) and the additional dark fabric is “Raven.”

Petal Poetry fabric should be in stores now. (see the store list below)

Here is the quilt:

And, some close ups of the free motion flower quilting:

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 50″ x 50″
  • Fabric: Island Batik: Petal Poetry and Raven
  • Hobbs Batting Heirloom: 80/20
  • Aurifil Thread,:
    • Piecing: #2600 (Dove Grey)
    • Quilting: #4661 (mint julep – variegated)
  • Quilting: on my domestic sewing machine:
    • free motion 4-5 petal flowers with echo quilting.

I was asked to use left-over fabric from the above quilt to make a 12″ square quilt for Hobbs Batting to display in the International Quilt Show in Houston. I made this mini and sent it to Hobbs. When the Quilt Show was over, Hobbs sent it back to me. By the time it arrived at my door, UPS said that I owed $175 for customs and duty. I refused!!! The quilt was eventually returned to Hobbs and they sent it to a friend of mine. She took it to the retreat that I attended at the beginning of the month. Hobbs Batting graciously sent a crib size wool batt with the mini! (Thanks, Steph!)

Here’s a list of stores that will have Petal Poetry:

Bill Ellsworth TextilesAZThe Quilter’s StudioOH
Mill Outlet Fabric ShopCOCreekside QuiltsOR
Heart & HomeCTThe Cotton PatchOR
Close To Home-GlastonburyCTSew CreativeOR
LA HOENEMEYER LLC DBA Scrap & SewFLTennessee QuiltsTN
Sew Special HiDown Home QuiltsTX
Calico PointINOptionsTX
The Masters Quilt ShopKSMy Favorite Quilt StoreTX
Mainely Mimi MEPacific Rim Quilt CompanyWA
Smile SpinnersMNPatchwork PlusVA
Quilter’s StationMOThe Needle WorkshopWI
Beginnings Quilt ShopNC
Checker Distributors
OH

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail

Linking to:  

Sunday Summary: April 20

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

Happy Easter

I hope every one of you has a fantastic Easter!

One Finish!

This was my only finish this past week!! It was a super fun quilt to make. You can read about it HERE.

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – March 89 / 90 days
  • April: 20 / 20 days
  • Total: 109 / 110 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

Quilting projects:

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The train used 4 yards (or more) of fabric! No shopping, so nothing added!

  • Fabric used in the last week: 4 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     80.5 yards. {24 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    9.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              67 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Catch up on the clues in progress
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage in progress
  3. Island Batik May – get to a flimsy stage √   DONE.
  4. Island Batik June – get ready to stuff. in progress
  5. Sandwich and Quilt Train √   DONE.
  6. Sandwich and Quilt Yellow Rectangles in progress
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for next week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage
  3. Island Batik May – sandwich and quilt
  4. Finish Island Batik June
  5. Make a decision on RED scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge
  6. Cut out for MMM’s Glowing Heart Quilt-a-long
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Leaving Comments on my Blog

I appreciate each of you that leaves comments on my blog!! It’s fun to read about YOU!!

However, I know that many of you have difficulty leaving comments and I honestly do not know what to do about it. I moderate each of the comments (that’s why they don’t show up right away) so that you don’t have to read about the ugly stuff / junk that some try to slip in!

Anyhow, I notice that the vast majority of comments are “anonymous” and I have no idea who you are. If you could simply put your name after the comment, I’d appreciate it! Thank you! And Thank you to those that leave your name!

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

A Book Review

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments

When I first saw this book, it intrigued me! I knew that the guild library was looking for new book suggestions, so I suggested it.

Wowza! Within a week our wonderful librarian (Margaret) notified me that she had it! I was able to pick it up at our next guild meeting.

This book has all the basic beginner quilting information (which, honestly, I skipped over). It also explains how to take simple cross-stitch patterns and change them into a quilt pattern. Then she has Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced quilt patterns. All of the patterns involve either rectangles or squares, with the occasional half-square triangle. There is even a complete alphabet, if one wanted to put a specific letter on a quilt!

Personally, I believe that a beginner quilter could easily complete the advanced designs. They have smaller pieces and more of them, but easily do-able.

Before I left for my retreat, I cut out 3 quilts from the book: The swan, the train and the butterfly. The swan I cut into smaller pieces than the book suggested. The train was cut into larger pieces than instructed and the butterfly was cut as directed. Here’s pictures of the kits.

The train was pieced at a quilt retreat. The background is Island Batik’s ‘Fondant’, the black is an Island Batik solid and the prints are left over from an older line called “Midnight Dazzle.”

And then it was sandwiched and quilted once I got home. And the monkey was from a quilt that was being quilted at the retreat and the block was cut wrong … he fit into the conductor’s window perfectly!

  • Quilt Stats:
  • Fabric: Island Batik: The background is ‘Fondant’, the black solid and the prints are left over from an older line called “Midnight Dazzle.”
  • Size: 38″ x 43″
  • Thead: Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
    • Piecing & Quilting: #2600 (Dove Grey)
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20 Black
  • Silly Moon Rulers: Rocket and Beanie
  • Schmetz Needles: Universal 80/12
  • Oliso Iron

The swan was partially pieced at the retreat and I’ve finished piecing the top. These are all from Island Batik blue, teal and neutral scraps, along with solid red and black.

And the butterfly is waiting for it’s turn. It hasn’t progressed out of the bag. It’s time will come!

My opinion on this Picture Patchwork should be obvious since I’ve plunged into doing 3 quilts from the book. I think it’s a great book, with many easy patterns in it!

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

SAHRR Winners

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments
SAHRR '25

The SAHRR ’25 (Stay at Home Round Robin) is complete for this year!

You can see the parade of quilts HERE. Each one is unique and wonderful. Everyone did a fantastic job!

If you participated and linked up, or sent a picture to one of the hosts, you were given a number for each entry.

Most of the team got together by zoom, and we were occasionally joined by Wilbur, Wendy’s cat!

We used a random number generator and choose the winners for all the prizes. Emails were sent and everyone accepted their prize.

Here’s a list of the winners:

  • Oliso Iron: CL
  • Island Batik fat 1/4 bundle: KH
  • Island Batik fat 1/4 bundle: DB
  • Island Batik fat 1/4 bundle: CK
  • Aurifil Thread: NH
  • Fat 1/4 shop: RB
  • Pattern from Devoted Quilter: F
  • Pattern from Devoted Quilter: SS
  • Pattern from A Quiltery: JB
  • Pattern from A Quiltery: J
  • Pattern from Sew Fresh Quilts: CH

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors!

And … just in case you’re wondering, we’ll all be returning in 2026 for another SAHRR!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Retreat Fun

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

Eleven of us attended at retreat at Over the Rainbow Lodge on Camano Island. It was a ton of fun: Full of laughter, lots of food, a plethora of creativity and lots of yummy food. We had ultra gourmet meals every night and 2 ‘left-over’ nights … Did I mention the yummy food?

I’m always amazed at the creativity and productivity that happens at retreats. Everyone worked on their own projects. There were quilts started from scratch, partially done quilts and quilts finished, complete with binding!! There were bags and placemats and rope bowls and the list goes on. Lots of talent, clever ideas, inspiration and sharing!!! And of course, chatting and laughter abound!

When the weather was good, many of us went for walks. And of course, there was always some shopping at the Over the Rainbow Quilt store.

Here’s a video of some of the finished projects. I know that I missed getting pictures of many projects!! But it at least gives you an idea!

EDIT: I’m not sure what’s happening, but apparently the video isn’t working on Ipads or phones … here’s a link to the actual youtube video: https://youtu.be/1EKIzObyajs

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Sunday Summary: April 13

/ quiltinggail / 30 Comments

I’m an expert in Pro-craft-in-a-ting!

Two Finishes!

This was my Island Batik challenge for April. I used Drunkard’s Path blocks to make all the animals. See this POST for more details … and for a link to the original pattern. And yes, some of my birds and animals were my design … and the quilting on the animals was also my own designs. I used the 7″ finished Drunkard’s Path Accuquilt die to cut these blocks.

and then I made a mini quilt using the smaller (3 1/2“) Drunkard’s Path blocks (cut with an Accuquilt die).

Retreat!

These are the projects that I took to the retreat … I didn’t touch the Butterfly one, The Swan got partially done, the misc projects weren’t touched, the train got done to flimsy stage, and the Island Batik May and June projects got partially done. I will show a video of the projects (but not mine) that were worked on at the retreat on Tuesday.

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – March 89 / 90 days
  • April: 13 / 13 days
  • Total: 102 / 103 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. The first clue is sewn.
  • Swan – still piecing it
  • Island Batik May
  • Island Batik June

Quilting projects:

  • Train
  • Yellow – rectangles

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

Well, I made it 3 months without buying fabric!!! The wagon broke and I fell off!! I knew that when I went to the retreat at Over the Rainbow, I’d likely buy fabric … and I did. The top 2 fabrics are flannel and the bottom fabrics will back the yellow rectangles and the train. A total of 9 1/2 yards.

The following quilts used a total of 12 1/2, 8, and 3 yards, for a combined total of 23 1/2 yards.

  • Fabric used in the last week: 23.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     76.5 yards. {22.5 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 9.5 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    9.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              67 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Pack. √   DONE. (and the unpacking is done!)
  2. Work on projects at the retreat. in progress
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for next week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Catch up on the clues
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage
  3. Island Batik May – get to a flimsy stage
  4. Island Batik June – get ready to stuff (It’s a Funky Friends Pattern)
  5. Sandwich and Quilt Train
  6. Sandwich and Quilt Yellow Rectangles
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Leaving Comments on my Blog

I appreciate each of you that leaves comments on my blog!! It’s fun to read about YOU!!

However, I know that many of you have difficulty leaving comments and I honestly do not know what to do about it. I moderate each of the comments (that’s why they don’t show up right away) so that you don’t have to read about the ugly stuff / junk that some try to slip in!

Anyhow, I notice that the vast majority of comments are “anonymous” and I have no idea who you are. If you could simply put your name after the comment, I’d appreciate it! Thank you! And Thank you to those that leave your name!

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Drunkard’s Path Block

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

Here’s some of the guidelines we were given:

  • Project Type: Quilt
  • Size: Lap or larger
  • Technique: Curved Piecing (not appliqué!)

We were given lots of links for inspiration and of course, Pinterest has a plethora of whatever you might be wanting to look at! A Drunkard’s Path block is typically a quarter circle with an inner circle and the outer portion.

When I saw this “Wee Animal Quilt Tutorial” I just KNEW that this would be my inspiration for what to make!

Once I had my inspiration, I arranged to borrow the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild’s “Drunkard’s Path” Accuquilt dies. The large die cuts blocks that are 7″ finished and the small die cuts blocks that are 3 1/2” finished.

Using my Accuquilt and the guild’s dies, I got to work cutting some Drunkard’s Path with the Island Batik solids. I used the Solid White for the background and the following solids for the animals & birds.

BlackGreenPink
ColbaltGreyRed
Dark GreyLime Green Turquoise
Fushia0rangeYellow

Somewhere, either on our Island Batik Facebook group or when we were zooming, someone mentioned gluing the blocks. I tried gluing the centre notches and it worked like a charm. Gluing more than the centre did not work for me. And, as usual when sewing curves, I had to take my time. Lots of time!!! I certainly can’t sew at 100 miles an hour when sewing these blocks. LOL!!!

Here’s the blocks as I was preparing to assemble the various animals and birds.

I had to fill in a lot of the gaps with white blocks and strips.

It was a fun quilt to quilt. The background was loops within loops and the quilting of each one was different. There was a LOT of quilting. I used at least 7 bobbins!

And here’s a closeup of all the individual animals/birds:

Quilt Stats:

There’s a little bit more!

There was talk about how the little Accuquilt Drunkard’s Path blocks were way too hard to piece. Of course, knowing me, I took that as a challenge!! Here’s a picture of an unfinished 4″ and 7 1/2” block. They will finish at 3 1/2” and 7.”

Although, I did not want to make a lap sized quilt with small Drunkard’s Path blocks, I did make a small wall hanging.

I did not find that the smaller blocks were any harder to piece than the larger ones. As with any curved piecing, you just have to take your time. Again, I put a tiny dab of glue on the notches and sewed the blocks.

Of course the quilting was simpler with the smaller blocks and only used 2 bobbins.

You will notice that the smaller quilt is a bit different than the bigger quilt.

Quilt Stats:

Thank you!

Thank you to the generosity of Island Batik and Industry partners! They have supplied the products for free as my role as an Island Batik Ambassador! Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Oliso Iron, and Accuquilt.

Island Batik Ambassadors

Visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see what they made this month:

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Star Spangled Bouquet

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

Just before Christmas, my friend, and fellow Island Batik Ambassador Brenda Alburl (Songbird Designs) asked if I could do a pattern test for her! She always has unique quilts and I didn’t hesitate in saying “yes.”

This was the quilt she asked me to test:

It’s a very Patriotic quilt, for Americans. I’m Canadian, so I immediately knew that I would not be making it in red, white and blue.

I’m wanting to use up my stash … so here’s Block #1 using Kansas Troubles fabric:

When I got the first 12 blocks done, I thought, “this looks great, maybe I should stop now!” However, I had Block #2 cut out and started … so I carried on!

Here’s a picture of the Block #2s and then the quilt layout.

I used Silly Moon Rulers to quilt: Rocket and Beanie … and of course, Dude for accurate measurements!

A close-up of some of the quilting:

And the finished quilt:

I know that my quilt looks quite different than Brenda’s, but that’s what you get when you use totally different fabrics.

If you like this quilt, be sure to get the pattern from Brenda at Songbird Designs! Her patterns are very well written, lots of colour pictures, and easy to follow directions!! Thank you, Brenda, for having me test this pattern for you!

Quilt Stats:

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail