Trillium Trail

Hope you are having a glorious Sunday.  I have a bit of news. This is the current issue of American Quilter.

Look what I found inside!

My picture is from our Hawaii visit

Picture Courtesy - American Quilter

My quilt, Trillium Trail, is published in the January 2026 issue of American Quilter. 

Backing is Island Batik Multi - Marbles

Designed in EQ8, and made with the Island Batik collection Enchanted Flutter, Trillium Trail finished at 60" by 80".  

Enchanted Flutter

Orange Peel Units are appliquéd in threes forming the shape of the Trillium flower, alternating with Irish Chain blocks. A scrappy border completes the look.

Paul, the model

Grassy ground, shimmering lake and cloudy skies provide the perfect backdrop for the Trillium Trail. I took this picture at Lake Arrowhead Recreation Park, when we were visiting Luray Caverns this summer.

A book, a cuppa and a quilt = Perfection

I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for both sewing and quilting. I secured the raw edge applique with stitches 1/8" from the edges, before piecing the blocks. The quilting is a 2" grid using my walking foot. I used Hobbs 80/20 Cotton/Poly Blend Batting.

Snuggleworthy Morning

A few more pictures!

Mayneview Bed & Breakfast, Luray

Quilting Detail

Scrappy Border Detail

Trillium Trail is also my submission for Island Batik's last challenge of 2025 - Ambassador's Choice.

Thanks to  Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) and Industry partners who generously provided the supplies to all Island Batik Ambassadors -  Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, and Oliso Iron.

In other news, I set up my colorful table at Gifts from the HeART holiday shopping market in Reston's Lake Anne Community Center. There were many people interested in my work but only a few buyers. It is a good thing that sewing/quilting is my hobby :-) 

Gifts from the HeART, Reston

I am currently working on a t-shirt quilt for a friend who is a fan of Rock and Roll bands. Hope to complete it before the end of the year. Will share more pictures in January.

Work in Progress

In February 2025, I started a new job. The commute is long (1.5 hours each way) and working from home is not an option. I leave home at 6:30 and return at 6:30. 12-hour days mean that I have no time in the AM and no energy in the PM and weekends are slammed with everything else - grocery, laundry, chores and more. 

I recently said to Paul that if I am invited to a social event, I thank the host. If I am NOT, I thank God!

For this reason, I chose to not apply for the 2026 Island Batik Ambassador Program. I will miss the community of my fellow ambassadors and the creative push that came with each challenge. But I will still be making quilts, writing blogposts, publishing patterns and sharing with all my favorite linky parties. I hope you will stay in touch!

Yamini - A Jelly Roll Quilt

Meet Yamini.

Yamini

Designed in EQ8 and made using Island Batik fabrics, Yamini is a jelly roll quilt finishing at 60" by 80". Yamini was first published in Make Modern Issue 65. 

Sparkle & Sizzle

 "If you’re after a fun showstopper of a quilt for a gift, this one is a perfect choice. Grab a jelly roll, pair it with a high contrast solid background fabric, and watch the magic happen!" - Make Modern Issue 65.

I love how the bright colors pop on a Solid Black background like night lights in a big city. The binding is also Solid Black. I used my Walking Foot to quilt squiggly lines.

Thank you, Paul

Yamini Quilt Pattern is now available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy shop. Listed at $12, you can get it for just $9 (25% off) till Sunday, 11/23/25. 

The pattern is super-simple. Detailed instructions, with colored graphics for every step, it is a breeze to make Yamini. I have also included a Coloring Page so that you can audition your color choices.

What is a pattern release without a giveaway? So if you'd like a copy of the Yamini Quilt pattern, please leave me a comment on this blogpost and I will announce two winners on Monday, 11/24/25. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email so that I can reach you. If you need a prompt, you may share your favorite thing about Thanksgiving. 

Update - The two winners are #6 (Cindy) and #27 (Sue). Emails have been sent.

Here is one of mine. On one of the long drives, returning home after celebrating Thanksgiving in Georgia, the following exchange happened

Me -  If I drive, we'll get home sooner. 
Paul - If I drive, the brakes will last longer.

Yamini on the banks of Potomac - Earth, Wind, Fire, Water & Sky

May your conversations be as sparkling. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Yvonne's Favorite finish for November. See full list on the sidebar. 

Sulaxi -Timeless Traditions Blog Hop

Meet Sulaxi.

Thank you, Paul!

Sulaxi is my response to the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Challenge and Blog Hop.  This challenge requires us to make a Lap (or larger) Quilt using the assigned Summer 2025 collection with the following stipulation.

Use any or all of the following classic, traditional blocks! Use a minimum of 5 different blocks in your quilt in any combination and size of the blocks. 

1. Four Patch Quilt Block 
2. Nine Patch Quilt Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Friendship Star Block
6. Flying Geese Quilt Block
7. Variable Star Quilt Block
8. Ohio Star Quilt Block
9. Nine Patch Chain Quilt Block
10. Pinwheel Mosaic Quilt Block

I received the collection Butterfly Ballet designed by Kathy Engle.

As usual I turned to EQ8. Several designs were made and discarded.  Here is the final choice.

EQ8 Mock-up

This design uses the following five blocks.

1. Four Patch Block 
2. Nine Patch Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Flying Geese Block

Four Patch Blocks

Quarter Square Triangles

Flying Goose Blocks

Nine Patch Block

Blocks on the Design Wall

I forgot to take a picture of the half square triangle blocks. Can you locate them in the flimsy below?

Basting

The Quarter Star Triangles also make the Ohio Star Quilt Block in the center and the Half Square Triangles are used in the corners that form the Variable Star Quilt Block. 

One could argue that I used 7 out of 10 prescribed blocks. But it is not about arguments. It is about the design and overall cohesion and Sulaxi is brimming with it :-D

The batting is Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend in Throw Size (60" by 60").  

Marked for Quilting

Sulaxi finished at 50" square. I am loving her bright fall colors and the festive vibes of a Diwali celebration.

Sulaxi

I used Island Batik Meringue for background. I used 80/12 Microtex Schmetz Needle for both piecing and quilting.

Shimmer by the River

Thanks to Schmetz Needles,  Oliso and Hobbs Batting.

Thanks to Lumin Fabrics/Island Batik for this collection and foundation fabrics. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Below is the full line-up of the Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature, and their post dates. Mark your calendar and get ready to be inspired!

WEEK 1

November 3: 

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio

November 4: 

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here ALREADY!!!)

November 5: 

Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

Denise Looney, Quiltery

November 6: 

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

WEEK 2

November 10: 

Kimberly Flannagan, Kimberly's Quilts

Solomae Stoycoff, Cuddle Cat Quiltworks

November 11: 

Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

November 12: 

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

November 13: 

Carol Stanek, Stitch with Color

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher's Boutique

WEEK 3

November 17: 

Lisa Pickering, Lisa's Quilting Passion

November 18: 

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

November 19: 

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Tina Dillard, Quilting Affection Designs

November 20: 

Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

We’ll launch the first two projects of the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Blog Hop next Monday, but the first week’s giveaway starts now! We put aside two Fat Quarter bundles of the Enchanted Flutter and Cherry Blossom collections that will be featured next week!

All you need to do is visit this post on Instagram and/or this post on Facebook and answer a simple question in the comments: Has a tradition ever inspired something you’ve made - a quilt, a gift, or a handmade project? (We’d love to hear how traditions influence your creativity.)

This giveaway ends on November 8th! Winners will be notified in comments the following day — please check your notifications on November 9th!

Leader of the Pack

The October Challenge requires the Island Batik Ambassadors to make a bag using Patterns by Annie. We get to choose the bag and the fabrics.

I chose fabrics from the Garden Glory collection and the Leader of the Pack pattern. Here is my completed bag.

Happy Me!

But let's start this journey from the beginning. 

I am in love with this gorgeous fabric collection by Claudia Pfeil. These rich and warm hues sing to me the most melodious Autumn Symphony.

My chosen fabrics

I chose the bright orange as the main fabric, maroon as coordinating fabric and green as contrasting fabric for inner pocket and expanding sleeve.

Supplies from ByAnnie

The process from cutting fabrics to the photoshoot took two weeks. Here are the pictures showing my process.

Cutting the fabrics, mesh, Soft & Stable, straps etc. took one day.

Quilting everything was Day Two. 

Mesh for outer side pockets

Curves & Pins - Slow & Steady

Padded Straps & Handle - Thick Layers and Many Clips 

Front Compartment - Will it Fit?

It Fits!!! Thank goodness!!!

Attaching the Front Compartment to the Bag Front

Making the Padded Straps was the trickiest part. But detailed videos for every step were a huge help. Attaching the front compartment to the bag front was also tricky because we could not use clips and the pins were at an angle.  I recommend using a new 90/14 Schmetz needle and proceeding slowly.

Front Compartment 

I love the bright yellow lining. Everything is visible.

Expanding Sleeve and Broken Pins

Yeah, some clips died in the process. Small price to pay, me thinks.

I made my life difficult by choosing directional fabric but Annie's vey detailed directions tell you how to proceed at every step so that the finished bag has the fabric facing up :-)

Almost there

Making this bag was a big challenge but completing this bag has been a big accomplishment :-) 

Time to show it off.

Finished

Filled

Let's take it out for a proper outdoor photoshoot. Because such a beauty deserves to be shown-off :-D

So bright, I think it needs sunglasses

Do you see the By Annie Magazine?

 The straps are padded AND adjustable

Sturdy Handle

And I am fan of ByAnnie

Love my new bag. If you want to make a bag, I guarantee that ByAnnie has a pattern to suit your needs. The directions are detailed and added videos are great help.

Thank you to the generosity of Island Batik and Industry partners! They generously provided the products to all Island Batik Ambassadors! Island Batik, ByAnnie, Schmetz Needles, and Oliso Iron.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties and Quilting Jetgirl's Favorite October Finish. See complete list on the sidebar.