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. 

Westfield Pattern Release & Giveaway

 Meet Westfield. 

Two (too) handsome guys :-D

This handsome quilt made his appearance in make Modern's Issue 64 in May 2025.

Modeled by Paul, Picture by Preeti, Cover by Make Modern

Designed in EQ8, Westfield is made using the Island Batik collection Poetic Bouquet and is Layer-Cake Friendly. One pack of 10" squares plus 3.5 yards of background and he can be yours.

Westfield is now available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop, available at a discount of 25%, that is just $9 but only till Wednesday, 9/3/25. 

On my bed :-)

The pattern is easy to piece and comes with detailed instructions and colored graphics for every step. I have also included a blank coloring sheet so that you can audition your coloring choices.

Gorgeous!

But of course, there is a giveaway. Leave me a comment on this post, mentioning your favorite precut 
(and why) and I will enter you in a contest to win a free PDF copy of the Westfield (or any other pattern from my Etsy shop). I will announce the winner next week. 

Giveaway Update - The winner is #20. Email sent.

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

In other news, I have completed the Turquoise/Aqua/Teal blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Here they are. Will share with Angela's Linky Party on Saturday.

All of them

Framed 4-patch Blocks

Divided 4-patch Blocks

All scraps are Island Batik fabrics. It is good to be an ambassador.

The next Island Batik Challenge and Blog Hop requires us to make a Crazy Quilt. I will be using the Everlasting  Collection. 

Everlasting Collection - Selected Fabrics

Here is a sneak peek. 

One Block, Too Crazy

The Threaded Chaos Blog Hop begins September 8, 2025. I will be posting my little beauty on 9/15/25. Won't you stop by then?

Niko

Have you met Niko? 

Niko

He is handsome and stylish. He is friendly to jelly rolls and he can be yours!

Niko was first published in Make Modern Issue 62, published in January 2025.  

Published

Designed in EQ8 and made with the Island Batik collection Shadow Blooms, Niko finished at 60" by 84", making him suitable for TV time and naps on the couch. He is a perfect picnic partner and just as happy to go on car rides.

Finding Happiness

But Niko isn't just fun and games. He is also just right for charity quilts including Quilts of Valor.

Since Niko is jelly-roll friendly (which you already have) all you need is 2.5 yards of background fabric and you are in business. The step by step directions and colored graphics for every step ensure success.

Jelly-Roll Friendly

But what I like best about Niko is this - simple blocks come together to make a fun secondary pattern. Dancing Pinwheels remind me that we are better when we are together. The elongated Granny Square like negative space also offers room to show off your quilting design.

Dancing Pinwheels

Niko is now available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop. Marked at $12, Niko is on sale for just $9 till May 8, 2025.

Labelled

But wait there is more. Leave me a comment on this blogpost to be entered into a giveaway contest for a downloadable PDF copy of the Niko Quilt Pattern. I will announce the two winners on May 8, 2025.

UPDATE - The two winners are #7 (Jocelyn) and #27 (Jan). Emails are on the way.

What are you waiting for?

What is happening on May 8, 2025? 

Island Batik and Accuquilt have teamed to sponsor the Irish Chain BlogHop and Challenge beginning May 5 and I will be posting on May 8. I will be using this gorgeous collection - Fusion  by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios.

And one more thing. Angela has announced the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for May. It is green and here is my fabric pull. All gorgeous greens are from Island Batik.

Island Batik Greens for May RSC

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

One Collection - Two Quilts

Have you seen the Petal Poetry fabric collection by Island Batik from Lumin Fabrics?

Seriously, drop everything and go find this collection.  If you know me, you also know that I love the bright reds, shiny golds and vibrant oranges. So when a collection that is NOT red/gold/orange/pink but still catches my eye, you know it has to be super special.

How special?

Well, I designed two separate quilts, one traditional and one modern, and they were both published in two separate magazines.

Let's Dance was published in Quilter's World.

Let's Dance

Designed in EQ8, Let's Dance finished at 60" square. 

EQ8 Mock-Up

I love patterns with secondary designs. When seemingly simple blocks come together and the secondary pattern emerges it is magical. Do you see the purple stars?

There is a mistake in the mock-up. I am glad that it stayed right there and did not travel to the quilt :-) 
Can you spot it?

Every fabric in this collection is beautiful and the pieced border was one way to show them off. Here are a few more pictures.

Quilters World Summer 2025

Published!

Dance with me!

Brighton was published in Make Modern Issue 63.

Paul, the model

I wanted to make a simple (modern/minimalist) quilt to really show off these fabrics. When the design gets complex, the fabrics will play second fiddle. When the design is simple, the fabrics truly take center stage.

On my bed

Brighton was also designed in EQ8, making sure that I used each of the 20 fabrics in the collection and no two blocks are the same. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Also used Island Batik Solids - Black, White and Light Grey for binding. The batting is Hobbs Cotton and it shows off the quilting lines beautifully.

Brighton

Thanks to Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics for generously providing the fabrics.

Thanks to Hobbs Batting for sending me the batting.

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In other news, I completed the red blocks for April, using all Island Batik scraps. 

April is Red

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky party on Saturday.

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The two winners for Austin Quilt Pattern are #2 (Peggy) and #12 (Sushma). Emails have been sent.

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I am currently finishing my Drunkard's Path Quilts. Yes, I made two. I made one and then I HAD to make another because...well, you'll know when you see it. That blogpost is next.

Fabric Pull for Drunkard's Path Quilt

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Wishing you peace in these times of turmoil. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

TGIFF + Pattern Release + Giveaway = Party!

Welcome to TGIFF – Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday on my blog – we open Thursday evening and close Saturday at midnight to allow bloggers from all over the world to post their finished quilt projects. 

Austin was first published in the Make Modern Magazine Issue 60.

It is now available in my Etsy Shop as a standalone pattern. 

Designed in EQ8 and made with Island Batik fabrics from the Peppermint Sprinkles collection, Austin finished at 60" by 80". It is a perfect size for charity quilts.

Austin

Austin is a modern take on the Quilt of Valor theme. A longitudinal design is reinforced by long borders (only on the sides) and walking foot quilting in one direction. Using just four fabrics plus the background, Austin relies on simplicity for his appeal.

Walking Foot Quilting

The detailed directions include step by step guidance and colored graphics show the dimensions of each cut fabric for easy reference.

Crushing on You

Priced at $11, you can get Austin at a discount of 25% ($8.25) for one week. Sale ends Thursday, 4/10/25. 

Labelled

Two lucky readers can get the Austin pattern (or any other pattern of your choice) for free. Please leave me a comment on this post, telling me your most (or least) favorite thing about Spring. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email address so that I can reach you. I will pick the winners next week. 

Hullo Handsome!

Do you ever look at a quilt and wonder - how would this look in a different colorway? I often do :-)

I recolored Austin using two different Fabric collections. Here is one. Check the Etsy listing to see the other colorway.

Austin in Petal Poetry

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In other news, I made some super fun braided placemats to promote Kate Colleran's new book.

Using Island Batik scraps and the mini braid tool, I cut lots of small units.

Cutting Braid Units

Kate's book has 13 projects in varying levels of complexity.  Take a look.

Making Braids

I chose a black background, of course. It makes all these warm colors pop and sparkle!

Finished Placemats

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Angela has announced the RSC color for April. It is Red. Here are my initial picks. 

Island Batik scraps

Plenty of mediums and darks. I think I need a couple more lighter values. What do you think?

Now it is your turn. Join the Party

The rules are simple – share your quilting finish for this week. The linky party is open from 6 pm on Thursday, April 3rd through midnight on Saturday, April 5th.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I've Been Better

Recently a former co-worker-turned-friend called me and asked the standard opening question - How are you? Unable to hide my sadness, because I had received yet another rejection email, I replied - I've been better.

I've been better

2024 was a horrible, terrible, very bad year for many reasons. Paul's mom passed. I lost my job. We were in a car crash. And those are just personal reasons. I cannot even begin to fathom the angst of the planet.

In a year so dark, it is easy to pinpoint the two bright spots:

1. Our long-awaited trip to Hawaii.

In Hawaii

2. My very first Improvisational Piecing Workshop. I was truly happy that day and I received excellent feedback.

Improv Class

Quilting wise, there were certainly some memorable moments, listed here in no particular order.

1. Diva was not only published in Make Modern's Issue 58, she also made the cover!  You can purchase a PDF copy of Diva in my Etsy Shop.

Grey Skies, Bright Quilt

2. Pesto Mushrooms was made for a 6-year old boy who loves the color Green and is fascinated with Mushrooms. I enjoyed making it and I am told the recipient is having fun with it. Mission Accomplished!

 

Happy Recipient!

3. Blush - A labor of love, I am thrilled with this finish.

Thank you, Bob

Thank you, Paul

4. Good Tidings was published in Annie's Christmas Pattern Book. I hope that the serene beauty of this quilt brings good tidings in the new year.

5. Aurelia was published in Make Modern's Issue 56 and is also available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop. I am in love with Aurelia. Not my usual colors, but Aurelia has a regal and majestic vibe to her. Check out the Aurelia pattern on Etsy for a different colorway.

Blues and Purples

6. Bluey Boy - Initially difficult to manage (or potty train), Bluey Boy is my pet (pun intended) project of the year. Thanks to Funky Friends Factory and Island Batik for this adorable challenge. I had a great time with this photoshoot.

Walking on the banks of the Potomac

Such a Good Boy

Best Pet Ever!

7. Praying to Goddess Lakshmi - Ending this list with prayers to the Goddess for prosperity and well-being in the new year.

Marvelous Mini

The job search has been stressful and frustrating.  I am grateful for the love and unconditional support of my friends. You have kept me sane when I was going crazy and kept me together when I was falling apart.

With Mari in Raleigh for Quiltcon

Jennifer and Emily

Leah and Emily

With Roli - High school friends reunited after 30+ years

Manveen - You are my rock!

With Ruby and Savi in India

With Joyce on Mothers Day

I have no idea what 2025 will bring. I fervently pray for peace - both within and in the world. 

Celebrate safely. I will be back soon with new quilts and patterns too.

Sharing with all my favorite linky parties (see full list on the sidebar) and Meadow Mist Designs' Best of 2024 Linky Party.