Arboretum

It is absolutely gorgeous weather here in Northern Virginia - sunny, breezy and temps in the 60s and low 70s. To celebrate this delightful day, here is a brand new quilt/pattern - layer cake friendly and on sale! It is 25% off till Sunday, June 7, 2026. 

Thank you, Paul

Arboretum is a layer cake friendly quilt that I made for the Norwegian Quilt Magazine, Quilteblad. 

Arboretum on the Cover

It is the fabrics, Garden Glory - an original collection by Claudia Pfeil for Island Batik, that enchanted me. 

I love every fabric in this collection, no exceptions. So I designed a quilt using all 20 of them. The orange, rust and maroons became the trees, cleverly cut to minimize waste. The greens were used to make the Irish chain blocks. The leftovers became the scrappy border. 

White Background, Brown Tree Trunk

I used a white background and a coffee brown for tree trunks. Arboretum finished at 60" by 80". The size is perfect for Quilts of Valor, large throw, charity quilts, picnics, car rides and TV watching. 

So if you have a layer cake waiting in the wings, the Arboretum Quilt pattern can help you transform those 40 squares into a star.

I am already grateful but sometimes I get lucky :-) See the picture below.

I could write a poem or an essay about the perfect juxtaposition of the Fall colors in Arboretum against the orange and yellow kayaks, but then a picture is worth a thousand words.

The waters are murky and the reflection is shaky but my feeling of triumph is intact. 

Oh Paul, you are my sunshine!

Arboretum Quilt Pattern is available in my Etsy shop. I have included detailed instructions with colored graphics for each step. The clever cutting technique makes piecing a breeze, limits waste and minimizes the number of seams.

Scrappy Border - Pinned in Place

The leftovers are put to good use in a fun scrappy border.  Although I have written the instructions for 10" squares, the pattern can be easily adapted to 2.5" strips. You can also use your stash/scraps. To audition your fabric choices, I have also included a Coloring Sheet.  

With 11 pages of graphics and instructions, it is a steal at $12. But Arboretum Quilt Pattern can be yours for just $9 till Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Giveaway Update

The winner is #10 - Alycia. Email sent.

But if you'd like a copy of the pattern for free, leave me a comment on this post. I will announce the winner on June 7, 2026. If you are Anonymous/No-Reply Blogger, please make sure you include your email so that I can reach you.

Thank you, Wooden Horse

In other news, I am participating in the Sunflower Spice Blog Hop. The blog hop begins June 1 and I'll be posting on June 7. Watch this space.

Here is a peek of the backing.

Mari (The Academic Quilter) usually starts her post with a note about the weather and I tease her about this. How's the weather, professor? Since she has been quiet, I am channeling her vibes in my post today. What/Whom are you thinking about today?

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

Everything is coming up Rosy!

There is a beautiful Hindi song - Gulabi. 

Although Gulab (in Hindi language) means rose, the word Gulabi can mean rosy or pink. Watch this video and notice all the pinks. It is a visual delight. Lyrics Translated in English here.

That is how I feel today. Everything is rosy.

Dogflowers/Snapdragons

The nature is bursting with gorgeous pink blooms.

Peonies

Roses

There is a new season of Bridgerton, celebrating all things romantic.

Close-up of a White Peony with Fuchsia Center

I am working on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks for May. 

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

Light, Medium and Dark

And most important of all, Diva, made using Island Batik Fabrics (Solids and Vintage Charm collection), is featured on the cover of Make Modern Issue 58.

Please note the glove covered hands of the quilt model. Paul, the model, has since hiked his modeling fees. I tried to negotiate but he threatens to unionize :-D

But then, I am in such a good mood that he can ask for anything and get it too ;-)

Paul, the model. Wind plays the Brat!

Hope your world view is so bright! I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar. 

I am sharing the joy with a 25% off sale on all listed items in my Etsy Shop, till 5/31/24.

Swirling Fish Block Tutorial

This tutorial will make two identical fish blocks. 

Background Fabric  - Five squares 5"

Assorted Green Fabrics - One square 9", five squares 5"
Contrasting Solid (choose a color different from background fabric) - One square 9"

Make two large half square triangles - Cut size 8.5", Finished size 8"

On the wrong side of the contrasting solid square (9"), draw a line connecting two diagonal corners. Place the large green square (9") right sides together with the contrasting solid square (9").  Stitch 1/4" away from the drawn line, on both sides. Cut on the drawn line. Press and square both HSTs to 8.5". Set aside.

Make ten smaller half square triangles - Cut size 4.5". Finished size 4".
On the wrong side of a background square (5"), draw a line connecting two diagonal corners. Place a 5" green square right sides together with the 5" background square. Stitch 1/4" away from the drawn line, on both sides. Cut on the drawn line. Press and square both HSTs to 4.5". Similarly make the remaining eight HSTs. 

Arrange and stitch as shown.

STEP 1 - Stitch the four smaller HSTs in two pairs as shown by arrows

STEP 2 - Stitch the large HST to the top HST pair.  Stitch the lower HST pair to the fifth smaller HST.

STEP 3 - Stitch the two pieced units together to complete the block

STEP 4 - Press and square to 12.5"

Do a happy dance, much like the swirling fish :-D Complete the second fish block.

Now make more in all the colors of the rainbow. The smaller HSTs are a great way to use up leftover squares from charm packs. 

Here are a few more examples.

Yellow Fish

Red Fish

Orange Fish

Purple Fish

Nine blocks (arranged 3 by 3) will make a 36" square baby quilt. I recommend adding 2" borders (to protect your points) for a 40" finished quilt.

30 blocks (5 by 6) will make a Lap/Throw/Mercyful Quilt, measuring 60" by 84". Please make sure that you add borders to protect the points.

Questions? Ask away and I will answer here so that all can see. 

I will share this tutorial with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

New Pattern Published!!!

So so excited...

1. Island Batik's Fall/Winter 2021catalog is out!!!  AND I am in it, not only as an Ambassador but also as a Pattern Designer. My new pattern Masala Box is featured in the catalog. 

2. Masala Box is now listed in my Etsy Shop :-) It looks like a happy dance of colorful fabrics.

Listed!!!

When I made the quilt "Beg, Borrow and Barter" in March 2021 as a part of the Island Batik Scrapbuster Challenge, little did I know what was to come next.  Some of you asked - what pattern did you use, do you have a pattern...

Paul, the model!

I am so grateful to all my pattern testers who made the pattern and shared their completed tops and their generous feedback with me, so I could fine-tune the pattern. 

Thank you to Elizabeth and Shirley, who made the baby size.  

By Elizabeth Moore

By Shirley Fox

Thank you to Jennifer and Charity for making the lap size version. 

By Charity Feit

By Jennifer Odell

And kudos to Kathy and Stevie for making the queen size version. You ladies rock!!!

By Stevie Will

By Kathy Paul

While my sweet and kind pattern testers were busy, I made a baby quilt using a black background.

Baby Size

It looks lovely in all sizes and I am very happy with it. 

The pattern is ideal to use as a signature block, perfect for a wedding or a graduation quilt. 

If you like it, please head to my Etsy Shop, or just click on the image on the top right of the blog. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.