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. 

Aurora

Meet Aurora. She is my entry to this year's Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Aurora - Finished at 80" by 96"

The story of this quilt follows below.

We work in the same company but in two different offices. Her bridal shower was at 3:00 PM. 

I was busy trying to wrap up work for a meeting on Monday. I got there just after 5:00 PM.

The party was over and people had returned to their cubes.  Some had already left for the weekend. There was still some leftover cake in the office kitchen.

I congratulated the bride-to-be and gave her the little gift I had put together - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Me: When is the wedding?

Bride to be (BTB): In two weeks.

Me: Wow!!!

BTB: It is all happening so quickly.

Me: I understand.

BTB: We feel so rushed.

Me: You know, Paul and I got married in a hurry. His parents were visiting for his graduation and we decided to save them a trip. We were married by the justice of peace at Paul's friend's house. With just eight guests, it was a very small ceremony.
BTB: Oh so you understand.
Me: Don't worry about the wedding. The marriage is more important. 

BTB: Would you like to come to the wedding?

Me (speechless for a moment): We'd be honored.

BTB: I will send you the invitation. Make sure you get some cake on the way out.

Me: We will be there.
BTB: Make sure you get some cake on the way out.
Me: Oh yes. In fact, I am taking a piece for Paul as well.

10" squares

Back at home, I told Paul about the wedding invitation.
Me: I want to make a quilt.  

Paul: Do you have enough time to make a wedding quilt? 

Me: Not sure.

Paul: You can give one of the many quilts that you already have.

Me: I have only one queen-size quilt - Esmeralda. I cannot part with her. 

Paul: Why not give one of the other quilts?

Me: Fire Pit is twin size. Most everything else is lap size. Cannot give a lap size quilt to newly weds.

Paul (eyes twinkling): So you want to give them a baby-maker? 
Me: Yes.

Paul: What if you start but cannot finish it in time for the wedding?
Me: In that case, I will give it to her when I finish it.

(Paul was making reference to the movie Proposal, wherein Betty White gives the quilt, she calls baby-maker, to the couple played by Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.

Selecting fabrics

Work in Progress

Pinned

I had a Kate Spain Layer Cake - Latitude.  But I did not like all the squares in the layer cake.  So I cut up some fat quarters.

I chose turquoise, blue, green, orange and pink, trying to match the colors in the layer cake but picking out brighter fabrics.

The fact that Monday was a holiday, resulting in a long weekend, was an absolute godsend.

My nose to the machine (cutting mat, ruler, cutter) I ignored everything (and everyone) else.

Numbered Blocks

I numbered every block. I was scared that any mistake would cost me dearly.

Finished Flimsy

The flimsy was finished. I took it out for a few pictures.

Looking good

Big Blocks

I chose Carrie Bloomston's newspaper print for the backing. I used black strips for binding. The black would match the piecing, frame the quilt and would be speedy too. 

Basting the beast

The large blocks ensured a speedy finish.  The quilting of a queen size quilt is a whole another matter. As I quilted long wavy lines using my walking foot, I had began to think of a name. Little did I know that I had started speaking aloud.

Walking foot quilting

Me: I love how the bright batiks glow against the black solids but cannot call it Midnight Garden. Already taken.

Finished!!!

Wide backing by Windham Fabrics

Paul: Call it Afterglow.
Me: What???
Paul: It is a wedding quilt. Afterglow is fitting.
Me: You sound snappy. Are you feeling neglected?
Paul: Maybe. I could use some afterglow myself.

Black Binding

Wisdom

Brightness = Happiness

I had been ignoring him.  I must spend some quality time with Paul.

Labelled

Me: What is that phenomenon called when the night sky lights up?
Paul: Meteor Shower?
Me: No. You have to go to one of those Scandinavian countries to see it.
Paul: Northern Lights?
Me: Yes, I think. Doesn't it have a more scientific name?
Paul: Aurora Borealis.
Me: AURORA. Yes, that it is.

You are my sunshine

The wedding was beautiful. The bride glowed and the groom was handsome and confident. No nervousness, just excitement and smiles.

At the wedding

I am glad that Paul and I could be there for the celebration.  We wish them all the love and happiness.

Love & Happiness to the new couple

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.  Do check out other quilts at the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

I'd love to hear from you, as always.

Meet Cute

I am thrilled to present Meet Cute. This is my second project for Moda Bake Shop and I am very happy about it.

Meet Cute

Unlike Esmeralda which was not for the faint-hearted, Meet Cute is easygoing and very adaptable.

Simple Block - 17.5" square

Large and simple block finishes at 17.5" square. This means that you only need 4 blocks for a baby quilt (36" square).  This lap quilt uses 12 blocks and finishes at about 53" by 70".

There are no seams to match, which makes it a an easy beginner project. Or a speedy one for more experienced quilt makers.

Backing - Moda Grunge Hits the Spot (Pool)

You can make it from charm squares, or jelly rolls, or layer cakes, and scraps too.

Have I sold it enough?

Well then, go check out the complete tutorial here.  

Here are some more pictures.

Bright & Cheerful

Turquoise Binding

All done

Walking Foot Quilting

Does this look familiar? Of course, it does. It is the same pattern as Playing Footsie, but made with Moda (Grunge Hits the Spot) fabrics. 

Don't  think so

You are in

Of course, some fabrics did not make the cut. Fabrics that were too light were set aside, because they would make a poor contrast against the white background.

ooh Texture!!!

Labeled

I wanted to call it Playing Footsie, but that is too risqué a name for the gentlefolk at Moda, hence the change in name - Meet Cute.

Sweet Meet Cute

I even managed to borrow some super-cute models for the photoshoot.

Thank you, dear model!!!

Isn't she a natural?

When I showed this quilt to my quilt guild members, there were oohs and aahs but when I mentioned the name Meet-Cute, most ladies had a question mark on their face. I had to explain.


If you are wondering what is Meet Cute, here is Wikipedia to the rescue.

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This post won't be complete without an update on Axel.

Little Superhero Axel

I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. Your generous donations have put us over the goal, but you are still welcome to donate. The giveaway is updated (new prize added) and will close on Sunday, April 1, 2018.


Everyone who makes a $10 donation will be entered to win one the following prizes. If you make a $20 donation, you get two entries. Similarly, a $30 donation qualifies you for three entries, and so on. If you made an anonymous donation, I can still enter your name in the giveaway. Please forward the email (from GoFundMe) to sewpreetiquilts AT gmail.com. Here are the prizes - 21 total.

1. A pattern of your choice from Jeni Baker of In Color Order (1 prize)
2. A pattern of your choice from Kelly Young of My Quilt Infatuation (2 prizes)
3. A pattern of your choice from Erica Jackman of Kitchen Table Quilting (1 prize)
4. A copy of the Blue Skies/Sunny Days pattern from Sandra walker of MMMQuilts (1 prize)
5. A gift card for $20 from Bernie Kringle's Etsy shop - Needle and Foot (1 prize)
6. A pattern of your choice from Cynthia Brunz Designs of Quilting is More Fun than Housework (3 prizes)
7. A PDF pattern of your choice from Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts (1 prize)
 8. A charm pack (5 prizes - Four Lily & Loom, One Sunny Days)

5 charm packs

 9. A Moda Jelly Roll (2 prizes - Color Theory and Rustic Weave)

2 Jelly Rolls

10. Small Fat Quarter Bundle (2 prizes - 9 FQs in each bundle)

Moda Paradiso - 9 FQs

Magic - 9 FQs

11. Medium Fat Quarter Bundle by Michael Miller (1 prize - 14 FQs)

Michael Miller FQ Bundle - 14 FQs

12. Large Fat Quarter Bundle (1 prize - Assorted 24 FQs)

All the colors - 24 FQs

If you are quilter/blogger, you get an extra entry for sharing a link to Axel's GoFundMe page on your blog.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see sidebar.


Thank you once again to all of you who helped dispel the darkness.
The giveaway is closed and all winners have been notified.