Mini Sew Along Block #1

Here's the first block of my Civil War Mini quilt.

Block #1 Framed Four Patch (3" x 3" finished) 

Make four blocks. I always make a few more so I can play around with the blocks. 

Sew carefully. There are some tiny pieces. I find it helps to press the seams open.

 You'll find the instructions in my Facebook group files or on my website. Click on the top tab for the Sew Along page.  Block # 2 will be posted on Friday,  March 7.  

Have a good weekend! 

Civil War Mini Quilt Sew Along

Winter doldrums got you down?? Agonizing or stressing over the state of the world?? You're not alone. Join me in in my Facebook group for a new March sew along to make a cute little quilt using your Civil War/reproduction  fabrics.  Playing with fabric and small blocks always perks me up and takes me away from it all. Set aside maybe an hour each week in March to make some little blocks with me and see what it does for you. 

We'll be working on a few small blocks each week. Details and instructions for making the first block will be posted tomorrow, Friday, Feb 28, 2025  in the Facebook group files and also on my website. Look for the page titled Civil War Mini Quilt. I'll add instructions for subsequent blocks on Fridays through March.

I hope you'll join us - The blocks we'll be making will be small and using up some of your fabric scraps may be all you need to get started. Before you start -  tidy up your sewing table, change your needle and poke through your scrap basket for some tantalizing fabric scraps you'll want to use up. An organized sewing space goes a long way to feeling motivated to begin working on something new. 

None of the pieces to make the blocks will be larger than 4" x 4" so you won't need much fabric. Although  . . .  even a little bit of new fabric always helps us feel inspired.  Have you visited one of my favorite shops online?  Ye Olde Schoolhouse in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, sells wonderful bundles of fabrics that are just perfect for making small quits. Last time I looked, Jeanie also had several kits available for some of my quilts.  Making pretty quilts requires buying some pretty fabric . . . . but you already know that.  I'll post the first block tomorrow (Friday).

February Hearts

                               I love hearts.

Happy February! To me, the whole month of February means Valentine's Day. I love hearts and have a soft spot for most things that are heart shaped. 

There are also a couple of heart-themed quilt patterns in my Etsy shop.

Thank goodness for February and Valentine's Day because it gives me a good excuse to indulge myself. I usually immerse myself in hearts and heartfelt thoughts all month long. 

I found this quote last week and needed to share it - 

“. . . In a time lacking in truth and certainty and filled with anguish and despair, no woman should be shamefaced in attempting to give back to the world, through her work, a portion of its lost heart.” 

                                                                                                            - Louise Bogan

It's funny that this quote (from 1970??) popped up in an old book I was reading yesterday, at the same time I decided to work on some appliqued hearts for a quilt. So I am hoping to send out into the universe one little heart a day in a very small attempt to spread some light to combat the hate and cruelty surrounding our culture. And remind ourselves that Love is what we need . . . .

I'm making one heart a day (or more if I am able to) for 14 days. Spreading some light and LOVE in February . . .

I think we need to use our art/creativity to shine a light and encourage others with compassion and love. Make a little heart, show you care.

                               

There's a heart template in my Schoolgirl Sampler book and another one in my Facebook group files. Or just draw your own and use your favorite method of applique.  I like using the starch and template method and you'll find instructions for doing that in the FB group files or in the Quilting Basics section  of some of my books. The hearts do not have to be pink and red. I may play around with a border for the hearts. Or sashing. Be creative and come up with something you like and spread around a little LOVE this month.

"The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered 

acts of kindness and love." 

                                        ~ Wm. Wordsworth