A photo, in a home decorating magazine, of a folded black and white antique quilt crowning a stack of quilts set on a chair, captured both my eye and my curiosity. I loved the visual interplay between the small squares and the larger squares on point. I just had to recreate it. Paper and pencil in hand, I started working out what the block construction might be and started laughing before I was done. It wasn’t obvious at first glance that a popular block, the churn dash, is the heart of this quilt. It is the monochromatic colour scheme that gives this block arrangement its captivating graphic appeal. When you look at it, what do you see first? The churn dash block or those graphic squares?

Energetic and lively, this quilt boasts a plethora of half-square triangles that dance and spin with unbridled enthusiasm. Look closely and you will see smaller triangles amid the masses, adding even more visual movement and piecing fun!

This delightful sampler will make you look at your quilting in a whole new way. This pattern helps you acquire accuracy skills that you can easily transferred to other projects. Working with small pieces is fun, calming and not as daunting as it seems and the end result will be a stunning example of your stitching prowess for all the world to admire. Join me and have some fun as you create Summerhill!

Diminutive stars and enchanting dots twinkle and dance together in this delightful “little sister” quilt to Mary Elizabeth’s “Northern Lights” quilt that was featured in the book Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts (Martingale, 2007). A wonderful fall walk through Kensington Gardens, with clear blue skies and sun dappled leaves glowing a warm orange, inspired the colours for this quilt. Hand piecing these stars was a gentle reminder for Mary Elizabeth about how peaceful and Zen it can be to take the slower route. Join me in creating your own hand pieced, heirloom Kensington Quilt!

Antique quilts have so much to teach us! Studying the late 1800’s Canadian antique quilt, that I made my quilt after, I saw that it was chock-a-block with interesting design elements and delightful quirks. In this pattern I explain how you can use these same intriguing details to make your version, as you embrace a novel approach to construction. I also break down the important lessons this quilt has on the role of value, the impact of colour, and how sashing can be a game changer. I can’t wait to see your version.

Elisa’s lively mix of creativity and logic, rhythm and random, creates this wonderfully energetic, yet soothing, design. My eyes naturally seek out and settle on the smaller nine patch blocks with their wee sashing . . . their extreme cuteness . . . well, be still my heart! And the name says it all. I love her wit!