Sessoms

A foundation paper pieced pattern designed by Carolyn Friedlander. When I designed the Ruby Ruler™, I wanted to try the concept of designing with scrappy fabrics grouped into light and dark value categories on many different quilts that were not originally designed that way, quilts designed by other designers I admire. This one was perfect because Carolyn’s fabric choices on the original version were beautifully quiet and not heavily patterned. I was hoping this would turn out the way I saw it in my mind and it did. Made me smile every day when I walked into my studio.

Avalon

My husband was staying at the Avalon Hotel and fell in love with some wallpaper he saw there, snapped a photo and sent it to me. That became this quilt. Made from corduroy clothes, and a bit of velvet- all either outgrown pieces from my kid’s closets, or purchased from the thrift store.

Instructions to make this quilt can be found in my book, Wise Craft: Turning Thrift Store Finds, Fabric Scraps, and Natural Objects into Stuff You Love.

Sunshine Medallion

Originally made for our bed, to cheer up our room through the dreary gray Seattle Winter, this became the first quilt pattern I ever produced for sale. Its been made many times and is still a wonderful way to show off a collection of beautiful fabrics in your favorite colors.

Make your own Sunshine Medallion quilt. 

Ski Parka

My husband thought making a quilt out of quilted ski parkas would be pretty clever. It was a fun experiment to cut open the many jackets we purchased from the thrift store and cut them to include pockets, snaps, and other details where we could.

The instructions for this project can be found in You Inspire Me To Quilt by Cheryl Arkinson.

Summer Sherbet

A project made for my first book. I wanted to play with the idea of making a picnic blanket using a washable shower curtain liner as a backing, to truly keep the moisture away from the front, and it worked! The front is a collection of men’s dress shirts purchased from the thrift store.

Instructions for how to make this project are in my first book, Wise Craft: Turning Thrift Store Finds, Fabric Scraps, and Natural Objects into Stuff You Love.

Indigo

Made from a collection of denim collected from thrift shopping, mainly chosen for their colors. A variation of the very classic quilt block called Delectable Mountains.

Instructions on how to make this quilt can be found in my latest book, Wise Craft Quilts.

Commission Nuts and Bolts

Made from a collection of baby’s first year clothes, made into a twin quilt for his big boy bed. Included are letters from Dad’s childhood sweaters. Design is created by using the dark and light values of the collection of pieces received from the family.

Make your own Nuts and Bolts quilt.

Scrappy Nuts and Bolts

Made from my stash using only the dark and light value differences to create the design.

Make your own Nuts and Bolts quilt.

Racer

Made from a collection of Tyvek race numbers my husband wore during competitive cycling. Many many racers. Sewn together and backed with navy chambray. Ties added to allow it to be rolled up and stored either on a bike or in the car. Pull it out to use it to sit on outside. A dry place to watch more cycling races!

Instructions to make this are in my latest book Wise Craft Quilts.

Toile Quilt

Vintage toile and Kona “snow”. An improvisational play on a classic four patch. Hand quilted with perle cotton squares scattered across the surface.