I recently found this pattern from 2014 in my “patterns not yet done” notebook, and it came at a good time. One of the UFO boxes I’m trying to empty contained a set of 12″ scrap blocks, so this patter was just what was needed.

Ribbons and Boxes, 60″ x 70″

Some of the scrap blocks had started with orphan blocks, which added some variety.

And the background looks like solid white but it actually has a pattern of fine blue lines. Another time I probably wouldn’t choose such a light background for a child’s quilt, but…

The pattern, by Anita Shackelford, was in Modern Quilts Unlimited in spring of 2014, so it’s been around for a while! Her article encouraged readers to use her idea and design their own version on a design wall, so if you want to copy her idea, I expect she’d approve 😀

This top, along with batting, backing, and binding, will now go to my friend who quilts our tops for donation to Flying Horse Farms.

Not a traditional crazy quilt, but one that looks like only a crazy person might make it.

I very much enjoyed the process. The blocks are fairly complicated to make, so it wasn’t just a mindless task, and there was the fun of all the various fabrics. It was possible to chain piece, so I was able to listen to a book while sewing. Due to the complexity of the blocks I did make a couple of mistakes along the way, but those blocks just went into the orphan block bin. And the blocks were made from leftover fabric anyway, so no worries.

Here’s a close-up of just a few blocks. Because of the way they’re assembled and trimmed, seams don’t match exactly, which of course I like.

The pattern is Diagonal Scrap Quilt by Maryline Collioud-Robert, available here in her Etsy shop. She lives in Switzerland, but patterns are available in English as well as French. I’ve made several of her patterns and loved them all.

It took about two weeks of full time work to make the blocks. Now that they’re finished I need to put them aside for another project, but in future this quilt will get a border to “hold in the craziness” as my husband puts it. Stay tuned!

Some years ago I titled a post “Can This Quilt Be Saved?” with a chuckle and a memory of a long-ago column in a women’s magazine entitled “Can This Marriage Be Saved?” So here is round 2.

I am testing patterns to use for teaching Beginning Quilting in 2026 and started with the Nantucket pattern from Villa Rosa Designs. I made it first with leftover Tim Holtz fabric, since a friend had done something similar.

This is just the blocks on the design wall; the quilt isn’t finished yet.

After that went pretty well, I decided to try a version using leftover florals.

That was waaaaaaaaay too many florals all jammed together, so I tested various fabrics for sashing to give them a little room to breathe.

I finally settled on a blue Grunge and, while it’s not my favorite quilt ever, it’s acceptable.

With the added sashing and borders, this is the right size for Flying Horse Farms, so I will save it for my friend Jerri to quilt. Until it gets to her it can be the what-not-to-do example for beginning quilting–ha!

At least, the best I’ve been to.

First, the big national ones are worth at least an occasional visit, for inspiration if not for imitation of the quilts.

The American Quilter’s Society, AQS, has various large shows around the country. If you’re a dedicated quilter it’s worth going to The Big One in Paducah, KY, at least once. The other AQS shows are equally good (though smaller) and are moved to various cities, making them more accessible.

Most of the quilts at AQS shows are traditional, and many have such heavy quilting that they probably would stand by themselves if they weren’t hung, but of course I took pictures of the more modern ones that appeal to me.

Quilt by Gina Abayan, part of a display of beautiful quilts from the Philippines at AQS a number of years ago

AQS shows have very high quality quilts from all over the world, though you don’t have to be an expert to be juried in. They took one of my quilts many years ago and it was obvious when I saw it hanging that it wasn’t up to the standard of most of the others!

I designed “Spring Sun” using piecing papers from a Judy Niemeyer pattern. It didn’t hang straight, but was accepted at an AQS show anyway.

Of note, AQS also rejected one of my more recent quilts, probably because the subject was birth control! AQS has an unfortunate history of censorship of any quilt that even remotely references reproductive functions, but I’m not going to review that here. It’s worth going to see the quilts. You can find their shows on the AQS website.

This quilt was rejected by AQS, likely because it encourages condom use.

A for-profit company, Mancuso Show Management, also sponsors several large national shows, which they call Quiltfest. There’s one near Philadelphia that I attended every year when we lived in that area, and there are others around the country. Quiltfest shows have various types of quilts and, like AQS, have classes with national instructors as part of the show. There are many inspiring quilts, including some that are more approachable than most I’ve seen at AQS shows. I enjoy their shows and will go again.

Sliced by Amy Kerkemeyer was displayed at the Mancuso Quiltfest in Hampton, VA, in 2024

My quilt, Full Circle, was accepted for the Mancuso shows in Philadelphia (PA) and Hampton, VA this year

In recent years the Modern Quilt Guild has sponsored QuiltCon, a huge national show that now occurs annually. The judges are somewhat predictable in what will be accepted and what will win prizes, but their choices are very different from the other national shows, making QuiltCon worth a visit. The members and contestants at QuiltCon are younger, on the whole, than those involved with AQS, and the atmosphere of the shows is much different. And unlike AQS, the MQG doesn’t avoid controversy!

Bowls and Balls #2, by Rachel Kerley, exhibited at one of the early QuiltCon shows

There were many dynamic and interesting quilts at the Quiltcon shows I’ve attended. The only criticism I’ve heard is that the judges emphasize what they consider socially relevant quilts rather than the quality of design and execution of the quilts. It’s probably good that the QuiltCon judges have different standards than AQS judges, and the QuiltCon shows are well worth seeing whether or not you agree with the judges’ choices.

Eeek! Here I am riding a sewing machine at QuiltCon in Austin, 2015.

There are other big (even huge) shows around the country, but so far I’ve been unable to attend the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Road to California, or the outdoor quilt show in Sisters, Oregon. And I certainly haven’t been to the big shows in Europe, as some of my friends have.

However, in accordance with my plan to submit more quilts this year I did submit one to IQF in Houston, where it wasn’t accepted. And I contributed a quilted postcard for sale to support the Sisters, Oregon show. I just haven’t gotten to either of them in person yet. Bucket list items, maybe?

House Card, 4″ x 6″, donated to support the annual outdoor quilt show in Sisters, Oregon.

Despite all these big, prestigious shows, local shows often are the most inspiring because the quilts are closer to what most of us will actually make. There’s usually good variety and often excellent quality. Besides, we get to see our friends and their quilts at these shows. Here are a few quilts from local shows sponsored by some of the guilds I belong to.

Periodic Table of Quilting & Embroidery by Lori Peterson included applique, piecing, and machine embroidery. This picture shows only part of it so you can see some detail. It was very impressive.

“Curved Plaids” by Heidi Haynes

Grassy Delight by Betsy Bopp

What quilt shows do you enjoy attending? Which ones should I add to my bucket list?

It probably seems like I haven’t made a quilt in a while, but it’s just that I haven’t FINISHED anything in a while! So finally, here is a floral quilt for Ronald McDonald house. It’s been hanging around needing binding for months–you know how that is!

The green isn’t nearly this yellow, but I was unable to adjust it despite multiple attempts. Whatever!

Quilt Stats

Name: Florals for Ronald McDonald

Finished size: 43″ x 57″

Pattern: Favorite Things, from Make It Christmas With 3-Yard Quilts

This now starts the stack of things to be donated next spring. It’s a “stack” of one now, but more are coming!