First, the really fun (but challenging) quilt: I’m making Cassandra Beaver’s 2026 Block of the Month (BOM). I don’t usually do BOMs because I prefer not to put things away every month, then get them all out again, etc. However, when she offered mid-year sign-ups I decided the design was just too good to pass up. You can see it here. Be sure to scroll down and see the picture of her whole quilt. It’s gorgeous. I emailed for permission to copy her picture here but haven’t heard back, so you’ll have to use the link to see it.
The advantage of signing up mid-year is that I got all of the first six months at once, so I didn’t have to fiddle with it so much. Her instructions are excellent. Here are my blocks for the first six months.
One pundit commented that “the little white squares” are a nice design element, but of course they’re the block numbers!
This is not the final arrangement. The quilt will be queen size, so I’ll have to put it on the design wall in sections when it comes to final assembly.
I absolutely loved doing those blocks, but they were challenging. So as a little easy project afterward, I made this quilt.
The feature fabric was one of those “must have” things discovered on a visit to distant shops and it’s been waiting for about 18 months for inspiration to strike. This picture shows only the quilt top. It will be passed on (with batting, backing, and binding all ready) to the friend who quilts our donations for Ronald McDonald House.
What’s your favorite quick-and-easy quilt design? I’m always looking for ideas.
Zippy Quilts 
Wow, that BOM is a highly graphic quilt. Hit’s that Modern Quilt vibe! I agree about “blocks of the month”. I had the same issue with a guild BOM, but since it was a repeat from 10 years ago, I had the complete pattern and just kept sewing. Quick and easy for donation is Pat Sloan’s OH MY STARS quilt. I think it is free on her website.
thanks! I will look for the Oh My Stars quilt.
The BOM is turning out nicely — and, yes, that feature fabric is a gotta-have. Kudos to you for using it so soon after acquiring it.
Ha! Yes, 18 months is “soon” to use a must-have fabric 😀
Some lovely quilts as usual
Thank you, Helen!
Good thing that Cassandra’s I instructions are clear, because the construction looks fiendishly difficult. Yay for the ease of railfence blocks
Of course I make a lot of curved blocks, but the combinations in this are indeed challenging. And yes, good that she included some easy blocks as well! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Now this is fun! I always love Cassandra’s blocks and project. I actually took a class from her at QuiltCon when we all wore masks; she did a great job on teaching foundation paper piecing (which is still not a favorite).
I like what you’re doing, and will look forward to how it all turns out. I think you hit upon the best way to do those monthly challenges: get it all at once, and get going. Usually I lose interest before the end, but the way you’ve chosen to do, you’ll probably have enough gas in your tank to get to the finish line!
Hoping to finish this one! She sends instructions for “this month” right at the end of the month, so surely it will be next year before I finish, but that’s OK.
Oh my goodness that Cassandra Beaver’s 2026 Block of the Month quilt in progress is so cool! The quilt will be visually stunning!
I like the easier pieced quilt to, that was smart to give your mind a break!
Thanks, Tierney!
At least a half dozen Central Florida MQG members are making Cassandra’s quilt. I just read on Discord (our chapter’s conversation platform) how many of them are lamenting that they’re behind. Looks like you selected the right way to go, jumping in mid-term as you did. I’m not surprised you didn’t hear back from Cassandra when you asked for permission to share. She’s notorious for not responding to emails. I really like your donation quilt. Gosh, that watercolor-y looking slash-y print is perfect in the design. You made a good choice buying that fabric. I’m going on an October two-shop bus trip in October and (looking ahead at the websites) lamenting the high cost of fabric. Good grief. Almost $15 a yard now. Knowing what fabric once cost, and not needing anything, I probably won’t buy a thing.
Ho! Some of the fabric from Tilda is now up to $18 a yard! Thank goodness I don’t care for it…
Hope you enjoy your trip even if you don’t buy anything!