TULIP BASKET Mini Quilt

I'm excited to be introducing my newest mini quilt pattern Tulip Basket just in time for spring. The basket is two paper pieced log cabins, and the simple tulips are done in hand-stitched appliqué. It measures 19" x 18" (47.5cm x 45cm). This mini quilt uses a soft taupe colour palette inspired by the beautiful quilts by Japanese quilt artist Yoko Saito.

I think the rich tones of the tulips are stunning against the quiet neutrals. If you have basic appliqué and paper piecing skills, you can make this cheery spring project in no time at all. Hand stitched appliqué or fusible appliqué are both suitable for this project.

CELTIC TWIST Quilt Block | Step-by-Step Tutorial

This tutorial is for the 17" x 17" Celtic twist block shown above. It may look complicated, but it's simple to put together. There are no Y-seams and no templates to worry about. The block consists of two 6 inch units (one is a snowball block) and two different sized triangle units; that's it! You can make one block or add more units to make a quilt or table runner. I love this block for showcasing big prints.

These are the four units to make the block.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR ONE BLOCK
(All measurements include a 1/4 inch seam allowance)

Unit 1 - Makes 4
[8] 5" x 2" dark print
[8] 5" x 2" light print
[4] 3½" x 3½" medium print

Unit 2 - Makes 4
[1] 7¼" solid

Unit 3 - Makes 4
[2] 7" solid
[4] 2" x 2" dark print

Unit 4 - Makes 1
[1] 6½" x 6½" large print
[4] 2" x 2" light print

UNIT 1 - Make 4

1. Arrange your fabric pieces to ensure you have the correct colour placement. You'll need [2] 5" x 2" dark print; [2] 5" x 2" light print; and [1] 3½" square medium print to make one 6" block.



2. Place the square and first piece right sides facing and start stitching 1 inch from the top of the square.



3. Flip and press the first piece. Place the next piece right sides facing and stitch to end.



4. Flip and press the last piece you stitched. Place the next piece right sides facing and stitch to end.



5. Flip and press the last stitch pieced. Pull back and pine the first piece sewn on and pin back. Place the last piece right sides facing and stitch to end. Flip back and press.



6. Fold back the first piece as shown and stitch to just past the starting point of your first stitches.



7. Press completed block.




UNIT 2 (One square makes four triangles)

1. Cut [1] 7¼ solid colour square.
2. Cut the square diagonally to each corner to make four triangles.



UNIT 3 - Make 4

1. Pin one [1] 2" dark print square with right sides facing on opposite corners of the 7" solid colour square and stitch as shown. Cut a 1/4 inch seam allowance from each corner square, flip and press back.

2. Cut from corner to corner parallel to stitched corners to make two triangles.

UNIT 4 - Make 1

1. Cut [1] 6½ inch large print square and [4] 2" light print squares. Pin one 2" square with right sides facing on each corner of the larger square as shown.



2. Cut a corner inch seam allowance from each corner square, flip back, and press.

BLOCK ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Polly makes my pencil quilt

One of the most rewarding things as a quilt designer is seeing how other quilters interpret my patterns. I was so pleased to recently see one of my most popular patterns, Pencil Me In, created by Polly at Aunt Polly's Porch. I think she did a beautiful job with this pattern. Her colour choices are stunning, and I love the hanging tabs she put on the top.

Image from Aunt Polly's Porch Blog

Buy this pattern at my Etsy Store

Kandinsky Revisited: Inspiration for a new art quilt

When I was an art student, I became fascinated by the art of Wassily Kandinsky. I loved his playfulness with shapes and colour. I also saw that his style would translate very well into quilt applique and created this art quilt below.

Mystic Bird Art Quilt by Monica Curry 

Untitled (Kandinsky Inspired) by Monica Curry

I've recently been wanting to try something different, so I thought I'd revisit my Kandinsky phase; I'm glad I did. Recently, I found other quilts inspired by Kandinsky and discovered Kandinsky quilts are quite a thing in the quilting world.

Below are a few examples of the Kandinsky quilts I found recently. You can see that Kandinsky's art translates extremely well into art quilts. If you want some inspiration for your own Kandinsky quilt, check out wassily kandinsky.net where you'll find a catalogue of Kandinsky's artwork.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Patricia Bravo - My Vision of Kandinsky

The Vision of Kandinsky quilt pattern is one of three patterns by quilter and fabric designer Patricia Bravo. Update: July 07, 2021. The Kandinsky patterns by Patricia Bravo are no longer available.

Lolly Quilts

Check out these gorgeous Kandinsky quilts at the Lollyquiltzs Kandinsky Challenge.

Carol J. Floyd - Kandinsky and Me

Kandinsky and Me. This is an award winning Kandinsky quilt from the 2010 American Quilt Society Quilt Show & Contest in Des Moines, Iowa.

Don't Call Me Becky

Inspired by the Kandinsky classic, Color Study, Squares with Concentric Circles. This quilt was created by Rebekah at Don't Call Me Becky.

Daniela Schupp - Kandinsky Goes to the Bahamas 

Kandinsky Goes to the Bahamas by Daniela Schupp for the Art Quilt Association Inspired by the Masters Show

Butterfly Garden Quilt Block Pattern

Spring can never come soon enough. Until it arrives, this pretty paper pieced Butterfly Garden block is bound to cheer you up. The finished block is 12" x 12" and the paper piece butterfly center block measures 7" x 7" when finished.

This is a very versatile block. It would make a lovely pillow for a sunroom or a girl's bedroom.

Create a pretty wall hanging for your spring décor or a sweet placemat.

Christmas Cactus Quilted Table Toppers

I first introduced this pattern this past summer and finally finished it. I really wanted to have it done before Christmas but other commitments took up a lot of my time during the holidays. The nice thing about this pattern is that it can be used year round because it's not too Christmassy.

These stunning quilted table toppers were inspired by the Christmas Cactus that blooms throughout the Christmas season. The pattern includes instructions for both versions shown below. Finished size for both versions is 26" x 26" (65cm x 65cm) and the finished block size is 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm). This table topper fits perfectly on a standard 42" round table.

VERSION 1

VERSION 2

NEW PATTERN! Sweet Hearts Placemats for that romantic dinner for two

Are you planning a romantic dinner at home this Valentine's Day? Why not make you and your sweetie these cute quilted placemats for that special night? You'll need five Fat Quarters to make two placemats. Fusible appliqué makes this project simple and quick.

I'm so glad to have this pattern complete for Valentine's Day. I think these are adorable. They would add a nice personal touch to a romantic dinner at home. Also, this is such an easy pattern to make. Just fuse the pieces together, quilt, bind and you're done.

I like how the little heart gives you a faux reverse appliqué look.

HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY CANADA!

Celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday!

Buy my Canadian Flag Banner pattern at

40% OFF until July 2, 2017

This simple paper pieced pattern takes less than a day to make. Hang it in your window with pride this year, make it into a pillow, or use the paper pieced maple leaf block in a quilt.