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# QuiltSmith

delight in fabric

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## Posts

- [Presenting: Wheel of the World](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/04/16/presenting-wheel-of-the-world/) - My first honest-to-goodness commissioned quilt is finished! Here is Wheel of the World: If you live in the Pacific Northwest and you want to see it in person, it will be hanging in the Everett Quilt Show next week (April 25-27) in Everett, WA. This quilt began its journey nearly two years ago with a
- [Quilt finish: Kinniken's Dragon](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/10/03/quilt-finish-kinnikens-dragon/) - I'm pleased to present my version of the Boomerang quilt: Kinniken's Dragon. This one is headed out to my brother on the east coast. The minute I saw the Boomerang pattern by Jaybird Quilts, I knew I wanted to make it. I also loved the way Angela Walters quilted the one on the cover of
- [Quilt Finish: A Walk in the Garden](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/08/15/quilt-finish-a-walk-in-the-garden/) - The pace of my quilting has slowed quite a bit since I started a new job in March, but the travel ban gave me an unexpected two-week staycation in July. I put it to good use, and here is the result: A Walk in the Garden. Finishing at a whopping 88” x 107”, it’s the
- [Mid Year Check In: 2020 Quilting Goals](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/07/13/mid-year-check-in-2020-quilting-goals/) - Back in December, Yvonne Fuchs (Quilting JetGirl) hosted the #2020PlanningParty to share our goals for 2020. This week she’s hosting a #2020MidYearCheckIn on those goals. 2020 has steamrolled blindly over my goals, just as it has for everyone else’s, but not all of the changes have been disappointing. I am overwhelmingly grateful every day for
- [Magnetic Swatches System (Free Pattern)](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/02/20/magnetic-swatches-system-free-pattern/) - I am so tickled with my newly-completed magnetic swatch system for my Kona Cotton Solids fabric swatches! Read on for instructions and a downloadable pattern for making your own set, as well as a few other options in case sewing all those fabric envelopes isn't your thing. I have been admiring, and envying, the photos
- [Quilt Finish: Sea Glass](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/02/19/quilt-finish-sea-glass/) - Presenting my first finish of 2020: Sea Glass. I started piecing this quilt in March of 2019, when I was hip-deep in quilting The Color of Time on my domestic machine. At some point, I needed a break from wrestling the giant quilt so I decided -- why not? -- to start a new project.
- [Block 58 Homeward Bound](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/06/21/block-58-homeward-bound/) - Quilting on reverse of block 58 Homeward Bound I love this block design! I really like flying geese blocks, though I don't use them often, and the graduated color and scale in this one are very pleasing. With the quilting, I wanted to emphasize the sense of motion by making lines that 'stream' out from
- [Quilt Finish: Interwoven](https://quiltsmith.world/2020/01/01/quilt-finish-interwoven/) - Presenting my final finish of 2019: Interwoven! This is the seventh quilt I completed in 2019. The pattern is from Lo and Behold Stitchery. I used Kona cotton solids for the top, backing, and binding. It was pieced and quilted with Aurifil 50-weight cotton thread and it's filled with Warm & Natural cotton batting.* I
- [Eight Weeks of Learning with the FMQ Challenge](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/12/28/eight-weeks-learning/) - I've just finished attaching the binding to my completed challenge quilt, and what a journey it has been! I joined the Fall 2019 FMQ Challenge to fulfill one of my goals for the year: to attend a quilting workshop or class. Angela Walters of Quilting Is My Therapy was our excellent instructor, releasing a couple
- [2020 Planning Party](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/12/15/2020-planning-party/) - Yvonne (Quilting JetGirl)'s 2020 Planning Party linkup is underway! I participated last year and found it very helpful to really think about my quilting goals, which then became part of my overall yearly goals. 2019 RecapI did pretty well on last year's goals, I'm happy to say! Here's the update: 2019 Goal #1. Finish 5
- [Feather & Fern](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/11/07/feather-fern/) - I'm working my way across my Bright Sisters quilt top using a different quilting design in each color block area. For the yellow & green square-in-a-square areas, I chose this half-feather, half-fern design. Before attempting this design on the quilt, I drew variations of it on my iPad and practiced on scrap blocks. I tried
- [Bright Sisters is finished!](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/12/07/bright-sisters-is-finished/) - I'm so excited to share that I have finally finished Bright Sisters, my version of the Color Block quilt from 3 Dog Design. It's been gifted to my amazing and talented sister, Sonja Stone, who loves it and will give it a good home. She writes young adult suspense novels, by the way. If you're
- [Quilting Bright Sisters](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/10/29/quilting-bright-sisters/) - Nearly two years after finishing the quilt top, I'm finally hip-deep in quilting Bright Sisters. This is my version of the Color Block Quilt designed by Carl Hentsch of 3 Dog Designs, which I first saw on an episode of The Midnight Quilt Show. It was love at first sight. I couldn't wait to make
- [Bright Sisters: Ready to Sandwich](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/11/15/bright-sisters-ready-to-sandwich/) - It's been a while since I've posted about this work in progress, what with the move and everything else -- but here's the update: the top is pieced (and in need of a good pressing, after being folded and boxed up) and I've got the quilting design sketched out! Here's the finished top, wrinkles and
- [Prepping for the Fall 2019 FMQ Challenge](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/10/23/prepping-for-the-fall-2019-fmq-challenge/) - I’m thrilled to be participating in the upcoming Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) Challenge called Help! How Do I Quilt It? led by Angela Walters of Quilting is My Therapy. One of my 2019 goals is to take a quilting workshop or class, and I decided that this one will fit the bill nicely. The timing
- [Quilt Finish: The Color of Time](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/10/14/quilt-finish-the-color-of-time/) - I’m pleased to present the largest quilt I’ve completed to date: The Color of Time. It finished at 90" x 108" and I pieced and quilted it on my sit-down machines. The pattern is adapted from Dimensions by Amy Ellis of Amy’s Creative Side, which includes instructions for twin and king quilts but not a
- [Creating a Queen-Sized Quilt on a Sit-Down Machine](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/10/10/creating-a-queen-sized-quilt-on-a-sit-down-machine/) - The idea of quilting a queen-sized quilt without a mid- or long-arm machine and quilting frame seems daunting, but I did it… and you can, too! I own a quilting frame and I love it. It’s the older wooden Gracie frame from The Grace Company (no longer available from them, but sometimes you can find
- [Repairing Opened Seams at the Edge of a Quilt Top](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/10/03/repairing-opened-seams-at-the-edge-of-a-quilt-top/) - I completed this quilt top over a year ago, but haven’t had a chance to quilt it until recently. I love the pattern, which was designed by Carl Hentsch. He calls it Color Block Solids, but I call my version Bright Sisters. It includes a lot of seams that are pressed open to keep everything
- [Blocking a Display Quilt](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/05/28/blocking-a-display-quilt/) - I wanted to share a picture of the surface I used when I blocked Wheel of the World (you can read more about that quilt and how I actually did the blocking here). Blocking is often done to knitted or crocheted pieces, to reshape them so they will hold their form (so hems stay flat
- [Finishing the Interwoven Quilt-Along](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/04/25/finishing-the-interwoven-quilt-along/) - My Instagram feed is almost entirely filled with quilters, which I love, so I see a lot of invitations to quilt-alongs. I usually don't pick up on those, but when I saw this one I was drawn in immediately. I love the geometry of the quilt pattern, I loved that the quilt-along was only 8
- [Sun and Shadow, Earth and Sky](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/02/20/sun-and-shadow-earth-and-sky/) - Presenting my latest finish, 21 years in the making: Sun and Shadow, Earth and Sky. Years ago, I started this quilt for friends of mine who were about to have their first baby. The "baby" is now almost old enough to drink, but I finally finished his quilt. The fatal combination of not owning a
- [Starting the Interwoven Quilt Along](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/01/29/starting-the-interwoven-quilt-along/) - Today marks the beginning of the eight-week quilt along to make the beautiful Interwoven quilt designed by Brittany of Lo and Behold Stitchery. I'm excited to be joining in (and excited that this one is a little more manageable than my last quilt along -- the 100 Days 100 Blocks Tula Pink City Sampler marathon).
- [13 Things I Learned while Making That Awful Quilt](https://quiltsmith.world/2019/01/14/13-things-awful-quilt/) - I made these nine Ohio Star blocks almost 20 years ago for a swap, but I didn’t send them. I can’t recall now whether I dropped out or remade new blocks to send, but I clearly remember thinking that I could never inflict these monsters on some poor innocent quilter. The points were either floating
- [Quilt Finish: Sea Diamonds](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/12/31/quilt-finish-sea-diamonds/) - I've just managed to squeeze one more completed quilt into 2018: Sea Diamonds! I finished turning the binding about two hours ago. It's a lovely sunny day so I found some evenly lit spots for the photo shoot, and here it is! The pattern is called Diamonds in the Deep and is by Kirsty of
- [2019 Planning Party!](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/12/15/2019-planning-party/) - Yvonne/Quilting Jetgirl is hosting her annual planning party and blog linkup! It's my first year participating. Here's a quick recap of my 2018 goals and a look at my quilting-related goals for the #2019PlanningParty! 2018 Recap I set three major goals for myself early in 2018: relocate our household to Seattle, where my husband has
- [My new quilt studio!](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/12/04/new-quilt-studio/) - I'm sitting in my (relatively) new apartment in Seattle, where the weather has decided to stage an unexpectedly clear blue day in the middle of the cloudy rainy season. If I look over my left shoulder I can see my quilt studio. It makes me so happy -- I have a huge chunk of the
- [Troubleshooting Free-Motion Quilting: Breaking thread](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/11/01/troubleshooting-fmq/) - I was quilting a small wall hanging on my sit-down machine last week and got really frustrated when my top thread kept breaking. I was almost done with the project and was quilting the border with a ferny vine pattern, and every few inches of stitching, I had to stop and tie off the broken
- [Drawing with fabric](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/31/drawing-with-fabric/) - Several years ago I picked up a book called Free-Style Quilts: A No-Rules Approach by Susan Carleton. I loved the photographs of her undersea scenes and promptly got started on a 30" x 48" panel of a complex undersea scene of my own. That one is still in progress, but in the meantime I've made
- [My BIG design board](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/24/my-big-design-board/) - Last time, I showed you how I made mini (10" square) design boards for individual blocks. Today, I want to show you my beautiful new giant design board, measuring 8' (about 2.4 meters) square. It's one of my favorite things about my new quilting studio space and it was really easy to create and install.
- [Mini design boards: keep patches organized while you sew quilt blocks](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/20/mini-design-boards-keep-patches-organized-while-you-sew-quilt-blocks/) - The 2018 Tula Pink City Sampler Sew-Along just finished, and I'm pleased to say my quilt top is completely done! It was challenging to keep up with the one-block-per-day schedule but I'm glad I did it. What with the move and all, I had to be extra-organized and do a lot of advance sewing and
- [Wrapping Up the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/15/wrapping-up-the-city-sampler/) - It's over! Yesterday we posted the last block -- #100 -- and now everyone is finishing their quilt tops or showing pictures of their completed quilts. It's wonderful to see how many variations of quilts are being created from the same set of blocks. But I'm getting ahead of myself -- first, here are the
- [This (Almost Final) Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/12/this-almost-final-week-in-the-city-sampler/) - Just two more blocks to go after this batch and the sew-along will be done. At the moment I'm sewing the blocks and sashing into rows and I love how it's coming together! For now, here are blocks 92-98: Only two more! I'm hoping to have the top pieced by the end of next week,
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/10/05/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-13/) - This week goes all the way to block 91 -- almost there! I actually just finished sewing all the blocks today, and finally have them up on my new design wall so I can decide what order to put them in for the finished quilt top. My quilt is called Hello, Seattle because I moved
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/09/28/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-12/) - It's so exciting to see all the blocks coming together as we get closer to the end of this project. Other quilters have been posting collages of their blocks together and I'm impatient to see everyone's completed quilt tops. We still have a few blocks to go, though. This week is all about squares, or
- [This week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/09/21/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-11/) - We're getting close! This week we passed #75, three-fourths of the way through the project. I'm more or less settled in the new place -- at least, both my sewing machine and my computer are set up and operational. That counts, right? -- and so far I'm still keeping up with the daily block schedule.
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/09/14/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-10/) - The Move happened this week, so some of these blocks were made right before I left and the rest were made right after I got there. Naturally, the sewing machine was the last thing I packed, and I carried it in the car along with all the basics I would need to keep going on
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/09/07/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-9/) - It's moving day and the truck will be here any moment... so this is short and sweet! This week's lineup: (At this point the movers arrived, so I showed them around and am now hastily finishing the post so I can pack up my computer... always the last thing to go!) That's it for this
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/31/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-8/) - Here's this week's roundup, which thankfully includes the last of the Triangles section. See that first block? I had to pull it apart and redo it because the first time my 1/4" seam gauge was in the wrong place. Just a tiny bit, ever so slightly, wrong. But it adds up when you put that
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/24/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-7/) - The end of the triangles is in sight, but not this week. More adventures in diagonal piecing! And let's just lightly gloss over the top edge of block #43. I'll make it work, but... it wasn't my proudest moment. Next week: More triangles, including a block I had to pull apart and completely redo, and
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/17/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-6/) - We're hip-deep in triangles now and I'm having mixed results. For the life of me I can't put two pieces together and get a correctly-sized half-square triangle the first time. When I use the oversized method to make multiple half-square triangles and trim them down, they are perfect. (I mean, naturally! They're oversized and then
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/10/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-5/) - I have a confession to make. I am not posting this from my desk at home. I am at this very moment cruising along the lovely Douro River in Portugal, enjoying some delicious wine and a relaxing break from the madness of packing. But that will not stop the blocks from coming, oh, no! Here
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/03/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-4/) - I'm still keeping up with the daily block for the Tula Pink City Sampler, despite packing up to move. My quilt room will be the last place I pack, of course ;-) Here are this week's blocks -- still in the "rectangles" section: I'm mostly pleased with them, especially the last one. I was very
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/27/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-3/) - We finished the first section, crosses, and have moved into rectangles -- easy to cut, easy to piece! Here is this week's lineup of Tula Pink City Sampler blocks: I've started keeping track of the number of blocks I need in each color combination to achieve the rainbow effect in the Gridlock layout. I'm trying
- [This Week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/20/this-week-in-the-city-sampler-2/) - Week two is done -- seven more blocks! I've decided to name this quilt "Hello, Seattle" in honor of my upcoming move to that city, which will happen in the middle of this sew-along. This week's roundup: This week's lineup features several prints from Tula Pink (blocks 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14) along with
- [This week in the City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/13/this-week-in-the-city-sampler/) - I am having so much fun doing the City Sampler sew-along! One block per day for 100 days, started on July 7, 2018. Here are my first seven blocks: I love them all but I think Block #3 is my favorite of this set. Which do you like best? These blocks are from Tula Pink's
- [Tula Pink's City Sampler Sew-Along by Gnome Angel](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/06/tula-pinks-city-sampler-sew-along-by-gnome-angel/) - I'm starting a new quilt! What, is that weird? Just because I already have 7 quilts in progress? Oh, wait, 8, counting my hand quilting project. Where was I? I've had the City Sampler book by Tula Pink for a while, and I've become a bit of a Tula fangirl. I've been meaning to make
- [Block 8 Friends Around the Square](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/31/block-8-friends-around-the-square/) - I was practicing dot-to-dot free motion quilting when this block came up in the rotation, so I used that technique to quilt it. For the dark red triangles, I drew a line with a chalk pencil from each corner of the block to the middle of the base of each triangle, then marked 2 points
- [Block 20 Nature's Walk](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/14/block-20-natures-walk/) - I almost didn't do this block because I was intimidated by the embroidery, but I couldn't resist the ladybugs. So I got out my book of embroidery stitches, watched some YouTube tutorials, and queued up Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, featuring six hours of young women for whom embroidery
- [Block 15 Family Affair](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/09/block-15-family-affair/) - When I saw the pattern for this block I was sure I was never going to get it to work. Look at all those matching points and seams! No way, not even with paper piecing! To my surprise, and to the credit of block designer Janice Ryan, it came out great. Not everything matches up
- [Block 13 Scrap Stars](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/07/block-13-scrap-stars/) - My version of Scrap Stars differs a little from the original pattern. Let's say I was making the best of a measuring error and leave it at that :-) My block frame is different, and I chose to use only two fabrics instead of the scrappy mixture that the designer Corey Yoder used so effectively.
- [Block 10 Iowa](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/08/02/block-10-iowa/) - This block came together very quickly, but it took me a long time to decide how to quilt it. I didn't want to lose the ring, so I knew I wanted to treat all the green patches (center and corners) as background. I decided to do a small-scale meander there to make them recede. I
- [Block 6 Focal Point](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/26/block-6-focal-point/) - This block, designed by one of my quilting idols (Natalia Bonner), reminds me of opening or unfolding an origami box. I loved the way it came together when I was piecing it and I enjoyed planning how to quilt it, too. First, I echoed outside the center square to pop it up a little. Then
- [Block 1 Hearts Aflutter](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/17/block-1-hearts-aflutter/) - Hearts Aflutter was the very first block to be released for the Splendid Sampler! This was my second attempt at quilting feathers inside a heart shape, and I think it came out a little bit better than the first one. My first attempt was on Block 29, Scrappy Happy Heart. You can tell this one
- [Block 3 Lots of Love](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/24/block-3-lots-of-love/) - I remember making this block, waaaay back at the start of the Splendid Sampler in early 2016. The heart in the lower right corner came out very uneven because I didn't pay attention to my seam allowance. As a result, the block was the wrong size and was noticeably crooked. I left it on my
- [Extra Block: The Magic of Christmas](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/19/extra-block-the-magic-of-christmas/) - Quilting on reverse of The Magic of Christmas This block was fun to make. I used three different white-on-white prints for the background and a leftover bit of a favorite dark red for the star. I wanted the quilting to make the star look like it was shining, so I added straight lines that radiate
- [Block 69 Full Circle](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/12/block-69-full-circle/) - I really like how the quilting came out on this block! It was a little tricky to piece, but definitely worth it. When I quilted it, I wanted to emphasize the stripes in the top half of the circle, so I quilted straight lines about 1/4" or so apart. In the bottom half, I used
- [Bonus Block: Top of the Hill](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/10/bonus-block-top-of-the-hill/) - I like the quilting in the hill and in the background on this block, but I'm not as happy with the echoed circles inside the sun (or moon, if you prefer). They aren't as even as I'd like. I went a little too fast, I think. They do give it a sketched look that's kind
- [Block 70 Bows](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/05/block-70-bows/) - This block makes me laugh every time I see it. Two of my bows are pointing in the wrong direction, and I didn't notice at all until I sat down to quilt the block! I remember carefully arranging them, too, thinking I was doing it correctly. Hah! Funny how you can just not notice something
- [Extra block: Susan's Valentine](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/07/03/extra-block-susans-valentine/) - Embroidery is not my favorite stitching activity. For one thing, I have a cat who will happily shred any embroidered quilt that I put on a bed or couch, so including an embroidered block automatically means the quilt will either need to be hung on the wall or hidden away. However, the Splendid Sampler included
- [Block 64 Rising Star](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/06/28/block-64-rising-star/) - This one was fun to make. I really like the secondary pattern made by the orange corners, even if mine don't quite line up perfectly ;-) For the quilting, I wanted to practice dot-to-dot free motion quilting in the outer squares. I used a chalk pencil to draw a diagonal line across each square connecting
- [Bonus Block: Butterfly Charm Block (Pepper)](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/06/26/bonus-block-butterfly-charm-block-pepper/) - I included this block in my Splendid Sampler quilt because I came across the pattern while working on the Sampler and it delighted me. I added a little extra framing to make it the right size, since the pattern has the blocks finishing at 5" instead of the 6" needed for the Sampler. I love
- [David’s Critters: The finished quilt!](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/06/20/davids-critters-the-finished-quilt/) - This one came together so quickly that I didn't even take progress photos! I made it for my son, who is almost-but-not-quite too old for a critter quilt. Just sneaked it in under the wire :-) The pattern was designed by Wendi Gratz of Shiny Happy World and is available in her shop. I highly
- [Block 52 Coneflower](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/06/19/block-52-coneflower/) - Quilting on reverse of block 52 Coneflower I'm still working out good approaches for quilting on and around appliqué and embroidery. For this block, I wanted to suggest the bumpy texture of the center of the flower, so I quilted some loops in there. I also wanted the appliqué to stand out, so I echoed
- [Sometimes You're Sewing, Sometimes You're Picking Out Stitches](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/10/11/sometimes-youre-sewing-sometimes-youre-picking-out-stitches/) - "Experience: that most brutal of all teachers. But you learn, my God, do you learn." -- C.S. Lewis Uh oh. I just sewed 12 pairs of blue & purple 8" squares together with the Magic 8 method -- four seams per square -- and then I cut them apart as directed -- and then I
- [Bright Sisters: Making the first block](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/14/bright-sisters-making-the-first-block/) - I'm excited! All the little units are cut and pieced, and I'm ready to assemble the first block of this beautiful quilt! Just as a reminder, this is where I'm headed: And this is where I am now: Okay, so I have a ways to go. Time to dive in! Here's what I did... Laying
- [Bright Sisters: Drunkard's Path Units](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/13/bright-sisters-drunkards-path-units/) - I made 160 curved units without using a single pin. Here's how: The Long Version Bright Sisters, the colorblock quilt I'm making for my sister, contains 160 curved patches (drunkard's path units). On these units, the edge of the circle comes within 1/4" of the edge of the block, meaning that the circle should be
- [Bright Sisters: Half-Square Triangle Units](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/10/07/bright-sisters-half-square-triangle-units/) - It all starts with two 8" squares. Bright Sisters has 320 half-square triangle (HST) units (3.5" unfinished size) -- not my favorite unit to cut and piece. Luckily for me, I discovered the Magic 8 Method (thank you, Karen Walker!) before I even bought the fabric for this quilt and I was able to plan
- [Bright Sisters: Nine-Patch Units](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/20/bright-sisters-nine-patch-units/) - There are 80 nine-patch units (3.5" unfinished size) in the Bright Sisters quilt. I used a traditional strip-piecing method to create them: The strips (and most of the units and pieces photographed here) are lying on my beloved Magic Pressing Mat. It's a compressed felt mat that sits on my ironing board and gives me
- [Bright Sisters: Cutting the first fabrics](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/16/bright-sisters-cutting-the-first-fabrics/) - The first cut into freshly washed and pressed fabric is both terrifying and thrilling. I get over the terror by focusing on how much I want to make the quilt top. This one took a lot of focus, even though I kept telling myself if I totally screwed it up, the solid fabrics I'm working
- [Bright Sisters begins](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/29/bright-sisters-begins/) - I've been watching The Midnight Quilt Show on YouTube featuring the marvelous Angela Walters (Quilting Is My Therapy) and I fell in love with the quilt featured in this episode the minute I saw it: The pattern is called Color Block Drunkard's Path and was designed by Carl Hensch (3 Dog Design). It's available on Craftsy.
- [Block 34 Lemonade](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/31/block-34-lemonade/) - This was another easy and fun block to make. Since there were only two small curved patches, I did them by hand. I chose simple quilting, just a wishbone inside the lemon, echoing outside, and some light outlining to set off the white square and the corners. I used a thread that would show up
- [Block 29 Scrappy Happy Heart](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/29/block-29-scrappy-happy-heart/) - One of the nicest things about joining the Splendid Sampler Quilt-Along was discovering new (to me) quilters and designers. Christa Watson, who designed this block, was one of those discoveries. I love her blog and her easy and happy quilt designs. This was one of my favorite blocks to piece. I have mixed feelings about
- [Block 28 Stitching Fashion](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/24/block-28-stitching-fashion/) - The original design for this block includes the dress, a spool of thread, and a needle, but I decided the dress would be enough of a challenge on its own. It was paper pieced and some of those pieces are tiny (all the Sampler blocks finish at 6" square, not including the blue borders). I've
- [Block 22 Goose on the Loose](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/22/block-22-goose-on-the-loose/) - I'm working my way through these blocks! At this point, all the piecing and setting is done (I made 70 blocks in all) and I'm quilting each one. I chose quilt-as-you-go so that I could easily do custom quilting on every block. Once I've quilted them all, I'll join them together, add the backing, and
- [Block 21 Sweet Candy](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/17/block-21-sweet-candy/) - When I chose the quilting for this block, I decided to echo the candy theme with some ribbon candy in the center square and then use loops in the orange triangles to suggest the crinkly edges of a candy wrapper. I practiced continuous curves in the lighter background squares (clearly, more practice is needed) and
- [Block 16 Pieces of Friendship](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/15/block-16-pieces-of-friendship/) - I love how this block comes together. It looks complicated, but Lindsay's design is deceptively simple. When this block came up in my to-quilt pile, I had just learned the fern design (Angela Walters again, I love her Craftsy classes) and I wanted to practice it, so I decided to use it in the dark
- [Block 5 Simple Simon](https://quiltsmith.world/2018/05/12/block-5-simple-simon/) - Simple Simon was easy and fun to make. I wanted the quilting to emphasize the gold stripes, so I didn't quilt over them. I also wanted to enhance the contrast between the light green and dark green background squares. I did a simple back and forth line in the lighter squares, and I practiced the
- [Blogger's Quilt Festival!](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/18/bloggers-quilt-festival/) - What a lovely idea: an online quilt festival featuring quilts by bloggers! The Blogger's Quilt Festival is hosted by Amy Ellis (Amy's Creative Side). I discovered it this year for the first time and I'm delighted to share Jude's Foxes as my entry in the Fall 2017 Edition. I completed Jude's Foxes earlier this year
- [Block 24 Inspector Sidekick](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/28/block-24-inspector-sidekick/) - My flying geese are improving! I still cut the points off where they meet the borders, but the inside ones came out pretty well, and the seams match up (mostly) inside the block. I'm making progress! I chose continuous curve and echoing for the quilting. I did the center square first, and had to break
- [Extra Block: String Hearts Variation](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/26/extra-block-string-hearts-variation/) - This block was inspired by the blocks in Elizabeth Dackson's String Heart quilt combined with my desire to use up some skinny scraps from other Splendid Sampler blocks. She posted the original pattern and tutorial in 2013 but I found it in 2016, so the block ended up in my sampler quilt. The free pattern
- [Bonus Block: Earth Day](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/21/bonus-block-earth-day/) - This bonus block was released in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2016. To make it, I broke my rule of not using blue in my blocks (I set up that constraint to challenge myself to explore other colors, because I love blue) because the earth in the center is supposed to be blue and
- [Block 40 Flights of Friendship](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/19/block-40-flights-of-friendship/) - I love this block design, and I don't love how I quilted it. Definitely a live-and-learn moment. The block features four happy little dancing stars. In the original pattern, the stars are colorful and the background is plain, but I saw another quilter's variation (she is Rat Ferré from Barcelona, but I can't find her
- [Block 18 Lina's Gift](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/14/block-18-linas-gift/) - This is my first basket block ever! The basket is a traditional quilting design with lots of variations. I'm pleased with the colors I chose even though it didn't come out looking basket-like. It looks more like the bear's paw block because I chose a dark green instead of a lighter background color for the triangle
- [Block 17 Family Stars](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/12/block-17-family-stars/) - I like the hidden star in the center of this block. It was a little fiddly to do all the tiny flying geese units (which just means I need more practice), and I definitely stunted some of the points on the stars, but I love the way it sparkles on the block. I wanted the
- [Block 4 Happy, Happy](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/09/02/block-4-happy-happy/) - I enjoy appliqué, so this block was fun to do. When it was time to quilt it, I wanted the little flower circles to pop up and the background to recede, so I echoed around the shape of the vase and flowers and then quilted close back & forth lines in the background squares. I
- [Block 71 First Stitch](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/26/block-71-first-stitch/) - I'll admit I have mixed feelings about how I quilted this one. I tried some big-little loops in the yellow pieces but they don't thrill me. The rest looks fine, but I had to break thread a bunch of times to make it work out in the pattern I wanted. I was kind of glad
- [Block 48 Whim](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/19/block-48-whim/) - I decided to use an allover design to quilt Whim and went with an echoed paisley that I'm trying to improve. It's one that Angela Walters does in a lot of her videos. I'm struggling a little with the teardrop shape, but I'm getting there! I like the way it looks on this block. I
- [First place ribbon at the fair!](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/11/first-place-ribbon-at-the-fair/) - Today was the first chance I had to visit the Sonoma County Fair and see my quilt Jude's Foxes on display -- and there it was, with a blue first place ribbon attached! I am astonished, delighted, and thrilled. It's the first quilt I've ever entered in a fair of any kind. I'm so honored
- [Free motion quilting practice!](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/04/free-motion-quilting-practice/) - This week I practiced two new-to-me free motion quilting designs: paisley feathers and meandering flowers. I was binge-watching quilting videos on YouTube one evening and found Angela Walters' tutorials for the two designs (paisley feathers here, meandering flowers here) and thought I'd give them a try. I've practiced on several of Leah Day's designs from
- [Bonus block: Inside Out](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/24/bonus-block-inside-out/) - I had a lot of fun making this block and deciding how to orient the four log cabin units. Pat Sloan designed it and she shows three different layouts in the pattern (I think I used a fourth). When it came to quilting it, I wanted to use a design that contrasted with the angles
- [Block 39 Balls in the Air](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/15/block-39-balls-in-the-air/) - This one was tricky to piece with all the little tiny slices! I accidentally skipped a step at one point and had to pick out a seam and re-do it. But it came out all right in the end. I went with very simple quilting that pressed down the dark green spears to make them
- [Block 30 Simple Surprises](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/10/block-30-simple-surprises/) - I really like the way this block turned out. I wanted to add some diagonals for movement, and then it looked right to bracket the two green squares with echoed lines to give the block some solidity. I did the red-brown quilting first and then finished up with the dark green triangles that divide each
- [Block 11 Crocheted Thoughts](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/08/block-11-crocheted-thoughts/) - The original design for this block includes an embroidered motif that looks like a crocheted doily and crochet hook. Somehow I never got around to doing that part, so when all my other blocks were finished I decided to embroider the quilt title, my name, and the date instead. I quilted a leaf design in
- [Block 26 Dreaming of Dresdens](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/03/block-26-dreaming-of-dresdens/) - This is one of those blocks that I was sure I was ruining while I was quilting it, but when it was done I decided I like it after all. I quilted the zigzags in the background first and then did the arcs inside the Dresden petals and outlined the inner circle. I went around
- [Block 35 The Wishful Garden](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/20/block-35-the-wishful-garden/) - This block was fun because I haven't done much embroidery, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it and how well it came out. I wasn't sure how to quilt around embroidery so I did a little research and found (unsurprisingly) that you don't quilt over it. I started with gold thread
- [Block 36 Inchy Hexagon Club](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/27/block-36-inchy-hexagon-club/) - I realize you can't even see the quilting on the front of this block, which is probably just as well. Neither could I while I was quilting it :-) I echoed the outer edge of the hexagon ring and attempted a small-scale meandering fill in the black background. I wanted the hexie ring to stand
- [Block 66 Happy Thoughts](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/08/01/block-66-happy-thoughts/) - I had fun piecing this block and wanted to quilt it in a way that emphasized the motif in the middle that looks like it's dancing. I quilted around the center square and then around edge of the brown shape, creating a diagonal line from the corners of the square to the edges so I
- [Block 14 Flying High](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/18/block-14-flying-high/) - This one went very quickly as I only quilted in gold. I started with a wavy line from edge to edge, then echoed back along it. I traveled along the block edge, started the second line, and quilted up to the first seagull. Then I echoed around the seagull until I reached where I'd started,
- [Extra Block Spinning Stars](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/25/sampler-spinning-stars/) - This one isn't actually a Splendid Sampler pattern, but I found it while I was working on the Sampler and decided (crazily, as it turns out) to make it at 6.5" size and add it to my sampler. Whew. I can't recommend making this block that size. The paper-piecing pattern is from Yvonnes.dk and it
- [Jude's Foxes](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/22/judes-foxes/) - This quilt was created for my nephew Jude. He and my son are only six months apart in age, so poor Jude didn't get a baby quilt when he was born like his older sister did. As partial compensation for a baby quilt delivered 17 years late, I asked him for his input on the
- [Free download: Fabric Cutting Diagram](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/23/free-download-fabric-cutting-diagram/) - I created this fabric cutting diagram for complex quilts, but I might just use it for all my quilts. In the "measure twice, cut once" world a visual representation of what you're going to cut counts for a lot! Here's a completed example using one of the fabrics for my Bright Sisters quilt (pictures of
- [Quilting the Splendid Sampler with QAYG](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/16/quilting-splendid-sampler/) - I decided to try quilt-as-you-go for the first time on my Splendid Sampler. After all, this sampler is about learning new techniques! To do this, I sashed each 6.5" unfinished block in 2" wide blue sashing and placed it on a square of batting slightly larger than the sashed block. I wanted the sashing
- [A Splendid Journey](https://quiltsmith.world/2017/07/14/splendid-journey/) - In 2016 I stumbled upon The Splendid Sampler Sew-Along just before it kicked off, and decided to join on the spur of the moment. I'd never done one before but I thought the small block size (6" finished) and relaxed schedule of two blocks per week seemed do-able. I kept up for most of the

## Pages

- [Gallery](https://quiltsmith.world/gallery/) - Thumbnails of some of my completed quilts. Each image takes you to more information about that quilt. Note that the first three images all go to the same post.
- [Downloads](https://quiltsmith.world/downloads/) - These are tools that I've made to help myself stay organized while quilting. They are free for personal use. Print as many copies as you like--for personal use only--and feel free to share them with friends as long as the QuiltSmith copyright stays on the bottom. If you'd like to use any of these in
- [About](https://quiltsmith.world/about/) - Hi! I'm Rachel Smith. I live in California and I started quilting in 1996, after visiting a fabric shop on my honeymoon (the Kapaia Stitchery in Lihue, Hawaii). Looking around the shop I realized I wanted to take a piece of each of the beautiful fabrics home with me! The shop's owner suggested I pick
- [Contact Me](https://quiltsmith.world/contact-me/) - If you prefer, you can email me directly. P.S. Like the card? The pattern is in Amanda Jean Nyberg's book No Scrap Left Behind.

## Downloads

- [Magnetic Swatches System: Free Pattern](https://quiltsmith.world/download/1918/?tmstv=1783927552) - This free pattern shows you how to make 8.5" x 11" fabric-covered magnetic boards to store and organize your magnetic swatch collection.
- [FMQ Troubleshooting Tracker](https://quiltsmith.world/download/1153/?tmstv=1783927552) - Having trouble with thread breaking, skipped stitches, or other free-motion quilting woes? Once you've serviced the machine, rethreaded the top and the bobbin, and replaced the needle, use this tracker to capture the settings you change and record the ones that your machine likes best.
- [Fabric Cutting Diagram](https://quiltsmith.world/download/182/?tmstv=1783927552)

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://quiltsmith.world/category/uncategorized/)
- [QAYG](https://quiltsmith.world/category/qayg/)
- [Splendid Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/category/splendid-sampler/)
- [Jude's Foxes](https://quiltsmith.world/category/judes-foxes/)
- [Bright Sisters](https://quiltsmith.world/category/bright-sisters/)
- [Downloads](https://quiltsmith.world/category/downloads/)
- [David's Critters](https://quiltsmith.world/category/davids-critters/)
- [City Sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/category/city-sampler/)
- [Tips](https://quiltsmith.world/category/tips/)
- [Work in Progress](https://quiltsmith.world/category/work-in-progress/)
- [Organization & Space](https://quiltsmith.world/category/organization-space/)
- [Sea Diamonds](https://quiltsmith.world/category/sea-diamonds/)
- [Interwoven QAL](https://quiltsmith.world/category/interwoven-qal/)
- [Sun and Shadow Earth and Sky](https://quiltsmith.world/category/sun-and-shadow-earth-and-sky/)
- [Wheel of the World](https://quiltsmith.world/category/wheel-of-the-world/)
- [The Color of Time](https://quiltsmith.world/category/the-color-of-time/)
- [Learning](https://quiltsmith.world/category/learning/)
- [Finishes](https://quiltsmith.world/category/finishes/)

## Tags

- [qayg](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/qayg/)
- [sampler](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/sampler/)
- [paper piecing](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/paper-piecing/)
- [applique](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/applique/)
- [embroidery](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/embroidery/)
- [EQ7](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/eq7/)
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- [free motion quilting](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/free-motion-quilting/)
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- [piecing](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/piecing/)
- [how to](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/how-to/)
- [quilt studio](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/quilt-studio/)
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- [goals](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/goals/)
- [QAL](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/qal/)
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- [blocking](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/blocking/)
- [repairs](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/repairs/)
- [fmq challenge](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/fmq-challenge/)
- [feathers](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/feathers/)
- [walking foot quilting](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/walking-foot-quilting/)
- [patchwork](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/patchwork/)
- [organization](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/organization/)
- [longarm quilting](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/longarm-quilting/)
- [ombre](https://quiltsmith.world/tag/ombre/)

## Download Categories

- [Tools](https://quiltsmith.world/?dlm_download_category=tools)