Freemotion by the River: Quilt tutorials

Hi Reader The first thing I want to say is thank you so much for all of the wonderful birthday messages I received. I really love blogging and connecting with so many people. Many of you are enjoying retirement and the joy of quilting. I know I always have so many ideas and things I want to make and share. Thank you again! I am planning on finishing a tutorial on the Half Rectangle table runner but in the meantime I came across this blog post I did on the Black Diamond quilt. I forgot how...

Hi Reader I finally have a new Studio Happening post up and wait until you see all the quilt projects I have going on and a peek at my garden. Studio Happening #9 My daughter took me to the Des Moines Farmers' Market last Saturday and it was a so neat. It spans 12 city blocks with over 300 vendors. I also found out there are more than a dozen Farmers' Markets in our area! Also don't miss: Patriotic Quilted Placemats Mini Rail Fence runner tutorial Four Square block tutorial May Color...

Hi Reader I hope you are having a wonderful week, our weather has been beautiful, not to cold and not to hot. I have been filling my raised beds with tomato plants, green beans, radishes, spinach. For Mother's Day, my daughter and I went to visit family back in the Quad-Cities. It was great to see everyone and we had so much fun. I've been busy working on a few things I can't share but I'm hoping to work on a block tutorial this afternoon for you. In the US, we are coming up on our 250th...

Hi Reader I finally have the May Color Challenge post up on my blog. The color is BLUE and I hope you will share your blue quilt project. I have another free quilt block made with blue fabrics that you might like. 2026 May Color Challenge and Giveaway I'm also sharing the April Sew Sampler unboxing with a blog post and video. The was probably the best Sew Sampler box I've received. April 2026 Sew Sampler Also don't miss: Get your May Quilt Calendar May UFO Challenge and Giveaway Scattered Big...

Hi Reader I guess I missed the first of May! I'm still working on quilts that I'll share in August when my new Signature collection comes out with Island Batik of Lumin Fabrics. I just did my May UFO blog post and video which I hope you'll check out. I still have to finish the May Color Challenge but I can tell you that the color is BLUE. Congratulations to the winner of my April UFO giveaway! Get your May Quilt Calendar Also don't miss: Scattered Big or Small 250th Anniversary Table Runner...

Hi Reader I thought I would share a couple of tutorials that I have done in case you haven't seen them. This is my 12 Inch Cactus Flower table topper, it is a lot of fun to make and I used my Island Batik fabrics. 12 Inch Cactus Flower table topper tutorial If you are looking for a fast and easy baby quilt/lap quilt, you will want to make my Colorburst quilt. Colorburst Quilt tutorial Here is a fun table runner I designed several years ago. You can get the free pattern. Ziggy Zag It is always...

Hi Reader I'm sitting here at my computer enjoying a cloudy morning with the windows open. The skies are cloudy and we are supposed to get storms today. The squirrels are out in force but I haven't seen many birds. We also have a mama rabbit nest in our yard and Bob put stakes around it so we don't mow there. It is on the side of the house where Rusty never goes plus if he sees a rabbit...he just ignores it. I forgot to share the March Sew Sampler box. There are some neat things in it and I...

Hi Reader I hope you had a wonderful weekend, we spent a little time cleaning up the yard. It didn't take long to realized we were exhausted! Really need to get in shape. Thank goodness quilting and cardmaking never tire me. I spent time doing both this weekend. I have a new quilt I want to start and I'm thinking of remaking my Hopscotch quilt pattern. Take a look at my new blog post to see what fabrics I'm thinking of using. There is also photos of our wildlife and of course Rusty. Just...

Hi Reader Today is my birthday, I can't believe I am now 75 years old! Where does the time go? I am so grateful to be "retired" but also still blogging, creating content, quilt patterns and more for over 15 years. I love what I do now. I have a new Studio Happening blog post where you can see some of the new things I'm working on. Studio Happening #8 I want to thank you for following me on this journey and I want to give you a 30% off coupon at my Shopify store, just click on this link to use...