SUN DAPPLE

In designing a quilt, I always think back to the geometric theories that I learned 70 years ago in high school.  I had a wonderful teacher, and what he taught me serves me well today.  One of those theories is transversal lines -- very simply is when a line intersects other lines at different points.  In this quilt, the transversal line intersects parallel lines making the angles consistent.  The mental gymnastics is not always necessary, but for me it is fun!

THE STATS:  Sun Dapple, 2025, 28" x 28", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

This is definitely a scrap quilt with leftover pieces from previous quilts!

PRISM BREAK

After making almost 300 quilts, I have the sewing techniques down.  However, the design of any quilt is still an experiment.

Some of the quilts I make I am really pleased with the outcome; others not so much.  This quilt falls into the "not so much" category.  I wanted to experiment with an off-set sashing after making the prism blocks.  The blocks were dark; so I thought it needed a light spark in the sashing, but I chose too light of a neutral. The sashing then became the focus and not what I intended.

The positives --  #1 I'm pleased with the quilting design, it adds a lot of texture.  #2 It's finished; I'll document it with a photo, file it away, and maybe someone will pay a few bucks for the quilt at an estate sale.  #3 Always a learning experience!

THE STATS:  Prism Break, 2025, 33" x 33", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

The name -- Living in a prison town, we are always aware of a rare prison break.  Prism Break seemed applicable with this quilt!

DAYSTAR

A strippy quilt is when strips of cloth with or without patchwork are sewn together to form a quilttop.  Tops often alternate a solid fabric strip with a patchwork strip.  I've always loved this format, and have made many such quilts.

A stripe fabric is always fun to add to the combination.  My inspiration for this quilt was this wonderful old Jo Morton stripe that I discovered at a sidewalk sale.  The design for this quilt ended up combining two patchwork strips; but it has a strippy feel by adding the stripe fabric.

THE STATS:  Daystar, 2025, 34" x 34", Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.  Nerd Number Report: 200 star points.

Some of my previous strippy quilts ----

RADIATE JOY

 My favorite type of quilt to make ---  #1 based on geometry, #2 many little pieces (in this case 328), #3 lots of scraps in a preconcieved color plan (in this case beige, gold, copper, brown, and black), #4 quilting design based on point to point and vanishing point geometry. 

It really does 'radiate joy' in my quilting journey. 

THE STATS:  Radiate Joy, 2025, 31"x 31", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

MIDNIGHT MUSINGS

I can't explain this quilt.  It is not my usual traditional-based quilt; it is not a modern art quilt which I don't have the necessary talent to achieve anyway.  I can only explain it as 'thoughts in the middle of the night'; then the next morning trying to put the thoughts into the fabric that I only have immediately on hand. 

So this is what I ended with ---- obviously I need to develop a better sleep regime!!

THE STATS: Midnight Musings, 2025, 25" x 29", Machine appliqued,  Machine embroidered, Machine quilted.

CHAIN LINK

 I've always wanted to make a traditional Irish Chain project.  To me, it seems to call for plaid fabrics; so I pulled out the plaids, and started to make 3-inch nine-patch blocks.  

STATS:  Chain Link, 2025, 28" x 28", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

I love the comfortable look of this simple, old-fashioned quilt.

Photographed behind my favorite Spring garden plant, Valerian.  This particular plant was transferred in the 1990s from my Mother's garden to our current house.

I'm asked repeatedly about what I do with all of the small quilts I make.  Some I give away to family/friends, and some I occasionally donate to charitable organizations for fundraisers.  The remainder are made just to test out a design or color way for a larger quilt.  But, due to fiscal and physical resources, I'm unable to continue to make large quilts.  Therefore, they become just a sketchbook of inspiration for any future quilts.  They are not for sale by me; that will be up to the discretion of my descendants.

SCRAP HAPPY

I've been thinking about rectangular blocks lately.  This is what I have come up with for this quilt --  two different blocks in two color-ways that uses numerous small scraps.

THE STATS:  Scrap Happy, 2025, 30" x 30", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.  434 pieces all from the scrap bins.

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #4

 Finally, this project is finished and it can be relegated to my quilt archives.  This is the final Prairie Path Class Sample from 1994 to be quilted, bound, and labeled.  This was the smallest of the bunch at 9 blocks, suitable for a wall hanging or table topper.  Because of the color way, I'll probably use it at Christmas this year.

THE STATS:  Prairie Path Class Sample #4, 1994-2025, 27"x27", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

Are you tired of seeing photos of Prairie Path's journey into the  different fabrics and sizes of the same design? 

 I am; so I'm off to start a new and different project.

Comparison Photos

THE ORIGINAL -- 1987

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #1, 1994-2025

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #2, 1994-2025

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #3, 1994-2025

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #4, 1994-2025

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #3

Here is the largest (at 50" square) of the Prairie Path class sample tops I found recently.  It has been a challenge to quilt on my domestic machine, because of its size and my physical limitations.  It has also been the most fun to work on as I examined each different fabric.  There are some great fabrics in it from the early 1990s.  Once again, this one contains a great stripe and border print.  I wish I still had some scraps left to include in future quilts.

Sample #3 has the same alternate block, the Pinwheel, as Sample #1, but contains 49 total blocks.  Samples #1 and #2 each had 25 total blocks.

THE STATS:  Prairie Path Class Sample #3, 1994-2025, 50"x50", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

Comparison photos

Original 1987

Class Sample #1, 1994-2025

Class Sample #2, 1994-2025

PRAIRIE PATH CLASS SAMPLE #2

Prairie Path Class Sample #2 is now finished.  It is basically the same design and size as Class Sample #1, except it has a different alternate block, a sawtooth star.  Alternate block in #1 was a pinwheel.  My point was to offer options to the workshop students.

My favorite part of this sample is the placement of the lights and darks.  Also, I love the border fabric!

THE STATS:  Prairie Path Class Sample #2, 1994-2025, 39" x 39", Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

Comparison Photos

ORIGINAL - 1987

CLASS SAMPLE #1 -- 1994-2025