Summoning Spirits as I Quilt??

As I was cutting some letters out to appliqué on a tote bag, I looked over at an ouija board in my cabinet, and had one of those ‘ah ha!” moments. What if I make a quilted ouija board? So what did I do? Jumped in with absolutely no plan, as per usual.

The classic Willam Fuld Parkers Brothers Ouija board is the most known to me and likely many other people in my generation. It’s the one I grew up with, the one my mom had when she was a kid and gave to me. I looked at it and thought “well, it’s the perfect place to start.”

I determined I’d make it the same size as the real board and try to keep it as close as possible. I chose a font that looked similar to the original and laid it out in Illustrator to get the sizing correct. After printing, I cut them out and traced them onto fabric and cut them out again. Tedious, but oddly enjoyable. Now this is where I said “oh man….” I was completely out of iron on adhesive, which was definitely going to make it easier to place the letters and sew them on. Did I buy some? Nope. I was in a flow and decided I couldn’t wait. “Fuck it.”

However, I did manage to find some spray adhesive but it did not work how I wanted and I ended up with a bit of a mess, but I figured I'd clean that up at the end. While the letters were challenging, I was unaware that I was about to have a new challenge…illustrations. If I wanted to stay true to the board, I was going to have to figure out how to illustrate the face on both the sun and moon, the sky background, as well as the bottom two corners which feature two people using a planchette. After many internal debates, I decided I was going to whip out the free motion sewing foot and see what I could do. It was my first time illustrating via sewing machine but I have to say, I'm not upset with how it came out.

Okay now we’re cooking with gas. I was REAL pleased with the little faces and I was so happy I challenged myself and didn’t leave them blank. I even thought the sky looked good. Okay, now to tackle the harder bottom corners…

My approach for the bottom illustration was to sketch in basic shapes/outlines as a guide, but the majority of the work was done freehanded on the sewing machine and really hoping for the best.

This was hard. But it was feeling worth it and I was happy that it was actually coming together. I kept the original board right next to me to keep comparing as I was going.

And this is the finished piece! I learned a lot making this, not just about the techniques but also more about my own creative journey and what I enjoy. It challenged me to go out of my comfort zone and do something new, spur of the moment. I’ll definitely be making more spirit boards and may list them on my Etsy. Who knows!

End of Spring Quilt

As I've been feeling more confident in my quilting abilities I’ve been branching out and trying new patterns. I started with basic squares; creating fun designs within the simple boundaries of the shape. Then learned a quick and easy way to create triangles, next I was combing the two.

I wanted to start with something that looked relatively simple. Something I could do easily and work on honing my craft and cleaning up my seems. Since I already had some experience with triangles I thought a star may be an easy transition.

There are many styles of star quilts, but I started with a simple 8 point design. I had thrifted some vintage bedsheets and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use them, this quilt seemed like just the thing. It was started to get to the end of spring and the pastel colors with the floral pattern felt like the perfect fabric for an ‘End of Spring’ quilt. While it was my first time doing a star pattern, I have to say, it was easy! As long as your measurements are precise and you line everything up correctly you can’t go wrong. The main challenge I did have...working with bedsheets. Especially older, softer sheets. They have much less structure than new quilting cotton, and slip around a lot easier. But in the end, it was so worth it.

Photo by Azuree Holloway / Photo styling by Trevor Holloway for Quiltfolk Magazine

Photo by Azuree Holloway / Photo styling by Trevor Holloway for Quiltfolk Magazine

For a quilt that I didn’t really plan-out, I have to say, it’s one of my favorites. It might even be my favorite. I challenged myself to use only what I had: three vintage bed sheets, multiples different colored threads, and leftover batting from previous projects. I love the colors, the way they were all purchased separately but feel so cohesive. I love the soft touch from the bed sheet fabric. There is something very “spring time, front porch, sipping sweet tea” vibe to it that I absolutely adore.

Since I created this star quilt I have gone on to make two more. The second “star quilt adventure” I embarked on was very similar to the first. A very simple pattern, using three colors; two in the main star pattern alternating colors and an additional as a boarder.

While the pattern is simple, the color palette is what shines for me. The black gingham reminds me of a classic picnic blanket, but the green is kinda of giving “slime,” so the name “Slime Picnic” was born. While I love a complex quilt pattern, there is something beautiful in the simplicity of a minimal star quilt.

Photo by Azuree Holloway / Photo styling by Trevor Holloway for Quiltfolk Magazine

I had mentioned that I made two more quilts, but I think the third will need its own post. It’s still within the star quilt theme, and isn’t too different. But I did do a little free styling and adding my own touch. Stay tuned!

Hidden Wells Quilt

Recently I’ve been learning new quilt block patterns and seeing what I can do with jelly rolls. They have been easier to acquire in this new post Joann Fabric and Craft Stores world. While scrolling online I stumbled upon a simple Hidden Wells quilt block tutorial and realized it was another one of those things that looks way harder than it actually is.

My first attempt at the pattern was with the Ruby Star Society Juicy by Melody Miller jelly roll. I was obsessed with every pattern that came in that pack, I knew it would look good no matter how it was laid out. I didn’t follow a pattern with the fabric, I just stuck to a similar color palette for each quilt block. I thought this would give some cohesion and pattern while still looking unplanned.

While on a fabric run in Lancaster, I took a risk on a light orange fabric for the front border and backing and to my surprise, it matched perfectly. Overall, I am really please with how this quilt turned out and inspired to use more jelly rolls.

The second Hidden Wells quilt I made gives off a completely different vibe. While the first one feels a bit more chaotic, this one has a sense of order even with the various fabrics that are used. Each block has a different fabric pairing but still feels like it follows the same pattern with the contrast of the shapes.

It was fun using jelly rolls for the first time and creating two very different quilts following the same quilt block pattern. Both of these quilts are on the smaller size around 42x42 inches and function best as wall hangings, lap quilts or draped over the back of a chair.

T-Shirt Quilt

Am I good at updating my blog? No. Am I trying to be better? Yes. I recently read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, so i’m trying to do my best everyday. Bear with me.

The first completed quilt of 2025 was made out of t-shirts for a friend of mine. He handed my a trash bag full of old band shirts and said “use as much as you can.” Was I excited? Yes. Was I scared? Also yes. Do you understand how much people hold their band shirts near and dear to their hearts? I knew someone who chose to throw out old shirts instead of donating them because they couldn’t stomach the thought of someone else wearing them. That may be extreme, but you get the point.

Basically, t-shirt quilts are hard. They are time consuming and require extra steps. But boy are they rewarding. Finally seeing it done and laid out is such a weight off my shoulders. It’s even more rewarding to send it off to its home, knowing it’s getting a second life and won’t be ending up in a landfill any time soon.

I created this quilt as a trade. Quilt for tattoo. Now, this trade was originally made when I was living in MA. So it would have been a quicker, easier trade. But now I am in Delaware, and ya girl is not big on travel. I’m creature of habit and routine and breaking that is a difficult task. I sent this quilt off to its forever home and though I was offered payment, I said “no way.” I will eventually make it back up to MA to complete the trade, even if it takes me years.

Halloween quilt

“How long does it take me to finish a quilt?!?” She asked herself as she stared at this quilt for months until she finally finished it…

Look, it’s not entirely my fault that this quilt took me so long. Okay, okay, there is literally no one else involved in making this so it is entirely me, but hear me out. I started this September 2022, but we were packing and planning to move into a new apartment by November. Between unpacking in the new place AND the holidays, there was just no time to quilt. But I eventually got my sewing station set up and finished this bad boy by March 2023. I swear it typically doesn’t take me so long, this was a special circumstance.

I originally made this quilt with the plan to sell, but it’s been in my life for so long at this point, I’m not sure if I can actually part ways. I don’t know…we’ll see.

Mini Handbag for Ashley

With my best friends birthday around the corner and my desire to use up some extra fabric from a quilt, I wracked my brain trying to come up with something I could whip up in a day or two. Something cute but functional that I could mail down to her in a small-ish box (those USPS rates are no joke). While staring at some squares of fabric, it hit me! “What about a mini tote bag?”

Did I look up a pattern? No. Did I watch a how-to video? No. I decided to completely wing it.

The pink, white and black floral fabric was screaming her name. I had JUST enough of these particular squares leftover to make a mini functional tote bag. The perfect size to throw a few must-haves when running out for the day or tossing some toiletries in for an overnight trip.

My original idea was to do one long strap so it could actually be a cross-body bag. However, I didn’t have enough fabric, and to be fully honest, I didn’t have the time to figure out how to attach the straps properly, so regular tote bag straps it was!

Once I got the straps attached, I remembered I had cute tags my mom had gifted me for Christmas, and I obviously needed to add one to this. I had the quick realization that I should have attached this to the inner fabric before assembling the bag, but ya live and ya learn. It was a frustrating task sewing the tag into a fully constructed bag, but once it was done…it was done!

I got it done quicker than I had hoped, and did my giddy happy dance to celebrate. I lint rolled it, put some candy and a birthday scented candle in it, and wrapped it up in a box. Then I waved goodbye as I dropped it in the post box so it could go to its new home <3

T-shirt Quilt - A Nerve Wracking Project

I was trusted to make a quilt out of a friends t-shirts and it was my most nerve wracking project i’ve probably ever worked on. It took me likely close to 6 months (if i’m being honest with myself it was probably over 6 months) to finish it because I was so nervous that I’d screw it up.

Working with t-shirt is totally different than regular quilting cotton. It’s stretchy, it’s thin, it’s less structured. It doesn’t glide under my 10+ year old Brother presser foot the way the fabric i’m used to working with does. After staring at the half done quilt for months I had to whip my ass into gear and get it done.

Saying I had to grind was an understatement. But once I got going and I saw it come to life, I couldn’t stop. Then i fucked up. I didn’t think about the way the fabric was stretching and I quilted it from both ends into the middle, like I had with a previous project. I was left with a row of bunched up fabric that didn’t get stretched. I frantically paced around my apartment trying to come up with some way I could fix it. I had a mental breakdown. Then it just hit me. Sam, you’re a human being who is learning how to do something and you made a mistake. This is your first time doing a quilt like this, perfection can not be expected. So I turned up the music in my headphones, pushed the bunched up fabric down, and quilted over it.

Do I wish it was perfect? Honestly yeah, I do. It still hurts me that it’s not. But at the end of the day, I turned someones previously loved t-shirts that were just sitting in a box getting no use, into something that can be used and turned into a family heirloom. And that’s enough for me.

Creating a Dress

After not sewing for 10 years and then re-introducing my sewing machine into my life, I’ve been branching out and creating clothing from scratch.

I try to be mindful about the companies I support and what they do to the environment (not to mention labor laws 👀) but my bank account is sad (hey student loans 👋) so usually cheap fast fashion is the only thing that’s realistic when I have something very specific in mind. I couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger on something that I knew would make me feel guilty…so off to Jo Anne’s I went! I found a pattern that was close to what I was envisioning and a nice ditsy floral print cotton fabric.

It was confusing at first but through trial and error I made a dress!! It’s not perfect, but for my very first try I couldn’t be more pleased.

I wore it to my brother and sister-in-laws baby shower and it got so many compliments 🥲 It was really rewarding saying “thanks I made it” and not indirectly promoting fast fashion by telling people where they could buy the same one.

Creating through sewing and fabric is turning into such a therapeutic hobby for me. I spend my days working on my computer and I crave problem solving that I can do with my hands and physical materials. It’s something I feel like I have a natural talent for and have been sewing almost everyday since I reintroduced it to my life.

This is your sign to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do!

Retro Inspired Quilt

With 2 quilts under my belt, it was finally time to make one for me. I had a quilt when I was a kid made with vintage fabric and that was totally my inspiration for this one.

This was a really fun fabric store trip. It took a little more digging to find the perfect 60’s-70’s inspired patterns but I think they all ended up working really well. I didn’t want to do one as large as the one I had made for Shane but I needed something larger than a baby blanket…I ended up with a nice over the leg throw.

Since the last two quilts were both square patchwork I tried the triangle/hourglass pattern. I was not disappointed. The only fault I really had was not cutting the backing correctly but I just added some left over patchwork squares from the front.

Check below for a bonus pic of some little pillows I made for my niece next to the quilt.

Black & White Quilt

Now that the baby quilt was done, I was ready to tackle a larger human size quilt for my boyfriend, Shane. Although a halloween theme quilt would have been totally up his alley, we went for a more timeless black and white theme for this one (a Halloween theme is definitely coming though).

I absolutely love how this came out. The white floral fabric is my favorite and a great contrast against the darker pieces. The larger quilt was much more of a challenge in my small space, but i’m really pleased with it.

Rainbow Baby Quilt

With the news of my first niece I wanted to do something special. Something that I could put time into and gift to her that she would (hopefully) cherish for a time of her life. Though I hadn’t touched a sewing machine in 10+ years I was determined to make a baby quilt.

The babies room is rainbow themed, which made the quilt so much more fun. My mom, sister-in-law, and my self took a little trip to the store to pick the fabric for the quilt. We went with various different rainbow patterns, yellow and white stripe to tie in the yellow backing, and a few Star Wars squares for a personal touch.

Though I ran into some mistakes along the way, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the process and how well the quilt came out. This reignited my passion for sewing and i’ve been on a kick ever since. I absolutely can’t wait to see her all wrapped up <3