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.

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