Just the Facts, Ma’am
The average quilter is a 65 year old woman that starts 11 projects a year, and finishes 9, spending six hours per week dedicated to working on quilting projects. Most projects are small, such as lap quilts, and are made in a traditional style (according to the Aug 30, 2025 Quilters Survey).
Interesting. What do you think about that? Are you average? I think you’re way beyond average.
Last night at our local guild meeting, we had a speaker. At first, I was like, can I sneak out early? I’m tired, my back aches, blah blah blah. What if she’s boring? I’m glad I stayed. She was delightfully transparent in what she has learned in her quilting journey. Not just the basics, such as tension, thread, and fabric, but also what she learned about herself as not “just a quilter”, but as an artist. Her name is Karen Bolan. You’re an artist too. What have you learned on your quilting journey? Are you ready for something new?
Creatures of Habit
If you’re a traditional quilter, maybe it’s time to experiment with something a little more modern. Bigger scale prints. Negative space. Unexpected color combinations.
And if modern quilting is your comfort zone, maybe there’s a traditional block waiting to teach you something new. Precision. Repetition. History. Structure.
At a quilt show last fall, I bought a UFO for just a few dollars (UnFinshed Object). No pattern. Just a stack of unfinished Irish Chain blocks made with traditional Civil War reproduction fabrics, plus additional fabric for an unknown block. Definitely not the fabrics I normally gravitate toward. But there was something about them I loved. Someone started this quilt years ago with a vision in mind, and now I get to continue the journey.
Honestly, that’s one of the things I love most about quilting. There is always something new to learn. A new technique. A new style. A new challenge. A new perspective.
Maybe this is the season to stretch our quilting boundaries a little.
Something New to Learn
Want sharper points and cleaner intersections? View our tutorial on Aligning your Fabric Pieces. What’s the Point? is a great tip for not loosing your points. Small improvements in accuracy can completely change the look of your finished quilt — and build confidence for trying more complex designs.
Or maybe your next step isn’t technical at all.
Maybe it’s trying fabrics you’d normally pass by.
A different color palette.
A modern layout.
Hand work.
Appliqué.
Bolder contrast.
You don’t have to become a different quilter.
But maybe there’s room to become an even more adventurous one.
2026 Sew Along – Month 4
Month 4 of Bona Fide is ready to download! Hop over to the Sew Along Page for the download link and to see Lora’s progress, plus her comments.
This month’s block includes twenty-four Half Square Triangles, so the What’s the Point? tip in the video above will be especially helpful for keeping those points out of the seams.
Maybe this month is also a chance to stretch your quilting skills a little. Try a new technique, experiment with contrast and value. Creativity grows when we step a little outside our quilting comfort zone.
Sewing Room Tour
The 2026 Sewing Room Tour by the Delta Quilters was great!! We had so much fun. If you didn’t have a chance to pop by, or you live a little too far away, we made a video for you. Come inside! I’d love to show you my sewing room. Perhaps there is an idea in my sewing space you’d like to further explore on your quilting journey.
New to the Shop
Jordyn’s Chevron Kit is new to the shop! Finished size 64” x 76”. The Jordyn’s Chevron quilt is made from a simple Half Square Triangle. It’s a modern, beginner-friendly pattern. The clear and detailed cutting and sewing diagrams make the block assembly quick and easy! The fabrics are from McKenna Ryan designs by Hoffman Fabrics called Woodland. The kit includes the pattern, all the fabrics for the front, and binding. Kit does not include backing and binding. $96.00
Back in Stock
Living in Liberty quilt kit is back in stock! I was so excited to find the beautiful blue line by Maywood Studios. It paired marvelously with some patriotic fabrics by Riley Blake Designs, creating a charming kit for the Living in Liberty quilt, 54″ x 68″. The original quilt was created from my stash (and fabrics I stole from my sister). Some of the fabrics I used were over 20 years old! It made creating a kit quite the task. What do you think? I love it. Below are pictures of the new kit fabrics and quilt comp, plus photos of the original quilt. The little houses can be created by paper-pieced (we have a video tutorial for it) or by traditional piece work. $160.00. Kit includes all the fabrics for the front, binding, and pattern. The kit does not include backing or batting.
Come Say Hello in Vallejo!
Come see us at the The Vallejo Piecemakers, 2026 Sew Amazing “Garden Party” Quilt Show
Saturday, May 16, 2026: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, May 17, 2026: 10 am to 4 pm
Admission $12 – good for both days
Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building, 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, California 94591
We’ll be bringing new patterns, kits, 3YD projects, pre-cut friendly quilt patterns, Creative Grids rulers, fabric bundles, and lots of quilting inspiration. We’d love to see you there!
Maybe the next step in your quilting journey isn’t finishing faster.
Maybe it’s trying something unexpected. What will you try?
Happy Sewing,
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