Living in the Midwest, we enjoy all four seasons to be sure. Just about when summer is ending we look forward to the fall's cooler, crisper temperatures known fondly as sweater weather. That is the perfect weather to take an Autumn journey and that is how this pattern got its name! Sweater Weather is made using 2 charm packs of the Autumn Journey collection by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda fabrics. There is only one easy block and with color in just the right places, create four colored stars and one large star! Simple and fast. Any charm pack(s) with at least 19 lights and 34 mediums/darks will work. Quilt measures approximately 24" x 24".

I love collecting antiques and some of the things I love to collect are cobalt blue depression glass and Flow Blue plates! Flow Blue got its name from the blue ink that flowed or bled into the porcelain when fired in the kiln. The effect is absolutely lovely and this fabric collection reminded me of my Flow Blue, hence the name!
Flow Blue is made using 2 charm packs of the Sturbridge Village Blues collection by Judie Rothermel for Marcus Bros. Fabrics. The Aunt Sukey's Choice block is the only block in the quilt. Don't be put off by the block's 36 pieces. It looks like a lot of work, but in fact has only four patches and half square triangles. My piecing and pressing directions make this block construction easy! Promise! Any charm pack(s) with 47 medium/dark fabrics will work along with a light print for background. I can't wait to make it from the deep reds in Sturbridge Scarlet, or from the pinks and brown in Charleston IV or how about all scrappy? Quilt measures approximately 36" x 36".

If you have ever experienced a quilting retreat, you know what a wonderful time it can be. Spending time with girlfriends (who doesn't love that!) and endless, uninterrupted sewing time... (again, what's not to love!) it's heaven. About the time I was sewing this quilt, I was lucky enough to return to the Kansas Troubles Quilters retreat which is held at the Kansas Troubles Quilters home base in Bennington, Kansas. 15 of my favorite quilting friends and I experienced the ultimate in retreating there, where you are fed the most delicious food, surrounded by antiques and KTQ quilts galore, sleep on comfy beds with vintage linens and antique quilts and sew to your hearts' content. When I returned home, this was the project I worked on and was at a loss for what to name it. While gabbing with my friend Carrie about this and the retreat we had just come back from and since I was using Lynne Hagmeier's Snow Blooms fabrics for this quilt, Carrie tried to helped me rattle my brain for ideas. We wished we could go back there for a Winter retreat and there you have it!
Winter Retreat is made from an Ohio star block variation. I used 3 charm packs of the Snow Blooms collection by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda Fabrics. Any charm pack(s) with 32 medium/dark and 28 light prints will work. Quilt measures approximately 33" x 33".

I know this quilt looks like it is made of Bear's Paw blocks, but really it's just one big block... it is called the Wedding March block. Cool, huh! With the high contrast between the lovely light prints and those stunning mediums and darks, I thought it was the perfect fit for this quilt. Large and small half square triangles are all that is required. Helpful piecing and pressing hints make construction a breeze.
The quilt was named for my paternal grandmother, Rose. I don't know if she had a wild side, but what I remember most is that she was never without a coffee cake. Oh how she loved her sweets! Grandma, I think I get that from you!
Sweet Rosie was made using 2 charm packs from the Wildrose collection by Brannock & Patek for Moda Fabrics. Any charm pack(s) with 19 medium/darks and 19 light prints will work. Quilt measures approximately 24" x 24".

Don't you love all of those cute charm packs? They give us a chance to own a piece of every fabric in a collection and are a ready made quilt kit! Do you have charm to spare? What I mean by that is, by now, if you're like me, you also have some charm scraps that are leftover from lots of charm projects. Finger Paint is the perfect project to use up some of those leftover charm squares and/or scraps from any project. The block, called the Hard Times block, is easily made using connector corners. The quilts many colors and the center of the block being light reminded me of being in school and of dipping my fingers in paint and moving them in and out, leaving the color on the outside but the paper untouched in the center. I know, perhaps it's a stretch, but that is how the pattern got its name and I love the name! The quilt measures approximately 38" x 38".

The Jacob's Ladder block as long been a favorite of mine and was a perfect pairing with this fabric line, Prairie Paisley. Since there are only four patches and half square triangles to make and the charm packs make for a quick quilt kit, this quilt goes together in an afternoon! As for the name, I am a deeply patriotic person and am profoundly grateful for all of our freedoms. In my heart I am always aware of what costs were paid for those sweet liberties by so many brave men and women who serve our country and am forever grateful!
Sweet Liberty was made using 2 charm packs of the Prairie Paisley collection by Minick & Simpson for Moda Fabrics. Any charm pack(s) with 27 light prints and 36 medium prints will work. Quilt measures approximately 30" x 38".