Sunday, August 17, 2025

Stars of Peace #7

 Welcome back for block 7, Community.

This month's block is unnamed but
attributed to the Dakota Farmer of 1926.
It is also listed in a Grandmother Clark
booklet in 1932
(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

No matter what we call it, it is a
beautiful star block that I named,
Community. This piggybacked well 
with last month's Neighborhood.

They both make me contemplate my
youth and how those different
communities shaped me whether they
were the military community, church, or
my school clubs, teachers and friends.

In reference to the Revolutionary War,
there were so many women who saw
a need in their community and found
a way to help. 
One such woman was 
When you click on her name above, her
page will tell you how she used her
privilege to aid George Washington.
The connection to sewing and how we
use this skill to aid our communities today
is important to remember and pass along
to generations that follow.
~Keep Stitching~


Botanical Beauty block #7

 Welcome back for block 7, Laurel Wreaths.

You will make 2 of these this month.


Laurel leaves were part of my WLL quilt along
back in 2020 and HERE is the blog post
about the original quilt.

Since then, I have been playing with
other layouts. This is one of the layouts
that I have put into repeat as a fabric
design too for that exciting someday...:)

The symbolic history of the laurel is one of 
triumph and achievement since the 
original Greek Olympics and you 
can read more about that HERE if you choose.

I find it a nice easy simple shape especially for 
beginner hand appliquers.
The best way I have found to make them even
is to fold my freezer paper in half, 
trace half the leaf to my freezer paper, 
refold then cut on the traced line. 
This gives me a symmetrical
leaf to trace to fabric.

I hope you find some other fun 
uses for this fun leaf shape!
~Keep Stitching~


Monday, July 21, 2025

Stars of Peace block #6

 Welcome back for block 6, "Neighborhood".

I know this is a variation on a block,
but at this writing, I can't find my
notes on which block.
I do know that when I was 
done reworking it, it reminded
me of a neighborhood with homes
in the middle and the 
protective 'fence' line.

It reminded me of my childhood
when the neighborhood was all I needed! 
My first neighborhood memories are 
of when I was 4/5 years old in New York. 
We lived in military housing.
My friends were there 
along with the playground we 
spent hours at making up
all sorts of imaginary games.
There were woods surrounding the
housing that we were NOT supposed to 
go into....You know how that goes:)
We would sneak in there when the 
bushes were full of wild blueberries and
gorge ourselves thinking our parents
would never know. HA
Every child should experience
that at least once:)
Look at that repeat of 4....
I am excited that any
of the blocks in this
quilt make a great quilt
on their own once repeated.

Change the color
and rotate 2 blocks
for inner squares that
point out.

And, please show me pics of
what you do with some of the blocks!










Botanical Beauty block #6

Welcome to block #6 of the 
Sester Centennial quilt along.

This photo is of the original block
found on a circa 1860 quilt I own.
It is part of


I redrafted it smaller as part of 

In the WLL sampler I named it 
apple block.
In the BB sampler I named it
tomato.

In my original studies of this design,
I found that it could go either way but
felt it looked more tomato.
The history of the tomato plant is quite 
interesting and if you want to read more,
go HERE. Thankfully it isn't poisonous
as initially thought and ours are 
growing great right now.
Are you growing any yourself?

Barbara Brackman wrote THIS
about tomato designs although
I know that design as a love apple:)

HERE is the original post about
the block in my WLL sampler.

Enjoy reading a little quilt history
in between stitching this sweet block.


 

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Botanical Beauty block #5

Welcome to block #5, Tulip Star.
I designed this block about 10 years 
ago and planned to do it in red, white, and green.

Here is the center of the original.

It is soooo close to done:) and instead 
of finishing it, I have created a 
small wall hanging pattern and 
now included it in my Botanical Beauty Sampler. 
It has been enlarged and shrunk down 
depending on my feelings for that project.


I am loving the red, white, and blue!!
So, now imagine making multiples of 
this block and setting them together
as shown above.
What a gorgeous patriotic quilt you 
will have and they sort of look
like fireworks:)

IF you are new to our quilt along,
the FULL pattern is available as a 
PDF digital download HERE.
Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.
Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.
All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.
This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!
Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 
be shared with others!
The pattern is required for the QAL.
My accompanying posts and videos
will not provide any measurements.
I will be providing technique
tips and history tidbits.

The QAL is taking place in 
my FB Group, 
 with blog posts
adding additional information.
Make sure all your notifications
are turned on so you don't miss anything.
If you aren't a member yet, please 
answer all 3 questions an agree to the 
rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE
Looks like a lot but time flies when we quilt:)
February 2025: Pattern Release
February '25-April '26: 1 block per month
May '26: Finishing Instructions
June '26: Time to get it quilted
July 2026: Show that baby off to all 
who will want to see to celebrate 
our country's 250th birthday. 

HAPPY QUILTING:)


Stars of Peace block #5

Welcome back:)
We are in full swing now and into month #5.
I do hope those sewing along are 
making progress that can be shown in

This month's block name is, 
Lady in the Whitehouse and attributed
to Nancy Cabot in 1937
(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

Stars of Peace quilt pattern

We have had many Amazing first
ladies in our White House!
The first lady in 1937 was 
Eleanor Roosevelt and she is a personal
favorite of mine!

Some of her accomplishments include:
Eleanor Roosevelt was more than just a First Lady—
she was a trailblazer, a humanitarian, and a champion 
for justice whose influence continues to resonate today. 
Known for her unwavering commitment to civil rights, 
women’s equality, and global human rights, she redefined 
what it meant to be a leader in public life.

Eleanor Roosevelt was a vocal proponent of 
racial equality during an era of segregation
and discrimination. Her decision to resign from the 
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 
protest of their refusal to allow Marian Anderson, 
an African-American singer, to perform in 
Constitution Hall was a bold statement.
She went a step further by arranging for 
Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial in a 
concert that became a powerful symbol of racial justice. 
Eleanor also regularly met with African-American 
leaders and supported anti-lynching legislation, 
despite opposition from Southern politicians.

After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death, Eleanor continued 
her political work by serving as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations. 
President Harry Truman appointed her to the role, 
where she became a key figure in drafting the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
As the first chairperson of the 
United Nations Human Rights Commission, 
Eleanor Roosevelt worked to establish its 
framework and mission. Her leadership was 
instrumental in bringing together representatives 
from diverse nations to create the
 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

She emphasized the importance of universal dignity, 
equality, and freedom, navigating complex political 
tensions during the drafting process. 
Her work laid the foundation for international 
human rights advocacy and continues to inspire 
efforts to protect human rights worldwide.

Eleanor Roosevelt’s lifelong commitment to humanitarian 
work extended far beyond her years in the White House. 
She championed causes such as affordable housing, 
education, and healthcare, often working with grassroots 
organizations to drive change.

After leaving the White House, she chaired 
John F. Kennedy’s Presidential Commission 
on the Status of Women, which advanced the 
discussion on gender equality. 
Her dedication to social justice and her hands-on 
approach to activism inspired generations to
continue the fight for a more equitable society.

If you would like to read more about her,
here are 2 links:

I hope you enjoy stitching this block.
See you over on FB:)

IF you are new to our quilt along,
the FULL pattern is available as a 
PDF digital download HERE.
Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.
Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.
All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.
This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!
Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 
be shared with others!
The pattern is required for the QAL.
My accompanying posts and videos
will not provide any measurements.
I will be providing technique
tips and history tidbits.
The QAL will take place in 
my FB Group, 
 with blog posts
adding additional information.
Make sure all your notifications
are turned on so you don't miss anything.
If you aren't a member yet, please 
answer all 3 questions an agree to the 
rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE
Looks like a lot but time flies when we quilt:)
February 2025: Pattern Release
February '25-April '26: 1 block per month
May '26: Finishing Instructions
June '26: Time to get it quilted
July 2026: Show that baby off to all 
who will want to see to celebrate 
our country's 250th birthday. 



Sunday, June 1, 2025

Tour de Fabric 2025 Quilt Along

I am so excited to run my 
first Christmas in July event
in conjunction with 

Everyone is welcome here whether 
you registered through their site or not.  
I encourage you to visit the 
site (link above) for all the other fun 
offers they have this summer.

Hope in QW

My quilt along will be this fun & 
easy to accomplish wall hanging.
The link to the pattern is HERE 
(pattern is required).
We will work on it in 4 easy
skill building steps so if you know
someone new to quilting,
this is the perfect beginner project.
The quilt along runs July 1st-Aug 3rd.

Please go to my WEBSITE and 
sign up for my newsletter where 
you will be added to a list just
for this project.
You will receive your steps 
via a newsletter each week.
I look forward to adding a 
finishing ZOOM so we can meet
and show off our finishes!

In addition to the quilt along, all 
Christmas/Winter Holiday 
patterns in my ETSY shop will 
be on sale the whole month of July! 
Be sure to check them out.

Join Tour de Fabric:)
Join the HOPE quilt along:)
Join the fun:)
See you soon!