Good-bye July

July whizzed by is all I can say:) 

This includes having a little turn 2... ALREADY!

We had really hot days and then some unseasonably lovely crisp mornings when I could open all the windows.

Here is what else my July included 

along with lots of stitches and sunsets:)

 

We have deer that come through occasionally and 

this year we have a few babies!

I was able to catch an awesome sunset one night at a 

brewery while listening to some music...

Shout out to Deusterbecks in Wisconsin.

Of course, some backyard stitching on the latest commission 

because being out there makes my mind settle!

And then we have the vegetable that keeps on giving...

Hello, Lambs Quarters, you humble little weed!

I was able to get 5 patterns into the Etsy shop 

for immediate downloads. 

This seems to be the way of the world 

now and it is great to not have to 

store so many printed ones. 

Come look for Gratitude, A Stitch in Time, 

Blueberry Blooms, and Can You Hear the Bells. 

Lastly, I posted Mod Poinsettia.

I am SO EXCITED about not just 

this pattern but the other 10 sitting

in the computer using this technique.

For now, this pattern is available and 

the new 3-hour class too, so tell your

guild program chairs I am booking 

for 2027.

July was the big 250th celebration too.

It was my first time getting to watch the littles'

faces as they watched BIG fireworks...So cute!

See you in August because there's plenty ahead worth sharing.

Obviously, I couldn't put a whole month's worth of posts here so I hope you will take a peek at my 

IG or FB feeds for the other stuff.

Believing in what you're making 

even when it's slow, matters.

Thank you for being here! 

Keep Stitching~

June Nestlings

June in Chicagoland was lovely. The temperatures stayed 'unseasonably' lower and there was usually a nice crispness to the morning air allowing for open windows and listening to birds chirping to start my day. That is now over...

Here is what else my June included along with lots of stitches and sunsets:)

Two patterns, Dogwood Stars and Just Hangin' Out, are both now available in my Etsy shop. If either has been on your radar, they're worth a closer look. 

And for those of you following along with my magazine work, I gave a peek at some of the sampler blocks I started using the fabric from those projects as a memory for myself. 

Seeing those come together never gets old.

I have put them on my calendar to slowly work on in between my design work and my commission work so stay tuned for more peeks.

June wasn't all business... I posted some sunset pics that remind me why evening concerts or a back patio can be some of the best studios there are. That's where a lot of my summer stitching happens, and I'll defend it as the perfect workspace until further notice :). 

My backyard views make every stitch sew worth it.

I also shared some thoughts on self-assurance this month. 

Through the PT and OT that I have been doing for my FND, the Calm App has been a terrific support. So, every now and again for my #reflectivefriday I will post one of their motivational prompts. 

Can't believe I am almost 60 and am just learning to breathe and be kind to myself!!

And big news (for me:), Botanical Beauty is almost finished...the top anyway. This quilt has been a labor of love. 

I think some quilters look at my designs as hard. None of what I design is "Hard", but they can be a time commitment. No one says we have to have a quilt done in a weekend! I like to enjoy the process on my heirloom designs and have my quick ones too.

Believing in what you're making even when it's slow, matters.

July is here tomorrow and I have a surprise class announcement. 

Join me for a new design and a fun twist on an old technique.

Here is the perfect weekend project-LOL.

 
Mod Poinsettia: Curved Half-Square Triangles Without the Curved Piecing!
Yes, you read that right.
This two-hour class introduces a clever technique that creates the look of curved piecing without requiring curved seams. Using my original Mod Poinsettia design, you'll learn how to achieve that flowing, modern shape entirely through straight-line piecing.
Whether you're picking up a rotary cutter for the first time or you've been quilting for decades, this technique is approachable and very satisfying. 

Everything is doable one step at a time and by the end of class, you'll have all the skills to finish this fun holiday wall hanging AND have a new trick up your sleeve.
What you'll learn:
-The curved half-square triangle technique (straight seams only!)
-Fusible applique' tips
-How to press for crisp, clean results
Come ready to be surprised and inspired by the simplicity. 

All details are in my June newsletter. 

Sign up HERE via the secure pop up:)

Limited Seats!

Thank you for being here! 

See you in July because there's plenty ahead worth sharing.
Obviously, I couldn't put a whole month's worth of posts here so I hope you will take a peek at my IG or FB feeds for the other stuff.

Keep Stitching~

May Muster

HI!
Been awhile since I have written here and while using my trusty thesaurus to find some alliteration to go with May round up, the word 'muster' came up and that has a very military connotation which was perfect.

This past month I have been working so hard to post more consistently to social media, have a theme and engage more...It is exhausting but also fun and productive.

I know the algorithms don't allow for everyone to see everything all the time. I also know that not everyone is on my newsletter list.

So, what you missed in May...

I started the month with a baby theme as the family shared thoughts about our little's upcoming birthday and the end of the school year and how fast they grow!!

Baby Bottle Rockets and Binky Blooms were 2 of the first in my Nestled Babies series back in 2015 long before I was even a Bobbin (grandma:).

Click the pics for the patterns.

These little cuties are in the pattern queue too and I am excited to get them into the world. I Loved my sewing cards as a kid but they wore out since they were cardboard. My pattern will be fusible applique' with metal grommets for ease of stitching.

Dear friends came to visit this month too and we always have SO much fun and SO many laughs!! They were the perfect excuse to take the Architectural River tour downtown...it was AMAZING and we had perfect weather. The boat took you up the river but also out onto Lake Michigan where the best city views could be had as they gave you all the info about the interesting buildings that make up the skyline.

That means I closed out May on a patriotic theme partly because I have been having way too much fun designing patriotic table runners for this summer's celebrations and partly because Memorial Day would end the month.

Star Trio Runner and Tulip Star Runner are the first 2 releases, and they are both quick and easy. Star Trio is all piecing, and the Tulip Star has some fusible applique'. They are designed to be weekend projects that can be easily quilted yourself at home.

Obviously, I couldn't put a whole month's worth of posts here so I hope you will take a peek at my IG or FB feeds for the other stuff.

I also invite you to join my newsletter. Sign up HERE via the secure pop up:)

Lastly, here is one of the blog posts I shared this month. It is close to my heart due to the way my Coast Guard and quilting lives converged. GO CG!

Keep Stitching!

Stars of Peace #11

 Welcome back for block 11, In Flight

This month's block is BB#1124, 
and attributed to Nancy Page 
(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

The original block name is Wild Duck.
I altered it to become a plane because,
for better or worse, aviation changed not
just how we travel but how we war.
As soon as man finds a new way to
do something, he sadly finds a way
to use it as a weapon.

Below are the links to how aviation

changed the world.

Balloons

WW1

WW2
My grandfather was completely 

enamored of flight and wanted to fly

in WW2. Sadly, for him (thankful to us),

his eyes weren't good enough.

It was extremely dangerous.

He instead put his knowledge and strengths

to flight in another way by being a part 

of building the LEM that landed on the moon!

How does aviation affect your life?

~Keep Stitching~

Stars of Peace block #9

 Welcome back for block 9, Shooting Star.

This month's block is BB#1128b, Blocks and Pinwheels and

attributed to Old Chelsea Station (a mail order company 

started in 1933, Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

I renamed it Shooting Star.

As much as I like pinwheels, 

the new name felt more in line

with the theme of this quilt along.

There were so many stars along the way

who contributed to the birth of our nation 

and the continual upkeep of our values.

I know somedays it feels like a struggle to 

still believe, but we must, just as they did!!

We must believe and we must shine in 

a way only we can.

Find what is important to you and aim 

for the stars with all your might!

~AND, Keep Stitching~

Botanical Beauty block #9

 Celebrate!

Did you know that the very first use 

of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July

was on the first anniversary of our 

declared independence, July 4th, 1777!

In 1776, then-future President John Adams 

sent a letter to his wife, Abigail, 

outlining how the country's declared 

independence from England should be celebrated. 

He wrote that the day should be marked 

with "pomp & parade, with shews (shows), 

games, sports, bonfires, bells and illuminations 

from one end of this continent to the other 

from this time forward forever more (sic)."

The next year, a July 4th fireworks display 

in Philadelphia began and ended with 13 rockets, 

according to American University historian 

James R. Heintze.

"The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, 

and at night there was a grand exhibition 

of fireworks, which began and concluded 

with thirteen rockets on the commons, 

and the city was beautifully illuminated," he wrote. "Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal."

By about five years later, the fireworks 

shows included a wide variety of 

types of fireworks such as serpents, 

wheels, table rockets, cherry trees, 

fountains and sunflowers.

So there you have it: 

We celebrate our independence 

with fireworks and picnics because 

that's the way our founders 

intended it to be.

It is quite the spectacle now

with towns going bigger and

better all the time.

I still love a great show but am 

also aware now how these

can affect veterans.

As to the origin of my block above, 

maybe you remember it from 

another quilt of mine published

in AQ magazine a few years back,

Rockets Red Glare.

So, even if you aren't up for 

making Botanical Beauty, there

are other fun patriotic quilts to make:)

Keep Quilting:)

Botanical Beauty block #8

 Welcome to block #8, Homestead.

This is a modified block from my Village Square 

quilt a few years ago that was published in

American Quilter Magazine.

When I named this block, I was

thinking about how the colonists came here

then had to set up a new home.

Having done that my whole life via 

military transfers, I can't imagine how

much harder it was for them!!

My process was very involved and sometimes 

difficult and yet I didn't have

to clear my own land or build my own

home when I arrived.

My food was already grown and in a 

nice grocery store for me to pluck 

necessities off a shelf for my family.

The Homestead Act didn't come until 1862.

Before that the colonists had to endure rough 

terrain and build roads before they

could even get to a spot to clear for a home.

During the war, soldiers and troops could

just plunder what you had already 

grown for your family...No protections.

They were badass!

My trials pale in comparison and I am 

so grateful to those who stuck it out and 

prospered in the face of adversity.

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, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 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.

HAPPY QUILTING:)

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 

Esther de Berdt Reed.

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~

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

my Well-Loved Ladies Sampler.

I redrafted it smaller as part of 

my Botanical Beauty sampler.

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.

 

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, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 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

Robin's Rocking Needles.

This month's block name is, 

Lady in the Whitehouse and attributed

to Nancy Cabot in 1937

(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

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:

10 Eleanor Roosevelt Accomplishments and Achievements - Have Fun With History

Eleanor Roosevelt - Wikipedia

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, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 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.