Color theory, but make it a quilt

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Sewfrench

The gallery wall needed another piece of art.

Fortunately, I had a rainbow in my sewing studio.

I have collected Kona solids for years—decades, really—so there was no shortage of color to choose from. Pulling fabrics for this project was probably my favorite part. There is something very satisfying about watching a pile of individual colors turn into a full rainbow.

A neatly organized shelf in a cabinet displaying folded fabric in various colors, including blue, purple, green, yellow, pink, and white.
A colorful stack of folded fabric in various shades, including green, yellow, blue, purple, pink, and orange, arranged neatly on a light surface.
A circular arrangement of fabric swatches in various colors, pinned together at the center. The colors range from blue, green, yellow, orange, to purple, creating a gradient effect.

Once I had the fabrics arranged, I started piecing the color wheel together. With this much color, I wanted the piecing itself to stay clean and simple and let the progression of colors do all the work.

A close-up view of a sewing machine with colorful fabric pieces pinned together, showing various sewing pins secured around the edges.
A vibrant fabric color wheel composed of layered fabric pieces in various shades, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, pinned onto a white surface.

Before quilting, I marked the top with my never fail water soluble blue making pen.

A color wheel composed of various color segments, arranged in a circular pattern, on a light-colored background with blue lines for guidance. A blue pen and white correction pen are placed adjacent to the wheel.

Then pin basted all three layers together. Working on multiple projects at a time, I finally ordered more safety pins for basting. I love these and should never run short again! And they are an American made product!

A color wheel illustration featuring various color segments arranged in a circular pattern, placed on a lined paper surface with a blue pen and a white eraser nearby.
A close-up of a colorful fabric color wheel, showcasing various shades sewn into a quilted pattern with safety pins holding sections together.
A vibrant color wheel design on fabric with a quilting machine in the background, alongside a package of Heirloom 100% cotton batting.

I decided to machine quilt, every 1/2″, four 90 degree angle lines, sectioning the quilt into quarters and working out to each corner. It was a lot of quilting for a 30” square piece, but I love the texture it added without competing with all that color.

And once I started, there was really no turning back.

A colorful quilt featuring a circular gradient color wheel in the center, surrounded by white fabric with safety pins attached for quilting preparation.

The two four-year-old twins love to help in the sewing studio. One was lint rolling my latest project while the other was “vacuuming” the floor.

A smiling child is crouching on the floor, using a yellow roller to paint a colorful circular pattern on a white quilted fabric. The design features a spectrum of colors arranged in a circular layout.
A young child is sitting on the floor in a living room, rolling a small yellow paint roller over a colorful blanket with a circular design. The child is holding a stuffed animal in one arm and focused on the task.

Then, in true sewing-room fashion, my serger broke a thread.

Rather than stop and rethread the whole thing, I decided the serger could simply become an expensive trimming machine.

No thread needed. 😂

Close-up of a quilted fabric showing a textured white surface and a colorful yellow section.
Close-up of a quilted fabric with a zigzag pattern and a blue marking on a cream background.
A close-up view of a sewing machine stitching through quilted fabric, with the machine's needle and presser foot clearly visible.

I wanted the finished piece to feel like art, not simply a little quilt hanging on the wall. Instead of adding a traditional binding, I finished the edges with facing strips. From the front, the edge disappears completely, leaving nothing to interrupt the color wheel or the clean square shape.

Close-up view of a quilted fabric edge featuring a visible seam and contrasting colors.

Then I stretched the finished quilt over a 1 1/2” deep gallery canvas and stapled it securely to the back. The depth of the canvas brings the quilt away from the wall just enough to give it dimension and a finished gallery-piece presence.

A close-up view of the back of an unframed canvas, showing the wooden stretcher bars and the stitching along the edges, with visible creases and a slight tear.

It is a small finishing detail, but it makes a huge difference. No visible binding, no floppy edges—and, most importantly, no oversized-pot-holder effect. 😂

Now it looks exactly the way I hoped it would: a quilt, but also a piece of art.

My husband has been after me since we finished my studio to get something on this wall.

I took my time deciding what I wanted there and eventually turned the space into a gallery wall. Once that decision was made, I was just as deliberate about what I added to it. I didn’t want to fill the wall simply for the sake of filling it.

This particular spot needed color—and a Colorwheel quilt felt exactly right for a quilting studio.

A creative workspace featuring a color wheel quilt on the wall, along with decorative circle signs and colorful art pieces. A countertop displays various fabric pieces, while storage drawers and baskets are organized below.

I love that this piece is made from fabrics that have been living in my studio for years. Some of these colors have been used in quilts long since finished and gifted, while others were little scraps and leftovers waiting for their turn.

Now they all get to live together on the wall.

And really, what could be more appropriate for a sewing studio than a piece of art made from fabric, thread, and nearly every color of the rainbow?

Color wheel quilt featuring a vibrant arrangement of colors in circular segments on a textured white background.

Colorwheel


30″ square

Machine pieced and quilted 1/2″ apart

Finished with facing strips and mounted on a 1 1/2” gallery canvas

quilted using this batting

framed on this canvas

pattern by On Williams Street

Apparently Peter was right. The wall did need something.

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Flowering Gum Quilt Process

Posted on September 12, 2026 by Sewfrench

The video explains it all!


One of the most ambitious art quilts I’ve ever created.

From the first pieces of fabric to the final stitches, this textile wall hanging became a much bigger undertaking than I ever imagined. So many decisions, so many hours, so many stitches-and more than a few moments of wondering whether the idea in my head would become the piece I envisioned.

It did.

And now it hangs in our home.❤️

Ready to start!

Love this technique.

Background quilting has begun.

I love how the texture shows up on the back! Makes me want to do an all white quilt!

Using a compressor makes stapling the binding to the frame much easier!

I can’t believe, after two years, it is finally finished!

Happy to answer any questions!





Flowering Gum

Hand and machine pieced
Hand and machine quilted by myself
61″ after the dense quilting.
Prior to quilting the top measured 63″x63″.
Quilter’s Dream Request Batting
Self Stretched and Mounted on 1 1/2″ gallery frame
using this method
Devonstone Cotton Linen in Champagne and Kona Cotton

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Pig & Puppy: Personalized Quilts for Our Granddaughters

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Sewfrench

One of the bittersweet milestones of grandparenting is realizing that little ones eventually outgrow the baby quilts that once seemed so enormous. When our youngest granddaughters reached that stage, I knew it was time to create something new—quilts they could grow into and love for years to come. Rather than choosing a traditional pattern or color palette, I took my inspiration from what mattered most to them at the time: their favorite colors and the stuffed animals they carried everywhere. Those beloved companions became the heart of two very special quilts that we affectionately named Pig and Puppy.


🎥 Watch the Process

Click Play below to follow the making of the Pig and Puppy quilts—from the first fabric choices to the final hand quilting and then the gifting!


Instead of starting with a pattern, I started with them. Their favorite colors and their most treasured stuffed animals became the inspiration for two quilts that would soon be known simply as Pig and Puppy. The Puppy quilt became even more personal because it needed one very special addition. Their beloved schnauzer, Walter, simply had to be included, so I designed a custom quilt block just for him. Seeing their favorite companions—both stuffed and furry—stitched into their quilts made these projects even more meaningful.


One of my favorite moments comes before the batting and backing are ever added. I love seeing the quilt tops—still just “flimsies”—hanging in the window with the sunlight streaming through them. The light reveals every tiny piece that came together to create the design, reminding me just how many individual shapes and stitches make up the whole. Before they become cozy quilts, they are works of patchwork art, and I never tire of admiring them in that fleeting stage.

Pig quilt flimsy by Sewfrench
Puppy quilt flimsy by Sewfrench


Every quilter has those tried-and-true supplies they reach for again and again, and for me, Dream Cotton Request batting is one of them. I use it in many of my quilts, but I especially love it for hand quilting. Its low loft lets the piecing shine, gives the finished quilt a soft, graceful drape, and makes every hand stitch a pleasure. It’s one of those products I trust completely and return to with every hand-quilted project.

Every quilt has a bit of Peter in it, one way or another, and these were no exception. Before I began the hand quilting, he helped by sketching the quilting designs directly onto the tops. His artistic eye brought another layer of personality to each quilt, creating gentle lines for my needle to follow. I may have stitched every quilt by hand, but these two quilts were truly a team effort from start to finish.


One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “How long does it take you to hand quilt one of your quilts?” I finally decided to find out. I timed the hand quilting on both the Pig and Puppy quilts, and each one required about 35 hours of stitching by hand. Those quiet hours with needle and thread are some of my favorite parts of the quilting journey. Every stitch slows me down just enough to enjoy the process and think about the little girl who will someday wrap up in the finished quilt.


Choosing the backing and binding is one of my favorite finishing touches. I wanted each quilt to feel just as special on the back as it did on the front, so I selected playful all-over prints featuring pigs and puppies that perfectly complemented each quilt’s theme. The coordinating bindings tie everything together, framing each quilt and giving it a polished finish. Even the backs tell part of the story.

And finally, the finished quilts. Countless tiny pieces, hours of hand stitching, a custom Walter block, Peter’s artistic quilting designs, and so much love all came together in these two quilts. Every time I see them, I’m reminded that the very best quilts aren’t just made with fabric—they’re stitched together with the people, memories, and stories they represent. I hope these quilts will bring comfort, smiles, and happy memories to our granddaughters for many years to come.


I’d love to hear from you! If you were making a quilt inspired by someone you love, what special details would you include to make it uniquely theirs? Share your ideas in the comments below!



Pig and Puppy Quilts
Sewfrench originals

For our twin granddaughters whose favorite stuffies are a pig and puppy

All animals were custom sized
Pig
Puppy
Schnauzer Puppy

Paper pieced and hand quilted
Quilter’s Dream Cotton Request batting

42″ x54″

For Frances and Sloane
April 2024

Posted in Family, hand quilting, Quilt stories, Quilting, Sewing, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Old Fashioned Double Irish Chain Quilt

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Sewfrench
traditional Baby boy quilt fabrics to be used in quilt

Our oldest granddaughter and her husband are expecting their second child, and the nursery theme is an old-fashioned blue-and-white gingham with teddy bears and warm wood tones.

When I think of classic baby quilts, the Double Irish Chain is always one of the first that comes to mind. It has such a timeless, heirloom feel—exactly the look I wanted for Hudson’s nursery.

What could be more traditional than a Double Irish Chain quilt? It’s one of those timeless quilts that looks far more complicated than it is. With simple strip piecing, no pattern is really needed.

I struggled to find solid blue and white fabrics, along with a matching gingham, that were a true baby-boy blue. Most of this season’s fabrics leaned toward aqua or turquoise. I persevered and finally found exactly what I was looking for.

Fabrics

After searching everywhere, I ended up having the backing printed through Spoonflower, and it was exactly what I had envisioned: Welcome Sweet Baby Nursery Toys on White in Petal Signature Cotton.

  • Finished squares: 1″
  • White border: 1½”
  • Blue borders: 2″
  • Finished size: 37″ × 37″

Ready to miter the corners!

The satisfaction of a perfect miter is hard to beat!

A little backing trick…

If your backing isn’t quite wide enough, but you have extra length, try this trick. Cut the fabric diagonally from corner to corner, shift the two pieces until you gain the width you need (remembering to allow for quilting overage and seam allowances), then stitch the diagonal seam back together.

Because the seam is now on the bias, handle it carefully while sewing. This works especially well with solids or prints that don’t require pattern matching.

Batting

I always photograph my quilts with the batting I used. Quilters Dream Request Cotton Batting is still my favorite. It’s wonderful for hand quilting, performs beautifully with machine quilting, and gives quilts a lovely soft hand.

Bias Binding

As usual, I cut the gingham binding on the bias for the look I wanted. My grandmother always insisted that bias-bound quilts aged better.

Who am I to argue with my grandmother?

The Finishing Touch

After embroidering Hudson’s name, birth date, and my initials, it was ready to be shipped to our newest great-grandson.

Ready to ship!

Great-grandson #2 has arrived!

Isn’t he the sweetest?

Feel free to ask questions if you need more explicit directions for this pattern.

Finished baby boy Double Irish Chain quilt by Sewfrench.

Double Irish Chain quilt
by Sewfrench

37″ x 37″
designed by Sewfrench

using Riley Blake Designs fabric

Spoonflower Backing

Dream Request Cotton Batting

Hand quilted with love for Hudson

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The 20 Books That Stayed With Me in 2025

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Sewfrench

Best Books I Read & Loved in 2025

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Sewfrench

Twenty books. Four genres. A reading year shaped by voice, clarity, and emotional truth.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I read widely in 2025, but these were the books that stayed with me — for their voice, emotional depth, and the way they quietly reshaped how I see the world. Many of these titles also appeared on major Best Books of 2025 lists, which only confirmed what I felt as a reader.

Biography / Memoir

  1. Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice — Virginia Roberts Giuffre
    A devastating and courageous memoir about being silenced—and finally being heard.
  2. The Tell— Amy Griffin
    A fearless, unforgettable memoir about uncovering the truth that finally sets you free.
  3. The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd’s Life — Helen Whybrow
    A lyrical, deeply felt memoir about life, land, and the profound bonds between humans and the natural world.
  4. One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This — Omar El Akkad
    Cuts deep with its razor-sharp moral clarity.
  5. The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row — Anthony Ray Hinton
    A powerful memoir that turns wrongful imprisonment into a testament of resilience.

Nonfiction

  1. No More Tears — Gardiner Harris
    True horror. Very difficult to read and also to not put down.
  2. Everything Is Tuberculosis — John Green
    An eye-opening look at how tuberculosis exposes the human cost of global inequality.
  3. Things in Nature Merely Grow — Yiyun Li
    A heartbreaking, deeply human testament to living with parental pain that never leaves.
  4. Yonder Come Day — Jasmine L. Holmes
    A devastating and necessary portrait of slavery told through the people who actually lived it.
  5. No Right to an Honest Living — Jacqueline A. Jones
    An illuminating study of pre–Civil War Boston, where freed slaves forged community and leadership amid shifting social and economic pressures

Fantasy

  1. Katabasis — R.F. Kuang
    Holy hell—Kuang didn’t just write a book about descending into the underworld; she built a new one, and I honestly think future authors will be measuring their hells against hers.
  2. The Antidote — Karen Russell
    At its heart, this hopeful novel is about memory—lost, uncovered, and newly made. It is a deeply moving and transformative read.
  3. The Shining — Stephen King
    A masterfully eerie, psychological horror that turns a lonely mountain hotel into a chilling exploration of fear and unraveling sanity
  4. The Dream Hotel — Laila Lalami
    A sharp, unsettling tale of surveillance that reaches into the unconscious. Once you read it everything is The Dream Hotel.
  5. I Who Have Never Known Men — Jacqueline Harpman
    A deeply affecting story that questions identity, isolation, and what makes us human.. It’s a slim book, but its impact lingers long after the last page.

Fiction

  1. Sisters in the Wind — Angeline Boulley
    A haunting, page-turning story that deepens your understanding of identity, resilience, and the real stakes of ICWA for Indigenous youth.
  2. The Correspondent — Virginia Evans
    The kind of book that makes you want to send letters just for the excuse to buy fancy paper.
  3. Wreck — Catherine Newman
    Every page rings with emotional truth, tracing motherhood, family bonds, and grief with rare clarity.
  4. Wild Dark Shore — Charlotte McConaghy
    A haunting, beautifully written page-turner about love and survival against a brutal natural world.
  5. Time of the Child — Niall Williams
    A lyrical, deeply moving portrait of love and quiet miracles in a small town told as only an Irish writer can!

These top twenty books didn’t just fill a reading year — they shaped it.

I read 112 books this year, and I keep a running list on Goodreads if you’d like to follow along.

If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to know which ones stayed with you, too.

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Refresh Wool Naturally with Snow Cleaning

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Sewfrench

Wool has been loved for centuries—and not just because it’s cozy and warm. One of its coolest features is that it practically cleans itself! In fact, one of the oldest (and most natural) ways to freshen up wool doesn’t involve water, soap, or a washing machine at all. All you need is… snow ❄️

Yes, really. A good snowfall can work wonders on wool blankets, sweaters, and other woolly favorites. It’s a simple, eco-friendly trick that fits perfectly with the sustainable nature of wool itself.

So how does this work?

Wool fibers are pretty amazing. They’re naturally coated in lanolin, a waxy substance that helps repel dirt, bacteria, and odors. Because of this, wool doesn’t need to be washed nearly as often as synthetic fabrics. When you lay wool out in fresh snow, the cold and light moisture help loosen trapped dirt and odors—leaving your wool feeling fresh, clean, and revived without any harsh treatment.

Nature really does know best.

If you’re curious to try this old-fashioned snow-cleaning trick, it’s surprisingly simple. Here’s how to do it:

First, wait for a fresh snowfall. You’ll want clean, powdery snow—nothing slushy or dirty. Fresh snow is the real star of this method.

Next, lay your wool item right on top of the snow. Blankets, sweaters, rugs—whatever needs a refresh. Spread it out evenly, and if you’d like, gently press or lightly cover it with snow so the fibers make good contact.

Give it a soft pat and let it rest for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then flip it over and repeat on the other side. During this time, the cold and moisture help loosen dirt and neutralize odors naturally.

Ideally, temperatures should be quite cold. It was about 15°F when I cleaned these. Super-light, dry, powdery snow won’t make your wool wet. Once temperatures rise above 25–30°F, warm wool placed on cold snow can start to become damp. In this case, the colder, the better.

When you’re finished, shake the wool well to remove any lingering snow. A quick hand-brush works too if needed.

Finally, bring it inside and hang it up to dry completely. That’s it—no soap, no machine, no fuss.

Why Snow-Cleaning Works So Well

One of the best parts of this method is how gentle and earth-friendly it is. There’s no water, no detergent, and no energy use—just nature doing what it does best. It helps preserve wool’s natural lanolin, keeps the fibers happy, and freshens odors without stripping or stressing the fabric.

There’s also something deeply satisfying about it. Cleaning wool with snow connects us to a tradition that’s been passed down for generations in colder climates. It’s simple, beautiful, and rooted in a slower, more thoughtful way of caring for the things we love.

So the next time fresh snow falls, skip the laundry room and head outside instead. Lay down your wool, let the snow work its quiet magic, and enjoy this timeless, nature-powered refresh.

Though we aren’t too crazy about the amount of snow we have received, this season, before we head to Florida, I am enjoying refreshing my closet with such a nice, clean scent.

Next big snow, I’ll be “washing” another round of sweaters, some wool coats and a Pendleton wool blanket.

Let me know if this is something your family has always done or if you are planning on trying it.

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Deco Quilt Design: A Thoughtful Handmade Gift

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Sewfrench


If you didn’t know this about me, I am a very deliberate person. When making a quilt for a person, sometimes it takes me years to come up with the design and color options for that specific person. This one took longer than usual but it is now gifted!

The Deco quilt by Lo & Behold is a perfect guy quilt design. In shades of greens, taupes and an oyster background, Peppered Cottons shot cotton gives it more depth than your usual solid fabrics with the waft and weave being two different colors, it greens, in particular, almost shimmer.

The first time I bought these fabrics was in my old-fashioned Benjamin Franklin dime store which is attached to a grocery store in Benzonia, Michigan, very near our cottage. I fell in love with it, I bought all colors they had. When I later realized there were colors I did not own, I bought the complete set of color cards to more easily plan quilts. Ordering fabric online isn’t my favorite but when it is the only option… these help.

A better look at the colors I chose. Peppered Cottons make for a beautiful drape!

Ready for hand quilting.

Deco Quilt
by Sewfrench

56″ x 68″
designed by Lo & Behold
using Peppered Cottons fabrics
Dream Request Cotton Batting
Hand quilted with love by Sewfrench

Happy Birthday, Ben!

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Ramen Noodle Salad

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Sewfrench

After having first had this at one of the many school potluck dinners we have participated in, over the years, it quickly became a family favorite. Usually served alongside barbecue, burgers, or generally most any summer meal. We have since starting making it year round as an easy snack, lunch, or appetizer salad. It’s one of the easiest ways to get raw vegetables into someone who doesn’t generally eat his 5-7 servings a day, because he loves this!

Ramen Noodle Salad @ Sewfrench

It is so quick and easy to throw together but it should marinate overnight for the best flavors.

Ramen Noodle Salad @ Sewfrench

Because the noodles are crispy-crunchy, uncooked, right out of that little packet they really should be allowed to soak up the flavors instead of eating right away. I’m sure you could add any other raw veggies that you might need to use up with just as good results.

Ramen Noodle Salad
printer friendly version

Dressing Ingredients:

1/3 cups oil, we use olive oil, not extra virgin, it has too distinct of a  flavor
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup vinegar apple cider, white works, apple cider is healthiest!

Salad Ingredients:
8 oz pkg. cole slaw mix
4 green onions, sliced, white and green parts
1/2 c celery diced
1/2 c cashews broken or slightly chopped
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c dried cranberries, you could use raisins or dried cherries, your choice
1 pkg oriental Ramen noodles and the included flavor packet, uncooked, crush noodles before opening package

Mix dressing ingredients, stir in the ramen seasoning packet and the dry noodles. Toss in the vegetables. Let stand several hours or overnight. Enjoy!

I’d love to know if you love this as much as we do and if you do it differently I’d love to hear that, too!

Cheers!

 

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Delicious Dairy-Free Greek Orzo Salad Recipe

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Sewfrench

I recently joined a delightful new club in our Florida community called Girlfriends’ Happy Hour. The premise is simple and charming: the first 100 women to sign up bring an appetizer or dessert, their drink of choice, and spend a few easygoing hours connecting with like-minded women.

Since we avoid dairy, I always contribute something cheese-free—something I can enjoy and that others might fall in love with, too. One particular dish has become a consistent favorite at these type gatherings. At the last event, the bowl was scraped clean and I received so many recipe requests that I decided to type it up and share it here.

Greek Arugula Orzo Pasta Salad
printer friendly link


1 cup orzo (about 8 ounces)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus extra for serving (2 lemons)

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 can chickpeas or garbanzos, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup 1/4″ dice colored bell peppers, I use the mini red and yellow ones

1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup English cucumbers, mostly peeled, 1/4″ dice

3 tablespoons capers in brine, drained

3 tablespoons minced fresh dill

4 ounces Violife dairy free Greek feta, 1/4″ diced, not crumbled

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and quartered

If you have pickled artichoke hearts, chopped, they make a great addition

2 cups baby arugula

1/2 lemon, thinly sliced and quartered for serving


Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan and add the orzo and 1 tablespoon salt. Return the water to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a 1-cup glass measuring cup.

Pour the vinaigrette over the warm pasta and stir well. Add everything else except the arugula and sliced lemons and combine carefully. I usually let this marinate several hours in the refrigerator.

Just before serving, stir in the arugula, add the sliced lemon, a squeeze of lemon juice, and taste for seasonings. By the time I serve it, it is at room temperature. Works well as a warm salad, too.

It’s easily adaptable to whatever flavors you prefer or whatever vegetables you have on hand. I’m known for skipping the pasta altogether and enjoying it as an afternoon snack!

If you decide to try it let me know what you think!

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Recreating the Iconic American Beauty Quilt

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Sewfrench

Many years ago while visiting the Michigan State Quilt Museum, in Lansing Michigan, I came across a quilt from 1876. I will never forget it. The boldness of the red and green stopped me in my tracks. Many more years later I was reminded of it when I came across the very same quilt on Pinterest and fell in love all over again!

And recently, again, many many more years later…

I keep a very long list of quilts that I hope to someday get around to. While looking over them, I knew I needed to recreate a quilt like the one that stopped me in my tracks so many years ago. I make baby quilts for all the new littles in our family and we had a new to be born great-niece coming! The American Beauty, aka New York Beauty, aka Rocky Road, aka Crown of Thorns design would be the one. I was SO excited to have a plan!!!

As I was researching color ways, I came across the Rainbow Road quilt design by Little Pincushion Studio. With a few changes, it would satisfy my need to make this style quilt. It would also be perfect for a new baby and I didn’t have to redesign the wheel!

So in late fall I got to work resizing and paper piecing.

By the time it would be ready to start hand quilting, we would be in Florida. A perfect quilting project to get through all the football we would be watching!

There were only a few pictures taken while quilting. Turns out they were when this family’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs, were playing and winning! Two different games!

Finding the perfect backing always makes me happy!

Click below for a fun little video of the quilt making process.

Just look at that tiny, sweet baby! I can’t wait to watch her grow up sleeping with, playing under and dragging around her Aunt Lori quilt!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

American Beauty

for Hadley Rae

An Annabel Wrigley design edited and manipulated by Sewfrench

Machine paper pieced

Hand quilted full of love and well wishes!

Custom sized by making the circles smaller to get it down to a 44″ baby size.

Quilter’s Dream Request batting

March 2025

Posted in Gifts, hand quilting, Quilting, Sewing, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment