How could I resist a challenge with the theme “sunshine and vines”, especially the year that my quilt Flourish on the Vine would be hanging in the National Juried Show?

Although I am quite familiar with foundation (or paper) piecing, I picked up a few excellent tips making two recent quilts.

Mariner’s Compass blocks are elaborate, circular designs with multiple rays or spikes than can be arranged in infinite variations. Drafting them can be a challenge. Here is what I learned while making my very first Mariner’s Compass block.

Rainbows, from Superior Threads, is a 40-weight trilobal variegated polyester thread with a one-inch color change interval. I used it for thread painting a handmade fabric postcard.

Stamp carving can be used as inspiration for blocks, quilting or border patterns. I discovered some fascinating designs during a Stamp Carving for Quilters workshop with Maggie Weiss.