With Needle and Thread

Yes, another snowman pattern. I love winter and snow and cold temperatures and snow people of all sorts. These folks seem a generally happy group; perhaps that's why they were such fun to stitch. They have all my favorite things; lots of different fabrics, applique, embellishments, blocks of different sizes and shapes and things that refuse to be confined to their sashing or border(check out the trees). This pattern also works well as a block of the month. Enjoy!

** DISCONTINUED ** Angels tall, short, fat, thin, very young and not quite so young, but all with a sense of humor are set in a unique way: lots of different ribbons, braids, rick rack, etc. form the sashing. This one has many opportunities for embellishment, too.

** DISCONTINUED ** Six pieced angels and six appliqued angels combine with pieced stars in this very popular quilt. Customers have stitched this one in several different color combinations, proving it is not just a Christmas project. If you are a shop owner, it is also a great choice for "Block of the Month."

Calling all frog lovers - especially those with a sense of humor! These are definitely frogs with an attitude. Make this for yourself or for the handsome prince in your life. The backgrounds can easily be strip pieced, the frogs appliqued in your favorite style, and the letters are easy to applique or can be scanned for machine embroidery.

They’re our pets, our best friends and sometimes they’re even members of our families. Our dogs are very special creatures indeed. This quilt was designed to honor that unique relationship. I hope you have as much fun making it as I did.

Roosters, hens, baby chicks and a worm are charming everyone. Many customers have said, "I really don't care much for chickens, but this one I've gotta have." The designs are great for all sorts of home decor, too.

** DISCONTINUED ** These gals love to shop. Hats, shoes, evening gowns, antiques - they just can't resist the thrill of the hunt. And you will love finding new ways to use them - on clothing, tote bags, a lap throw, a pillow for someone special. And OH! the embellishment opportunities - beads, buttons, ribbons, lace, silk flowers...yummmmm!

Clowns tall, short, young and not-so-young -- and all having a wonderful time. No sad or scary faces here! Make one for a wall hanging, four or five more for a crib quilt or make the whole twin coverlet, BUT I bet you can't help but laugh while you do it. Complete instructions, lots of opportunities for embellishment, a couple of new techniques you may not have tried before -- it's all here. Enjoy!

Want to live in a home that is not at all ordinary? How about one of these? They are definitely unusual, a little ditsy, fun, unique, colorful and they put a smile on your face. They're just fun to make. Enjoy

Now why do you think these pachyderms have turned pink? I haven't quite figured it out yet, but they certainly seem to make people happy this way. The giggles and laughter tell me they are spreading happiness all over the place. Why don't you try them and see what happens to you? They are not at all hard, just loads of fun. Just be sure and drop me a line and tell me why they are pink!

"Do us a fish quilt," said a student. I hope she wasn't after NORMAL fish because my fingers just will not draw that way. But here is a chance to use every kind of fabric, every kind of thread, every kind of bead and jewelry imaginable to make your own fancy, fabulous Fish Follies.

A chorus of fanciful butterflies and dragonflies dance through a garden of appliqued silk flowers. (Patterns for flowers are also included if you prefer to make an easily washed quilt.) This pattern is a great way to improve machine applique skills and explore various embellishment techniques. I love watching people respond to this quilt - they just have to touch it!

Every year on March 3rd, the Japanese honor their small daughters with the Peach Blossom Festival -- so named perhaps because in past decades and centuries, those little girls were encouraged to be peaceful and gentle as peach blossoms. The festival is a beautiful day and when I first laid eyes on all the Asian-style fabrics in our shops now, I knew Iâ€™d found the idea for my next quilt.

** DISCONTINUED ** If only every morning could be as sunny and happy as this quilt. The blocks are large, the elements simple; only the end result looks complicated. Lots of different fabrics and lots of decorative stitches using decorative threads create twelve beautiful suns and there's only one grump in the whole bunch. This would make a great Block of the Month.

Funny, our cat Wendell didn’t care to respond to that. He came only when and if he felt like it. He knew he was in charge – not us. It was with fond memories of Wendell that I designed and stitched this quilt. I hope you enjoy these felines; they are all very different, but it is great fun to watch them come to life as you stitch.

From ballet to hip hop, dancing is fun to do and fun to watch. This quilt is for all of us who appreciate the joy that is dance. Make one for that special dancer in your life.

** SALE ITEM ** Do fairies really exist? Do they look like this? Well, perhaps they should! Quilters and children of all ages have fallen in love with these charmers. Several customers have made, or are making, matching pillows from their favorite blocks.

Clearly Santa is one tired fella, and his elves are very busy getting ready for Christmas. These elves can be used on tablecloths, placemats, Christmas stockings, a Christmas sweatshirt or vest. So many possibilities from just one pattern!

Dress forms in all shapes and sizes because we are all shapes and sizes. This quilt is an easy one and good for a chuckle or two along the way. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday! We're married! Congratulations on the new baby! Happy anniversary! Enjoy your retirement! Happy Wednesday! So many reasons to celebrate with a cake. But not just any cake; special occasions deserve special cakes. Like one of these.

** DISCONTINUED ** There is something for everyone here. The center block is colored with fabric pens; the bountiful harvest turkeys, Pilgrims and Indians are all appliqued. Then there are pieced blocks and pieced and appliqued borders. Customers have also enjoyed rearranging these designs into table runners, placemats, and smaller wall hangings.

These could also be called "liberated" lighthouses. The shapes and colors are definitely not the norm for these buildings. But they will make you smile, and they will give you the chance to use some really fun fabrics, threads, and decorative stitches. This is a great quilt for teaching or learning applique techniques.

A number of years ago when someone asked me to "do a cow quilt," I thought "heavens no, how boring!" But then the creatures began to grow on me, and here we are. These are obviously no ordinary cows, however. Black, white, and pink? Plaids? Polka dots? Stripes? All that hot pink on the girls and a bow tie on McAngus? What fun.

** DISCONTINUED ** Originally planned as a Block of the Month (and easily adapted for that purpose if you desire) almost everything in this quilt is designed to be pieced. Still, being the lover of applique that I am, ended up appliqueing a lot of mine. You or your customers should find they can easily do either-or both. This is a great scrap quilt.

** DISCONTINUED ** This album style quilt is fun, funky, and decidedly humorous. It is great for any quilter who likes the slightly off-beat and is designed to be an easy introduction to the world of album quilts. If you don't cut or stitch to perfection, who can tell? It looks like it was supposed to be that way.

And what colorful chicks they are, too! The use of so many wonderful fabrics disguises how easy it really is to assemble these blocks. They are a whimsical, humorous group that usually brings a chuckle from anyone who sees them

These 17 Santas of all shapes and sizes, an elf, a gingerbread girl, a snowflake and candy canes will provide you or your customers with lots of inspiration for Christmas sewing. The designs are also good for sweatshirts, stockings, tree skirts, table runners, etc.

Santas young and old, tall and short, fat and thin, jolly and whimsical, elegant and eccentric, even one who's just plain pooped! Combine these irresistable fellows with wonderful fabrics, lots of embellishments

Mr. and Mrs. Noah, the Ark, the rainbow, and 17 delightful pairs of animals - it's all here. The only problem you or your customers will have is picking their favorite animal. Tho' I chose to add a lot of detail in terms of shading, embellishments, etc., this quilt will be equally charming done in a simple unadorned manner by any beginning to intermediate level quilter.

These elegant ladies and gentlemen of the south - the way south - are irresistible to almost everyone. Their lives are not easy, and are always dangerous, but these birds are just so gorgeous. Have you ever wondered if they let their hair down so to speak and maybe played a little? Do you think they might look like these cousins of theirs?

** DISCONTINUED ** Although pictured in spring pastels, these bunnies, butterflies, and caterpillar are also great in red, white and blue with flags and stars instead of eggs. Children love them in vivid brights.

These plaid porkers in three sizes make a charming scrap quilt. Try it in paisleys or polka dots, too. Wish you could see the one done all in black and white prints.

** DISCONTINUED ** Do any of these bring back memories? Do any of them look like your favorite chair? Well, you can have lots o' fun playing with fabrics for these chairs (in some cases the wilder the better) and even more fun embellishing. Beads? Crystals? Silk ribbon? Buttons? Try them all.

** DISCONTINUED ** Uncle Sam is keeping company with some very patriotic friends, a couple of eagles, and two adorable angels. A great scrap quilt, this also provides many opportunities for clever embellishments.

Searching for inspiration for new designs, I came across some beautiful perfume bottles and thought, "If I can draw lighthouses that reflect my quirky personality, surely I can do the same with perfume bottles." Voila! Scents of Style is born. Yummy fabrics, decorative threads (including lots of metallics), and opportunities for all kinds of embellishments make this a FUN project.

Snow men, snow women, and a snow baby combine with silk ribbon embroidered snow flakes on a background of numerous navy prints. These designs are wonderful for garments, wall hangings and other home decor items as well.

They are "cousins" because these girls were inspired in part by the old favorite Sunbonnet Sue. Though shown as redwork done on the sewing machine, these could just as easily be done in crayonwork (I did a little on mine in the shading and details like ribbons and flowers) or as applique. Alternative designs for the corners are also included.

Teapots for the 21st century. Quirky shapes, bright and happy fabrics and sparkling embellishments combine to make some of the most unusual and fun teapots you have ever seen.

** DISCONTINUED ** Despite the title, this is not just for brides-the pattern includes two extra designs that can be substituted for the bride and groom. Now you have a wonderful showcase for your applique skills in this very elegant queen coverlet.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa are decorating their tree, getting ready for the holiday at their house. This is a great stockings-for-two pattern for any favorite twosome in your life. Easy to applique, very easy to assemble, lots of places for fun embellishment, and directions are included for all of it. (The complete alphabet is included, too.)

Now who could be afraid of mice when they are so cute and so talented? These little creatures can sew anything – wish I had a few of them in my studio.

Mrs. Claus baking, doing laundry, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, cleaning up after the reindeer, and even attending the quilt show are jus some of the designs included in this companion to Nicholas and Friends.

** DISCONTINUED ** Fifteen wonderful teddy bears are showcased against a chambray background and surrounded by half-square triangles (a wonderful way to use up lots of scraps - or an excuse to buy lots of new fabrics!)

Four styles of pigs in three sizes each are bound to bring forth a giggle or two. Stitch them in as many polka dot fabrics as you can find and they become irresistible. These designs are not difficult and you will have fun creating all sorts of embellishments and fabric combinations for them.

** DISCONTINUED ** Tobias et al. are special; they’re friendly, happy, adventuresome, and very, very colorful. They are a wonderful quilt, but can’t you see them on a special child’s sweatshirt? A tote bag, a pillowcase, or perhaps a set of placemats? Think about it.

Mermaids, seahorses, crabs, shells, it's all here. This is a wonderful format for using some of those special fabrics you have been saving, as well as all sorts of gorgeous embellishments. So let's get started.

** DISCONTINUED ** For all gardeners-and those of us who wish we could grow lovely things we offer these watering cans "and other stuff." They are very easy to applique, and the flowers are all silk flowers held in place by button centers.

This quilt honors breast cancer survivors everywhere. They are a strong, tenacious group of people who can teach us all something by the way they face this disease with courage and determination. A portion of the proceeds from this pattern will be donated to cancer research.

"Happiness is being owned by a cat." So states one of the blocks in this cat lover's quilt. The individual blocks also make charming wall hangings. Several students have done this quilt in soft-hued reproduction fabrics, and they are wonderful.

This quilt was created to honor all the people who create wonderful things for us to eat. (Truthfully, I would much rather be sewing than cooking!). These characters made me smile as I worked on them and I hope they do the same for you.

“Who done what?” they keep asking me. Was it murder? Kidnapping? Ok – oh no!-even worse, did someone steal all my applique thread?!!! Surely these obviously wise and intelligent creatures can figure it out for us. And, meanwhile you can have great fun stitching them all into a wonderful new quilt. Enjoy!

Do you think crows would be scared by any of these? Well, probably not, but they are FUN. When I showed the quilt to my granddaughters, they both wanted to take it home with them right then. I thoroughly enjoyed working on all of them and hope you will too.

Barns of all sorts including round ones, an octagon, a goat barn, and even one that’s about to fall down. There’s also the farmer, his wife, ducklings, pigs and veggies. You name it. So have fun!