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- May 12
- 3 min read
Have you enjoyed making your mini magnolias over the past week? They were so much fun to create, and they're just adorable! If you haven’t had the chance to get started yet, no worries. Take your time when you can and enjoy crafting these charming blooms.
When I began quilting, I promised myself that this creative outlet would not add stress to my life. I wanted it to be an enjoyable experience, so don’t stress about what you haven’t accomplished yet. Just appreciate the moments you can devote to it and enjoy every second. The tutorials for each step of the quilt along will be available indefinitely on YouTube under the playlist "Simply Sweet Sew Along." You can check it out here.
This past Saturday, I demonstrated how to make one of the delightful little houses, which is row five of our row quilt. There will be a total of six house blocks, and they are relatively quick and easy to make. I had fun selecting colors for the doors, and you could add pops of color for the windows. I chose to keep my windows uniform with the same fabric, but this week would be a great opportunity to pull from your stash and get creative.
The house blocks come together quickly and won’t require nearly as much time as the mini magnolias. This would be a perfect week to catch up if you still have some blocks to make. Be sure to share pictures of your finished blocks with us on Facebook. Click the following link join the Quilts Bloom at Dawn Group and and share your progress.
Next Saturday, May 17th, I will demonstrate row three of the quilt along, making one of the six tulip buds. I kept my tulips in shades of strawberry red, using one print for each; however, for added dimension and a scrappy look, try using a wider range of color shades for your tulips.
 Once we finish this row, we will be over the halfway mark, with only three more rows to go: the scrappy start, the sawtooth stars, and the four patches. We’ll have this quilt top pieced together in no time! Just a reminder, if you are just joining us, you can purchase your pattern from Chelsi Stratton’s Etsy shop by clicking on the link:
I’m actually writing this post while visiting my brother in Tampa. He just moved into a new home, and when he took us on a tour, I was pleasantly surprised to see the very first quilt I ever made—a simple panel with added borders—spread out on one of the guest beds.
It’s so special to see how much he appreciates this gift, yet when I examined my workmanship, I cringed a little. The binding looks pretty rough, and the quilt isn’t perfectly straight, but then I paused to appreciate it for what it was: a beginning. It marked the start of what has become a defining part of my life! While I could see every flaw, I can assure you my brother saw it only for what it was—a handmade gift made with love for him. I’ve come a long way since then and learned many tips to improve the overall construction of my quilts, but I will always cherish seeing those early quilts for what they are: a beginning. Display those early works proudly, regardless of perceived imperfections. Quilting is a journey, and every journey has a starting point. Never be embarrassed about where your quilting journey began. Embrace your past, celebrate how far you’ve come, and enjoy every moment along the way!
Thank you for joining me on this quilting journey! Quilting is fun, but it's even better with friends.
Happy Quilting!
