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A Few of my Favorite Tutorials

The Sawtooth Star block is my favorite traditional quilt block. Here I paired it with my Scrappy Slab in the center for a fun modern twist.

Split Complementary Scrappy Slab Sawtooth Star Tutorial

Maybe it is because my birthday is in October, but I love pumpkins. And it is so easy to sew a quick pumpkin block. I can imagine a whole quilt of pumpkins, but it would also be a great block for a table runner or small bag. And it’s so easy to make them in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Scrappy Pumpkin Block Tutorial

Ironically, one of the most popular tutorials on my blog comes from before my blog was dedicated to my quilting and sewing. I made Rapunzel hair out of yarn for a friend’s daughter’s birthday party and shared my process in this tutorial. This time of year lots of folks find the tutorial when they start thinking about Halloween costumes.

Rapunzel Hair Tutorial

I hear I’m not alone, but I have very much been in a sewing slump. I’m anxious, easily distractible, and unmotivated. It’s not that I don’t want to be sewing or finishing quilts. I do. But it is just not happening at the moment. Mostly, I’m just trying to lean into the season of life.

For the summer I have enjoyed spending time with my kids, gone camping, spent time with family, played board games, read books, and watched a lot of baseball. Oh, and we’ve been enjoying the Summer Of Novelty Ice Cream Eating (or SO NICE). I’ve done just a little bit of sewing for bee blocks and teaching. That’s okay.

With the shift to school starting this week, the pace of life changes with it. Due to some upcoming non-quilting life tasks I won’t be ramping up my studio time real soon.

I have a break from teaching in August and I’m looking forward to a couple in-person teaching engagements in September. (See where I’ll be in my schedule below.) And I have a couple ideas percolating for upcoming quilt submissions.


Happy quilting,

P.S. I’d love to see what you make from my tutorials. Please hit reply to share a photo with me.

On My Design Wall

One of the things that I’ve been slowly chipping away at are the last two Swoon blocks for a quilt started… many years ago. These 24-inch blocks have 65 pieces each and this penultimate block is in 13 pieces. Due to the scrappy low volume background in the blocks I think I need to piece a scrappy sashing and border for these blocks.

On-Demand Workshop: Creating a Scrappy Slab

My first On-Demand Workshop is now open for individuals! Creating a Scrappy Slab includes all my tips and tricks for creating fabric from your scraps of any size. The course is a combination of videos and photo tutorials.

The beauty of an on demand class is that you can do it on your timeline, in the comfort of your own home. Want to take the course with friends? Each of you register individually, then you can work together on Zoom or in person.

Receive 20% off of Creating a Scrappy Slab with code: SQG2022

Guild Events

I enjoy teaching Planned Improv piecing and am available for live presentations and workshops on Zoom for guilds and groups.

I hope to see you at one of my upcoming events.

  • Sept. 12 - Lecture: Rules and Options of Planned Improv Piecing, Foothill Quilters Guild (Auburn, CA)

  • Sept. 13 - Workshop: Scrappy Squares, Foothill Quilters Guild (Auburn, CA)

  • Sept. 19 - Lecture: Rules and Options of Planned Improv Piecing, Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County (Concord, CA)

  • Oct. 19 - Lecture: Building a Color Palette, Moonlight Quilters of Sonoma County [virtual]

  • Oct. 22 - Workshop: Building an Improv Toolbox, Moonlight Quilters of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, CA)

  • Oct. 29 - Workshop: Building an Improv Toolbox, Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County [virtual]

Workshops with Sarah for Individuals