2025: Retrospection and Introspection.

 It may not have been obvious to many, but the past couple of years have been personally very challenging. For me it was a time of head down and get through what needed to be done…which I did by putting aside a lot of projects, and turning down design and teaching opportunities.  2025 looked full of promise to get back into the game, and it started off well. My Thursday afternoons helping out at Mrs Pugsley's Emporium resumed, and as always, I have kept busy with my online store of Aurifil thread. 

I had a design accepted by Island Batik fabrics for their Spring “Look Book” of new fabric collections and that quilt – “Head Over Heels”- was delivered to them in Carlsbad, California in early January…right before all the upset began in Washington...

It has truly been an unsettling time.  Like other professional quilt designers in Canada, I rely on the market and resources south of the border because that’s where they are: the fabric companies are there, all the industry magazines are published there, and the trade-shows and markets for patterns are there.  It isn’t a matter of preferring to work with American quilt companies over Canadian ones, there just simply are no Canadian counterparts. It was really disheartening to think the connections I had made over these many, many years of designing were all changing in a very negative way.  There was no clear and obvious path but as I mulled it over and over in my head, I also quietly decided a big change was necessary. Time to pivot, or stop. During all the insulting rhetoric of Prime Minister Trudeau becoming governor of the 51^st U.S. state, a courier arrived to return my “A High Tide Floats All Boats” quilt from its previous year’s tour of the U.S. with Hoffman of California Fabrics.  I was so relieved to have it back. 

In February, I did a guild presentation on Aurifil thread to the Cumberland Quilt Guild. In March the feelings of patriotism running high in our country inspired me to design “En Garde” which unexpectedly became a huge hit with quilters across our country.  I had made the rather bold decision not to sell the pattern outside of Canada and figured that would kill my sales.  Instead the opposite happened, and quilt shops across Canada who had never been interested in carrying my patterns before, now wanted to.  At the time of writing, the pattern has now gone into it's 5th printing.  You can read more about it here. A big thank you.

I ordered stickers to add to the fronts of all printed patterns to advertise their home-grown nature.  Subsequent pattern jackets now have the maple leaf printed directly on the cover.

And then, just because things weren’t confused enough, we had another blip from Canada Post which disrupted mailing individual patterns once again.  Sigh…

May saw the release of another pattern, "Well Anchored", a down-home design great for days at the cottage.

With June and lots of "Elbows Up" sentiment still abounding, I was asked if I would be interested in being one of the designers for a new CANADIAN quarterly subscription quilt box.  Would I ever!  This brilliant project was developed by Monika of Penny Spool Quilts who has put a tremendous amount of time and energy into making this a spectacular program.   It took a fair amount of time for me to get the design worked out, the pattern tested, and the proper yardage off to Monika so she could order fabric - and goodies - for the box.  My deadline to get the material to her was November so it was a very busy autumn indeed.  I just made the deadline. ;)

In August, I was invited to judge quilts at the Cumberland County Exhibition in Oxford, N.S. in September. I had never done anything like this before but called on my past experiences entering major shows and recalled things the judges were looking for, and the feedback they offered in the comments.  I learned so much from judging the quilts; it turned out to be one of my favourite things of the year. (Thank you for the invite, Margaret.)

In October the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival was a busy week, working extra hours at Mrs Pugsley's quilt shop, and vending at the Cumberland Quilt Guild show. Guild president Debbie Rolfe issued a challenge to the group to make "En Garde"(s)  to display at the show.  It was wonderful and humbling to see the gaggle of geese at the front of the church.  Thank you to Debbie and the guild for the honour.

Immediately following this, I hurried off to teach a workshop on Maritime Beauty with the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild. It was a wonderful class with a very happy group of quilters. I even managed to squeeze in presenting a noon trunk show on New York Beauty quilts. Here are two completed table toppers from the class:  the first one is by Cindy Forbes, and the second by Mary Guildford. Both are beautifully done, and make me feel proud.

While vending at both the Cumberland Quilt Guild and the workshop, I became acutely aware that I had outgrown my pattern racks.  My floor rack was built to display 25 patterns, and to that I had added a smaller one to hold 4 more but I had way more print patterns available than this (and even more available in just digital format!)  I found some lightweight, collapsible, easy-to-pack metal pattern racks online (from a Canadian source called Eddy's Hang up Displays) which have slots for 18 different patterns, so I ordered 2 of them. This means I now have display space for 65 different patterns...but it still isn't enough.  Yikes!  Somebody stop me...!

My solution was, of course, to release yet another pattern:  FROST.  This one was actually sketched out almost 20 years ago and has been waiting patiently to get sewn. So it did.

With December came the release of the quarterly "Quilt The North" box, and I could finally show Polaris.  This pattern is "tied" to the box until July 2026, when I will release it as a single.

So that's the year 2025: 5 new patterns released; ties cut south of the border and new connections made on this side; a foray into quilt judging; a trunk show/workshop; a guild presentation; a couple of outside vending days, in addition to the online thread shop. I am grateful for all of you who have a part in keeping my days filled and interesting. What's next for 2026 is really anyone's guess;  certainly no one saw the upset of 2025 happening.  My hope is to continue to do the work I enjoy, and have sense enough to stop when I don't.  I intend to de-clutter my space, keep what's important and let the rest go, and hopefully spend more time on the road teaching, which I thoroughly enjoy. 

I also need to stitch some lupins;  I can't stop thinking about them.

 

Quilt The North Box 2: Polaris

 

Christmas...delivery delays...house guests (still here)...endless food prep...all of these excuses kept me from posting about the December "Quilt The North" subscription box sooner, but I have been bursting at the seams to do so!  The box is wonderful.

If you aren't familiar with Quilt the North, the description on the website tells us this: "It's a quarterly subscription box for quilters who love bold designs, fresh fabric, and a little northern charm. Every box is thoughtfully curated and 100% Canadian, celebrating the designers, fabrics, and places that make quilting in Canada so special. Each box highlights a different Canadian designer and their unique region, with exclusive patterns, Canadian-sourced fabric, and themed extras that bring their local flavor to life. The only Canadian subscription box inspired by the True North."

The program is the brain-child of Monika of Penny Spool Quilts .  I was delighted when she approached me about doing a box from my area in Nova Scotia. Although we were told our designs did not need to be “Canadian” themed (as in lumberjacks and maple syrup), I wanted something with relevance to us. I began brain-storming about how one would actually go about “quilting the north”. Certainly NORTH was key so I started with a compass. I drew my design in EQ8 and pieced it on a background of blue. It was lacking.  

 So I thought more about the bigger picture of NORTH and decided my compass could serve 2 purposes if it were skinnied down a bit to resemble a star. A North Star which of course acts as a compass for many. I re-drew it and re-pieced it.  Better, but still not there.

 

It still needed something, so I added an element Canadians often see in a northern sky - aurora borealis, a.k.a., The Northern Lights.

 

Originally I had signed up to do a summer box, but clearly this was a winter design so Penny Spool Quilts kindly switched me to the December slot and I got busy. I pieced this one 3 times, simplifying and clarifying as I went so that the pattern would not be too complicated, yet still be interesting.

The green, pink, and purple shards of light encircle the star. The strands of colour do not connect in a perfect line, much as the lights undulate across the sky. I’ve named it “Polaris”, the name of the North Star. The fabrics chosen reflect the subject of the design: night blue for the sky, pure white and soft silver-grey for the sparkle of the star, and green, purple and pink for the northern lights. Fabrics are all Canadian-sourced, from Northcott Fabrics. 

Included in the instructions is a link to a tutorial on how to foundation piece. My instructions were sent to editor Cheryl Coville for testing and when ready, they were submitted to Penny Spool Quilts for publishing.  I also included a bit of information about Amherst, Nova Scotia where I live, as well as about the county Cumberland in which our town is located, and a few things about Nova Scotia in general. That was my part done and the rest of what was included in the box was a total surprise for me.  (And it was a very good one!).

The boxes are beautiful and exquisitely packaged with all sorts of goodies inside. In addition to the fabrics, and the pattern for Polaris, is a pattern for a NS lighthouse (designed by Penny Spool Quilts) which is the perfect symbol of Nova Scotia.

There are “East Coasters” made on an antique letterpress in Halifax which contain actual sea (salt) water, a pair of LDH thread snips (designed in Canada), a chocolate bar from Peace By Chocolate, information about Amherst, and about me. The trading card...well, that may well turn out to be your Honas Wagner, so hold onto that! 

If you turn the trading card over, you will see bonus instructions for a sailboat block.

I feel proud to be part of this program, and am especially pleased with the generous contents of this box. If you would like to be part of quilting the north going forward, you can sign up for future boxes at this link.  It's truly wonderful to be able to open a box of Canada.

New Release: FROST Table Runner Pattern

 Canadian winters can be long (especially here in Nova Scotia!)…but they are also beautiful, with the landscape blanketed in glistening snow, and windows painted by Jack Frost. You can bring some of that sparkle inside with my new “FROST” runner pattern.  

I designed the block used in this runner way back in 2006 while working on another winter-themed quilt. Although it didn’t make the cut for that quilt, it shines on its own as a simple block repeat in a project.

The runner goes together quickly as it uses only 3 colours, and 3 foundation-pieced blocks. Sample shown uses a swirly blue/silver print, with icicle spikes in silver and white.

 The length of the project can easily be adjusted by using more or fewer blocks, or even turn it into a full sized quilt! This one measures 12" x 36".

  A single block makes a sweet winter table topper, or placemat.

The pattern for FROST is available on my website in both a printed and downloadable digital version.  You can find the links here.  Patterns are also available in selected quilt shops, including locally at Sunrise Trail Quiltery and Mrs Pugsley's Emporium. If you can't find it in your local shop, please ask them to order it for you.

Long after Christmas is packed away, this runner can see service until the last snowflake melts.

Head Over Heels!©

It's almost a year to the day that Island Batik was in touch to request design submissions for their new Summer 2025 fabric scans. When I saw this "Colorburst" collection, I knew immediately it needed to become a fun, happy, stress free quilt. The design selections were made within a few weeks by Island Batik, and the fabric arrived here in Amherst in November (2024).  In addition to the fabrics in the collection, I also requested a solid black for the heels (! :)) and a multicoloured batik named Sunset for the backing.

Since the collection is also available in precut strips, this made for a super-quick quilt. I love all of these bright batiks together! 

Keeping to the simple theme, the machine quilting is also pretty basic:  stitched in the ditch between all sections, and then serpentine stitched down the centre of each strip.  Because of all the colour changes, I used a neutral grey (#2600) 40 weight Aurifil thread for the quilting.

The wool batting makes it soft and puffy and oh-so-cuddly!

The one problem I had was that this is a summer collection, and Nova Scotia doesn't look very summery in early December when it was time to take the pictures.

I did try a few inside (top picture) and came back several days in a row to catch some sunshine to show off these glorious colours.

Not only is the pattern easy to sew (especially using a pre-cut strip pack) it's also easy to vary the size of the finished project up or down. Instructions are given for a 50" x 60" lap quilt, but you could stop at crib size for a cheery baby quilt, stitched in no time.

The pattern and quilt appeared in the Island Batik (now a division of Lumin Fabrics) Spring/Summer 2025 Look Book and the fabrics are shipping to stores now.  Canadian shops can order both fabric and patterns through Montreal based J.N. Harper, the Canadian distributor for Lumin Fabrics.  Quilt shops can also contact me directly to purchase the pattern wholesale.

If you are shopping locally, both fabrics and patterns are available at Quilts By The Bay in Digby, and at the Sunrise Trail Quiltery just outside of Amherst.  If you are in the area and would like to see the quilt in person, Head Over Heels is part of a mini-trunk show of my quilts on display at Sunrise Trail Quiltery.

Lumin Fabrics is hosting a blog hop of their 2025 Summer collections, and you can see more quilts made with Colourburst starting tomorrow Sept 10.  The links for the blog hop participants are listed at the bottom of this post. 

Maybe you will be as head-over-heels as I was for this collection. ;)

Deadline for Quilt The North is Sunday!

This has been a year of upset in Canada, around the world, and even here in my sewing room. To paraphrase a well-known saying, "we can't change the wind but we can adjust our sails". Along with many others, I am deciding the way forward...reading labels and making choices based on country of origin. I can't do a lot but I can do a little, and all the littles add up to a BIG. To that end, I was thrilled to be invited to design a project for a CANADIAN monthly quilt subscription box. This new venture is the brainchild of Monika from @pennyspoolquilts

and I applaud her initiative and hard work to make this happen. Before you decide this means all maple syrup, moose, and maple leaves, it doesn't. It is a program that will showcase the work of Canadian quilt designers, showing off the individual style of each. (Clearly mine needs to be round yet pointy, right!? :)) The box contains fabric for the project along with other goodies sourced from Canadian suppliers. I look forward to sharing tidbits on Amherst, Cumberland County, and Nova Scotia in general so that you can enjoy a virtual visit to our area without leaving your sewing room. The deadline to sign up to receive the first box is Sunday, August 10 and you can do so by clicking my affiliate link:

https://www.pennyspoolquilts.com/pages/quilt-the-north...

I am really looking forward to this; my design is all ready for Box #2, and I will start sewing as soon as my chosen fabrics arrive!

"Enough drops of water can carve a channel in a stone."

Quilt The North

 

Is there a better time than Canada Day to launch a new Canadian quilt subscription box?!   This program is the brainchild of Monika of Penny Spool Quilts who decided a Canadian based project such as this was long overdue.  The details are pretty straightforward:  each box will contain a quilt pattern from a Canadian designer, fabrics and accessories for the project sourced in Canada, an exclusive quilt block from the designer's area (which can be made into a Canadian sampler quilt), information on the locale, AND some goodies from the area.  It will come to you via (who else?) Canada Post, and the price for the box will include shipping if you live in Canada.  Sounds good, eh?

Did I mention I happen to be one of the designers for this program?! (But I can't show you what I am making yet - it's a secret!)  If you click this link, it will take you to the site with more information, and a sign up form.  The cost is a modest $108. and if you register before July 13th you will get 10% off the first payment (i.e., off the first box for the pay-as-you-go plan, or off the first year if you sign up for a yearly subscription), plus a Maple Leaf quilt block pattern (pdf download) to kickstart your Canada sampler. The discount will be automatically applied, no coupon needed.

Please note that the link I am sharing is an "affiliate" link which means I get a small commission if you sign up using this link, so thank you for doing so.  

https://www.pennyspoolquilts.com/pages/quilt-the-north?sca_ref=9107679.qglEzuQ75P

It really does sound like a fun program and I am excited to be part of this program.  Happy Canada Day!

Il Borgo: 2025 Aurifil Advent Calendar Pre-Order

 Last year, Aurifil introduced their very first Advent calendar.  It was an overwhelming success and customers were so delighted that Aurifil has decided to continue the tradition. Il Borgo, Aurifil’s 2025 advent calendar is designed to capture the magic of the season through a maker’s lens. It invites quilters to rediscover the joy of anticipation — one colorful surprise at a time. Behind each door awaits a perfectly curated spool of Aurifil’s premium 100% cotton thread, ready to spark inspiration, creativity, and a few joyful moments just for you. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the simple pleasure of a holiday tradition reimagined for the creative spirit of today. Pre-orders are being taken now, with delivery of the calendars in November 2025, in time to begin counting down the December days.

This palette of 24 hues includes five brand-new, limited-edition colors exclusive to this advent calendar in addition to a medley of Aurifil’s cotton thread weights, including the new Cotton 8wt/2ply and Aurifloss 6-strand divisible floss. You will also have access to a secure online portal - exclusive to calendar holders - filled with a trove of digital delights, courtesy of Aurifil.  This portal contains festive surprises, creative content, and added value each day.

As an extra touch of magic, five sets worldwide will include a rare golden spool. If you find one, you’ll win an exclusive prize from Aurifil valued at over $300!

This will be a limited production run, and orders need to be in to me by May 27th/2025 to guarantee on time delivery. I am offering these sets at a terrific price of $179.50 Cdn, plus $6. shipping anywhere in Canada. A $100. deposit is required at this time, with the remainder to be paid in November when the calendars ship.  To place your order, please email  karen at karenneary.ca

 

New Pattern: Well Anchored

 Well Anchored ©

When you hail from a seaside province, it's hard not to love all things nautical.  There is something so appealing about a crisp blue and white.

This pattern is for a table set - a centrepiece and placemats.  Alternately, the design could be used on a cushion top, or as a wallhanging. It features a very simple foundation pieced border, and raw-edge fused anchor appliqués.

My version is free motion quilted, but it could just as easily be done with a walking foot. This sweet anchor print made a perfect backing.

A square version is easily made by adding corners (pattern is included).

This shows the quilting on the back, which is kept purposely simple.

For fun, the placemats are quilted with wavy lines.

You can see little waves quilted around the anchors in the round version.

Here's the back:

Of course we took the set to beautiful Five Islands for pictures.

Pattern is available in print version on my website here, and can be downloaded at this link.  If you prefer etransfer, please email for an invoice.  Sew Karen-ly Created patterns are widely available at quilt shops, so please ask your local shop first;  we want to support our quilt shops!