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?sca_ref=9107679.qglEzuQ75P

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."

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! 

 

Tidewater Totes Launch!

"Tidewater Totes" photographed at the Lighthouse Park in Five Islands, Nova Scotia.

I am thrilled to announce that the first three patterns in a series of "Tidewater Tote" Bags are now ready.  These have truly been a labour of love, and learning.  The challenge in designing is to make things attractive and detailed -while keeping the sewing as simple as possible- and I believe that goal has been achieved in these simple-to-stitch projects. Whale tails flashing above the water line, lobsters with their claws held high, anchors, and sailboats adorn the tote bag fronts, which are added in fusible raw-edge appliqué. These are uncomplicated, quick and easy to sew bags that can be made one day and put to use the next.  Tidewater Totes patterns include clear, tested instructions and full sized templates.

The idea for these bags actually originated with local businessman James Austin, who felt we needed a bit more "Maritime" in our buying choices, and I thank him for that. Tidewater Totes are a series of fun, practical bags with an east coast flair. The bags are fully lined and sport an inside pocket, but each design has different features and dimensions. Some have outside pockets or zippered inside pockets, while others feature open tops or tops closed with hook and loop tape, recessed zippers, flaps, or toggles.

This is the Sand Point Beach Bag which features soft rope handles.  I am happy to say I figured out an easy way to attach the handles which does not involve applying grommets or making buttonholes. (I hate cutting holes in a project; I always make a big mess, or get the hole in the wrong spot and then it's ruined.) The rope (available at craft shops) gives a nice, nautical touch.  The bag has an open top so you can easily stuff it with necessities for a day at the beach.

Inside is a zippered pocket for valuables. as well as a key strap for a carabiner to hold your keys. 

The bag takes its name from Sand Point Beach in beautiful Five Islands.

This one is "The Boat Tote", generously sized and featuring a recessed zipper on the top of the bag.  Inside is an open pocket.

My favourite of the bunch is The Whale Tail Tote.  

This pattern contains instructions for two different versions.  The one shown in blue has a double open pocket on the front (under the wave)  Version 2 (shown in green) has a simple appliquéd wave.  Both bags feature an inside pocket and a hook-and-loop top closure.

Soon to follow will be fish, lobsters, lighthouses, and a few more nautical surprises. 

Patterns are available in both print and digital downloads from my website at this link:

Patterns may also be found at selected quilt stores, so please ask at your local quilt shop for your Tidewater Tote pattern.