Start With A Finish: a Finish! I have been completely delighted to see people joining in on my Start With A Finish (informal) Quilt Along. I was wanting to do this QAL for a while, but questioned myself many times. It was very easy for me to make excuses not to do it. The end of

The Hunt quilt pattern is a simple but striking explosion of color in a series of gentle, repeated shapes. The design can take on any number of looks depending on the fabric selection. Cover project features fabrics from my Harriot collection in all colors and patterns, while secondary project shows you how to make use

Before leaving to teach in Maine recently, I basted my Blue Slash quilt. I finished the top much earlier this year, and so the basting was overdue! A Gathering of Stitches hosts these beautiful weeklong retreats, and I loved the idea of bringing this project along. Not only was it the same project I'd be

To me, there is no wardrobe staple more important than a crisp shirt. I love them. And I’ve been most excited to make a beautiful collection of them with my fabric line, Architextures. This quilt is my tribute to the shirt. It’s also an opportunity to explore different combinations of prints and solids–because this pat

I definitely have no problem starting new projects. The problem is always in finishing them. Anyone else with me on that? Luckily for anything work-related, there are deadlines, which means things do get finished. But for things not tied to work, they may sit in WIP limbo for...I don't know...a long time...maybe even indefinitely in

I definitely have no problem starting new projects. The problem is always in finishing them. Anyone else with me on that? Luckily for anything work-related, there are deadlines, which means things do get finished. But for things not tied to work, they may sit in WIP limbo for...I don't know...a long time...maybe even indefinitely in

I'm finally getting around to sharing more images of some of my newest projects! First up is my Hunt Harriot Quilt. Have you had a project where you can't wait to see it come together? My Hunt Harriot Quilt has totally been one of those for me. I had the design in mind, and when

Slash is a medallion-style project in four size options. The design can be made up in two main fabrics OR many! I love a design that can be taken in a bunch of different directions, and Slash is definitely that. // The Slash project can be pieced using Foundation Paper Piecing or Template Piecing (and optional Long Lea

Almost any day now, my sister will be giving birth to her first kid. I’m excited to be an aunt again. My brother has two little boys, and they’ve been a great joy in my life as well as a blast to

cf Mini QAL #5: Gradation. How was last week? Here's what I made. This week, my focus was on Davie. With last week's challenge being about all colors, I tried not to over think my fabric and color choices, which is easy to do when anything is an option. Instead I went with my gut

Are you ready for a Quilt Along? I am, and this time I thought it'd be fun to focus on two of my patterns--Alphabet and Shirts. Here's the schedule

(Multiple quantities will be in a continuous piece) Architextures Shadow Fabric by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman 100% Cotton Width: 43"/44" Repeat: 6" Weight: 4.3 oz. per square yard SKU: AFR-13503-304 SHADOW

Hi, Harriot. Here's a look at my newest fabric collection for Robert Kaufman. Harriot has been a new experience in many ways. First and most obvious, there are yarn-dyed wovens in this collection! To say that this was a learning experience is definitely an understatement. Going from thinking about designs being printed on top of

My Frond Quilt Pattern is here! When developing my Long Leaf acrylic templates, I knew I wanted more patterns to use along with them. The shapes have been so enticing to me, and it's been fun to explore more project possibilities. Frond is an exciting journey of a project. I think of any project as

Frond is an adventure of a quilt! Each round of the design invites new excitement to be explored through the colors and fabrics you use.  // The Frond project can be pieced using Foundation Paper Piecing or Template Piecing (and optional Long Leaf Templates)--your choice! Both technical approaches are covered in the pa

Hi friends, Today I am sharing a quilt I made way back in 2018 when I had just released the Pivot quilt pattern and Carolyn Friendlander released her beautiful fabric line called Polk. As soon as I saw this fabric I HAD to have it. If I remember correctly the shop I bought it from had a beautiful bundle that included Polk and some coordinating Kona solids that really completed the set. It was also just enough fabric to make a throw size Pivot (14 Fat Quarters). Here’s a throwback pic for you! It was September 2018 when I was working on the Pivot blocks for the quilt. I absolutely loved this color palette, it reminded me of Autumn, and seemed like the perfect quilting line that was both feminine and masculine. For this quilt I chose to do a 1/2” straight line quilting using a natural thread. I like to do a bit denser quilting when I am using a textured linen fabric to really secure any bits that could come undone with washing. I also used a fun printed navy flannel (pre-washed) for the backing of the quilt. All of this with a cotton batting, this will crinkle up in the wash to be a super cozy fall throw quilt. We took photos out at Loyola beach on Lake Michigan in Chicago / Evanston area this past weekend. I would have more photos if it were not for the absolute CRAZY amount of bees that were on the beach that day! One kid got stung, everyone tried escaping to the water but these bees were relentless - so we packed up pretty quickly and went back to our friends house. So happy I was able to bring this particular quilt out to the beach this day - the colors of the sand, blue skies and golden grasses were a perfect match for the textures and colors in this quilt. Nature really can make the best backdrop for photos. When I was taking this image, there was a woman on the walking path where I was standing, walking by. She laughed because she couldn’t see what exactly I was taking a photo of - with of all of the grass in the way. She knew for sure there was a dog sitting on the bench having a photo shoot! Thank you so much for reading the blog today! If you are interested in making your own Pivot quilt - it’s available in both PDF instant access and also printed pattern. If you like to pin inspiration on Pinterest, there is a pinnacle image below - and be sure to sign up for the Modern Handcraft Newsletter below as well. I have some fun new stuff coming up! Happy Sewing! Nicole

Half circle quilt inspired by Latifah Saafir - in Carolyn Friedlander Polk and Gleaned collections

I love modern quilts and have since I was a little girl. I especially love quilts with a lot of white space – not surprising!...

I love appliqué, and lately I've really loved appliquéing with all types of fabric--from lawns to quilting cottons to linens. In fact, those were all big reasons for my Hesperides quilt design and the quilted shams that I made first. After making the shams, which are a satisfyingly-small--but not too small--project, I knew I wanted to take on

It’s really crazy that 2016 is almost over. It’s been a good year, and as always, I’m going to put together a little year-end digest to see what has happened. If you’re like me and always thinking ahe

Pine + Bow Quilt Along Post #5: A Finish! It's time to share a finish--or two--my final Pine and Bow! I chatted quite a bit about both in this new video. Check it out here. In this video I share each of my finished projects, talk about the quilting for each, decide on my borders

Mark your calendars, because registration for QuiltCon 2017 classes is just about a week away (registration opens at 10am EST on June 25). This QuiltCon will be in Savannah, Georgia February 23-26. (yay, East coast!) Savannah is such a picturesque and quintessential southern city that I'm sure it'll put an interesting spin and flavor on the QuiltCon

Well, welcome! There's been a lot happening behind the scenes recently, and now you can see the results of some of that. The site has a new look, and on the back-end it's entirely new. This means that it should not only run faster, but we've also tried to make things easier to find and more

Want to know one of the most fun things I did in 2016? Easy. It'd have to be my new Wildabon quilt--a collaboration with Leah Duncan. Everything about it was such a delight. To start, I'm a massive Leah Duncan fan. She has a beautiful and distinct style that is all her own. I've loved sewing with

With my Kept fabrics now hitting stores, I'm excited to share more about my Clay Kept quilt. Deciding on a Technique I've made a couple of Clay quilts already--the throw-sized version that is on the pattern cover, and the mini wall hanging that is the project that started it all. I made both quilts using

Meet Davie, my newest house pattern. See the resemblance? I don't know why I love this house so much, but I do. It's just so cute. Plus, when we're talking about house quilts, they are such a favorite, and this one makes a good one. With Davie, I love this size block in particular. It's

With my first knit collection, Blake, coming out, there was never a plan to make a knit quilt, because why would you? It sounds like a terrible idea, right? Knit stretches, it's a garment fabric, etc etc, and if you've ever made a t-shirt quilt--at least in the popular way which uses interfacing--you know that it's not the

Disclaimer: This quilt was a joint effort. My mom pieced it. I quilted it. She doesn't even like paper piecing, and she managed to make it through. Well done, Mom! We went the two-tone, neutral route with my Stripes pattern using the white hatch from architextures and kona meringue.

Start With A Finish: a Finish! I have been completely delighted to see people joining in on my Start With A Finish (informal) Quilt Along. I was wanting to do this QAL for a while, but questioned myself many times. It was very easy for me to make excuses not to do it. The end of

Ray Quilt Pattern My Ray Quilt Pattern is a free project inspired by the classic Log Cabin motif. Features fabrics are from my Kept collection, Collection CF, Kona cotton and others. Follow the Ray Quilt Along--a video, sew-along series--here! (Navigate the directions below or download/print using the toolbar.) 002 Ray Quilt Pattern_Carolyn Friedlander_PDF-2Download There are

Eads Quilt Along #7: It's time for a shuffle. While it's been fun looking at this guy, I've been feeling the urge for a shuffle. Mixing things up can be a great thing, and after 6 weeks, I figured a change of scenery could do me some good. (For anyone counting the blocks, I am

Meet the Collection quilt. Collection is my new block-of-the-month pattern and part of my Slow Sewing Studio. I've been teaching hand appliqué more and more over the last couple of years, and I've found that people are really receptive to the technique, as well as to the overall experience. (Handwork is fun!) I often think back

Meet Gleaned, my newest fabric collection for Robert Kaufman. This collection is a merry mix of patterns and textures gleaned from nature. When designing this line, I became very interested in patterns that already exist in nature. I was inspired to learn more about how they work, and then I felt challenged to make each

I finally got around to some photographing this week. Here are some shots of a little aerial sample from market. Enjoy!

The Bartow Quilt Pattern is a fun and free sewing project that I first created back in 2014. My newest version showcases my Collection CF fabrics, and here is how you make it! It's 5" square friendly and ready for as many colors as prints as you'd like. (Navigate the directions below or download/adjust viewing

I love appliqué, and lately I've really loved appliquéing with all types of fabric--from lawns to quilting cottons to linens. In fact, those were all big reasons for my Hesperides quilt design and the quilted shams that I made first. After making the shams, which are a satisfyingly-small--but not too small--project, I knew I wanted to take on

Ray Quilt Along #4: Baste and Quilt. Who's ready to baste and quilt? I have to say that it always feels like a big milestone to get a project basted and ready to quilt. Since I'll be hand quilting this one, that means I can get the Netflix and couch ready! Here's the video. Because

A few weeks ago when I was looking through my stash for a jelly roll to make a sample of the Orla Quilt, I remembered that I had this Collection CF jelly roll by Carolyn Friedlander that I had been saving for just the right project. This was it. I am a huge fan of Carolyn's fabrics (check here, here, and here)— they ar

After making this quilt, I had a nice little stack of jelly roll strip remnants sitting out just calling out to be used. I decided to make my most recent pattern, the Charlotte Quilt, since it can be made with jelly roll strips, fat quarters, or scraps. I am a huge Carolyn Friedlander fan and have accumulated a decent