She sewed and painted and baked excellent pies. She kept a lovely flower garden and volunteered countless hours crafting costumes and planning skits for the local Boy Scout troop. And, best of all, she made quilts.
Years and years have passed – four generations, in fact – but by some magic, one of Mae’s quilts still exists. It belongs to Mae’s great-granddaughter Kate, our very own Missouri Star marketing manager.
Of course, when Jenny saw Grandma Mae’s antique quilt, she fell head-over-heels in love! She did a bit of research and found the pattern in a 1933 issue of the Kansas City Star under the name Economy Block, though some folks call it The Garden of Eden quilt.
This week, we’re using precut jelly roll strips to whip up a show-stopping replica of this treasured family heirloom. It’s called Grandma Mae’s Economy Block, and it comes together easy-as-pie with snowballed corners and sashing that never has to match up!
The Periwinkle Template is a magical thing. (In fact, it has its very own playlist of projects!)
We’ve used it for spiderwebs, mug rugs, and butterflies. We’ve used it for modern quilts and old-fashioned classics.
But this week, I think we may have found its true calling.
Periwinkle Plates is a breathtaking applique pattern made with a layer cake, a charm pack, and our beloved template. It’s put together like a simplified Dresden Plate—with only 6 blades instead of 20!
Jenny used Christmas fabric in her quilt, but – as always – your quilt will look beautiful in the fabric of your choice!
Meet Laura Piland of Slice of Pi quilts and the your host for Creating for Kids: Nursery from Missouri Star!
Meet Laura Piland. Laura is a quilt pattern designer and homeschooling mom of three young boys. She’s also an ex-math teacher – and with a last name like Piland – there’s a strong love of pi in her house! She has been designing and publishing patterns since 2016. Her work has been included in magazines, newspapers, and quilting industry publications. Laura loves to travel to guilds and quilt shops and share her love of quilting with others!
What is your favorite part of the quilting process?
I absolutely love the thrill of starting a new project! From coming up with a design idea to figuring out how to stitch it to picking out the perfect fabric! (Don’t ask me about finishing all the things I start though! Ha!)
Who are your favorite fabric designers?
Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew is at the top of that list! She’s such a wonderful human in real life, and I love seeing what she designs next! I also have quite a collection of fabric by Karen Lewis. I can not resist her tiny white screen printed shapes on solid fabrics! But if we’re talking what fabrics I *use* the most (instead of collect), then that would definitely be Island Batik fabrics! I love the saturation of color in their fabrics, and they’re a dream to work with!
What notion or sewing tool are you most dependent on?
My Juki TL-2010Q sewing machine!! It sews FAST! If I’m sewing on another machine, I’m thinking about my Juki the whole time!
How were you introduced to sewing and quilting?
I first learned to sew when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I made a couple garments for a 4-H project, but really didn’t like the process at all. My mom and both grandmothers quilted, but I had no interest whatsoever. It wasn’t until my 20s that I was inspired to try making a quilt after a friend had a baby. Then I couldn’t stop!
What was the most frustrating sewing project you ever worked on?
I often have projects that go to time-out for a bit! I get the most frustrated when using basting spray on a quilt (I always use pins now!) or if sewing something 3-D (like a bag or garment). I have to read the directions ten times before doing each step!
What fabric have you been hoarding the longest?
The Honeymoon collection from Sarah Watts is at the top of my hoarding list. (I do have several other fabrics that are older, but they don’t get the same “hoarding” title!) I’ve made a *few* hexies from the collection that will one day be a quilt just for me, and I have yardage of a couple of the prints that I save for super special projects.
What do you do to find inspiration/encourage your creativity?
I love searching Pinterest for new quilty ideas and inspiration! I have many more ideas than time! But spending a day with quilty friends always motivates me to get sewing!
What occupation would you like to try if sewing/making wasn’t an option?
I seriously can not imagine not being able to quilt! This is my dream job! That said, I used to be a middle school math teacher, and I do still love to teach. I suppose that would still be my second choice!
Who is your favorite fictional character?
Ooh! I think that would have to be Ms. Frizzle! Her field trip shenanigans are great, and her themed dresses are exactly something I would make too! I’ve even dressed up as her for a few Halloweens!
Describe your perfect day.
It would have to start with donuts! (A maple longjohn and a bear claw to be exact!) Add in some quilty friends and a sunny 75 degree day at a lake house. A bit of stitching and lots of laughter would really make it a day to remember!
Want to learn more about Laura? Head over to her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
A butterfly is the pickiest of guests. Invite her for brunch, and she won’t eat a bite—unless you serve her favorite food. (Milkweed for monarchs; white cedar for hairstreaks.)
On evening strolls, the weather must be perfect. If it’s too chilly, your fluttery friend will simply stop, drop, and nap.
And no matter how lovely the guest room, it won’t tempt Miss Butterfly. Oh, she may request a posh butterfly house. But rest assured she’ll never step inside.
This week Jenny is stitching up a layer cake butterfly quilt fit for a queen. She’s using the easy 16 method to whip up dozens of half-square triangle wings, and right in the middle stands a butterfly house. (Which, as we know, the butterflies will never use!)
Make this season a Handmade Holiday with Missouri Star Quilt Co.
No gift is more meaningful than a handmade creation from the heart. When we take the time to create for those near and dear to us, we sew little bits of love into the fabric with every stitch and create a gift that will last a lifetime. July is the perfect time to start stitching up your Handmade Holiday gifts!
If you’re needing a little inspiration for this holiday season (maybe you haven’t even started to think about gifts yet!), check out a few of our favorite Handmade Holiday projects and create something this year for those closest to you (or for yourself)!
The Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit by Osie Liebowitz for Timeless Treasures.
Kits are a quilter’s best gift-giving friend! They not only come together quickly and easily, but they look just fantastic when complete (Plus you get everything you need in one handy kit). Make it Classic this holiday season with a traditional holiday advent calendar to countdown the days until Christmas begins – this gift will be at the center of your holiday decorations throughout the entire month of December.
Whether you enjoy the traditional holiday elements of the Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit or the classic Dr. Seuss Grinchmas Tree Countdown Kit, this project is not only something you can share as a gift, but as a craft activity with beginning makers. These advent kits are a great place to give the gift of sewing to the little ones in your life.
The Winter Star Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Imagine giving the gift of warmth and comfort – it’s all possible with the Winter Star quilt! Nothing is better than a handmade quilt, so give a gift that will quite literally wrap your loved ones in warmth this Handmade Holiday by stitching up this cozy creation that captures the beautiful ambiance of the winter season.
The Casserole Carrier from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Whether you’re arriving to your company’s holiday party or dinner with your family, deliver your hot dish with a flair of elegance with a handmade Casserole Caddy. This easy to create and even easier to use carrier not only helps insulate your casserole and keeps it warm, but also adds a sense of wonder and holiday spirit to wherever it goes!
Make it Elegant with enchanting fabrics featuring traditional red and green with touches of gold as well as wintry white and blue with silver accents. We suggest picking up a selection of yardage from the Holiday Flourish collection by Studio RK for Robert Kaufman – these festive fabrics will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your project!
The Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar from BLOCK Volume 7 Issue 4.
We just love Quilt As You Go projects! These fun and festive holiday hexis come together in a flash no matter where you’re making – seriously, these are PERFECT travel projects. Take your hexis and add a little background fabric and a pocket and you’re on your way to having a beautiful piece of holiday decor that will deck your halls with fun.
The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit by Rachel Pellman for Rachel’s of Greenfield.
Why settle for the same old Christmas ornaments this year when you can add a modern maker’s flair to your holiday tree with an easy Fabric Ornaments Kit? Not only will your tree stand out as a unique and creative addition to your Handmade Holiday, but this adorable applique ornaments will become a keepsake for years to come!
Make it Modern by picking up a complete project kit such as The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit or the Merry Mugs Ornament Kit. Whatever your preference, these cute little ornaments are SEW simple to create that you can safely share this project with anyone – or stitch up a few to share amongst your friends and add a bit of homemade to their holidays.
The English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers Pot Holder from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Baking and the holidays go hand in hand – nothing is better than the sweet smell of warm baked goods lingering through your holiday home. If you’re looking to try your hand at English Paper Piecing then this project is the one for you! This simple pot holder will not only give you an introduction to the art of English Paper Piecing, but create an adorable kitchen accessory to better bake your holiday goodies.
