Sew & Tell - 4/20/2026

We're on the road...

Before we left on the trip, I was able to finish and deliver a t-shirt quilt.  This quilt is for a smart, kind and intelligent young man that we have known for all his life.  He graduated in May of 2025 and currently attends Colorado Mesa University.  He loves Dr. Pepper, the Lord and his college.  He was granted the Daniels Fund scholarship... and if you know anything about this, you know it is a prestigious scholarship as well as very generous. 

He wanted to have a few more CMU shirts included but didn't want to part with any yet so he selected a few logos for me to print on fabric and use.  Here are a few more photos...

Congratulations Cayden!

With out further delay... Here is the Sew & Tell party.  Please be kind and visit a few other guests and mingle and support each other since I am currently unavailable.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Snowflake - Block #6

I am so pleased that you have come back for another "Chapter" of the Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along!  If you're new here or just learning of the sew along, every two weeks I release a new block pattern for the Little House Sampler Quilt.  All of the previous blocks can be found at the tab above labeled Little House Sampler Sew Along.

Book 6 of the Little House series is The Long Winter.  The Ingalls family is in De Smet and have claimed their homestead.  The winter they endured in the previous year was mild, though they had a late blizzard in the spring.  De Smet was being built up rapidly and Ma didn't want the influence of the growing town to have a negative impact on the girls.  

The first blizzard came in October... the last was in April.  Temperatures dropped to -40 F.  Snow reached the rooftops.  And no trains could get through with food and coal.  The townspeople began to starve.  The Ingalls family barely survived the winter.  Alas, Almonzo Wilder would risk his life to save the town!

No wonder Laura fell in love with him. ;)

Like the previous block (Rails), this is not a block that I have used in another sew along.  The math lesson begins with noticing that the block is a 16-patch unit... 4 across, 4 down.

The finished block is to be 6-inches square, making each finished square of this block 1-1/2" square...

6 divided by 4 = 1.5"

Notice that every square of the block is a half-square triangle.

We've learned in previous math lessons that we simply add 1" to the finished unit size (1-1/2")

Cut the units for the HSTs 2-1/2" square.  After making the HST units, trim to 1-1/2" square.  

When making HSTs you get two units from each pair of pieces... you will need 8 light and 8 dark squares to make 16 half-square triangles. :)  Layout as shown in the photo.  Easy-peasy!

Like snowflakes gently falling over the months that the Long Winter takes place, I have noticed a steady increase of interest in this sew along.  For all of you that are joining the sew along and sharing in the block parties...  For all of you that are sharing blocks on your blog or social media... THANK YOU!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are now 2/3 through the sew along.  How are you handling the "math lessons?"  

Are they helpful?  Are they confusing?

Would you miss them??

I'd love to hear your thoughts... Leave a comment!

We are still enjoying our camping trip, so this is short and sweet.  Head over to Payhip to get the Snowflake pattern.  Be sure to come back and share your block.  I'd love to see all of them!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sew & Tell - 4/12/26

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm currently traveling... Patricia over at Faith, Trust & Breast Cancer is the guest host for this week's party.  Head over there to join her!  She's ready and waiting. ;)

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Bookish Catch up and Pink RSC ~ Sew & Tell - 4/5/2026

We have turned the calendar page to a new month and seemingly a new season.  March marched out with an attitude and the blustery winds continue.  *sigh*  None the less, it is my birthday month and I'm going to celebrate it as often as I get a chance!  Sixty some years ago I arrived on Easter Sunday, and I am celebrating by getting ready to go camping.  While my birthday is later in the month, I still celebrate on Easter.  I hope that your Easter-Resurrection Day is blessed.

But before I get into talking about our trip let's take a look at this week's Sew & Tell feature - Linda at Texas Quilt Gal showed off her Stay At Home Round Robin flimsy.  It was clever to make the squares in pairs for the various prompts and using the same block for the corners.  Turning them on point with two different fabrics for the inside and outside helps to frame the center panel just perfectly.  Be sure to visit Linda's blog to get all of the details.

It seems that it has been forever since I've offered an update on my bookish journal blocks... But, really, it has only been two weeks!  

Send for me was a historical fiction that moved between Germany on the eve of WWII and present-day Wisconsin.

The story explored the relationships of mothers and daughters and the duty and obligation for them both and how they shape one's personality and the way they handle change.

Honestly, the story was a little uninteresting to me until the young woman, Clare, named for her grandmother, stumbles upon a trove of her grandmother's letters from Germany... that had been stored in some old purses.

Funny thing... the letters from the former German POWs that were sent to my grandparents were stored in an old purse!  That was the turning point for me.  Clare had to have the letters translated in order to learn of the messages they held.  I also needed to have letters translated...

Through the letters she sees the history of her family's sacrifices in a new light and is suddenly faced with an impossible choice:  the past, or her future.

Christmas at Carnton was an enjoyable Christmas romance that unfolded amid the Civil War and tells the story of hope renewed and faith restored.  It was set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN.  I'm not sure if it was a prequel to With this Pledge, or a sequel.  There were familiar characters in addition to the setting.

Up next was A Clearing in the Wild.  A Christian fiction about a young woman (Emma) from a Bethel community in Missouri, her new husband who is actually nearly old enough to be her father and their journey on the Oregon Trail in the 1850s.

Emma was a passionate and independent thinker and finds it difficult to rein in her tongue when speaking with her husband and the other leaders of the community.

There were times I couldn't believe she spoke out and others that I thought she was right for doing so.  I enjoyed hearing/seeing how she had matured and how some of the other leaders grew to respect her opinion.

By the Shores of Silver Lake was a sort of "homework" assignment for me.  I always enjoy a book from the LIW series.  It was a short listen... just 6 hours.... which I enjoyed as I quilted my Ribbons quilt from the retreat.

I quilted 1/4" from the ribbon seams, as well as the individual blocks.  The effect was a lovely plaid design.

While the colors and style are outside of my comfort zone I do like the quilt.  It's not one that I feel I need to keep for myself but am happy with it.  It is bright and cheery and makes me smile. 

While at the retreat one quilter showed us how she was making a unique disappearing 9-patch.  Rather than cutting the 9-patch in four straight quarter sections they were cut on both diagonals.

Since I had time and had extra 10-inch blocks I gave it a try.  

Joella and I messed around with a layout but were not impressed with any of them.  

After getting home I pulled out the extra jelly roll strips I had from the same fabric collection and started laying everything out.  It's a very different backing... But I like it!  I like it nearly more than the front.  It's a "modern" look... the fabrics, the layout, the lines, the colors and prints.  All of it is so "Modern."  

I have attached a black-ish/grey flanged binding and will be sewing it down as we travel for our spring camping trip.  I'm still not sure if I will be using black thread for this or if I want to use a variegated cotton thread that is pink/orange.

This beauty will have the opportunity for its photo shoot to take place in and/or around Moab.  Watch for them.

Since we're in a new month, this means that there is a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  It is pink!  I have a good supply of pink scraps... light pink, bright pink, darker pinks that begin to tip toward reddish-brown. 

Positive and negative wonky scrappy star blocks are completed... 

One last photo... here are all of the Bookish Journal blocks for the first quarter of the year... 30 to date.

That's all for this week.  Time to get serious about packing the camper.  Woohoo!  I'll be doing laundry and planning meals.  It is somewhat challenging to be able to pack enough food for 2 weeks, but by staying flexible and sticking with some meals already prepared and frozen, it makes it easier.  If we find that we need something... there are always grocery stores to be found.

We'll be exploring Arches and Canyonlands and probably Dead Horse State Park while around the Moab area... and who knows where else!  It has been far too long since our last camping trip. 

Are there any quilt shops on the path of our tour?  

Pagosa Springs, Durango, Cortez, Moab and Grand Junction?

If you know of any, let me know... I'd love to be able to stop by, if time permits and they are open.  Party on!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Rails - Block #5

Thanks for coming back for another chapter of the Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along!  This chapter of the sew along is all about the book By the Shores of Silver Lake.

The Ingalls family had many challenges while in Plum Creek, Minnesota.  They were in debt because of the grasshopper invasion destroying their crops. Mary was now blind.  Pa had to leave his family for work in Dakota Territory where he could make as much as $50 a month.  He sent for his family.  They traveled by train to meet him.  They became the first settlers in the new town of De Smet.  

I have chosen the Rails Block to represent this fifth book in the Little House series.  This is a "new" block for me... meaning, it has not been a part of any previous sew along.

The Rails block is another beginner friendly block and will be pieced quickly.  

The math calculation is simple. Remember, the finished block is to be 6" square.  

The Rails block is made up of four equal units that will measure 3" square (finished).  Each unit is made of up 3 strips... this means that each finished strip will measure 1" wide by 3" long.  

Be sure to add your seam allowance of 1/2".  This means... your will be cutting strips 1-1/2" wide.

You can strip piece this block and then sub cut the four units.  

Color/value placement may play a part in your fabric selection.  Since I wanted the units to reflect the railroad, I wanted the outer strips of the unit to be darker... ultimately, I planned on using the same fabric for both rails.

However, when I laid out the 4 units I ended up with a very defined swastika design.  I certainly did not want that!  So, I switched out one of the fabrics... it was better.

4 units

Join your units together and then add the log cabin frame.

It was a special treat and memory for Laura and the family to be able to travel by train.  A mode of transportation that was so much faster than she had experienced in a wagon.

I recall riding the train from Durango to Silverton, CO as a child.  It was all of the family.  My family, my grandparents as well as my aunt & uncle and three cousins.  I remember the cinders from the engine getting in my eye and my cousin pushing me off of my Grandma's lap.  Not much else. LOL!

I also remember taking the Southwest Chief from Chicago to La Junta after Christmas in 1987.  We were brand new parents traveling with a 6-week-old baby.  We were in a lower-level compartment and had our baby laying on the floor between Dave and I as we faced each other.  She slept the majority of the way!  I don't recall much about the return trip...

Another special train ride that I remember is from just a few years ago when we took the grand daughters from Trinidad to Raton, NM.  Also on the Southwest Chief.  Two of the three were very nervous and didn't know what to think.  The 3rd had the time of her life!

Do you have a train trip that is memorable?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

The time has come for you to head to Payhip to get the Rails block pattern.  When you have the Rails block pieced be sure to come back and share in the block party.  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Quilt Retreat Fun ~ Sew & Tell - 3/29/26

I have just returned from the quilt retreat.  Several asked where it was held... It was held in the "Competitor's Housing" at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM.  The accommodations are nice.  There is a large space where the machines are set up and three different wings where you find the bathroom, kitchen and five 2-bed rooms.  They keep them clean and well maintained.  We use the facility during their "off season."  For this reason, I think there is a discount... the cost is $75 for two nights.

I'll get to the quilts that were made and the "quilt show" that was such a treat.  But first... Let's look at last week's feature.  Karen showed us her Hexie project - Jigsaw Puzzle.  I love the designs that can be made with such a small, simple piece!  It takes the "flower garden" block to a new level!  Be sure to visit her blog to show her some love.  You'll find an update on spring and her garden, as well as the hand-quilting on another hexagon project. :)

Back to the retreat... The project for the weekend was a pattern called "Ribbons."  It was fairly simple pattern.  The pieced squares with the narrow strips were done quickly... and then people were in need of a design wall for laying them out.  

We had only one design wall and it wasn't really shared very well.  Alas, I went to my room and laid it out on the floor Friday evening.

The corner pieces were trickly to get placed correctly without the design wall... I wasn't the only one that had to find the seam ripper multiple times. LOL!  That was when I decided it was time for sleep and I would deal with it in the morning with less distractions and interruptions. ;)

By the time breakfast was ready on Saturday I had the top together and ready for the borders.  There was lots of trimming needed before adding the border and for the diamond border.  A cutting station was set up in one of the kitchen areas where there was plenty of counter space for a large cutting mat and rulers.

The pieced diamond border was a time-consuming part of the quilt... I misread the pattern and only got seven units on each border.  The side borders were supposed to have nine.  Oh well... I considered it a design option. Hahaha.

I found out on Thursday that I was going to have a single room and was going to be required to pay for both beds... It doesn't seem quite fair.  But I decided to reach out to a young lady, 17 years old, and an excellent quilter, at the last minute.  She was free for the weekend, so I treated her to the weekend and had several opportunities to help her with her 4-H quilt project for fair.  

You can see her stack of pineapples on the floor at the bottom edge of the quilt in the photo above.  She had 42 blocks that she needed to finish.  All of the bodies were pieced and ready to be trimmed, and about 1/2 of the pineapple tops needed to be finished and trimmed.  She worked her way through the stack with great attention to matching seams and watching the trimming so that the points of the pineapple top wouldn't be cut off.

She had fun. I had fun. And the other ladies welcomed her and offered a great deal of praise for her work.  They are even open to having her attend again in the future... which really excited her. 💗

The show & tell portion of the day was inspiring... here are some pictures.  I have more stories... but what happens at quilt retreat stays at quilt retreat!  

It's time to kick off the Sew & Tell party.  But before you go... 

How often do you attend a quilt retreat each year?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Here Comes Peter Cottontail

I mentioned at the beginning of the week that I was in process of making some Easter goodie bags... I made and filled three bunny goodie bags and one carrot.  They turned out just adorable!

And... as promised, I am sharing the links for the patterns!

I made hair scrunchies to hold the bag shut.  The pattern (which is available in three sizes) suggested ribbon.  I had some strips of Easter fabric in the stash that was given to me by a friend about 10 years ago.

After making the bunnies (medium sized bag), I searched for a carrot bag pattern, which I found for free at Connecting Threads, I discovered they also had a bunny bag pattern.  Alas, I didn't need it.  Maybe another year...

With the bags finished, I needed goodies to fill them.  I wanted to go a bit healthier... the kids will receive plenty of sugary treats like peeps and chocolate eggs.  I selected small bags of sour gummies (a favorite of Emma's)... they were on sale and touted "less sugar".  Dave wanted to give them a chocolate and peanut butter egg, as they are his favorites... I caved at that.  I included an extra scrunchie in the bags for the girls.

The carrot was a little trickier to fill... I finally settled on a shorter beef stick and a beef and cheese stick snack.  I recommend taking the bag with you to fill to ensure that the snack will fit. ;)

Peter Cottontail hopped on down to the post office and got the gift box sent on its way.  

I am not hopping off to my studio to get ready for the quilt retreat.  I gave my machine a mini-pedi in preparation for it.  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth 

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

I Quilted This! at Quilting & Learning

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

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