Clear Sky Quilt Pattern

You know I'm a sucker for pretty much every star quilt block out there. I don't know what it is...I just really love star blocks. So I decided to gather some of my favorites and put them all into one quilt. 

Today I get to introduce the Clear Sky pattern - a sampler-style star quilt made up of 8 of my favorite star quilt blocks. 

Find Clear Sky patterns in my pattern shop

Use Yardage or Scraps

Clear Sky was originally written to use 10 different prints, with the prints paired up in groups of two. But in the process of testing the pattern I had a suspicion that Clear Sky would also make a fabulous scrap quilt. So I included extra details into the block instructions to make it super easy for you to make a scrappy Clear Sky.

I've already started my own scrappy red/white/blue Clear Sky quilt and I'm hoping to get it done in time to use this July!

Winterland Fabrics

I've made a couple of versions of Clear Sky so far (including one done with Kona solids) and I'll be sharing those soon. This version on the cover of the pattern is made with Winterland fabrics designed by Amanda Castor (Material Girl Quilts) for Riley Blake Designs. 

 I love this Winterland fabric line- there are 21 total prints (I've only used 10 of them in the quilt). The cool blues and grays are so beautifully contrasted by the warm reds. It was fun to pair up the prints for each block. I wanted each pairing to have some great contrast so the blocks could really shine.

Another great thing about Winterland is that it's not attached to any one particular holiday - so any project using Winterland can be used throughout the entire Winter season.  

Winterland will be available in stores in July, and I'll add links here once it's available.

Get your copy of Clear Sky here

both paper copies and PDF (instant download) available

Just as a note: Clear Sky patterns will be on sale for only $8 for a limited time!

Clear Sky Tips

I know my first reaction to most sampler quilts is usually something having to do with how complicated it looks and how long it will take me to finish. But let me tell you... Clear Sky is not nearly as complex as it may appear. 

There are 8 blocks, and there are 3 or 4 of each style of block. My first tip for you, is that I suggest making ALL of one block before moving to the next block. For example, make all three of block #1, then make all three of block #2, etc. With chain piecing techniques you'll find that you can get each set of 3 blocks done in no time. 

A second tip is that I highly recommend you label your prints as soon as you cut them. I keep all the pieces for each print together in one stack with a piece of paper on top that tells me which fabric/print it is: "fabric A", "fabric B", "fabric C", etc. 

Prints are paired together in the blocks and stay that way through the entire pattern: A & B will always be together, C & D will be together, and so on. 

Clear Sky quilt along

I also have an announcement to share with you! There's a Clear Sky quilt along starting on August 2 (that's the first Monday in August). It will run for 8 weeks and along the way I'll share plenty of bonus extras  and exclusive content with the QAL participants. 

Sign ups are open NOW. Don't worry, I'll have several reminders between now and then as well. The quilt along is free to join- you'll just need a copy of the pattern and you'll be ready to go. 

Longarm Quilting

The quilting on this Winterland version is a computerized edge to edge design called Loopy Loops. I love how the little bit of curve in the stitching helps to soften all the angles in the quilt top while still keeping the clean, modern look of the quilt. 

For the backing I used a coordinating gray solid I found at my local quilt shop. 

I look forward to seeing your version of Clear Sky! What fabrics will you use? Maybe all solids? How about a super scrappy fall-colored one? Or maybe a version with a charcoal gray background - wouldn't that be stunning? 

Grab a copy of Clear Sky and start digging through your scraps to see what you can come up with. 

Quilt Details:

59" x 81"

Pattern: Clear Sky (find it here in my shop)

Fabric: Winterland by Amanda Castor for Riley Blake Designs

Quilting: Loopy Loops (edge to edge computerized longarm design)

Pieced on a Juki TL-2010Q using Aurifil Thread (50 wt color 2021)

Pin these images to save to your favorite quilting board!

Holiday Celebrations Book + Midnight Magic 2 Fabric

Hello everyone! Today I get to share a new project with you, as well as a brand new book from Pat Sloan and a soon-to-be-released fabric line by April Rosenthal. Lots of new things coming your way! And there's a few giveaways as well so be sure to read through to the end for all the details. 

This has been kind of a strange month for me....Christmas projects and a Halloween project all in the same month and it's just barely June. What should I sew next? A Valentine's quilt? :)

(You're going to want to see the Christmas projects I've been cooking up...be sure you're signed up for my newsletter so you don't miss out. We also have two fun quilt alongs planned for later this year!)

Here's what I've been working on this week:

I made this 42" x 42" quilted wall hanging using a pattern called Liberty Hill, from the new book, Holiday Celebrations by Pat Sloan**. 

Retro Stitchery

Well hello!  I've been working on something just a little different (for me) this past week and I have a fun new book to share with you today.

Four Patch Spin Quilt Pattern

Oh just look how we're just cruising through March! 

I've been sewing with these Goose Creek Garden prints over the past week and the colors and florals are really making me SO very excited for spring to officially begin. 

Goose Creek Garden is the newest line from Poppie Cotton (click here to see the shops that carry it). It has some pretty teal and berry colors as well as some warm yellows and some really lovely florals.

I decided to make a version of my Four Patch Spin quilt in these pretty fabrics. This quick little pattern has become one of my favorite go-to solutions when I need a quick finish.

Windy City quilt in Shabby Basics

I don't know why, but I always forget just how FAST baby and crib sized quilts are to make! Back in December I started working on this crib size Windy City quilt and I have to say that the cool blues and greens were a refreshing change from all of the Christmassy reds and greens that I had been sewing with! 

You know that one of my new favorite things is to use textured fabric for my background print - but I loved these colors so much I wanted to make them the star of the show in this Windy City quilt. 

These are all prints from a line called Shabby. Shabby is a fun textured line of fabrics created by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. There are 55 colors available* and even a handy color card that you can get to make it easier to find the perfect color of Shabby to go with your project. 

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

Fast Track Ombre Fairy Dust + Quilt Along Wrap Up

Our Fast Track quilt along just finished up last week and I'm excited to be able to share my finished quilt! This was a nice and quick QAL - only four weeks - and it's a nice and quick quilt to piece (say that four times fast - Ha!)

I used a bundle of fat quarters, but the pattern also allows for Jelly Roll strips, Layer Cake squares, or 1/4 yard cuts to be used as well. You could even dig through your scrap bins for this one.

For my quilt I used this bundle of Ombre Fairy Dust (by Vanessa Christensen for Moda Fabrics)* and I love how the black contrast print just makes the colors that much more vibrant!

Fast Track Quilt Ideas + Quilt Along

 Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a quick reminder that the Fast Track quilt along starts on Monday!

I've been having fun this week mocking up the Fast Track quilt pattern in a bunch of different fabrics and thought you'd like to see some of them!

   Want to join in? Sign up for the Fast Track quilt along here!

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

First of all, here's a peek at what I'll be sewing with for the quilt along: 

This is a bundle of Ombre Fairy Dust (by Vanessa Christensen for Moda Fabrics)* and I've been debating on whether to use the black print or the white one for the contrasting print. I mocked up both versions - which one do you like better? 

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

At first I really loved the white, but the black is so striking!  

(The black print is Ombre Fairy Dust Metallic Soft Black and the white print is Ombre Fairy Dust Metallic Off White ). 

This version of Fast Track (above) is made with Gingham Gardens (Riley Blake Designs). This is such a pretty fabric line!

For all of you solid fabric fans, this is made with Kona Cotton Solids (colors: Butterscotch, Creamsicle, Eggplant, Everglade, Foxglove, Ice Peach, Mustard, Plum, Sage, Salmon, Seafoam, Shell, Lt. Parfait, Sienna, and Coal)

How about a faded beachy version? I love this scrappy look! These are all different light blues and light reds from a variety of Riley Blake fabric lines, paired with a solid white. I love this one - and really want to make one this Summer.

How about a bolder red, white, & blue version? This patriotic Fast Track is mocked up with American Gathering (by Primitive Gatherings for Moda Fabrics)

Here's another scrappy version, with low volume prints and a fun Riley Blake polka dot for the contrasting rectangles. 

This final one is a version that I plan on making, and I even already have the bundle and background fabric ready to go. This quilt uses a line called Golden Hour (Ruby Star Society) and Moda Bella 97. 

It's so fun to see how the look of the quilt changes with different fabrics!  Which one is your favorite? 

And here's one more that I've finished but haven't yet shared here on my blog:

This one was made with a fun bundle that I put together with Maker Valley. The bundles have sold out, but Holly always has a fabulous and unique selection of custom bundles for sale on her site.

I can't wait for the quilt along to get started! The first newsletter will go out on Monday so be sure you're signed up so you don't miss a thing.

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

If you're still needing a copy of Fast Track, grab one here (sale ends on Monday!). 

Fast Track QAL Weekly schedule:

Week 1: Fabric selection & cutting fabric

Week 2: Block construction

Week 3: Finish blocks & quilt top assembly

Week 4: Quilting & binding your Fast Track quilt