A New Quilt Is on The Way... Rosie!
Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to give you an exclusive sneak peek of an incredible new quilt/tile scene I’m working on—possibly my biggest and most ambitious design yet! Originally created for the Americana Series a few years back, this piece never made it into the collection because I thought it might be too complex. Well, I cracked the code, and it’s turning out absolutely stunning!
This masterpiece features 224 meticulously embroidered and stitched quilt blocks, arranged to resemble a breathtaking tile scene. I’m using vintage, recycled fabrics for a charming, nostalgic feel. It’ll be available in three sizes:
2”x2” blocks (finished size 36”x36”)
3”x3” blocks (finished size 54”x54”)
4”x4” blocks (finished size 72”x72”)
And here’s the exciting part: the full-color book with all the details is included! Pre-orders will go live in about two weeks, with an estimated release in roughly a month. In the meantime, I’ll keep sharing progress shots—these pics show where I’m at so far.
For those of you asking for something truly grand, here it is! Stay tuned, more updates coming soon!
A Love Affair with Fabrics: From Vintage Treasures to Artistic Masterpieces
I’ve always had a deep love for fabrics — it’s something that’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Like many of you, I find endless inspiration in textiles. There’s no single type of fabric that I favor above all others; each piece has its own story, its own magic. Whether it's a charming fat quarter bundle or a vibrant jelly roll, I often see potential in the smallest scrap. Sometimes, it’s a luxurious French silk scarf that I can't resist cutting into pieces to craft appliqué art.
vintage americana fabrics
Lately, my fascination has gravitated toward something extraordinarily special: vintage Americana fabrics. And by vintage, I mean *really* old. Think feed sacks from the early 1900s, nostalgic souvenir fabrics from the 1940s, and everything in between. I recently stumbled upon a treasure trove of these timeless textiles at an antique show — and I swear, it was like a lightning bolt struck through me.
the perfect background for art pieces
These fabrics became the perfect background for my art pieces. I was especially captivated by those that bore the scars of their age — the stains, the mends, the patina that told their own stories. They’re more than just fabric; they’re fragments of history woven into cloth. During studio tours, visitors were equally drawn to the character and depth of these aged textiles — it’s impossible not to feel a connection to their past.
the next step was to distress the fabric even more
From there, I got to work. My goal was to bring new life to these vintage fabrics through embroidery and quilting. I designed bold pick stitches and striking running stitch patterns to further enhance each piece, and the results were simply glorious. To add a focal point, I created embroidered images of a horse and a bull, which now serve as the centerpiece for my initial collection.
the bull
The response was overwhelming — both pieces sold immediately to a collector in Texas! That’s when I realized I had to share this work and process with others, especially with Anita. How can you create these types of designs at home?
the horse
The fabric for this piece was a feed bag from 1938. The mending looks like it was doen 50 years ago.
The Tutorial and Designs are in Progress
I’m excited to announce that I’m in the process of developing a comprehensive tutorial. This step-by-step guide will show you how to embroider and quilt these vintage-inspired pieces, including how to re-create the bull design in four hoopings and craft the eye-catching backgrounds. A key ingredient? Your own stash of old fabric. I encourage you to dig through your collection for pieces with history — stains, tears, mends — as they’ll add authenticity and character to your art.
more images and inspiration
do you want to see more?
My hope with this feature is to inspire you to explore the endless possibilities of embroidery and fabric art with your machine. The techniques and designs I’ve developed are coming soon, so stay tuned for exciting tutorials that will help you unlock your creativity and breathe new life into vintage textiles.
**Stay inspired, and happy stitching!**
