Behind the Seams · decluttering · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

Confessions of a Fabric Collector (Part 2): Mount Cluttermore – The Madness Continues! and NEW November VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

First, I wanted to tell you that I’ve officially given up on my capri pants and am now dejectedly wearing jeans.

Dang it.

But on a good note, I’ve never worn capri pants into November before, so that was certainly something unexpected!

Of course, the temperatures are falling, and snow is in the forecast for the end of the week. Yikes! In just one week, we’ve gone from sunshine and temperatures in the 70s down to the 20s and 30s with a side of snow!

Wait.

Oh, yeah.

This is Pennsylvania, where we can experience all four seasons in a single day…or, in this case, a week.

Sheesh!

Quilter standing in a snowy Pennsylvania landscape with a backpack of supplies, quilts on a sled, and a sign reading “Surrender? Not today!”
RIP Capri Season 2026. What a magnificent run!
(Image created by moi using AI tools)

Well, the weather isn’t the only thing that’s changed around here. After last week’s confessions, I discovered something rather surprising and equally amazing.

Apparently, Mount Cluttermore has relatives all over!

Your wonderful comments made me realize I’m definitely not alone in my fabric-related adventures. Thank goodness, what a relief!

So, are you ready for a few more confessions? Because I haven’t even scratched the surface of Mount Cluttermore yet!

In fact, I’m not entirely sure where it actually begins. Maybe in Tennessee? Or Arizona? Or maybe North Dakota? Huh, not sure at all (me shaking my head….).

PSST! If you missed last week’s post Confessions of a Fabric Collector: Welcome to Mount Cluttermore (Part 1), you can read it HERE.

Confession #4: Organization Is a Work in Progress

Once upon a time, Mount Cluttermore was a fairly organized place.

No, really! I’m not making this up!

Everything had a home. Once. Fabric was neatly folded and arranged by color. Notions were tucked into their designated containers. Books and patterns lived on shelves and stayed put.

It was beautiful.

And then something happened.

I’m not exactly sure what, but somewhere along the way in the last 30 years of quilting, the fabric started outnumbering the storage spaces.

And then the storage containers started multiplying, too!

Now I have containers filled with fabric, containers filled with notions, and containers filled with things I apparently thought were important enough to save but not important enough to label.

I suspect some of those containers haven’t been opened since the previous century.

I suppose I could start by organizing and labeling my storage containers, but…sigh…first I would have to find the container holding my organizational supplies.

At this point, I’m not organizing my studio anymore.

I’m conducting an archaeological expedition. And I might even be conducting very important scientific experiments. Or maybe not.

Sometimes I just have to use my imagination when looking around Mount Cluttermore because it is downright overwhelming at times. Can’t you picture me in my mountain-climbing gear, scaling the mountain, looking for my perpetually-lost scissors?

Smiling quilter hiking up Mount Cluttermore, a colorful mountain of fabric, with sewing tools and a humorous elevation sign.
Image created by moi with AI tools

Oh, wait!

They were in my backpack the whole time!

Yup, that’s Mount Cluttermore for you.

Sooooo, where to begin?

Now, I don’t want you to think I have no idea how to organize things, because I actually LOVE it when everything has a home. That way, I know where things belong, and I can put them right back where I found them. It’s a system that works for me, and I can maintain it.

I suspect that philosophy comes from my years as a children’s librarian.

You see, books, just like people, have homes. Each book has its own special place on a library shelf, where it lives when it isn’t checked out and visiting someone else’s home.

That explanation always made perfect sense to the kiddos!

And for a long time, my sewing space worked the same way. Everything had a home, and everything knew where it belonged.

But now?

Mount Cluttermore is like a wild block party where the music is always blaring, everyone is break dancing, and nobody ever wants to go home!

I’m beginning to think my quilting supplies needs a curfew.

And speaking of things that refuse to stay where they belong, let’s talk about unfinished projects.

Because apparently, having more projects than I could possibly finish in one lifetime has never stopped me from starting another one!

Confession #5: There’s Always Room for One More Project!

Now, when I say there’s always room for one more project, I don’t necessarily mean there’s actual ROOM.

That’s an entirely different matter.

What I mean is that there’s always room in my imagination for another quilt, runner, pillow, or whatever else happens to catch my fancy.

After all, I have quilts waiting to be quilted, projects waiting to be finished, fabric waiting to be cut, and approximately 10,000 ideas waiting patiently (or perhaps not so patiently) for their turn.

So, what do I do?

Start something new, of course! LOL!

Because clearly, what Mount Cluttermore needs is ANOTHER project.

I have tried reasoning with myself. Really, I have.

“Finish what you’ve already started,” I tell myself.

“Use the fabric you already have.”

“Don’t even THINK about starting another quilt until you’ve finished at least three UFOs!”

But then I see a beautiful new fabric collection or imagine a fabulous new quilt pattern, and suddenly all those good intentions disappear faster than my scissors.

Sigh.

I suppose I should just accept that I’m a hopelessly optimistic quilter. I genuinely believe I can finish everything I’ve started AND make all the new projects I’m dreaming about. And it will happen as long as I live for another 357 years.

Apparently, my imagination and the calendar are not on speaking terms.

And speaking of new projects…

Guess what arrived just in time to tempt us all???

The brand-new November Villa Rosa Designs patterns!

Yes, I know. I just finished confessing that I have too many projects and not enough time, and now I’m about to show you a whole new collection of patterns you’re absolutely going to want to make.

See? I’m not helping the situation one little bit!

But before you look, I feel obligated to issue a warning.

CAUTION: Viewing these patterns may result in additional fabric purchases, spontaneous project planning, and an unexplained increase in quilts.

Mount Cluttermore assumes no responsibility.

Now, let’s take a peek!

New November VRD Patterns: Seven More Reasons to Start Something!

Here is the set of 5 cards, all ready to inspire you!

Promotional graphic featuring five November 2026 quilt patterns: Divinity, Gracie, Ornamental, Gladewater, and Poynette, offered as a set for $8.95.

Get your set of 5 print patterns HERE

Divinity is one of Heidi’s two new November patterns. It’s an awesome quick panel pattern for 24″ wide panels and your favorite fat quarters! My kind of pattern. Quick and satisfying. Oh my!

You can find 2 different kits for Divinity:

Kit 1 features Effie’s Woods cuddle fabric (as seen on the pattern front) – find the kit HERE

Kit 2 features fabric from the Guess How Much I Love You Christmas collection (yes, from the wonderful picture book, Guess How Much I Love You, one of my all time favorite children’s books) – find the kit HERE

Gladewater is Pat’s latest pattern offering. Grab your favorite fat quarter collection for this fast to make quilt! You can find a kit in Celestial Garden fabrics HERE.

Gracie is Catherine of Running Doe’s newest design featuring a cut apart panel or your favorite novelty fabric. You can find a kit featuring the same Wellspring fabric as the cover HERE.

Ornamental is Melissa’s most recent pattern. I just love the strippy ornaments, don’t you? And did you spot the hidden stars yet? If not, look a little closer…… Sadly, no kit.

Poynette is Rachel’s new mod pattern for November and is also fat quarter friendly. I just love the different shades of blue and purple on the white background – that’s right up my alley. Grab a kit featuring fabric from the Moody Blues collection HERE.

Wait! Don’t go yet – there are 2 more patterns to share with you!

Mulled Cider is Heidi’s new table runner pattern for this month. What’s really cool about this one is that you can use a border print for the blocks….or not. Completely up to you!

Cover image titled “Mulled Cider” featuring a fall-themed patchwork table runner and a glass of cider on a wooden table by a window.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Happily, there are kits still available for Mulled Cider. You can find them HERE.

Snowglobe is our 11th seasonal quilted pillow pattern this year – only one more to go until we have an entire year’s worth of seasonal 18″ pillow designs. What fun! I’m really looking forward to enjoying each and every one on my chair in my living room for every month in 2027!

Don’t you just love Bailly’s adorable little smile (Shih Tzus are famous for their underbites) and how she has her cute little furry front paws folded just so in front of her? Yes, Bailly is a real dog. And yes, she really is that fuzzy – all 12 pounds of her, but she really does need a long visit with her groomer (ummm, that would be moi).

A small dog sits on a green armchair beside a festive quilted snowglobe pillow featuring a Christmas tree.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Yay! There are 3 different kit options available for Snowglobe:

Kit 1 in Tula fabric HERE

Kit 2 in Kaffe fabric HERE

Kit 3 in tonals fabric HERE

WOW! Seven new patterns for November! That’s A LOT of new inspiration for all of us!

Heaven help us!

New patterns…new fabrics…new notions…

And the beat goes on…

Meanwhile, somewhere in Mount Cluttermore, my unfinished projects are quietly shaking their heads.

I really can’t blame them.

Confession #6: Sometimes My Stuff Gets in the Way of My Sewing!

Now, that’s something I never thought I’d admit.

Nowadays, it’s like I have so much quilting stuff that it actually gets in the way of…quilting!

I know! Crazy, right?

Picture this. I have a couple of hours to myself, and I’m all excited to sit down at my sewing machine and make something awesome.

But first, I have to clear a space.

There’s fabric on my cutting table, patterns on my ironing board, and a suspicious pile of something-or-other sitting beside my sewing machine.

So, I move the fabric from the cutting table to the ironing board. Then I move the patterns from the ironing board to a chair. And then I move the pile from the sewing machine to…well, somewhere.

Now, where did my ruler go? And my scissors? Did anyone see my seam ripper, Jack?

Twenty minutes later, I’ve found three fat quarters I’ve never seen before, two patterns I’ve been looking for, a spool of thread in a color I don’t remember buying, and a project I apparently started during the previous decade.

But no ruler. No scissors. No Jack.

Eventually, I find them. They were all hiding under the fabric I moved in the first place and they were all laughing at me when I found them. I swear my tools and notions have minds of their own.

So by the time I finally sit down at my sewing machine, half my sewing time is gone! Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I can’t be the only one.

Cluttered sewing workspace with a Janome sewing machine, colorful fabrics, clothing pieces, scissors, and sewing supplies
Sigh……my sewing machine area.

And here’s the really ridiculous part. I love all this stuff! I really do! The fabrics, the patterns, the books, the notions, the unfinished quilts – I love them all! They represent years of creativity, inspiration, and wonderful future possibilities.

But somewhere along the way, I’ve accumulated so many possibilities that they’re beginning to crowd out the actual creating.

Huh.

That’s a rather disturbing realization.

Because as much as I love collecting beautiful fabrics, patterns, notions, rulers, and tools – what I really really want to do is to sit down and actually make things with them.

So maybe it’s time I found a way to give myself a little more room to do exactly that.

Of course, I still need to find somewhere to put all those fat quarters.

And the ruler.

And my scissors.

Oh, dear.

Speaking of scissors. They really do keep disappearing on me. So I buy another pair. Then I can’t find those ones. So I buy two pairs of scissors this time. And this crazy cycle keeps going on and on.

Where in the heck do all my scissors go?

I suspect that somewhere in Mount Cluttermore, there’s an entire secret community of scissors hiding out.

And I just hope they aren’t multiplying in there, too!

Because the last thing I need is to discover that my fabric scissors have been raising a family of embroidery scissors behind my fabric cubes.

Although, come to think of it, that might explain where all those little scissors keep coming from…LOL!

Oh, boy…I think Mount Cluttermore has another population problem!

And so, dear Quilty Friends, my confessions continue, and Mount Cluttermore still stands tall. But change may finally be on the horizon! I’ve called in professional reinforcements, someone brave enough to tackle the mountain of fabric, forgotten projects, and mysterious sewing supplies alongside me. Will we conquer Mount Cluttermore? Will I finally uncover my cutting table? Will my missing scissors emerge from hiding? Will that crate of precuts finally be free?

Only time will tell!

One thing is certain: this adventure is far from over.

Stay tuned, because our next expedition might just be the biggest one yet!

Two seamstresses with sewing tools and fabric bags stand in a snowy mountain landscape facing a colorful quilt-covered mountain workshop.
Image created by moi using AI tools

Until next time…

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Behind the Seams · Just Quilty Stuff · Quilt Stories · villa rosa designs

Confessions of a Fabric Collector: Welcome to Mount Cluttermore (Part 1)

rosecards33 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Guess what??? It’s the beginning of November and the temperature hit the 70s…and YES, I am still wearing capri pants! Woohoo! I think this is the very first time that’s happened here in northwest Pennsylvania in a very long time.

As warm as it is right now, though, I’m beginning to wonder what winter will be like. Mother Nature might have something up her sleeve to make up for the lovely fall we’ve been having. Uh-oh!

Even though the days are warm, the cold nights have taken their toll on my basement dungeon studio, and it’s been downright chilly down here. So, it was finally time to turn on the heater, which makes me shake my head when it’s in the 70s outside!

You can just imagine me sitting at my computer or sewing machine down in the dungeon, shivering, wrapped in a quilt, and wearing fuzzy socks, can’t you?

Smiling quilter wrapped in a colorful patchwork quilt beside a sewing machine and space heater in a cozy craft room
Image created by moi with AI tools

And as I sit here freezing, I find myself looking around my studio.

And it scares me.

There are piles of fabric everywhere. In one corner is a towering stash of craft supplies and scrapbook paper. There are stacks of plastic crates housing my vintage textile collection – feed sacks, doll quilts, quilt blocks, fabric, tops, and more. It looks like a craft store, quilt shop, and flea market exploded in here!

Yikes!

My studio, which was recently christened Mount Cluttermore, seems to have taken on a life of its own. It might even have its own zip code now.

Huh. Now what?

Now, before you start imagining some sort of quilting disaster zone, let me explain. I’ve been quilting for 30 years, and somewhere along the way, my fabric collection seems to have developed a mind of its own.

You see, I have a confession to make.

I collect fabric.

Lots and lots of fabric.

And apparently, fabric reproduces when I’m not looking. That’s the only explanation I can come up with!

Confession #1: Mount Cluttermore Is a Real Place

And apparently, it’s still growing. I am not kidding! I swear the fabric piles are growing overnight. It’s not uncommon for me to trip over random fat quarters on the floor – wait! – were they there yesterday? Fabric is even climbing up on my computer desk now! What’s up with this? Maybe they are escaping or maybe looking for refuge? Or maybe they just got lost???

Cluttered desk with a computer monitor, fabric, papers, craft supplies, a water bottle, and dishes
Fabric invading my computer desk.

In fact, the fabric currently invading my computer desk only arrived yesterday. But that’s different. It’s for work!

See? I can justify anything.

I am a little concerned right now that tomorrow the pile on my desk will have expanded, taken over my monitor, and hidden my keyboard.

Sigh…what’s a quilter to do?

And that’s just my computer desk!

There are piles of quilts and tops all around me, stacked on top of plastic crates filled with more quilts and fabric and…can you believe that somewhere in my space, I’ve actually lost a crate filled with all kinds of precuts? I’m hoping to find it again someday. It’ll be fun to see what’s been hiding in that crate. And gosh, I bet those precuts will not only inspire some new quilt patterns, but they’ll probably be relieved to finally see the light of day!

Sheesh!

Stack of colorful quilted blankets and fabric items in a cluttered shop.
A pile of quilts in Mount Cluttermore

Then there’s my actual sewing area. The space keeps getting smaller and smaller, and I feel really crowded while I’m sewing these days. There’s nothing quite like fabric looking over your shoulder, breathing down your neck, and quietly judging you while you sew.

Just beyond my sewing area is fabric storage. And that’s where the problems first began. It all started innocently enough – my beautiful wall storage system with 50 cubes with doors – yes, 50! I organized my yardage by color in the cubes. There are cubes with fat quarter baskets organized by color. And some cubes dedicated entirely to my 1800s and 1930s reproductions. Oh! I also have a few cubes for red, white, and blue. And one just for panels. A few cubes near the bottom hold precuts and notions. It was beautiful…..for a while.

Open fabric storage cabinet filled with neatly folded colorful patterned textiles, including red, floral, and checkered fabrics.
Full fabric cubes organized by color.

Frankly, I just have too much fabric for my space these days and there’s no more room in my cubes. Now, I don’t want you to think I am a fabric hoarder. I am not. I just add fabric faster than I can make things with it all.

Working in the quilting industry is not only my dream job, but it also brings even more fabric into Mount Cluttermore.

What a conundrum.

At the rate I am going, I will have to live to be 317 years old in order to even make a dent in my fabric and supplies.

On a good note, though, I can shop in my own stash when I want to start a new project…or the next 23 new projects. I even invite my quilty pals to shop in my stash, but I think they may be a little too scared to actually visit Mount Cluttermore nowadays. It is kinda scary.

As quickly as Mount Cluttermore is growing, you’ll probably find it on new maps of northwest Pennsylvania. I’m fairly certain Mount Cluttermore even has its own weather system. Possibly several different climate zones.

Honestly, I try not to let the fabric into my bedroom. It just feels safer that way. Poor Bailly might wake up dressed in patchwork with a matching quilt and pillow, officially crowned Queen of Mount Cluttermore.

Of course, Mount Cluttermore didn’t grow to these epic proportions overnight. Oh, no! It’s taken years of collecting, creating, planning, and dreaming to reach this impressive altitude.

And here’s the really ridiculous part. I have enough fabric, patterns, books, notions, and supplies to keep an entire quilting guild busy for the next decade.

What I don’t have is enough time to actually USE it all!

Which brings me to my next confession…

Confession #2: I Have Too Much of Everything, Except Time!

Fabric? I have more than enough…for like 100 people.

Rulers and notions? They’re literally everywhere, not just on my cutting table.

Precuts? Well, there’s that lost crate hiding somewhere, but I have more stashed here and there.

Books and patterns? They’ve taken over most of the flat surfaces in my studio, including stacks on the floor.

Ideas? I have notes, scribbles, printouts, computer files, folders, and a head full of 1001 ideas.

Time?

Nope. Never enough.

If only I could find another eight hours in a day. But sadly, I do need to sleep in order to function. I have considered giving up sleeping, but I’m pretty sure sewing with my eyes closed would be a bad idea.

If someone ever invents a way to add eight hours to the day, please let me know. I’ll probably spend six of them sewing and the other two looking for my scissors……..or perhaps the other way around. This is Mount Cluttermore after all.

Quilter dreaming of colorful patchwork designs in a fabric-filled studio, surrounded by sewing supplies, quilts, books, a sleeping cat, and a spinning clock
Image created by moi with AI tools

Confession #3: I Buy Fabric Because It’s Pretty!

I have another confession to make. Sometimes I bring fabric home simply because it’s pretty or just because I like it.

There. I said it.

I don’t necessarily have a project in mind. I don’t need another fat quarter bundle. And I certainly don’t have anywhere to put it.

But LOOK AT THOSE COLORS!

Besides, it would be terribly cruel to separate those coordinating prints from one another. They’re a family, after all!

I swear, sometimes fat quarters just jump into my shopping basket! Maybe they see me as their escape from the quilt shop, or perhaps they feel an instant connection to me. I have no idea, but there they are, in my basket.

What can I do?

Stack of folded patterned fabric bundles beside a pink keyboard on a cluttered desk
I’m a real softie when it comes to a gorgeous colorful coordinated stack of fat quarters.

Of course, I take them and their closest friends home, and Mount Cluttermore welcomes them all with open arms.

And then – I never see them again.

What’s up with that???

Then there are all those fabrics that are just too gorgeous to chop up. You know the ones. They just hang out in your stash, sometimes for years or maybe even longer.

You see them every time you’re rummaging through your stash looking for that one fabric you need to finish your current project. Those gorgeous fabrics just smile and shrug.

Wow! Now what?!?

I think I’m really running either a fabric adoption agency or a fabric refuge. I’m not just buying fabric, oh no. I am providing a loving, comfortable home to all textiles in need, modern and vintage.

And don’t forget…working in the quilting industry gives me way too many opportunities to discover more fabric, tools, supplies, and notions I can’t live without.

Sigh……………..

It’s a vicious cycle…but somebody has to do it.

You know, writing these confessions has actually made me appreciate Mount Cluttermore a little more. Sure, it’s overflowing, disorganized, and occasionally downright overwhelming, but it’s also a place filled with possibilities.

Every piece of fabric holds the promise of something wonderful waiting to be made. Every unfinished quilt has a story, and every pile of supplies represents ideas, dreams, and creative adventures I haven’t gotten around to yet.

Mount Cluttermore may be out of control, but it’s also where my imagination comes to life.

And perhaps that’s worth celebrating, even if I do need to find my scissors first!

Well, quilty friends, I think that’s enough confessing for one day! Apparently, I have more fabric-related secrets than I realized.

So, I think we’ll have to continue our confessions next week. I’ve still got a few more secrets hiding among the fabric piles, and who knows what else I’ll discover before then?

In the meantime, I’d love to hear YOUR fabric confessions! Do you buy fabric just because it’s pretty? Have you ever lost an entire project somewhere in your sewing room? Or perhaps you’ve got your own version of Mount Cluttermore?

Come on, confess! You’re among friends here.

And if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on my fat quarters. I think I heard something multiplying…

Colorful woven basket filled with smiling floral and patterned fabric squares, decorated with a large red gingham bow.
Image created by moi with AI tools

I look forward to hearing all about your fabric obsessions – er, experiences! LOL!

That’s it for me, I’ll be right here next week, hoping that Mount Cluttermore won’t collapse on top of some unsuspecting person (most likely me). Wish me luck!

Take care and practice studio safety at all times. You might consider a hard hat, goggles, and a protective suit if you have your own Mount Cluttermore.

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Christmas Quilting · Just Quilty Stuff · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

A Little Less Making, A Lot More Merry: Or, Handmade for the Holidays

rosecards8 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Allow me wish everyone an almost Happy Halloween!

A whimsical Halloween scene featuring a black cat and a cheerful ghost with three carved pumpkins, surrounded by autumn leaves and a lantern, set against a twilight background with a full moon.
Image created by moi using AI tools

Here it is the end of October and I’m still wearing capri pants and t shirts! That’s right – capri pants – in Pennsylvania on October 29th. Can you believe it? I certainly can’t, but I must say I’ve been enjoying it tremendously! Seriously though, we’ve had a really lovely fall – the best one in a long long time. Prime leaf viewing has already passed but because it’s been dry, we are still enjoying the colorful leaves, especially when the sun shines on them and the leaves fairly glow.

The weather has also been great for our recent remodeling project, too. And as of this past Monday, the bathroom is completed and totally different than it used to be with an accessible walk in shower (with plenty of grab bars for safety), a higher vanity, and a higher toilet. It’s done, done, done and I couldn’t be happier because now I don’t have to worry so much about my parents’ safety as they age. The last project was walling in the old garage doors, which will now keep the weather out and the heat in this winter, thereby lowering energy costs. Yay! Yay! Yay! Of course, I am already adding new projects to our to-do list so we can spiff up the rest of the house to match our new modern farmhouse bathroom. Fingers crossed….

It sure has been a busy couple of months! In fact, my internal clock thinks it should only be June, not the end of October! And – gulp! – we turn the clocks back this coming weekend. What are your thoughts about the time change? Me, I wish we didn’t have to change the clock twice a year – by the time I’m finally in sync with the clock, it’s time to change it again. Sheesh!

A cheerful animated clock character with arms and a smiling face, joyfully running with spinning hour and minute hands.
Image created by moi with AI tools

Speaking of how swiftly time is moving – I’m sure you are already planning your handmade gifts for the upcoming holidays, if you haven’t started already. Normally, I’d be list-making right now, maybe even gathering materials (the fun part!), and beginning 1 or 2 projects. This year, though, has been one filled with chaos and craziness and I don’t think I’m going to make any new quilts for the holidays. I know – that’s a shocking statement, isn’t it?

Shopping My Stash and Saving My Sanity

The good news is that I do have a stash of quilts ready to gift when needed and it’s a real blessing to have that backup just in case. Most of my family members have their own personal quilt collections by now anyway – you know, the ones I’ve made and gifted over the years. Sometimes I almost feel like I need to go door to door to find new quilt victims – er, people to give quilts to. LOL!

I do have a few projects I need to work on, though. I need to make my niece’s wedding quilt, but I do have several months before her first anniversary, so I still have time to put it together. I have the design and I’ve got some fabrics in my stash in mind as well as a special pieced backing to delight her hubby. But now is not the time to start that project, not right before the holidays.

I also have some binding to finish on my sister’s quilt from last Christmas. That sounds pretty awful, doesn’t it? But as I mentioned earlier, this past year has been a real doozy.

Here’s the story of my sister’s quilt – I decided to make my sister a new throw quilt way too late in the season last year. I gathered up my fabrics, but never really had a chance to start it, so I gifted her the EQ image of the design along with the fabrics at Christmas. Then I took her gift back home so I could make it after the holidays. Rest assured, I did make her quilt and even quilted it, but I never quite finished the binding. There were always other projects with deadlines so her quilt kept getting put on the back burner. Her quilt is at the top of my list now, and I’m looking forward to finally checking that binding off my to-do list.

My sister’s quilt is a perfect example of what I’m getting at today – we, as quilters, often take on so much during the holidays, there isn’t enough time to actually enjoy them because we’re too busy trying to complete handmade gifts. Or make eleventy seven dozen cookies. Or cook the entire holiday meal by ourselves. And the list goes on and on.

A festive holiday to-do list with tasks like shopping for gifts and baking holiday treats, beside a cup of hot chocolate, a pen, and holiday decorations.
Image created by moi with AI tools

So my gift making plan for the holidays this year is to catch up with some of the many things on my to-do list and not to add anything else to that list until I can cross off at least some of the projects already there. I guess you could call 2026 my reset year.

Of course, I’m being optimistic here and knowing myself, I’ll probably wait until the eleventh hour and decide to make someone a gift for the holidays. But I’m going to try not to do that to myself. Instead, I’m going shopping among my already completed projects or I’m going to finish a UFO. I do love gifting handmade quilts and other goodies to those I care about, but I need to extend that caring to myself too. And this year, I need to practice a little self-care by giving myself permission not to stress over making gifts for people.

So, how about you? Do you ever find yourself making a mile-long list of handmade holiday gifts, only to realize there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to finish them all? Maybe this is the year to shorten that list, finish a few things you’ve already started, or even give yourself permission to buy a gift instead of making one. Another idea would be to go to a local craft show and support other local artisans while giving special handmade gifts to those you care about, even if you didn’t make them yourself.

After all, the holidays should be about spending time with the people we love, not spending every waking moment at our sewing machines trying to meet impossible deadlines.

What About the Fall 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks?

Some of you might be wondering about our Fall 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge. Well, I’ve been thinking about that, too!

Normally, we’d be gearing up for another round of quilt-making fun, but with the holidays approaching so quickly, I’ve decided we’re going to hold off this time around.

After all, it wouldn’t make much sense for me to encourage you to slow down and enjoy the holidays, then turn around and challenge you to finish six quilts in six weeks, would it? LOL!

So instead of squeezing another challenge into an already busy season, we’re going to move our next 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge to this winter, when the holiday hustle and bustle is behind us.

I think it’ll be a wonderful way to kick off a new year of sewing, tackle some of those UFOs, and enjoy a little creative motivation together. And remember, the challenge is about having fun and encouraging each other, not adding more stress to our lives.

Stay tuned for more information about our winter challenge. In the meantime, give yourself permission to slow down, work on whatever makes you happy, and enjoy the season!

Makers Gotta Make

I get it. I really do. We can say “Nope, not making anything for anyone this year” then suddenly we’re adding new projects to the bottom of our already-too-long to-do list.

A cheerful woman with curly hair and glasses standing in a vibrant crafting studio filled with colorful fabrics and sewing supplies, showcasing her love for quilting and crafting.
Image created by moi with AI tools

Is it guilt?

Or is it simply because we are happiest when we are making things.

I think it’s the latter. I know I am happiest when I’m creating because making things is such a part of my soul. Like oxygen.

So, how do we find the middle ground between making everything and making nothing?

Villa Rosa Designs, of course!

Are you surprised I would say that? Probably not. But I am being serious. You already know that VRD patterns go together fast, they are fun, and they use fabric really well whether it’s your stash or a trip to the quilt shop for more fat quarters.

So maybe instead of trying to make everyone a quilt for Christmas, you make some smaller projects like table runners, snack mats, place mats, quilted pillows, or some of our fun accessory patterns. Smaller VRD projects are big on handmade but small on their toll to the maker. Less stress = more fun. And isn’t that what we’re really after? Not necessarily less making, but definitely less stress.

And remember, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with deciding not to make anything at all this holiday season. Sometimes the best project is the one you give yourself permission to skip.

You can check out some great VRD patterns below:

Table Runners

Snack Mats and Place Mats

Quilted Pillows

Scarves, Tote Bags, and Other Accessories

I hope you’ll give yourself a little room to breathe this holiday season. Don’t be afraid to slow down a little so you can enjoy the holidays, too.

Well, that’s it for me today.

Take a little time to just breathe this week. Me, I’ll still be wearing my capri pants. Right into November.

See you right here next time!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Rose Cards · Seasonal Quilting · villa rosa designs

From Falling Leaves to Falling Snow: Quilts for All Seasons

rosecards4 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Well, after a warm September and early October, autumn has definitely arrived here in northwestern Pennsylvania! We’ve been enjoying daytime temperatures in the 60s, but nighttime temperatures are now dipping into the low 30s. Brrr! So I finally decided it was time to put a warmer quilt on my bed. There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a cozy quilt on a chilly autumn night, is there? After a week of cold nights, I’m considering putting flannel sheets on the bed.

We’ve even had our first frost this week! There really isn’t anything quite like waking up on a chilly morning and seeing the season’s first frost. The world feels quiet for a moment, like it’s taking a slow deep breath. My next thought, of course, is to hop right back into bed and snuggle under my quilt! LOL!

A cozy porch decorated for fall with pumpkins, colorful leaves, and flowers, set against a backdrop of a misty sunrise over a countryside landscape with rolling hills and a red barn.
Image by moi using AI tools

I mentioned last week that work had begun on the total gut and remodel of our bathroom. As of this morning, we now have a beautiful walk-in shower with glass sliding doors, pretty soft blue walls, a new toilet, and the flooring is going in as I write. I’ve already managed to sneak in a few showers, and I can honestly say I am in love. Our local construction company, QRS, is doing the work for us, and it’s going to be amazing when it’s finished. Right now, though, everything is still a bit upside down.

I’m also reluctantly getting to see the sunrise every morning because the construction crew can arrive as early as 8:00 a.m. Ugh! There’s a lot to do before they get here. First, of course, I have to convince my eyelids to stay open and make myself leave my warm cozy bed. Then I have to tuck our two cats into a bedroom with everything they need for the day. Little Miss Bailly has been my work buddy down here in Mount Cluttermore (also known as my studio), and she is not entirely pleased with the current arrangement since she can’t be in the middle of all the action. LOL!

Between the chilly nights and these early mornings, I’ve been dreaming about my bed and that warmer quilt for most of the day. I can’t wait to crawl back under it tonight.

As the seasons change, so do the quilts around our homes. Maybe it’s time to put away that bright summer table runner and bring out one in warm autumn colors. Or perhaps you’re already thinking about decorating for Christmas with favorite holiday quilts, wall hangings, and pillows. Before we know it, those rich autumn colors and festive Christmas fabrics will give way to the soft blues, whites, and greys of winter.

And here’s something I really love about quilting: you don’t necessarily need a different pattern for every season! Sometimes all it takes is a change of fabrics to give a favorite design a completely different personality. A simple table runner made in rusty oranges, golds, and browns can be just as beautiful in Christmas reds and greens or frosty winter blues. Same pattern, three entirely different looks!

So today I thought we’d have a little fun exploring how we can take our favorite quilt patterns from falling leaves to falling snow, just by changing fabrics and colors. And maybe I’ll even share a few ideas for getting two seasons out of one quilt!

One Pattern, Many Seasons

Let’s take a look at some of our VRD Rose Card patterns and reimagine each quilt in fall colors, Christmas, and winter. Who ever said you couldn’t use the same pattern (you know that pattern you make over and over) for each season or holiday? No one.

For each of the following VRD patterns, I’m going to use 3 seasonal fabrics to show you how the pattern looks mocked up for each season so you can see how a pattern changes depending on the fabrics that you choose.

For today, I am using the following fabric collections:

Fall – Benartex Harvest Friends (available now)

Christmas – Hoffman A Cardinal’s Christmas (coming in 2027)

Winter – Riley Blake A Perfect Winter (available now)

Here we go!

Allspice

A detailed quilt design titled 'Allspice' by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a star pattern with various green, white, and brown fabric squares depicting nature themes.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

A colorful quilt featuring a star pattern with floral and seasonal fabric designs in vibrant hues of blue, green, orange, yellow, and cream.
VRD Allspice Fall
A colorful quilt featuring a star pattern with floral and festive designs in red, green, gold, and white hues.
VRD Allspice Christmas
A colorful quilt featuring a patchwork design with blue, white, and red fabrics containing patterns of snowmen, reindeer, and winter-themed motifs.
VRD Allspice Winter

Bespoke

A quilt design titled 'Bespoke' by Tricia Lynn Maloney, hanging from a tree amidst colorful autumn leaves, showcasing a patterned quilt with a floral and geometric design.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

A colorful quilt pattern featuring blocks in reds, floral prints, and text elements on a blue background, creating a vibrant autumn-inspired design.
VRD Bespoke Fall
A festive patchwork table runner featuring red and green floral patterns, including poinsettias and holly, set against a cream background.
VRD Bespoke Christmas
Colorful winter-themed fabric design featuring snowmen, reindeer, and festive patterns with red and aqua squares.
VRD Bespoke Winter

Honey Bouquet

Quilt design titled 'Honey Bouquet' featuring a patchwork of floral and geometric patterns in shades of blue, brown, and cream, with a decorative border and a white rose in the corner.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Colorful quilt patchwork featuring floral and autumn-themed designs in various patterns and colors.
VRD Honey Bouquet Fall
A colorful patchwork quilt with various floral patterns, featuring red and green hues, seasonal motifs including poinsettias, and birds, arranged in a symmetrical grid.
VRD Honey Bouquet Christmas
A colorful patchwork quilt featuring various patterns including snowmen, reindeer, flowers, and festive designs in red, blue, and mint green shades.
VRD Honey Bouquet Winter

Lattice

A vibrant quilt designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney titled 'Lattice', featuring a zigzag pattern in black, red, and white with floral accents. The quilt is displayed against a wooden fence.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Colorful fabric pattern featuring diamond shapes in red and blue, surrounded by floral designs and autumn leaves.
VRD Lattice Fall
A decorative fabric pattern featuring a repeating diamond design in red, cream, and green, surrounded by floral motifs of red hibiscus and green foliage.
VRD Lattice Christmas
Patterned fabric featuring a festive design with red and white diamond shapes and snowmen set against a light blue background.
VRD Lattice Winter

Main Street

A colorful quilt featuring a geometric pattern in shades of pink, purple, green, and blue, titled 'Main Street' by Villa Rosa Designs, against a light green background.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

A colorful quilt featuring a patchwork of floral and seasonal prints, including sunflowers, leaves, and decorative text patterns.
VRD Main Street Fall
A colorful patchwork quilt featuring an arrangement of floral and bird patterns in red, green, gray, and black, displayed in a diagonal layout against a light background.
VRD Main Street Christmas
A patterned quilt featuring various designs, including snowmen, floral elements, and winter motifs in shades of blue and red, arranged in an overlapping octagonal layout against a light background.
VRD Main Street Winter

Ripple Runner

A blue and white quilted table runner called 'Ripple Runner' displayed on a wooden surface, designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney for Orphan Quilt Designs.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

A colorful patchwork of fabric patterns featuring sunflowers, pumpkins, and fall leaves, with sections in vibrant colors and autumn-themed designs.
VRD Ripple Runner Fall
A decorative fabric panel featuring various patterns with festive floral designs, including red flowers, green foliage, pine cones, and cardinals, arranged in a patchwork style.
VRD Ripple Runner Christmas
A patchwork design featuring various winter-themed prints, including snowmen, reindeer, and snowflakes, arranged in a grid pattern with blue and white backgrounds.
VRD Ripple Runner Winter

Rodeo

Colorful quilt design featuring various patterned fabric squares and rectangles in vibrant colors, titled 'RODEO' by Villa Rosa Designs.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

A colorful patchwork quilt featuring a variety of floral and autumn-themed patterns, including sunflowers, autumn leaves, and pumpkins, arranged in a grid layout.
VRD Rodeo Fall
A colorful quilt featuring a patchwork design with floral patterns in red, green, and gray, showcasing poinsettias, cardinals, and holiday themes.
VRD Rodeo Christmas
A colorful quilt design featuring a patchwork of various patterned squares, including floral designs, snowflakes, and festive motifs, arranged in a grid layout with dark blue borders.
VRD Rodeo Winter

Isn’t it amazing how a simple change of fabrics can give the very same quilt pattern a completely different look? That’s one of my very favorite things about quilting! With so many beautiful fabrics available, the possibilities really are endless.

But what if you could take that idea one step further? What if you could enjoy two completely different looks without making two separate quilts? That’s where double-sided quilts come in!

I mentioned double-sided quilts in last week’s post, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to revisit the idea. Imagine making one side of a quilt in warm autumn colors and the other side in cool winter blues and whites. When the seasons change, simply flip your quilt over and voilà! You’ve got a whole new look without having to find storage space for another quilt. And let’s face it, some of us are running out of places to hide, er, store our quilts! LOL!

Of course, your two sides don’t have to be seasonal. You could choose two completely different color palettes, feature two favorite fabric collections, or even make one side scrappy and the other more coordinated. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

So, go ahead and give it a try sometime. You might be surprised how making two sided quilts might simplify your decorating, give you additional storage space, or even give you a little more time for quilting.

Well, that’s it for me today. I hope you enjoyed seeing one quilt three different ways.

Have a great week!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilt Shows and Trade Shows · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

Fun Quilty Finds that Rocked My World and What Follwed Me Home From the H&H Fall Edition Trade Show

rosecards4 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

I hope you are all having a great week! Me, things are super super crazy, even more so than usual! Yikes!

2 days after I got home from the H&H trade show, the contractor called. Finally!

A home exterior featuring a welcoming entrance with a blue door, surrounded by greenery and flowering plants. In the foreground, a chalkboard sign reads 'Our House is Getting a Makeover! Yay!' with construction tools and plans on a wooden table.
Image by moi with AI tools

After years of wanting and waiting, my family is finally getting some work done on the house. Our cute little single story ranch home over a full basement/garage (my sewing dungeon) is over 50 years old now and needs a little bit of love and updating. We are getting the bathroom completely redone and made safe and accessible with a walk in shower. We are also closing in the 2 garage doors at the end of the basement/garage, which will be the beginning of another project down the road to expand my studio. And hopefully, with a little luck, we will get a laundry hook up in the master bedroom closet. The laundry has always been downstairs in the basement/garage so having one upstairs on the main living level will help save steps and possible accidents on the stairs.

These things are all good, but we’ve been going nuts trying to clean up and prep the spaces for the work this past week because you know when it rains, it really pours. The contractor called early last week and said they would be starting the following week (this week), but they were not very specific as to which day they plan to start. The work won’t take all that long, but things are going to be dusty, messy, and even more crazy than usual. Oh my……Add a super hyper dog and 2 skittish cats to the mix and I am already wishing for a vacation.

I am really excited about the remodeling. And I believe it’s going to jumpstart more updating projects down the road, too. This is the house I’ve lived in my whole life in and I hope to be here for the rest of my life. Updating and making it safer will not only help me but also my parents, who are aging here in place.

They came on Tuesday and demoed the bathroom except for the commode. Wow! It’s exciting that these long-awaited-for projects are now really going to happen.

Well, that’s what’s new with me. What’s going on in your life???

Now let me show you some fun stuff I found at the H&H Fall Edition trade show.

Fun Finds at H&H Fall Edition

I’m excited to show you some of the cool and fun things I discovered at H&H. Some of them even followed me home. I’ve provided links where I could for additional info/shopping. Ask for them at your favorite quilt shop!

Here they are in no particular order:

Pink

I don’t know if you all are aware, but I have come to love the color PINK. It’s such a versatile color that can go cool or warm and there’s a shade for every mood. Anyway, YAY PINK.

At H&H, one of the fabric designer booths for Moda stopped me right in my tracks – oh my goodness – a pink Christmas collection coming to a shop near you in 2027 called December Darling. The booth was decorated in the most charming way. I even got the chance to meet the designer, Heather Briggs of My Sew Quilty Life! What fun! You can bet I’m gonna get me some December Darling fabric for Christmas 2027.

A festive display featuring various holiday-themed quilts, a small decorated Christmas tree, and decorative pillows, set up in a booth with light-colored flooring and a black carpet.
A fabric bundle titled 'December Darling' by Heather Briggs, featuring floral patterns in red, pink, and green. Displayed next to a quilted table and festive cards.
A woman stands in a booth displaying a variety of colorful quilts and fabric, holding a gingerbread-themed pillow. The booth features patterned quilts with Christmas trees, stars, and various festive designs.

A NEW Quilt Book I’ve Gotta Have!

My friends at Schiffer Publishing just released this very exciting quilt book, Old Quilts Made New, by Teresa Duryea Wong. I am very excited to add this book to my quilt library. Using vintage quilt blocks in new projects was the topic of my very first quilt book, Orphan Block Quilts, back in 2010 so you know this book totally spoke to me when I saw it at the show. And the cover is really eye-catching!

Book titled 'Old Quilts Made New' by Teresa Duryea Wong, featuring colorful quilt patterns and designs, displayed at a booth.

As I mentioned last week, vintage is trending right now. Possibly because of our USA 250th birthday this year. Reusing, repurposing, and recycling are definitely activities you can do with vintage textiles for sure! And this book would be a great addition to your quilting library.

My Dream Studio

I was thrilled to see Dream Box at the show. Have you seen their amazing studio furniture??? Man, I would absolutely love love love to have a Dream Box setup for quilting. I’d never even close the doors because I wouldn’t want to stop looking at all the amazing storage and how I could hide – er, organize – all my stuff in one place. What a dream come true that would be. So if you know anyone at Dreambox…….tell them I’d love to find one of their quilting setups under my Christmas tree this year. I promise, I’ve been very nice (never naughty)…….

A modern craft workspace featuring a large white table and an organized shelving unit filled with colorful crafting supplies, set against a light pink backdrop.
A modern craft room setup featuring a white desk with a pink chair, surrounded by organized storage units filled with crafting materials, paper, and supplies. A promotional banner for 'Create Room' is displayed nearby, suggesting efficient crafting solutions. The background contains a textile display and a small seating area.
A white craft table with drawers displayed in a trade show setting, featuring a pink backdrop with the text 'CREATE ROOM. in view, in reach, in seconds.'

I also spied this awesome new sewing machine from Janome. It’s a Continental M6 and features Laundry Basket Quilts. Don’t you just love the turquoise?????? Now don’t get me wrong, I love my Janome 8900, but it’s not quite as pretty as this machine. Sigh……wouldn’t this look incredible in my Dream Box studio???? Just keep dreamin’……….

A Janome sewing machine displayed on a wooden table, showcasing a modern design with a blue and white color scheme and a digital interface.

Sewing Kits for Moms and Kids

This next find wasn’t a quilty find at all, but rather a hand-sewing find. How many of you are always looking for fun and useful sewing projects you can actually do with your kids/grandkids? I see some hands raised out there. LOL!

Check out these adorable 18″ doll clothes outfit kits by Sew It! Workshop. The kits come with everything you need except for your basic sewing supplies like scissors and pins. The pieces are even precut so you can get right to the fun of sewing with your kiddo. What a great way to make something fun and enjoy some screen free time together.

Not into dolls? Then there are some other great kits, too.

Two dolls displayed on a colorful fabric, surrounded by craft kits and a decorative cup. The left doll has dark hair and glasses, while the right doll has blonde hair and a sweater.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Ellen Lumpkin Brown, and she was a delight to chat with. I was really excited to see her doll clothes kits, especially because the outfits themselves are attractive and trendy for today’s 18″ dolls – you’ve got to check out the adorable overalls and t-shirt!

Must Have Fabric

Our quilting partner, Hoffman Fabrics of California, wasn’t too far from us at the show – only around the corner. One of my absolute favorite fabric finds is Hoffman’s upcoming gnome collection called Gnome Sweet Gnome and it is a huge collection – 12 seasonal panels, mini quilt panel, and tons of coordinates for each of the 12 seasonal panels. Oh! Be still my heart! There’s nothing I love more than seasonal stuff. And gnomes. Then Hoffman goes and puts the 2 together –swoonworthy!

I had some fun before the show making a sample quilt for Hoffman’s display. My sample is the blue and gold one folded over the quilt rack (it’s the January panel and coordinates). I used our VRD Homecoming pattern.

Shhhhh! My quilt has a secret – it is a 2 sided quilt. On the front you see the January panel, but on the back is the February panel also in the Homecoming pattern. Let me tell you, I sure was nervous about machine quilting it as it was my first 2 sided quilt project. And then the binding – I was scratching my head over which method to use and how to choose a fabric that looked good on both sides (I did not want to even attempt a 2 sided binding). With Robin’s help (Hi Robin!), I chose the gold because it definitely matched the January side and there was just enough gold on the February side to make it work. And I chose to do a machine-stitched binding with a gold thread. I can say I was very pleased with the result – and there it was on display at the H&H Trade Show. Nice!

A display of colorful quilts in a fabric shop, featuring a Halloween-themed quilt with a blue background and orange border, and seasonal quilts hanging on the right, along with fabric rolls and decorative items on a table.
A display of colorful quilts at a craft show, featuring a prominent blue quilt with a star and winter-themed imagery, alongside other quilts and quilting books on a table.

Here are my digital mockups of the January and February Gnome Sweet Gnome panels in our Homecoming pattern so you can see how adorable the panels are and how great they look in Homecoming!

A winter-themed quilt featuring playful animals and a snowman surrounded by snowflakes and trees, with the text 'Snowflake Season' at the center.
VRD Homecoming Pattern designed by Tricia Maloney
A colorful quilt design featuring a central illustration of two cute gnomes holding a heart with the text 'I love you so Berry much.' The quilt is bordered with patterns of pink and red hearts, flowers, and gnome motifs.
VRD Homecoming Pattern designed by Tricia Maloney

Aren’t these really fun??? Well, stay tuned until next year for a whole year of Gnome Sweet Gnome coming in 2027 – the fabrics will be available at your favorite quilt shop January 2027.

Fabric Pressing Mats

Right across from our VRD booth was the Benson Marketing Group. If you are a shop owner, you are probably already familiar with them as they can print your shop logo on your bags, pens, and other promotional items. Anyway, my attention was really caught by their brand new product – silicone pressing mats that can withstand up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Wowzer! But what really got me excited (a lot more than a boring grey wool pressing mat) was that they are actually embedding quilting fabric in the silicone. How cool is that? Or should I say hot???

Of course, a few of them followed me home……….

Silicone pressing mat with a colorful cat design, featuring various stylized cats in vibrant colors, packaged with a hanging tab.

Here is the 8″ x 12″ mini mat you can put right beside your sewing machine. I chose this great cat one because it’s a favorite Hoffman print of mine from their not-too-long-ago digital collection called Crafty Cats. You might remember I did a tutorial of my VRD Charlie pattern for the blog a short while back. You can find the Charlie pattern HERE and the Charlie tutorial HERE.

A colorful fabric featuring vintage sewing machines in various colors alongside illustrated cats, designed for crafting or sewing projects.

This is the large size at a nice 18″ x 18″, perfect for my pressing station. Yes, I chose another cat fabric, but I really loved the bright sewing machines along with the cute cats. It was seriously difficult to pick out the fabric designs because I loved them all – they had fabrics from all the top designers plus lots of fun and novelty designs. I’m excited that these mats will not only make me smile while I’m pressing but they will also brighten up my Mount Cluttermore sewing dungeon.

These mats were flying off the shelves at the show, so I am thinking these are going to be HOT sellers at your local quilt shops.

Colorful Studio Storage

I’m always on the lookout for storage options for my Mount Cluttermore studio – the name says it all, doesn’t it??? LOL! At the trade show, I found these awesome felted wool bowls. They came in different sizes and so many beautiful colors. Fibres of Life is a free trade company working with Nepalese artisans.

Two handmade felt bowls in shades of pink and purple, sitting on top of a sewing machine.
Fibres of Life Felted Wool Ombre Bowls

They had A LOT of other items besides bowls, but that’s what caught my eye and what I brought home. I also grabbed some “waste wool” pet items for my fur kids – 3 felted wool mousies and a felted wool bone. I had to get the extra mousie for Bailly (my Shih Tzu) because if there was only 2, she’d steal one from the kitties and we can’t have that, can we? So little Miss Bailly got a bone and a mousie. Nope, she’s not spoiled…….

Aren’t these bowls awesome??? I actually grabbed 3 large and 3 small bowls. They will look fab on open shelves someday in my studio (or maybe on shelves in my future Dream Box???) with buttons or ribbon or other fun sewing stuff in them…..

A set of five colorful felt containers arranged on a circular base, featuring shades of blue, green, and purple.
Fibres of Life Tidy Pod Set

I really want to get one of their pods and tray sets, too. But they only had them for display, not for sale at the show. Bummer…….guess I’ll just have to order a set…..or 2.

Well, these are the top things that really excited me at the show, although there really was a lot of great collections, fabrics, quilts, precuts, notions, and more to inspire me. I’ll be watching my local shops for new stuff coming soon and I hope you will do the same.

Have a great week. And wish me luck getting any time in the bathroom this week while the contractors work their magic on a 50+ year old space.

Catch you later, alligator!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilt Shows and Trade Shows · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

NEW October Rose Card Quilt Patterns and What’s Trending at H&H Fall Edition

rosecards2 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Yay! It’s the Thursday after the first Fry-day in October so that means……..NEW PATTERNS! And I know you’re gonna love ’em!

Graphic showcasing five quilt patterns for October 2026: Hyde Hall, Raspberry Ribbon Pie, Sparta, Love Letters, and Window Cats, with pricing of $8.95 for the set.

You can get the set of 5 print patterns HERE

Hyde Hall is Pat’s new pattern for this month. It finishes at 50″ x 68″ and features 10 FQs, 2 half yards, and binding. You can find a kit for the same Kaffe fabrics as the pattern front HERE.

Love Letters is Melissa’s latest design. It finishes at 48″ x 60″ and uses FQs and yardage. You can find a fun red and pink kit HERE.

Raspberry Ribbon Pie is Heidi’s new panel pattern. It finishes at 54″ x 60″. You can find a fun winter kit HERE.

Sparta is Rachelle’s newest design. This fun and fast make finishes at 48″ x 60″ and features 2.5″ strips.

Window Cats is my latest quilt pattern. It finishes at a nice wall quilt size of 38″ x 38″, but it’s simple to add more kitty blocks to make it larger if desired.

Did you notice we have a bit of a pink theme going on this month? It’s in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness.

But wait! There’s more!

We also have 2 new accessory patterns this month! Woohoo!

October’s pillow pattern is called Acorn Alley. It finishes at 18″ x 18″ and can be completed as a pillow or a wall quilt. Bailly is optional.

A cozy living room scene featuring a beige sofa with a decorative patchwork pillow titled 'Acorn Alley Pillow' by Tricia Lynn Maloney. A small, fluffy dog sits on the sofa, looking towards the camera.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

We have 3 different kit options available for Acorn Alley:

Tonal kit

Kaffe kit

Tula kit

Finally, this month’s table runner, Touchdown!, is absolutely perfect for the season – football season, that is! Use your favorite football fabrics or try it in solids like I did.

A quilt design featuring football shapes on a green background, with the text 'Touchdown!' at the top, and a decorative couch with an American flag football and a bag beside it.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Hmmm, now I’m wondering – which one will you make first?

What’s Trending at H&H Fall Edition

I didn’t get to talk much about the H&H trade show in last week’s post, so this next section will tell you all about what I saw trending at the show.

I flew back to PA on Saturday, taking a long detour at the Tamps airport. I wonder who comes up with the unique and interesting layovers – it’s something like “See the world, try to fly back home.” LOL! But the Tampa airport was very nice and after getting some food, I settled down and worked on my laptop for a couple hours before finally heading back to good ol’ PA. Robin met me at the Pittsburgh airport and brought me home. Thank you, Robin!

You should have seen my little Bailly when I walked in the front door, finally home. She literally leaped into my arms and proceeded to lick every park of me she could reach. When she was satisfied that I was her person and I was home, she sat down politely and waited for her little surprise. Of course, I always bring her something home when I travel. Actually I brought little felted wool mice and a felted wool bone home for her and my 2 kitties, Griffy and Pip.

Let’s see what’s trending at H&H, shall we?

Wearables

We talked about patchwork clothing and accessories a couple weeks ago and I’m thrilled to tell you that patchwork wearables were well-represented at H&H! Yes, I am still dying to make a pair of pretty patchwork overalls……as soon as I can. LOL!

Take a look at some of the fun clothing I saw at the trade show – pants, dresses, skirts, and more:

A person wearing beige pants adorned with a colorful triangular pattern in shades of purple, green, yellow, and orange on the side.
Visitors exploring a sewing booth at a trade show, featuring magnetic sewing tools and supplies. One person carries a green wheeled bag and another wears a colorful dress with floral patterns.
A person standing in a store aisle wearing a colorful patchwork skirt and light-colored shoes, with various craft supplies visible in the background.
A colorful patchwork quilted jacket with a hood, featuring various patterns including animals and plants, displayed against a backdrop of patterned quilts.
A person wearing colorful, patterned wide-leg pants stands in front of a display table at a sewing convention, with various sewing supplies visible in the background.
Back view of a floral-patterned dress on a mannequin, featuring a unique cross-back design. The setting includes colorful quilt displays and people browsing at an event.
Colorful patchwork overalls hanging on a display, alongside a matching purple jacket and various patterned accessories, against a blue wall.
These are the patchwork overalls of my dreams! Anna Maria was walking around the show wearing them and I totally fell in love with the bright happy colors. It will be a new pattern coming soon for her. Can’t wait!

Whether it’s an entire patchwork garment, simply an appliqued quilt block, or a pieced accent, patchwork on clothing is hot, hot, hot! Although I didn’t grab any photos of bags – patchwork bags were everywhere I looked for sure!

Vintage, Antique, Traditional, Recycled …. or Old is New Again

Old is new again! I think this trend probably has something to do with celebrating our USA 250th birthday this year. And the cool thing is that this old is new again style crosses over into clothing, quilts, sewing, cosplay, and more!

A close-up view of the book 'Old Quilts Made New' by Teresa Duryea Wong, featuring colorful quilt patterns on the cover, placed on a dark surface with a QR code partially visible.
I’m really excited about this new book by author Teresa Duryea Wong. You can find it HERE.
A woman with curly hair wearing a brightly colored floral dress interacts with a vendor at a booth, while another vendor smiles in the background. The booth features various fabric and craft items, along with a welcome sign.
This dress was AMAZING! Although you can’t tell from the photo – the dress was a double knit 1970’s quilt top in a former life! Wow….wow….wow!
A colorful quilt hanging on a wall at an event, with a round white table and green chairs in front. Two additional quilts are draped on either side, creating a cozy display atmosphere.
Antiques Road Show fabric collection at Northcott.

80’s Reboot – NEON!

Rats! I didn’t get any photos to show you, but trust me – neon is back. Sigh…..what’s next big hair and sky-high bangs? Gosh, I hope not.

Anyway, French fabric company Petit Pan, seems to be leading the charge into neon fabrics with fun motifs. The new twist is mixing thos 80’s neon colors with brights and pastels to add emphasis and pop. I wish I had taken a photo of the Petit Pan booth, but sadly I didn’t. :>(

To show you what I mean, here is Catherine’s quilt, Colby, on display in our VRD booth. Check out her neon yellow binding!

A woman in a red patterned blouse is leaning over a table covered with a purple tablecloth, arranging items. Colorful quilted wall hangings with geometric patterns are visible in the background.
Hi Pat!

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into the H&H Fall Edition trade show.

Stop back next week to see the new products that really excited me. Of course, I brought a few home. Did you expect anything different???

Have a wonderful colorful week! Big hair is optional. LOL!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilt Shows and Trade Shows · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

H&H Americas Here I Come!

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Today’s blog post is coming to you live (well, sorta) from Houston, Texas! I am here for the first H&H Americas Fall Edition here in Texas. VRD will have a booth at the show and I will be helping our Rose Queen, Pat, in the booth. Catherine and Sarah from Running Does Quilts will be here, too. We are located in booth #911. If you are attending the event, I hope you’ll stop by and say howdy.

Colorful illustration of a map showing the route from Pennsylvania to Houston, Texas, with an airplane and decorative elements.
Image created by moi with AI tools

What is H&H Americas, you might ask. Well, it’s a trade show for the craft industry, including quilting, cosplay, and fibre crafts such as knitting, crochet, and wool. H&H has filled the gap left by Quilt Market, which ended last fall after many many years of leading the industry.

H&H has many similar events to Quilt Market jam-packed into 3 days. That includes exhibits, classes and workshops, the show floor, Sample It (a fun shopping experience for shop owners), and more. WHEW! It’s a veritable whirlwind of activity.

So……..here I am in Houston, TX.

Let me tell you about my trip down. My quilty pal Robin rode down with me to the Pittsburgh airport and then drove my cute little red Jeep home (she will drive it back down Saturday to collect me at the airport). Thank you, Robin. 🙂

I spent all of Tuesday traveling because I had a couple hour layover in Nashville, Tennessee. This was the first time I’ve ever been to Tennessee (I guess I can add it to the states I’ve been to now, right?). The Nashville airport was HUGE! It felt like I had to walk miles and miles to get from the gate where my flight from Pittsburgh dropped me off to the gate where I would board the plane to Houston’s Hobby Airport. The good news was that I wasn’t in a hurry as I had a couple hours until take off so I could take my time.

Of course, I grabbed some food and found a nice spot to hunker down for a while. One of my favorite things to do when I am in different places is to people watch. Someday I’m going to put my observations to good use and write some mystery fiction. Sigh……someday.

Then it was back into the air for the last leg of my trip. I was pretty exhausted by this point so I just listened to a fun cozy mystery audiobook and watched the clouds out the window. Yep, I love sitting in the window seat and enjoying the view. Which is weird, as I’m not particularly into heights, but there it is. Anyway, I took lots of interesting pictures of the clouds and photos of the ground far far below.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Aerial view of the clouds and a river reflecting sunlight, with part of an airplane wing visible in the foreground.
Check out the golden hued river. Isn’t that gorgeous?
Aerial view of a landscape under a cloudy sky with varying cloud formations and shades of gray and white.
A view of fluffy white clouds scattered against a blue sky, with soft sunlight illuminating the scene.
Aerial view of fluffy white clouds under a blue sky with sunlight rays visible. The image shows part of an airplane wing in the lower corner.
Aerial view of fluffy white clouds against a blue sky, with a partial airplane wing visible in the foreground.
Aerial view of a landscape featuring clouds and sunlight rays breaking through gray skies.
Here you can see the scattered showers over Houston.


Here is a pretty cool series of flying into, through, and out of big white fluffy clouds.

View from an airplane window showing a jet engine and thick white clouds beneath a cloudy sky.
View from an airplane window showing the wing and engine of a Southwest Airlines plane over a cloudy sky.
View from an airplane window showing a wing, clouds, and a cityscape below.

Pat picked me up in Houston, we grabbed a bite at Whataburger Have you seen their ginormous burgers??? I could only eat half of mine. LOL! Leftovers! I wish we had a Whataburger where I live, but they haven’t made it up to Northwestern Pennsylvania yet. Too bad.

After eating, we stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some breakfast and lunch stuff. Then finally to the house Pay rented. After unloading and putting things away, I collapsed on my bed and that’s where I stayed for quite some time. Wow!

SHHH! I’ll tell you a terrible secret – I am a terrible traveler. I never drink enough water, ever. It’s not like I don’t know that I should and I have every intention of doing so, but somehow chocolate milkshakes and Dr. Pepper are much more appealing and keep me awake and moving. Huh. I will just have to try harder next time. I am also a chronic over-packer. I come by this naturally, of course – I was once a Girl Scout and I like to be prepared for anything and I also inherited it from my Mom. Thanks Mom.

I have a friend named Leslie who has an amazing talent – she can pack for an entire week in a duffle bag. And I’m not talking about a big duffle bag on wheels, just a small to normal sized duffle bag that you sling over your arm. As hard as I try, I just can’t seem to channel Leslie’s skill. I wonder if there is an online class somewhere that teaches you how to pack everything you need for a week in a single bag. Sign me up for that one, please. So I brought my crossbody satchel, my laptop case, and my small suitcase. I do have a little bit of extra space just in case I find some cool stuff to take home with me (you’ll have to stop back next week to see what I found).

Well, Wednesday is set up day for the VRD booth. First, we found the booth location and went to get our badges. Happily I ran into my pal, Cathey, from Cathey Marie Designs. Of course, she was stuffing her face with chocolate. She did offer to share, bless her. Hopefully, we’ll get a few minutes at some point to catch up.

Then it was time to get busy getting the booth ready.


Here is our “before” photo of the booth:

A vendor booth setup displaying tables with various items, including colorful fabric rolls, a water bottle, and packaging boxes. There are empty chairs and a sign indicating the booth name, 'Villa Rosa Designs'. The area is enclosed by a black curtain.

And…….Voila! Here is the “after” photo of the booth.

A colorful quilt display at a craft fair booth featuring various intricate quilt patterns and vibrant fabrics, with a vendor organizing items on a table draped in purple fabric.


The show kicks off Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM for a western-themed preview night. Sadly, I didn’t bring any western togs – other than jeans, I don’t have anything western in my wardrobe, even though I live in the wilds of Pennsylvania. LOL!

It was lovely to see all those smiling people stopping by the booth!

Stop back next Thursday for more H&H F U N!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Rose Cards · Seasonal Quilting · villa rosa designs

Quilts Aren’t Just for Beds: Decorating with Quilts This Fall

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Let me wish everyone a Happy First Day of Autumn!

Cozy fall decor featuring quilts, coffee mugs, pumpkins, and autumn leaves with a sign that says 'Happy Fall Y'all'.
Image created by moi using AI tools

With summer behind us and the kiddos back in school, I bet you have big plans for fall! Me, I plan to get caught up from a summer that went totally sideways on me. Yikes! Whew, I am heartily glad that’s behind me now – I am so ready for a fall reset!

As I’ve mentioned 1 or 2 times (or maybe 100?) already, I LOVE fall – haven’t I been talking about it for a while now? LOL! One of my favorite most bestest things about fall is changing out the clothes in my closet as well as my decor from easy breezy summer to warm and cozy autumn. And I know I’m not alone because apparently the decorating world has suddenly discovered quilts. LOL! Quilts and patchwork decor are showing up all over Pinterest, home dec magazines, catalogs, and stores. I think quilts have been sneaking up on the world of decor as part of the new-fangled Cottagecore style. Yeah……we used to call it country or farmhouse, but now it’s Cottagecore. Whatever we call it, quilters have been doing cozy before cozy was cool. And in my humble (never!) opinion, a house just isn’t a home without quilts.

Anyone can use a quilt on a bed, but there are so many other ways to enjoy quilts and use them in our seasonal decorating.

Quilts as Wall Art

Do you hang quilts on the walls in your home? I do! I have this wonderful big blank wall behind the sofa in the living room and it’s my special place to hang seasonal quilts.

I must admit that I haven’t yet begun changing out my quilts for fall and I probably won’t get to it until the beginning of October. Right now, my red, white, and blue Cabin Fever quilt is still proudly hanging there. You might remember I made this small quilt during our recent Summer Challenge. You can find a tutorial for Cabin Fever HERE.

A colorful quilt displayed on a wall, featuring a patchwork design in red, white, and blue fabrics with floral and star patterns.

Get your Cabin Fever digital pattern HERE or print pattern HERE

I plan to put up my Cabin Cozy panel quilt over the sofa for this fall. I think it will be perfect! And the blue in the quilt will look great with the blues that are already in the living room! It will hang down behind the top of the sofa, but that’s okay with me. I definitely don’t go in for perfect, I am all about comfy cozy.

Here’s an outside photo of Cabin Cozy. I just love the Log Cabin blocks in the corners. Seriously, when I think about cozying up for fall, Log Cabin blocks come to mind for sure.

A quilt featuring an owl surrounded by autumn-themed designs, including flowers and mushrooms, with the text 'I love Fall most of all'. The quilt has a colorful patchwork border in shades of orange and blue, displayed on a grassy field.

Get your Cabin Cozy digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE


Hanging a quilt on the wall is a lot more than just putting up something pretty, though. It’s about seeing quilts as artwork. Yet, quilts are a special kind of artwork that framed art just can’t compete with – quilts add warmth, softness, and texture to our spaces without even trying. They’re quilts and that’s just what they do. No wonder the decorating world is jumping on the quilt bandwagon. But we quilters have always known that, haven’t we?

The Sofa, Chair, and Bench Treatment

Regardless of the season, there are always quilts on the backs of the furniture in my home. I adore my Farmhouse Blues quilt (mine is the one on the front of the pattern) and it lives permanently on the back of my chair.

Cover image of a quilt titled 'Farmhouse Blues,' featuring a blue and white patchwork design draped over an old tractor. The background includes a weathered metal backdrop.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Perhaps I should remake it in autumn colors – so my blue and white version gets a break for a while. Swapping quilts out with the seasons is totally one of my favorite decorating techniques – just another tip from me, the Lazy Quilter (this is what my quilty pals call me behind my back……and to my face, too. LOL!).

Maybe something like this? Using solids would really give Farmhouse Blues a whole new identity – more like Farmhouse Chic. Of course, I’d have to back it with fleece for maximum snuggly-ness on cool autumn evenings here in NW PA while I’m curled up reading a good book or watching TV.

Abstract geometric pattern featuring a grid of colorful squares in shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, and brown.
Farmhouse Blues in autumn colors

Quilts are also great draped or folded over benches, ottomans, or anything else that stands still long enough for us to toss a quilt over. The cats? The dog? Grandma? Sigh……probably not.

Draping and folding quilts is seriously one of the easiest seasonal reset ideas anyone can do because there is no need to stand on ladders or move furniture around. Simply toss a quilt over a piece of furniture and like magic – poof! – autumn decorating at its finest.

Pillows, Table Runners, and Smaller Quilted Pieces

What naturally goes along with all of those quilts tossed over the furniture and hanging on the walls? Pillows, runners, and little quilts, oh my!

Pillows

You may have noticed that I’ve really gotten into seasonal throw pillows this year! You can check out my VRD 18″ seasonal pillow patterns HERE. I love that tossing a seasonal pillow onto a sofa or chair adds a nice little seasonal pop. A seasonal pillow can give our space a nice little boost without having to redesign our whole space. A couch full of fall pillows? Priceless!

A cozy living room sofa adorned with a variety of decorative pillows featuring autumn-themed patterns, including pumpkins and floral designs. An orange knit throw blanket drapes over the arm of the couch, and a coffee table displays decorative pumpkins and books, enhancing the fall ambiance.
Image created by moi using AI tools

Huh. I wish that was my living room, but right now Purrfect Pumpkin is my only fall decoration in the living room, at least until I get Cabin Cozy up on the wall. I just love this cute pillow – it makes me smile every time I see it right before plopping onto my chair. So, even though I haven’t gotten my fall quilts on the walls and the chairs yet, a simple fall patchwork pillow can totally make a bigger seasonal impact than you might think.

A cozy living room scene featuring a small dog sitting beside a decorative pillow shaped like a pumpkin, with a quilt and autumn-themed decor in the background.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

PSST! Don’t you just love Bailly in that photo? I think it’s one of the cutest poses she’s ever done for me. Of course, her fur is really growing out now since her short summer cut and she needs some grooming, but her little expression is just too adorable for words – I think she looks more like a stuffed dog here than a real Shih Tzu. But I assure you, Bailly is a real dog – err, fur girl (I don’t think she considers herself to be a dog at all).


Table Runners

Now don’t get me started on table runners as seasonal decor! I’ve got runners and pillows aplenty for all seasons and holidays, but that never stops me from making new ones, even though I really don’t need any more. But one can never ever have enough seasonal runners.

A wooden dining table adorned with a patchwork table runner in autumn colors, featuring orange, green, and gold squares. A bowl of various pumpkins and gourds is placed at one end, accompanied by decorative fall leaves and a lit candle.
Image created by moi using AI tools

I swear my house is going to explode someday and seasonal quilts, runners, and pillows will shoot into the sky like Old Faithful! Oh dear.

That being said, table runners are another Lazy Quilter decorating secret because you can change the whole look of your dining area by simply laying a seasonal runner on a clean table. Done and done. Of course, you can add baskets, candles, greenery, leaves, and other decorative items to reinforce the season, but a simple table runner by itself can totally be enough.

I have found, though, that table runners aren’t just for tables. You can drape a runner over the back of a chair or sofa. Use it on your coffee table or side tables. Hang a runner on the wall like a banner. If it’s a particularly long runner, you can use it at the bottom of a bed or even across the pillows for a super fast seasonal touch.

Table runners are amazing superheroes without capes when it comes to seasonal decorating. And if you’re like me, you make lots of runners for all seasons and holidays. What better way to enjoy them than by layering your spaces with your runners? Maybe you made a new runner for your table, but those seasonal runners from previous years – you can totally use them everywhere! Easy peasy decorating. You can check out our VRD table runner patterns HERE.

Leaf is definitely one of my favorite fall runners. You can make it in an afternoon (if you have a stash……you probably won’t even need to make a trip to the quilt shop, but then again it’s never a bad idea to stop by your local shop because they might just have the perfect fat quarter….or ten that you can’t live without) and it can easily be lengthened by adding more blocks if needed. PLUS – you could make an extra block and turn it into a matching pillow!

A quilted table runner displayed on grass and autumn leaves, featuring a geometric design with warm colors and black borders. The title 'LEAF' is prominently featured at the top.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Other Small Quilts

There are lots of other small quilty objects beyond pillows and runners. Table mats (which are usually square or rectangular but not narrow like runners), place mats, snack mats, mug mats, banners, and mini quilts are all fun examples of small quilty projects.

Cozy living room scene featuring a light-colored sofa adorned with a colorful quilt and pillows, a wooden coffee table with cookies and a warm drink, decorative fall-themed accents, and a wall hanging with a geometric pattern.
Image created by moi with AI tools

Small quilts are especially fun for seasonal decorating because they are so easy to move around and tuck into unexpected places. A little quilt can sit under a basket or tumble out of a bowl on a table, hang from a peg or drape over a cabinet door, dress up the back of a chair, or add a pop of color to a shelf or hutch. You can even layer a small quilt with other decorations you already have instead of buying anything new.

And because these projects are small, they’re a great way to use up scraps, try a new color combination, or make something seasonal without committing to a full-size quilt. I love that kind of project — quick enough to finish in a reasonable amount of time, but still big enough to make a room feel different. Small quilts may not take up much space, but they can bring a surprising amount of personality to a room.

Let Your Quilt Choose the Colors

One of my favorite things about decorating with quilts is that the quilt itself can do most of the decorating work for you. Instead of trying to dream up an entire color scheme for a room, start with a quilt you love and pull a few colors from it.

Maybe your quilt has rust, teal, gold, and cream. There you go — instant fall palette! Add a pillow or two, a basket, some greenery or leaves, maybe a candle, and suddenly the whole room feels warm and seasonal.

And you definitely do not need everything to match perfectly. In fact, I think rooms are much more interesting when they look collected over time instead of looking like everything came home from the store in one giant matching set.

Of course, this is also another excellent excuse to let a favorite quilt be the star of the room. Not that we quilters actually need another excuse. LOL!

Autumn Doesn’t Have to Be Orange

Now, I love orange as much as the next fall-obsessed person, but autumn decorating doesn’t have to mean pumpkins and bright orange everywhere. It’s more about capturing that cozy fall feeling! If that’s pumpkins for you, then you do pumpkins. But there’s a whole lot more to fall than just pumpkins.

Think about some of the other colors we see in fall — olive green, deep red, mustard, brown, plum, navy, teal, cream, and even dusty pink. I just love looking at all the colors captured in a fall leaf. Depending on the type of tree, you can find pink to orange to red, yellow to orange to brown, purple to brown, and every color in between! A quilt in any of these colors can feel perfectly autumnal without containing a single pumpkin.

That’s definitely one of the things I love most about decorating with quilts. Depending on the colors and fabrics, the whole mood of a room can change just by swapping out the quilt on the wall or the one tossed over the back of a chair.

A cozy bedroom featuring a patchwork quilt on a bed with multiple pillows, a wooden bench with a bowl and books, and a comfortable chair in the corner. Soft natural light shines through a window, creating a warm atmosphere.
Image created by moi using AI tools

And because quilts already bring so much color, texture, and personality with them, you really don’t need to add much else. Unless you want to………

Quilts Make a House Feel Like Home

Maybe that’s why the decorating world is suddenly so excited about quilts and patchwork.

Quilts aren’t just pretty things. They add softness, warmth, color, texture, and personality all at the same time. Some quilts remind us of people we love. Some remind us of a special fabric collection, a class, a trip, a challenge, or even just a particular season of our lives. Some can even represent your heritage.

And unlike a lot of home decor, quilts are meant to be used and enjoyed. You can hang them on the wall today, toss them over the sofa tomorrow, and curl up under them when the weather turns cold.

I think that’s why quilts make a home feel so personal. They don’t just decorate a room — they tell a little bit of our story.

Bring on the Quilts!

So maybe the decorating world has finally caught up with us quilters. LOL!

Quilts really are pretty perfect home decor: colorful, cozy, practical, personal, and made to be enjoyed. Hang them on the walls, toss them over furniture, layer them on beds, drape them over benches, or scatter smaller quilted pieces around the house.

And if your house starts looking like quilts are slowly taking over every available surface?

Well…you’re probably doing fall decorating exactly right.

Now I want to know — how do you decorate with quilts in your home? Do you change yours with the seasons, or do you have favorites that stay out all year long?

That’s it for me this week! See you next time.

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Just Quilty Stuff · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

From Quilt Rack to Runway: Quilting Is Having a Fashion Moment

rosecards4 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

This week I’ve definitely detected a touch of fall in the air and I really don’t mind at all. It means longer walks with my dog. Open windows instead of air conditioning. Capris and jeans instead of shorts. Warm days and cool nights. Adding a colorful quilt to my bed. Leaves and pumpkins. Warm cider and sweaters.

C’mon in, Fall, I’m ready!

Speaking of the warmth and colors of fall, have you noticed that all of a sudden quilting is trendy in the fashion world? Quilted vests and jackets, tote bags and purses, patches on jeans, and don’t forget the accessories!

This really cracks me up because as quilters, we’ve been adding quilty things to all aspects of our lives for, well, hundreds of years. And now the fashion industry thinks they’ve created something brand new!

Seriously?

How many of you have made quilted bags or totes? Jackets or vests? Patched your jeans? If I had to guess, I’d say probably most of you!

As quilters, we’ve known for a long long time that patchwork and quilting can make something as humble as scraps of fabric into a work of art, a gift for someone special, something to warm you or to decorate your table, and quilts have always provided comfort to those in need. And yes, quilts can even be worn.

Two women standing outdoors in autumn, wearing quilted jackets with floral patterns. One is wearing a turtleneck sweater, while the other has a scarf draped around her neck. Colorful fall foliage in the background.
image made by moi using AI tools

One trend I’m seeing lately is taking antique and vintage quilts, cutting them up, and then sewing them into coats and jackets. I totally love the idea, but I’m not sure I could chop up a beautiful perfect antique quilt and turn it into a jacket. I must admit the ones I’ve seen online are simply gorgeous. It’s certainly a clever form of recycling and reusing, but I worry about someone chopping up an historically significant quilt.

I don’t have a problem with someone using damaged or common less valuable quilts to make a jacket, other wearables, or crafts – after all, I used to make Christmas stockings out of worn out and damaged quilts (the more patched and tattered, the better for those stockings). However, seeing someone use a special one of a kind priceless quilt would absolutely break my heart as I’m all for preserving our quilting history.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that before anyone chops up an antique quilt to make a jacket or other wearable, please please please take the time to make sure it’s not a special quilt with an important provenance.

I must admit that looking at all of those yummy jackets made out of quilts makes me want to make one, too. So I have decided either I’m going to find a big box store quilt at the thrift store or perhaps use a UFO quilt top that’s been hanging out in my stash for too long. Of course, I’d have to first layer and quilt my UFO before chopping it up and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Another idea would be to use an Indian Kantha quilt. Kantha quilts are only 2 layers (no batting), are often made from used saris or leftover sari fabrics, and are hand-quilted with hand-stitched edges. Without batting, Kanthas would be less bulky and more flexible as a wearable.

How about that – I now have a plan for making my very own quilt jacket. Of course, I’ll have to decide on a pattern…..

OH MY! I just fell down the Etsy rabbit hole! I typed “Quilt jacket” into search and got tons of different options from patterns to finished objects. I saw coats and jackets, hoodies, overalls, dresses, skirts, shirts, purses and bags, and even a patchwork doggie jacket (Bailly has to have one of those for sure!).

WOW!

Here is the link to all the fun quilted wearables and patterns I was looking at and drooling over, just in case you need a little eye candy inspiration, too:

Quilt Wearables on Etsy

A family poses outdoors in a rural setting during autumn, wearing colorful patchwork outfits. The group includes a woman in a hat and a two women in festive jackets, along with two children and a small dog dressed in matching attire. Vibrant fall foliage and a rustic background complete the scene.
image made by moi using AI tools

But wait! Maybe I don’t want to take hours and hours to either find a used quilt or to make one from scratch so I can chop it up and resew it into a jacket. Then what?

Aha! I could buy a finished quilt jacket or wearable. There are lots of sewists out there making these awesome jackets and wearables and selling them on Etsy or other craft sites. Sometimes you even get to choose the actual quilt you want to be made into your very own one of a kind jacket.

There really are lots of fun options out there for people who sew and for those who want the look but don’t want to make it themselves.

Collage featuring models wearing quilted patchwork clothing in an autumn setting, including jackets, dresses, and hoodies, along with a dog in a quilted coat.
image made by moi using AI tools

Looking at these fun images, I have just now suddenly decided I MUST HAVE A PAIR OF QUILTY OVERALLS! They are absolutely too cute for words. I don’t know if I’d want all 3 layers, though. Maybe just the front and a lining or else the overalls might not move with you when you bend and such.

I wonder what I’d look like in a pair of quilty overalls?

A smiling woman wearing colorful patchwork overalls stands beside a small dog on a porch decorated with autumn flowers and pumpkins.
image made by moi using AI tools

Awwww, here I am as a virtual model (I wish I looked that good – LOL!). Now I really really have to get a pair of quilty overalls!

Of course……..I could get some patchwork printed overalls and avoid all the work of putting together a quilt, quilting it, then cutting it up, and sewing it into a pair of overalls. I bet there are loads of cute ones out there.

Look at this pair I found on Amazon! And they are 100% cotton, not polyester. You get that quilty look without the time, effort, or the bulk of actual quilt overalls. They look so light and airy AND come in other prints and colors, too, with sizes from small to 3XL. What fun! They totally remind me of an Indian Kantha, too. Sew cute!!!!

Colorful patchwork dungaree dress featuring various intricate patterns and designs.

You can find them HERE.

I am definitely going to buy a pair and if I like them, then I’ll probably get a few more pairs just for kicks. They would be great to wear to quilt shows and other events, especially paired with a quilty jacket. Woohoo – look who’s jumping onto the patchwork and quilty style clothing wagon! Yep…..ME!

PSST! I must admit I’m a Lazy Quilter. I used to make purses and bags for myself all the time……until I discovered Vera Bradley bags.

All the colors and designs and options – a bag for every purpose. And you see them everywhere. I began buying them secondhand because I couldn’t buy the fabrics/patterns/supplies for as little as a gently used Vera Bradley bag sells for – not too mention all the time one invests in making a well-made bag. Sigh……so I jumped onto the Vera Bradley bandwagon. Now I have oodles of bags in all different colors and sizes. All purchased secondhand at local thrift shops or even on eBay once or twice. This is one of my easy peasy ways to add color and pattern (and a bit of quilty-ness) to my everyday.

Below you’ll see just a few of the Vera bags that are currently living in my studio. I haven’t even used these ones yet, but I do buy them when I find them and the price is right. Eventually, I will need to let some of my Vera bags go so they stay in circulation.

A large, colorful quilted tote bag with purple, green, and floral patterns next to a smaller pouch with vibrant yellow and floral designs, placed on a patterned chair.
Three colorful fabric bags displayed against a textured background. The bags feature floral patterns and various styles, including a larger handbag with short handles and two smaller crossbody bags.

Speaking of quilty bags and wearables, did you know we actually have some great accessory patterns right here at VRD???

Amanda Jane is a very fun and satisfying apron with 7 – count ’em – 7 pockets! You can really scrap up this apron and add lots of fun fabrics. You could even cut the front of the apron from a piece of patchwork.

Promotional image for Amanda Jane Seven-Pocket Work Apron featuring two colorful aprons with a floral and geometric pattern, showcasing fabric requirements and sizing details.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Inessa Jane is a simple-to-sew Infinity scarf. Imagine using pieced strips instead of single fabrics for this scarf? Wouldn’t that be unique and add a real punch to your wardrobe?

A graphic showing three different styles of infinity scarves displayed on mannequins, with instructions on fabric requirements for making the scarves. The design includes floral elements and labels for 'Inessa Jane' and 'Villa Rosa Designs'.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Olivia Jane is a super fun patchwork tote bag. Have extra or leftover quilt blocks? You could use those for the front and back of the tote. Just sayin’……

Illustration of Olivia Jane Charm Square Patchwork Tote by Villa Rosa Designs, featuring three tote bag views labeled A, B, and C, along with colorful patchwork designs and a floral background.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Savannah Jane is a wonderful patchwork scarf. Use your scraps, your stash, or head to the quilt shop for a brand new sparkling pack of 5″ squares. Your scarf……your rules.

A stylish display of the Savannah Jane Charm Square Patchwork Scarf featuring various fabric patterns, showcased on dress forms against a colorful background. The design includes multiple views of the scarf worn in different ways and a matching patchwork accessory. Branding for Villa Rosa Designs is included at the bottom.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Tabitha Jane is a fab fat quarter tote bag. I know you have fat quarters in your stash. And what about those uber cute bundles that you had to bring home from the quilt shop? This tote bag uses 6 fat quarters so it’s a great option that uses up an entire bundle. Or this is a great reason to dive into your stash and pull out some oldies but goodies (I know you have some of those).

A promotional poster for a reversible tote bag design by Tabitha Jane, featuring images of four different tote bags, fabric requirements, and construction details. The bags are displayed with colorful patterns and a shoulder strap.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Isn’t it great that quilts don’t have to stay on beds or walls or tables or the back of your couch? You can wear a quilt to the grocery store………to the coffee shop……to the quilt show……

Quilts can go with you everywhere that you go!

Well, that’s it for me today. I’m off to order my new patchwork overalls and maybe check out the latest eBay listings for Vera Bradley bags.

Take care, have a great week, and I’ll see you right back here next week.

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Free Quilt Blocks and Patterns · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

Free Scrappy Color Me Autumn Leaf Quilt Block Pattern PDF

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

I trust you all survived Labor Day weekend? I did! Happily, I had 2 days of sewing with my sewing buddy, Robin (Hi Robin!) – yay! – and I went to Robin’s 2 year old grandson’s birthday party. It was a good weekend.

Today, I’ve got a free fun little scrappy fall leaf block pattern PDF download for you.

This block, which I’ve named Colorful Me Autumn, is adapted from one of the leaves on the throw in the background of my new September Rose Card pattern, Purrfect Pumpkin. You can see the throw on the pattern, below, over on the right side on the top of the chair.

Just the other day, I had a question asking if I had the pattern for the throw. Although I couldn’t reproduce the entire throw, I did adapt one of the blocks for you.

A cozy scene featuring a small dog sitting beside a decorative pillow with a pumpkin design on a gray couch. A quilt with autumn leaves is draped over the back of the couch.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Here’s the Color Me Autumn block. Isn’t it fun??? You can make it totally scrappy so you can raid your own fabric stash OR use a single fabric for each block to make your quilt more organized. The block finishes at a nice 12″ x 12″.

A colorful geometric design featuring a star shape composed of red, yellow, purple, orange, and brown squares and triangles on a light background.

Below is the PDF download with instructions for making the block:

VRD Color Me Autumn Block InstructionsDownload

Now let’s throw the Color Me Autumn block into some quilt settings to give you some ideas. What fun!

Here’s a simple 4×5 setting of scrappy blocks set side to side with a border.

A colorful quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of star shapes in red, purple, yellow, and brown against a cream background, framed by an orange border.

And here’s the block with sashing and squares.

A colorful quilt pattern featuring repeating geometric shapes in shades of red, yellow, orange, purple, and brown on a light background.

Here is the block on point with a border.

A vibrant quilt design featuring a geometric pattern with colorful diamond and star shapes against an orange background.

And here’s one with rows.

A colorful quilt pattern featuring geometric shapes, primarily arrows, in shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple against a light background, bordered with an orange frame.

Now let’s make some quilt magic with our block by adding other blocks to create secondary designs!

A geometric quilt design featuring colorful arrows in red, orange, yellow, and purple against a brown and cream checkerboard background.
A colorful quilt pattern featuring geometric shapes including diamonds and triangles, primarily in red, yellow, orange, and purple.
A geometric quilt design featuring colorful arrows in shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown, set against a teal and cream background.
A geometric quilt design featuring alternating teal and cream-colored leaf motifs arranged in a diamond pattern.
A geometric quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of red and white triangles on a white background.
A geometric quilt pattern featuring a central red star surrounded by white and gray arrow shapes on a black background, framed with a red border.
Geometric quilt pattern featuring pink arrows on a black and gray background, framed by a pink border.
A colorful quilt pattern featuring a central blue diamond surrounded by red and white shapes, with a blue border.
Geometric quilt pattern featuring brown and coral-colored leaves arranged in a repeated design.

I hope all of these different designs have given you some inspiration for this interesting and versatile Leaf block.

I’d love to see what you make using the Color Me Autumn quilt block. You can post them on our VRD Facebook page HERE. Or feel free to email them to me at tricia@villarosadesigns.com.

Now, go and make quilts!

See you right here next week.

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD