Category: Quilting Partners

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

NEW December VRD Rose Card Patterns, Rose City Sewing Grand Opening, and Holiday Gift Idea #4

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

As I begin writing today’s post, I am sitting in the waiting area at my local Safelite getting a new windshield in my little red Jeep Compass, Sassy. This is her Christmas present (as well as for me). Luckily for me, Safelite has free wifi as well as TV tables so customers can work while they wait.

A snowy winter scene with a parking lot covered in snow and slush. In the background, trees are bare, and snow is falling gently from the gray sky.
This photo shows what it looks like right outside right now.

Welcome to Pennsylvania in winter – except, well, it isn’t really winter. Not yet, anyway. Huh. Mother Nature, what are you up to now?

It’s a really really ugly day today – we are getting a winter storm right now here in NW Pennsylvania. If I hadn’t had a couple important appointments, I would have happily stayed home today. The roads were pretty horrible on my way into town, slushy and slippery. It’s a very wet snow/slush mix because the temperatures are right around freezing. We may also get freezing rain. Then we’re going to get lake-effect snow on top of all of this as the temperatures drop.

Sadly, I didn’t see one snow plow on my way and several of the roads hadn’t been plowed (including in town). I was lucky if there was a little salt down the middle of the road. I drove really really slow today and I still managed to slide through an intersection. YIKES! But I’m here and Sassy is getting her new windshield. Hoefully the roads will be in better condition when I head home later.

Enough about winter weather, let’s talk NEW PATTERNS!

NEW December VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns

Anyone know what today is???? It’s the Thursday after the first Friday of the month and that means………NEW PATTERNS! YAY!

Graphic showcasing five new quilt patterns for December 2025, including Autumn Leaves, Feline Friends, Fruit Cake, Caledonia, and Lending, with captions and designer names.

Get the set of 5 Print Patterns HERE

We have a nice cross-section of new patterns this month – something for everyone!

Melissa has 2 fun new patterns this month – Autumn Leaves and Feline Friends. Yay! We’ve even got kits for you.

A vibrant quilt featuring a variety of stylized leaf patterns in multiple colors set against a white background, showcasing autumn-inspired designs.

Autumn Leaves VRD kit in Madison One fabric HERE

A patchwork quilt featuring a design with cat shapes in black, gold, and white fabrics, arranged in a repeated pattern.

Feline Friends 3 Aunts kit in Klimt fabric HERE

Heidi has a fun holiday pattern for you called Fruitcake.

Ahhh! I’m smiling right now, remembering the yearly fruitcake my Great Aunt Jule would send my family for Christmas when I was a kid. It was the one in the tin and I don’t remember if we ever actually ate it because it looked kind of scary and weird. LOL!

You can find Fruitcake kits featuring Australian prints (like the pattern cover quilt) over at 3 Aunts HERE.

Pat designed another fun and fast quilt called Caledonia, featuring Tim Holtz Palette fabrics. You can find a kit with the same fabrics you see on the pattern cover at 3 Aunts HERE.

Rachelle also has a new pattern for you this month called Lending. And of course, there’s a kit for you, too.

Colorful quilt featuring a patchwork design with blue, green, black, and grey fabric squares arranged in a grid pattern against a light pink background.

You can find the Lending VRD kit in Simply Primitive fabrics HERE.

But wait – there’s MORE!

We have 2 – yes that’s 2 – NEW Table Runners this month! Yippee!!

Heidi created this super fun and speedy runner that couldn’t be more festive – she calls it Heidi’s Ho Hos.

A holiday-themed table runner with 'HO HO HO' in red and green letters on a white quilted background, bordered with a candy cane-like striped pattern.

You can find the Digital Pattern HERE or the Print Pattern HERE.

There’s a 3 Aunts kit for Heidi’s Ho Hos featuring the same fabrics you see on the pattern front HERE.

And the second runner, Jingle, is by yours truly. I’m thinking Jingle would look great in any color combination. Right now, of course, I’m thinking of make a wintery blue and white one next. Hmmm….I wonder why. LOL!

A quilted table runner titled 'Jingle' featuring red, green, and patterned fabric, displayed outside in a snowy forest setting.

You can find the Digital Pattern HERE or the Print Pattern HERE

Speaking of different color combinations for Jingle, we have a VRD Jingle kit available featuring America fabric HERE. PSST! Maybe you can get a head start on 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

A vertical quilt runner featuring a pattern of alternating blue and red quilt blocks on a white background.

Seasonal and holiday table runners make such great gifts! Especially for that someone on your list who has everything and needs nothing – you know exactly who I’m talking about, we all have one. And guess what??? You still have enough time to make a runner or 2 before the big day – they are VRD patterns, after all.

Now that we’ve seen all of the new December patterns, I’ve got some great news to share.

Rose City Quilting Grand Opening

Congratulations to Catherine and Pat and everyone at Rose City Sewing!!!

Graphic promoting the grand opening of Rose City Sewing with a sewing machine, a stylized deer, and roses, including event details: December 12-13, 10 AM - 4 PM, at 3401 GE Drive.

Our VRD designer and quilting partner, Catherine of Running Doe Quilts, announced that the new Rose City Sewing shop in Tyler, Texas will have its grand opening this weekend on December 12th and 13th. Rose City Sewing will also be the new Texas home of VRD. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello – Pat will be there, too. Just tell ’em Tricia sent you!

Holiday Gift Idea #4

I’m really enjoying searching for super cool Holiday Gift Ideas with a quilting theme. Whether it’s something for your quilting bestie, something you add to your Holiday Wish List, or something you even buy for yourself, it’s always fun to get some fresh ideas. And I’m happy to help.

This week’s suggestion is something we can do that’s quilty when we can’t get to our sewing machines – quilty puzzle books! Here are some puzzle books I’ve enjoyed, I’ve gifted, or I’ve received as a gift.

Cover of the 'Large Print Quilt Games' book, featuring colorful quilt block designs and a variety of puzzles and activities.
Cover of the large print edition of 'Quilt Games 2', featuring colorful quilt block designs, puzzles, and activities including mazes, word searches, and sudoku.
Cover of 'The Quilter's Puzzle Book' featuring colorful quilt patterns, the title in large letters, and a subtitle highlighting puzzle content.
Cover of 'The Quilter's Puzzle Book Vol. 2' featuring colorful quilt patterns and puzzle elements, with text indicating over 120 pages of puzzles.
Book cover of 'Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles Volume 2' featuring sewing machine graphic and colorful quilt patterns, with text highlighting various types of puzzles.
Cover of the book 'More Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles' featuring various large-print word puzzles related to quilting.

Quilt Games Volume 1

Quilt Games Volume 2

The Quilter’s Puzzle Book Volume 1

The Quilters Puzzle Book Volume 2

Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles Volume 2

Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles Volume 3

Well, that’s it for me today. Stay warm and safe. And enjoy all the moments leading up to the Holidays.

See you next week!

Sew. Laugh. Enjoy the Season. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Curated Rose Card Pattern Lists · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

Curated List of Holiday Themed VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns Part 2 and Holiday Gift Idea #2

rosecards1 Comment

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

And Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving dinner setting with a golden roasted turkey centerpiece, surrounded by various side dishes, pumpkins, and autumn decorations, with 'Happy Thanksgiving' text overlay.

I hope you are spending the day with those you love in a safe place, especially if you are in the path of a wicked snowstorm, as I am here in NW PA. They’re saying anywhere from 6-19 inches of snow. But the real problem is the fierce wind that just won’t stop. The power has already blinked off 3 times while I’ve been writing this post, so I’m going to wrap it up and cross my fingers that I can launch it before we lose the power again. Please forgive me if you find any typos as I’m going to skip my usual final edit and read through today.

I hope you’re back to enjoy Part 2 of my Curated Holiday Themed List of Rose Card Quilt Patterns. I have included the links for both the the digital and the print patterns. Print patterns always ship free in the US, and for our International friends, please consider our digital versions which will come right to your inbox.

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks – One Last Thank You

Prizes for our Weeks 4-6 winners will be in the mail shortly, so enjoy your quilty surprises sponsored by our good friends over at Hoffman Fabrics. Thanks so much, Hoffman!

Now please enjoy this parade of patterns while you nosh on leftover turkey and mashed potatoes. And don’t forget the pie…..

Curated Holiday Themed List of Rose Card Quilt Patterns

Nana’s Aprons – Memories of baking cookies with Nana.

A quilt design titled 'Nana's Aprons' featuring colorful patchwork patterns, displayed on a wooden background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Olivia Jane – Patchwork bags make great gift wrapping – a gift within a gift.

Colorful charm square patchwork tote bag design featuring three views, with vibrant patterns and designs, titled 'Olivia Jane' by Villa Rosa Designs.

Print Only HERE

Painted Moon – A sweet quilt for your wall or for a special child.

Cover of the 'Painted Moon' quilt pattern featuring a colorful quilt design with floral and geometric elements, accompanied by the text 'PAINTED MOON' and 'Villa Rosa Designs'.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Parade – Memories of watching the Macy’s Christmas Parade on Christmas morning.

A colorful quilt titled 'Parade' featuring a grid of various patchwork squares on a floral background, designed by Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Peace – What can I say – the world needs more of this.

Colorful quilt titled 'Peace' featuring a patchwork design with various fabrics in shades of pink, green, blue, and yellow, displayed against a bright yellow background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Peppermint – A classic Christmas must have.

A quilt design titled 'Peppermint' featuring a pattern of red, green, and blue fabric with festive imagery, framed with decorative borders.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Peppermint & Holly – A sweet table runner to delight one and all.

A quilted table runner named 'Peppermint & Holly' displayed against a backdrop of evergreen branches, featuring red and green colors with festive patterns.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Phyllis – Add your favorite holiday fabrics for a star-worthy season.

A quilt named 'Phyllis' featuring a star pattern with floral and green fabrics, displayed against a white brick wall with a logo at the bottom.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Petit Fours – Cake??? Did someone say cake???

A colorful quilt titled 'Petit Fours' featuring red borders and a variety of square patches in floral and solid patterns.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Pink Peace – Enjoy the quiet moments.

A quilt pattern named 'Pink Peace' featuring a patchwork design in soft pink tones, with various floral and geometric prints, presented by Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Poinsettia – You need at least one for the holidays.

A vibrant quilt pattern featuring red and green poinsettias, displayed on a pink background with a decorative border.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Puppy Love – I always wanted a puppy for Christmas!

A quilt design titled 'Puppy Love' featuring playful phrases about dogs and heart motifs, surrounded by a colorful patchwork border.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Puzzled – Jigsaw puzzles were always fun gifts.

A quilt titled 'Puzzled' featuring a pattern of overlapping squares in black, gray, and white tones, displayed with an elegant border and text by Molly Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Raspberry Cream – When I was a kid, I would actually take a little bite out of each chocolate in my Mom’s box of chocolates until I found the ones I liked.

A vibrant quilt titled 'Raspberry Cream' featuring a variety of fabric patterns in shades of pink, blue, and gray, framed by a floral border.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Red Rose – Flowers for Christmas.

Colorful quilt featuring a pattern named 'Red Rose', with floral and geometric designs in shades of red, yellow, blue, and pink. The quilt is bordered by a decorative stripe and a red rose graphic in the corner.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Remember Me – The Holidays are all about remembers those you hold dear, near and far.

A quilt design titled 'Remember Me' featuring a pattern with vibrant purples, golds, and intricate geometric shapes, alongside a pink rose graphic and the text 'Villa Rosa Designs'.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Savannah Jane – A handmade gift sure to please someone special on your gift list.

Savannah Jane patchwork scarf displayed on mannequins, showcasing various colorful fabric patterns. The design features charm squares in a mix of purples, blues, and coordinating prints.

Print Only HERE

Season’s Greetings – This runner is so fast, you can make one for someone on your list and one for yourself.

A colorful patchwork table runner with holiday-themed fabric featuring patterns like candy canes, snowflakes, and plaid, set against a green background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Sierra Snow – There will be snow for Christmas this year….

A quilt design named 'Sierra Snow' featuring a patchwork of teal and black fabrics with a snowflake pattern and the logo of Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Silver Star – We always put the star tree topper on last, right before we turned off the lights in the house and turned on the tree lights. Magical.

Cover image of the 'Silver Star' quilt pattern by Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a brightly colored star pattern set against a gray background, with a vibrant border.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Snow Goose – Another Holiday classic in blue and white.

A quilt titled 'Snow Goose' featuring blue and white geometric patterns, hanging on a tree branch amidst a snowy background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Snow Ruby – A fast last minute make for the holidays.

A quilt titled 'Snow Ruby' featuring a festive red and green color scheme with playful holiday-themed patterns, bordered by intricate designs, showcasing the Villa Rosa Designs logo.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Snowberry – Add some classic red and white to your holiday table this year.

A quilt pattern titled 'Snowberry' featuring a montage of red and white checkered and patterned squares, displayed against a snowy backdrop and evergreen branches.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Snowdrop – Sweet and simple and fast to make.

A quilt design titled 'Snowdrop' featuring a patchwork of various fabric patterns in shades of teal and gray, bordered by a floral motif and the text 'Villa Rosa Designs'.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Snowfall – Snow always makes the Holidays more special.

Cover of the quilt pattern titled 'Snowfall,' featuring a blue and white quilt draped on snow-covered evergreen branches.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Spice Drop – Christmas candy was always a special little treat.

A colorful quilt pattern titled 'Spice Drop' featuring various vibrant fabrics in a patchwork design, surrounded by a pink background and floral border.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Splendor – Gold and Silver ribbons and papers make for an elegant holiday.

A quilt design titled 'Splendor' featuring a decorated Christmas tree in a decorative pot, surrounded by a patchwork border of gold, silver, and white fabrics.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Star Queen – Imagine this starry stunner in the shades of Christmas gracing your bed, bringing holiday cheer all night long.

A colorful quilt titled 'Star Queen' displayed outdoors, featuring a patchwork design with star motifs in various colors.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Starfire – Stars twinkle on the tree.

A vibrant quilt design titled 'Starfire' featuring red stars on black and white floral patterns, bordered with a decorative design at the bottom.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Stargazer – Stars have a very special place in our holiday celebrations.

A colorful quilt titled 'Stargazer' displayed outdoors on snow, featuring various patterns in shades of yellow, blue, and orange, with text overlay by Running Doe Quilts for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Sugar & Spice – Cookies are baking and the whole house smells divine.

A colorful quilt design named 'Sugar & Spice' featuring a patchwork of vibrant fabrics in red, green, blue, and yellow. The quilt has a playful arrangement of patterns, including flowers, stripes, and polka dots, and is attributed to Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Sugar Cookies – My Aunt’s sugar cookies were always the best with gobs of frosting and lots of sprinkles.

Quilt design featuring colorful squares and rectangles with festive sugar cookie patterns, titled 'Sugar Cookies' designed by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Sugarplum – …While visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.

Colorful quilted table runner titled 'Sugarplum' with a patchwork design featuring red, green, and pink fabrics, set against a snowy background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Surprise – It’s hard to wait until Christmas morning to discover all the surprises the special day will reveal.

Quilt titled 'Surprise' featuring a pattern of red, green, and white fabrics, designed by Melissa Milligan for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Sweater Weather – Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater!

A quilt titled 'Sweater Weather' featuring a blue background with white star patterns, surrounded by a snow-covered forest.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Tabitha Jane – A fun and fast to make tote bag, perfect for your holiday haul.

Promotional graphic for the 'Tabitha Jane' reversible tote bag, featuring four different fabric designs with a shoulder strap. The design includes text detailing fabric requirements, dimensions, and construction notes.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Tall Pine – Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree!

A patchwork quilt design featuring a tall pine tree on a colorful background, with the words 'TALL PINE' at the top and 'Running Doe Quilts For Villa Rosa Designs' at the bottom.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Turkish Delight – This is always a special treat during the holidays in my family.

A colorful quilt pattern titled 'Turkish Delight' by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring various fabric squares, set against a background with flowers.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Twinkle – The lights on the tree twinkle like stars in the sky.

A colorful quilt titled 'Twinkle' featuring a pattern of multi-colored triangles and squares, displayed outdoors against a cloudy sky.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Whiskers – I always wanted to find a fluffy little kitten in my Christmas stocking.

Cover of the quilt pattern titled 'Whiskers' featuring a playful kitten holding a candy cane, with a colorful quilt background decorated with festive patterns.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Woolly Mitten Snack Mat – Don’t forget your mittens when you go outside!

A quilted snack mat featuring a woolly mitten design with snowman fabric, set against a bright red background, labeled 'Woolly Mitten Snack Mat.'

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Wreathed – Time to hang the wreath on the door and add a bright red bow.

A quilt design titled 'Wreathed' featuring a circular pattern with red, green, and white elements, designed by Melissa Milligan for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

And that, folks, is the end of my Curated Holiday VRD Rose Card List. I hope you enjoyed it and perhaps discovered some new-to-you patterns.

Holiday Gift Idea #2

Last week, I started a Holiday Gift Idea series – one for each week until Christmas. The idea could be for yourself, someone else, or even something to make.

As most of you know our VRD Rose Queen, Pat Fryer, is in the process of relocating to Tyler, Texas where our VRD designer, Catherine of Running Doe Quilts, is opening a new quilt shop called Rose City Quilting, which will be the new Texas home of Running Doe Quilts and Villa Rosa Designs.

There are 2 designs to choose from:

Rose City Quilting T Shirts (front design) HERE

Black t-shirt featuring a pink graphic design with a deer, sewing machine, and roses, labeled 'Rose City Sewing - Home of Running Doe Quilts & Villa Rosa Designs'.

Rose City Quilting T Shirts (back design) HERE

A light blue t-shirt featuring a graphic design with 'Rose City Sewing' text on the back, alongside images of roses and a sewing machine.

Just tell ’em Tricia sent you! (Wink, wink.)

That’s it for me this week – I’m off to enjoy a little Thanksgiving food of my own. And pie. With lots of whipped topping. Yum!

Sew. Laugh. Eat. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

2025 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge · Curated Rose Card Pattern Lists · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Wrap Up, A Curated List of Holiday Themed VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns, and Holiday Gift Idea #1

rosecardsLeave a comment

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

I thought it would be fun to round up our current holiday Rose Card patterns for you today. I did a list in 2022, but you know we’ve added lots of new patterns since then, so I hope you will this updated list. If you’re like me, you’re right in the midst of making your holiday projects right now. Perhaps this new list will help you find just the right project for a special someone. And of course, you already know that VRD patterns go together quickly, so there’s still plenty of time to get quilty projects ready before the holidays.

But first, we’re going to wrap up our 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Finishing Challenge.

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks

I hope everyone had as much fun with this challenge as I did. I showed myself that I can finish a UFO every week if I have the right motivation. As much as I hope to continue this concept going forward, I think it will have to wait until the New Year, because now it’s all hands on deck for all of the upcoming holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving next Thursday.

We have one last winner for Week 6.

And that winner is……….

Rebekah M

Congrats to you!

I also want to shout out to those of you who completed the entire challenge – that means they each finished 6 quilts in 6 weeks.

Cue the band and drop the confetti!

Kudos! Great Job! Well done! Yay you!

And for those of you who participated, but did not quite manage the 6 quilts in 6 weeks –

I’m proud of you for trying.

Let’s do this again in Spring of 2026 so we can all get more VRD quilts finished, so we can make even more VRD quilts.

All right! Now it’s time to check out my curated list of Holiday VRD patterns.

Holiday Themed VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns Part 1

I haven’t done a curated pattern list for a while, so it’s definitely time for one. I hope you’ll enjoy this list of holiday-themed patterns and maybe you’ll discover the perfect project for someone special. And yes, there’s still time to complete it for the Holidays because VRD Rose Card patterns go together as almost quickly as Santa slides down the chimney on Christmas Eve. I am including the links below the patterns for both digital and print patterns. And don’t forget, patterns always ship free.

At my pal Mary Lee’s suggestion, I am breaking this very extensive list into 2 parts. This week you will patterns A-M and next week, we’ll feature patterns N-Z.

12 Quilts of Christmas Collection – Here’s your go-to collection of holiday projects including jolly Gnome blocks, place mats, table runners, wall quilts, and throw quilts. There’s even a pattern for a 36″ panel. Read on to see each pattern listed individually.

A vibrant collage featuring various quilt patterns for the holiday season under the title '12 Quilts of Christmas 2024' showcasing designs like 'Chili', 'Poinsettia', 'Wreathed', 'Gnomie', and more.

Get the print collection HERE

Amelia – Let those stars shine!

A colorful quilt titled 'Amelia' featuring star patterns in various fabrics, displayed against a white brick background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Awestruck – Can’t you just envision this one in your Christmas decorating color scheme?

A colorful quilt pattern titled 'Awestruck' featuring star shapes in various fabrics, designed by Molly Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Baking Day – I can smell the ginger and molasses already, can’t you?

A quilt featuring brown gingerbread man shapes against a light blue background, titled 'Baking Day.'

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Beatrice – Bring on the red, white, and green fabrics!

A quilt design titled 'Beatrice' featuring a patchwork of various colored fabric squares and stars, designed by Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Belinda Jane – A great little something something for someone who has everything!

A colorful illustration of the 'Belinda Jane' slip-on pillow sham pattern, featuring a patchwork design with various vibrant fabrics and a decorative floral border.

Print Only HERE

Bespoke – Add a sprinkle of holiday fabrics and mix.

A quilt pattern titled 'Bespoke' hanging from a tree, featuring a floral design with rich colors and geometric shapes, set against an autumn backdrop.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Blessings – Perfect to make for a special someone.

Quilt pattern titled 'Blessings' featuring a blue and gold design with a white cross, designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE and Print HERE

Blizzard – You can’t go wrong with blue and white for the holidays.

A quilt design titled 'Blizzard' featuring a blue color scheme with snowflake patterns, displayed against a natural background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Catrina Jane – A lovely idea for your quilt bestie (PSST! don’t forget to add a selection of VRD Rose Cards!)

A graphic design of the 'Catrina Jane' 2-Pocket Pattern Card Holder from Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a vibrant green fabric with floral patterns and a striped design, along with a view of the interior showing pockets for holding patterns.

Print Only HERE

Cherish – A fast sweet quilt is the perfect gift for anyone on your gift list from age 1-101.

A quilt titled 'Cherish' featuring a patchwork design with bear and woodland animal motifs, in a color palette of soft greens, browns, and blues, created by Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Chili – Add a red nose if you wish…..

Quilt pattern titled 'Chili' featuring a stylized reindeer design in earthy tones, created by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Chips & Dip – Make sure to have plenty on hand for the holidays.

Colorful quilt pattern titled 'Chips & Dip' designed by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a bright mix of green, blue, purple, and yellow fabrics.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Chutes & Ladders – who doesn’t love a family game night during the holidays?

A colorful quilt design titled 'Chutes & Ladders' by Molly Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring squares and rectangles in vibrant patterns and colors.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Color Mittens – One can never have enough mittens!

A quilted table runner featuring colorful mitten shapes in red, green, and patterned fabrics, titled 'Color Mittens' with a festive design.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Crazy Stars – Grab your favorite holiday Charm Pack and make this super fun runner!

Cover image of the Crazy Stars quilt pattern featuring a table runner with colorful star designs in red, blue, and white. The quilt is displayed on a wooden bench against a green background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Crimson Glory – a pretty quilt for the holidays with an interesting border.

A colorful quilt titled 'Crimson Glory' featuring festive holiday patterns, predominantly in red, green, and white, with decorative borders and a rose graphic in the corner.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Dainty Machines – This multi-size pattern is a nod to one of our best quilty friends.

A colorful quilt titled 'Dainty Machines' featuring various sewing machine designs surrounded by floral patterns, created by Sewl Sister for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Dear Heart – Add a couple mugs and some coffee/tea/hot cocoa and put everything in a basket for a lovely little gift.

A pink quilted snack mat featuring a heart design, with the text 'Dear Heart Snack Mat' prominently displayed. The mat is placed on a wooden surface near a window.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Dinner Party – The perfect holiday dinner companions!

A collection of three quilted placemats featuring red and green holiday patterns, including birdhouses and festive designs, with the title 'Dinner Party' presented at the top.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Emmalina Jane – A fun little stocking stuffer.

Cover of the Emmalina Jane padded eyeglass case pattern, featuring three different eyeglass cases in floral and patterned fabrics with fabric requirement details listed.

Print Only HERE

Espresso – Have a large cuppa before tackling your holiday to-do list.

A quilt design titled 'Espresso' featuring coffee-themed fabric patterns, including cups, coffee pots, and playful text, set against a colorful backdrop.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Framed – Another classic blue and white. Or red and green. Or……..

A beautiful quilt titled 'Framed' featuring a snowman design, surrounded by a dark blue and white patterned border, displayed on a snowy outdoor setting.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Friendship – gather your friends and loved ones near.

A quilt pattern titled 'Friendship' featuring a patchwork design with various floral and patterned squares in earthy tones, bordered with a floral fabric and a rose graphic on a green background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Friendship Hearts – Share a little heart with your friends.

A quilt featuring a pattern of red hearts and yellow star blocks on a white background, labeled 'Friendship Hearts' at the top and 'Sewl Sister for Villa Rosa Designs' at the bottom.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Frosted Window Panes – Here in PA, we usually expect snow for the holidays.

Cover of the 'Frosted Window Panes' quilt pattern featuring a blue quilt with various designs, set against a natural background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gathering – Use a small panel or a favorite novelty fabric for the center, it’s your choice.

A quilt design titled 'Gathering' featuring a winter scene with reindeer and a sleigh, bordered by geometric patterns in dark and light colors.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gerome – Make multiples of this cute block for a fun table runner or quilt. Mix and match with Gnomie.

Cover image of a quilt pattern titled 'Gerome' by Molly Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a gnome design with a red hat, green accents, and a brown beard, set against a green and brown background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gift Wrapped – A fun runner for your holiday table!

A holiday-themed quilted table runner titled 'Gift Wrapped' featuring red, green, and white patterns, accompanied by a polka dot mug filled with marshmallows.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gifted – This runner truly is a lovely gift idea.

Quilt design titled 'Gifted' featuring a pattern of gift boxes in festive colors, designed by Melissa Milligan for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gingersnap – Cookies, need I say more???

The Gingersnap quilt design features a combination of patterned fabrics in warm and cool tones, arranged in alternating rows of squares and prints, with a floral embellishment and branding from Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Gnomie – Make multiple blocks for a runner or a quilt. Mix and match with Gerome.

A quilt pattern featuring a whimsical gnome design with a green hat and red outfit, designed by Molly Cook for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Grandma’s Girl – Holidays are for spending with those you love.

Cover of the 'Grandma's Girl' quilt pattern featuring a geometric design in shades of purple and pink, with the title at the top and a rose logo on the side.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Grandmother – Remember those you love during the holidays.

Colorful quilt design titled 'Grandmother' featuring a pattern of patterned squares and orange accents, displayed against a rustic backdrop.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Happy Hollies – A new modern holiday classic!

A vibrant holiday-themed quilt titled 'Happy Hollies' featuring bold red and green fabrics with polka dot patterns, displayed against a brick background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Holiday Bauble – A little something to whip up for that last person on your list.

A colorful quilted snack mat featuring a holiday bauble design with red and green patterns, displaying text that reads 'Holiday Bauble Snack Mat' by Tricia Lynn Maloney for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Homecoming – Perfect for all those lovely 36″ holiday panels we just had to buy!

Cover image for the 'Homecoming' quilt pattern by Tricia Lynn Maloney, featuring a snowy landscape with red barns, pine trees, and a starry night sky.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Hot Cocoa – Now all I need is a cozy quilt and a good book. And a fireplace, too.

A quilt design titled 'Hot Cocoa' featuring a patchwork of colorful fabrics in seasonal patterns, including cup motifs, with a floral graphic in the corner.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Inessa Jane – Don’t forget to make one for yourself, too.

Infographic showcasing the 'Inessa Jane Infinity Scarf' from Villa Rosa Designs, displaying three scarves in various colors with fabric requirements and design notes.

Print Only HERE

Into the Trees – Make a forest of Christmas trees to enjoy!

A quilt titled 'Into the Trees' featuring various green and patterned Christmas trees arranged in rows. The quilt is framed in red and is displayed against a textured wall.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Jardena – Add your favorite holiday fabrics and make those stars twinkle.

Colorful quilt design featuring orange stars and floral patterns, titled 'Jardena', by Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Macarons – You had me at cookie…..

A quilted table runner featuring a colorful patchwork design with aqua, coral, and floral patterns, titled 'Macarons' by Tricia Lynn Maloney, set against a warm pink background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Mary Jane – Something sweet for that new baby this holiday season.

A colorful quilt pattern featuring a reversible receiving blanket design titled 'Mary Jane' with floral and polka dot patterns in pink and blue. It offers two size options: 38.5 inches square and 30.5 inches square. Created by Nancy Lorene for Villa Rosa Designs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Merry Trees – Dress up your holiday table this year.

Colorful quilt design titled 'Merry Trees' featuring a mix of holiday-themed fabrics in reds, greens, and whites, displayed against a greenery background.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Messages – Make sure you send messages (digital or snail mail) to all your friends and family.

A colorful quilt design titled 'Messages' featuring various patterns in shades of blue, pink, and purple, with striped sections and intricate quilting details.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Miss Josie – A sweet finish for your favorite 24″ holiday panel.

Quilt pattern 'Miss Josie' by Villa Rosa Designs featuring a patchwork design with holiday-themed fabrics, including red and green colors and festive motifs.

Digital HERE or Print HERE

Here’s where we’ll stop our list for this week. By now, your eyes are probably starting to glaze over. Yup, Villa Rosa has patterns for everyone this holiday season.

Just one more thing……

Holiday Gift Idea #1

From now through Christmas, I’m going to give you a fun holiday gift idea each week. It might be something for you, the quilter, or something for you to make for someone else. So come back each week to see my holiday picks for 2025.

Kalinda Fabrics and Precuts

Oh my goodness! I haven’t had a chance to share with you that Pat’s second fabric collection, Kalinda, is now available in shops as of the end of October. So, Kalinda is my first Holiday Gift Idea for 2025.

A display of the Kalinda fabric collection by Pat Fryer, featuring vibrant earthy colors with touches of aqua, arranged in a spiral pattern.

Lucky for us – 3 Aunts Quilt Shop has the Kalinda fabric collection just waiting for you – by the yard, fat quarter bundles, and half yard bundles. You can check out all the Kalinda fabrics HERE.

Like Pat’s first collection for Riley Blake, Bedazzled, Kalinda also has a collectible tin which is perfectly sized to store your VRD Rose Card patterns. I’m definitely adding the Kalinda collectible pattern storage tin to my Christmas list. It will be available November or December, right in time for the holidays.

Well, that’s it for me this week.

See you right here, same time next week (which just so happens to be Thanksgiving).

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

2025 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge – Week 6, NEW November VRD Quilt Patterns, and VRD Rose Card Pattern Storage

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Greetings from snowy northwestern Pennsylvania! We had around 5 inches of lake effect snow (thank you Lake Erie!) dropped on us Monday night. It sure did look beautiful when I got up Tuesday morning. Suddenly I had the urge to listen to Christmas music and binge-watch Hallmark Christmas movies while sipping hot chocolate with scads of marshmallows floating on the top.

So apparently for me, the Christmas holiday season has begun. When do you usually get your Merry on?

It also made me start thinking about what holiday fun I wanted to do on the blog. Still brainstorming right now, in case any of you lovely readers have any holiday ideas you might like to see on the blog.

But for right now, let’s get back to our Challenge!

Our winner for Week 5 is ……………

Barb F.

Congrats, Barb! Keep up the good work!

Now let’s check out my Week 6 finish!

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge – Week 6

For my final Week 6 finish, I chose to complete my blog tutorial sample, Ebb Tide.

A colorful quilt design titled 'Ebb Tide' featuring various patterns in shades of pink, purple, and teal, framed by decorative borders.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

This is one of my absolute favorite patterns for using large prints! The framing really gives large print fabrics room to shine as well as to breathe. It is fat quarter friendly and finishes at a nice 47″ x 61″. To make it larger, simply add an outer border – a 6″ finished border would make the quilt a nice 59″ x 73″.

Here is my Before photo:

A patchwork quilt featuring various floral and patterned fabrics, displayed outside against a backdrop of blooming yellow flowers.

YIKES! In looking for my “before” photo, I discovered the Ebb Tide tutorial was from 2023 – way past time to get it finished, don’t you think?

The fabrics are fall-licious batiks from our friends over at Hoffman.

And here is my After photo:

A quilt with a patchwork design featuring rich burgundy, cream, and floral prints, displayed draped over a chair in a cozy setting.

I considered photographing it out in the snow, but I didn’t want to bundle up in order to go outside so I ended up taking an inside photo.

I quilted Ebb Tide with a copper colored cotton thread in my usual allover meander design. It is backed with a cream fleece that has little stars on it. The binding is a brown stripe batik, which I cut on the bias so my stripes are diagonal. I was a little nervous to finish the binding by machine because the last time I machine-finished a bias binding, the edges ended up rippling.

WHEW! What a relief – this time it finished beautifully with no rippling and the corners actually turned out quite well, too. I think finishing the binding by machine for the last 6 weeks has helped me gain a little more confidence with this technique. This winter, though, I plan to snuggle under quilts, watch movies, and do some hand binding.

I want to thank everyone who signed up and participated in this Challenge. I hope you are as pleased with your accomplishments as I am with mine. Let’s all pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

We will have one final winner next week.

I’m thinking we’ll do this Challenge again in the New Year. That way, we can keep finishing our UFO’s and flimsies so we don’t feel a little guilty every time we start something new.

Now let’s take a look at the NEW VRD patterns for November. Yay!

NEW November VRD Rose Card Patterns

I LOVE the Thursday after the first Friday of every month because that means – NEW PATTERNS!

Here is the set of 5:

A promotional image showcasing five new quilt patterns for November 2025: Fall Windmills, Markesan, Limited, Nevermore, and Warrenwood, with pricing information.

Get the set of 5 print patterns HERE

Fall Windmills is Sewl Sister’s super fun quilt this month. It finishes at 48″ x 60″. You can find a Fall WIndmills kit on the VRD website featuring the Planetarium collection HERE.

A colorful quilt featuring a geometric pattern with shades of teal, gray, and white, showcasing various block designs in a patchwork layout.
Fall Windmills in Planetarium

Limited is Molly’s newest pattern. It uses either 10″ squares or FQs and finishes at 45″ x 59″. You can find kits featuring the same fabrics as the cover quilt HERE.

Markesan is this month’s new mod quilt by Rachelle Handmade. It is Jelly Roll friendly and finishes at a nice 60″ x 70″.

Nevermore is by yours truly and features a 24″ panel along with some coordinates and an accent. It finishes at 47″ x 66″. Anybody get the name reference of the pattern???

Warrenwood is Pat’s 11th Tim Holz Palette design and is fat quarter friendly. It finishes at 45″ x 59″. You can find kits featuring the Tim Holtz Charcoal Palette HERE.

And this month, there’s a NEW Table Runner, too.

A colorful quilt pattern titled 'Family Fun-gi' designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney for Villa Rosa Designs. The design features a crafting theme with blocks and textured fabric elements against a pastel background.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

Family Fun-gi is a cute little mushroom runner with a silly name (I can say that because it’s one of my runners, LOL!). And guess what??? The mushrooms could also be trees if you wanted. The runner finishes at 17″ x 45″ and goes together really fast. You can find a kit featuring the Sienna collection HERE.

A quilted table runner featuring a pattern of three stylized trees with a floral and leaf design in autumn colors against a dark background.
Family Fun-Gi in Sienna

One last thing before I go…….

NEW VRD Rose Card Storage Option

Our VRD designer and partner, Running Doe, has created a brand new storage option – a discbound binder for storing your Rose Card patterns. Each binder comes with 40 sleeves to hold 40 patterns. Get yours HERE.

A mint green discbound binder with several clear plastic sleeves, designed for pattern storage.

Want to learn more about Catherine’s binder? Check out her Facebook video HERE.

Don’t forget – just because our Challenge is over doesn’t mean you can’t still finish one UFO each week. I’m going to try.

Take care and just keep quilting!

Sew. Laugh. Finish. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

2025 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · villa rosa designs

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge – Week 4

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Hello Quilty Friends!

It’s hard to believe it’s Week 4 of our 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge already, isn’t it? How many of you have been following our VRD Project Finishers on our VRD Facebook page? I know I have! I really love how supportive everyone is on the VRD FB page, too, it’s a great place to hang out if you’ve never visited before.

I’m really hoping this “finish 1 project a week” concept will stick with me and I’ll continue after the Challenge is over because I literally have STACKS of flimsies (quilt tops) waiting impatiently to get quilted, bound, and finished. I think it would be a great accomplishment for me (or any of you) to shrink those stacks of unfinished projects before the end of the year.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to jump into 2026 with a plethora of new project ideas without the guilt of that sad stack of unfinished projects sitting there, judging us? Besides, finishing projects will make more room in our quilting spaces for new projects!

Okay, how about our Week 3 Challenge winner now (selected using a random number generator)?

Congrats to Robin M!

Prizes for our Weeks 1-3 winners will be in the mail shortly, so enjoy your quilty surprises sponsored by our good friends over at QT Fabrics. Thank you, QT!

Now we’re ready to jump into our Week 4 Challenge!

6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge Week 4

My finish this week was a really fun one – Helix by our talented VRD designer, Molly Cook. Have you ever tried this pattern before? Helix is fat quarter friendly and finishes at a nice 50″ x 66″. You could add a border all around to make it larger if you wanted to.

It is definitely a more challenging project – I would consider it more intermediate/advanced. There’s a lot of matching points and seam intersections in this one. The finished quilt is gorgeous, though, with its eye-catching geometry. A very cool quilt.

A quilt design titled 'Helix' by Molly Cook, featuring vibrant patchwork in various shades of blue, green, purple, and brown, set against a patterned background.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

When I searched for this tutorial on the blog, I discovered – gasp! – it was from 2023! Huh. How time flies! You can find the Helix tutorial HERE.

If you’ve never made this one before, I really do suggest you check out the tutorial because all those intersecting points can be a challenge if you’ve never done them before.

Here’s my BEFORE photo:

A completed quilt with geometric patterns in shades of blue and green, displayed outdoors against a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sky.

Apparently when I took the photo back in 2023, it was a really windy day!

And here is my AFTER photo:

A completed quilt featuring geometric patterns in shades of blue, green, and teal, displayed outdoors against a grassy background.

See the interesting plaid markings showing through the quilt (the sun was behind the quilt when I snapped the photo)? That is courtesy of the fun blue/teal plaid fleece on the back. Yep, another fleece-backed throw with no batting – just the way I like ’em! Fleece-backed throws are perfect all year around as they are lightweight yet cozy and soft.

I’m really pleased with how this quilt turned out. The crisp white background was the perfect companion to set off all of the blues, greens, teals, and turquoises. I quilted it with my usual allover meander, but this time I used a very subtle variegated thread, Seamist by YLI. I thought, why not? My Helix has a lot of white space so I thought the variegated thread in blues and teals (I swear there’s a bit of green and lavender, too) would really compliment the quilt. I love how it turned out, but the thread color variations were very very subtle.

Close-up view of a quilt showcasing intricate patchwork patterns in shades of teal, green, and white, with a soft quilted texture.
A spool of YLI machine quilting thread labeled 'Seamist', displaying the barcode and specifications on the side.
A spool of turquoise and teal variegated sewing thread resting on a sewing machine surface with a purple measuring grid.

I found a blue fabric in my stash that had narrow white lines to give it a subtle plaid look for the binding. I machine stitched the binding on to save time and it definitely went better than last week – my corners were much neater on this one. And of course, I added my label dated 2025, even though I started the quilt in 2023. It’s the end that counts, not the beginning.

Yay! Another finish from my towering stack of UFOs. Hmmm. Which one will I finish next?

Quilting Cats

I’m going to change the subject in honor of National Cat Day (October 29th).

How many of you have a kitty partner in crime when quilting (or knitting, crocheting, garment sewing, crafting, etc.)?

Right now as I type this post, my furry buddy, Griffin (age 4), is sprawled across my desk. Only recently has he started doing that again. I love it, but sometimes we end up playing tug o’ war over my mouse pad area. LOL! He really really likes to stretch out pretty much across my whole desk top. Sometimes when I’m trying to use my mouse (which I do A LOT), Griffy will claim my mouse pad and mouse (and sometimes my hand) as his. Silly boy. Of course, as he sprawls over my desk, he knows I just can’t resist scratching him in his favorite spots. Smart boy!

A gray cat lying on a desk cluttered with papers and a pink mouse pad, looking intently at the camera.

Here’s my handsome Griffy. You can see that he has control of the mouse pad in the photo. ARGH! We take turns winning our game of tug o’ war. LOL!

I have another cat, Pip, but at 15, she doesn’t come downstairs to my studio dungeon anymore. She is our upstairs diva. Then there’s Bailly, my 3 year old Shih Tzu. She’s a heartful, but also a handful. And she thinks she’s a cat.

So Happy National Cat Day to you and your furry feline companions. Maybe they’ll help you (or hinder you, depending on their mood) get your project finished for next week’s Week 5 of our 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge.

See you right here next week for more VRD fun and Week 5 of our 6 Quilts in 6 Weeks Challenge.

Until then –

Sew. Laugh. Finish. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · Tips and Tricks · Tutorials · villa rosa designs

VRD Busy Bee Quilt Tutorial and Hoffman’s New Fall 2025 Project Catalog

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Yep, it really is Thursday today. Bet I surprised a lot of you on Monday with our special VRD Announcement about upcoming changes (good ones, I promise you!). If you missed Monday’s VRD announcement, you can find it HERE.

Before I dive into this week’s inspirational quilt tutorial, I wanted to take a minute and share Hoffman’s Fall 2025 Project Catalog with you. I’m sure you’ve noticed I use a lot of Hoffman collections for our blog tutorials by now. We work closely with our friends over at Hoffman to inspire you by pairing new Hoffman fabrics and our easy breezy VRD Rose Card patterns.

Please enjoy the catalog and don’t forget to visit your local quilt shops to request these new upcoming Hoffman fabric collections and, of course, Villa Rosa Designs Rose Card patterns.

Lots of wonderful inspiration in this catalog, isn’t there? Which one(s) did you fall in love with and are adding to your “gotta make” list???

Now let’s make a quilt!

VRD Busy Bee Quilt Tutorial

Are you ready for a super fun tutorial today? Busy Bee is an oldie, but a really great goodie! I know you’re gonna love it!

Colorful quilt design featuring various fabric patterns in shades of red, green, and navy, with a title 'BUSY BEE' and branding 'Villa Rosa Designs'.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

First things first, let me show you the fabric I’m using today for Busy Bee. You’ll notice right away that these fabrics don’t exactly have an autumn vibe going on, but I couldn’t resist these gorgeous fabrics when I was looking through my stack of quilt kits to choose my next victim….er, tutorial project. LOL!

Seriously, though, aren’t these fabrics divine??? This older Hoffman collection is called Blush Garden. It’s possible you still might find some bolts at your local quilt shop or at your favorite online shop, but somehow I doubt it as it’s just so yummy. Sorry……

Busy Bee is a fat quarter (FQ) pattern which means you only need FQs for the quilt top. No background, no borders. Busy Bee is stunningly simple and goes together like greased lightning!

A collection of colorful fabrics arranged on a sewing table, featuring various floral and abstract patterns, along with a pattern booklet titled 'Busy Bee.'
Psst! You might notice that my Busy Bee pattern looks different from the cover front above. Yep, my pattern is an older cover front. Sometimes we freshen up covers as fabric styles and trends change over the years.

Before we can get to the sewing, we have to cut our fabrics. You need to divide your FQs into 2 equal stacks.

With the first stack, we’re going to cut our FQs into strips and then into fat rectangles and squares.

A cutting mat with a rotary cutter and floral fabric pieces for quilting. A ruler is positioned on top of the fabric, indicating measurement marks.
A cutting mat with floral fabric squares and a clear quilting ruler placed on top for cutting fabric.

Moving on to the second FQ stack, we’re gong to cut skinny rectangles and squares.

A cutting mat with a yellow rotary cutter and a green ruler next to a stack of fabric pieces, including a white square.
A cutting mat with a floral fabric strip and a rotary cutter, alongside a ruler marked with measurements.

Here are all our pieces ready to sew. And that’s it for cutting for the whole quilt top. I just love patterns like this, don’t you?

A collection of quilting fabric pieces in shades of pink and floral patterns, accompanied by a Busy Bee quilt pattern booklet on a green cutting mat.

Time to sew!

We’re going to sew 2 assorted fat rectangles together to make Block 1. I divided them equally into 2 piles and set them to the left of my machine so I could just grab the 2 top rectangles and feed them through the machine to chain piece them. If I didn’t like the combination or had 2 of the same on top, I just grabbed another one off one of the piles. Sew simple.

Do you chain piece your pieces together? Chain piecing is when you keep feeding/sewing pieces together through your sewing machine without cutting the thread in between the units. It saves both time and thread.

Fabric strips arranged on a sewing machine ready for quilting.
A close-up of a sewing machine with a pink fabric strip being sewn. Surrounding the machine are various fabric pieces in floral patterns, laid out on a cutting mat.

Now for Block 2 – we’re going to sew 3 assorted skinny rectangles together to make a Triple Rail Fence block. Again, I divided my strips equally into 3 piles and put them to the left of my machine. First I sewed 2 rectangles together from 2 of the 3 piles, leaving the last pile for last. Then I added a 3rd rectangle to all the pairs, making sure each Rail Fence block had 3 different fabrics.

Close-up of a sewing machine with a piece of fabric featuring floral patterns being sewn alongside a solid fabric.

Time to head over to the ironing board to press all of my blocks flat.

A variety of colorful quilt fabric pieces laid out on a cutting mat with an iron in the background.
A stack of fabric pieces in various floral patterns and colors, arranged on a gray felt surface.

All righty, all the blocks are sewn and pressed, so now we’re going to put them up on the design wall so we can play switcheroo until we’re happy with the block arrangement.

The layout is an easy one for because we’re just going to alternate the blocks.

Take a look at some of my swaps. See how the dark reds are accumulating at the lower right corner of the photo at the left. In the middle photo, I swapped some blocks around and it’s starting to look a bit better, but we’re not quite there yet. And then the photo at the right looks the best of all. Often, arranging the blocks takes longer than sewing the whole top together, especially if you’re making a Villa Rosa pattern!

A quilt in progress featuring a patchwork design with floral and textured fabric pieces in shades of pink, green, and cream, displayed on a light background.
A patchwork quilt design showcasing a variety of floral and patterned fabric pieces arranged in a grid layout, featuring pink, green, and beige tones.
Quilt blocks arranged in a design wall, featuring floral and patterned fabric pieces in pink, green, and white.

Now that I’m happy with how the blocks look, we’re going to add a border of squares all the way around the blocks. Huh! Bet you were wondering what we were going to do with all those squares (besides add them to our 5″ square stash).

A colorful quilt top made of various fabric pieces in shades of pink, green, and white, arranged in a patchwork design.

Guess what?!? Now it’s time to swap the squares around until the quilt looks just right (are you feeling a little bit like Goldilocks, ??? LOL!).

Take a look at some of my swap outs below. You might wonder why I went ahead and laid out my border of squares before I sewed the blocks together for the quilt center. I was afraid to sew the blocks together in case I would need to tweak them again once I laid out the border squares.

A patchwork quilt top featuring various fabric squares and rectangles in shades of pink, green, and floral patterns, arranged in a visually appealing layout.
A quilt top featuring a patchwork design with floral and abstract fabric pieces in shades of green, pink, and maroon, arranged in an alternating pattern.
A quilt top layout featuring various floral and patterned fabric pieces in shades of green, pink, and mauve, arranged in a patchwork design.

Okay, I’m happy with the blocks and outer squares layout, so I’m going to sew my blocks into rows and then sew the rows together.

A close-up view of two pieces of fabric placed under the needle of a sewing machine, with a floral-patterned fabric on the left and a solid light fabric on the right.
A sewing machine at work, stitching together multiple fabric pieces with a focus on a green patterned fabric surrounded by pink and light-colored fabrics.

The center of the quilt is now sewn together. OH NO! Somehow I flipped a block at the bottom right corner of the quilt center! Sheesh! How’d I manage to do that?!?

A partially completed quilt top featuring a variety of floral and patterned fabrics in shades of pink, green, and white, arranged in a block design on a light background.

Oh well, don’t panic! We can fix this. We have 2 options – either leave it alone and continue or else take a break to rip out the corner of the quilt and sew the blocks back together. Can you guess which option I chose?

Yup, time to grab my pal (and my enemy – I guess that makes him my frenemy, doesn’t it?), Jack the seam ripper. Do you have a favorite seam ripper? Mine is by Clover. In my humble opinion, it’s simply the best seam ripper ever. Don’t have this one? You can find it HERE. Let me know what you think.

A Clover seam ripper, displayed in packaging, designed for easily cutting threads.

Anyway, time to rip!

Close-up of two fabric pieces with floral and abstract designs laid next to a sewing machine, highlighting the quilting process.
A sewing machine with floral fabric pieces positioned next to a seam ripper tool on a workspace.

Ugh! Look at all the threads bits! Ripping out stitches is definitely NOT my favorite thing to do, but it’s necessary sometimes. And besides, Jack really enjoys himself when we do.

Close-up of several fabric pieces in shades of pink, with threads visible on one piece.

Now I can resew the block into the quilt. This time, I’m making sure it’s turned the right way.

Close-up view of colorful quilt patches with floral patterns being sewn together with a sewing machine.
Close-up of a quilt made with various floral and patterned fabric pieces, showcasing shades of pink, beige, and green, with visible stitching elements.

Okay, disaster averted, thank goodness. I’m still not a fan of the mauve rectangle touching the dark red one, but unless I want to do a ton more ripping and resewing, I’ve decided I can live with it. What do you think? Should I have ripped out the other block, too?

Quilt top featuring an assortment of floral and patterned fabrics in shades of pink, green, and cream, laid out in a patchwork design.

Moving on……..time to sew my squares into rows and then I’ll sew them to the quilt center. Fingers crossed I don’t get any of them mixed up. I’m going to sew the top and bottom squares together first and then I’ll sew them to the top and bottom of the quilt center.

Showcasing a colorful quilt top made from various fabrics in pink, green, and floral patterns, arranged in a harmonious patchwork layout.
A patchwork quilt top featuring a mix of floral and geometric patterned fabric pieces in shades of pink, green, and cream, arranged in a grid layout.

Next I’m going to sew the side border squares together and then I’ll sew them to the sides of the quilt center.

And here is the completed Busy Bee quilt top (or flimsy). Isn’t it really beautiful? LOVE LOVE LOVE these fabrics!

A patchwork quilt top featuring an assortment of floral and patterned fabric squares in shades of pink, green, and white, arranged in a mosaic style.
A completed quilt top featuring a patchwork design made of floral and textured fabric squares in shades of pink, green, and white, displayed against a light background.

Let’s take it outside in natural light to see the fabrics sparkle (instead of my dark sewing dungeon). Love it sew much! Can’t wait to finish this one.

A vibrant quilt displayed outdoors on a clothesline, featuring a patchwork design in shades of pink, green, and white.

Of course, after you get the flimsy finished, it’s time to layer it with batting and backing and quilt it. Then bind it and add a label. Hopefully soon.

Well, that’s it for me this week. Try to get a bit of sewing in this week.

See you next week!

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilting Partners · villa rosa designs

Special Announcement About Villa Rosa Designs

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Yep – you’re right, it’s not Thursday yet, but I had some important information to share with you about Villa Rosa Designs and it couldn’t wait until our usual Thursday post.

Please read on –

Moving Along

Pat Fryer is making changes – all toward scaling back her personal work load and concentrating on the Villa Rosa patterns.

California fabric shop and online fabric store –

All of the fresh new fabrics will be handed off to Heidi and Molly Cook.  The location is the same and all of the good things will be there.  They have a new name – 3 Aunts Quilt Shop.  The website 3AuntsQuiltShop.com will be live October 1.  There will be links on the VillaRosaDesigns.com website and in our newsletters.  All of Villa Rosa Designs patterns will be available at the shop and on 3AuntsQuiltShop.com.  3 Aunts Quilt Shop will carry on as the California home of Villa Rosa Designs.  Great things are in store!

VillaRosaDesigns.com –

The website will continue to have all of the Villa Rosa Designs patterns, and will still have close-out fabric and kits.  There is much remaining inventory after years of buying and overbuying fabric.

Pat and company [me included!] are going to be adding much more in the way of videos, tutorials, challenges, social sharing.  Let’s keep Villa Rosa Designs quilting and connected!

The new Texas home of Villa Rosa Designs –

A new East Texas location is opening in October.  The location is a partnership between Pat of Villa Rosa Designs and Catherine of Running Doe Quilts.  Running Doe Quilt Shop is expanding there – more machines, more fabric and notions, more classes.  Running Doe’s new shop will be renamed Rose City Sewing.  The location will have all of the Villa Rosa patterns available, along with close-out Villa Rosa fabrics.  Great things are in store!

Wholesale Operations –

Austin, TX is still home to Villa Rosa Designs administration and print shop.  Leann Fryer handles operations, web design, programming, wholesale ordering, and special orders.  Wholesale orders for quilt shops can be placed on VillaRosaWholesale.com.

Pattern Shipping –

Central Missouri houses the patterns.  Eric Aitken fills pattern orders – wholesale and retail.  Nancy Aitken heads our art department from there.

With all these moves, Villa Rosa Designs continues to be scattered over 3 states.  Centralizing contacts – phone and emails – will be a challenge we hope to simplify.

Contacts –

3 Aunts Quilt Shop – Molly Cook, Heidi Cook
3auntsquiltshop@gmail.com
530-509-5133   530-798-8506   530-755-6467
3AuntsQuiltShop.com
12438 Loma Rica Dr., Ste. A
Grass Valley CA 95945

Villa Rosa Designs – Pat Fryer
pat@villarosadesigns.com
888-867-8458   209-678-8731
VillaRosaDesigns.com

Villa Rosa Wholesale – Leann Fryer
leann@villarosadesigns.com
512-527-4964

Runing Doe Quilts
Rose City Sewing
catherine@runningdoequilts.com
903-933-2420
RunningDoeQuilts.com
Coming soon – Rose City Sewing
3401 G E Drive
Tyler TX 75701

Villa Rosa Pattern Shipping
Eric Aitken
orders@villarosadesigns.com

Villa Rosa Art Department
Nancy Aitken
nancy@villarosadesigns.com

So stay tuned – new and exciting things are coming!

See you Thursday for another great VRD quilt tutorial.

Until then –

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · Tips and Tricks · Tutorials · villa rosa designs

VRD Tea With Mara Quilt Tutorial

rosecards2 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

After our super fun Let’s Design a Quilt series (if you missed it, please check out the right side bar on the blog to find all of the links for the series) wrapped up last week, I promised a new group of tutorials to jump-start your autumn quilting.

You know how this time of the year is filled with local fairs and such right before the kiddos go back to school? Well, this week we’re off to the rodeo! Yippee!

Four cowboys riding horses during a rodeo, raising their hands in excitement, with dust kicking up in the background and an audience visible in the stands.

Have you ever been to a rodeo? I have a vague memory of going when I was a kid. My Grandma (my Dad’s mom) was always crazy about horses and always had at least a couple on the farm (my Grandpa always had his cows). I spent a lot of time on the farm as a kid as my grandparents’ farm was just down the road from our house. I have lots of good memories on the farm from when I was a kid. Baby animals were probably my favorite. Of course, running through the fields at midnight in the summer chasing down stray cows or horses was always fun, too. Good times.

Let’s slap our cowgirl (or cowboy) hats on our heads, put on our boots, and get started!

VRD Tea With Mara Quilt Tutorial

Tea With Mara is designed by Deanne of Creative Sewlutions, one of our talented VRD designers. This quilt finishes at a generous 58″ x 72″ and it can handle those large prints we are so loathe to chop up. Use printed panel squares……or not down the center. Sew many options……..sew little time!

A colorful quilt titled 'Tea with Mara' featuring a patchwork design with floral and butterfly patterns, highlighting various shades of pink, blue, and purple.

Get your digital pattern HERE or your print pattern HERE

PSST! Don’t forget, patterns always ship free, so grab a few more while you’re perusing the VRD patterns at the online shop.

For today’s tutorial, I’m using fabric from our friends over at Hoffman. It’s a digital-printed collection called Rodeo Dreams. When I saw this collection, I loved it! Maybe because it brought back fun memories from my childhood? So I’m letting you know right now that you’ll be seeing a couple more tutorials featuring Rodeo Dreams.

Just a quick word of caution when using digitally-printed fabrics – start with a brand new needle because if your needle is dull, you run the risk of damaging the fabric and we certainly don’t want to do that.

A selection of quilting fabrics, including blue and red bandana prints, a brown print, and a fabric featuring cowboys on horseback, alongside a digital pattern for the "Tea With Mara" quilt tutorial.

The first fabric I’m going to cut is the running yardage of the rodeo vignettes. I’m very glad I have a ruler the same size as the required block size in the pattern so I can fussy cut the squares easily and accurately.

A cutting mat featuring a quilting ruler over fabric with a rodeo scene, alongside a tutorial card for the 'Tea with Mara' quilt pattern.

Having the right sized ruler makes it a lot easier to fussy cut these vignettes than trying to cut strips and then cutting the strips into squares. This type of fabric makes strips and squares kind of tricky because the vignettes aren’t all the same size nor do they line up in a perfect grid.

Love quilting rulers! Boy, they do make quilting so much easier, faster, and more accurate.

Mostly, I rely on my 6×24 and 6×12 rulers for cutting, but it’s always a great idea to have a collection of square rulers in the most common sizes, which are not only good for fussy cutting, but also for squaring up blocks.

A set of clear quilting rulers in various sizes, featuring measurement grids and markings, placed on a white background.
This basic ruler set includes rulers in common sizes

The only problem with fussy cutting is that your fabric will look like Swiss cheese when you get all done! LOL! Check mine out below. I can still fussy cut more pieces out of the fabric, but there is definitely more waste doing it this way than cutting strips into squares. Just something to think about if you’ve never fussy cut before.

A layout of quilting fabric featuring rodeo scenes, displayed on a flannel wall alongside various quilt blocks.

Now I’m finished making Swiss cheese, it’s time to cut the rest of my fabrics. Loving this red bandana print – it looks like the real thing (digitally printed, of course)!

A rotary cutter and quilting ruler positioned on a cutting mat, with a vibrant red bandana print fabric and a quilt pattern titled 'Tea with Mara' by Creative Sewlutions.

Here are all my fabrics cut and ready to sew.

A collection of quilting fabrics including a red bandana print, a blue bandana print, a brown fabric, and a fabric featuring a cowboy chasing a calf, with a quilt pattern titled 'Tea with Mara' visible.

But before I start sewing, I’m going to lay out all of the pieces on my flannel wall. I want to make sure I like the placement of the rodeo vignettes before I commit to their positions permanently.

Quilt blocks arranged on a flannel wall, featuring red, blue, and brown fabrics with a rodeo theme and floral patterns.

I really like the nice big pieces in this quilt, even if I have to layer pieces on the floor because the quilt is going to be longer than my flannel wall. It’s going together surprisingly fast, though.

Of course, you don’t have to fussy cut your fabrics like I did – you could use any fabric you wanted for the center squares. Or you could even scrap this quilt up and use some of your stash. Such a versatile pattern – I could totally picture this quilt in a great collection of fall or harvest fabrics! Hmmmmmmmm….

You could even add a 6″ finished border, which would make the quilt a big 70″ x 84″!

Now I’ve got all my pieces up on the flannel wall. I switched a couple of the rodeo vignettes around, but other than that, I think it’s ready to sew. I like how it looks.

A colorful quilt layout featuring horse and rodeo-themed fabric squares, with red, blue, white, and brown patterned blocks arranged in a grid pattern on a design wall. A cutting mat and quilting ruler are visible in the foreground, along with a pattern card labeled 'Tea With Mara.'

Yippee-ki-yi-yay! Let’s sew this little dogie together! I really like how the fabrics alternate in placement from side to side – it definitely helps to keep your eyes moving around the quilt. The red and blue bandana fabrics really make this quilt in addition to the rodeo vignette squares. LOVE IT!

A quilt with alternating squares of red, white, blue, and brown fabric, featuring images of rodeo scenes.

And here it is outside on the clothesline. All I need is a horse or 2 grazing in the backyard, right? I’ll be binding this quilt with the dark blue batik you see in the fabric and pattern photo way up at the beginning of this tutorial. I think it will frame the quilt nicely.

A colorful quilt with red, blue, brown, and white squares, featuring rodeo-themed prints, hanging on a clothesline in a grassy field.

Now to get this quilt top layered, quilted, bound, and labeled…….some day, anyway. Right now I’m going to add it to my teetering pile of flimsies and UFOs. I’m hoping to make a good-sized dent in that pile this fall and winter. It’s just been way too hot this summer to machine quilt and do binding.

Here’s to autumn with its warm days and cool nights. And the brilliant colors of the season…. I can’t wait!

See you next week for another great tutorial!

Until then –

Sew. Laugh. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

2025 Let's Design a Quit Together Series · Quilt Play · Quilting Partners · Tips and Tricks

Let’s Design a Quilt: The Drunkard’s Path Block

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Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

What’s shakin’? Me, just sitting here thinking about which quilt block we’re going to feature today to wrap up our Design a Quilt series. I’m kind of bummed that today’s the final post in this series, but it is true that all good things must come to an end. That makes sense, because, if they didn’t then we would never have the opportunity to find new good things.

I’ve also been thinking about how you, dear readers, can utilize what we’ve covered in this series. The biggest thing that occurs to me, of course, is designing your own quilts using common quilt blocks. Common quilt block designs (like Nine Patch, Irish Chain, Four Patch, Sawtooth Star, etc., etc.) would most likely be considered in the public domain.

Want to find public domain quilt block designs? Just Google it! Pretty much all quilt block designs (and everything else in print) from publications before 1923 are considered public domain. Another idea is to look up quilt block history to see if the blocks were used before 1923. You can also invest in a quilt block reference or 2.

My favorite reference is Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.

Cover of the book 'Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns' compiled by Barbara Brackman, featuring various quilt block designs.

For those of you who may not have heard of Barbara Brackman – she is probably the most well-known quilt historian in the USA, if not the world. Her book is meticulously researched and includes a reference section with original publications for the blocks in the book. Believe me, you will never run out of inspiration – there are over 4000 blocks in the book!

Another oldie but goodie block reference is The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America by Carrie A. Hall and Rose G. Kretsinger. This book was published in 1935 and is actually in the public domain itself. It includes A LOT of old pieced and appliqued quilt blocks and quilts along with historical notes. You might be able to find a used copy as its out of print, or I’ve included a link to an e-book version above.

Cover of 'The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America' featuring floral designs and decorative borders.

What does all this mean, really?

If you want to sell quilts, the best way to do that is to design your own instead of using someone’s copyright-protected pattern, which, as we’ve previously explored, has the potential to cause you legal issues down the road.

Want to be a quilt designer?

Create/sell your own patterns?

Design quilts for quilt magazines?

Write a quilt book?

Easy peasy, use public domain/common quilt blocks to create your own designs. Then your designs would be copyright protected, too.

Huh. Kind of mind-blowing, isn’t it? That doing something so simple – and FUN! – can become your own copyright-protected work.

Just something for you to think about….

Let’s move on to today’s block: Drunkard’s Path.

Let’s Design a Quilt: The Drunkard’s Path Block

Here is a basic Drunkard’s Path block unit.

A basic Drunkard's Path quilt block unit featuring a red semicircle on a white background.

The Drunkard’s Path block has a very interesting and rich history with roots in ancient Egypt. The block was popular with the Underground Railroad and the Women’s Temperance movement in the US. For a more and detailed history, please check out this article on the AccuQuilt blog: A History of the Drunkard’s Path Quilt Patterns.

Today, we are going to explore some of the interesting ways you can arrange this humble block unit, add sashing or not, and using color to tweak the design.

Before we can design a Drunkard’s Path quilt, we need to explore some of the many many different Drunkard’s Path variations. Believe me, these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are a few books to explore more Drunkard’s Path designs.

Cover of the book '65 Drunkard's Path Quilt Designs' by Pepper Cory, featuring multiple quilt designs in various colors and patterns.
Get the book HERE
Book cover of 'A New Spin on Drunkard's Path' by John Kubiniec, featuring a quilt design in red and white with a pattern of curved shapes and geometric accents.

Get the book HERE

Here are different ways to arrange the units in a 2 x 2 layout. Which one is your favorite?

A Drunkard's Path quilt block unit featuring a grid layout with red semicircles on a white background.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block featuring a layout of red curves on a white background arranged in a 2x2 grid.
A quilt block design featuring a large red circle on a white background, arranged in a four-square layout.

Okay, let’s try a 3 x 3 grid.

A Drunkard's Path quilt block featuring a layout of red and white curved sections arranged in a 3x3 grid.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring a pattern of red and white curved shapes arranged in a 3x3 grid.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring a 2x2 grid with alternating red and white curved shapes.

Now let’s see what a 4 x 4 grid looks like.

A quilt block design featuring a 2 x 2 grid of large red circles on a white background.
A quilt block design featuring a repeating Drunkard's Path pattern, consisting of alternating red and white sections arranged in a grid layout.
A quilt block design featuring alternating red and white curved segments arranged in a 2x2 grid pattern, creating a wave-like effect.
A quilt block design featuring a repeating Drunkard's Path pattern with alternating red and white curves.
A quilt block design featuring a grid pattern with large red circles on a white background.

So I think you get the idea about the endless possibilities of the Drunkard’s Path block unit. Why don’t you try a 5 x 5 grid or a 6 by 6 grid to see what you can create?

Now let’s play with the color arrangement by swapping reds and whites in order to create new and different designs from the ones above.

A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring red and white curved shapes arranged in a grid pattern.
A quilt block design featuring a Drunkard's Path layout with alternating red and white sections, showcasing four circular shapes in each quadrant.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block featuring red and white fabrics in a four-square layout with curved designs.
Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring alternating red and white sections arranged in a circular pattern.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring alternating red and white curved shapes arranged in a 3x3 grid.
Quadrant quilt block featuring a Drunkard's Path design with alternating red and white sections.

Let’s add more colors to our blocks, shall we? That way we can get even more interesting variations. You can see how adding more color can change a block design or even add a secondary design. Never underestimate the power of adding more color.

A geometric quilt block design featuring a mix of red circles, black shapes, and white backgrounds with a central gray square.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring a bold black and white layout with a prominent red circle at the center.
A colorful Drunkard's Path quilt block featuring a blue center surrounded by red circles, with alternating white and blue shapes creating a dynamic pattern.
Abstract quilt block design featuring red and black shapes arranged in a circular and square pattern.
A Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring a blue semicircle on a red and white background, arranged in a 2x2 grid.
A quilt block design featuring a pattern of red circles on a black and white grid.

Okay, now it’s time to create quilt designs using some of the variations above! Let’s start with this bird variation.

A quilt block design featuring a Drunkard's Path pattern with red and white curved sections arranged in a 2x2 layout.

I like this bird quilt arrangement very much, but I don’t love how all the birds are facing the same way.

A quilt design featuring a repeating Drunkard's Path block pattern, alternating between red and white colors.

Let’s turn the birds in different directions. Hmmm. I only see a small difference here. Let’s keep going.

A digital quilt design featuring the Drunkard's Path block in a repeating pattern of red and white colors.

Better with sashing and sashing squares, but I’m still not too excited by it.

A quilt design featuring a repeated Drunkard's Path block pattern in red and white colors arranged in a grid layout.

Okay, let’s remove the sashing and turn the birds some more to see what happens. AHA! Yes, this is more like it.

A quilt design featuring a Drunkard's Path block arrangement with alternating red and white shapes, creating a dynamic pattern.

I think we can call this a finished design. Let’s add some fabric. It would definitely make a bold 2 color quilt as long as you have strong contrast between the colors like the red and white example above. But let’s add more than 2 colors.

Yup, this one rocks. I’m using fabrics from QT’s American Spirit collection. I took a chance and flip flopped the fabrics in the centers and it really sets this design off.

A quilt design featuring the Drunkard's Path block, arranged in a repeating pattern with red, blue, and cream fabrics, creating a visually appealing layout.

Now let’s try a different Drunkard’s Path block variation from above.

A quilt block design featuring a circular blue shape in the top left and bottom right sections, against a backdrop of alternating red and white squares.

I like this interesting block arrangement, especially with the checkerboard behind the blue circles. Very 3-D. But I bet we can tweak it to change it from an okay quilt to a WOW quilt.

A quilt design featuring a checkered pattern with red and white squares and blue circles in the center.

Just a quick turn of some blocks and we get this design with lots of movement. Kind of fun, huh?

A quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of red, white, and blue blocks with circular shapes in blue and white against a red background.

Let’s add some fabric to this one. Can’t wait to see it! Here’s a selection of yummy Hoffman batiks. This super mod design has a lot going for it!

A quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of pink circles on a black and white grid background, with a copyright notice for Tricia Lynn Maloney, Orphan Quilt Designs.

Let’s play with another block.

A quilt block design featuring a central gray square surrounded by red circles and black curved shapes on a white background.

All right, let’s see what this block looks like in a quilt. Gosh, I’m really liking this one. It reminds of a tile floor. But I think we can tweak it a bit to make it outstanding.

A colorful quilt pattern featuring alternating blocks with red circles and black shapes on a white background, arranged in a grid format.

YES! This is the finished design. Adding sashing and sashing squares was just the tweak I needed, which added a wonderful secondary design.

A colorful quilt design featuring a repeated Drunkard's Path block layout with black, red, gray, and white colors.

Yippee! Time to add fabric! I think this design is spectacular!

A quilt design featuring pink floral blocks and circular motifs on a dark background.

Let’s do one more!

A graphic illustration of a Drunkard's Path quilt block design featuring a red circle, black and white geometric shapes.

Let’s see how this variation plays in a quilt. I really like this design – it makes me think of Halloween bats flying in front of a full moon. But I think we can tweak it a bit more.

A quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of the Drunkard's Path block, showcasing red, black, white, and gray colors arranged in a grid layout.

Let’s try sashing again. Sometimes this is the way to go and sometimes it isn’t. This one improves with sashing, definitely! I love the diagonal movement the design has now. What do you think?

A geometric quilt design featuring alternating black, white, and red blocks with curved patterns, arranged in a checkerboard layout.

Only thing left to do is to add FABRIC! I’m using assorted Hoffman batiks again and I played up the Halloween moon idea by making the background grey like twilight. Totally loving this!

A quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of Drunkard's Path blocks in gray and dark blue with orange accents, arranged in a grid layout.

Sadly, that wraps up our 5 part Let’s Design a Quilt series. I have had SEW much fun with this series. I hope you did too. I can envision adding more to this series down the road. Maybe I will focus on on-point quilt designs….

If you missed any posts in the series, you can find them all right here:

Playing with Nine Patch Blocks

Playing with the Spool Block

Playing with the Courthouse Steps Block

Playing with the Sawtooth Star Block

Playing with the Farmer’s Daughter Block

See you next week – time for some new VRD tutorials to jumpstart your Autumn quilting when the kiddos go back to school.

Until then –

Sew. Laugh. Design. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD

2025 Let's Design a Quit Together Series · Quilt Play · Quilting Partners · Rose Cards · Tips and Tricks · villa rosa designs

NEW VRD Patterns for August and Let’s Design a Quilt: The Farmer’s Daughter Block

rosecards2 Comments

Hello Quilty Friends!

Happy Thursday to you!

Welcome! We have lots of fun stuff to do this week, so we’re just going to dive right in.

First up, today is the Thursday after the first Friday, which means – NEW PATTERNS! Yay!

Collage of five quilt pattern covers titled 'August 2025 Patterns in a Set!' featuring designs named Grated, Lady Banks, Jolene, Jasper, and Snap Shot. Each cover showcases different quilt designs and colors.

Get your print pattern set HERE.

I know I say it every month, but our VRD designers are totally outstanding! Every month, they exceed the previous month’s designs. Let’s take a look at each pattern this month.

Grated by Heidi

Colorful quilt design titled 'Grated' by Heidi Cook for Villa Rosa Designs, featuring a variety of fabric patterns arranged in a grid layout.

Grated uses a stack of fat sixths (which are between a fat eighth and a fat quarter, measuring 12″ x 21″) or 10″ squares. This is a big quilt measuring 65″ x 75.” There are still kits available, which feature Klimt fabrics like the pattern cover. You can get your Grated kit, which includes the pattern, HERE.

Lady Banks by VRD (Pat)

A quilt design titled 'Lady Banks' featuring a patchwork of various blue and grey fabrics, set against a light blue background. The quilt consists of squares and rectangles with floral and textured patterns. The design is framed by a dark border with the names 'Lady Banks' and 'Villa Rosa Designs' displayed prominently.

If you are following along with the Tim Holtz Palette collections then Lady Banks is for you. It features the blue palette and finishes at 45″ x 60″. You can find the kit (including the pattern) HERE.

Jasper by Running Doe Quilts (Catherine)

A colorful quilt named 'Jasper' featuring a variety of patterns in blue, green, yellow, and red fabric blocks, displayed against a brick wall background.

Catherine is back with 2 new mod patterns this month! Jasper is FQ friendly and finishes at 36×48, which makes a nice baby quilt or lap quilt. You can find the kit HERE featuring the Camp Canine collection at Running Doe Quilts.

Jolene by Running Doe Quilts (Catherine)

A colorful quilt named 'Jolene' featuring a pattern of alternating squares and checkered designs in shades of pink, green, and yellow, displayed against a textured white wall.

Jolene is Catherine’s second quilt this month. It uses FQs and finishes at a generous 63″ x 84″. You can find the kit HERE at VRD featuring the Thirty-One collection or HERE at Running Doe Quilts featuring the Camp Canine collection.

Snap Shot by Molly

Quilt design titled 'Snap Shot' featuring images of wildlife, including deer and a bear, with a mix of earthy colors and fabric patterns.

Snap Shot is another one of Molly’s creative panel quilts. It is FQ friendly and finishes at a nice 45″ x 54″, which could be a wall quilt or a throw. Sorry, but VRD is out of Snap Shot kits already.

Apologies, but there is no table runner this month. Stay tuned for next month’s runner!

SEW, which NEW pattern are you going to make first?????

Now let’s turn our thoughts to our ongoing Quilt Design series.

Let’s Design a Quilt: The Farmer’s Daughter Block

Colorful quilt block design featuring a central orange square surrounded by red, blue, yellow, and green pieces in a symmetrical pattern.

Here is the traditional Farmer’s Daughter block. According to Barbara Brackman, this block was first published in Clara Stone’s 1906 booklet, Practical Needlework: Quilt Patterns, which was part of a needlework booklet series by C. W. Calkins & Co. in Boston. Of course, like most quilt patterns, it was probably being made long before it was published. One of our readers suggested this block last week and I just couldn’t resist it. Thank you, dear reader! I hope I do the block justice for you!

Yikes! See how the four corners of the block feature set-in seams? Well, the first change to this block we are going to make is to change the four corners to be much friendlier by using Half Square Triangles (HSTs) instead of set-in pieces. Ahhhh! That’s more like it!

A colorful quilt block design featuring a central red square surrounded by blue triangles and yellow squares, with green squares at the corners.

Now we’re ready to play — er, design! Let’s put Farmer’s Daughter blocks in a quilt. Huh! When you set the blocks side to side, you lose the block and a whole new design emerges. Pretty cool!

Colorful quilt design featuring a geometric pattern with star and diamond shapes in red, blue, green, yellow, and orange.

Now let’s add some sashing to see what that looks like. Neat-o! Sashing shows off the block. I just love the secondary design where the block corners (with the green squares) meet the sashing squares. Both designs have a lot of movement already and I haven’t done anything except the HSTs.

A colorful quilt design featuring a repeating star pattern with red, blue, orange, and green shades set against a yellow background.

Wowzer! Look what happens when I change the colors to black, grey, white, and red. I’d call this a finished design right now, wouldn’t you???? It almost has a 3D effect. Cool beans!

A quilt design featuring blocks with star-like shapes in red, gray, and white against a black background, creating a geometric pattern.

Here’s the same design, but I changed the red to white. Holy cow, Batman! It’s really eye-catching and the black negative space is just itching for some really cool machine quilting.

A quilt design featuring alternating blocks composed of black, white, and gray geometric patterns, arranged in a grid layout.

Here’s the same design again, but I changed the grey to red. Oh my! It just about leaps off the screen. Just by playing around with the colors.

This is only ONE of sew many reasons why I love my Electric Quilt 8 software. I can tweak some tiny little thing and if I don’t like it, I can go back or keep tweaking. If you haven’t ever tried EQ8, you really should. It is a total game changer for quilters everywhere!

A quilt design featuring a bold pattern of alternating red and black shapes arranged on a black background, with white squares creating a checkered effect. The design includes intricate geometric shapes that resemble a stylized star or flower.

Now let’s add some fabric. I’m using lovely blue batiks from Hoffman’s 1895 Watercolors collection. That’s the one! LOVE IT!

That’s a wrap for this design!

A quilt pattern featuring interconnected blue and white blocks set against a dark background, creating a geometric design.

But wait! We’re not done yet. Let’s go back to the block and split the corner sections into 2 colors, instead of just 1 color. I also changed the center square to blue, which gives it an interesting pinwheel design in the center.

A colorful quilt block design featuring a star shape with blue, red, and yellow triangles, set on a white grid background.

Let’s see what it looks like in a quilt. Hmmm. Not very interesting. At least not yet.

A quilt design featuring a repeating star pattern with red, blue, and yellow colors on a white background.

Let’s add some sashing. I’m gong to introduce black for the sashing squares. Better, but no way near finished. Let’s keep going.

Quilt design featuring a repeating star pattern with red, blue, yellow, and white colors, arranged in a grid with black sashing.

Let’s flip the black and white for the sashing and sashing squares. WHOAH! I am loving this sashing idea – it is incredibly graphic! But now we need to tweak the blocks some more.

A colorful quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of star blocks in red, blue, yellow, and white, set against a black background. The blocks are arranged in a grid with alternating black and white sashing.

Before we work on the blocks some more, it needs a border to frame it. It just looked a bit unfinished without it, don’t you think?

A quilt design featuring a grid of colorful star blocks on a black background, incorporating blue, red, yellow, and white fabrics.

That’s it! Okay, on to the blocks. Let’s swap the blue and yellow in the 4 corners back to 1 color, red. And change the blue center to white so it repeats the white sashing square. I love how graphic it is. Your thoughts?

Quilt design featuring a repeating pattern of star blocks in red and white against a black background, with a modern geometric layout.

One more tweak. Let’s change the center square in the blocks to black. Yup! That’s it! Love the plus sign in the center of the blocks! This design has a clean modern look yet it feels traditional, too. It is totally the best of both worlds.

A patterned quilt design featuring alternating red and white blocks on a black background, showcasing a geometric star motif.

All right! Let’s add some fabric. Again, I’m using batiks from Hoffman’s 1895 Watercolors collection. I did make one more tweak by changing the sashing squares to match the plus signs. Don’t you just love it in pinks? The black has a slight bluish tinge for added interest. Again, it has a bit of a 3D effect. Done and done!

A vibrant quilt design featuring a repeating star pattern in pink and purple hues, set against a dark blue quilt background with white borders separating each star.

Do you remember where we started? A Classic Farmer’s Daughter block.

How far we came just by changing the colors, playing with the fabric placement, and adding sashing/border.

How are you going to explore these ideas with your quilts???

A colorful quilt block design featuring a central orange square surrounded by red squares and blue triangle sections, with green and yellow corner pieces.

Well, that’s it for me for our 4th week in our Let’s Design a Quilt Series. If you missed any posts, you can catch up here:

Playing with Nine Patch Blocks

Playing with the Spool Block

Playing with the Courthouse Steps Block

Playing with the Sawtooth Star block

Sadly, next week we are going to wrap up our Quilt Design series. Next we’re going to do some new tutorials, just for you. Sew stay tuned!

See you on the flip side!

Until then –

Sew. Laugh. Design. Repeat.

Always,

Tricia @ VRD