Author: coffeeandquilts

I am so happy this day is here! It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm glad to be making my longtime dream a reality. I'd like to introduce Cascading Colors. This quilt finishes at 65" x 78" and uses a layer cake and solid fabric to create a stunning quilt that beautifully displays … Continue reading Pattern Release

I've been quilting for 13 or 14 years, and it's not an exaggeration to say that I've been dreaming of making this my business for almost that entire time. There are a lot of reasons that I didn't sincerely try before now – I needed to work other jobs to pay bills, I didn't have … Continue reading Cinderella Syndrome

I have a very strong tendency to ignore weakness in misguided attempts to prove strength. Following my surgery in March, I couldn't wait to get back to running – that was my barometer for being healthy. In the days that followed coming home from the hospital, I clung to my husband and hobbled around my … Continue reading Convalescing

I got such a tremendous response to my Moda Bake Shop pattern on Instagram that I didn't even mention it over here. This has been one of my favorite quilting moments so far. I am humbled and thankful beyond words. My health has been up and down. Each cycle of methotrexate, my chemo drug, is … Continue reading Two weeks at a time, half a week behind

My high school English teacher taught our class that Shakespeare wrote funny scenes alternately with sad scenes so that the good seemed better and the bad seemed worse. Life has a way of working good into the bad, little rays of sunshine into cloudy days. I've started this post several times, and I've struggled with … Continue reading Some good, some bad, and a quilt

Years ago, I worked at a quilt shop.  I helped customers, pieced shop samples, taught a few classes here and there.  But my favorite thing was unboxing new fabrics.  My heart would skip a beat when the UPS truck stopped out front and the UPS man started unloading those big heavy boxes.  Even better if … Continue reading I’d forgotten

My little quilt helper wanted me to share some of his helpful tips and tricks for perfect binding. First, steal some excess binding from mama's work table. Wear it as a fashionable scarf. Then, use it as a blindfold. Walk directly into the couch. Take an Oreo break. If you follow these simple steps, in … Continue reading How to Bind a Quilt (when you’re a toddler)

I'm lucky enough to live about an hour away Lancaster, PA and some of fabulous quilt shops there. Friday, my husband and I made the journey to see AQS Quilt Week and do some shopping and getting inspiration. There's a lot going on in our personal lives and we both needed a nice day trip. … Continue reading AQS Quilt Week in Lancaster, PA

I'm not a consistent blogger. Or a consistent quilter. But circumstances in my life have led me back to my sewing room. I've been working on a baby quilt for a friend. It's all quilted and trimmed and ready for binding. I just couldn't get anything to work. Making the binding went well enough, and … Continue reading How (not) to bind a quilt