August's Block 2025

August is here, it's hard to believe that summer is almost over. Seems like summers fly by too quickly. Soon the evenings will start to cool down and the leaves on my one maple tree will start to turn, it's always the first tree. I have a little touch of autumn in the middle of August. The garden seems slow this year... only one tomato so far, I'm hoping for more of course. (We've have had a lot of rain this year.) I have picked a couple of nice batches of green beans. I roasted them in the oven with a little bit of olive oil and seasoned them with salt and pepper, so yummy. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. It's not too late to join, I actually pieced this quilt during a retreat and only spent two of the days putting the blocks together. That included lots of breaks for snacks and visiting so I know that you can easily catch up if you are just joining us.

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2-yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

I have my squares lined up next to my machine to make it easy for me to chain sew my block.

August's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch. 

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

June's Block 2025

June is here! The garden is almost in. The seedlings and seed packets are bought. I hope to get things planted later today. At least the flowers are planted, and we are enjoying spending time outside grilling and relaxing on the patio and deck. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2-yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

Go on over to the website and download the directions for this month's block.

Like the other month's I'm making my block very scrappy. The trick of making it very scrappy is evenly distributing the various fabric prints. I know it's hard for some quilters to make a scrap quilt without seeing the complete layout. I'm asking you to trust the process and know it's okay if there's more of a certain print in an area of the quilt. I promise, the quilt police will not be knocking on your door. I have the liberty of having a competed quilt, the one thing I worried about was the oversaturation of a particular background cream print. What I noticed when the quilt was done and the blocks were sewn together, the prints and tones melted together and did not stand out in one way or another.

Another thing I did with my quilt was threw in a very light pink in my background fabric. The pink does not stand out in the overall quilt. I also took the liberty to place a medium pink and purple block in place of two cream blocks. These two blocks are the 'center' of the quilt.

I have my squares lined up next to my machine to make it easy for me to chain sew my block.

June's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch. 

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

May's Block

It's May Day! Spring is officially here! Gardening is in full swing here; I am redoing a perennial garden that is right off my deck. I'm pretty much starting from scratch. I'm going from a shade garden to a full sun garden since we took down a large oak tree last fall. There's lots of prep work to be done before I can start planting anything. I have been finding muscles that I didn't even knew existed and finding that I poop out quicker then I used to. I've been trying to put in at least a couple hours a day on this project. There's been a lot of weeds to pull since I've neglected this garden, not really sure what I would do with it. I have lots of shade perennials to dig up and move to shadier locations. I'm looking forward to going to the Amish greenhouses with my sister in a week or two and picking up all sorts of beautiful plants to fill my new sun garden and all of my flowerpots and gardens. I've been putting together my list of what I'm looking for so that I don't get sidetracked. At least I have a plan in mind, let's see if I can stick to it!

 Another fun shift for me is being able to do my work outside sitting at the patio table. I love drinking my coffee, reading emails in the morning as I listen to the birds chirping.

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2-yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

Go on over to the website and download this month's free pattern. Print it up so that you can easily refer to the layout for this month's section.

I like to chain sew when I can. If you prefer to sew row by row, iron, feel free to do that.

May's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch. I'm off to work on my gardens and get it ready for planting day!

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

March Block 2025

Happy March, my spring fever is still in full swing here! uggg... I'm thinking of finally pulling out the Easter decorations this month. At least it will feel like spring in the house. We have had some beautiful weather with warmer temperatures, but too early and too cold to work in the gardens. I have ordered some seeds and have been making my list for the greenhouse. May is still so far away... I'll keep stitching away with my pretty fabrics until garden time is here. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2-yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. Did you notice the green in the block, don't worry, it can be the same color as all your other dark blocks. I wanted to show you that you can mix it up color wise if you want to. Again, I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

I like to lay my fabric squares next to my sewing machine so they are easy to grab as I stitch along.

I like to chain sew when I can. If you prefer to sew row by row, iron, feel free to do that.

March's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

February's Block 2025

 

Happy February! I hope it's warmer where you are. It's cold here and I'm getting tired of it. I have spring fever and it's too soon, the gardening catalogs arriving in the mail isn't helping me any. At least it's good stitching weather. In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2 yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. Did you notice the green in the block, don't worry, it can be the same color as all your other dark blocks. I wanted to show you that you can mix it up color wise if you want to. Again, I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

As you can see, mine is very scrappy! I threw in a pink and purple square for the giggles of it. I am purplephobic and it's hard for me to use the color purple in my quilts. This is a challenge for me.... The quilt doesn't seem to make sense yet trust the process. If you stick with light and dark fabrics your quilt will turn out beautiful. I'm pushing the limits a little bit with some of my lighter blue fabric choices. 

I like to chain sew when I can. If you prefer to sew row by row, iron, feel free to do that.

February's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

Aprils Block ~ Baltimore Oriole

It's April! Spring is around the corner, I'm sure of it! Or so I hope, we did have sleet and snow over the last couple of days and our driveway is a skating rink! I can only hope for warmer weather soon! I'm ready to break out the capri pants and flip flops, LOL!

This month's block is a special one, a Baltimore Oriole. My dad loved to see them visit, he always had grape jelly set out for them. My sister gets her Oriole's about two weeks before I see mine. I know when I get a text that she's got Orioles, I'd better get my feeder out with fresh oranges and grape jelly! I don't want to miss the scouts. I love when they visit. They remind me of my dad and how much he loved feeding the birds.

 This month's block features this sweet bird perched on a pitcher filled with oranges and orange blossoms.  So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Gather your fabrics for the oriole design...

Go to the website and print up the pattern...

Trace the design pieces onto the paper side of your fusible web, I like to use a pencil.

Following the directions on the fusible web, iron shapes onto the back side of your fabric.

Cut the shapes out.

Following the design placement sheet, peel the paper off the back of the fabric shapes and position them in place. Notice some shapes overlap others. Iron in place following the manufacturers directions.

Using a buttonhole stitch on your sewing machine, stitch around the raw edges. I used a white thread to stitch around the flowers. I know they are small, just go slow and remember to pivot with the needle down.  I used a dark brown to go around everything else.

~ Baltimore Oriole ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

February's Block!

January sure flew by! It has been cold and snowy here in Minnesota. Our younger son who lives at home tested positive for Covid a few weeks ago but had no symptoms, so we spent a couple weeks hanging out in our own corners of the house. I sprayed everything down with Lysol, don't know if it really helped but it made me feel better. If it wasn't below zero, I would have had the windows open too! After my younger son got done with his quarantine, my older son and I want her to be my DIL, both came down with Covid for a second time. They are still in quarantine. Luckily their cases seem to be mild. I made a homemade soup run to their home a few days ago. Waved at them thru the windows. 

 I'm so grateful to have my sewing space. Stitching away has been a great comfort to me as I'm sure it has for many of you too! I've gotten quite a few projects done over the last few days. I've been able to cross a few things off the to do list. That's always a good feeling!

As you know, this year's Block of the Month will feature some of my favorite feathered friends. It's a secret as to what feathered friends will be featured. This quilt is done with a fusible applique method. Most of my designs are done this way. I hope that you enjoy the process as we work on this quilt together over the next year. This month's block features a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. I have seen these sweet birds on my bird feeders from time to time. I had to pull out my bird book that my dad gave to me years ago to identify them the first time I saw one on the bird feeder. They have a very distinctive beak. This month's block features this sweet bird next to a birdhouse along with some purple coneflowers. So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

You will do the applique design on your background rectangle. I have precut 12 - 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" rectangles for this year's BOM quilt.

Print up the directions and trace all of the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I cheated this month and ran my fusible interfacing thru my computer and printed up the shapes that way. A big-time saver!

Go thru your fabric stash and pick out your colors for your applique.

Cut apart the applique pieces that you have traced and group the pieces with the different color fabrics. Remember you will be ironing the pieces onto the wrong side of your fabric.

My pieces are all ironed onto my fabric, now I need to cut everything out using my sharp applique scissors.

Following the pattern placement sheet, I peel off the paper backing on my fabric shapes and place them onto the cream background rectangle. Press the applique into place.

I used a dark brown thread to applique around all of the edges using a buttonhole stitch.

~Rose-Breasted Grosbeak~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

Hope that you stop by tomorrow for the first block.  Remember the block will only be FREE for the month of February, after that it will be available for $2.50. All patterns are a PDF download. I suggest getting a file folder and printing up the patterns each month and stashing them in the folder. Especially if you aren't planning on working on it right away. That way you won't miss a thing!

Please help spread the word about the NEW Quilt Doodle BOM! Come and join the fun! Remember to post those pictures! I love to see your progress and it's fun to see everyone's blocks! 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching!

Happy quilting,

Cindy 

January's Block 2022!

 Happy New Year!

Hubby and I spent the evening playing cribbage waiting for the fireworks to start on Buck Hill. Poor miss Maddie (our son's lab-rottie, or rotten lab) hates fireworks and spent the evening ringing in the new year running from window to window. She's pooped out this morning and is sleeping in.

 I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. We did, with a few glitches.... the furnace went out on Christmas.... a new one was installed the next day. We are very happy we have two fireplaces that were able to keep our home warm on Christmas! The garage door opener broke a couple days before and my stove decided to crap out just a couple days after. At least it got me thru cooking the huge traditional ham dinner feast on Christmas. The new year is beginning with a few new upgrades in the Staub home... let's hope the rest of the year goes smoothly! 

This year's Block of the Month will feature some of my favorite feathered friends. It's a secret as to what feathered friends will be featured. This quilt is done with a fusible applique method. Most of my designs are done this way. I hope that you enjoy the process as we work on this quilt together over the next year. This month's block features a Junco. My dad used to also call them snowbirds. These sweet little birds usually show up on my bird feeders right before a snowstorm. I always think of dad when I see them. Although I took some liberty and have drawn the birds on a watering can with some flowers... no snow. So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the design shapes on to the paper side of your fusible web.

Cut the shapes out based on 'color'... I group same colors together when I trace a design out. Then match the shapes with your fabric that you are using for the design. Following the manufacturer's directions, iron the fusible web onto the back side of your fabric.

From your background fabric, cut an 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" rectangle. If you want, you can cut all twelve that you need for the quilt top at the same time and set them aside. I find it helpful to store all my fabric for a quilt together in a project bin. You might want to start a project bin for this. 

Then using my OLFA applique scissors, I cut all of the shapes out for the Junco design.

Following the pattern placement page, center your design on your rectangle. Remember to peel off the paper for the design. Following the manufacturer's directions, iron everything in place. I used a dark brown/black thread to stitch around all of the raw edges. I used a small buttonhole stitch. Feel free to practice and try out a couple of different stitch sizes before you stitch on your actual block. Remember to go slow and always pivot with your needle down.

~ Junco ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

Hope that you stop by tomorrow for the first block.  Remember the block will only be FREE for the month of January, after that it will be available for $2.50. All patterns are a PDF download. I suggest getting a file folder and printing up the patterns each month and stashing them in the folder. Especially if you aren't planning on working on it right away. That way you won't miss a thing!

Please help spread the word about the NEW Quilt Doodle BOM! Come and join the fun! Remember to post those pictures! I love to see your progress and it's fun to see everyone's blocks!

Happy quilting,

Cindy