Open Window PDF Gift-Away!

Hello, Quiltvillians!

It's Open Window PDF pattern release and Gift-Away Day!

I know you've been waiting for this one.  It's finally time.

I started my journey with Open Window as a way to use up some recycled shirt strings, and I chose string blocks instead of plain half-square triangles to recreate a design I had seen on a tile floor.

Sometimes the tile designs are so simple, you need to *UP* them a bit and that is where string blocks come into play so wonderfully.

Shirt strings - all in a bin!

You don't have to use shirts, of course - you could use whatever color/style of fabric you want.  You can go multicolored rainbow in scraps.  You can pick two colors that you like together, one for the foreground, one for the background using a variety of prints in each area.

The choice is up to you!

String piecing is so freeing!

If you are a little wary of improv piecing, thinking you can't do it - string piecing is the original improv!  We just sew strips of fabric to cover a paper shape (I use phone book pages) and then trim to size!

Why paper?  Because it doesn't have stretch in any direction, and the paper square gives me a size to shoot for so I know where I can best use my shortest strips. This also means less fabric waste.

Trimmed, de-papered ad ready to go!

Here I am adding the last row to complete my top.

I loved making these blocks!

I machine quilted Open Window using a golden sand colored thread in an edge-to-edge design called Gossamer by Hermione Agee.

I've used this design quite a bit - it resembles a spiderweb, but not quite and adds such a great texture to the quilt.

After quilting and before binding - I trim and square my quilts so that I KNOW I have good square corners for nicely mitered binding, and straight edges.

Can you see the 1/4'' mark on the ruler at the point?

I want to leave a good 1/4'' margin beyond the points at the quilt's edge so that the binding doesn't chop them off.

I bound Open Window with a brown print cut into 2'' strips for a 1/4'' finish.  I like a tight narrow full binding on my quilts.

There were many evenings of binding pleasure stitching this one down!

In March, my friend Shirley was retreating at the inn next door pattern testing for me.  She had chosen to make her Open Window as a two-color quilt in reds and neutrals!

On the design wall!

Do you see what you can do with this just by changing up your fabric choices?  I can't wait to see what you do with this one!

String Addiction!

Create a stunning string quilt with 3 simple units! Full color photos, diagrams and extensive instruction for string piecing success!

Quilt Size: 80’’ X 80’’

Intro pricing:  The Open Window PDF pattern is marked 25% off in the Quiltville Store through 4/30/26.

And let's get on to that Gift-Away!

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive an Open Window PDF pattern from me and an Open Window Color Roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

Each of these rolls contain 20 pieces 8'' X 22'' and are perfect for enhancing your scrap stash!

They have other color rolls and neutral rolls available as well.  Check them out!

Get entered!

We will draw for our winners on Monday, 4/27/26 as on 4/28/26 I'm off to Idaho to visit family for a week.

Good luck, everyone!

And while I have your attention I want to let you know that we still have some spaces available for our fabulous upcoming trip to India in September!

This will be my first visit to India, and I hope it won't be my last.  I've always been fascinated by this culture and so excited about our itinerary!

Click HERE for more info and join me!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

The past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster!

And if this resonates with you, I am happy to include you amongst my crazy weird friends.

The Quilt District ladies are in the house!

Have a terrific Thursday, everyone!