Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Author interview | Ruth McHaney Danner

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Book Making A World of Difference Ruth DannerSewists who make quilts in service to others is the subject of Ruth McHaney Danner’s latest book, Making a World of Difference One Quilt At A Time. You may know her from her popular book, What I Learned from God While Quilting, which I read and enjoyed. Look at the photo cover, of a little one reaching for a quilt at the top of the stack. It drew me in like a warm fire on a cold day.

Let’s get some business done.

Disclaimer: Though I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, New Word Library, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Now, back to the good stuff. I want you to meet Ruth, and you can; just click on interview, A Talk with Ruth McHaney, by Monique Muhlenkamp. Afterwards, I think you’ll want to read her stories. I had no idea the scope of charities quilters engage in, and from all over the globe. Each chapter has a ‘Binding Stitch’ closure, giving contact information for relevant charities. In a world that is often bleak, her book is a beacon of good will and inspiration.

Stay tuned for a future post, where I will be giving away my review copy of this refreshing book to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. You can find Making a World of Difference One Quilt at a Time: Inspiring Stories about Quilters & How They Have Touched Lives here.

 

Comments

  1. I love quilting and am so excited that I have the opportunity to donate quilts too many good causes. Thanks for sharing this book, Scarlett. Definitely one I will add to my collection.

  3. My favorite thing to do is quilt, my next favorite is to read. What better thing to read about quilting. I donate to the Chapman House in Homestead, FL. They can use all sorts of things.

Have you read?

Simplicity Quilt Kit – Handmade Sweetness Review

A Soft, Vintage-Inspired Quilt Kit That Lives Up to Its Name

Some quilt kits are bold and modern. Others lean heavily into dramatic colour palettes. But every now and then you come across a quilt kit that feels calm, comforting, and quietly beautiful — the kind of quilt you imagine folded on a guest bed or draped across the back of a favourite armchair.

That’s exactly the feeling behind the Simplicity Quilt Kit – Handmade Sweetness from Fat Quarter Shop.

This kit is all about soft, coordinated fabrics and classic quilt construction that lets the fabric collection shine. It’s the sort of project that feels relaxing to sew and produces a quilt that looks timeless rather than trendy.

And sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

What’s Included in the Simplicity Quilt Kit

One of the best parts of working with a quilt kit is that the planning stage is already done for you. Fabric choices, yardage calculations, and colour coordination are handled by experienced designers so you can focus on the stitching.

The Simplicity Quilt Kit – Handmade Sweetness includes everything needed to create the quilt top and binding using fabrics from the Handmade Sweetness collection.

Inside the kit you’ll find:

  • Coordinated quilting cotton for the quilt top
    • Binding fabric to finish the quilt edges
    • Fabrics from the Handmade Sweetness collection
    • The official quilt pattern that guides the layout and piecing

Like most quilt kits, batting and backing fabric are purchased separately so quilters can choose their own finishing style.

The Look and Style of the Quilt

The design of the Simplicity Quilt lives up to its name. The layout is clean, balanced, and very easy on the eyes, making it perfect for quilters who prefer classic patchwork over complicated layouts.

The Handmade Sweetness fabric collection adds a gentle vintage feel to the quilt. The prints lean toward soft florals, small-scale patterns, and comforting colours that work together beautifully without feeling overwhelming.

The finished quilt has that handmade heirloom look — the kind of quilt that feels like it belongs in a cozy home filled with handmade touches.

If your quilting taste leans toward:

  • Vintage-inspired quilts
    • Soft cottage style fabrics
    • Classic patchwork layouts
    • Calm, coordinated colour palettes

…then this quilt kit will likely be right up your alley.

Skill Level – Perfect for Beginners and Relaxed Sewing

One of the nicest things about the Simplicity Quilt Kit is that it truly is approachable.

The construction focuses on traditional patchwork techniques most quilters already know:

  • Straightforward cutting and piecing
    • Repeating quilt blocks
    • Block arrangement into rows
    • Simple borders that frame the quilt

There are no tricky angles or complex piecing methods, which makes it a very comfortable project for beginners or anyone wanting a stress-free sewing experience.

This is the kind of quilt you can work on slowly over a few evenings while enjoying the rhythm of sewing.

Why Quilt Kits Like This Are So Popular

Many quilters love designing quilts, but not everyone enjoys the fabric selection stage. Choosing prints that coordinate, calculating yardage, and ensuring colour balance can take hours.

That’s where quilt kits shine.

With a kit like Simplicity – Handmade Sweetness, you get:

  • Professionally coordinated fabrics
    • The correct fabric amounts already measured
    • A pattern designed specifically for those fabrics
    • A clear path from first cut to finished quilt

Instead of planning a quilt, you get to jump straight into the creative part — sewing.

And let’s be honest… finishing quilts is always more satisfying than collecting half-finished projects.

Who This Quilt Kit Is Best For

The Simplicity Quilt Kit – Handmade Sweetness is ideal for quilters who:

  • Prefer gentle, vintage-style fabric collections
    • Want a calm and relaxing sewing project
    • Enjoy traditional quilt layouts
    • Are newer to quilting and want an approachable kit

It would also make a lovely handmade gift or a cozy everyday quilt for a bedroom or living room.

Where to Find the Simplicity Quilt Kit

If this soft, vintage aesthetic speaks to you, you can explore the kit here:

It’s a quilt that feels comforting from the very first block — a project built around the quiet joy of sewing something beautiful with your own two hands.