Quilting

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Book Review – Color Me Quilted: 50 Quilt Blocks to Design and Color

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“Color Me Quilted” by Kaela Arcuri sounds like an exciting addition to the world of quilting, offering a creative twist that combines the art of coloring with the beauty of quilt design.

With 50 hand-drawn quilt blocks to design and color, this book provides endless opportunities for creativity. Each block is thoughtfully crafted, offering a variety of patterns and motifs to explore. Whether you prefer traditional quilt designs or more modern patterns, there’s something for everyone in “Color Me Quilted.”

One aspect that stands out is the thick lines of the designs, which minimize stress about coloring outside the lines. This feature makes the coloring experience enjoyable and accessible for both teens and adults, regardless of artistic skill level. The designs measure 8″ x 8″, ensuring that all lines are easy to see and color.

I love that each page is single-sided, reducing the risk of bleed-through onto the next design. This allows colorists to use a variety of coloring media, from markers to colored pencils, without worrying about ruining other designs. For added protection, placing another sheet of thick paper underneath the page is recommended when using markers.

“Color Me Quilted” encourages creativity by allowing colorists to choose whether to fill in the designs with solid colors or add their own intricate patterns. Additionally, the inclusion of pattern inspiration pages and color drafting pages throughout the book provides opportunities to plan and experiment with different color schemes and design elements.

Color Me Quilted” promises a fun and relaxing experience for anyone who loves both quilting and coloring. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter looking for new design ideas or someone who simply enjoys the therapeutic benefits of coloring, this book offers a delightful blend of creativity and relaxation.

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In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.