Franklin music festival | Meeting the Wuests

Anywhere quilters go, we have our eyes tuned in to see quilts, right? As I roamed around Franklin Square enjoying the sounds of the Bluegrass Along the Harpeth Fiddlers Jamboree, I spied the back of a pretty quilt top blowing in the breeze. It looked like stained glass the way the light hit it. Naturally, I wanted a closer look, so ambled up to the vendor booth – the quilt was their backdrop. To my delight, the quilt maker was there, Jadrienne Wuest on the left. Alongside her stands Annie Wuest of AnnieMae Design.

Of their business Annie said,

We specialize in wedding apparel, time period clothing, purses, etc……(basically anything people ask us to do!)

Annie also teaches sewing and quilting classes. From her Summer Sewing Camps brochure, take a look at the offerings.

For 8 – 13 year olds – Date with Daddy where your finished product is a tea gown and a tea with daddy on the last day of camp and Me and My Doll where you make matching sun dresses.
For ages 13 and up – Quilting 101 yields the camper a basic quilt blanket. Southern Belle gets you an 1860’s antebellum day dress and a dance at the end. Purses, Jane Austen Regency, and in progress now Renaissance Dress.

If you live close enough to take a class (middle Tennessee) or will be in the area, you can get their fall class schedule by emailing Annie here: anniessewingclasses{at}gmail{dot}com.

Here’s a full view of the quilt, a photo Hannah sent me.

This is from the clogging contest. All the contestants were fun to watch and at the end they were blowing it out. Thanks goes to both Wuests for the nice chat and for allowing me to take a photo of them toward the end of a very hot summer day.

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Book

Some quilting books feel calm and minimal. Others feel like opening a box of bright fabric scraps that instantly makes you want to start sewing.

That was my first reaction when I started flipping through Scrappiness Is Happiness by Lori Holt.

This book is packed with colour, cheerful quilt blocks, and the kind of playful patchwork designs that make scrap quilting so addictive. I found myself stopping on page after page thinking, “That block would be perfect for leftover charm squares…”

It’s the sort of book that encourages you to dig straight into your scrap bins.

What This Quilting Book Is All About

As the title suggests, this book celebrates scrap quilting.

Instead of focusing on a single large quilt pattern, the book includes a large collection of quilt blocks and scrappy quilt layouts designed to use small pieces of fabric.

If you’re someone who hates throwing away fabric leftovers (which is most quilters), this book is full of inspiration for turning those scraps into beautiful quilts.

Inside the book you’ll find:

dozens of colourful quilt block patterns
• scrappy quilt layouts
• projects designed for leftover fabrics
• Lori Holt’s signature cheerful quilting style

The Quilt Blocks That Caught My Eye

While browsing the pages, several blocks immediately stood out.

There are plenty of classic quilt block shapes, but the way they’re presented with bright fabrics makes them feel fresh and modern.

The blocks are ideal for:

scrap quilts
• sampler quilts
• block-of-the-month style projects
• mixing prints and colours

I particularly loved the blocks that combine traditional shapes with playful colour placement. They’re simple enough to sew but still look visually interesting when repeated across a quilt.

The Style of the Book

If you’re familiar with Lori Holt’s work, you’ll recognise her style straight away.

The book leans heavily into:

bright cheerful fabrics
• vintage-inspired colour palettes
• classic patchwork shapes
• fun and approachable quilt designs

It’s the kind of quilting book that feels uplifting to browse. Even if you’re not ready to start a new quilt immediately, it’s inspiring just to flip through the block designs.

Who This Book Is Best For

After spending time looking through the book, I’d say it’s ideal for:

quilters who love scrap quilting
• anyone wanting to use up leftover fabric pieces
• makers who enjoy block-based quilt designs
• quilters looking for colourful, cheerful quilt inspiration

Many of the blocks are approachable enough for confident beginners, but the variety also keeps experienced quilters interested.

Would I Recommend It?

If your scrap bin is starting to overflow (which tends to happen to all of us eventually), Scrappiness Is Happiness is the kind of book that turns those leftover fabrics into opportunity.

It’s full of lively quilt block ideas and creative layouts that make scrap quilting feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

For quilters who enjoy bright fabrics, classic patchwork shapes, and the freedom of scrappy quilt design, this book is a fun and inspiring addition to the quilting bookshelf.

Have you read?