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Meet Maddie

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Maddie cutting strips with rotary cutterMaddie is my lovely niece who is making her first quilt. Not missing a beat (stitch), I invited her to come up for a visit to my house. I promised to take her on a field trip to The Rabbit’s Lair shop and let her pick out 16 fat quarters in honor of her having just turned 16.

Be sure to read Craft Gossip Needlework Editor Denise Felton’s review of The Rabbit’s Lair when she was also the Quilting Editor. See the review. Also be sure to check out the Rabbit’s Lair online store.

Maddie decided to come, and she, along with her mom and another aunt, spent the entire Labor Day weekend with me. On Saturday we (including my daughter and grandchild) all piled into the ‘burb and drove to Rogers, Arkansas where The Rabbit’s Lair is located. Maddie had no trouble finding 16 fat quarters to add to her stash. She got some beauties, favoring their wonderful selection of batiks.

Maddies fabric choices on rackSaturday evening we washed, dried and ironed all of her fabrics (she’s been gathering them for months). On Sunday, Maddie began cutting the strips that would become part of her queen size quilt.

She decided to do a string quilt using the Kaleidoscope quilt tutorial from Film in the Fridge blog. But instead of using white in the middle of her blocks like Ashley did, she would use brown.

Maddie sewing stripsHere is one of her blocks as she stitches the strips into place.

Maddie finishes six blocksThe cousins stayed up late and by Monday Maddie had completed six blocks. Doesn’t she look happy! Bravo Maddie, your Aunt Scarlett cannot wait to see the rest.

[tags]Maddie’s first quilt, string piece, paper foundation, Aunts, cousins, fabric shopping, The Rabbit’s Lair, Rogers, Arkansas[/tags]

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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.