In our Longarm League private community, we have a forum where we can ask each other for pantograph suggestions for clients' quilts. Over and over again, I find myself recommending really simple designs like straight lines, Good Vibrations, Rumble, Wishbone, Soho, etc.

I wanted to make a REALLY simple design that also looked... organic. Blackbird is what resulted.

I simultaneously really like this one and am—what's the word, embarrassed?—by its simplicity.

Hey, they don't all have to be head-scratchers. You know, those designs that you have to stare at to find the repeat or are mesmerized by the complexity of the design. This one is pretty darn straightforward.

I'll give you four great reasons why we shouldn't shy away from offering simple designs to our clients:

1. FAST - I loaded up this up baby quilt and stitched it all out in an hour's time.
2. EFFICIENT - My machine uses the smaller L bobbins and this took less than one bobbin.
3. PROFITABLE - The faster and more...

I've been working on a special project with my guildmate Ben Millett. We both are members of the Central Iowa Modern Quilt Guild that meets in the Des Moines metro area.

You kind of just need to check out Ben's blog to get a sense of the caliber of work he creates and the intention behind his pieces. I always love to see the creativity he brings to modern quilting!

His piecing is just one layer of his finished work. He's someone who will bring the most meaning possible to each and every detail. The quilting design should be no different, right? Except, what is commercially available as far as LGBTQ+ affirming quilting designs? Ben wanted to change that, and he did so in the most personal way possible—by spelling out the most essential words of his message in his own hand. ❤️

I was just the digitizer for this project - the art is all Ben's. My part was to use my "special software" to create the files so that quilters everywhere can use them. I also want to amplify Ben's work and this mes...