Title: Endless Trails
Designer: Heart Lake Quilts
Technique: Traditional Piecing
Layouts: 1
Introducing the Endless Trails Quilt Pattern by Heart Lake Quilts, now on QuiltInk! 🌟 This beginner-friendly quilt is strip-pieced and comes together quickly—perfect for those just starting their quilting journey. With its simple rows and easy assembly, it’s a great project to try!
Start coloring your mock-ups now on QuiltInk and join our vibrant quilting community! 🧵✨
This month, we’re thrilled to introduce Sara, the heart and soul behind Binded with Love, a charming online fabric shop based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Sara’s journey is one of creativity, resilience, and a deep love for quilting. Balancing life as a mom, an OB nurse, and a business owner, she has cultivated a space where makers can find carefully curated modern fabrics and inspiration for their projects.
Sara’s shop features a delightful selection of high-quality fabrics, perfect for bringing your quilting visions to life. Head over to QuiltInk to explore her collections and experiment with mock-ups, combining fabrics to plan your projects with confidence and ease.
Join us as we explore Sara’s quilting story, her vision for Binded with Love, and how QuiltInk has become an integral part of her shop. Discover what makes Sara’s selections unique and see how her passion sparks creativity in the quilting community!
Sara, could you tell us a bit about yourself? (location, age, educational background, …) Who is behind Floyd the Fox?
Hi QuiltInk Community! I’m Sara, the heart behind Binded with Love, an online fabric shop based in Appleton, Wisconsin. I’m a mom, quilter and OB nurse of 15 years, a role that fills my heart in such a different but special way. When I’m not sewing or helping makers find their perfect fabrics, you can usually find me outdoors, camping with family and soaking up the beauty of nature.
How did you first get into quilting? When did you decide to turn this passion into a business by opening your shop?
My quilting journey began in 2010, when my mom introduced me to the wonderful world of quilting, something I’m forever grateful for. My oldest was little, and I fell in love with the process of turning fabric into something warm, meaningful, and lasting. Quilting quickly became my creative outlet and my happy place. In 2014, my mom and I ventured into selling handmade baby quilts. After taking a break to focus on family and careers, we restarted the shop in late 2019, just before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, we shifted our focus to making masks, which reconnected me with the joy of working with fabrics and eventually inspired the transition to a fabric-focused shop.
Binded with Love is truly a labor of love, born from a shared passion between my mom and I. After creating over 2,000 masks during the pandemic, my appreciation for beautiful, high-quality fabrics reignited and set me on a new path. The shop’s style is rooted in modern fabrics with carefully curated color palettes. Though small in size, it’s big on heart, with every bundle and yard selected to spark creativity and inspire makers. Whether someone is just beginning their quilting journey or has years of experience, I want Binded with Love to feel like a trusted and welcoming resource.
At Binded with Love, I focus on modern, high-quality fabrics from some of the best designers and brands out there. I offer fabrics by the yard, as well as curated bundles designed to make it easy for customers to start a project or build their fabric stash. While I don’t offer custom bundles as much anymore due to time constraints, every collection in the shop is chosen to inspire!
Are there any collections, brands, or unique products you’re especially proud to carry?
I’m especially proud to carry fabrics from brands like Fableism, Art Gallery Fabrics, FIGO Fabrics and Cotton + Steel. I love discovering and sharing fabrics that have a story or spark creativity.
I find inspiration everywhere, from nature and art to trends in quilting. When I’m choosing fabrics for the shop, I think about what I’d love to create with them, but I also try to imagine how they’ll fit into the projects and stashes of our customers. I love modern prints and textures that stand out in the best kind of way.
While I don’t offer pattern design or long-arm quilting, I’m always happy to help customers brainstorm fabric combinations or offer guidance for their next project. If someone has a specific color scheme or vision in mind, because I can understand the difficulty of online shopping, I am more than happy to offer photos of the actual fabrics they have in mind. My goal is to make the creative process easier and more fun!
Where can people find your shop online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
You can find Binded with Love on Instagram and Etsy, where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful makers. Social media has been such a great way to share my love of fabric and quilting, and I love seeing what my customers create with their purchases!
Etsy Shop: Binded with Love on Etsy
Instagram: @bindedwithlove
How has QuiltInk been useful for your shop or customers? Any favorite tools or ways it’s made things easier?
QuiltInk has been a game changer for my shop and my customers! It’s such an amazing tool for planning quilts and experimenting with fabric placement before making that first cut. As a shop owner, it lets me showcase my collections and even offer kits for QuiltInk patterns, which makes the shopping experience so much easier. I love being able to collaborate with customers in a way that feels interactive and inspiring!
One of my favorite features is the ability to create mock-ups using my shop’s fabrics, it’s like getting a sneak peek of a finished quilt! The app’s easy to use design tools really stand out. It gives customers the confidence to choose fabrics they’ll love together. QuiltInk has been an incredible tool and I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve!
This month’s Designer Spotlight features Kate, the creative force behind Due North Handmade. Kate’s journey from childhood quilting lessons with her grandmother to designing modern-traditional quilt patterns is truly inspiring. With a background in chemical engineering and a passion for combining tradition with contemporary style, Kate’s work reflects a love for color, versatility, and storytelling.
Join us as we delve into Kate’s quilting journey, her approach to design, and how she brings her unique vision to life. Explore her world of creativity, connection, and modern quilting!
Kate, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?
Originally from Nebraska in the US, we moved to Minnesota for my Husband’s medical training almost 12 years ago. I’ve got a background as a chemical engineer and work part time at a firm. We love living here, even though it can get quite cold in the winter. I have a son in second grade and three wild dogs, raging from 6 months to 11 years old keep our household busy.
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I started quilting as a child, led by my grandmother who was a talented and prolific quilter. I really picked it up once my friends began having babies around 2010, thinking making a baby quilt would cost me less than buying them baby shower gifts (ha! I was so naive). I didn’t retain much of what my grandmother taught me and mostly learned it myself through you tube and social media, but as I learned different methods and techniques it did remind me about things that she did try to teach me.
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns?How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
I began designing because I mostly self drafted my quilts from the beginning, and had a lot of ideas floating around that I wanted to get out. I keep a notebook nearby and jot down notes or doodle a design idea when something inspires. I also keep a very weird photo album on my phone from photos I’ve taken of things I see that I like.
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I consider my designs to be more modern traditional. I’m heavily inspired by traditional designs but strive to give them a contemporary feel. I really love a scrappier look and write often to use fat quarter bundles as much as possible.
How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?
I love color – all colors. My pink and blue scrap bins tend to fill up the fastest as I use those the most often. Because I love all the colors, my overall look is a bit eclectic but full of joy.
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
Other than design, I also offer tech editing and ghostwriting services, which I love doing. In my opinion it’s a very important part of pattern writing, and all the really well written patterns have utilized tech editing.
I occasionally take on commissions (T-shirt quilts, memory quilts, vintage quilt repairs, and other quilt projects) but only as my schedule allows.
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
My Instagram is where I am most active @duenorthhandmade. All my PDF patterns are available from my website www.duenorthhandmade.com. Shops and retailers can purchase my printed patterns wholesale either directly from me or from Brewer quilting and sewing supplies. Two of my patterns (Tinsel Wreath and Holiday at Heart) are also available to wholesale order from Moda fabrics and supplies.
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
For the rest of the year I’ll be a bit quiet as I work on some things behind the scenes. Next spring you’ll definitely see some new patterns coming!
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
Quiltink has been incredibly helpful for me to easily color and recolor my designs and I often play around with different combinations early in my design process. I also create private rooms for my testers to color the designs so they too can play around when they test for me. I also really enjoy seeing other designs from other designers come to life.
Title: Winter Solstice
Designer: Alderwood Studio
Technique: Traditional Piecing
Layouts: 3
❄️ Winter Solstice Quilt Pattern by Alderwood Studio is now live on QuiltInk! 🌟 This stunning design features log cabin blocks to create a mirrored mountain range, perfect for embracing the beauty of winter. As the sister pattern to Summer Solstice, it’s an intermediate or advanced beginner-friendly project with a quick and satisfying finish! 🏔️
Choose from baby, throw, or queen sizes and let your creativity shine as you color this gorgeous quilt in QuiltInk. 🧵
Ready to get started? Join our community, share your mock-ups, and let’s bring this beautiful pattern to life!
Title: Sunfield
Designer: Heart Lake Quilts
Technique: Traditional Piecing
Layouts: 1
🌞 The Sunfield quilt pattern by Heart Lake Quilts is here! 🌟 Now available to color and plan in QuiltInk, this stunning design by Heart Lake Quilts is perfect for quilters looking for a quick, satisfying project. With a finished size of 60 ½” x 75” and strip-pieced construction, Sunfield is a breeze to assemble while delivering a bold, modern look.
🎨 Whether you’re customizing colors for your next quilt or just experimenting for fun, QuiltInk is the perfect place to bring your creativity to life. Join the growing QuiltInk community, share your mock-ups, and get inspired by other quilters’ designs on the QuiltInk Wall!
👉 Head to QuiltInk now and start coloring Sunfield today. Let’s see your vision shine!
This December, we’re excited to wrap up the year with a new challenge that will spark your creativity and fill your projects with seasonal charm! This month, we’re celebrating the Winter Magic palette, created by QuiltInk. It’s a beautiful blend of cool blues, rich purples, and soft pinks, perfect for bringing winter-inspired designs to life.
Before we dive in, let’s congratulate the winner of November’s challenge, LacyBlum, who won a 12 FQ Bundle of the beautiful Land of Enchantment fabric collection, designed by Becca of Becca Plymale Creative. What an inspiring entry!
Now, it’s your turn! Join the December challenge for a chance to win an amazing prize that will help you learn all about color and how to create your own palettes! We can’t wait to see your winter-inspired mock-ups and creative ideas fill the QuiltInk Wall. Don’t forget to share your designs on social media and tag us to inspire others!
The Winter Magic palette, featuring cool blues, rich purples, and soft pinks, from the KONA Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman palette, is perfect for capturing the serene and enchanting essence of winter. The cool blues evoke the crisp, clear skies of winter days, while the deep purples and soft pinks reflect the beauty of a frosty sunset or the gentle hues of snow-covered landscapes. Together, these colors create a magical and calming atmosphere, making them ideal for quilts and projects that embrace the season’s tranquil charm.
Prize: “Befriending colors” On-Demand Course by Carolina Oneto.
Here are some examples of quilt patterns mock-ups using the Winter Magic palette in QuiltInk! I love them all!
Remember by clicking on the gift icon in the QuitlInk Wall you will be able to see all the mock-ups for the Challenge alive.
If you are wondering where you can find the QuiltInk Challenge palette, check the following video!
Pattern featured in this video is:
And here you can check the Dec24 Challenge fabrics. Aren’t they amazing?
We can’t wait to see all your mock-ups!
Happy coloring and quilting to you all!
This month, the QuiltInk Challenge brought us nearly 200 stunning mock-ups, each one a testament to your creativity and passion. A huge congratulations to LucyBlum, our November winner! 🏆Lucy will receive a 12-piece fat quarter bundle from the enchanting Land of Enchantment collection by Becca Plymale Creations. 🌟
Keep exploring this stunning collection in your designs—it’s now available to color in QuiltInk on the Shops/Designer tab of the coloring page. We can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you next!
LucyBlum, you’ll receive an email from us with all the details about your priz Be sure to check your inbox, and if you don’t get it, please contact us!
Don’t miss our QuiltInk Challenge for November 2024 featuring a wonderful fabric collection from one of the newest quilt pattern designers in the platform!
Title: Grand Lobby
Designer: Comfy Quilts and Designs
Technique: Traditional Piecing
Layouts: 2
Say hello to Grand Lobby, the elegant new quilt pattern by Comfy Quilts and Designs, now live on QuiltInk! We’re thrilled to welcome this talented new designer to our creative community. 💫
This timeless design is perfect for creating everything from cozy baby quilts to stunning queen-size masterpieces. And don’t miss the 20% off sale storewide—available now through December 2nd!
🧵 Support new designers in QuiltInk by:
✨ Coloring Grand Lobby in QuiltInk and bringing your vision to life.
✨ Sharing your mock-ups to inspire others.
✨ Buying the pattern to sew your masterpiece and support the designer!
Let’s celebrate and uplift the incredible talent of emerging creators. Head to QuiltInk and explore the Grand Lobby quilt pattern today! 🌟
In this month’s Designer Spotlight, I’m thrilled to introduce Becca Plymale, the talented mind behind Becca Plymale Creative and Sunflower Seams Pattern Co. Becca’s journey into quilting and design has been anything but conventional—from her days sewing children’s clothing to sharing the joy of quilting and pattern design with others. Rooted in her experiences as a military wife and inspired by the diverse places she’s called home, Becca’s designs are filled with warmth, nostalgia, and playful touches.
Join us as we explore Becca’s journey, her creative insights, and how she brings her unique vision to life in each of her patterns and fabric collections. Dive into her world of color, design, and storytelling!
Becca, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?
Hi there! I’m Becca Plymale, a fabric and quilt pattern designer living in the beautiful Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. I’m in my 40s, and while my formal education isn’t in textiles or design, my heart has always belonged to the creative world. I’ve explored everything from sewing clothing to hand embroidery and, of course, quilting. I run my own business, Becca Plymale Creative, where I get to share my love for fabric, patterns, and design with others who have that same creative spark!
My journey has been a bit of an adventure, as you might expect with a military family. We moved around quite a bit during my husband’s years of service, which gave me the chance to experience so many wonderful places and cultures. But when he retired, we knew it was time to find a place to settle down and truly call home. We both love being by the water, so coming back to Florida’s Emerald Coast was like coming full circle. There’s something about the beaches, the warm breeze, and that incredible green-blue water that just feels like home.
When and how did you start quilting?
Quilting and I actually had a bit of a love/hate relationship at first! I started when I wanted a special baby quilt to match my son’s nursery, but honestly, I was way more passionate about sewing clothes at the time. After finishing his quilt, I didn’t touch quilting again for quite a while. But everything changed during one of my husband’s deployments. That Christmas, I wanted to give the kids something truly meaningful to help them feel closer to him, so I decided to make them each a quilt. That’s when quilting became more than just sewing; it became a way of telling stories and sharing love. My daughter eventually grew out of the children’s sizing chart, which made me shift even more into quilting. And that’s when I finally fell hard for the whole quilting process – the colors, the patterns, the possibilities!
What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
Honestly, quilting has this magical ability to bring all the things I love into one beautiful, creative space. It’s like painting or storytelling but with fabric. What drew me in – especially during that first quilt for my kids – was that it felt like I was creating something that would last. Each quilt tells a story, and I get to decide what memories, colors, and feelings it holds. It’s like piecing together little bits of my life and my heart.
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns?
Oh, I love this question! My journey into quilt design really started with a deep love for storytelling through fabric. There’s just something magical about piecing together shapes and colors to create something unique and meaningful.
How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
I start every design with a story or a vision in mind. I think about what I want the finished quilt to ‘say’ or how I want it to feel. For instance, when I designed the Turquoise Trail Quilt, I drew on memories of scenic drives along the actual trail, with its breathtaking views. Once I have that inspiration, I start sketching. It’s like a mix of trial and error, intuition, and excitement! I play with colors, shapes, and blocks, testing different arrangements until something just clicks. It’s a lot like piecing together a puzzle – but one I get to invent from scratch.
How would you define your pattern style?
I’d describe my quilt pattern style as modern with a timeless twist. I love creating designs that feel fresh and current, but I also want them to stand the test of time – something you could make today and still love years from now. My patterns often begin with a vision that complements one of my fabric collections, yet I always design with versatility in mind. My hope is that anyone can pick up one of my patterns and make it their own, whether they’re using bold prints, subtle solids, or anything in between!
Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I tend to use Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and Flying Geese quite a bit in my patterns – they’re some of my favorite building blocks because they offer so much versatility and impact. I like my quilt patterns to be approachable for beginners, so anyone can dive in and create something beautiful, but I also love adding a few techniques that gently push you to expand your quilting skills.
How does color play a role in your pattern designing?
Color is such a huge part of my design process! It’s often where my inspiration starts – I love experimenting with colors that capture a mood or tell a story.
Do you have a favorite color?
Yes, hands down – teal and turquoise! They remind me of the ocean, and open skies.Those shades just feel like home to me, and I find myself reaching for them again and again in my designs.
I can never get enough of blues with coral and yellow. There’s something about that mix that just feels so balanced – like sunshine and the sea all wrapped into one. It’s a combination that feels joyful and versatile, and it works beautifully across so many different types of quilts!
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
My quilting business is wonderfully multifaceted! Besides quilt patterns, I also design fabric for Art Gallery Fabrics and my first collection, Land of Enchantment collection is available in shops now!
On top of that, I run another business, Sunflower Seams Pattern Co., which focuses on children’s sewing patterns and hand embroidery patterns. So, from fabric and quilts to clothing and embroidery, my business is all about creating beautiful things people can make, wear, or display with pride!”
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces).
You can find my shop at beccaplymalecreative.com, where I offer all of my quilt patterns in both paper and PDF formats. It’s the best place to see everything I have available, from new releases to beloved classics!
I’m also active on Instagram at @becca.plymale.creative. I absolutely love seeing how others bring my patterns and fabric collections to life, so if you create something with my work, please share it! You can use the hashtags #beccaplymalecreative, #bpcpatterns, and #agflandofenchantment. It’s such a joy to celebrate and connect with fellow makers – I can’t wait to see what you create!
How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
Instagram is my main space for sharing what I’m working on – whether it’s sneak peeks of new patterns, tips and tricks, or glimpses of my fabric collections like Land of Enchantment. I love using it to connect with fellow quilters and sewing enthusiasts, and to share tutorials, inspiration, and even behind-the-scenes moments from my studio. It’s all about building a creative community, where we can encourage each other and celebrate our projects together.
I also have a blog where I dive deeper into techniques, share tester stories, and provide free patterns or projects. And then there’s Pinterest, where I reach people who are looking for fresh, modern quilting ideas.
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on?
I’m so excited about what’s coming up! I have a few quilt patterns set to release in the spring of 2025, and they’re designed to pair beautifully with my next fabric collection, Love Letters.
Any exciting collaborations or events?
There are some really fun collaborations on the horizon, too! While they’re still in the ‘top secret’ stage, I can say they’ll bring even more creative inspiration and resources for the quilting community. I love working with other creatives to bring something new and exciting to my followers, and I can’t wait to share more soon. Keep an eye out – there are definitely a few surprises in store!
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business?
QuiltInk has been such a helpful tool in my design process! It’s a platform that makes it incredibly easy to play with colors and visualize different combinations on a quilt top, which has been a game-changer. Instead of spending hours reworking colors manually, I can try out different palettes quickly and see how they’ll look in my designs.
Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
I love that QuiltInk makes the creative process so interactive! It allows me to experiment freely with color schemes, and I can share different variations with my audience, which sparks so much engagement and excitement from fellow quilters. It also creates a fun way for my followers to get involved; they can visualize their own fabric choices on my patterns, making the experience more personal for them.
