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Holly Clarke Design

Holly Clarke Design

Quilter, pattern designer, maker, sharer

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Folk Festival Quilt Pattern

This is the ultimate skill builder quilt pattern for adventurous quilters! The Folk Festival quilt pattern is now available for purchase in my shop. 

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Great Expectations Quilt

Great Expectations Quilt

Posted on Posted onSeptember 30, 2021September 30, 2021By admin_holly

What is a girl to do for some relief from the heat but start thinking about Christmas… ahh, when the weather outside is frightful but the [quilts] are so delightful … Read More >Great Expectations Quilt

Ice Cream Soda Quilt

Ice Cream Soda Quilt

Posted on Posted onSeptember 10, 2021September 10, 2021By admin_holly

In 2018 I stitched my first Ice Cream Soda quilt block. I was instantly hooked! Read about my process on this long-term project and see the pretty results … Read More >Ice Cream Soda Quilt

Once Upon a Dream — Free Quilt Tutorial

Once Upon a Dream — Free Quilt Tutorial

Posted on Posted onAugust 6, 2021August 9, 2021By admin_holly

My latest quilt is truly dreamy! This free tutorial will teach you how to make a magically easy beginner Sleeping Beauty quilt … Read More >Once Upon a Dream — Free Quilt Tutorial

Folk Festival Quilt

Folk Festival Quilt

Posted on Posted onJune 26, 2021August 17, 2021By admin_holly

I designed this quilt to reflect my feelings about the spirit of folk music festivals — community, colour, ties to nature, good times, fun people, and of course, live music … Read More >Folk Festival Quilt

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Little Quilt of Horrors

Little Quilt of Horrors

Posted on Posted onApril 22, 2021April 23, 2021By admin_holly

This Halloween quilt uses curved seams to create sparkly moonlight stars and the fabric is so seriously adorable that it will delight trick-or-treaters of all ages! … Read More >Little Quilt of Horrors

Mod Log Cabin Quilt

Mod Log Cabin Quilt

Posted on Posted onApril 14, 2021August 8, 2021By admin_holly

I decided this delicate floral fabric deserved to be made into a traditional block quilt so this was the perfect time for me to to try log cabin blocks, Holly-style … Read More >Mod Log Cabin Quilt

Quilt O’Clock

Quilt O’Clock

Posted on Posted onMarch 4, 2021March 6, 2021By admin_holly

Have you always wanted to make a quilt clock? Neither have I. But I made one. And then I made some more. Read how I did it and download the free template so you can make one too. … Read More >Quilt O’Clock

Rebel Girl Quilt

Rebel Girl Quilt

Posted on Posted onFebruary 17, 2021April 22, 2021By admin_holly

I designed a quilt pattern using Lysa Flower’s Rebel Girl fabric to show off her fun prints and connect to the music and culture that inspired the collection … Read More >Rebel Girl Quilt

Bee Cross Stitch

Bee Cross Stitch

Posted on Posted onJanuary 14, 2021April 14, 2021By admin_holly

Next up on my work table is a fun project using a new basic fabric called Bee Cross Stitch designed by Lori Holt … Read More >Bee Cross Stitch

Tsuro Quilt

Tsuro Quilt

Posted on Posted onJanuary 12, 2021February 17, 2021By admin_holly

The name of this quilt, and inspiration for the design, is based on the board game of the same name which is taken from the Japanese word tsūro (通路) meaning “route” … Read More >Tsuro Quilt

2020 Fussy Cutting Sewalong

2020 Fussy Cutting Sewalong

Posted on Posted onJanuary 10, 2021January 10, 2021By admin_holly

Here is my finished quilt top for the 2020 #focuscuttingsewalong which was hosted by @naomialicec. Massive thanks to her for … Read More2020 Fussy Cutting Sewalong

Square the Circle Quilt

Square the Circle Quilt

Posted on Posted onSeptember 13, 2020February 17, 2021By admin_holly

I absolutely adore the wilderness-themed illustrations and text in this fabric and I have long wanted to make a red and black quilt so I knew it was a perfect fit for me! … Read More >Square the Circle Quilt

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Welcome!

Hi! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. My name is Holly Clarke. I’m a designer, quilter, fabric junkie, coffee drinker, and flower smeller. I live in Winnipeg, Canada and I love how the World Wide Web connects me with quilters from all over the world. If you want to reach out to me, email me here.

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Oh hi there 3/8” quilting! I’ve never quilted Oh hi there 3/8” quilting! I’ve never quilted anything this densely before but I am loving the texture. I usually quilt much more loosey goosey because I enjoy snuggling under a drapey and soft quilt but I have no plans to snuggle up under this one, it’s going up on my wall. #quilting #quilttexture #walkingfootquilting #yellow #konacottonsolids #modernquilting #modernpatchwork
I love lining up all my basting pins in an orderly I love lining up all my basting pins in an orderly fashion and then powering through them with a knitting needle or chop stick to close them all up in record time. I highly recommend this time saver if you haven’t already tried it. UPDATE: I added a quick video to my Reels to demonstrate how I use a knitting needle to close the pins. #pinbasting #quiltingtips #patchwork #modernpatchwork #yellow #konacottonsolids #quiltwip #quiltinprogress
Behind the seams… I was able to machine-piece th Behind the seams… I was able to machine-piece the “ribbon” pieces of my Blue Ribbon quilt to the yellow background but I decided I would have to hand stitch the bottom angled bits. Here is a peek at how it looks from the back. It ain’t pretty but it got the job done. #quiltwip #quiltinprogress #quilting #quiltcommunity #modernquilts #futura #modernpatchwork #quiltsofinstagram #handsewing #blueribbonquilt
Work in progress! Here’s a behind-the-curtain pe Work in progress! Here’s a behind-the-curtain peek at the process I used to make my latest quilt project. I made the medallion first because I figured that would be the biggest challenge. I was wrong, but it was tricky because I wasn’t sure how many pleats I would need and if/how they would match up around my pieced centre. It took ~ 3 WOF strips, pleated, to fit around the circumference of my centre. I hand stitched the centre to the pleats. Then I decided it wasn’t big enough and I added another layer of pleats in a darker navy for contrast. Then I started piecing some of the yellow squares for my background to frame it and decide how big I was going to make it. Next, I made the lettering. I used the Quilt It Like Futura FPP pattern by @madeinyambaironsandcraig. I averaged about one letter per evening. Each letter has a million little pieces but it’s a fantastic pattern and I was overly impressed with the quality of the results. Then I pieced the “ribbons”. I had to figure out how to add those little angled bottoms and how to overlap the three ribbons. This was a challenge because of all the angles. Since I was not using a pattern I used a lot of math and eye-balling to get everything to line up. I knew I would be piecing the ribbon to the background (as opposed to appliqué) but I wasn’t sure if that would be possible with the angled bottoms. I left those for later because I really didn’t know how to tackle them. More WIP photos to come. Stay tuned. #quiltwip #quiltinprogress #quilting #quiltcommunity #modernquilts #futura #modernpatchwork #quiltsofinstagram #blueribbonquilt
I don’t normally work with a lot of yellow fabri I don’t normally work with a lot of yellow fabric but somehow I had a million different shades of it in my stash. 💛 I sliced them all up into WOF strips to make the 2” square patchwork background for this quilt. It is so satisfying to strip piece, it almost feels like cheating. Also, this photo makes me think of lasagne. Like, a mustard-y lasagne. 🤣 #yellow #blueribbon #quilting #sewingproject #strippiecing #konacottonsolids #quiltingtips #patchwork #quiltinprogress #quiltwip
Am I late to the party with these fork pins? These Am I late to the party with these fork pins? These little double pins are perfect for lining up your seams when piecing. I tested sewing a few rows of 2” squares with these pins vs. my regular straight pins - pinning at each seam - and hands down the forked pins kept the seams lined up more precisely. Am I the only one who didn’t know about these miracle pins? Let me know if you use them too. #notsponsored #yellow #blueribbon #quilting #sewingproject #quiltpins #cloversewingnotions #clovermfg #cloverusa #quiltingtips #patchwork #quiltinprogress #quiltwip
Sometimes I just have to dive right in to an idea Sometimes I just have to dive right in to an idea that I can’t get out of my head even if I don’t exactly know how I’m going to do accomplish it. This personal project falls into that category. Fingers crossed the whole time. This rosette in particular was the most intimidating but it came together exactly as I envisioned. #blueribbon #quilting #sewingproject #handsewing #quiltsofinstagram #quiltinprogress #quiltwip
FIRST PLACE! Congratulations to those of you who g FIRST PLACE! Congratulations to those of you who guessed my quilty word jumble correctly and thanks to all who played along. (See previous post if you missed it) Now maybe you can guess what the rest of my quilt is going to be. #fpp #quiltswithletters #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltitlikefutura #quiltribbon #quiltwip #quiltinprogress #blueribbon
Who likes word jumbles? Better yet, who likes quil Who likes word jumbles? Better yet, who likes quilty word jumbles? (Is that a thing?) Here is a sneak peek at the beginnings of a fun project that I’ve been working on since the summer and I’m planning to submit to QuiltCon. I promise you won’t guess the jumble because I realized after snapping this photo that I was missing a letter 🙄. My hubby arranged them to spell FART SLIP and I kept it like that on by design board for a while. LOL! #quiltinprogress #fpp #futura #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltfont Quilt it Like Futura FPP alphabet pattern by @madeinyambaironsandcraig
Thank you for all your sweet comments about my Gre Thank you for all your sweet comments about my Great Expectations quilt (and red couch) in my previous post! ❤️❄️🎄. I realized that I forgot to share a full quilt photo so here she is in all her glory. I’ve had many requests for a pattern so I’m going to add it to my to-do list. For now, ICYMI, I wrote a blog post about making it if you’d like to read more. The link is in my bio. Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #greatexpectationsquilt #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltingcommunity #walkingfootquilting #quiltsofinstagram #quiltdesigner #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt
My Christmas quilt is finished and I couldn’t be My Christmas quilt is finished and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out. I’ve named it the Great Expectations quilt. You can read more about why I made this quilt (and what’s up with the name) on my latest blog post. Link is in my bio. Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #greatexpectationsquilt #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltsoncouches #walkingfootquilting #quiltsofinstagram #quiltdesigner #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt
I’ve done a first pass at quilting my Christmas I’ve done a first pass at quilting my Christmas quilt and I’m already getting excited to finish it up. I’m trying to decide what to do next, maybe some echo quilting around the curved pieces. 🤔 Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltinprogress #straightlinequilting #quiltsofinstagram #quiltdesigner #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt #greatexpectationsquilt
And then there were nine (blocks). I finished the And then there were nine (blocks). I finished the last block for my Christmas quilt late last night and snapped a photo of it on my design wall as the morning light comes through my window. As you might know I don’t usually work with such a limited colour palette but I’m so thrilled with how this simple design turned out. Now to figure out a plan for the quilting. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions. 👇 Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #finishedquilttop #quiltflimsy #quiltsofinstagram #quiltdesigner #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt #greatexpectationsquilt
I’ve made lots of progress on my Christmas quilt I’ve made lots of progress on my Christmas quilt this week. I love when I have enough blocks to start seeing progress on my design wall. These blocks are a generous 21” square so I feel like it’s really coming along. I’m hoping to find time to sew more of them this weekend. Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt #greatexpectationsquilt
Colour way #2 of my Christmas quilt. Nope, not tra Colour way #2 of my Christmas quilt. Nope, not traditional Christmas colours but I’ve always loved the combination of pale aqua with tomato red (see yesterday’s post) and white and I think this is going to look perfect on our vintage tomato red couch. (I may or may not have chosen the fabric to perfectly match the upholstery). Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #quilting #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt #greatexpectationsquilt
A smidge of tradition, a dash of modern, my new qu A smidge of tradition, a dash of modern, my new quilt block is making me so excited to start decorating for Christmas. I mean, I won’t (we have a strict December 1st policy around here) but still. So…quilty confession… I made a total rookie move and didn’t make a test block before I cut out ALLLLL my fabric pieces. When I started piecing them together I quickly realized that I cut out 72 drunkard’s paths the wrong size (both the concave and convex pieces). After a big long 😭😭😭 I realized that if I traced the pieces out super tight together and held my breath I could eek out enough from my leftover fabric to cut them out again at the proper size …and breathe out. Tonight I’ll work on the other colourway (grey and pale aqua). Anyway, please learn from my mistake and ALWAYS make a test block before cutting out the good fabric. Fabric is from the new Sparkler collection by @polkadotchair for @rileyblakedesigns #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #makemodern #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #quilting #quiltmistakes #christmasquilt #fabricismyfun #greatexpectationsquilt
I was feeling a little bummed that I didn’t have I was feeling a little bummed that I didn’t have any time to sew this weekend but late last night I was able to carve out some time to cut into my new #sparklerfabric. I didn’t quite finish cutting it all but I’m itching to get started on sewing my Christmas quilt. #rileyblakedesigns #fabricismyfun #christmasquilt #greatexpectationsquilt
“Is it too early to start on a Christmas quilt?” she asked, not waiting for an answer. How exquisite is the new Sparker fabric from @rileyblakedesigns? Zoom in to see the festive little gold plus accents. #rileyblakedesigns #sparklerfabric #fabricpull #greatexpectationsquilt
Halloween quilters!!! If you are looking for the p Halloween quilters!!! If you are looking for the perfect quilt to snuggle up under while watching horror movies THIS IS IT! My Overlook Hotel Quilt pattern is inspired by the carpet seen throughout the classic horror movie The Shining. Swipe for some photoshoppy fun. Spoiler alert on the last photo. 😱 Pattern is available in my shop. #overlookhotelquilt #halloweenquilt #halloweensewing #theshining #overlookhotel #holdmyseamripperpatterns #stanleykubrick #room227 #allworkandnoplaymakesjackadullboy #overlookquilt #theshiningquilt #hickshexagon #tonyisntheremrstorrance
You peeps liked the test block in my last post so You peeps liked the test block in my last post so much I thought I’d share another one. This was a test block I made when I was designing my #littlequiltofhorrors quilt in April. I ended up revising the curves into proper drunkard’s paths for that quilt, which ultimately was much easier to sew. But I loved how this one looks and it currently lives on the wall in my studio. Swipe to see my mock-up of how it would have looked as a repeated block. #abandondedquiltblock
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Did you know…

I'm also a graphic designer by trade. You can check out my website here Waterloo Design House.
And my other business is Small Potatoes where I make handmade baby clothing and gifts.

Holly Clarke Design

Quilt making, quilt design, fabric appreciation, sewing tips and tricks, and all-around crafty inspiration.

Want to share my photos?

I’d love to collaborate. To share photos, please email me here for permission. All photos © Holly Clarke, 2021.

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