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Holly Clarke Design

Holly Clarke Design

Quilter, pattern designer, maker, sharer

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Category: Easy/Beginner Level

Easy/Beginner Level

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  • Quilt Clock 1

    Quilt O’Clock Template — FREE

    $0.00 USD     See Details
  • Dialogue Cabin Quilt Pattern

    Dialogue Cabin Quilt Pattern

    $12.00 USD     See Details

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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I made a quilting stencil! I was inspired by a pre I made a quilting stencil! I was inspired by a pretty line design that I saw while working yesterday and, because I’m always thinking about quilting even when I’m working, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it would make a great quilting design. So last night I made the design in Illustrator, printed it on 2 pieces of paper tiled together because the stencil is longer than a standard piece of paper. I cut it out of card stock and then I marked up 4” measurements on my quilt top so I could place the stencil in the right intervals and then traced it. I used the Ultimate Marking Pencil @fulllinestencil, which is a magical chalk pencil, and it worked well on the dark fabric. I also used a Hera marker to mark the orange fabric because the chalk didn’t show up. Tonight I quilt! Let me know if you’ve worked with stencils before - do you have any tips? This is my Togetherness quilt that I’ve been pattern testing for @lynsavenue. The pattern will be released on July 2, 2021. #togethernessquilt #lynsavenuepatterns #fabricpull #figofabrics #quiltpatterntester
A quilt top gently blowing in the light breeze is A quilt top gently blowing in the light breeze is so calming on a Sunday morning. This is my finished quilt top for the upcoming Togetherness pattern that I’ve been testing for @lynsavenue. Fabric is called Butterscotch by Dana Willard @made_everyday for Figo Fabrics @figofabrics #togethernessquilt #lynsavenuepatterns #fabricpull #figofabrics #quiltpatterntester
Happy Saturday! I hope you have plans today that p Happy Saturday! I hope you have plans today that put a smile on your face as big as the smile I get from these fussy cut flower strips. This is a peek at my test quilt for the upcoming pattern by @lynsavenue called Togetherness. Fabric is called Butterscotch by Dana Willard @made_everyday for Figo Fabrics @figofabrics #togethernessquilt #lynsavenuepatterns #fabricpull #figofabrics #quiltpatterntester
In 2016 I posted this photo on my personal Insta f In 2016 I posted this photo on my personal Insta feed. My son Oliver was 12 at the time. Next year he will be applying to go into Engineering at university and thinking about this post now gets me a bit choked up. Here's the original caption: Oliver's been asking for about 6 years if he could take apart my old sewing machine and serger. I've always said "no" thinking that was the right thing to say, especially when he was 5. These machines and I go back a long way. I remember when my mom first got the Pfaff machine when I was a teenager. She was so proud to own such a top-of-the-line machine. And, although I'd like to say she taught me everything I know about sewing, it was truly the opposite. It was the kind of thing I had to teach myself by doing it on my own. These machines helped put me through 4 years of university as I sewed hats and backpacks for ravers (and gardeners) in the 90s. I used to make most of my own clothes, and lots of home sewing projects from curtains and pillow cushions to reupholstering and tons of mending. When I was pregnant with Oliver I started making baby stuff as part of the nesting phase. I would get stopped on the street by moms who wanted to know "where did you get that!?!" and I'd answer with pride that I made it myself. I started my baby clothing company @smallpotatoesbaby when he was a one-year-old. Fast forward 10 years and now I finally said yes, he could take apart my old machines. When I first saw all the parts scattered on the floor I had to hold back the tears. But seeing him carefully figure out how the pieces all fit together and what gear causes what mechanism to move makes me think that he will one day use this knowledge to create something cool. —— Super fast forward to 2021: He can take apart basically anything and put it back together even better. When he’s not doing that he’s building his own operating system… on a computer that he built himself. 🤯 #singersewingmachine #pfaffsewing #engineeringkids
Anyone who’s been here a while knows I love to f Anyone who’s been here a while knows I love to fussy cut my fabric. When I realized this floral motif is the perfect size to fussy cut for my sashing I cancelled all my plans and spent the day tediously lining up flowers on my cutting board. (I’m kidding about the “having plans” part, I miss the days of having plans, we’re still in Code Red lockdown here!) These pretty strips of fabric are part of my test quilt for the upcoming pattern by @lynsavenue called Togetherness. #togethernessquilt #lynsavenuepatterns #fabricpull #figofabrics #quiltpatterntester
I’ve been having fun testing the upcoming patter I’ve been having fun testing the upcoming pattern by @lynsavenue called Togetherness. Selecting only 3 fabrics was a real challenge for me, my default is to use ALL the colours in my quilts. 😅 After much consultation with my stylist (a.k.a. 14-yr-old daughter) I decided on these fabrics. She has already claimed the quilt for herself, sight-unseen. #togethernessquilt #lynsavenuepatterns #fabricpull #figofabrics #quiltpatterntester
Here’s a peek at my Folk Festival quilt with the Here’s a peek at my Folk Festival quilt with the sashing added. Most of my quilts don’t have sashing because I love when blocks intersect and create secondary designs. However, with this quilt I added the white space to give these blocks a little room to breathe. What are your thoughts, are you yay or nay when it comes to sashing? Pattern: Folk Festival quilt (coming soon) @holdmyseamripper Fabric: Confetti Cottons by @rileyblakedesigns #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricismyfun #modernquiltblock #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #newquilt #folkfestivalquilt
I have a design wall! Like, not a real one but I h I have a design wall! Like, not a real one but I hung up a great big piece of batting and now I have a place to put my blocks up so I can decide on the layout. Before this I was using a 8’x4’ magnetic whiteboard which was great but it wasn’t tall enough for a full quilt. I’m working on my latest pattern, called the Folk Festival quilt. I’m hoping to release the pattern this summer. Pattern: Folk Festival quilt @holdmyseamripper Fabric: Confetti Cottons by @rileyblakedesigns #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricismyfun #modernquiltblock #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #newquilt #showusyourmqg #folkfestivalquilt
Four more pretty blocks to add to my new favourite Four more pretty blocks to add to my new favourite quilt. I’m loving these colours and shapes so much I wanna marry them. Fabric: Confetti Cotton Solids @rileyblakedesigns Pattern: Folk Festival Quilt (coming soon) #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricismyfun #modernquiltblock #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #quiltwip #newquilt #folkfesthappy #folkfestivalquilt
Voilà! Block one of my new favourite quilt. (Shhh Voilà! Block one of my new favourite quilt. (Shhh, don’t tell my other quilts that I pick favourites!) It took a bit of trial and error with some test blocks to figure out the best order to sew the pieces so that I didn’t have to sew any Y-seams. Tell me, do you enjoy puzzle solving or do you prefer following pattern instructions when it comes to making quilts? #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricismyfun #modernquiltblock #quiltblocksofinstagram #quiltblock #newquilt #folkfestivalquilt
One of my favourite parts of the quilt making proc One of my favourite parts of the quilt making process is organizing pretty stacks of fabric. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I'd organize my art supplies in rainbow order. I’m so excited about the new quilt design I’m working on. These are the pieces for half of my blocks. (Scroll back a couple of posts to see the rest of the colours I’m using.) And I just love the anticipation of a new design coming to life on my design wall. Jovie the cat seems to be excited to get in on the process too. #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricismyfun #fabricaddict #folkfestivalquilt
Mandolin block #13. It feels so good to do some ha Mandolin block #13. It feels so good to do some hand stitching again, it’s been 5 months since I last did any EPP work! I was inspired by @gingernim ‘s recent progress on her Mandolin Quilt so I’m going to try to finish up mine this summer, at least the main blocks. Those connector bits look like they’re going to take forever. For context, I started the project in April 2018. 😬 ⁣ Click here to see my quilt so far: #hollysmandolinquilt⁣ ⁣ Fabric is Neverland from Riley Blake by @zippyboro ⁣ Pattern by @talesofcloth #talesofcloth⁣ #talesofclothepp #neverlandfabric #peterpan #rileyblakedesigns #quilting #quiltsofinstagram #epp #englishpaperpiecing #handstitched #slowsewing #mandolinquilt #mandolinmonday #mandolinonmonday
Have you ever fallen madly in love with a stack of Have you ever fallen madly in love with a stack of cotton? This palette of prettiness is what I’m using for my next project and I am smitten. I had so much fun picking out these colours, putting into practice @tarafaughnan’s advice to pick a few colours and then find them some “colour friends” making sure all the friends get along and play nicely. I can’t wait to show you what I’m making. ⁣ ⁣ Fabric is Confetti Cotton Solids by Riley Blake Designs ⁣ ⁣ #confetticottons #confetticottonsolids #rileyblakedesigns #makemodern #fabricpull #folkfestivalquilt
Oh, hello little #unintentionalfabricpull, look at Oh, hello little #unintentionalfabricpull, look at you just sitting there begging to be made into something pretty. #confetticottons #rileyblakedesigns
Happy Sunday! Hope you're finding some time to do Happy Sunday! Hope you're finding some time to do what you love today. I love showing off the fabulous work from the lovely ladies who tested my new Dialogue Cabin quilt pattern. ⁣ ⁣ 1-2) Kelly @quiltalope made this fabulous version with a range of cool blues and purples. I just love how calming it is. 💙💜 Also mad props to her "log cabin" photo background! ⁣ ⁣ 3) Kellie @sillymoonquiltingco made this delightful rainbow version that just screams summertime to me.🌈 Hop over to Kellie's feed to see the range of quilting ruler/templates she makes and sells. I'm inspired by her creative quilting.⁣ ⁣ 4-5) Britt @sew_such_and_more is only 15 years old and is quilting circles around me. My jaw literally dropped when I saw that she made the bed size version of this pattern and quilted it on her domestic machine. 👏👏👏⁣ ⁣ 6-7) Debora @rivera.debora made this adorable version with chickens and tractors, which is right at home on her farm. 🚜🐓 I just love how different the orange background makes it look.⁣ ⁣ 8-9) Mary @embercraftcompany made her quilt with soft, neutral tones of blue, green, and cream from the #agfserenityfusion bundle by @artgalleryfabrics. As she says, it gives her "major beach house vibes". 🏖 Quilting was done by long arm quilter extraordinaire @featherbed_quilting.⁣ ⁣ 10) Helen @fordy_quilter made this delightful red and gold version which looks so regal to me. 👑 Helen has also started a second quilt with this pattern, I can't wait to see more!⁣ ⁣ The pattern is available: www.hollyclarkedesign.com⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ #dialoguecabinquilt #fatquarterquilt #modernquilting #modernquilt #quiltpattern #quilting #quiltpatternrelease #logcabinquilt #modernlogcabinquilt #modlogcabinquilt #quiltpatterndesign #modernquiltpattern #quiltpatterncommunity #easyquiltpattern #easyquilt #beginnerquilt #quiltsofinstagram
⁣Happy May long weekend to all who are celebrati ⁣Happy May long weekend to all who are celebrating! If you're looking for a quilt you can make in a weekend, this is it. My beginner-friendly Dialogue Cabin quilt pattern comes together in a snap. Perfect for pre-cuts, F8, FQ, 1/3y, depending on which of the 3 sizes you choose. It's also a great scrap-buster!⁣ ⁣ The pattern includes photos, diagrams, layout instructions and a colouring page so you can plan your fabric layout.⁣ It also includes all the Kona colours needed to make the cover quilt shown here. ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Fabric: @konacotton ⁣⁣ Batting: @hobbsbatting ⁣ Quilting: @holdmyseamripper⁣⁣⁣ Pattern: www.hollyclarkedesign.com⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #dialoguecabinquilt #fatquarterquilt #modernquilting #modernquilt #quiltpattern #quilting #walkingfootquilting #quiltpatternrelease #logcabinquilt #modernlogcabinquilt #modlogcabinquilt #quiltpatterndesign #konacottonsolids #modernquiltpattern #quiltpatterncommunity #easyquiltpattern #aquiltpatternby #easyquilt #beginnerquilt #quiltsofinstagram
The Dialogue Cabin Quilt is now available! 🎉 It The Dialogue Cabin Quilt is now available! 🎉 It is a modern log cabin design that is ideal for showing off your favourite fabrics.⁣ ⁣ It is the ultimate beginner-friendly pattern, perfect for upping your piecing game as each block is made up of only 5 pieces of fabric. Easy-piece-y! Or if you need a quick-finish for a last minute gift, this quilt will wow anyone who appreciates bold geometric designs and the beauty of coordinated fabrics.⁣ ⁣ This pattern is pre-cut friendly, perfect for Fat Eighths, Fat Quarters or 1/3y cuts, depending on what size you choose to make. It's also a great scrap-buster!⁣ ⁣ The pattern includes photos, diagrams, layout instructions and a colouring page so you can plan your fabric layout.⁣ ⁣⁣ Fabric: @rubystarsociety @rashida_coleman_hale @konacotton ⁣ Batting: @hobbsbatting Quilting: @holdmyseamripper⁣⁣ Pattern: www.hollyclarkedesign.com⁣ ⁣ #dialoguecabinquilt #fatquarterquilt #modernquilting #modernquilt #quiltpattern #quilting #quiltpatternrelease #logcabinquilt #modernlogcabinquilt #modlogcabinquilt #quiltpatterndesign #modernquiltpattern #adornfabric #rubystarsociety #quiltpatterncommunity #easyquiltpattern #easyquilt #beginnerquilt #quiltsofinstagram #builtaquilt #showusyourmqg #canadianmqc
One more sleep until my Dialogue Cabin pattern is One more sleep until my Dialogue Cabin pattern is available. I’m just putting the finishing touches on the PDF and making the product post in my web shop now. Let me know if you want me to DM you a reminder tomorrow morning. #dialoguecabinquilt #holdmyseamripperpatterns #hollyclarkedesign #quilting #quiltersofinstagram #adornfabric #modernquiltpattern #rubystarsociety #modernlogcabinquilt #quiltpatterndesigner #modernquiltingcommunity
Hi! 👋 I’m Holly trying to look completely nor Hi! 👋 I’m Holly trying to look completely normal and natural holding this quilt in our back alley in the rain. Just popped on here to let you know that my Dialogue Cabin quilt pattern launch is on Friday. It’s a super quick, beginner-friendly modern log cabin pattern that is perfect for showing off your favourite fabrics. My current favourite is the Adorn collection by #rubystarsociety. Let me know if you want me to DM you a reminder on Friday morning. #dialoguecabinquilt #holdmyseamripperpatterns #hollyclarkedesign #quilting #quiltersofinstagram #adornfabric #modernquiltpattern #modernlogcabinquilt #quiltpatterndesigner #modernquiltingcommunity
Here’s a sneak peak of my finished #dialoguecabi Here’s a sneak peak of my finished #dialoguecabinquilt. Heads up to anyone who plans to use #rubystarsociety Zip! fabric for a striped binding. Pay attention when cutting your binding strips. Since the stripes run WOF you need to cut the strips along the length of fabric or your binding will look like this instead of stripes. This was the first time I ever made binding before doing my quilting and I was so proud of myself for getting that step out of the way but I truly wasn’t paying attention to the stripes. Anyway, it’s still a neat effect, just not quite what I had planned. ⁣ ⁣ #dialoguecabinquilt #quiltbinding #zipfabric #putastripeybindingonit #quilting #walkingfootquilting #logcabinquilt #modernlogcabinquilt #modlogcabinquilt #adornfabric
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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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