A Pattern Test and a Giveaway.

Introducing Arabesque: a pattern by Sandra Walker of MMM Quilts!

You all know that I am a huge fan of Sandra’s patterns. This one was created when she was doing the SAHRR: the invention of Gail from Quilting Gail. Gail hosts the SAHRR at the beginning of the year and it’s so much fun to get creative and see how everyone interprets the block each round.

I’m especially proud of being able to help Sandra since she is a Canadian designer. I’m sure you all know Quilting Gail is an Island Batik Ambassador. Yes, I travel in very creative circles 😉

The pattern is available HERE or by clicking on the pattern cover above and as an introductory special, will be on sale for $10CA until Monday midnight.

A couple of weeks ago Sandra asked me if I’d like to test the pattern along with a couple of our buddies. Of course I had to say yes since I’ve always found her patterns well written and so much fun to make.

It worked out well since I needed to make a quilt with Christmas themed fabrics for a donation to a fundraiser next week. I cut my fabrics and started piecing the blocks and hit a snag (my fault) right away. I used the wrong fabric in my center block and didn’t realize it until I was further along (round 3).

I had already cut all of the fabric I had, so I got creative and substituted a couple of fat quarters to replace the fabric I had used by mistake. 😉

I kept going and pieced all of my block sections for each of the rounds.

It’s been a rough week here so I think my head just wasn’t grasping the fact that I was doing the things I like most; playing with fabric and testing patterns.

I kept going and realized when I took a photo after completing Round 6 that I had reversed some pieces in Row 6.

At this point (once I get it fixed) I could stop since it measures 43” square and is perfect for a baby quilt or even a lap quilt for someone in a wheelchair, but I really am intrigued with the bits for the next rounds and I love the Maple Leaves (so much fun to make and Sandra gives templates for both piecing and EPP) so I’m going to keep going and get this beauty to a nice 51 1/2” square.

I had to be in town with DH for medical appointments and tests all day yesterday so wasn’t able to fix it before I needed to post this.

I am unavailable for the rest of the day today to fix this (tied up at my Guild), but Sunday is going to be my day to get Jack out, fix my mistakes in those rows and add the last couple of rounds. All of the pieces are ready to go and I’m hoping not to have any distractions. I think I need to do some fabric swapping since the reds and burgundies are blending together so I might do a bit more deconstructing and replacing fabric.

Now for the exciting news:

Sandra is offering to send a copy of the pattern to one person who leaves a comment on my post by Sunday at midnight and for additional chances to win you can visit Quilting Gail and MMM Quilts. You’ll enjoy seeing their versions of this fun quilt! I love the way Sandra’s patterns have so much movement and the way her blocks create secondary patterns.

Please keep in mind that Quilting Gail hosts the SAHRR in January. It’s my official start to the year.

Then do join Sandra at MMM Quilts for the tenth annual QAL, which will run as per usual, April 3 through June 15, 2026. It’s free, and it may be a mystery this year 😉

So thank you for visiting. If you are interested in joining the giveaway, please make sure you leave a comment.