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The 2025 Quilt Works Olé Employee Show
September 21 – September 27, 2025
Grandma's X'Mas Cuddle
46" x 46"
Pieced and Quilted by: Sophia Rodgers
Pattern: Patchwork Plus
Technique: Quilt As You Go
“I made a quilt-as-you-go pattern several years ago and found it easy to do; upon completion, the quilt is done. This technique is slightly different. The sashing is done by folding the 1/4" seam and sewn between the blocks. The challenge was to keep the sashing straight. I found placing 1/4" double stick tape was very helpful. I decided to make it out of Christmas fabric.”
Candy Corn Quilt Shop
40" x 40"
Pieced and Quilted by: Sophia Rodgers
Pattern: Kimberbell, 2021
Technique: Machine piecing, embroidery, embellishment.
“Since I purchased my embroidery machine (Elna 830L) 2 years ago, I wanted to use it to make a quilt. This quilt uses many different techniques to create pinwheels, patchworks and embellishments. Each block is different; one does not get bored. It required 31 different fabrics. The embellishments made the quilt 3-D. I had lots of fun making this quilt.”
Margot's Garden
63" x 40"
Pieced and quilted by: Debbie Williams
Pattern: Original, by Debbie in collaboration with Margot
Technique: Collaboration with artist and granddaughter, Margot Williams, 6 years old. Enlarged the drawings and submitted fabrics for approval. Machine appliqué, hand embroidery and embellishment.
“Margot is energetic, creative and loves life. Her favorite friend is her dog, Rigsby! She loves art and crafts, gymnastics, gardening and bug hunting, hiking, and reading.
We sat at the table on 2 occasions while she drew a poster each day. I saved the posters and about three weeks later she ask 'Grammy. When are we going to design a quilt with my drawings?' That led to our collaboration. We studied pictures and chose the main designs in the drawing shown here on your [right], while we agreed that the other doodles weren't needed in the design. Margot admitted that the 3-dimensional, felted, bumblebee sticker wasn't a drawing, but it certainly WAS so important to the drawing! We agreed.
I began studying the drawings and had them enlarged to a point that they seemed to be balanced with one another. I also realized that 'the garden' needed to be on both sides of her quilt. I asked Margot about the drawing of the girl. She said it was a picture of herself and a cape. She said it could be a chair, but it was important for the drawing of herself to have a cape. Her favorite colors are pink and purple.
So Margot is sitting in a tufted queen's chair in the middle of her beautiful garden of smiling flower with her favorite cat, Baxter, bumblebees, a ladybug, and her heartfelt friend! Her name is emblazoned above, as she wrote her name several months ago!
Margot arrived this afternoon after school and noticed that the quilt was missing from her wall. I promised she could come to QWO to see her quilt, hanging up, and it would be back on her wall very soon! This was such a memorable project!”
ROADRUNNER
27" x 12"
Pieced by: Carol Rising
Quilted by: Becky Welch
Pattern: Original
Technique: Foundation paper piecing, machine piecing, free motion machine quilting
“As part of my foundation paper piecing journey, I wanted to make my own paper piecing pattern. I used open-source photos of roadrunners as an inspiration for this design. The mesas are a repeat of some mesas that I did for another project. I thought that the batik collection we had at the shop would nicely replicate the visible strata of the rock formations. And of course, the bird needed something in his beak. Hence the chili. And a matching balloon."
BABY PANSIES
40” x 43”
Pieced and Quilted by: Debbie Williams
Pattern: Fons & Porter, in Quiltmaker Magazine
Technique: Foundation paper piecing with freezer paper
“Audra Golden, our fourth grandbaby, was born on July 2, 2025. Frank and I went to Brooklyn to welcome our newest family member and help care for big sister, Zadie, 4 years young. Audra was welcomed with a similar quilt. Big sister, Zadie is doting and loves to read to her little sister. This quilt will be sent to Zadie so the two girls may cuddle and share their time together. Zadie's quilt was made in the same patter as Audra's quilt, but different backings. This quilt will be taken to Zadie for her 5th birthday on October 28th. I look forward to playing with both girls and listing to Zadie tell me about her preschool antics, and how to take care of her baby sister, Audra!
In juggle my deadlines and projects, I've manage to misplace the pattern. In the past few days, I've turned things upside down looking for the correct magazine, without success. Other family members are arriving tomorrow night, and so many things need to be taken care of. I'm nervously smiling that one day, when I lease expect it, the quilt pattern will be found again. Until then, I've got to get this house cleaned for this weekend with kids and grandkids, hugs, and laughter. If you really desire to learn how this design was done, I'll be more than glad to let you know this easy technique, after the kids and grandkids are gone again next week! Thanks!"
FIREHOLE SPRING, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
22" x 20"
Pieced and Quilted by: Carol Rising
Pattern: Original using my original 2011 photograph
Techniques: Using a fabric printed photograph that I expanded seamlessly to quilt size where the photograph disappears into the pieced background; machine appliqué; Texture Magic; thread painting; paint sticks.
“This was inspired by my photograph of Firehole Spring in Yellowstone Nation Park (2011).
When I first saw my photo, I knew that I wanted to transform it into a quilt. The vivid oranges, reds and purples, and the glowing underwater orange reminded me of metallic formations. There are some things that ring to mind reminiscences. The power of the colors in the water. The desolation of the white logs of tree trunks stripped of their foliage by the weather and the harshness of the mineralized water. The few sprigs of green grass growing in spite of everything. Life persists despite harsh conditions.
I started this quilt about a year after my first husband's death. He was with me when I took the picture, and I wanted to keep a memory of him with me. As I was cleaning out some of my household goods about the time I started this quilt, I found some of his linen handkerchiefs. I made him part of the quilt by using the white linen int he stark white trees.”
FALL PETALS
64" x 71"
Pieced by: Matt Harr
Quilted by: Danyella Nava
Pattern: Fall Petals by Ellen Perez, Mojave Farms Quilting Co.
Technique: Machine Piecing and long-arm quilted
“From the moment I saw this pattern, I fell in love and wanted to make it. I loved the big bold design and fall color palette. Ellie (Ellen Perez) is a dear friend and mentor to me in pattern writing journey and when I see this quilt it fills me with gratitude for her friendship and kindness.”
CLAMMY McCLAMSTER
60” x 70”
Pieced and Quilted by: Patti Lueker
Pattern: Glam Clam, by Latifah Saafir
Technique: Curved piecing
“I saw the Latifah Saafir pattern for the Glam Clam quilt and I wanted to give it a try. I had a great time curating the prints to use. I started with the Tim Holtz print of the map of Rome, Italy, and took the colors from that Fun!"
PAPER HEARTS BLOCK SWAP
66" x 71"
Pieced by: Vanessa Hale, Felo Hale & Julie Ross
Quilted by: K & E Quilting
Pattern: Original layout using Lori Holt's 10" Heart Quilt Paper
Technique: Traditional piecing using paper templates
“My mother-in-law (who taught me how to quilt) and I went to a retreat at Missouri Star Quilt Co. back in October 2021. We had a fantastic time! AND the best part was that we made a new friend named Julie. Even though Julie lives in Washington state, we have kept in touch over the years. One of my favorite ways we've kept in touch is through block swap quilts. For this quilt, we each made 90 blocks and then traded 30 blocks with each other person. This means that my quilt has blocks made by each of my sweet quilt-y friends! I love block swap quilts because they are so fun to do together, and they are such sweet reminders of good times we had together and of the people that I care about so much. We have done a couple block swaps over the years, but this one in particular is one of my absolute favorite quilts!"
ELEPHANT ABSTRACTIONS
73" x 77"
Pieced by: Vanessa Hale
Quilted by: K & E Quilting
Pattern: Elephant Abstractions, by Violet Craft
Technique: Foundation paper piecing (FPP)
“My first FPP project ever! My husband loves elephants. He saw this quilt several years ago online and told me that when his current quilt fell apart, this was the next one he wanted me to make for him. Well, the time came when his quilt was falling apart, and the timing happened to line up perfectly with our 10-year wedding anniversary. I knew it was time to make it for him! I only worked on it when he wasn’t home or after he went to bed, so I was able to keep it a secret and surprise him for our anniversary. He absolutely loves it, and it definitely took some coaxing for him to part with it and let me bring it here for the show. lol."
MOON DANCE REVIVAL
60" x 60"
Pieced and Quilted by: Roberta Senecal
Pattern: "Moon Dance Revival," by Helen Robinson, Sew Kind Of Wonderful, 2018
Technique: Machine piecing and quilting
“I have always been fascinated by color and geometric shapes. When I first saw the Moon Dance Revival pattern, I was mesmerized! I got very excited about how I could put my own twist on it.
I have used a variety of warm and cool colors and went with my gut on placement. What I love about this quilt is that there will never be two that are identical, since the colors you choose, and the placement, will always be unique.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!"
PROUD
72" x 83"
Pieced and Quilted by: Matt Harr
Pattern: Proud, by Todd Leavitt, The Bear Quilter
Technique: Machine piecing, Quilt-As-You-Go
“This quilt was designed by my friend Todd. The title, Proud, reflects how I feel about the friendships I've made in the world of quilting and the opportunities quilting has given me to travel and share my love for the art form."
HIGHLAND HEARTS CHRISTMAS
48" x 62"
Pieced by: Lisa Thompson
Quilted by: Patti Lueker
Pattern: Snapshot, by Minay Siros, Black Cat Creations, 2017
Techniques: Machine piecing and quilting
"This was my 2025 Christmas in July quilt. It has a special meaning for me other than just being a store quilt. I began working at Quilts Olé in the fall of 2020, as Covid restrictions were easing. Not long after, a lovely Scottish woman came into the store and asked if we were hiring. Sandra still owned the store at that time, and I told her about this woman, saying that we had to hire her.
Sandra hired Jean and initially we didn’t work together very often. After Quilt Works bought Quilts Olé and we moved to the Alameda address, Jean and I worked together all the time. We got to be good friends over that time, and we shared our stories back and forth. Jean lost her husband about the time she started working for the store, and since she was alone has always talked about going home to Scotland where her family still lives. This year, when the stores merged, Jean decided to retire and start the process of packing up her home here in Rio Rancho. Every day that goes by, I expect to hear that her reservations have been made to head back. When I saw this line of fabric, I knew that this year’s quilt would be going home to Scotland with her.
These Heeland Coo’s (Highland Cows) are for you, my dear friend!”
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
54" x 54"
Pieced and Quilted by: Kathi Dineen
Pattern: Message in a Bottle, by Irene Blanck
Techniques: Hand appliqué, machine piecing and quilting.
“This is the second pattern from Irene Blanck that I have one. (Maybe you’ll see the first one next year. 
)
I so love it. Love how all the colors blend so well.
For whatever reason, I decided to quilt with only a walking foot: start, stop, turn, turn, turn, …! It was quite the adventure. Pulled too much on the appliqué blocks, so decided to leave them just outlined.
I do so love this quilt for its colors and design.”
MOTHER ROAD
54" x 70"
Pieced by: Lisa Thompson
Quilted by: Patti Lueker
Pattern: Bela Vista, by Pat Fryer, Villa Rosa Designs, 2023
Technique: Machine piecing and quilting
“I have always been a bit of a history geek. Some of my favorite periods, places or subjects are the American Civil War, the Sinking of the Titanic, the Depression and Dust Bowl and Route 66 (The Mother Road). I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and I think what got me interested in Route 66 was a television show that was on at the time, Route 66, staring Martin Milner and George Maharis. I’ve read and collected many books on the subject, (and still do). My greatest wish is to someday drive what is left of Route 66 from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. Fun fact: 2026 is the 100th Anniversary of Route 66! What a great time to make that dream come true!”
COLOR WHEEL
66" x 66"
Pieced by: Carol Rising
Quilted by: Bobbi Lucero, Edge Water Quilting, LLC
Pattern: Original use of Quiltworx Mixers: Log Cabin Center Star, Pine Needles Star Border, and Pinecone 68" Border
Technique: Foundation Paper Piecing, Machine Piecing, Free Motion Movable Machine Quilting
“I designed this quilt for Quiltworx University, March, 2022.
I used Quiltworx Mixers to achieve an original design. The center of the quilt represents primary and secondary colors, while tertiary colors are represented in the outside border.
This design just grew as I worked with the Quiltworx Mixers. The most interesting part of this was choosing the fabrics. I spent a good deal of time with the Grunge color card, finally arriving at a suite of 42 fabrics. Creating nuances of color was challenging.”
SPOOKY GINGHAM
58" x 68"
Pieced and Quilted by: Danyella Nava
Pattern: Merry Gingham, by Corey Yoder, in All Stars Merry Makers, Moda
Technique: Machine piecing and quilting
“I have an abundance of Halloween fabrics, so I decided to try this Christmas classic with a spooky twist! I like the neon colors and tiny bats.”
KNITTED BLOOMS
57" x 57"
Pieced and Quilted by: Danyella Nava
Pattern: Knitted Blooms, by Lo and Behold Stitchery
Technique: Machine piecing and quilting
“I saw this quilt on Pinterest and fell in love with it. I happened to have all the fat quarters and background fabric in my stash! Pulled them together and love the vintage 70’s color theme. This pattern was challenging but, after sewing the first block, I got into the groove and was able to get the blocks finished pretty quickly.”
