Leftovers, a New Start and Classes

About the time I am half way through a quilt project, I'm starting to think about what's next. Halo Star Medallion was no different. My top has been done since mid-August. As soon as I saw the plan for the 2018 Block of the Month in October, I've been thinking about what colors/fabrics I want to use and if I want to make any design changes.

I think this will be the center block and these are definitely the colors/fabrics I'll be using. BUT--this 24" block is too challenging to do quickly so I'm looking for an alternative for a class I'll be starting at a local quilt shop in January 2018. For those who want an alternative center.

Here is the design we will be working with from The Quilt Show., beginning January 1, 2018:

The Patchwork Barn by Edyta Sitar

A Kit is available or, of course, you can make this wonderful quilt using your own fabrics in your choice of colors. I love scrappy quilts and will be using lots of red, green, yellow, and cheddar, with a solid, Snow, for the background.

With my Halo Star Medallion top done, I folded up and put away the leftover fabric--and there was a LOT left--I always pull way more fabric from my closet than I'll need.  TIP:  I decide on the binding fabric as soon as the top is done and I make the binding right then. I have a basket to store the binding in with a note as to which quilt it is for. So when the quilt is quilted, now or years from now, I'll have the binding done and ready.

There were a bunch of small blocks and parts leftover too--from the demos I did each month for the Halo Sunday Sew and Sews group. They became this:

Halo Sunday Bits and Pieces, 24" x 27"

Recently, someone in the Humble Quilts Facebook group showed a photo of four-patches she made for the mystery we were doing. She didn't like them and offered them to anyone who wanted them. I just happened to see her post right then and said I'd take them. Many people tried to convince her to keep them, they were "fine", she should keep using them, they would "grow" on her, etc. But she knew her mind and really didn't want them--so she sent them to me. They became this:

Trash to Treasure, 27" x 27"

These small quilts don't take long to piece together and my wonderful Bernina Q20 sit-down long arm machine makes it a snap to quilt them. The Halo one took about an hour and the four-patches took 45 minutes to quilt. With bindings added, they are now done.

Now I've got some quilt business to attend to, booking airfare for 2018 teaching trips, ordering patterns/templates for those classes, keeping on top of contracts. I spend a few hours a week at the computer on these types of chores, including planning local classes. 

Here are the classes I'll be teaching at Patches & Stitches, Huntsville, AL: Sign ups start soon.

Color in Black and White:   Saturday February 3, 2018 9:00 am--4 pm  

Shiloh: Saturday February 10, 2018 9:00 am-4 pm

The X Block:  Saturday March 17, 2018 9:00-3 pm

The Quilt Show 2018 Block of the Month Sunday Sew and Sews Lecture/Demo class

                Sunday January 7, February 4, March 11, April 8, 2018 1-3 pm

There is also the usual beginning class: Quiltmaking 101, 5 classes in each session, two sessions offered.  

              Tuesday  Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 2018 5:30-8:00 pm

                              Feb 27, Mar 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018 5:30--8:00 pm

There will be more classes to mention soon, at two more local shops. I hope you'll find a class that interests you.

Let's Quilt.

Barbara

Halo Sunday Sew and Sews--Look and See!

The Halo Sunday Sew and Sews met today and wait until you see their amazing progress! I don't feel like I've been their "teacher", I was more of a facilitator who answered a lot of questions and helped to guide the discussion. As these went on the wall, there was much discussion about whether to add another border, what to bind the quilt with, etc. As I always say in class, "Everyone in the room has an opinion but only one opinion counts--the maker's--you get to decide".

I am excited to share these with you:

1. Janet N--wow, wow, wow. I love this Blue and White version and have told her she simply must get it finished by December 2018 so she can enter it in the Sapphire Celebration of International Quilt Festival 2019, the 45th anniversary of Quilt Festival. She used Seminole Piecing for two of the borders:

2. JoAnne M--still a bit more to go, the Delectable Mountain borders are just pinned in place:

3. Brenda M---sister to JoAnne, there might be some sibling rivalry going on here:

4. Terri T--look at that focus fabric, she cut so carefully:

5. Pam E--despite breaking her wrist and hand in February, Pam got caught back up and we all said "oooohhhh" when hers went up:

6. Sheila C--how dramatic! We haven't seen this in a while and it got a great response--she added wider borders, enough that her Delectable Mountains borders will gain 12" more length:

Sheila is also doing the Delectable Mountains without seams in the large triangles--read how to do that here.:

7. Susan C--she has been out of the country and worked a week with me in Houston so she isn't as far along but she'll get there. We love how bright and happy this one is:

We had 3 more members of the group who couldn't make it today and 3 more who were here but didn't bring their quilts as life has intervened a bit and they aren't as far along as they had hoped to be. It's not a race, everyone will get done eventually.

Aren't these just great?! We are also excited about the 2018 BOM and talked a bit about that one. I'll be making an alternate center block and pieced outer borders for those who don't want to do applique'.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Baby Quilts--Select Your Own

Over the years I've made a lot of smaller quilts, usually as class samples. Some of these are a good size for baby quilts. We are at the stage of life when our kids, nieces, nephews, and their friends are having babies. I've decided to let the prospective parents select their own baby quilt--from these that are done and ready.

This idea sure would have come in handy a few years ago when my husband came home from work to tell me he told a co-worker I would be happy to make baby quilt(s)--for her soon-to-be born twins! He did that frequently. Now I figure I am ahead of the curve.

And if they don't like these, they can put in a color request and I'll make something new.

In no particular order:

1. Opposites Attract  36" x 39"  UPDATE: Kallie and Corey have selected this for their wee one, due Ap

2. Black and White, It's a Challenge  34" x 34"

3. Hearts and Nine Patches 29" x 33"—UPDATE: this was sold to a friend

4. Strings A-Plenty 45" x 45"  This one is chosen--for Baby Edwards/Wasserman, due December 3, 2017.  UPDATE--Perrin Wasserman was born December 1, 2017.

5. Italian Shoo Fly #2 32" x 40"

6. Italian Shoo Fly #1  31" x 40"

7. Soft and Simple 26" x 31"

 8.  Trip Around the World  41" x 41"

9. Purple Boxes  39" x 47"

10. Bali Star  36" x 36"  UPDATE: this was sold to a friend

 11. Scrappy Trip 46" x 46"  UPDATE: this was sold to a friend

12. 3 Cheers for the Red, White and Blue  44" x 44" UPDATE: sold to a friend

While none of these are Heirloom quality, each will keep a little person warm or be good for floor use. Most are machine quilted, some in a rudimentary fashion as I improved. These are made to be used and used up, then tossed out. They can be machine washed and dried. Each will get a personalized label for the new, wee little one.

Jessica, you are up first. Do you see something you like?

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Just a Bit of Houston 2017

I am still in "recovery mode" from my 13 amazing days in Houston at Quilt Market and Quilt Festival.

You can find much better photos of all the winning quilts here. In reality, I saw only a few of them as my time on the show floor is quite limited. Here you will get just a taste of what I did see over the 13 days I enjoyed in the great state of Texas.

The first quilt I went to see is mine--in case I never got back downstairs again:

Then I went right to the next exhibit I had to see. There were 75 quilts in this exhibit, here are just a few:

Sue was designing and drafting this pattern in November 2015 when we spent a week together at a private teacher's retreat in Virginia Beach. It took my breath away to see it completed:

This is what brought me to tears:

Oh, Sue, how I miss you! The love and admiration that was shown to you at this show is beyond description. You live on in all of us who were lucky enough to know you or your work.

Another exhibit I took a moment to see was the work of Danny Amazonas:

I was thrilled that a mostly "traditional" quilt won Best of Show:

And my favorite view of Houston is the view from my Hilton Americas hotel room:

Just to the right of the Marriott Marquis hotel, that tall building in the center back, is Minute Maid stadium, where I understand there were some baseball games played while we were there. I did not step outdoors for 9 consecutive days so the World Series didn't bother me in the least. Houston was abuzz with excitement and they had a big parade while we were there--several blocks from the Convention Center. Restaurants were crowded but that's always the case during Market and Festival.

Here is the gang I hang out with in  all our finery:

And at our Farewell Dinner Sunday night, at Pappasitas, those of us who stay over for Monday departure. It's a good thing this shot is a bit blurry, because so are we:

Now that I've had 8 hours of sleep for the first time in 2 and a half weeks, I can't wait to do it all again NEXT YEAR!

Let's quilt!

Barbara