PRODUCTION MODE

 So far this month I have completed 4 quilt tops and the month is not half over. Deadlines have a way of forcing production.

LUCKY STARS got off to a good start. I wrote about this project before: NEW HANDWORK PROJECT and LUCKY STARS PROGRESS. But I just wasn't feeling this quilt.  I LOVE swapping fabrics with my Sunday Sew and Sew friends. That continues. So, after making 4  blocks I called it  "DONE".

Here is the completed wallhanging top:

LUCKY STARS, 35" square

As soon as the 2027 Block of the Month quilt top FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE was completed, I took it to longarm quilter extraordinaire Patty Wilson. She is working on it right now and I will have it back soon. Here it is again, 84" square:

Then it was time to complete two new WORKSHOP SAMPLES for a wonderful Caribbean Cruise March 17-26, 2028. Yes, a year and a half from now. We have to work well in advance. The cruise is through the American Quilters Society (AQS) Registration won't open for at least a few months. Their website in that link lists other cruises so you can get an idea how it works. Holland America is the cruise line and I am excited to try them. The ship has less than 2000 passengers, a nice change from the 7000 passenger cruises I have done lately. Save the date and start saving your pennies, we will have a fantastic time!

Here are my two WORKSHOP SAMPLES. There will be optional KITS for those who want to order them or you can bring your own fabric. Each of these is a Two-Day class, while we are at sea:

LONE STAR AT SEA, 25" square

TROPICAL ROSE STAR, 28" x 32" 

Now I have to do all the paperwork. And I will make two additional samples before this year is out so I can have two quilted/finished samples and two that are just tops. You can learn a lot from seeing the back of a quilt top.

Then it's time to start packing for the FALL RETREAT in Livermore, CA--I head west September 27 for a week of fun AND teaching two great classes. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

CRUISE QUILTS

While I am away teaching on two cruises with the staff from Stitchin' Heaven Quilt Cruises, back to back, I thought you might like to see the quilt projects the students are making.

First, we sail from Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ on the 10 day New England/Canada cruise. There are about 80 students and two teachers. We split into two classrooms, I teach half the group one day while the other teacher has the other half. The next sea day, we teachers change places, the students stay at their assigned space all 10 days.  A Bernina sewing machine is provided for each student to use 24/7 if they like.

This quilt is my original pattern, based on an antique quilt I own. ON THE LILY POND:

Most students buy the pre-cut kit, as space in the classroom is limited. Students who want to use their own fabric buy the pattern in advance then pre-cut ALL their pieces at home before boarding the ship. 

Here is the lovely kit for ON THE LILY POND, each piece laser-cut and carefully sorted in bags for class time. The kits are shipped onboard so all students need to bring are basic sewing supplies:

Some students only make ONE of the offered quilts, some make both. Some sew from morning until late at night, rarely leaving the ship. I will be enjoying tours in Boston, Portland, Nova Scotia and St. John. 

After 10 days on that cruise our ship, LIBERTY OF THE SEAS , returns to New Jersey where most passengers will disembark. I stay onboard as later that afternoon the ship sails south to BERMUDA. I am the only teacher and we have about 70 students for this cruise. 

The pattern for this cruise is DAZZLED, and involves learning to sew curves. Here is my sample top, made from the Kit:

And the Kit. Believe me, having all those curved pieces laser-cut saves much time and ensures things FIT:

 

As usually happens, I have friends joining me on these cruises. Sandy and her husband will be with us on the New England/Canada trip and Jan and her husband will join us for Bermuda. 

I expect to teach again on a cruise in 2027. When that opens for registration I will tell you. These cruises fill in a matter of a couple weeks. Sandy was on the waitlist and we are both thrilled a spot opened up for her and her husband to join in the fun.

The only problem I foresee after being on a lovely cruise ship for more than two weeks? It will be really HARD to have to start COOKING DINNER AGAIN! I stick to my exercise routine on the ship every day but there will probably be a few pounds to get off when I get home.

You can expect a blog post about these great trips sometime after I get home. 

Let's quilt AND cruise!

Barbara

ONE LAST TIME -- LET'S CRUISE

It won't be long, the HARMONY OF QUILTING CRUISE is March 11-18, 2023. There are a few spaces left for those who want to enjoy a great vacation on a magnificent ship AND make quilts. Put on by the good folks at Stitchin Heaven Quilt Shop, they are pros at these cruises and know how to give you the best experience. 

My class project: Scrappy Plus:

The Kit I used to make it:

This is my last push to encourage you to join us--since you still have time to make travel plans to and from Miami. The closer it gets, the more excited I am. My husband and I are now planning which excursions we want to take at the 3 ports. And I am beginning to think about clothes.

What you don't bring is a sewing machine--you will have a brand new Bernina available to you all week, just for your personal use. If you don't want to bring fabrics, you can simply order the Kits available when you register. There are two different quilt projects, taught by me and the other teacher, April Jaehn. Each of us teach all the students, on different days. We move between classrooms, the students stay in one place. It couldn't be easier.

Here are links to the previous posts I've written about the cruise, which was supposed to happen in April 2021: 

JOIN THE FUN

COME CRUISE WITH ME

CRUISING FUN

 SCRAPPY PLUS QUILT

The next time I post about the CRUISE, it will be to tell you what a fantastic time we all had! I hope you will join us while we still have a spot for you,

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Local Classes and Cruising

Local quilters can take a fun class I love to teach: Saturday February 12, 2022, 9-4, at Patches & Stitches:

CHARMING SAMPLER:

This one day class teaches 4 different blocks and fun and easy NEW ways to make them. The class was offered in the Fall but only had a couple people signed up. Now is the last time it will be offered locally so don't miss it. I have taught it to several groups as a traveling quilt teacher and students have loved it. 

Call Patches & Stitches to sign up and get the Supply List. 256-533-3886.

Quiltmaking 101--the beginning class I have taught at Patches & Stitches since 1989 is being offered again as the first class that started in January was full with a waiting list. It covers everything from selecting fabrics to doing a beautiful binding. I love teaching this class and many students go on to become dedicated quiltmakers after starting with this class.

The class is 5 sessions, Tuesdays February 22- March 29, 2022, 5:30-8 pm. Call the shop now to sign up and get the Supply List 256-533-3886:

Upcoming is a basic class at Sweet Home Quilting--designed for real beginners:  LEARN TO QUILT: FAST AND FUN, February 26 and March 5, 2022. For those with little experience who want to learn to piece a quilt perfectly. Sign up ONLINE

Coming up later this year is a NEW class for those beginners who want to move on to bigger and better things. YOUR NEXT QUILT: May 12 and 26, 2022, 10-4 at Sweet Home Quilting. We will explore color and design and several ways to make this simple yet intriguing quilt. Sign up ONLINE

Now, the BIG news--Quilting Cruises with Stitchin' Heaven are back! 

The long delayed Harmony of Quilting Cruise will happen March 11-18, 2023, on Harmony of the Seas, a beautiful Royal Caribbean ship. The project I am teaching is Scrappy Plus, a bright, modern pattern with color and contrast, shown here on my design wall almost two years ago when I made the top. It is now a finished quilt--Kits will be available for those who want to sew all day at sea, for several days. You will still have 3 great Port Days to explore new places.  I hope you will join us next year as we sail away...

Sign up NOW, spaces for these cruises fill quickly: Harmony of Quilting Cruise:

Let's quilt.

Barbara