Design Wall Monday January 30, 2012

Here is the latest--an on-going project.  Using Gyleen Fitzgerald's method and ruler, I am making Pineapple blocks to use for a class sample and then the quilt will be donated to a Wounded Warrior.  I changed the pattern--combining the last 2 pieces on each corner makes for a  large red square where 4 blocks join.  Much easier than a very tiny little square.

Be sure to go to Patchwork Times by Judy L to see what lots of other folk are workng on.

I'm getting busier at work so will have less time to quilt but I've got 2 more in the planning stage--that counts!  Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Around the House

Today I'm enjoying what is likely my last Thursday off until mid-April and it's gray and rainy.  It's a good day to show you how I use my quilts around our home.  My beginning students often ask, "What do you do with all your quilts" so here is a sample. 

As we worked with an architect to design this home about 13 years ago, I was adamant about where I wanted the windows, electric plugs (floor locations), etc.  I had to stand my ground against the architect and my husband but when it was done they both agreed I was right.  Well, they didn't exactly use that word, but the idea was the same.  Things came together once our stuff was in there. 

Living Room, the gold wall color is perfect with this quilt--a happy accident.  I spent 7 years working on this.  It's hand appliqued and hand quilted.  It won Best of Show, our guild show 2011.

Another shot of the living room, facing the fireplace.

Master Bedroom shots.  There are 3 quilts on the bed, you only see two.  We recently moved to this king-size bed so the Texas Braid was made to fit it.  The brown quilt folded at the foot of the bed is one of my favorite. It's a replica of a very old top I found in an antique store. It has a wool batt which is wonderful for snuggling under on a cold winter's night.

This is the Non-Guest Room. The pile of quilts would take a while to put away if someone actually needed to sleep here.  I call it the Archaeological dig--newest on top, older the farther down you go.

The Real Guest room--only 2 quilts on this bed so it's easy to use.  The red quilt is the 2009 Block of the Month from www.thequiltshow.com , a Sue Garman design.  When I can convince the husband to assist me, I plan to hang it in the living room, above the red sofa. 

Just so you can see I don't do ONLY traditional quilts.  The blue quilt is from my "Japanese design" period and hangs in the real guest room.  The long one features a 3D beaded dragonfly I made in a beading class with Nancy Eha.  Love this piece and it hangs in the kitchen where I see it every day.

That's it for now.  There are more, of course, but I'll save those for another time.  How do you use quilts in your home?  I'd love to know.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara





Design Wall Monday, January 23, 2012

It's done!  I found the tan fabric I used for the squares at my favorite local quilt shop, Patches & Stitches.  It's a 108" Moda backing fabric, mottled tan, that is perfect for working with these 1800s reproduction fabrics I love so much.  At Christmas one of my sons saw the work in progress on the design wall and commented that he liked it SO next Christmas it's his.  It's a good throw size, 58" x 64", and I will machine quilt it myself.

Today we had brunch with our son, Andy, and his beloved, Lauren, and her folks.  We went to the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner will be held then went to the church to meet up with the pastor to get a few details of the ceremony worked out.  The pastor is a wonderful woman and we were glad to get to meet her.  The wedding is March 31, 2012 so you may hear a little more about it in the future. 

I've got a new idea for a quilt for the wedding couple--it certainly won't be done by the wedding.  Their official wedding quilt is done,  and has been since 1995.  Here it is:

This won Best of Show at our guild show in 1995 and has been saved for the first son to get married.  They have a german shepherd who sleeps with them so they plan to hang it on a wall.  So now I want to surprise them with another, more user-friendly bed quilt.  Don't tell them--their theme is Peacocks so I've got something fun to work with.

Be sure to go to Patchwork Times to see what lots of other quilters have been working on.  Have a great week!  Let's quilt!

Barbara

Color for Quilters

It's been a wet, gray week here and is currently thunderstorming.  So we need a shot of color!

I call this Color Play 2--it's a variation of a quilt called Art Affair by  Jan Douglass.  This one is about 36"square and was made from the leftover triangles of a larger variation I made as a class sample. I machine quilted this myself--notice it's all straight lines and I did not do free-motion--yep, I was afraid to "ruin" it.  Once tax season is over I'm going to work on that free-motion quilting and conquer my fear.  I'm learning a lot just by reading Leah Day's Free-Motion Quilting project--wish I had time to practice right now, but I don't.

It's Saturday and I'm off to a full day of work--folks are getting their W-2s and are coming in now.  Love seeing my returning clients, year after year.  I've done this job for 32 years, 24 here in Huntsville, and have many clients I see each year.  Funny how we don't think we're getting older, but apparently, we are!

Happy Saturday.  Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Just Takes 2 Again!

With my free morning I made these next 5 blocks for the Just Takes 2 project:

They are so much fun to make!  The instructions vary from simple to detailed and there are several ways to make most blocks. The patterns assume you have basic quiltmaking skills and are not intended to be step-by-step directions.

Using many different red and white fabrics is really adding to my enjoyment.  My motto is "There's no such thing as TOO MUCH fabric!" 

One other thing I'm doing with this quilt is keeping a spreadsheet of the number of pieces in the quilt, the method I used for each block, the traditional name of each block and the "popular" name being voted on as part of this project.  I figure it's much easier to do this as I go along, rather than try to count pieces when the quilt is finished.

Remember, Part 1 blocks will only be available free until the end of January;  after that, you'll have to buy any previous sets of blocks you missed.    See Just Takes 2 for the details.

Off to teach my beginning class tonight--they will work on their first blocks and have success!

Let's quilt!

Barbara



Design Wall Monday, January 16, 2012

Here is what I've been working on, a simple nine-patch made with Judie Rothermel's Chronicles fabric line.  Obviously, not done yet but I'm getting there.  While I would like to say I'll have it done by next Monday, I have run out of the tan for the squares and still have 11 more nine-patches to make.  AND...

The second set of Red and White blocks for the Just Takes 2 project were revealed yesterday and I want to work on those.  If you are thinking of doing this year-long mystery-type project, be aware the blocks are only available for free for 30 days from posting and posting happens the first and fifteen of each month.  After the 30 days, the patterns will be available for purchase.  See all the info at Just Takes 2.  If you think you might like to do this, sign up in time to get the first 6 blocks for free, that's about 2 weeks from now.

It's tax season so I might not be here daily but I'll always try to post on Mondays.  Be sure to check out Patchwork Times on Mondays to see what other people are working on.  A great feature from Judy L. 

Let's quilt,

Barbara

I love to teach!

Since 1989, I've been the Beginning Quiltmaking teacher at my local quilt shop, Patches & Stitches. Tuesday night I started the next 5 week session with 8 new students.   I love to teach beginnners.  They are both excited and terrified.  Some are true beginners, making their very first quilt.  Some are self-taught and eager to get better at quiltmaking.  Some doubt their ability to be successful, some are over-confident.  Everyone gets excited as the classes progress and I just love to see happy, beaming faces as they show off their completed tops at week 5.  Here is the project I teach:

Mix and Match Stars Variation, Glad Creations Pattern

 

In recent years, I've noticed many shops teach very simple beginning classes and I can understand why. I still prefer to teach a more complex quilt, in ways that are simple to understand and master.  My goal is to get the student excited about the art of quiltmaking and eager to make their next quilt.

A few years ago I was asked to be the "expert" in a series of videos to be shown on a web "how-to" site, www.monkeysee.com  Over more than 6 hours we shot 7 short videos and the course is called "How To Quilt".  Can you imagine:  teaching the entire process of quilting in seven 3 minutes "lesssons"!  I thought it was pretty simple, basic stuff and a little "cheesy" perhaps but I have to say, my beginning students absolutely LOVE having this as a reference.  Class goes by quickly each night and most leave wishing they had more time.  With this tool, they can watch the steps as many times as they need.  If you know a beginner who might benefit from a little help, send them this link:  How to Quilt.

I find the most challenging part of the quiltmaking process for students to learn is that dreaded 1/4" seam allowance.  Those who are garment makers can draw 5/8" with their eyes closed but struggle to get the 1/4".  The primary reason this is a challenge is because we have wonderful sewing machines with wide feed dogs so we can zigzag, make buttonholes, embroider, etc.  A 1/4" seam on a 9 mm feed dog means most of the fabric is not being guided by the machine. Just because it's a challenge doesn't mean we can't master it--it just takes practice, patience and determination. 

What tricks do you have for getting the seam allowance right?  Is it a struggle or a joy?

Do you remember your first class?  What challenges did you have?  Did you almost give up?  Do you still have your first quilt?  Those who become addicted to this sport always wish they had kept their early work, if they did not, so they can show the progress and path their quiltmaking has taken. 

Bless the beginners because they will improve and more the quilt world forward.  Now, let's quilt!

Barbara