FOUR CORNERS QUILT GUILD--DURANGO, COLORADO

 I recently had the pleasure to travel to Durango, CO to be the featured teacher/speaker at the Four Corners Quilt Guild's annual meeting. This was the first time in 3 years they had a face-to-face meeting--you know why. 

They are a very talented and welcoming group and I enjoyed my visit immensely. Here are a lot of photos that tell the story:

My view of the La Plata range as we approached Durango--snow in April does not compute for me:

The wonderful Barb Morgan met me and we set off for the General Palmer Hotel, a Victorian property in the heart of Durango. I was surprised with a very much appreciated goodie bag in my room:

My lovely room, small but so comfortable and lots of storage. My quilt was perfect: 

Breakfast each morning was good and ready at 7 am: 

The first day's class was LOVE YOUR LAYOUT--a design class that is FUN. The Students did great:

A look at a few of the quilts being made in class:

This student inadvertently brought 8" blocks to class instead of 4" so she was able to make a twin size quilt: 

Charlotte brought pinwheels to class, an option, and was able to finish her quilt in class: 

Saturday was the annual meeting, with over 100 attendees. Lots of work goes into a meeting like this and it showed with all the table decorations and lots of wonderful giveaway prizes. 

I always enjoy Show and Tell and it was so good to see a few finished Block of the Month quilts from The Quilt Show. And to hear that my blog and help on the Forum are appreciated:

Color My World, pattern by Wendy Williams

Garden Party Down Under, pattern by Irene Blanck

After a great lunch, it was time for my Presentation: The Hard Stuff--a look at complex quilt patterns: 

As this was the 30th year for the Four Corners Quilt Guild, they did a bit of reminiscing about previous events.  I was honored to see the good company I keep, being part of this esteemed group of quilt teachers who preceded me:

Sunday was the class CHARMING SAMPLER. I love to teach this one, it is an original design that starts with a Charm Pack. These are 3" blocks and everyone did great and learned a lot:

                                         

The next day I was off to the small Durango airport early. So early, no gate agents were there for an hour. And TSA was closed, until an hour before the next flight out. No problem, I just waited until they

appeared and all was well.

Love a small  airport--lots of plugs for charging devices, only one gate area to serve two airlines, a little snack bar place right there with all the chairs:

All four of my flights, going and coming home, were on time and uneventful. All in all, a great trip.

Thanks to the wonderful women of the Four Corners Quilt Guild!

Let's quilt,

Barbara

EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR AT ASILOMAR 2024

 I am so thrilled to announce I am part of the amazing FACULTY at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR for 2024. Registration will open soon and many of these classes fill quickly. I think mine will be no exception. My class is in Session 2, March 1-6, 2024.

Many years ago when I first learned about this 5-day intensive class experience I wanted to attend. Held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Monterey, CA, it was definitely on my Bucket List. Now I am privileged to participate as Faculty.

FULL CIRCLE, a pattern by Wendy Williams

My class is a Wendy Williams pattern called FULL CIRCLE. When I first saw this quilt in person in 2020 I knew I would make it and teach it. It is PERFECT for this 5-day format. Made in 4 Quadrants, we will be able to complete the first Quadrant in class and students will know all they need to know to complete the 90" square quilt at home.

In making my sample, I  have prepared a detailed, comprehensive, multi-page set of tips and more instruction that will add significantly to the student experience. 

UPDATE MAY 23, 2023. Here is my completed top, I love this a lot:

At my Joyful Journey Retreat in March 2023, I engaged 6 dedicated students who wanted to TEST my teaching plan for this project. Read more about that HERE. They worked hard for our 4 days together and provided a great deal of feedback which was very helpful.

My sample is almost complete, here you see the first two Quadrants:

Because students at Empty Spools Seminars come from all over the globe, I will provide detailed FABRIC SELECTION information/advice to anyone who wants it. Selecting Fabrics for this quilt takes some effort and planning. I expect to get to know many of the students in advance as they share their ideas for fabrics with me electronically over the next 11 months. 

And, as always, anyone who takes a class with me knows that it comes with  LIFETIME  FREE ADVICE, by email, as long as I am kicking. These students will be confident they are able to go home and finish this amazing quilt. 

Take a look at all the incredible classes offered in 2024 over 5 Sessions. Many of the teachers I know well have told me how much they LOVE having the same group of students for 5 days, so they can really engage with them. And the many students I know who have attended keep THIS EVENT on their Bucket List, as often as they can. 

LOCALS--I will be teaching this locally at SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTING  as a SPECIAL EVENT. September 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2023. My quilt sample will be complete by June 1. You get to take the class AND sleep in your own bed. If coming from out of town, plan on a hotel stay. It will be a very educational and FUN event you are sure to love. Class size is LIMITED so you get lots of special attention.

I hope many of you will join me on our FULL CIRCLE adventure.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

HOMEWARD BOUND -- MONTH 5

  This quilt is the 2023 Block of the Month quilt for The Quilt Show. It was designed by Sarah Fielke exclusively for The Quilt Show and is only available at The Quilt Show. The best news is it's FREE for Star Members of The Quilt Show. Each month in 2023 a new part of the quilt is released for download to Star Members. 

This month we make the pieced border that surrounds the center of the quilt:

With ONE EXCEPTION--the stars in the corners are made in Month 6--when ALL THE STARS for the entire quilt are made.

Sarah gives instructions for making the Half Square Triangle units (HST) two ways. The first is using squares cut in half on the diagonal. These are then sewn to background triangles and made the correct size.

In her Month 5 VIDEO she shows how to use her HST ruler to make the correct size HST. Any HST ruler will work if you don't have the Homeward Bound Accessory Kit.

I start with 3" squares, not 2 7/8", easier to cut and allows for trimming

After pressing seam to one side I trimmed to 2.5"

I pressed seam allowances in opposite directions

I pressed the center seam open

The smaller HST are made the same way and rectangles of background fabric completes them:

The applique little leaves and berries are fun to make. Watch Sarah's Month 3 VIDEO to see how she places the leaves  in the correct spot. 

After all the applique you have done so far, this month will seem like a breeze.

Here is a partial image of Sarah's middle: 

NOTE: While I am using the Kit, I worked on Month 5 before I received the Kit so some of the fabrics I used are not Kit fabrics.

Next month it's on to the STARS!

I am GONE TO TEXAS from April 30-May 9, teaching for 3 guilds. Info is in the TEACHING CALENDAR schedule, right up there on the top bar.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

SUNDAY SALES -- FABRIC GROUPINGS

 I am on a major decluttering campaign. Today I realize I have too much stuff and it's time to share the wealth.

Each month for the rest of this year one Sunday Blog will be "SUNDAY SALES" with a specific focus. This month it is FABRIC GROUPINGS.

One of the things I think I am particularly good at is pulling a wide variety of fabrics that will go together to make a great quilt. I have lots of such groupings stored in totes, boxes and bags. Today I offer these to you.

PRICES are shown for the entire group--I will not break it up to sell just one fabric from the group. 

SHIPPING will be calculated to your location. Be aware, shipping costs have increased and I expect it to be no less than $12 and could be much more depending on the weight in the box.

I accept cash, checks, and PayPal--paid to me as a friend, no fee. Locals benefit from no shipping.

You must COMMENT HERE on the Blog, SOLD, include your email address if it doesn't show up in your profile. COMMENTS left on FACEBOOK won't count.

1. Who doesn't LOVE a BIG PAISLEY? about 5.5 yards, $50 SOLD

2. THE SUN THE MOON AND THE STARS: more than 13 yards  $100. 

You can make whatever you like with these fabrics. I thought I would make this pattern but now I know I never will:

3. Would you like to Fly? Beautiful Balloons, almost 5 yards $35 Balloons 2 3/8 yd, Vibrant yellow 1 1/8 yd, black 1 1/4 yd:  $35

4. AMPHIBIANS: 4 yds, one of each fabric, $35 :

5. ASIAN ELEGANCE: about 9 yds, $75: 

6. KAFFE AND BATIKS, what a combination. 11 yds,  plaid on the right is 2 yds, $100: SOLD 

7. EARTH TONES, ready for anything you want to make in this palette, Leftovers from a quilt that won Best of Show 12 yds, $85: SOLD

8. BEAUTIFUL RED ASIAN PRINT, more than 11 yds, red is 108" x 2 yds, $90: 

9. I LOVE this GRAPHIC PRINT, but don't have a plan for it. Print is 4 1/4 yd, 8 hand dyed fat quarters, $55: SOLD

10. BELLA ROSA, I had a plan, pulled for a class I never took, more than 6 yds, $55: SOLD

11. AFRICAN THEME: I still love this and might come up with a plan if it doesn't find a new home, 

          11 yds, large print in front is 2 yds, $85: SOLD

12. GRANDMA'S CHOICE, includes pattern and LOTS OF FABRIC, $25:

I hope you find something you like. Happy shopping.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

 

LET'S GO TO ALASKA!

UPDATE: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! DON'T DELAY. USE THE BUTTON ON THE RIGHT TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION. Be sure to indicate I referred you when you register--that's good for both of us!

 I recently enjoyed teaching on a Stitchin Heaven Quilt Cruise in the Caribbean. I have written about that here: Part One and Part Two. 

Upon my return, I thanked the good folks at Stitchin Heaven and said I would be interested in teaching for them at sea again. Timing is everything. Planning for 2024 Alaska cruises is underway and they had an idea that made me a good fit.

The theme for this Quilt Cruise is Civil War and I often use those kind of reproduction fabrics in my quilts.

That same day I was set to make the Class Sample, quilt and bind it, write the pattern and get it all to Stitchin Heaven as quickly as possible. How does two weeks sound? I did it. The sample is my design  and this one is called Civil War Puzzle. It looks far more complicated than it is:

August 9-16 2024 is the ALASKA LEGACY QUILTING VOYAGE, onboard Royal Caribbean's OVATATION OF THE SEAS ship. See Royal Caribbean's website for basic information about this cruise:  Alaska Adventure. 

Registration with Stitchin Heaven will open soon. From the interest I have already gotten from friends who read my previous blog, this trip will sell out. Save the date, save your pennies, and plan to join us on the trip of a lifetime.

I was last in Alaska on a cruise 20 years ago, and my husband and I have wanted to go back. He had a good time last month on the Harmony of the Seas, and said he would like to go to Alaska. So here we go. There were several spouses on the Caribbean cruise and I expect more will come along to Alaska. There is plenty of time to see the sights and beauty of Alaska, as well as the class time on sea days. 

Just as soon as registration opens, I encourage you to book with Stitchin Heaven right away to be sure you don't miss out. I will let you know once Registration opens.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

HOW TO TEST A PATTERN

 I have tested patterns for years. Some as part of my work with The Quilt Show, some for other jobs and most for myself. You may be surprised to know that there are sometimes errors in patterns that are not caught in proofreading. It pays to check things out before you cut a lot of pieces.

Three years ago I made this sample top for the Stitchin Heaven Scrappy Happy cruise that was to be in April 2021, which, was canceled:

Scrappy Plus Quilt was first published in a magazine. The pattern said the blocks were 15" finished. While making the quilt,  I found the outside perimeter triangles were a bit small so I increased the size of the square used to cut the Quarter Square Triangles by 1/4".That helped.

Jump ahead 3 years. I had sent the top back to Stitchin Heaven and they had it quilted. A new Scrap Happy cruise happened March 11-18, 2023. I was sent a new Kit to use to make step-outs for the cruise.

The step-outs are parts. I use them in class. Once home, I started putting the blocks together and found they were a bit bigger than 15.5", as would be the expected size for a 15" finished block. Many of the students had the same experience. 

QUILTERS MATH to the rescue. Let's check this block out. In testing a pattern, you have to know what the finished sizes are of at least some units to be able to calculate what size to cut the parts.

This block has a square block in the middle which is surrounded with four neutral corners:

We are able to figure out what size that middle block is based on the cut size of the squares used, listed in the pattern:

Since the squares are CUT 3.25" they finish at 2.75". The Half Square Triangle units would have to be trimmed to 3.25" so they fit next to those squares. And FOUR 2.75" finished units mean this center part of the complete block is 11" finished, 11.5" including seam allowances.

Now I want to know what size the larger block will be when set on point and the four neutral corners are added.

Time to use one of those MAGIC NUMBERS: to calculate the diagonal of a square, multiply the 11" finished measurement x 1.4142 = 15.5562".  That is slightly more than 15.5" FINISHED so I would just call it a 15.5" FINISHED BLOCK, not 15". With SEAM ALLOWANCES, the block should be about 16". 

Because I increased the size of the square used to cut those outside perimeter Quarter Square Triangles, I had a bit of fabric beyond the 16" block to trim away, no more than 1/8".  I trimmed each block to 16" and was then able to join them together.

One other tip I give in class, is to ruler check yourself as you go. If there are piecing problems, you want to find them as soon as they happen, not when a 15.5" block is done. 

Here I have sewn two HST together. 2.75" + 2.75" = 5.5" + .5 seam allowance--these two units should be 6" including seam allowance: 

When the row of four 2.75" units are sewn together they should measure 4 * 2.75" = 11 + .5" seam allowance: 11.5" 

If the units are not the right size now, they will not miraculously become the right size when you do the next thing. By finding my mistake as soon as it happens, I can fix it AND prevent making the same mistake again. 

There are only 3 things we can do wrong in piecing a block: the cutting, the sewing, and/or the pressing. Do your best on all three steps and you will have blocks that turn out the correct size every time. Well, OK, almost every time. Sometimes things just happen...

Because I don't need another 62" x 77.5" quilt I am going to make baby quilts from these blocks. 2 x 6 blocks = 31" x 46.5, that's OK. Or I could add a bright, happy border fabric to enlarge it some. Or use 9 blocks for a 46.5" square baby floor throw. Lots of possibilities.

If you want MORE INFORMATION ON QUILTERS MATH, I have a detailed TUTORIAL on the subject. Find it under TUTORIALS, listed above OR here: 

SIMPLE MATH FOR QUILTERS

It pays to be able to check pattern measurements BEFORE you begin in case there are errors. It isn't easy to write patterns, and errors sometimes slip in. Pattern designers are upset when they do, they are not there intentionally, I assure you.

Understanding QUILTERS MATH can save you time and effort AND allow you to design your own blocks and quilt patterns.

Let's quilt, 

Barbara