::Spring Improvisational Patchwork and Value Classes::

Finishing up my nine patch class today made me think that Seattle people might be in the mood for some Spring sewing.  I have two classes coming up in March that I thought I’d let you know about.

March 4th, 6-9pm I will hold my Values Class at The Quilting Loft in Ballard.  We’ll study the importance of values in your patchwork by piecing half square triangles.  This is a great class if you struggle with fabric choices.

My two week Improvisational Patchwork Class will also be at The Quilting Loft in Ballard on March 11th and 18th from 6-9pm.  This class is super fun and all sorts of “thinking outside the box” technique will be studied.  The second class generally consists of making a pillow or more blocks for a future quilt, but I really am led by those that attend.  I’ve loved this class because of its free flow evolution, and always look forward to it.

April brings many changes to our life and some new classes will be listed at Fabric Crush.  Please feel free to email me if you wish to be added to the class emails.

Don’t forget about the Seattle Modern Quilting Guilds first meeting February 20th.  We’ve had amazing response and can’t wait to get acquainted with some other fine sewers!

::Hoot::

I did manage this week to finish a wee pillow (12×12).  I left it in the hands of my wonderful coworker as a possible gift for a birthday party she’s attending.  The owls are from the Pottery Barn bedding called Brooke.  I was gifted a FQ and am always tempted to buy some.

Like all my pillows, it’s lined in muslin and the seams are serged.  I have some of the bits left so I am sure there will be some more in the making.  I LOVE the Alexander Henry Arvika and am always looking for it online.  If you run across the black and white let me know!

I did an invisible zip and the back is this sweet flannel that is almost gone.

Some other projects have been on the front burner.  In a shocking display of my perfectionist personality, I took the seam ripper to the quilt back I had completed AND basted to Roan’s quilt front.  I’m so happy I did, it wasn’t sitting right with me.

I’ve had the Alexander Henry fabric forever.  This won’t date me at all, but it reminds me of the Ah-Ha video, “Take On Me.”  Remember when you actually watched videos on MTV?

The dots are a flannel old school Amy Butler score on Ebay.  I have some of the blue left that I’ll stick up on Etsy when I get my act together.

Many other sticks in the fire of course, including a simple tied quilt like this.  Run out and buy yourself some of that Country Fair that’s at crazy discount all over!

::Finally Inspired::

This doesn’t happen much for me, but ALL this week, I couldn’t get my design idea down.

My HST blocks were sewn, but my very simple layout (something like this) wasn’t sitting right with me on the design wall.  I knew I wanted the colors, and the white downy flannel.  I went pin wheel, zig zag,  rearranged to on-point singles,  you know…the hst menagerie.  Concluding with deserving satisfaction on this.  I love flannel, I love matching points, I love the blockie color goodness.

Even if I was annoyed with my lack of inspiration this past week, my cup is now overflowing from the massive amount of left over blocks.  Acting on a small idea and seeing where it takes you can result in a few scraps.

Grandma Moses (Sew Mama Sew had this picture up, Love it.)

I’ve had thoughts of hand quilting this one, and am hoping to meet up with some awesome people to learn it with.  I’m happy to say The Seattle Modern Quilting Guild has received an incredibly enthusiastic response!

So a big call out to any crafty peeps out there wanting to be part of getting the Seattle Modern Quilting Guild off the ground.  You can now check us out/join HERE.  It will be giddy fun to talk sewing to others who want to do the same!  Sew Mama Sew’s forum also has a thread for getting a Sewing Circle together.  Go find yourself some stitchy friends.

::Nine Patch Improv::

Monday I have a few spaces available in my Nine Patch Workshop at Fabric Crush in Magnolia.  The workshop runs for two consecutive Mondays (January 25th and February 1st) from 12:30-2:30.

Like all of my classes, a traditional skill will be taught, but improvisational technique will be mixed in if a more modern/free pieced look appeals to you.  Proper value placement is all that is needed to make a simple quilt like this shine.

One of the best things about teaching quilting is the abundance of techniques available that belong to all of us.  Most of them require just a tweak to make a quilt of your own design.

Exaggerate them, block them in wonky, turn them on the diagonal, make them scrappy and uneven, anything goes.

::To Lay My Head::

I bribed Roan with candy to come out in the cold and hold my pillow.  I wanted to show the scale of it.  The insert is a body pillow from Martha Stewart’s line at Macy’s.  The filling is somewhat lame I discovered the first time, so I took the sizing down.  It was the last of what I considered my UFO projects (I’m ignoring all the quilts).

It’s mostly linen with wee bits of Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner and Alexander Henry.  I used the triple stitch along the top and bottom of the panel.

Did I mention I hate working with linen?  When it comes to serging it always travels, even when pinned to all Hell.

Some of my favorite fabrics, colors and it could not have turned out any better.  I am very pleased.

Been saving this Amy Butler Tulip forever for the perfect project.  Works great for the back.  When I get bored with it all I think I’ll cut it up and make a baby quilt.

The reality is I rarely read more than a page because I always stay up too late sewing, but it will sure look wonderful on our bed!

I wanted to give a BIG “Thanks” for all the kind comments regarding my Tumbling Blocks Pillow!  I’ve had had its inspiration on my board and the Hope Valley fabric spoke to me.

::Grandma Goobin’s Ciggie Pouch::

A few times a year Great Grandma Goobin (don’t ask, just what we call her) requests a new ciggie pouch.  The last one should probably be burned.

So I set to make her one for Christmas.

I love Improvisational Patchwork for so many reasons, but I constantly end up far off from my original mark.  I am not a sketcher, so everything is left to fate.  I started out thinking itty bitty wonky star.  Same fabrics as the Tumbling Blocks Pillow (because I am in LOVE), minus Chambray and add linen (thanks for all the comments btw on this pillow!  I’ll try to get a small instruction together or check out “wee bits quilt” in Last Minute Patchwork and Gifts”  for the technique and stack them).

I don’t think I’ll ever have a machine with out triple stitch on it.

Two Anna Maria Horner’s representing here.  Some of her new flannel and some Drawing Room inside and on the back.

Mostly Hope Valley and some random scrap sent via Fabric Swap with other goodies.

The pillow (that is upside down I see now) went to G.G., Roan’s OTHER Great Grandma.  She’s Norwegian, and a bit less into the Modern scene if you know what I mean?…but such a special lady.  The Heather Bailey is a perfect addition to her sunfilled mellow yellow living room that I spend chatting with her.  I was so happy to see my vision placed on her couch!

Two wonderful people in my life among the others I’m blessed with.

P.S.   This Perfect Box Pouch is next on my list.

::Tumbling Blocks Pillow::

I was madly trying to finish up Christmas presents prior to our holiday departure, and I had to resist working on this stacked block pillow idea I had that matches not a thing in our home.  None the less, I am really liking a few of Denyse Schmidt’s Hope Valley and was itching to try them out.  I also have an affinity for any fabric that is purple.  And then Sarah placed a bolt of the new Anna Maria Horner flannel next to the Purple Hope Valley at the shop and I needed some of that too.  The colors are a perfect match.  The solids are both Carolina Chambray.  It’s my favorite solid.  Deep and rich in texture, and so much easier to work with than linen.

I like to call this technique tumbling blocks in my Improv Patchwork Class.  Strip piecing at an angle.  Then do what we all like to do, cut bits of fabric that you have just sewn apart and sew them together again.

It’s a perfect blend of some free cutting and some precise piecing.  Of course you could just not line anything up, and square up later, but I’m too anal for such things.

Here it is tumbling:

I was so excited with how it turned out I didn’t even notice that I had forgotten to do the stitching I had planned.  Darn.

I’ll have to remember to post my inspiration for this, the ad has been pinned to my inspiration board for ages.  Patiently waiting for the perfect fabric I guess.

I have in my mind a whole Tumbling Blocks Quilt.  Just as soon as I finish up the other three that are floating around unfinished.

A little note that if you would like to join The Seattle Modern Quilting Guild we would love to hear from you.  The response has been great!  To join the discussion, add yourself to the group here.

::Seattle Modern Quilt Guild::

I have been trying to form a Modern Quilt Guild of good people to come together and quilt for some time.  Life has gotten in the way for many of us to make it happen.  Let’s try to connect!  Many thanks to Alissa for her leadership and spreading the word!

I formed a group for us to communicate.  If you would like to keep up to date with The Seattle Modern Quilt Guild and be an active member you may join HERE.

I have quite a few projects on my plate presently and would be more than happy for some people with some leadership skills to step up with this baby.  We could also brainstorm on a location that would be happy to hear the hum of machines.

Looking forward to the creative ideas!

::Bursting::

Happy Happy New Year to you all.  I am bursting with new ideas and just ordered some fabrics that I just had to have!  Hope for a new home for me in the New Year as my fabric closet is also bursting!

::Roan’s Quilt::

The weather has been less than ideal for the beach here in the Gulf.  I’ve been sewing some rows and finished them this morning.

I’ve been collecting fabric for Roan’s quilt for quite some time.  Fabric for boys has improved dramatically over the years, but I added loads of dots.  I included some bits of clothing, mostly pjs that I’ve made and he’s outgrown.

Some of my favorites:

Actually an old Joann fabrics flannel that is good quality.  Something I wish they would have stuck with.  Some Japanese fabrics.

Love the Little Scouts fabric.  Roan use to carry a little bunny he called Miss Lilly.  She’s still around but dragons seem to be the choice doll now for sleeping.

He’s driving me slightly crazy at the moment, but was cute when he came to me with the “r” is for roan stamped on his face.  I’ll try for sewing the rows together tomorrow.

Hope you all had a good Holiday filled with family (even if they drive you a little nuts).