::Nine-Boxed Quilt::

Some quilts take time to finish.  Mostly because those other quilt ideas get in the way.  Sometimes even those quilts take awhile too.  I’m pretty sure I have a box of those “ideas.”

When I looked at the November date on this photo and the rainy blustery day I was thankful that it looked like this today.

Nine-Boxed’s original story and making details are here, but as I said it sat for awhile and on a quilting exhibition to Sandie’s for another quilt I thought why not just quilt it too.  She happen to have this design board already loaded so we went with it.

I’ll admit this quilt has grown on me a bit.  I wasn’t so sure I liked it at first and am now kinda wishing as I look at the photo that maybe I could have at the very least thrown it in the dryer for a bit to decrease it, poor thing has been rolled up in the closet for a month or longer.

In person it is really the Carolina Chambray that makes all those bits shine.  The blocks consist of a simple nine-patch made improvisationally.  Links to a few tutorials on the technique are also available on the original post about this quilt.

My twist was adding in a block when creating the nine-patch block that was entirely made of strip-piecing.  I’ve got a whole tote that contains scraps that are strips and they were calling me.  There are some goodies in there.

I also added a block of background fabric into the nine-patch construction here and there.  I always like that “floating” look.

Backing I bought ages ago on sale when Drygoods first opened and for the binding I revisited that scrap strip tote for scraps of binding left over from other quilts.

It has no home yet.

I’m off to market tomorrow and then teaching workshops with Jacquie on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Come join us if you can!

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::Fabric Stash Additions::

I can’t help but shop when I have Open Quilting Studio at Drygoods.

I scoped out the new Moda Boho Flower Child and PBJ last week and had to stop myself from purchasing the blue color way too.  Since my stash lacks navy I made an exception with the navy Liberty.

I’m loving the reds thrown a little closer to orange and I can’t seem to say no to any mustard colored fabric as late.

The Flower Child fabrics reminded me of the Orla Keily’s designs I’m in love with.

Look what else has made a return!  Alexander Henry Heath in metal.  This fabric is a must have for any stash.

Today I finish my Value Quilt top.  Off I go!

P.S.  Class this Tuesday and next at Drygoods is open free-motion quilting studio!  Sign up for one or both.  Machines, all the tools and quilt sandwiches provided.  Should be a load of fun.

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::Weekend Recap::

I headed over to Island Quilter for Friday and Saturday open quilting studio and two classes this weekend.  I spent some time Friday night producing some crazy piecing that looks very Easter eggy once I got it up.  It still needs a plan.

Anja and I also did some brainstorming about the space for the upcoming May workshops that Jacquie is coming out for (Check them out here.)

I did one of those random fabric shops.  Island Quilter carries a huge amount of Alexander Henry.  They have bolts from older collections that I won’t name because I want them for myself later and not at $25 yard from some ebayer.  The Modern Mecca line is my current favorite.

The Amy Butler fell in because of the color.  I’m addicted to the coral color way.

They carry the full line of shot cottons, so I always tuck one of those into every purchase to expand the variety of solids in my stash.

I’m pretty thrilled that Anja said she is bringing in the whole line of Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet, but to top that off, she is also bringing in the full line of the jewels too.  To me the jewels are the best active solids.

The weather was fabulous here, so we ended the weekend down the street at the brewery with friends before ordering pizza and lazing on the couch with a few episodes of Arrested Development.

Today I have a friend to visit and this mamma mamma to start sewing.  It’s a good thing the weather has turned.

Hope you got some sewing in!

 

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::Quilting Modern Workshops::

YEAH!

Quilting Modern Workshops at Island Quilter on Vashon Island May 20th, 21st and 22nd are up on the website!

Lodging at Camp Burton is available from Sunday May 19th through May 23rd. Choose from single, double and triple occupancy.  Please contact Island Quilter with any questions in regards to lodging.

Please be sure to check the current ferry schedule for departure times and which terminal location is best for you.

Here’s the line-up:

Slice and Dice Workshop/Slice and Insert Technique and Projects:

Monday, May 20th from 10am-5pm/snacks and light lunch included.

Join authors Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen for a full day workshop focusing on the improvisational Slice and Insert piecing technique from their book Quilting Modern:  Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts. Learn the basic technique and a new adaptation, a foolproof strategy for matching inserts, simple techniques for adding complexity to a design as well as how to work with even width and wedge shaped inserts.  Combine simple sewing with a new skill and create your own linear design.  Katie and Jacquie will share quilts from the book as well as new designs to inspire you.

All Hexagons All the Time Workshop:

Tuesday, May 21st from noon-6pm/snacks included

Love hexagons, but dread hand piecing?  Love sewing hexagons by machine, but find marking tedious?  Be prepared to love machine-piecing hexagons and master the dreaded Y-seam with ease.  Students will make the All Hexagons All the Time lap-sized quilt and sew all those hexagons with no marking.  In addition Katie and Jacquie will teach a quick and easy technique for cutting all those hexagons in no time.

Going Crazy Workshop/Modern Crazy Piecing:

Wednesday, May 22nd from 10am-5pm/snacks and light lunch included.

Step into the present with this modern version of crazy piecing from the Going Crazy Chapter in Quilting Modern:  Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts.  Katie and Jacquie’s free-flowing take on this technique will leave you inspired to find a place for crazy-piecing in every project!  Once you’ve mastered the technique, we’ll focus on finding a place for those crazy pieced sections in your quilt.  Jacquie and Katie will share multiple projects to spark your creativity and set you on the path to your own crazy-pieced design.

We’re really looking forward to these workshops!

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::Finally, a Finish::

It may be small, but it’s grand to finish something.

A little sample for my Psychedelic Baby Block Class at Make*Do*Mend.  I’ve got two other samples up on the design wall surrounded by a million other things that I hope to get to.  This list includes a Supernova quilt for next weeks class that will later be gifted to a new neighbor baby.

My next post should really be a compilation of all the UFOs around here.

Half way through the week!

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::Gifting Boys::

Upon the arrival of the bus, Roan and I use to have this routine.  It started with a hug and a kiss, a high five and then a bump. and ended with waving until the bus turned the corner and we could no longer see one another.  All upon the request of a sweet little boy.

With the blink of an eye he changed his tune and I had to adapt to his next growing-up stage.  Now I get a kiss blown to me before anyone sees and a hug before we leave the backyard.  I miss those moments when he would just reach up to hold my hand.  Life’s bitter sweet like that and I’ll take what I can get.

If you catch them at the right age it’s not all about Legos and Star Wars or hiding affection bestowed upon your mother.  You can still make them (or their mom really) something sweet and homemade to be loved for a bit.

Brother’s with birthdays very close together and just revolving around the sun for their sixth and fourth year are still of that age.

I made these two a little bit larger than normal to have a soft cosy feel.

Fourth’s closure is from my invisible zipper tutorial (Class Scheduled).  I wanted the back to have as much surface design as the front.

I finished off Six with an envelope closure since I decided to apply the age detail to the front.

 

There are some other details added in if you look close.

I’ve had this corduroy for ages and finally pulled it into a project.  In fact I’ve had all those fabrics for ages.  It’s fun to dig around in the stash.

As usual I lined these with muslin and serged all the edges, perfect for the wash.

 

 

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::Quiltcon 2013::

Well it’s back to reality around here!  Quiltcon was more than I could have ever expected and comes with the added bonus of something to look forward to in 2015.

I’ve only got a minute to post before diving into classwork and inputting receipts, so I thought I’d post a few photos.  Stick through to the end and there will be a little giveaway for feedback.

Highlight #1 For sure was doing a demo and a book signing for Quilting Modern with Jacquie.  It was the first time we’ve been in the same room since working on the book.

Hightlight #2 We were extremely proud to have two quilts from the book exhibited and I had one of my own on display that I sold.  How nice to come home with my margaritas covered.

Blue Ice from the Going Crazy Chapter on Modern Crazy Piecing.

And Add It Up from the Free Yourself Free Piecing chapter.

My Psychedelic Baby Quilt was accepted into the exhibit as well.

A special thanks to the Quiltcon board and all the volunteers!  What a wonderful job.  There was nothing but rave reviews that I heard.  XOXO.

Hightlight #3 (or maybe it should be #1) Meeting all of you!  Thanks for taking a minute and introducing yourselves. It was also highly entertaining to be walking by someone and all of a sudden realize I ‘knew’ them.  You are all the warm wonderful people I thought you would be.

Help me out if you can and leave a comment with your name and blog or when we collided to jog my awful memory.  I also realized I don’t have any photos, I would also be delighted to have a copy if we took one together (sewkatiedid@gmail.com).

Before I’m off to start laundry, Jacquie and I will be teaching three days of workshops on May 20th, 21st and 22nd on Vashon Island with details to be announced soon.  For a chance to win a copy of Quilting Modern, leave a comment on what class or technique you would most like us to teach.

I’ll close this on March 2nd.

XOXO

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::No Name::

If you are on my Instagram you are fully aware of the layouts this quilt went through and in a previous post I was about to throw in the towel.  I can honestly say that in all the time my seam ripper and I have spent together, this quilt collected some togetherness miles for us.

But if the book and Jacquie have taught me anything, it was to be persistent and an idea would come.  Something different that would make you step back and say to yourself, “That’s it.”  I can’t emphasize enough what a design wall can do for you in developing your quilt AND your design process.

Matches my boots too doesn’t it?  I couldn’t help but move them into the photo when I caught the color in the background.

Jefe in the foreground here watching soccer in his pjs.  Have you worked with the Essex Linen yet?  This is the yarn dyed denim.  Unlike regular linen (Essex has some cotton in it) it stays the shape you cut it.

The original block design is from Joelle Hoverson’s book Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.  I would categorize it under the technique of Slice and Insert (which Jacquie and I will be demonstrating at Quiltcon btw).  I was a little late to have it complete for my class, but will certainly have it quilt and bound before my next Slice and Insert Workshop.

Navy, it’s suppose to be the new black you know?  New territory color-wise for me, but most of these bits have been in the stash for a while.  I’m crazy for the Anna Maria Horner flower with the burgandy/red and the other deep purple is likely one of the first Amy Butler additions ever to make it into my stash.

It feels so good to stick with something and figure it out with a new twist.

Now it needs a backing, quilting and binding.

It also needs a name and I’m a bit stumped, any ideas?

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::Shattered Again::

Pulling sample fabrics for my Shattered Quilt Starter Workshop tonight.  Wanna join us?  There are spots!

(Photo by Rendy Tucker)

I loved playing with the recreation of this quilt in Carolina Chambray and Osnaburg.  The texture is fabulous with the velveteen on the back.

But now it’s time to try something new.

I wanna stick with the textured fabric, so I’m going with the Essex Linen, but I have some ideas with all this Echino that I’ve collected over the years.

I won’t have time for this idea anytime soon, but it might jettison to the top of the list a little faster now that I have a fabric stack.

Maybe I will see you tonight.

Tomorrow I’ve got a quilt top to show you!

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::Practice::

makes…not necessarily perfect, but what is?

 

Me likie.  Get some sewing in today?

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::Stepping Stone Block Workshop::

$85/Tuesdays, February 5th and 12th from 6-9pm at Make*Do*Mend in Ballard.

Two nights to explore the creation of your own quilt designs utilizing improvisational strip piecing in a log cabin quilt block. We’ll cover this improvisational patchwork technique while you construct blocks for your own quilt design! Please note this is a two-part class with attendance required for both sessions. A copy of Quilting Modern is required.

::Shattered Quilt Starter Workshop::

$85/ Thursdays, February 7th and 14th from 6-9pm at The Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Learn the tips and tricks of the Slice and Insert technique to create this two colored masculine quilt. Quilting Modern book required.  All level of sewists welcome.

 

 

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