::Opposing Triangles Remake::

This is the second Opposing Triangles that I’ve pieced and my long arm quilter friend Krista Withers has quilted.  The first has been traveling with the modern quilts in the International Quilt Market and Festival Exhibit for about a year.  When Krista’s exhibit at Island Quilter came up she asked me if I would make another top for her to quilt and have as her own.

Because I just plain L-O-V-E this quilt I’ve been itching to get some photos before the quilt went back to Krista.  We’ve never managed to find the time until yesterday’s gorgeous Seattle day.

There’s quite a mix of fabrics for the triangles.  Echino, Kona, Alexander Henry Heath and Mirror Ball all surrounded by white Kona and placed into an Osnaburgh background.  I aligned them so that they travel one into another for a zig zagged effect.

Krista’s quilting on it is stellar of course and sinks into the Osnaburgh and wool batting nicely.  My favorite of the quilting are the subtle moons quilted in here and there.  There’s a balanced of straight line quilting with the outlined triangles and more whimsical quilting in the background.

Fremont was hopping and we made use of the park area under the Aurora Bridge by the lake.

It makes me itch to get mine back, though I must admit I think I like it better the second time around!

It’s not looking like the weekend weather will be as nice.  I’m off for a run before the rain comes and then a day of sewing.  Tomorrow I’m a spoiled brat and will be hanging out and teaching a Psychedelic Baby Block workshop with some of my favorite students.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Read Full Post »

::Spring To Seattle::

Niquelle’s Quilt is finished.  My intension now is to make a larger one that her family can lovingly use in her memory.

Since Seattle is in full bloom I detoured through the arboretum on my trip to Columbia City to visit Stash.  I knew the blossoms on the trees would fully compliment the soft colors in this quilt.

This tree and its low branch had photo shoot written all over it.

I love everything about this quilt.  Not only does it have some favorite prints thrown in there, but I included a mix of fabric types as well.

Flannel, double gauze, linen blends and quilting cottons are all present.  So sad to see the Amy Butler Wallflower in mustard and the Heather Ross Moons go, but so happy to see them in a quilt!  The tactile effect is hard to explain.  It is somewhat heavier than most quilts, but also light and soft.

I spent some time with my friend Sandie quilting it on her long arm.  I mentally struggle sometimes with not home machine quilting all my quilts, but quickly got over it on this one!  We quilted it with purple, pink and white variegated thread.

The swirl pattern is perfect and when I finish my mermaid one I will likely do the same.  Then I will do this design again and again and again… The pattern shows well from the back on the solids.

The side triangles that I cut in half (or actually in half plus a quarter-inch to make them an actual half triangle with binding on) to create the edges of the quilt went into the backing.  Some angle piecing went into its construction and some other scraps made their way in to create the panel.  I always seem to go vertical with back panels.

I finished it off with the Erin McMorris Weekends fabric that was included in the front.  Sorry, that’s a load of photos…can you tell I love it?!

Keli at Make*Do*Mend and I just added this class to the calendar.  If you wanna combine some fun fabrics together and learn some mad skills join us on Saturday, May 4th from 10am-4pm at the studio.

We’ve got some space in the value class tonight too.

Psychedelic Baby Block on the schedule for Saturday!

Read Full Post »

::In A Bind::

I honestly thought upon my return from Quiltcon that I would have a hard time sitting down to more traditional quilts, but the reality is that I love improvisational modern quilts AND simple shapes of traditional quilts.

I think I’ve explained this back and forth process before.  Traditional is just easy on the design brain and helps me hone my value and coordination skills, while improvisational does overtime.

As soon as I walked back into the Livudio and laid my eyes on my Mendocino triangle quilt up on the design wall I wanted to set to work, but first needed to push some others to the top of the list.

Nicquelle’s Quilt needed to be quilted.

Now it just needs binding.

I did construct the backing improvisationally.  As usual I went with a vertical design. The little “kites” I cut from the sides of the quilt top were too cute to not be placed somewhere.

I’ve also become pretty set over the years in my mind that I prefer an allover quilting design.  I knew the spirals were it from the beginning and enlisted Sandie’s help for that.

We had an afternoon of free-motion play at her long arm after I finally got over my initial ohhing and awwing at how much I love this little quilt.

Here’s a question for you.  Why is it that I always want to bind a quilt in a fabric that I have extinguished from my stash?  Does that happen to anyone else?

—————————————————–

Wanna double trouble,

or strip tease this weekend?  Classes available.

Read Full Post »

::Design Wall Play Date::

I woke up early this morning and finished the last few seams on my Star-Gazer Quilt top.  It’s cute, simple and I love the colors.  I really need to make it outside for some photos to bring out the baby blue.

But instead I opted to stay indoors and play with that bin of unfinished projects I was telling you about.

The values could use some rearranging, but I love seeing stash in one place.  These blocks and eventual quilt will become a gift for someone who helped me out a few years ago.  It might get some gray cut in like this.  To be decided at a later date.

I only put it up to take it right down, but it was enough to get us reacquainted with one another.

And another kind of triangle is taking shape.  I got a bit more of it up before the sun went down.  It most definitly needs some more dark crimson to make it shine.  I’m curious of its final outcome.  It’s already quilted in my mind.  This will be a quilt for me!  All these favorite fabrics couldn’t possible leave my presence.  Because Jefe might likely not go for sleeping under mermaids, it might have to be my couch quilt backed in flannel.

Then for good measure I cut this leftover starburst to bits.  It might never turn into a thing, but sometimes when I don’t know what to do with something I think, “why the hell not?”  Coin quilt popped into my head, but I just bagged it for now.

I also waxed every square inch of my body that needed less Alaskan in its life and got my brows done.  I’m ready for Quiltcon.

Are you?

Read Full Post »

::Duh::

Not sure how I missed this, but I never added this Thursday’s Blind Co-Pilot Workshop to my class line-up.  I know there were a few inquiries over the past few months in regards to this class.

I’ll be bringing in my scrap boxes so we can stitch and flip in scrap heaven!  I’ve got two spots left and a very lively group of students so far.

Happy Tuesday you guys!  I’m doing taxes. I would trade my weight in fabric for someone to take over this chore.

—————————————————-

::Open Quilting Studio::

Need help with a quilting project?  Open studio dates:

Wednesday, January 23rd from 11am-3pm at Make*Do*Mend.

Friday, January 25th from 5-10pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island (sign-up required).

——————————————————

::Magic Number Workshop::  FULL!  Please call Island Quilter for Wait list.

——————————————————-

::Whole Cloth Quilt Finishing Class:: 

$85/Tuesdays, January 22nd and 29th at Make*Do*Mend in Ballard.

Quilt top, batting, and a backing…baste, quilt, and bind!  Learn the essential basics of finishing a quilt without piecing a thing!  Create a simple crisp modern baby quilt while learning the process.  Quilting designs with a walking foot will be a covered.  Walking foot required if you are bringing your own machine.  Studio machines and walking foot available.

::Split Decision Block Workshop::

$85/ Saturday February 2nd from 10am-4pm at Make*Do*Mend in Ballard.

Play with the slice and insert technique creating a modern quilt that features snippets of your favorite fabrics.  This is a great class for all levels of sewists that want to explore a new technique and play with design.  All levels welcome!  Machines and tools provided.

Read Full Post »

::Seattle Lone Star Quilt Finish::

What happens when you start piecing stitch and flip triangles and squares into a 16-patch?

Well, a star is born!  In Seattle it is not uncommon to see just a lone star or two in the sky.

The squares in this quilt are scrappy and a bunch are leftovers from the Blind Copilot Quilt in our book Quilting Modern (which is available again btw)!

I love that you can use up the smallest bits of fabric and that I have another sample for my Stitch and Flip Triangle Workshop in November.  You can see a few other great examples of this block in the Quilting Modern Flickr Group.

Krista Wither’s did the quilting.  We collaborated on the design.  I wanted something that would help define the large triangles that formed the star since they were a little off-set.

The background quilting needed to be a bit denser to advance the star and we went with this shape.  It worked out fabulously in my opinion!

Now I can stare at all those little scraps when we read at night.  I’m not much of a wall hanging gal, but if Roan had a larger room this might be up.

I love this Lizzy House print on the back.

After messing around as usual with the back, I went with one lone wonky star and showcased some favorite fabrics in the points.

This quilt will be on display as part on Krista’s exhibit at Island Quilter that opens on Friday night.  Hope to see you there!

——————————————————————————

::Improvisational Elongated Triangle Blocks:: $45 Thursday October 4th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Create an edgy block of triangles with this simple improvisational technique. Follow up with an invisible zipper class or create your own quilt. All levels of sewists welcome.

 

::Invisible Zipper Class:: $45/ Thursday, October 11th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Installing invisible zippers if easier than you think. Come learn how to make professional looking pillows, you’ll be hooked! All levels of sewists welcome.

Read Full Post »

::Improvisational Elongated Triangles::

Finally, a finish!  From Point A to Point B has binding AND faux piped binding.

I know, I know, ANOTHER quilt with triangles, really?

I’ve been spinning my wheels on class samples and finally got one done for my Improvisational Elongated Triangles Class.  I dove into the fourth season of Parks and Recreation to get the binding on today.  I was so thrilled to sit on my ass at home and do nothing but sew until I taught at night.  Even filthy, home is awesome.

Krista did the quilting on this one for our trade.  We thought something simple that could be accomplished on the home machine would do.  It’s a bit difficult to pick up with my amateur photography skills, but the thread is light green.

Each triangle is double outlined on this one.

The orange and green inspiration came from a lady leaving my line when I was cashiering one day.  I loved her bold green skirt with her orange shirt.  It stuck and the neutrals mixed in seemed so fresh.  Krista used a poly/cotton batting, so even with this amount of quilting it remains supple.

Stayed tuned to MORE of these triangles, I had a load of leftovers that didn’t make it in and some new ideas brewing.

For now this quilt is hanging at the Quilting Loft in Ballard as a class sample and then it will move onto Island Quilter to become part of Krista’s exhibit in October.  I even threw some Kaffe Fasset fabrics in there since he will be at Island Quilter in October for a lecture and a workshop while the quilt is hanging.  It’s up in the air, but I’m hoping to make it to both events!

———————————————-

::Improvisational Elongated Triangle Blocks:: $45 Thursday October 4th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Create an edgy block of triangles with this simple improvisational technique. Follow up with an invisible zipper class or create your own quilt. All levels of sewists welcome.

Read Full Post »

::Point A to Point B Quilt Top::

I’m calling it Point A to Point B quilt top, not only because of the obvious, but changing directions is my usual mode of operation (or mode of procrastination).

I won’t even bother to show you were I started, but will say it stunk and I had to move forward or backward depending on how you look at it.  Some triangles were saved and others scrapped.  The verb “scrapped’ may be my new favorite.

My next point is I have a new class sample for my Improvisational Elongated Triangle Block Class.

This is good news, except I was really needing to get to work on this Magic Number quilt displayed with sleepy Jefe and TV transfixed small child as a sample for my Magic Number workshop that is offered first (a new coin quilt class sample wouldn’t hurt either).  As I’ve said, I sew much faster in my head than in real life.  There is still time I hope.  For now envision it all pieced and surrounded by that lipstick solid fabric.

Now hold that vision, because I need to get this pieced for Krista into some Osnaburg fabric background by Friday.  This quilt was the original reason for the making of the first quilt and procrastinating the second quilt and so on.  Thank goodness for procrastination or all that collaborating about fabric, quilting other quilts, drinking beer and laughing with Krista might never have happened.

Oh, and look what she sent me yesterday.  Drool.

—————————————-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

::Improvisational Coin Quilt:: $85 Thursdays, September 20th and 27th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

No two will be the same. Learn improvisational techniques like angle piecing and strip piecing while creating a modern coin quilt loosely based on a tradition Chinese Coin Quilt Design. A great quilt to feature your favorite prints. All levels of sewists welcome.

Read Full Post »

::New Homes::

I’ve got quilts in closets, quilts under beds, quilts on beds, quilts hanging in stores as class samples and two bowls full of quilts that are used daily in the living room.  Most made by me, some created by my Mom and a few tied quilts by Jeffrey’s Grandmother that he used as a kid.

I’m a true believer in quilts being used, so some of mine needed to find loving homes.

The baby cross quilt stayed somewhat local.  Safely delivered to a new baby in Spokane.  The new mother, a dear friend of mine is a true lover of fabric.

The free-motion orange peel quilting on this is so fun and the same that I used on the Leftovers Quilt below.

I don’t think I’ve ever meet a charm square quilt I didn’t like and all the extra 4.5″ squares from my Scrappy Sunshine magic number quilt needed a home.  Leftovers will travel back home to Northern Ireland with my niece Ella this month.

My sister-in-law Allison scored HST LOVE for her living room.  I’ve still got the similar Pantone Pop for myself.

The first Unknown Direction traveled to LA to live with Alissa’s new baby.

Roan’s remake of it now lives on his bed, so this quilt still is with me in a way.

I’m sure more will find homes as the pile increases again, but I do have a few that will live with me forever.  What do you do with most of your quilts?

——————————————-

Flip Triangle Quilt Class

Read Full Post »

::Unknown Direction Quilt Take 2::

It must finally be summer in Seattle.  There just isn’t much time for sewing and it’s too sunny for photos.

But with Roan’s birthday here and gone, that unfinished quilt was calling my name.

I went with the same triangle quilting I did on the original Unknown Direction, but used citron and blue thread.  This time I spaced the quilt lines out a bit and was so happy I did since it took a load of time.

I stitched in the ditch to form the first large triangle in the middle and used masking tape to mark out from there.  To make sure quilting lines didn’t get out of hand, I would restart my measuring from the next stitch in the ditch line.

I made two quilt backs for this quilt before settling with a solo print.  I’m not sure where the lesson is in that, except maybe now I have two new quilt tops.  I bought the Anna Maria Horner flannel with this quilt in mind and it has got to be the softest flannel I’ve ever purchased.  Good thing since I went overboard when I found the line on sale.

Color inspiration came from these vicious little monsters that Roan sleeps under and the colors of the Sounders FC uniforms.

Have you found the pace of your sewing to slow in the summer?  Maybe I’m not thinking so much of curling up on the couch under a quilt with a cuppa tea?

———————————————-

Wanna learn flipped triangles?

Read Full Post »