::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

I’ve been busy cutting and trading charm squares.  The Seattle Modern Quilt Guild conducted a charm square exchange and then I’ve been exchanging with friends to add some print variety to my charm collection for an upcoming Value Quilt Workshop.

We’ve been pulling a single color and cutting 6″ squares for the trade.  Red, pink, orange, yellow and purple have been covered.  Grey tomorrow.  I’ve been destashing some extra sets here and there on my Instagram if you are looking to bulk up on some extra of a certain color.

Some of those charms have made their way into this stash quilt.  How delightful to see all the fabrics from my stash and others in a single quilt, no control on color, just value.

Now that I have a few of these value quilts, it’s nice to gaze at them and see the fabrics that have disappeared from my stash.  A Value Quilt is really a great tool to archive a fabric stash.

Since it kept growing and growing, finally finishing off queen size I decided that an all over quilt design was the way to go and made a date with Sandie to use her long arm.  I’m not even sure what this design is called, but it seemed so fitting.

This was my first foray with wool batting.  I like it’s loft.  It has little grip on the quilt top like cotton, so it will take some practice like all new things.

I considered serging the edge before applying the binding to help with the shifting, but ended up just going the regular route with little trouble.  This Aneela Hoey print was stuck in my head as the binding.

This Alexander Henry Smitten Kitten print has been hiding out in the stash for ages.  I picked it up for $6 yard on Ebay ages ago.  I’m still stashing the blue color way for another back.

It’s actually a print that I would have happily used solo if the yardage was ample, but it needed some width, so I added the blocks.

With the nights in Seattle still being comfortably cool we’ve already gotten some use out of this quilt.

Happy Father’s Day everyone!  I’m going back to bed, because I got up way too early.

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::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble Quilt::

Thanks to Sandie the Double-Trouble quilt is quilted and hopefully bound with Kei Dots (also Sandie’s suggestion) by the time I hit the Gig Harbor Guild tomorrow for a lecture on Quilting Modern.

You know I’ve got a thing for triangles right?

The double-trouble block originated from a quilt we designed for Quilting Modern called Swirling Medallion.

This quilt went through some morphs before ending here with the triple diamonds.  Here’s just examples of what you can do with this block.

Chevrons or zig-zags.

Multiple diamonds.

Blocks on point.

Alternating side blocks,

and my favorite, the big radiating diamond medallion.

I have a bunch of leftovers that I’m hoping will make it into something soon.

Looking at these photos makes me so happy to have a large grey design wall now.

Happy Tuesday!

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::Value In, Value Out::

Funny how my design wall has enlarged, yet I still need more room.  My plan is to create four squares on-point for this quilt to take it to my Seeing Value Workshop on Tuesday as a new sample.

This quilt is a long overdue thank you gift.

I’m holding a lot of medium value fabrics in my stash which leads to a blended look.  While I like the low contrast I still need to move some stuff around to make the corners of the squares a little more defined.  Rectangular would be fun too, maybe just three long ones.

Value Tutorial is here and more examples if you can do without the drive.

Off to Open Quilting Studio for the day!  Happy Wednesday.

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::Scattered::

Thanks for all the quilt names!  We did some rearranging yesterday and I lost a major storage spot.  The spot held a large tote full to the brim with unfinished projects.  As I was trying to reorganize I finally came up with the quilt’s name, Scattered.

The name seems to fit where I am with projects too.

This loss of space created a fire under my ass to reorganize further and work through those projects.  I’ve had a few small projects on my sewing table that were becoming clutter, beautiful clutter, but still clutter.  So I made a list and am striking some off instantly.  Clutter keeps me at a stand-still and I’m re-energize for sure upon checking off a few.

These small projects are created from fabrics that I’ve picked up locally.

This fabulous Anna Maria Horner velveteen that I got at  The West Seattle Fabric Company is finally an infinity scarf.  I’ve been matching the voiles with flannel or velveteen to make as gifts and was happy to see some of this type of fabric available in town.

I could procrastinate no longer on my delivery of my quilt to Quiltcon.  This required making a drawstring bag for its containment.  My boots will need something to travel in to Austin too and this Alexander Henry zebra print I got from Island Quilter is just so sassy.  I want to replenish its supply even though I have no project planned.

Island Quilter had this Alexander Henry fabric in a variety of colors.  I wanted to go with the black, but as an ironing board cover I thought it would fade.  I totally white-trashed the construction by tracing around the shape plus an inch or so, zig-zagging an inch down to the wrong side and pulling some elastic through the hem.  The elastic is pulled taunt and held tight by a toggle.  If I could do it with duct tape I would.  You just don’t see it so perfection doesn’t matter.

It could use some ironing.  This will surely happen.

I’m itchin’ to piece this Star-Bright Star-Light Quilt as a sample before the HST LOVE class on Saturday at Island Quilter and those diamond blocks are killing me.  I pulled it down to work on step outs for Jacquie’s and my Quiltcon Demo though.  Stick to the list.

Ok, ignoring the list for a second and dreaming of Valentine’s Day I couldn’t help but pile.  I’m always collecting fabrics for gift making.

This one from Drygood’s is my favorite this year!  I’m back to add this one too.

Here’s to a productive Monday!  We’ll see how long I can stick to the list.

————————————————–OPEN QUILTING STUDIOS THIS WEEK—————————————

This Wednesday we have Open Quilting Studio at Make*Do*Mend in Ballard from 11-3pm and at Island Quilter on Saturday from 4-9pm following the HST Love class below.  This is a great opportunity to take a class and then stick around to finish the quilt!

::Half-Square Triangle LOVE Class::

$85/Saturday February 16th from 10am to 4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.

This versatile quilt block lends itself to endless designs. We’ll cover quilting basics such as picking fabrics, matching seams and create perfect points.  We’ll play with a layout that suites your style and you’ll walk away with ideas for a multitude of quilts. All level of sewists welcome.

::Improvisational Coin Quilt Workshop::

$85/Tuesdays, February 19th and 26th from 6-9pm at Make*Do*Mend 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/machines and tools provided.

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::Adding Stitch and Flip Triangles to Half Square Triangles::

I had to take these off the design wall to focus on what really needed to be done.

I started fiddling with the idea of using scraps for half-square triangles with stitch and flip triangles during my Swirling Medallion class.  This simple technique from the book lends itself to so many designs.

I went with a small sized square so I could use up even the smallest of favorite scrap fabrics.

They are ideal for chain piecing.  Think of it as an ongoing project in between all those others.  I simply have added a stack of white squares to my sewing table and as I produce scraps from other projects I add hsts to the mix.

I think on-point might be what I go with and I’ll mess with them more before I teach the Stitch and Flip Triangle class and the Psychedelic Baby Block Class that will cover this technique and more.

It would be fun to play with value a bit more, but the process itself is so gratifying as you watch it grow.  Rather addictive I would say and always fun to see those out of print fabrics that you have miniscule amounts of on display in a quilt.

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::Improvisational Strip Piecing Workshop::  $85 Saturday, September 8th, 10am-4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.

An all day workshop to explore the creation of your own quilt designs utilizing improvisational strip piecing.  We’ll cover this improvisational patchwork technique while constructing blocks for your own quilt design. All level of sewists welcome.   Quilting Modern Book required.

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::Let’s Swirl::

I’ve got two one spots left in my Swirling Medallion class tomorrow. Anyone want to play?

::Swirling Medallion Quilt:: $85 Saturday, August 25th 10am-2pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

A merging of two blocks!  Come see how this quilt comes together while learning proper technique for cutting, piecing to create sharp points and sewing rows. All level of sewists welcome.   Quilting Modern book required.

We’re going to play with merging half-square triangles and stitch and flip triangles.  Create the simple medallion from the book Quilting Modern or design your own.

Need some inspiration?  Jacquie has some great versions here and here.  Ashley’s Swirling Swans are here.

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::Improvisational Strip Piecing Workshop::  $85 Saturday, September 8th, 10am-4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.

An all day workshop to explore the creation of your own quilt designs utilizing improvisational strip piecing.  We’ll cover this improvisational patchwork technique while constructing blocks for your own quilt design. All level of sewists welcome.   Quilting Modern Book required.

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::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?

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Flip Triangle Quilt Class

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::Psychedelic Baby Quilt::

My friend Laurel and I made it over to Island Quilter to retrieve my quilts from the exhibit.  I enjoyed viewing them one last time displayed together, but am so happy to have them back home where they belong.

I also snapped some photos.  In the rush to finish things up in time for exhibit I neglected getting a photo of Psychedelic Baby Quilt all bound.

I’ve got shot cotton, linen and Kona in this one, all leftover scraps.  The list of the materials can be found over at my Pantone Pop post.

The block is a mix of two quilts in the book.

Fractured.

and Swirling Medallion.

I really like the effect.  Not having a plan, just enjoying the process of sewing can lead to good things.

My leftover half square triangles with the linen that DIDN”T make it into Pantone Pop became the impetus for this quilt.  It wasn’t till the end that I thought I could turn it to be square rather than diamond.  I think it makes it look a bit more modern.

Washed it is a crinkly delight.

It kinda matches the flowers in my back yard right now.  Too bad the lilac flowers are gone.

and psssttt….a little bird told me about a sale:

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::Thanks for the Quilty Love::

Wow everyone, thanks for the love on my Pantone Pop quilt.  I was able to battle the snow and get it to the shop as a sample for my Seeing Value Class coming up.

It seems that this quilt caught the eye of WordPress enough to make their Freshly Pressed page.

The quilt produced a flurry of questions so I thought I would address them here.

*Yes, it did snow and NO, I didn’t eat my quilt.

*Yes, I use equal parts of each color fabric.  I listed the colors in the original post.

*The key to perfect points for me is cutting down my half-square triangles, see here.

*Finished squares are 6″.

*I believe the Quilting Loft is kitting this fabric bundle up for sale.

*The arrangement is totally random.  After I finish the hts blocks I give them a shuffle and where they land is where they go.

*Information on how I make my dual layer quilt design wall is here.

*No, this quilt is not in the book.

*I’ll likely just quilt it in linear lines like I did for The HST LOVE quilt.  That will have to wait until I get it back from the shop.

*Need further information?  Come take the class!

We’ve dug out from the snow and are back on the usual program here in Seattle.  I’m just itching to show you all an adaptation of a quilt from the book, but will have to settle with just my family, that truthfully haven’t even taken notice of how cool it is.

I’m looking forward to a Sew-In on Friday night with the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild and quilting this puppy.

Here’s to Friday not coming soon enough!

 

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::A Value Quilt of My Own::

Wow, you all really came out of the woodwork on that last post!  It was delightful to explore some new blogs and I hope I didn’t miss anyone.

Don’t you wish everyone wanted to talk about quilts as much as us?

The quilt on the end of my bed received so much attention that I thought it was time I posted it.

It is the first quilt I’ve EVER made for myself back when I did the Value Quilt Quilt-Along using my Value Quilt Tutorial.

I’ve seen the same design recently on blogs as warm/cool.  From how I understand it, the same designs work with warm and cool half square triangles, because warm colors appear to move forward and cool colors tend to recede.  This contrast makes the design appear, but you still need value or the two triangles will appear blended.

You can learn a little more here.

My value quilt contains a load of larger prints and a high proportion of fabrics that would likely fall under the category of medium value if judged on their own.

Larger prints will generally have a mix of light, medium and dark values, and mediums next to darks or lights will create a less defined line.  These two elements created a quilt where the contrast is low, creating a less defined or blended design.

I also turned some squares to make some of the diamonds one color, ignoring value, which skewed the design in some areas.

I love that it showcases my fabric stash, especially since some of these prints are long gone.

But what I wanted to mention, due to all the comments on the last post was the quilting that was done by the fab and artistic Angela Walters (Quilting Is My Therapy).  I was able to meet up with Angela last Summer when I was visiting Jacquie.  The quilting is dense and amazing.  I only wish I would have made the quilt larger.

From the back the quilting really shines.

The flannel back really showcases it nicely.  I’m glad I only put a few spare hsts on the back.

I chose this print for the binding and never auditioned or doubted it.

My friend Chara did some headshots for the book and we thought it would be fun for some photos even though it didn’t make the final run.

(photo by Chara Michele Photography)

It’s perfect, in every way.  And best of all, It’s mine all mine!

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