Anyone that knows me well, knows that I take organization to a serious level. So I was teased for showing up to retreat with two cart loads and no real project plan. Clothes are easy to pack for this type of vacation, but my time management for planning projects just didn’t exist.
Along with a lot of other random stuff, into the car went some blocks a few of my lovely students and I created last month. They helped me test drive a crazy piecing technique I call Split Personality as a three hour workshop at Quiltcon. It’s an easy technique that creates multiple blocks with ‘crumbs’ of each fabric in all sorts of fun linear shapes.
I’ll be teaching this block as a full day workshop in the studio this month.
I started with the blocks we had made in colors I honestly didn’t like much together. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose by cutting them up. If I didn’t like what was happening I’d trash them and move onto the next set.
I loved what happened.
I aimed for an easy design. Nearly everyone with some quilting experience has trimmed many a half square triangle, so merging one with the crazy piecing seemed ideal as a sample. Some time with the design wall led to this layout.
I love to have loads of examples of how to use a technique and/or block and students appreciate the inspiration, so I played with one of my favorite shapes that utilizes half square triangles AND improv stitch and flip triangles with the Split Personality blocks with my leftovers.
I think these will be pillows, just have to decide whether they need sashing, piping or another colorful background. Stay tuned, I have 3 more sets of these blocks in a range of color ways left.
As far as sewing at retreat, here’s what I walked away with. I find with the studio I don’t have as much time to sew and even though I needed to stick with making samples, I was also much more relaxed and organized on my walk out;) It might have been the inspiration, awesome company, good sleep or the margaritas…really doesn’t matter.
I highly recommend retreats.
I’m pretty much smitten with this block. I love that you could fit it into just about any improv or traditional quilt design as a ‘made’ fabric. It just seems now that I find inspirational quilt designs I want to put it into everywhere.
I’ve got a weekend and weekday workshop on the studio schedule for this block.
And Seattle’s got nothing but clouds in our future this week, so I’ve picked out a backing and am ready for some quality quilting time if I pay my time management cards right;)
And of course there’s Quiltcon. I’ve never been to Pasadena, so if anyone has some hot tips they’re willing to share about eating & where the best margarita is I’m all ears.
Happy making Peeps;)
Check out other quilts made with the Split Personality block:
Such fun and beautiful work. And yes, retreats are essential!
Wow – so cool to see & hear about your process: how you turned something you didn’t like into something awesome. I love how you just keep at it until it works.
Thanks so much Jodie. Some work better than others for this;)
Just fabulous!!! Those blocks and quilts are so interesting. Fantastic work as always :). Love the grocery bags, too.
Thanks;) They’re so fun to make!
Wow, love the mini-ish quilt top!Definitely makes me want to play with this technique. Do you work with any of the online sewing instruction resources, and teach it there? (Or have any plans to visit the DCMQG???)?
That would be so fun! Do you all bring in teachers?
That quilt top is stunning! I absolutely love it.
Also, so jealous of the retreat. That is my dream, but I am always teaching at them.