Classes and workshops

:: Split Crumbs Quilt Top ::

October 4, 2017 By Katie

Loving this finish.

This Split Personality crazy piecing technique that I’ve been teaching is so fast and satisfying. I can’t stop making the blocks in all my favorite color ways.

I’ve made several sets and they’re waiting for their own quilt designs to come to me. I’ve also had a little personal challenge going on to make quilt tops come together with fabric I already have, a task that takes a little more design time.

I used traditional block techniques like half squares and quarter squares and randomly placed them up on the design wall filling in here and there with solid fabrics. For the quilting I off set it a bit, diagonally coming together somewhat in the center. It was enough without distracting.

Alexander Henry from stash for the back.

I love this Notorious line by Cotton and Steel for the binding.

This turned out to be an easy baby quilt and I love the heart pillows I made with the left over blocks even more.

I wish I could have both of these in two places at once so that I could show them at my lectures in Ashland next week and at the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild as samples for the November 4th workshop.

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:: Fractured Hearts Pillows ::

September 19, 2017 By Katie

I don’t know what it is about these crazy pieced blocks I call Split Personality, but I’ve got to say they’re nothing short of addictive. In talking with a few students in Saturday’s workshop, I’ve realized I’m not alone in this addiction. After learning the technique they’ve created more than a few sets and let them marinate on their design walls until the perfect quilt design idea came to them for their placement.

I had some left over blocks from my Split Crumbs Quilt top, so I placed them into one of my favorite shapes, the heart. I used the improvisational stitch and flip triangle technique we teach in Quilting Modern for the tops of the heart, and a good ole half square triangle for the bottom.

I’ve been wanting to play with a binding/sashing for pillows, but will have to start teaching myself another zipper or closing technique besides an invisible zip.

The variegated thread stitched up a lovely line. I was thinking a grid, but it didn’t need it.

In the Studio’s evening Open Studio for September and October we’ll focus on installing an invisible zipper into a pillow. I know it sounds complicated and scary, but I actually know 12- year olds that do it without calling their mommy and trust me, making pillows is addictive in a good way. You are welcome to bring any project though.

Of course if you don’t need the hand holding, but just a good tutorial for installing your own at home you can check my invisible zipper pillow tutorial out here.

The Seattle Modern Quilt Guild will be hosting me to teach the Split Personality Quilt Block November 4th. They’ll open up the workshop here soon, so save the date! Not sure but there might be some spots left at Quiltcon too.

Happy Week Peeps:)

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:: Spilt Crumbs Quilt Top ::

June 12, 2017 By Katie

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.

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | No Foul Quilt

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.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio

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.

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Crumb Quilt

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.

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

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.

SEW KATIE DID | Weekend Retreat

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio

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.

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

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.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio

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;)

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio 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:

Tuesday

May 16, 2017 By Katie

Hi there;)

Popping in for a moment. The studio’s all clean and ready for some sewing this afternoon and I’ve organized quilts for Thursday’s lecture with the Tacoma Modern Quilt Guild (please come if you want;).

I’ve got the samples for Part II of the Psychedelic Baby Block workshop out for air. Tomorrow’s class is full, but if you’ve taken part one and want to come play with finishing it up or your secondary blocks please do! It will be an excellent opportunity to get your improv on.

I’ve had a request for the Modern Straight-Line Quilting workshop on Friday May 26th, if you’ve been trying to make it to this class here’s your chance! I’ve loved teaching this workshop. We make some useful nesting baskets with our panels.

One spot left in Memorial Day’s Value Quilt Workshop. We’ll cover how value drives quilt design and make hearts and other shapes with simple half-square triangles. I’m trying to get some squares cut from my stash to make available.

Some students and I’ve been playing in new color ways with one of the improv block techniques I’ll be teaching at Quiltcon. Even putting pillows on the bed puts a combo in my head and leads me out to the studio to pile fabric.

I pre-ordered The Modern Quilt Guild’s new book that has a few of my quilts in it. I’ll be sure to share when I receive it.

I’ve got a birthday present to make today and some celebratory roller skating tonight. We’ve been into making and gifting these Michelle Patterns grocery bags with fabric from stash in the studio lately.

That’s it for now peeps.

Hope you all have time to get your craft on this week.

:: Hit The Ground Running ::

March 27, 2017 By Katie

Since the beginning of the year I’ve folded, packed, unpacked, shared and refolded quilts a million times and I wanna extend a big heartfelt thanks to all those involved in my workshops and lectures this season. Please know that everything from holding up my quilts, taking a class, teaching me things you know, giving me a hug, to feeding me is all appreciated!

Quilters pretty much rule.

Now I’m looking forward to wrapping up the season by sticking closer to home with the Bainbridge and Tacoma MQGs, and the Stray-Threads Guild in Woodinville this coming month. If you’re around one of these guilds please come visit me;)

Then I’m going on retreat to sew what ever I want!

We’ve been busy in the studio constructing sets of nesting buckets with our practice pieces in the Straight-Line Quilting Workshop. This workshop has really been fun, from spilling all the information in my head out, to seeing everyone’s amazing straight line designs and hearing what they’re going to use their buckets for.

I had to developed myself a little system to keep class samples in check as I unpack and I’m slowly working up to full occupation of the linen closet;)

On the list for the afternoon is categorizing my sample pile for this week’s and April’s Creative Inspiration for Quilt Backs workshop. I’ll be sharing the strategies I use in constructing my own quilt backs and guiding you through making some beautiful backs of your own on the studio’s design walls.

Seattle had like 3 days of sunshine in February and March’s outcome is yet to be determined, but let’s say it’s kind of seems like a tie. So lucky to have a space dedicated solely to my indoor hobby when we’re living in the rainy months.

I’ve already took a walk, so now I’m hoping to make it out to the studio so I can get to the quilting on my Value Hearts Quilt.

It’s all basted up, TWICE.

Though I’ve cut it extremely close with batting more than a few times this seemed a little ridiculous. So after putting 50 or more pins I recut some batting, rebasted and I’m ready to roll.

The first lines were lain yesterday and now I’m itching to get back to it. I’ll be adding this to the concept classes closer to summer.

Happy Week Peeps!

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FYI, aren’t these amazing inspiration? @lysaflower Psychedelic Baby block quilt top from Frasier Valley MQG workshop and @carrie_ellens pillow creation from my improv log cabin workshop.

Now doesn’t that just make you want to run with scissors and take a workshop?

@lysaflower psychedelic baby

@carrie_ellens fab pillow from @sewkatiedid improv log cabin workshop

@carrie_ellens improv log cabin pillow

Walk the Line | Straight-Line Quilting Workshop

January 28, 2017 By Katie

I still quilt, I swear.

The New Year brings out the clean, organize and purge in me. So on the 1st I jumped into The January Cure, a scheduled out month of house chores. Even with a few missed days to teach in Jackson Hole, the momentum to finish is still present.

I’ve also made my yearly mental checklist of unfinished tops or other projects that could use some quilting.

Maybe some of you are making these lists, and organizing for the year as well. I thought you might even welcome the opportunity to refine your straight line quilting skills in a workshop before you tackle all those unfinished quilt tops on your own home machine.

I’d certainly like to share all the know-how of straight line quilting I’ve accumulated and I happen to have a closet, a very clean closet 😉 full of quilts to show you as examples. Each of them have their own straight line quilting story.

To practice these geometric, curvy and geometric designs I thought we’d go with the New Year’s theme of ‘organize’. Nesting buckets seemed appropriate, made with either whole cloth (we won’t count that as a new project;) or orphaned blocks (you can see that look here).

We’ll learn the tips and tricks of using a walking foot, marking, turning and burying knots as you master modern straight line quilting designs on the studio’s Bernina machines. The bucket’s panels make perfect practice palettes and you can pull from your stash to make them happen.

Take a closer look at my finished quilts and smaller projects with straight line quilting, or SIGN-UP to develop this skill for yourself.

Hope the New Year has been rich in craftiness Peeps.

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I’ll be showing my quilts and speaking at the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild’s Wednesday, February 8th meeting from 7pm-9pm. You don’t have to be a member to attend, so this is a great opportunity to check out what they have planned for lectures and workshops this year. I promise to entertain;)

::Winter Quilting Workshops And January Open Quilting Studios::

January 14, 2016 By Katie

It’s been a busy year so far;)

It’s one of the seasons that lectures placed on the calendar months ago come around., workshops and Open Quilting Studios are in full swing and a website almost done;) All way more exciting than accounting and tax preparation.

I’ve updated my ‘TEACH‘ page with January’s Open Studio times and have one spot left in January’s featured workshop, Split Personality. You’ll see February’s featured workshop and Open Studio dates up soon.

Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland and I have selected our Winter Workshops that you’ll find below and on their site.

Happy Quilting Peeps!

::Split Personality Block Workshop::

In studio

Ready to learn a simple technique for producing a load of square crazy pieced blocks in no time? It’s just like making your own fabric. We’re going to do just that and spend some time exploring designs we can place our blocks into. I’ll have multiple examples of what we can do with this block to share.

$85 class fee.

Workshop Dates:

~~Wednesday, January 13th/10am-3pm/~~FULL
~~Saturday, January 23rd from 10am to 3pm/~~FULL
~~Sunday, January 24th from 10am-3pm/~~FULL

::Circa 15 Fabric Studio Workshops::

::Psychedelic Baby Block Workshop::

Saturday, February 13th from 11am-3pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio.

This modern block workshop combines improvisational strip piecing and a traditional foundation paper piecing technique to create unique string blocks that are both chaotic and controlled. We’ll study color and value placement so that we can play with the block’s unlimited quilt/pillow design potential.

::Beginning Improv Quilting/ Coin Quilt::

Sunday, February 28th 11am-3pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio.

Interested in creating a modern quilt with improvisational techniques, but don’t know where to start? Then this is the class for your first modern quilt! Learn improvisational techniques like angle 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 or solids. No two will be the same. All levels of sewists welcome.

::Embrace Your Curves: Improvisational Curves Workshop::

Saturday, March 12th from 11am-3pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio.

Fear the curve no more with this no pinning, no templates and no stress approach to the improvisational curves technique from the Embrace Your Curves chapter in Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts. I’ll will cover multiple ways of making curves and inspire you right into embracing them yourself. Free-handing improvisational curves are manageable even for beginners.

::Double-Trouble Quilt Block::

Sunday, March 20th from 11am-3pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio.

Ready to create a simple modern quilt? Double-Trouble is a fun quilt block and design workshop that merges a traditional half-square triangle block with an improvisational stitch and flip triangle technique. The Double-Trouble block has unlimited design possibilities that we will explore to create unique quilt designs. I have multiple examples to show for inspiration.

Split Personality Christmas Quilt

December 7, 2015 By Katie

This quilt is a long time coming, as in years…

Alexander Henry’s Merry Moderns fabric was THE Christmas quilt fabric for me. I just fell hard for it the minute I saw it.

The fabric seemed a perfect merge for an improvisational technique I’d been brainstorming about. A block that was a faster way to produce ‘crazy pieced’ looking fabric. So I started playing with the block construction concept that became what I now call the Split Personality Quilt Block. The method quickly produces multiple blocks allowing you instant playtime with it in endless design concepts.

Fabrics from the stash that would coordinate with a Christmas theme were pulled, auditioned and sewn. Some favorites were eaten up in the process.

And so, all these happy fabrics have been living together as blocks for a few years, waiting for the perfect pattern to show itself.

My friend Laurel showed up at an open studio to finish up an Arkansas Crossroads quilt. I instantly envisioned my blocks in that design and the production began…last year;)

The essex linen in a cross weave black stabilized the scrappiness.

Merging traditional quilt designs with improvisational techniques has really become where my process leads me. I love the secondary designs traditional set blocks create.

When it came to quilting I lived and breathed this quilt for days. For once I didn’t overthink it and went with straight lines that ran off the edge and echoed the ‘Xs’ the secondary design created.

I dreaded the thought that I’d have to add another horizontal and vertical line because my body was done with quilting, but in the end I dismissed the addition. It has the perfect drape and isn’t over quilted into the luscious feel of cardboard.

Here’s a peek at the back. Leftovers and flannel of course.

The binding is the small scale print in the Merry Moderns line. It worked out that some faces landed on the front and back of the quilt’s edge.

You can see more designs and concepts with this block in my Instagram feed and I’ve added this block onto my January calendar as a daytime, nighttime and weekend workshop.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and then of course there is spring!

Happy Happy Peeps;)

Off-the-Wall Improv Patchwork Pillow Workshop

October 19, 2015 By Katie

Travel is done for the season. I say it all the time, “Quilters are the kindest people” and everyone involved made this season particularly memorable.

I’m looking forward to some project time, both in the studio and around the house. A website for the studio is in the making and now comes the exciting bit of writing copy. Open studios and workshops will be much easier to plan and execute with a system for sign ups. For now I’ve just been doing it the old fashion way via phone or email.

It’s all about the baby steps right?

But I finished up some new Halloween flair a few weeks ago as samples for a design wall heavy improvisational workshop I’ve been thinking about. I wanted to cover some basics that students are always asking me about. So I thought I’d just put it out there.

This workshop is really a reincarnation of the classes I taught when I started teaching, exception being that at the time we were in the smallest room ever with little to no design wall. Now I have a fully padded room of design walls and the tools and machines students need, so why not a class?

In my opinion the design wall is the greatest design tool EVER when it comes to improvisational work, so this improv workshop will focus on building out a design there, breaking it down into sections and using various improvisational patchwork techniques to piece it all together. Angle and strip piecing, “floating” patchwork, composition, creating definition and value are a few of the techniques and design concepts we’ll cover.

Over the years I found that working within a mapped out space helps us visual/kinetic learners. So thinking small, like a pillow, wall hanging or even one block at a time is to our creative advantage.

Hammer girl thinks so. She was my starting point.

and then bits were added for detail.

As I was working on the design wall another pillow started to take shape. That’s often how it works.

I believe all the fabrics are Alexander Henry with the exception of the Essex linen I’m so drawn to currently.

They’ve nailed it with the facial expressions.

Perhaps some Christmas pillows are in your future?

I have room for three students per workshop. Bernina sewing machines and all tools are provided, just bring your creativity, materials and an open mind;)

So here’s the dates/email me at sewkatiedid@gmail.com to secure your spot:

~~Wednesday, November 11th, 10am-3pm (this is Veterans Day if you have it off)~~ FULL
~~Saturday, November 14th, 10am-3pm~~ FULL
Thursday, December 3rd, 10am-3pm 1 spot left
Sunday, December 6th, 10am-3pm 2 spots

Happy Week Peeps;)

::Fall Workshops::

September 30, 2015 By Katie

Kristen and I finally found time to get a few workshops on the books at her shop Circa 15 Fabric Studio. We ran a few successful paper piecing classes over the summer and thought we’d add some new directions. If you haven’t found the time to make it to this inspiring shop you’re missing out, it will be well worth the trip! Kristen’s wall of solids and modern collections have made me a devote shopper. She seems to have something for everyone.

It’s always challenging to narrow down what I’d like to teach. Mixing it up keeps life and class interesting and gives me an excuse to make a new sample, generally in the shape of a pillow;) I’ve been itching to teach my Improvisational Coin Quilt/Pillow workshop again and the log cabin workshop, both inspire students in the most creative directions.

Here goes;)

::Modern Improv Log Cabin Workshop::

11am-4pm Sunday, November 15th @ Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland/ 425.309.9553

Explore the merging of traditional and improvisational patchwork techniques with the log cabin block. Katie Pedersen, author of Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts will guide you through the techniques and skills needed for creating a unique and modern log cabin block. Learn variations in block design, her process of building blocks out, and the secondary designs multiple blocks create. While we’re at it, we’ll get friendly with the design wall, touch on color and value theory, and cover the advantages of constructing a block that is either precise in piecing, or more willy-nilly.

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::Improvisational Coin Quilt/Pillow Workshop::

Monday, November 16th from 11am-4pm @ Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland/425.309.9553

Interested in creating a modern quilt or pillow with improvisational techniques but don’t know where to start? Come join Quilting Modern author Katie Pedersen as she leads you through her process of building your own unique quilt top or pillow. Learn improvisational techniques like angle and strip piecing while creating a modern coin quilt loosely based on a tradition design. A great quilt to feature your favorite prints. No two will be the same.

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::The Foundations of Paper Piecing::

Saturday, December 12th from 11-4pm @ Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland/425.309.9553

The traditional technique of piecing quilt blocks on paper is well known for its precise results. Sharp triangles and sleek curves are easily a stitch away. Learn and practice the fundamentals of basic paper piecing while creating all types of star blocks.

This is a great workshop to refine skills in choosing fabric and where to place it in a quilt pattern. We’ll cover how color, value and prints work and drive design as we create our own unique blocks.

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Of course you can always find current offerings on my ‘Classes and Events Page.’

I was invited back to the San Juans this weekend to lecture and teach at their yearly retreat and next weekend I’ll be lecturing and teaching in Pullman. I’m looking forward to some studio time after and you might even see a finished quilt or two.

Happy Week Peeps;)

::Daytime Paper Piecing Workshop::

July 31, 2015 By Katie

WORKSHOP FULL

~~Our paper piecing workshop at Circa 15 Fabric Studio sold out, so we’re adding another daytime class to the calendar.~~

~~I really enjoyed teaching this workshop last round and once you can repeat the little mantra that I teach, paper piecing will become second nature.~~

~~::The Foundations of Paper Piecing::~~

~~Monday, August 31st from 10:30am-4:30pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland. Follow the link to register or call (425) 309-9553.~~

The traditional technique of piecing quilt blocks on paper is well known for its precise results. Sharp triangles and sleek curves are easily a stitch line away. Learn and practice the fundamentals of basic paper piecing while creating all types of star blocks.

This is a great workshop to refine skills in choosing fabric and where to place it in a quilt pattern, we’ll cover how color, value and prints work and drive design in quilts as we create our own unique blocks.

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~~As always, let me know if you have any questions or wish to be added to my newsletter;)~~

~~Happy week peeps!~~

:: Magic Numbers ::

July 31, 2015 By Katie

Looking for Magic Numbers? Find them HERE.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number quilt quarter

:: Medallion Magic Numbers ::

date to be announced

Wanna sharpen your eye for designing your own quilts, pattern free, but not quite ready to free piece it or figure out the math? Then join Katie Pedersen, author of Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts to study improvisational quilting techniques and Medallion quilts brought together by a system of block sizes called Magic Numbers.

Magic Numbers is a system of using block sizes that automatically fit together for flexibility in design without alteration. Let’s sharpen our eye for quilt design through technique, shape and fabric while learning about Medallion quilts of the past and present.

~~::The Foundations of Paper Piecing::~~

~~Monday, August 31st from 10:30am-4:30pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland. Follow the link to register or call (425) 309-9553.~~

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~~As always, let me know if you have any questions or wish to be added to my newsletter;)~~

~~Happy week peeps!~~

:: Split Crumbs Quilt Top ::

:: Fractured Hearts Pillows ::

:: Spilt Crumbs Quilt Top ::

Tuesday

:: Hit The Ground Running ::

Walk the Line | Straight-Line Quilting Workshop

::Winter Quilting Workshops And January Open Quilting Studios::

Split Personality Christmas Quilt

Off-the-Wall Improv Patchwork Pillow Workshop

::Fall Workshops::

::Daytime Paper Piecing Workshop::

:: Magic Numbers ::

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