SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

quilt along

::Modern Quilting Everywhere::

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First I found the modern block of the month that Handmade by Alissa is doing over at Sew Mama Sew.

July’s block finally gave me a mission for my Flea Market Fancy.

I always wanted to make a simple charm quilt out of it (which I cut for too), but this block seemed fitting.

So guess what I finally did?

That’s right, chopped it all up.  Eekkk…it was a little scary, but the reality is there will always be more fabric I want and this has been sitting for…oh about 7 years.

The quilt will likely loose its modern edge with the more country feel of the line, but I thought that might make it stand out from what others make.

I just need a background color now.  Suggestions?  I was thinking Kona Pond or Ice Frappe for a fresh, but more traditional look.

I’ve been trying to design a quilt based on this above and wasn’t getting results so the timing couldn’t be better.

Deciding on a layout adds to the fun.

On the same day Alissa Haight Carlton and Kirsten Lejiniek’s book Block Party landed on my doorstep.

And then my life became an info commercial, “but wait there’s more!”

I received this mail virtually from the Modern Quilt Guild.

Hop over and check out the guidelines for submissions.

Truthfully, the timing of all this couldn’t be better.  I’ve been feeling rather uninspired lately, struggling with anything coming together on my own.

Well, sometimes you just need a little juice from others to get you moving.

Last night in my improv triangle class the juice kicked in and I came up with an idea.  This morning I did some mock up blocks and think I figured out how to make the vision a reality.  So I think, yeah, I have a potential submission.

Are you joining in?

::Solstice Quilt Done::

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I had a cramp in my right calf for two days after quilting the Solstice Quilt, seriously.

It seemed I spent as much time ripping out quilting as putting it in.  Either it was the free-motion design I didn’t like or the color of thread, but it is D-O-N-E and ready for its first picnic, parade or beach run.

I was thinking simple and then went crazy with the quilting.  I free-motioned squares onto the postage stamp blocks.

Went loopy on all the sashing around the postage stamps.

On the black sashing I free-motioned triangles.  Where they cross created a cool secondary design.

I hadn’t really given thought to what the back would look like with all the different stitching and I gotta say it’s a little crazy, but what-ever, it’s about to eat urban dirt anyway.

We have the family represented, Aquarius, Gemini and Cancer.

I did add pockets to the back corners to weight it down with stones as instructed by Erin at House on Hill Road.

I just love all the color.

A BIG thanks to my Cottage Quilting Bee friends for bringing it together for me!

I apologize if you don’t see your block.  Some where hidden under some fabric I was cutting for sashing and I sadly sliced right through them.

And in case that isn’t enough photos for you, then there’s the pulled from the dryer quilt love.

I added a little rainbow edge to the binding too.

Do you think it goes with its Solstice Parade inspiration?  Our neighborhood parade is right around the corner.

This quilt will see a ton of use before the end of summer for sure.  Now we just need some good weather in Seattle or I’m going to be wearing this quilt more then sitting on it.

I’ll hang it up tomorrow for a better shot.

::Solstice Quilt Progress::

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So the Little Blue Cottage Quilting Bee Blocks finally have a home in my Solstice Quilt.  Finished up piecing the blocks together Wednesday, the back yesterday and basted today.

I just have to say that this is my favorite ugly quilt ever.  Like one of those dogs you see, or the old, “only a mother could love” kinda thing.

It is so not me, but so fits its Solstice Parade inspiration don’t you think?

It will get dirty.

It will get LOVED.

It will not fear picnic, parade, fireworks or beach.

Especially since it’s back is DARK DARK DARK too.

Aquarius, Gemini and Cancer, that’s us.

Quilting this weekend and then bind.

Darker Purple thread, but not sure how.  I’ll dwell on that tonight.

Have a good weekend.  Suppose to break 70 here!

::Solstice Quilt::

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Roan was born on Solstice weekend.  Around my neighborhood, which is home to the Fremont Arts Council, that means he gets a parade for his birthday, naked body painted bicyclists and all.

We always brunch and then walk to the end of the street to find our spot.

We’ve needed a Solstice Parade/Picnic quilt for ages now to stake out our territory.  So yesterday I pulled out the bee blocks from my Little Blue Cottage Bee and started sashing them.

In the evening I placed them on top of the black cross-hatch with some darker edging and called it a night.

This morning I decided that the Alexander Henry Heath fabric lost the drama of the squares.  I need more contrast.  Black it is.

For some unknown reason my brain says, “Go square.” on the finished size of the quilt. Not something I’m usually into.

I’ve got two backings in mind, both Alexander Henry of course.

I’m leaning towards the Star Sign though.  I wanna be able to put this down on a city street or a grassy lawn.  This one’s dark and fun.

The Star Sign is also one of Roan’s favorites.

I like the direction it took and it’s fitting bright colors, just like the parade.

At some point I’d like to make some postage stamp blocks with the traditional layout of all sewn together with no being or end.  I like the idea of on-point and cutting some into triangles to complete the square.

Because these were made by so many different people they just wouldn’t fit together properly and that just wouldn’t work for this perfectionist.

Do you all have dreams of a picnic quilt?

EDIT:

Three short of the finish with the black sashing.  Excuse to go buy fabric in the wash as I type.  I also might pull that red block with the yellow sashing and recut it.  It looks out of place.

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upcoming classes-zip pouches and quilt finishing

destash

::Value Quilt Class::

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Just a friendly reminder and some shameless self-promotion for my Seeing Value Class next Wednesday.  Sure to add some juice to your brain when it comes to designing quilts.

I finished quilting my niece Ella’s value quilt (first photo) yesterday.  I settled on a random cross hatch.  I wasn’t sure at first whether I was happy with the quilting, but knew I didn’t want to follow the lines of the diamond.  It’s great and super soft!

Binding is going to be a plunge for me with Alexander Henry Heath in black to match the back (and hopefully the front).  It’s cut and I’m committed.

It turned out great.  Ella’s quilt back is designed in the same layout as her brother Ethan’s quilt.

Can’t wait to get pictures of both of them together.

I noticed that the value class is being taught elsewhere with half square triangles now, so my brain is starting to think of a new block.  This might be the last time I’ll teach it with this block.  The universe is telling me it’s time to come up with something new.

::Find::

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I often get asked where I get my pillow forms during my Add Zip to Your Pillow classes.  I shop around a lot for deals, because I really like to make pillows in various sizes.  If I am in need of a specific size I go straight to Garnet Hill.

(Photo By Chara Michele Photography)

I love long narrow pillows and often use Joann’s forms, but they just don’t hold up well.  Look for down.  It just lasts forever with a little fluffing.

Garnet Hill often has sales, so I recommend signing up for them via email notices.

I’ve scheduled an invisible zipper class and others for late Winter and early Spring.  Grab your forms and come learn a new skill.

A big shout out to all of you asking for another Improvisational Workshop and Value class, they are on the calendar finally!  For those beginners wanting something basic with loads of design options to explore I added a Half-Square Triangle Class, truly a favorite.


For those of you that showed interest in a second round of the Value-Quilt-A-Long, I’m busily destashing and cutting squares.  As soon as those are ready for the shop I’ll announce a date!

DESTASH

::It’s Not Over Till It’s Over::

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Earlier this week Jacquie sent out all the quilts for the book that have been on vacation at her home over the holidays.  We have news they arrived safely.

We ended up adding one additional quilt to the book, so my week here has been a post holiday race to the finish.  Of course it would be ridiculous to use stash fabric as backing when there is new fabric to buy.

 

With all the book quilts made it’s time to take a lint roller to the design walls and pack up the piles of samples for later classes.

Apparently it’s time for a New Years lift to my Inspiration Board too.

I’ve cleared out some fabric for an upcoming Destash.  Details soon.

I thought with the new year that maybe its time to do another Value Quilt Along!  I’ll be adding packs of squares with LOADS of Out of Prints to my destash for those looking to add to their stash or wanting to quilt a long with some fresh juice.

Don’t forget to pop by on Monday for a chance to win Emily Cier’s new book Quilt Remix!

::Learning Curve::

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I’ve involved myself with two virtual sewing bees.   In this process I’ve experimented and learned a few techniques that help produce a quilt with a cohesive look beyond that of the coordinated fabrics.  Thought I’d share.  Mind you both these quilts are still in process.

My first bee was with Little Blue Cottage and we all shipped our fabrics.  I gravitated after much debate toward a structured block with the idea of an improvisational setting with the finished quilt.  I didn’t like the idea of sending out a bunch of precious fabric with unknown results, so I cut 2 1/2 inch squares from my scraps.  Each sewist received one color scheme.  The end result something like a postage stamp block.

I encouraged people to add their own fabrics in the same color if they were so inclined.  They are still here in their pile, but will come upon inspiration someday.

I was gifted 12 blocks that I love and the idea worked out great!

The next bee was hosted by Katy of I’m a Ginger Monkey. Her bee was rather clever in design as we pulled from our own stash and then mailed out the finished block in the suggested design and colorway.  I couldn’t quite stick to it and popped in the mail some strings of chambray fabric and asked that it be placed through the middle of the block.  My thought was this would give the same look to the red and aqua string blocks regardless of prints.

I asked that some strings be sent with the finished block so I could make a few more to tie all the blocks together in the finished quilt.

While I think the chambray through the center helped bring the look together, I learn that next time I would have people not sew the four blocks together to form the final block.  Rather I would mix everyone’s up and sew them together myself.  I found when I put them all up on the design wall some of the blocks really stood out, while some fell back.  So I’m doing just that and here’s the pile of them picked apart.

And an idea of a more “mixed” block.

::Seattle Modern Quilt Guild::

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I have been trying to form a Modern Quilt Guild of good people to come together and quilt for some time.  Life has gotten in the way for many of us to make it happen.  Let’s try to connect!  Many thanks to Alissa for her leadership and spreading the word!

I formed a group for us to communicate.  If you would like to keep up to date with The Seattle Modern Quilt Guild and be an active member you may join HERE.

I have quite a few projects on my plate presently and would be more than happy for some people with some leadership skills to step up with this baby.  We could also brainstorm on a location that would be happy to hear the hum of machines.

Looking forward to the creative ideas!

::Roan’s Quilt::

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The weather has been less than ideal for the beach here in the Gulf.  I’ve been sewing some rows and finished them this morning.

I’ve been collecting fabric for Roan’s quilt for quite some time.  Fabric for boys has improved dramatically over the years, but I added loads of dots.  I included some bits of clothing, mostly pjs that I’ve made and he’s outgrown.

Some of my favorites:

Actually an old Joann fabrics flannel that is good quality.  Something I wish they would have stuck with.  Some Japanese fabrics.

Love the Little Scouts fabric.  Roan use to carry a little bunny he called Miss Lilly.  She’s still around but dragons seem to be the choice doll now for sleeping.

He’s driving me slightly crazy at the moment, but was cute when he came to me with the “r” is for roan stamped on his face.  I’ll try for sewing the rows together tomorrow.

Hope you all had a good Holiday filled with family (even if they drive you a little nuts).

::Enjoying the Process::

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Somehow thinking of the back of the quilt as a whole new quilt changes the process to an enjoyable one for me.  It also makes me ponder how the quilting I choose will affect the finished design of the front and back.

So let us take some time.  For the next two weeks of the Value Quilt Along we’ll be turning to the back.  We’ve had the crud run through our home and need to take things slow.  It’s stormy, gloomy and the kid is sick.  A true formula for a day of sewing.

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I’ve really enjoyed looking through everyone’s quilt backs in the new Flickr Group. Thanks to those of you that joined and the bloggers that spread the word. It is truly quite an impressive collection!

I myself only came up with the few photos here of quilt backs.  Both simple baby blankets for friends with simple backs.  I’m a huge fan of flannel for backing and have a plan for integrating it on my Value Quilt back.

I have a bit done on mine for my Value Quilt and will save it for some sneak peeks when there is a brighter day.

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I did finish up my second block for my month at Ten Makes Two.  The blocks produced so far are amazing.  Pop over and take a look!

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If you haven’t made yourself a mini design wall yet, I highly recommend it.  It’s perfect for piecing blocks like this.

The plan is for two quilts.

One red and turquoise:

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One oranges, blues and greens sort of:

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Stay Healthy!!

::Next::

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Hope everyone had some time in the week for a little catch up and to muck about with their designs.  I left my camera at work, so we’ll have to make do without photos of this step, but I think it will be easy enough to envision.

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We’ll sew our squares into rows this week.  I sew my squares across, you may prefer up and down, it makes no difference.

If I had my camera I could show you how much the design POPS when the rows are sewn.  I was seriously impressed, as I was a bit uncertain about this newer to me design.

What is important (to me at least) is matching the ends of your squares so that your points look crisp and your rows line up.  Some people pin, I simply match up my squares (right sides together of course) and start my stitching.  After about five stitches I make sure my bottom corners are still lined up and I hold them together till I get to the end of the square with my stitching.

If they don’t seem to be lining up (which they should if they were cut the same size), then I lift my presser foot with the needle down and pull the corners of the squares together.  Now holding the corners together I continue to sew.

Once at the end I press.  If I plan on quilting stitch in the ditch I press my seams to the side to offer more material layers for the stitching.  I actually quite like this type of quilt stitched this way.  I believe stitch in the ditch is rather under rated.  It really allows the design itself to shine.  However, if I choose to free motion ( I mean, pay someone else to kill their back), then I press my seams open.

I’ll leave the arguments of ironing seams open or to the side to people who care.  I find either way fine and easy enough to match seams.

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I got some other things brewing that are on my camera, especially samples we’ve been producing at Fabric Crush, that I’ll share later.

We did receive a Thank You card from our little friend Darma for her birthday gift.  Had I know she was having ponies at the party I would have whipped up some Heather Ross, but I went with Fairies.

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I love this line for making pillows. I’ve made it before in this colorway:

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The details are sweet.

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Wee man had to get into the scene.  Christmas in October highwaters…I suppose I should get around to sewing some new pjs for the kid.

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I had been wanting to get a picture of our sunflowers this year and never got around to it.  They were as tall as the house.  Here they are in the background, heavy with seed.  Our resident squirrel, Hazel is very fat this year.

4036505936_95da4da5a5Happy Saturday!