seattle quilting

::FMQ Workshops::

November 6, 2013 By Katie

Have you made the plunge into Free-Motion Quilting yet? I was years into quilting before I did. Once you do you’ll wonder why you waited. Though I love the look of straight lines there is something very meditative about finding your ‘zone’ and making all these fun shapes.

(photo by my friend Allison Parrott Thompson)

I think for most of us it’s etching out the time to learn something new. For some it might be an equipment and/or space barrier, or maybe the desire for a little hand holding.

The classes I’ve taken myself on FMQ were very fun, but prescribed. I found they provided a nice launch pad for learning the basics, but lacked the practice time needed to explore my own spin-offs of the shapes I was most drawn to.

There’s no denying it, practice really is the best teacher when it comes to free-motion quilting.

Hmmmm, so how do you combine all these needs?

How about an Open Free-Motion Quilting Studio or a Free-Motion Quilted Nested Basket Workshop on quality Bernina machines at Drygoods Design to give you wings? It’s not too early to think about some gifts either.

Get your free-motion on with the studio’s Berninas, risk-free! Wine optional, but it might help!

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::Mod TV Remake::

October 28, 2013 By Katie

I had thought I shot myself in the foot when I originally scheduled a Log Cabin Block class.

Regardless of all the variations we put in the Log Cabin Makeover chapter in Quilting Modern, it just seemed impossible as I was putting together my handouts to make a log cabin workshop fun. How after instructing the simple construction of the logs was I going to keep my students and myself inspired for 6 hours?

Sometimes things just exceed your expectations and students guide the class with their creativity and charisma. I’ve begun distributing inspiration prior to classes to get those a little tentative about a new technique thinking. I covered the basics, showed a million log cabin examples from my own collection and then we started with a fun warm up activity to get the juices flowing that everyone said they very much enjoyed.

Plus, who says a log cabin has to be just a log cabin? These blocks are really an opportunity to combine techniques and play with fabrics we love. Strip piecing, crazy piecing, double gauze addition? Anything goes really. Simple or detailed, they are only limited by imagination.

What was missing from my samples was a minimalist log cabin sample. Mod TV is the perfect beginner quilt for jumping into improvisational modern quilt design. I pieced this together in an afternoon, great for a class, but everyone can come up with their own thing.

A dose of leftovers made it into the back and this incredible Sketch flannel frames them in.

Krista held my hand while I used her long-arm to create the ‘static’ quilting, but this could easily be executed on a domestic machine.

I’m pretty excited to be running the Log Cabin Quilt workshop again at The Quilting Loft on Saturday, November 9th if you weren’t able to get into the last class. Should be a day of fun! Here’s some more log cabin inspiration.

::Going Crazy In Portland::

October 10, 2013 By Katie

During Quilt Market, I attended a Modern Quilt Guild-hosted happy hour event sponsored at and by Portland’s Modern Domestic. We’re pretty spoiled here in Seattle with our fabric boutique/sewing studio gem, Drygoods Design and Portland looks to be lucky as well.

Modern Domestic’s selection of fabrics, as well as their workspace are impressive. Together we set up a modern Crazy Piecing workshop for Friday, October 18th and now that date is just around the corner!

I’m looking forward to seeing new faces as well as a few people I can now call friends.

Of course I needed a new workshop sample.

For how simple the design of this quilt bloody turned out to be you would never have guessed how much I hemmed and hawed about it’s design (unless you follow me on Instagram, in which case you might already have seen enough of this quilt;). It kept seeming like I needed a fabric I just didn’t have, which is totally ridiculous.

The geese ‘blocks’ existed for a few weeks before I went back to my original plan of placing them in the Osnaburgh utility cloth. I also had the best intensions of quilting this one with a concentric circle pattern starting in the corner like a sun behind the geese, but time got the best of me AND I have a friend who awesomely quilts (and IS awesome, but that’s a different story).

I delivered it to Krista and she did her quilting magic. She even placed the ‘ghost geese’ that I wanted,

including the one diving of the edge.

I hugged this quilt when I pulled it from the dryer. I love this quilt!

Krista and I kid around about the traditional flange we like to add to quilts like this. But all this negative space bound in the same cloth just needs that extra framing to define the edge and bring it all together. I used Jaybird Quilt’s tutorial for this, but I go 7/8.” I think the citron Heath fabric lends a little brightness.

I think the beauty of the improvisational Crazy Piecing technique is how versatile it is for placing into all sorts of shapes and projects. In Quilting Modern Jacquie and I stuck to mostly rectangles and wedges, but I’ve seen Chandra’s letter ‘H’ take shape, Krista’s triangles make it into quilts and many bits thrown into small projects like potholders, pillows and pouches.

I love teaching this workshop. I am excited to see where people will go with their crazy-pieced blocks and to share and absorb inspiration from some new people keen on quilting too.

I’ll also be talking about my quilting at the Portland Modern Quilt Guild‘s October meeting. This kind of thing makes me pretty happy, these get togethers with people who enjoy quilting makes it all sorts of fun.

::Favorite Colors to Stash::

September 16, 2013 By Katie

Finally made it over to Vashon Island to sew at Island Quilter with some students last Sunday. There’s always so much new fabric to see with each visit and everyone enjoys the bright large sewing space.

I was delighted to see Violet Craft’s new line Waterfront Park in the colorways that I’m so drawn to lately. I would have loved to buy the full line, but I’ve been adding the crimsons and yellows to my stash for these mini Supernovas.

These have been a work in progress, put up and then away multiple times. At some point something will come that will transform them into a quilt, but nothing original has come yet. Might be time to just make more blocks with all this fabric?

Since I had already pieced this block and decided that I needed to rip it apart to add some extra points, I added in some of Violet’s new line. I used most of my Mendocino up in the original Supernova for the book and a triangle quilt I still need to show you all, so mixing in some new prints is essential.

Cute as going big I think.

I’m teaching a Stitch and Flip Triangle workshop to the Eastside Guild Thursday and these beauties, though unfinished will hopefully offer some variety for inspiration.

And if anyone has any of this swim sister in the plum (not crimson) I’d be delighted to trade for just about anything.

Happy Monday! Go sew.

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::Double-Trouble Sunday Workshop::

$60/ Sunday, September 22 from 10am-4pm at Drygood Designs

Ready to create a simple modern quilt? Double-Trouble is a fun interactive technique and design workshop that merges a traditional triangular block with an improvisational triangle block technique. We will create two of the same triangular blocks, one for ourselves and one for trade. The Double-Trouble block itself has unlimited design possibilities that we will explore to create unique quilt designs.

::Modern Improvisational Coin Quilt::

$85/Thursday, September 26th and October 3rd from 6-9pm at The Quilting Loft in Ballard

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. No two will be the same. All levels of sewists welcome.

::Get Your Cute Out::

September 11, 2013 By Katie

I like sweet novelty fabric and judging from the amount of pink prints in my stash, I apparently like pink too, a lot.

I thought Alexander Henry’s Once Upon a Time line fit the bill to converge with some large hexagons for my Hexagons by Machine workshop at Drygoods AND get my cute quilt out. It’s kind of like getting your rainbow quilt out I guess.

I like to make an initial stack of fabrics when I combine all prints and then I just have to cut and see how things work together on the design wall, as usual this results in enough precuts for another quilt. The good thing is I’m certainly not running out of fabric, so all is ok.

I’ve got quite a combo of fabric types going on in this quilt. Besides the Alexander Henry Princesses, there’s some Heather Ross double gauze, old Amy Butler flannel, the first run on Mirror Ball in pink, Lizzy House and Erin McMorris’ first line Park Slope thrown in and so on. For the backing I used Sock Monkey Textured Flannel in Pink. It’s been a hold out in my stash for ages and this quilt finally called for it.

Archetextures bound it.

The awesome bubble quilting I can take zero credit for. My friend Sandie quilted it on her long arm for me. The wool batting was a stellar choice on her part, it just makes it pop. Thanks Sandie!

I love this quilt! So sweet, or cute I guess.

Next is something a little sharper, but still novelty print based. I’ll cut and square out the sides, but just one would make a cute pillow or placemat for sure…now there’s a project idea.

I wanted to mention how much I appreciate all who comment and encourage me on this blog. I’m not the best responder, but you make my day. It’s important for me to just shut down the computer and give creative ventures and family attention. You can have emails delivered to your inbox when I post via the link in the right sidebar. Thanks to you!

Tomorrow’s my Open Studio at Drygoods if you have some spare time during the day to sew. Hope to see you there or that you have time to get your sew on!

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble::

August 7, 2013 By Katie

Summer is serious this year in Seattle, finally!

The Northern Irish side of the family have come and gone already.

We took in a Sounders game in Vancouver and a load of swimming where ever we could.

These are the kind of summers that initially made me love Seattle when I was dating Jefe and would come visit. I’ve neglected my sewing machine and have been on a bit of a destash frenzy to cover the expense of our fun. Luckily winter gave me plenty of finished quilts to show off.

Thanks to Sandie my Scrappalicious Double-Trouble is quilted!

I showed design possibilities for this block here earlier and I’ll be running a Double-Trouble block workshop on Sunday, September 22nd at Drygoods if you want to come play.

We’ll cover the construction and design possibilities of the block, but since we will be playing with half-square triangles we’ll have one for ourselves and one to trade.

I’m in love with this small flower fabric that has disappeared from the face of the earth, and not because I bought it all, because I would have. It makes the sweetest binding.

I added some blocks to the back that have been hiding out in the unfinished project tote for awhile now.

It didn’t make a noticeable dent in that tote, but nice to see them somewhere. The rest of the back is flannel, it truly is lovely to the touch.

I’ll also be bringing all my scraps to add to the opposing corners of the block for the workshop. It’s fun to use up those small goodies. I’m hoping the weather will hold and we can open the french doors of the studio and shop the market for some autumn bounty to boot!

The couch received its summer pillows too.

I’ve got (4) sets of 6″ charm squares left from my blue destash. I had over 70 blue prints that I cut, many are out of print. If you are looking to add some blue to your fabric diet I’m destashing these at $48 each, plus US flat rate shipping. Just shoot me an email at sewkatiedid@gmail.com. Green is coming next. If you follow on Instagram that’s usually where my destashes are. Green is next and then black and whites.

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Thinking ahead to fall classes!

Need help with a quilting project? Open studio dates:

Daytime Open Studios: Wednesday, and August 14th and 28th from 11-3pm at Make*Do*Mend (sign-up required)

Night Open Studios: Wednesdays, August 21st from 5-9pm at Drygoods in Ballard.

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::Modern Log Cabin Pillow Class::

$85/Sunday, August 25th from 10am-4pm at Drygoods in Ballard

It’s hard to resist a new skill when it can be so pretty! Using a variation on a log cabin quilt block technique from Quilting Modern, Katie will lead you through piecing your pillow front, possible quilting ideas and then show you her foolproof pillow technique using an invisible zipper!

::Free-Motion Quilting Open Studio Sessions::

Tuesdays, September 17th and 24th 6 to 9:00 p.m. /$70 for two sessions, includes materials

Consider it risk-free motion! This will be the perfect opportunity to learn and/or refine free-motion quilting skills. Free-motion quilting takes time and practice, and this is a great way to get started with the help of Katie Pedersen. Take in organic and geometric free-motion quilting and design inspiration while practicing on quality machines. Muslin and batting provided.

Experience level: sewing experience suggested and beginners welcome.

::Double-Trouble Sunday Workshop::

$60/ Sunday, September 22 from 10am-4pm at Drygood Designs

::Modern Improvisational Coin Quilt::

$85/Thursday, September 26th and October 3rd from 6-9pm at The Quilting Loft in Ballard

::Whole Cloth Finishing Class::

$85/Tuesdays, October 1st and 8th from 6-9pm at The Quilting Loft 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.

Log Cabining Out with Improvisational Patchwork Pillows

July 20, 2013 By Katie

It’s a verb you know? Or at least it will be in my modern log cabin pillow class at Drygoods. I managed to make two and stick to the perimeters of the 20×20 square I taped out on my design wall. I always want to do more or go large. My hope is after the class students will feel the same.

Weird as it is, I started my colors for this project from a zipper pull. My go to neutral, Alexander Henry Heath and Michael Miller Cotton Couture grays were a natural match to that candy green.

I started with what I’ll call the Quarter Turn Pillow. Looks complicated, but it is just four blocks placed together. Jacquie’s matchstick quilting almost killed me. It took me all day, I can’t imagine doing it on a quilt, but its outcome was stellar. Then when all was said and done I wished I had done the same matchstick quilting on the other pillow too.

Tunnel Vision is a log cabin block from our book Quilting Modern. I have one more I wanna make of course to add to this set (something about the number three). Log cabins have endless possibilities and with everyone in class doing their own improv thing there will be lots of examples.

Both got an invisible zipper done my way. I love a perfect pillow.

Though Jefe would like these to stay on our couch he’s getting Alexander Henry Anime Ninja girls instead.

::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

June 16, 2013 By Katie

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.

::Nine-Boxed Quilt::

May 15, 2013 By Katie

Some quilts take time to finish. Mostly because those other quilt ideas get in the way. Sometimes even those quilts take awhile too. I’m pretty sure I have a box of those “ideas.”

When I looked at the November date on this photo and the rainy blustery day I was thankful that it looked like this today.

Nine-Boxed’s original story and making details are here, but as I said it sat for awhile and on a quilting exhibition to Sandie’s for another quilt I thought why not just quilt it too. She happen to have this design board already loaded so we went with it.

I’ll admit this quilt has grown on me a bit. I wasn’t so sure I liked it at first and am now kinda wishing as I look at the photo that maybe I could have at the very least thrown it in the dryer for a bit to decrease it, poor thing has been rolled up in the closet for a month or longer.

In person it is really the Carolina Chambray that makes all those bits shine. The blocks consist of a simple nine-patch made improvisationally. Links to a few tutorials on the technique are also available on the original post about this quilt.

My twist was adding in a block when creating the nine-patch block that was entirely made of strip-piecing. I’ve got a whole tote that contains scraps that are strips and they were calling me. There are some goodies in there.

I also added a block of background fabric into the nine-patch construction here and there. I always like that “floating” look.

Backing I bought ages ago on sale when Drygoods first opened and for the binding I revisited that scrap strip tote for scraps of binding left over from other quilts.

It has no home yet.

I’m off to market tomorrow and then teaching workshops with Jacquie on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Come join us if you can!

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::Binding Line-Up::

May 11, 2013 By Katie

Ok, I’m going to go finish sewing the binding down on this quilt,

so I can start sewing the binding down on this one. I’ve certainly had my fair share of quilt tops in need of quilting, but this is a first when it comes to a line up for binding!

::Flash Back::

April 21, 2013 By Katie

In what seems like a lifetime ago I spent my winters in a not-so-little-now fishing village called Troncones in Guerrero Mexico. My friend and I would load up the truck with our bikes, my dog Fe and our bikinis to make the three day drive from Flagstaff.

I feel fortunate to have done this, I love the people of Mexico, admire their love of family and of course L-O-V-E their food. I have loads of the funny kinds of stories one would have when language isn’t always clear. I however can not top Jefe telling some senoritas that he was pregnant, nor will I forget them bursting into laughter.

The mercados would be full of kitchy folklore influenced goods that I thought of when I spotted this fab Alexander Henry at Quiltsandwich. I instantly ordered two yards ( Cartas Marcadas). This morning I made some napkins to replace the tattered. I’ve been eating up a few of my choice Alexander Henry novelty fabrics by making napkins, so I’ll likely have some more to show you soon.

I added a few ‘active solids’ I’ve been eyeing. I’ve had a thing for gray lately because I fell in love with this simple quilt. The woodgrain is so subtle on the Michael Miller Les Amis Faux Bois and I wanted to nab it before it disappeared. Never enough of the Pearl Bracelet, only one of the best fabric lines ever produced.

Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures is another one of those great blender lines. The hit of navy wavy lines is a perfect addition to the few navy fabrics I have in my collection. Navy can keep on trending in my opinion. It’s great to add another dark color to the value mix.

I love the grid on the background of this one here. The more graphic designs that continue to be pumped out the better.

Thanks Quiltsandwich for the great additions!

Happy Sunday and Happy shopping!

::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

April 12, 2013 By Katie

Another fun sample for the Color Value Workshop tomorrow. It’s huge!

Hoping to show this one quilted by the end of the week.

« Previous Page

::FMQ Workshops::

::Mod TV Remake::

::Going Crazy In Portland::

::Favorite Colors to Stash::

::Get Your Cute Out::

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble::

Log Cabining Out with Improvisational Patchwork Pillows

::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

::Nine-Boxed Quilt::

::Binding Line-Up::

::Flash Back::

::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

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