SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

seattle sewing

:: Spilt Crumbs Quilt Top ::

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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 StudioAnd 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:

Improv Patchwork Pillows

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SEW KATIE DID | Improvisational Patchwork Pillows

Since my trip to Georgia all the pillow forms in the house have been naked, just waiting for their clothes to be put back on.  It seemed like a good opportunity to change them into something ‘new’ until I create the inspiration in my head to match my new rug.

SEW KATIE DID | Opposing Triangles Pillow

The triangle pillow I made in 2011.  Grey goes with everything.

When we were writing Quilting Modern I was always on the lookout for inspirational shapes not generally produced in quilting at the time.  In a design magazine was a photo that had a pillow tucked oh so small in the background.  I could barely make out what it looked like beyond the elongated triangles, but I stole what I could of the idea to make it my own.

SEW KATIE DID | Improv Log Cabin Pillow

The log cabin pillow was born improvisationally on the design wall.  I like how it pairs with the triangle one so I often showcase them together.

I taped up the size of the pillow form’s perimeter (Euro size) and started filling it in, piecing the cabins together in columns mostly and connecting the columns with some gentle improvisational curves.

SEW KATIE DID | Invisible Zipper Pillow

The color way was 100% driven by this fabric I put on the back and of course I finished it with my invisible zipper tutorial.

SEW KATIE DID | Improvisational Log Cabin Pillows DSC_0040

I’m normally driven mad by matchstick quilting, but it is perfect for pillows.  Its density helps with giving the down pillow form some more structure.  They never look this good after use, but fluff up nice.

SEW KATIE DID | Improv Patchwork Pillows

I went with a light aqua thread on both.

SEW KATIE DID

I get all fired up about old unfinished projects when I see the techniques in use, so put this one briefly back up on the wall for a little work.  It even matches the pillows.

Hope all is well in your corner.

Happy week!

::FMQ Workshops::

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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.

sewkatiedid/fmq(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?

SEW KATIE DID_Free motion quilted baskets
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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::Fabric Stash Additions::

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drygoods fabric/sewkatiedid

I can’t help but shop when I have Open Quilting Studio at Drygoods.

I scoped out the new Moda Boho Flower Child and PBJ last week and had to stop myself from purchasing the blue color way too.  Since my stash lacks navy I made an exception with the navy Liberty.

I’m loving the reds thrown a little closer to orange and I can’t seem to say no to any mustard colored fabric as late.

orla/sewkatiedidThe Flower Child fabrics reminded me of the Orla Keily’s designs I’m in love with.

sewkatiedid

Look what else has made a return!  Alexander Henry Heath in metal.  This fabric is a must have for any stash.

Today I finish my Value Quilt top.  Off I go!

sewkatiedid/swirling puddles

P.S.  Class this Tuesday and next at Drygoods is open free-motion quilting studio!  Sign up for one or both.  Machines, all the tools and quilt sandwiches provided.  Should be a load of fun.

::Constellations::

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IMG_0535I can’t get enough of this Lizzy House Constellations, so when I walked into The West Seattle Fabric Company and saw it, I knew it was coming home with me.

I truly think Lizzy’s designs are some of my favorite currently on the market.

Her hit of whimsy is just the right amount and her colorways are always dead on in my book.

sewkatiedid/lizzy house constellation

Behold, purple!  I love purple.

sewkatiedid

Genies, hedgehogs, cats…it’s all there.  Plus, I certainly can not have enough Pearl Bracelet in my stash.  This active solid makes blending other prints in a dream.

I’ve been itching to make a Supernova Quilt from the book with this line and with a class next week on it I’ve finally stepped into action.

sewkatiedid/Night Owl Quilt

Here’s the starts of my Night Owl quilt.  I’m fond of this owl fabric, especially this little guy.  Thought I would try my hand at some woodgrain quilting when I’ve logged some practice in.

sewkatiedid/Night Owl Supernova Quilt

It took great restraint to not add purple.

Quick, make a trip over before I go buy it all up!

::No Name::

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If you are on my Instagram you are fully aware of the layouts this quilt went through and in a previous post I was about to throw in the towel.  I can honestly say that in all the time my seam ripper and I have spent together, this quilt collected some togetherness miles for us.

sewkatiedid/no name quilt

But if the book and Jacquie have taught me anything, it was to be persistent and an idea would come.  Something different that would make you step back and say to yourself, “That’s it.”  I can’t emphasize enough what a design wall can do for you in developing your quilt AND your design process.

Matches my boots too doesn’t it?  I couldn’t help but move them into the photo when I caught the color in the background.

sewkatiedid/no name

Jefe in the foreground here watching soccer in his pjs.  Have you worked with the Essex Linen yet?  This is the yarn dyed denim.  Unlike regular linen (Essex has some cotton in it) it stays the shape you cut it.

sewkatiedid/no name

The original block design is from Joelle Hoverson’s book Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.  I would categorize it under the technique of Slice and Insert (which Jacquie and I will be demonstrating at Quiltcon btw).  I was a little late to have it complete for my class, but will certainly have it quilt and bound before my next Slice and Insert Workshop.

Navy, it’s suppose to be the new black you know?  New territory color-wise for me, but most of these bits have been in the stash for a while.  I’m crazy for the Anna Maria Horner flower with the burgandy/red and the other deep purple is likely one of the first Amy Butler additions ever to make it into my stash.

It feels so good to stick with something and figure it out with a new twist.

Now it needs a backing, quilting and binding.

It also needs a name and I’m a bit stumped, any ideas?

::Sunday Stash::

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I thought long and hard about sponsors on my little blog.  I feel strongly that my local shops have had my back and have supported me throughout my adventure here in Seattle.  So I reached out to them and you can find their buttons along my sidebar.

This week I hightailed it to Ballard to see Keli at Drygoods Design.  If you haven’t had a chance to browse Drygood’s well curated collection, then the time has come to pack yourself up, hit the farmers market and tap your credit card.  You won’t be disappointed!

They are now open Tuesday-Saturday 11-6pm and Sundays 10-4pm and online 24/7.  Keli has started a studio night one Thursday night a month and  is hoping to kick it up to two.

I love this Nursery Versery.

I knew the minute I saw this line that I wanted some new samples made with it for my Whole Cloth Quilt Class.  I picked the Ruby Sunday flannel and the Crumb Grass flannel by Cloud9 to coordinate.  I threw it in the wash last night and just as Keli said, it is remarkably soft.

Happy Sunday and hope to see you at the opening for Krista Wither’s exhibit at Island Quilter on Friday!

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::Improvisational Elongated Triangle Blocks:: $45 Thursday October 4th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Create an edgy block of triangles with this simple improvisational technique. Follow up with an invisible zipper class or create your own quilt. All levels of sewists welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

::Invisible Zipper Class:: $45/ Thursday, October 11th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Installing invisible zippers if easier than you think. Come learn how to make professional looking pillows, you’ll be hooked! All levels of sewists welcome.

 

::Fall Classes::

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New Fall Classes on the books!

::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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::Improvisational Coin Quilt:: $85 Thursdays, September 20th and 27th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft 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.

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::Magic Number Quilt:: $85 Saturday, September 22nd from 10am to 4pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.
Pick your favorite fabrics and learn this system of using block sizes that fit together automatically for flexibility in quilt design.
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::Seeing Value Workshop:: $85 Sunday, September 23rd from 10am-4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.

Learn how color value can transform your quilt making design process.  Create multiple designs with your newfound knowledge of value and simple half square triangles.  All levels of sewists welcome.

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::Improvisational Elongated Triangle Blocks:: $45 Thursday October 4th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Create an edgy block of triangles with this simple improvisational technique. Follow up with an invisible zipper class or create your own quilt. All levels of sewists welcome.

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::Invisible Zipper Class:: $45/ Thursday, October 11th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Installing invisible zippers if easier than you think. Come learn how to make professional looking pillows, you’ll be hooked! All levels of sewists welcome.

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::Whole Cloth Quilt Finishing Class:: $85 Thursdays, October 18th and the 25th from 6-9 at the West Seattle Fabric Company.

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.

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::Half-Square Triangle Class:: $85/Saturday October 27th from 10am to 4pm at the West Seattle Stitch and Sew Studio.

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.

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::Modern Charm Quilt:: $85/Thursday November 1st and 8th from 6-9pm at the West Seattle Stitch and Sew Studio.

Proper technique is the foundation of any quilt.  Come learn how to pick and properly cut fabric, match seams and rows and come up with a square quilt in the end.  A great class for all levels of sewists looking to improve technique.

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::Improvisational Stitch and Flip Triangle Workshop:: $85 Saturday, November 3rd  from 10am-4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.  All levels of sewists welcome.

An all day workshop to explore creating your own quilt designs utilizing stitch and flip triangles.  We’ll cover this improvisational patchwork technique and construct blocks for your own quilt design. All level of sewists welcome.   Quilting Modern Book required.

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::Psychedelic Baby Block Workshop::  $85 Saturday, November 17th from 10am-4pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

We’ll create a unique block utalizing improvisational strip piecing techniques.  Design wall time with your blocks will allow you to come up with a quilt design that suites you.  All level of sewists welcome.

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I’m up for carpooling to West Seattle or Vashon.  Private instruction available.

Pantone Pop Quilt

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I’ll never tire of triangles.

In fact, I have another and another and another…already produced in my head.

Give me an isosceles, equilateral, or half-square triangle any day… I’ll take them!

(photo by Ara Jane)

I actually quilted this in May for the June exhibit at Island Quilter, but I never got a photo.

I love the individual processes a quilt goes through. A portion of Pantone Pop’s process was done among friends. Sandie and I spent a May afternoon in Ara Jane’s dining room talking quilts and sewing.

Ingrid kept us company and Ara Jane on her toes.

I went with a square grid for the quilting. I simply followed the blocks a quarter inch from the seam in lilac thread. It left the quilt with a very traditional feel.

The feel is still modern overall. The backing is home decor weight Amy Butler. It’s a large design, and the colors were just perfect!

Pantone Pop hung next to HST Love throughout the month of June as part of a Seattle Quilters’ exhibit.

Now Pop is back home and keeping us warm when the down duvet is a bit too much. It isn’t quite fitting for the Pure Periwinkle walls, but I’m pleased to gaze upon it. Sadly, Seattle has had limited warm weather, but lucky me has a beautiful new quilt to make eyes at, oh…and a good man.

Which reminds me.  Happy Birthday Jeffrey.  You are one handsome devil and I am one lucky girl.

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::Improvisational Free-Piecing Workshop:: $85 Saturday July 28th from 10am-4pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.  All levels of sewists welcome.

An all day workshop to explore creating your own quilt designs.  We’ll cover improvisational patchwork techniques and design while constructing blocks for your own quilt. All level of sewists welcome.   Quilting Modern Book required.

::Easing Into a Quilt Back::

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Quilt backs sometimes need to germinate.  Ideas come and go, some work, some don’t.

Roan’s quilt top has been done for a few weeks now, but the back has really become quite the process.

I had this idea the back had to have something added  to make it special, but those ideas just didn’t jive with the flannel I had bought for the soul purpose of being the backing.

I loved the Denyse Schmidt inspired star I originally made as its backing, but the blues didn’t work and when I put up the flannel with it, everything became mush.  I hate mushy quilts.

No waste however, this will be a great baby quilt.

So I moved on.  My next idea was to make blocks in the technique and style that  we have in the Stepping Stone quilt in the book.

I like them, but they weren’t cutting the cake either.  Ignore the triangles, they are just leftovers from trimming the quilt top.

So by the end of the week, I potentially have two new quilt tops started and what did I decide for the backing?…  Just the flannel and nothing but.  It’s pieced and tomorrow the floor will get a cleaning and this quilt will get a basting.

I think the simplicity and clean lines of the front match the back.

I guess you never know where the improvisational road will take you until you are there, eh?

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Thanks for such a great Value Quilt Class on Saturday students!  I had a blast.

Next up:

Whole Cloth Quilt Class

::Basting Day::

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Except for teaching tonight, I have the day off.  The kitchen floor sadly was past due for a mopping,  a perfect time to baste Anything Goes now that it has a backing.

I started wondering as I was basting, if my bad experience with the Phaff  I had before my Bernina left me with OCBD, or obsessive compulsive basting disorder?

I just feel more comfortable with more pins than less.  I’ve spent a load of time designing this quilt.

In my OCBD defense, the quilt is a linen front and a flannel back.  Both like to travel a bit.

I love the flannel back and popped in leftovers from the front for some fun.

Here’s the full quilt minus a color accurate photo and my quilting question below.

I think I’m onto vertical lines at Jacquie’s suggestion, and maybe a few stray purple and/or green quilting lines.

Whatcha think, organic lines or stick straight?

::Unknown Direction Quilt Top::

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I seem to gravitate to the blue/green combo, but the gray is so calming and the white pops it all out.

I wanted to go larger and add some spikes to the top and bottom by alternating the colors with the white, but I’m trying to live within my fabric stash here.

I’m sad to see the last of the Carolina Chambray in the teal disappear.  The colors are getting difficult to come by.  Baby size it is.

I already have plans for the quilting, inspired by this design.

This was a practice run for a quilt I plan on making for my brother and wife.  Their home is lovely and neutral with pops of deep red.

I don’t seem to be the only one obsessed with triangles.  My friend Rachel just posted her scrappy triangles with a tutorial.  She was even inspired by the same quilt that I was and has a lovely picture of it on her blog.

I love the scrappy idea and would certainly cut strips of fabric if I was going to go that route.  Generally, I have a pile of fabrics in mind and I have to cut a few and place them on the design wall to see how they mingle. So I make a template from plastic and most of that experimenting goes into the scrap bin… or now into a scrappy triangle quilt!

I made my triangles isosceles, not equilateral.  For isosceles you need some tricks.

I blunt the tip of the triangle template so it is a quarter inch wide.  This eliminates fabric and helps match seams.

When you place your triangles right sides together, place the entire 1/4″ tip on the base of underlining triangle, this way you know it is a quarter inch seam.

Your end result will be super straight rows.  If your rows are straight, you are more likely to have a square quilt top in the end.  Of course with this top you will have to square the sides for some half triangles.

Make sure to leave an extra 1/4 inch so they look right when you put on your binding!

Now I’m off, because my only goal in life today was to wash my floor and baste Unknown Direction, instead I’ve made another mess of triangles.

Can’t wait to see the next load of triangle quilts out there in blogland.

P.S. I found this brilliant tutorial too!