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halloween

:: Spooky Things ::

October 8, 2020 By Katie

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

Well peeps, I’m not sure we need Halloween this year to make things any spookier, but with a little more time than usual on my hands I was only able to put off the urge for decorating until mid-September.

We’ve had perfect foggy fall weather, the ferry horn blaring and sadly an orange sun and moon due to the smoke from the fires to kick off the season.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | log cabin improv pillows

My seasonal handmade items are for the most part samples for classes with the benefit of fueling my love of Halloween, making pillows and decorating.

Two of my favorites are my pieced Ghastlies pillows created for an improv log cabin workshop when I first opened the studio. There were always dreams of an A-line skirt with this fabric, but the few I made over the years revealed improv and apparel making don’t mix.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Quilting Modern

Fussy cutting the Hammer Girl and the witch were no brainers. I have no idea if the story is true (kind of fitting of the times eh?), but a student once told me she took a tour of the Alexander Henry studio and it was revealed that the witch is actually too polite to flip the bird, but that’s what she’s really gesturing with her pointed finger. Some of us can relate right now I’m sure;)

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

Why do we get so attached to fabric? I just traded the last of my orange Ghastlies fabric and I had to remind myself when I felt a tug at my heart for keeping it that I’d likely in my lifetime never create another thing with it. In return I received fabric that has at least a 10% chance of making it into a project.

sewkatiedid | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

I also use the pillows as samples for when I teach invisible zipper installation. If you’re looking to add a new sewing skill to your toolkit I’ve got a tutorial here. You can do it!

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Spiderweb Quilt Block

I usually teach Spiderweb quilt blocks this time of year. I just finished a faced binding on the solids one above as a sample for a new class using one of my go-to techniques, improv strip piecing.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

The studio needs some Halloween spirit as well and I love to buy Halloween fabric as much as Christmas, so I made some thread/scrap catchers for the table. In my straight line quilting workshop it seemed a waste to not make something with our practice panels so we turn them into this fun bucket project. Since we can’t be together, visit the lovely Christina Cameli to get the bucket pattern and her insight and skills with free motion quilting or practice some straight line quilting ideas.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

There’s a rabbit hole of good projects and techniques to adapt to Halloween, like a quilt-as-you-go trick or treat bag or paper piecing. I’d been making hanging locker bags with some of the middle school kids that come sew and thought to merge it with this paper pieced Skull from Twiddletails as a hanging candy bag and I’ve just reminded myself I’ve got it all printed larger for a pillow;)

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

Of course there is the endless and awesome Halloween bric-a-brac you can buy, but I had to put the brakes on that.

We did have a rainy week since I was last here, so I packed the freezer with some soups and put some cans of pumpkin and gifted apples to use in muffins.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

I also froze some unbaked hand pies so we’d have something to munch on besides the usual lunch of sandwiches. Two of my favorites are Back in the Day Bakery’s sweet potato & sausage hand pies, and the chicken pot pies from Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Mad Hungry Cravings. Having never made a cream cheese crust I kept it to one batch, only to pressed repeat the next day it was so good and easy.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

Lucinda’s book also had a tamale pie that was tasty.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

We’re doing our best to physically distance, but still enjoy some company. We were able to watch the debates last week and football the week before with friends since the weather cleared. The pop up tent might be the next step.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio
Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

I made a few masks for myself and others and basted my King size Star Player quilt during Sunday’s Hawks game. I finished binding my Spinning Webs shown above and if I get some brighter days and a cooperating human I should get some photos of that up next. RBG fabric is from Spoonflower and I bought some nose wires from Modern Domestic that function better than pipe cleaners.

I wasn’t feeling very productive about my week, but just writing this all down makes me realize there have been a lot of small wins.

I hope for your mental health you’re all checkin in with your small wins too. I’m sure you’re all kickin’ ass.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

Cheers. xoxo, Katie

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Filed Under: halloween

:: One Week ::

October 25, 2018 By Katie

One of my sweet little peep students exclaimed that everything in my house was sewn for Halloween and another student told me she had to close her eyes or she’d get too many ideas before the others were done when she walked through.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio |  Quilting Modern

It’s a little over the top, but Halloween’s my favorite holiday.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | log cabin improv pillows

I actually refrained from making anything new this year and honestly I would have if I’d found the time.

sewkatiedid | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

I also cut the purse strings and didn’t even look at the newest Halloween novelty fabric of the year.  That’s a first for me.  I know there’s some new Ghastlies out there.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Spiderweb Quilt Block

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | halloween pillows

There’s certainly no lack of pillows with invisible zippers in this house at any season.

I’ve done a lot of small projects for Halloween and some of the paper piecing patterns out there are favorites.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | quilted/paper pieced trick or treat door bucket

I’ve got Skully here by Twiddletails printed out big for another floor pillow someday, but until then I’ve got a little doorknob caddy for handing out candy to my trick or treaters.  It’s one of my fav projects, especially if it’s full of 3 musketeers;).

Quilt-As-You-Go is a perfect technique for making unique bags with prints from stash.  It’s also good practice in picking fabrics that compliment each other in a log cabin block style.  I’m not a very nostalgic person when it comes to keepsakes, but Roan’s Halloween bag has been packed away with a few other heart-felt gifts.

Straight line or free motion quilting?  Yup, practice is the best teacher and a small project a perfect palette. Baskets are great for nurseries, studios and candy!

Supplement it all with scouted out decor.  My pumpkin heads from Safeway always make me happy and I’m pretty sure I funded Target alone last year with their lite pumpkins.

Outside isn’t so great due to our lack of plugs;(

And the memories of the kids in costumes are what makes it so fun right?  Fourteen year old photo next.

Happy Halloween peeps!

 

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Filed Under: halloween

Collecting Spook II

October 24, 2017 By Katie

I tricked my house all out for Halloween before heading on my mini road trip.  It really made it feel like fall had arrived.

The timing for teaching and trunk shows in Bend and Ashland couldn’t have been better.  The trees were all turning and the people ready to get back into the quilting groove.  My student’s enthusiasm about what they were learning was like an inspirational refresh button for me as well.

In between towns I had loads of free time and made a side trip to see Crater Lake which was experiencing a little snow storm.  I’m a Michigander to Flagstaff girl, but it’s been awhile since I’ve driven on snow.  Though lovely I don’t miss it;)

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | log cabin improv pillows

Now that I’m home I’ve done some rearranging and added some more.

Usually I get to making one Halloween project.  The buckets might be it this year, besides a possible pillow while teaching zippers Thursday night.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Spiderweb Quilt Block

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | halloween pillows

The truth is we’re not lacking in Halloween pillows (or fabric) anyway, but they sure are fun to make.

Gone are the days Roan will use his little Trick or Treat bags, a pillowcase is all he’ll want this year, so I actually packed these little trick or treat bags into his trunk for safekeeping.  I’m not a saver, but these have too many fond memories.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Halloween hanging candy bucket

My Skully candy bag (paper pieced pattern by twiddle tails) is all ready for the night, though there seems to be a dwindling supply of its original contents.

While I’m excited for him to wander around with his friends this Halloween, it sure is sweet to look upon the past.

With Halloween almost here I’ve started thinking about the holidays and added some gift workshops to the line-up including evening sessions.  We’ve got a lot of gifting to make including invisible zipper pillows, box and zip pouches, rope bowls.   The quilting workshop will be Double-Trouble, triangles with a little tradition and a little improv.

The first sessions I listed filled, so I’ve added new additional dates.

Happy crafting peeps!

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Filed Under: halloween, pillows

:: Ready-Set-Sew ::

September 11, 2017 By Katie

What a great summer we had here in the Northwest.  I loved the heat and have to admit I’m a little sad to see the temps in the 70s.  I actually mentioned at bootcamp Saturday that I was looking forward to boot season;)  Of course the joy in all of this is guilt free sewing.  The kid is back in school, travel a memory, all the company has come and gone and I’m to the point with the garden that I wish it good luck, and walk right by into the studio.  Friday I did just that.

I’ll be traveling to Ashland and Bend in October to teach and lecture (come see me if you live there), but I’ve sprinkled a few workshops in between Open Studios onto the studio’s calendar.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Straight Line Quilting Workshop

::  Straight Line Quilting Workshop  ::

Aren’t these fun?! It probably took me longer to pick out the prints, than to actually make these new bucket samples for my Straight Line Quilting Workshop.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Straight Line Quilting Workshop

I have a thing for Halloween fabrics, but the uses for the prints are a little limited.  The wee ones will house candy or a spidery looking succulent and in the larger bucket I’ll tuck some napkins made from the left-overs.   They would certainly be useful as baby shower or hostess gifts, but mostly I use them in the studio on every surface as thread catchers or scrap buckets.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Straight Line Quilting Workshop

I opted for some straight line quilting designs that I’ve done on quilts, but not on buckets and tried to tie the genre of the straight lines in with the theme of the prints.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Paper Piecing Workshop

::  The Foundations of Paper Piecing  ::

I’ve had some requests for paper piecing.  You may choose any paper piecing pattern, but if you’re inspired by my NY Beauty quilt,  I’ll have that pattern available.  If you’re wishing for sharp points and precise or miniature piecing than this is the technique to learn.

::  Invisible Zipper Pillow | Evening Class  ::

I’ve got my sights set on some new pillows for fall and since a pillow (or maybe two) can be made within a few hours I’ve added my invisible zipper pillow workshop as a 3-hour evening open studio.  Any project is welcome though.

::  Split Personality Quilt Block  ::

I love it when people travel through Seattle and request a class!  Please join us in some fun crazy piecing.  This is a fast technique that creates 9-18 blocks in class depending on your speed.

I’ll also be teaching my Psychedelic Baby Workshop with the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild this Saturday if you’d like to join in.

I’ve got four quilts quilted and ready for binding so you should be seeing something new soon.

Happy Week Peeps!

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Filed Under: halloween, Projects Tagged With: sew katie did, straight line quilting, workshops

New Tricked Additions In Pillow Form

October 15, 2016 By Katie

Seattle’s got Halloween kind of weather going on.  We’re currently enjoying the light things up and warmth that electricity provides, but I have definitely put some thought into a list of backup chores for if it goes.  My fabric shelves and scrap bins are due a serious clear out and that alone could easily eat a few days.


I’ve been joyfully moving stuff around all week.  Decorations are up, and in their true place.  Each year I love the hunt of a few well sought out additions, like these awesome lit pumpkins from Target for the top of my fridge.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting and Sewing StudioAnd just like Christmas I allow myself a few new Halloween prints.  Novelty print generally means pillows.  You already know I’m seriously not lacking in pillows and nothing stops me from making more.  I believe I’ve added five to the rotation this year for Halloween alone;).  Last year my splurge was this zombie fabric by Riley Blake.  A huge spiderweb pillow (more here) has become Roan’s perch when waiting for his morning carpool.  Playing with this block ignited some new ideas.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting and Sewing StudioSince it needed something matchie-matchie and I had left over test blocks I made a couple more.

sew katie did | seattle modern quilting and sewing studio sew katie did's seattle modern quilting and sewing studioThese pillows I made last year are still my favorites.  So in the Ghastlies print I made a couple long lumbars which are my favorite shape for comfortable couch lounging.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting and Sewing Studio I generally buy the forms from Garnet Hill, though IKEA does carry a nice rectangle shape.  They’re down-filled and puff out to the corners nicely.  You don’t need tons of forms.  Under Halloween lives the Christmas ones, and quite possibly another layer under that.

sew katie did | Invisible Zipper TutorialAll have invisible zippers following my tutorial of course.

sew katie did | modern quilting workshops Seattle | hanging halloween candy bagMy favorite made addition of the year is the hanging candy bucket I created using this paper pieced pattern.   I’ve collected a few new patterns for next year. There are so many more projects I’d like to do, but I think I might be considered borderline something at this point.  I’ve been collecting them all on a Pinboard.

sew-katie-didhalloween-heads

It’s probably time to think of a costume.

Happy week Peeps;)

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Filed Under: halloween, invisible zipper, pillows, Projects Tagged With: alexander henry, class, classes, handmade, improvisation, improvisational patchwork, invisible zipper class, pillows, quilting, Seattle Modern Quilting Guild, workshops

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Featured Tutorials

:: Spooky Things ::

:: One Week ::

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | log cabin improv pillows

Collecting Spook II

:: Ready-Set-Sew ::

New Tricked Additions In Pillow Form

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I jumped out of bed this morning and am cooking up I jumped out of bed this morning and am cooking up some mac and cheese. That passes as a vegetable in America right? Mimosa will be in hand to watch history being made. #bosslady
Christmas decor is all packed up. We repurposed th Christmas decor is all packed up. We repurposed the IKEA wood fabric that generally hangs during the season into a fireplace screen to keep Boss and the Roomba out.
Ending 2020 all inspired by a freshly bound quilt Ending 2020 all inspired by a freshly bound quilt finish. I’m sure to be asleep by midnight, so wishing all of us a brighter and hopeful new year. 

Some photos of Boss for ya @josnowsew ❤️ and he was being naughty even if he looks nice!
Ghastlies aren’t just for Halloween. #alexanderh Ghastlies aren’t just for Halloween. #alexanderhenryfabric #neverenoughpillows
Feels pretty quiet here. Seattle even had the surp Feels pretty quiet here. Seattle even had the surprise and enchantment of snow for a brief moment. It was spectacular for an evening walk.
This isn’t going to last long, but for now I hav This isn’t going to last long, but for now I have company while sewing on my binding and watching some Martha Stewart baking inspiration.
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