modern quilt

::Benefits of Procrastination::

August 31, 2013 By Katie

I read an article once in the Wall Street Journal about being a better procrastinator. Apparently creative types often fall into this category, but you might be getting more done than you think. Go have a read.

I’m a procrastinator, but a very productive one. While I’m avoiding those deadlines I’m generally producing something new.

This cycle isn’t bad, it works for me. As I complete those new projects I have a feeling that I’ve accomplished something, even tidying up after steps me ahead, energizing me to tackle something small on that procrastinated abandoned project.

Sound familiar?

Of course when I procrastinate I spend some time daydreaming about new projects, being inspired by color and pattern around me,

and make new piles that I have no business making.

But even those baby steps help move me along. Think small steps, two quilt backs made, two quilts quilted, but then I stall and the squaring and binding will have to wait because I really need to make some fabric buckets right? There is probably some fabric I need to shop for too, because I might run out.

Oh, and not unlike the others I hang out with, I like to stare at fabric and move it around, so the cycle actually does come full circle, because I’ve been procrastinating these two quilts forever and they need to be done before I go to Portland in October to visit their Modern Quilt Guild and teach a workshop. I’m actually a little happy to see them up there and since I have two other things I should be doing first they might actually get some action.

So there, I finally got out the blog post that I’ve been procrastinating by procrastinating those bindings I need to do.

So who’s a productive procrastinator too?

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I’ve been holding onto one set of 6″ charm squares left from my blue destash for myself, but it’s time to destash it too! 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 buffet I’m destashing these at $48 each, plus US flat rate shipping. Just shoot me an email at sewkatiedid@gmail.com. If you follow on Instagram that’s usually where my destashes are. Boys prints and greens are next and then black and whites.

::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

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.

::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.

::Modern Crazy Piecing::

July 5, 2013 By Katie

Of all the workshops Jacquie and I taught together in April my favorite was the one that covered modern crazy piecing.

Prior to the workshop I made a new sample to use for it and for an upcoming Crazy Piecing workshop at Drygoods. I’m pretty smitten with it.

At first I scratched all the crazy piecing thinking it was too similar in value and just too soft, but I couldn’t stop messing with it and eventually I cut and added the darker valued purple ‘splinters.’ It clicked.

I used a mix of solids for sure. Purple shot cotton, Michael Miller cotton couture, Kona, linen and Osnaburgh for most of the background.

However, now the background seemed flat, so I started brainstorming on how to give it some dimension. I have a 5 gallon tote full of neutral scraps that I dug through, combining everything under the sun to create some ‘ghost’ crazy piecing into the background. It popped it out.

The all over quilted squares and rectangles were somewhat of a nightmare due to the thickness of the quilt with all the seams and different fabrics. It turned out ok, but in retrospect I would have liked the splinters to have some straight lines to help them stand on their own. Practice is the best teacher eh?

I self bound the quilt, but wanted some of the splinters to appear to run off the edge. I’ve done this on several quilts now and really like the effect it creates.

I’ve got a boatload of left over crazy piecing and still would love to make a quilt like Blue Ice in the book before we run the workshop.

This improv technique and its few tricks are really fun.

Hope you all had a great fourth. I probably didn’t need that margarita on top of the beers I had during our fourth celebration so today I’m keeping life simple.

With the Northern Irish side of the family here we’re loading up tomorrow and heading out of town for the Sounders/Whitecaps game in Vancouver. Have a great weekend!

::Barn Star Quilt::

June 24, 2013 By Katie

When Keli at Drygoods asked me to teach a beginner quilting class called “Welcome to Quilting,” I knew exactly what I was making for a sample.

Inspiration for this quilt has been pulled from a variety of sources over the past year.

The seed was first planted last summer when my folks brought me home a folder of collected information on the barn quilts they had passed during their road trip west.

I thought these traditional quilt block designs were perfect with their simplistic design and that their large scale gave them a modern look. My favorites were the stars of course, but I have a whole series bookmarked.

For more inspiration I spent some time with my copy of 5,500 Quilt Block Designs to find the star I wanted to make. This book is chock full of traditional blocks just itching for some big block fun or an improvisational twist. The book is a great resource for understanding color values impact on block design and how secondary design comes into play when combining blocks.

Katie’s Super Star Quilt, in the May/June Quilty issue was the final inspiration. I was smitten with her color combo from first sight, so my original color way with the citron migrated to the back.

I quilted it in the same pattern I did for my Psychedelic Baby quilt. It’s time consuming, but clean and simple. I like unfussy quilting that runs off the edge. I’d made the binding before picking out the backing and had to switch gears when the dark grey wasn’t right. I’m always glad when I make the extra effort even when I just want to be done.

Then again, lesson learned. I like the quilt back, but if I had only taken a moment to step back and look at the quilt’s back on the design wall I would have added a vertical citron column to the top and bottom of the star block too. Practice truly is the best teacher.

This class has shaped up nicely. I love the sample and it really is perfect to drive home all the principles of quilting I want to cover in a beginner class. There’s even room built in for those that aren’t beginners, but just really want to set aside time to make a beautiful quilt.

I’ve got a load of classes on the schedule and a line up of finished quilts to show, just need some time to photograph them all.

I think there’s one spot in the zip pouch class Wednesday and a few in Split Decision Saturday if you’re looking for a new project. My friend Melinda stopped by with her Split Decision quilt top last night.

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::Zip Pouches::

$45/Wednesday, June 26th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Come learn the ins and outs of constructing a zip pouch. Once you know the ropes you’ll be a production machine. These are great for gifts and perfect for all levels of sewists.

::Split Decision Quilt Workshop::

$85/Saturday, June 29th from 10am-4pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

Join author Katie Pedersen to play with the slice and insert technique from the book Quilting Modern. Combine simple sewing with a new skill and create your own linear design featuring snippets of your favorite fabrics. This is a great class for all levels of sewists that want to explore a new improvisational technique and play with design.

::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!

::Modern Crazy Piecing Play::

May 3, 2013 By Katie

I’ve had two quilts in process for Jacquie’s and my crazy piecing class on May 22nd at Island Quilter.

I almost scratched this one, thinking it didn’t have enough dark values, but you know what? No dark values=softer mellow feel and for a baby quilt that’s just perfect. Everyone loves a mellow baby.

I had to confine myself with some masking tape on my wall to keep my size down. My tendency is to get larger and larger.

With the floor freshly mopped I basted it this morning and didn’t even have to move the table out because of its wee size.

I have a HUGE tote full of neutral scraps and I crazy pieced a load of those into the background as well. It just needed something in those zones.

I’m thinking sky blue vertical lines for quilting. I want it to retain it’s soft drape and I only have cotton batting, so I’ll have to refrain from getting them too close together.

Then I couldn’t resist putting this up on the blank design wall. All of it except the four rows that won’t fit. Triangles are Saturdays class. Large it will be. My original plan was a lap quilt, but dreamt of it on our bed…then I thought, what the hell, what man wouldn’t want to sleep under mermaids with sea stars as pasties?

It needs some rearranging and those extra four rows, but I like it, all scrappy and such.

Roan’s been on the couch for three days with a virus, so my sewing time and catching up with him on Dr. Who has been steady. If you’re an Instagrammer then I have also been destashing. I’m here.

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The Flip Triangle is a day-long workshop where we’ll get you off to a great start in creating a modern quilt with sharp points and design. Choosing fabrics for high impact, proper technique for cutting and successful piecing of triangle blocks will be covered. Great class for beginners, but all levels of sewists welcome.

Experience: all levels welcome; great for beginners

Date: Saturday, May 4th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drygoods Designs in Ballard

::Scattered Quilt::

April 15, 2013 By Katie

Scattered has been finished for a bit, but the Seattle spring weather is rather temperamental, so photos haven’t really been an option. The times between the hail, rain and sunshine I’ve snapped some photos, but they’ve provided this quilt no justice when it comes to showcasing its true colors. The yarn dyed denim in person makes the crimson bits appear extremely saturated.

Nice of them to build that blue building in front of my view of downtown Seattle eh?

Yarn dyed Essex linen eats thread, and by that I mean you really can’t see it, but creates the best quilted texture! I started with an off-centered rectangle in lavender thread and went round and round.

As I got further from the center the rectangle naturally became more curved. I love the effect. I got the idea from this amazing quilt by Karen. I gravitate towards any quilting design that is continuous or runs off the edge, I’m not a stay-stitch or burying threads kinda quilter.

I’ve certainly dug through the stash on this one. Really old Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Erin McMorris Park Slope (one of my favorite lines ever), Echino, and Denyse Schmidt.

I self bound it in the same linen. I thought an addition of bits into the binding would have been a great effect, but got lazy. Backing by Echino polishes off this quilt nicely. The drape is amazing combined with the linen.

And it matches my lilacs.

Scattered is a remake of my Split Decision quilt that I use as a class sample for teaching Slice and Insert. I wanted to create another layout using the slice and insert technique to showcase the design potential of this technique. Jacquie and I will be teaching Slice and Insert on Monday, May 20th at Island Quilter and I will hold another workshop on Saturday, June 29th at the Quilting Loft under the name Split Decision.

Happy Monday and first day of Spring Break for use public school people in Seattle.

::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.

::Spring To Stash::

April 7, 2013 By Katie

Sunday Stash time! I toured through the arboretum to take photos of Nicquelle’s Quilt last week and then made the most of my venture by heading to Stash in Columbia City.

Any excuse to head to a fabric store right? I love the feel of fabric boutiques and Stephanie’s picks never disappoint.

I’ve been slowly collecting the Tula Pink Swallow fabric. In my fabric quest I’ve been seeking out more ‘active solids.’ This tone on tone print is one of those that helps in binding all of my novelty prints together when digging through the stash with a project idea.

I felt the same when I discovered the Hexagon dots. This citron color is climbing close to the top of the color list. I love the brightness it brings when paired with lavender, aquas or crimson.

If you’re in the market for a great low volume fabric I would suggest nabbing some of this Dear Stella Paris Tower. I am now thinking I should have bought more.

The Tula Pink Little Bits just seemed to jive with the whole stack.

So I actually got around to using some fabric this week. This weekend I finished up the binding on this quilt that is currently in the wash.

I also am halfway through my new Value Quilt. I am loving the on-point design.

And I picked new fabrics to make another Triangle pillow. Looks like I could use a whole batch of spring pillows.

Happy Sunday!

::Spring To Seattle::

April 2, 2013 By Katie

Niquelle’s Quilt is finished. My intension now is to make a larger one that her family can lovingly use in her memory.

Since Seattle is in full bloom I detoured through the arboretum on my trip to Columbia City to visit Stash. I knew the blossoms on the trees would fully compliment the soft colors in this quilt.

This tree and its low branch had photo shoot written all over it.

I love everything about this quilt. Not only does it have some favorite prints thrown in there, but I included a mix of fabric types as well.

Flannel, double gauze, linen blends and quilting cottons are all present. So sad to see the Amy Butler Wallflower in mustard and the Heather Ross Moons go, but so happy to see them in a quilt! The tactile effect is hard to explain. It is somewhat heavier than most quilts, but also light and soft.

I spent some time with my friend Sandie quilting it on her long arm. I mentally struggle sometimes with not home machine quilting all my quilts, but quickly got over it on this one! We quilted it with purple, pink and white variegated thread.

The swirl pattern is perfect and when I finish my mermaid one I will likely do the same. Then I will do this design again and again and again… The pattern shows well from the back on the solids.

The side triangles that I cut in half (or actually in half plus a quarter-inch to make them an actual half triangle with binding on) to create the edges of the quilt went into the backing. Some angle piecing went into its construction and some other scraps made their way in to create the panel. I always seem to go vertical with back panels.

I finished it off with the Erin McMorris Weekends fabric that was included in the front. Sorry, that’s a load of photos…can you tell I love it?!

Keli at Make*Do*Mend and I just added this class to the calendar. If you wanna combine some fun fabrics together and learn some mad skills join us on Saturday, May 4th from 10am-4pm at the studio.

We’ve got some space in the value class tonight too.

Psychedelic Baby Block on the schedule for Saturday!

::Quiltcon 2013::

February 26, 2013 By Katie

Well it’s back to reality around here! Quiltcon was more than I could have ever expected and comes with the added bonus of something to look forward to in 2015.

I’ve only got a minute to post before diving into classwork and inputting receipts, so I thought I’d post a few photos. Stick through to the end and there will be a little giveaway for feedback.

Highlight #1 For sure was doing a demo and a book signing for Quilting Modern with Jacquie. It was the first time we’ve been in the same room since working on the book.

Hightlight #2 We were extremely proud to have two quilts from the book exhibited and I had one of my own on display that I sold. How nice to come home with my margaritas covered.

Blue Ice from the Going Crazy Chapter on Modern Crazy Piecing.

And Add It Up from the Free Yourself Free Piecing chapter.

My Psychedelic Baby Quilt was accepted into the exhibit as well.

A special thanks to the Quiltcon board and all the volunteers! What a wonderful job. There was nothing but rave reviews that I heard. XOXO.

Hightlight #3 (or maybe it should be #1) Meeting all of you! Thanks for taking a minute and introducing yourselves. It was also highly entertaining to be walking by someone and all of a sudden realize I ‘knew’ them. You are all the warm wonderful people I thought you would be.

Help me out if you can and leave a comment with your name and blog or when we collided to jog my awful memory. I also realized I don’t have any photos, I would also be delighted to have a copy if we took one together (sewkatiedid@gmail.com).

Before I’m off to start laundry, Jacquie and I will be teaching three days of workshops on May 20th, 21st and 22nd on Vashon Island with details to be announced soon. For a chance to win a copy of Quilting Modern, leave a comment on what class or technique you would most like us to teach.

I’ll close this on March 2nd.

XOXO

« Previous Page

::Benefits of Procrastination::

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble::

::Modern Crazy Piecing::

::Barn Star Quilt::

::Nine-Boxed Quilt::

::Binding Line-Up::

::Modern Crazy Piecing Play::

::Scattered Quilt::

::Stash Archive Value Quilt::

::Spring To Stash::

::Spring To Seattle::

::Quiltcon 2013::

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