SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

amy butler

Stepping Stone Quilt

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I’m still working through finished quilts I’ve never posted to the blog.  There’s still a few.

SEW KATIE DID/Stepping Stone Quilt/Quilting Modern Book

Out of all we made for Quilting Modern Stepping Stone was the one quilt I couldn’t wait to get back.

SEW KATIE DID:Stepping Stone Quilting Detail:Quilting Modern

 I am a firm believer in utilitarian quilts and prefer quilts that are soft, not cardboard stiff with quilting.  Stepping Stone finished very supple.  Large expanses of shot cotton on the front and an all flannel back was likely the largest contributor, but the batting (most likely Quilter’s Dream) and the thread Angela Walters used to quilt this one helped as well.

The flat shot from the book really shows the texture shot cotton’s cross weave can create when its turned in different directions.  I often get asked in lectures and truck shows if the fabric surrounding the blocks is a different fabric from the rest of the background.

SEW KATIE DID:Stepping Stone Quilting Close

 Think mossy Seattle path with stone pavers;)

SEW KATIE DID:Stepping Stone Quilt Blocks:Quilting Modern

We ended up placing this quilt in the Strip Tease chapter of the book, but it can easily be created building the frames with scraps.  There are a lot of favorite fabrics in the logs surrounding each stone as I grabbed from my green and blue scrap bins for the analogous color scheme when creating this quilt.

SEW KATIE DID/Stepping Stone Quilt/Quilting Modern

 When Island Quilter hung my show I was “helping” Anja.  I noticed that it looked like it was hung crooked only to tilt my head and realize it wasn’t a square quilt;)  This makes it even better in my mind.  Who can tell when your all happy under it?

Now that the drywall is finished up in the studio, paint and flooring has been purchased.  Hoping things will be rolling by the end of May.

Happy Week Peeps.

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sewkatiedid/mastering improv curved shapes workshop

I’m teaching my last classes this week at The Quilting Loft as they finish up their liquidation and close;(  I’ve been teaching there since 2007 and am sad to see them go.  There are two spots still in Amebas.  Please call the shop if you’d like to join in.  There might be a spot left in Tuesday’s night class and Thursday’s day class, but I’m not a 100% sure.

::Baby Lotta Quilt::

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After finishing up the top for Roan’s birthday quilt with isosceles triangles, I’m excited to announce that equilaterals are a cinch in comparison! No finicky seams to line up, and there were no problems sewing on the bias. I thought I wouldn’t like the shape as much as the isosceles, but they are cute!

The mix of double gauze, flannel, linen and quilting weight fabrics effortlessly came together. This is good news since I will be teaching this quilt at the Quilting Loft on Thursday, August 9th from 6-9pm.

Instead of making my own template, I went with the Super60 Clearview Triangle. My Mom bought it for me on Mother’s Day at Island Quilter.

There certainly are some goodies from my stash in this quilt. I was happy to see the last of the Lotus Wallflower find a perfect home, as well as some Anna Maria Horner flannel and Chocolate Lollipop. I love the Heather Ross in here, especially the Purple Moons and the Crimson Unicorns. Those I nabbed from scrap packs at Pink Chalk Fabrics. There is a touch of Erin McMorris and Kei Dots in there as well.

At Island Quilter the other night, I found some of the Anna Maria Horner Chocolate Lollipop I had used in the quilt top. Anja has it in all the colors, along with most of the line, but this was my favorite and will go on the back. Can you believe it isn’t Alexander Henry or flannel? I’m really breaking out of my box.

Since I have triangle fever, I started cutting scraps for another triangle quilt last night.

But after coming up with this diamond shape using value I’m off to grab a diamond-shaped template. I’m addicted to this simple shape, and still can’t wait to make this quilt with my Mendocino and another with my Christmas-themed fabrics.

There also has been talk of a star-themed Quilt-A-Long among the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, so I’ve been pinning to my new Star Pin Board. So many quilts, so little time. Happy Sunday!

::Baby Lotta::

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After finishing up the top for Roan’s birthday quilt with isosceles triangles, I’m excited to announce that equilaterals are a cinch in comparison! No finicky seams to line up, and there were no problems sewing on the bias. I thought I wouldn’t like the shape as much as the isosceles, but they are cute!

The mix of double gauze, flannel, linen and quilting weight fabrics effortlessly came together. This is good news since I will be teaching this quilt at the Quilting Loft on Thursday, August 9th from 6-9pm.

Instead of making my own template, I went with the Super60 Clearview Triangle. My Mom bought it for me on Mother’s Day at Island Quilter.

There certainly are some goodies from my stash in this quilt. I was happy to see the last of the Lotus Wallflower find a perfect home, as well as some Anna Maria Horner flannel and Chocolate Lollipop. I love the Heather Ross in here, especially the Purple Moons and the Crimson Unicorns. Those I nabbed from scrap packs at Pink Chalk Fabrics. There is a touch of Erin McMorris and Kei Dots in there as well.

At Island Quilter the other night, I found some of the Anna Maria Horner Chocolate Lollipop I had used in the quilt top. Anja has it in all the colors, along with most of the line, but this was my favorite and will go on the back. Can you believe it isn’t Alexander Henry or flannel? I’m really breaking out of my box.

Since I have triangle fever, I started cutting scraps for another triangle quilt last night.

But after coming up with this diamond shape using value I’m off to grab a diamond-shaped template. I’m addicted to this simple shape, and still can’t wait to make this quilt with my Mendocino and another with my Christmas-themed fabrics.

There also has been talk of a star-themed Quilt-A-Long among the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, so I’ve been pinning to my new Star Pin Board. So many quilts, so little time. Happy Sunday!

::Random Happenings::

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With little time between work, book stuff and teaching I’ve focused on finishing quick projects that are ‘needed’ around the house.

Like an extra curtain, to keep out that extra morning light daylight savings brought us.  Made with fabric from the wonderful Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Fabrics (blog here).  I think I bought all the yardage she had.

The extra yardage from the curtains with some help from Pink Chalk’s sale flannel went into a whole cloth quilt for a very special baby.  I did the double binding again.

I could probably fill my living room floor to ceiling with pillows, but with an invisible zipper pillow class on the 22nd I thought some new samples were in order.  I fell hard for this new Amy Butler when I went to see Keli of Drygoods Design.  She pulled it off the shelf and the next minute I was walking out with it.

And seeing as we finally got around to getting a new cover made for the ottoman it seemed fitting to have something matchie-matchie.  That’s my excuse at least.

Now I need to get that Kaleidoscoping God’s Eye Quilt off the design wall and make this wee man a Unknown Direction quilt of his own.

::Enter Scrappy Sunshine::

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It’s been an odd summer here in the Pacific Northwest.  I thought it time to produce some of my own sunshine.

Enter Scrappy Sunshine Quilt.

This quilt originally started with cutting up all my Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.  It just needed to happen, but when I put it up to create blocks, it was just bland.

Well you know what they say about best laid plans…

I pulled the duller colors and threw in the Amy Butler Lotus (thanks Heather for the pink!),

and then the Alexander Henry Aviary which I always wanted to have together with the Lotus in a quilt.

The Heather Ross campers were an afterthought and I had just enough for a few blocks, so perfect for a summery quilt.

I think I bought Pink Chalk out of these little Japanese flowers in every color way when they went on sale.  They are printed on the same soft fabric as Heather Ross’s stuff.

Of course I can never make a quilt purely from stash so I ordered this print in each colorway when I found it for $5/yard.

It all makes the Flea Market Fancy seem like an afterthought.

The layout doesn’t have any rhyme or reason.  I just grab blocks from the piles and lay them on my cutting mat in a square or rectangle and piece them.

And look what decided to make an appearance this morning.

Hello Sunshine!

::A Value Quilt of My Own::

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Wow, you all really came out of the woodwork on that last post!  It was delightful to explore some new blogs and I hope I didn’t miss anyone.

Don’t you wish everyone wanted to talk about quilts as much as us?

The quilt on the end of my bed received so much attention that I thought it was time I posted it.

It is the first quilt I’ve EVER made for myself back when I did the Value Quilt Quilt-Along using my Value Quilt Tutorial.

I’ve seen the same design recently on blogs as warm/cool.  From how I understand it, the same designs work with warm and cool half square triangles, because warm colors appear to move forward and cool colors tend to recede.  This contrast makes the design appear, but you still need value or the two triangles will appear blended.

You can learn a little more here.

My value quilt contains a load of larger prints and a high proportion of fabrics that would likely fall under the category of medium value if judged on their own.

Larger prints will generally have a mix of light, medium and dark values, and mediums next to darks or lights will create a less defined line.  These two elements created a quilt where the contrast is low, creating a less defined or blended design.

I also turned some squares to make some of the diamonds one color, ignoring value, which skewed the design in some areas.

I love that it showcases my fabric stash, especially since some of these prints are long gone.

But what I wanted to mention, due to all the comments on the last post was the quilting that was done by the fab and artistic Angela Walters (Quilting Is My Therapy).  I was able to meet up with Angela last Summer when I was visiting Jacquie.  The quilting is dense and amazing.  I only wish I would have made the quilt larger.

From the back the quilting really shines.

The flannel back really showcases it nicely.  I’m glad I only put a few spare hsts on the back.

I chose this print for the binding and never auditioned or doubted it.

My friend Chara did some headshots for the book and we thought it would be fun for some photos even though it didn’t make the final run.


(photo by Chara Michele Photography)

It’s perfect, in every way.  And best of all, It’s mine all mine!

::Good-Bye Junuary::

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First day of Summer and the sun has finally made an appearance in Seattle.

I did make it outside to work in the yard a bit and opened up the doors to mop so I could baste my appropriately named Dreamin’ of Summer Quilt.  Although it is made of flannel so maybe I should stick the word Seattle in its name somehow.

The blocks are left overs as I am trying hard to stick it out on finishing up dropped projects around here.  I think I’m done though, my brain is bubbling with too many new ideas.

Effervescent bubbles were suggested as quilting and I think I might start bigger at the bottom and go smaller as they raise and blow away.  That’s theory though, so don’t quote me.

Seeing as last day of school is today, sewing will take a back seat and slow down.

I loaded up the classes however, cause a girl has got to get out.

Hope you’re all getting some sewing time too.

 

::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.

::Viewing It Differently::

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Do you ever make a quilt that you just love, but it sits waiting for the perfect person to come along and as it ages you start to not like it as much as you previously did?

I resisted the urge to create another quilt for my friend Laura’s baby.  I originally posted the Butter Block quilt earlier in the year.  It was the first ‘on point’ quilt I’d ever created.  I love the colors.  I love the print fabrics, and I of course especially love that it contains flannel (borderline problem).

Now that it is mailed I am appreciating it more and more.

I have just a bit left of some of these favorite fabrics.  Sometimes it’s hard to use the ones you just adore.

I’m so pleased it has a happy home.

 

::Reinvent, Recreate::

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Have you ever made something that you just LOVE, but you gave it away?

I’ve been thinking about this zip pouch I made for Grandma Goobin to carry her Ciggies.  Maybe it’s just the fabrics.  These prints were made to cozy up with linen I swear.

I recently recreated with thrilling results a quilt that I had gifted…but I don’t know if I could pull this one off differently and like it as much.

Right down to its triple stitched strap I want to duplicate it.

Is it me or do you make things improvisationally and wonder…now how in the…am I going to recreate THAT?

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*Half Square Triangle Class

*September Improvisational Workshop/Strip Piecing

*Improvisational String Blocks Workshop

*Value Class

::Add Zip To Your Pillow Class::

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Need something to keep you out of trouble Tuesday night?  How about learning a new skill?

I have some openings in my invisible zipper class at The Quilting Loft.  Come join us from 6-9.

::A Zig and a Zag::

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My family shuffled by me at 6:30 am wrapped in quilts to watch Germany and Argentina play.  We are all piled on the couch, Me=Happy.

Elio’s quilt is done.

My Mom and I tag-teamed this one for a family friend.  Our first collaborative quilt.  How fun.  I did the piecing and sewed on the binding, she quilted it and sewed down the binding while I was in KC.

And the half square triangles are still piled from Roan’s quilt.  I am so happy with both of these that I think a large zig zag is in the future for Roan.

Since I lost all control on E-bay and “won” (insert my husband saying “purchased”) all the Amy Butler flannel dot at an insane price I’ve used it here again for binding.

Storybook was another E-bay auction score that I used for the back.  Added some flannel space people to widen it.  My Mom did a stitch in the ditch zig zag that shows nicely from the  back.

Hope you like it little Elio!