half square triangle quilting block

Half-Square-Triangle LOVE pillows

December 15, 2016 By Katie

Well the half-square-triangle left-overs from the patchwork box pouches I made a few weeks ago just kept getting moved around the studio, so I decided to take them with me to my monthly Seattle Quiltie Beeings get together so that I could get some pillow tops together for my step outs in December’s invisible zipper workshops.

Years ago they started out in this lovely layout (other color ways here). Sometimes random is the right answer to getting something done. So into a bag they went and I started drawing them out and piecing them into pairs as I did when I made the first HST LOVE quilt.

Finished off with invisible zippers. Tutorial for invisible zippers here.

I just love the mix of colors and textures. To finish it didn’t need anything beyond a grid of straight line quilting. I had a problem with skipped stitches that was so frustrating and something I haven’t dealt with before. I tried everything to eliminate the issue, but it remained unresolved. Considering the use these would get on the couch I spent a lot of time with my seam ripper.

There is no lack of soft couch lounging happening lately, so the addition is welcomed.

I’m doing my usual end of the year round up and can’t wrap my brain around how many unfinished projects are laying around here, so I’ve decided to dedicate making them all into some small projects for refining new skills. I’m sure there will be some quilts too.

I think I’ll say that this is the last post of the 2016 year:) Our family has a daily practice communicating what we are thankful for and of course this time of year it takes on even more meaning.

The other night I was beyond grateful to have a pile of warm quilts to stack on top of my family when our heating oil ran out. Considering some of the extremely disturbing humanitarian issues our world is facing I feel so lucky to live a life where heat is a a pile of quilts and a phone call away.

The privilege of being able to teach and share a utilitarian skill that involves artistic creation is honestly something I truly treasure.

Thanks for sharing that journey with me this year Peeps.

I wish you all peace, kindness, love AND craftiness in the new year.

Double-Trouble Restitch Quilt

October 4, 2016 By Katie

So I kind of reincarnated this quilt. It really is the original Scrappalicious Double-Trouble quilt I finished up in 2013. I provided a blog post around the same time featuring only a few of the wonderful design layouts you can create with this improvisational quilt block. I am always amazed when I look around at the design walls in this workshop and see the amazing designs people create with such a simple block.

To remake this quilt I took out all the quilting, removed three seams, switched around some rows, and sewed it back together. I know, a little crazy. Some things take more then one try to deliver favorable results. It’s a little wonky around the edges and one row too long, but better in my opinion.

It just kept telling me it needed simple straight lines, but I guess almost all my quilts do now a days.

The thing about quilting or practicing any art is sometimes the finish is so satisfying, and sometimes…well, it’s just kind of ‘meh.’ But all these finishes lead to the next great idea. Besides discovering that I should never remove quilting ever ever ever again, I learned a couple of new things. One, I don’t think the imprint from the long arm quilting will ever really dissipate, and two, any quilting that has sharp points to it creates really tiny stitches at the turn that are strong and difficult to remove, even with my Quick Seam Ripper.

What I do know is that I still love myself a scrap quilt. Every little bitty one;) You can see more of this block if you want, I’ve collected some of those images here.

Happy week Peeps!

Blueberry Stains and All Quilt

March 23, 2015 By Katie

(Thanks Bell and Allison for holding my quilt and attending my workshop;)

In a world where it seems everything has to be labelled ‘Modern’ or ‘Layered Preppie Bohemian’ (I actually read that this morning;), I bring you an ‘As Traditional As It Gets’ quilt.

It is one of the first quilts I ever made.

It’s prints are collected fat quarters, fabric from clothing I made Roan, or cut from my mom’s endless supply of receiving blankets. All just seemed silly to tuck away in a box for years.

But finished it had issues, the crappy sewing machine with no pressure foot tension type of issues. The quilting was tucked and awful.

Then two people in two days told me about The Quick Ripper and within minutes of having it in my hands those nasty stitches and tucks were buzz cut and eliminated, leaving me with a clean palette.

After over thinking how I should quilt it on my home machine for a couple years I came back to my senses and made a long arm date with Sandie.

This type of simple quilt is really perfectly suited for an all over quilting pattern. I’m sorry to those of you that were curious about the pattern’s name, anyone know?

It worked wonderfully.

I backed it with some older Amy Butler flannel and an out of print Alexander Henry that reminds me of Speed Racer.

Before requilting I had to enlarge the back. Had we tried we couldn’t have gotten the seam from the added piecing onto the edge, but of course we did. This made it extra fun to apply the binding to one side.

Roan chose the red Kai dot, which might be one I need to replace in the stash.

I was able to sit right in front on the ferry on my way from Victoria and sew it down.

I really enjoyed pulling this one from the dryer. It’s so crinkled and lovely. It also made me appreciate where my art has gone and where it started. I still embrace that diagonal line that a half square triangle has.

So there it is, blueberry stains already there and all. Roan’s particularly attached to the quilt his Great Grandmother Evelyn made, so this one might end up on the couch.

That’s 5 quilt tops from my pile done! Only a few more to go.

Happy Week Peeps!

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Full! ~~One spot left in Stripped Improv Workshop Tuesday night.~~

Full! ~~and two in Thursday afternoon’s Medallioned Magic Numbers Social. We’ll start our first technique that makes all sorts of angular shapes.~~

Sunday is Open Quilting Studio at Island Quilter. This will be our last one until Island Quilter is in their new space.

::Working the Pile/2::

February 23, 2015 By Katie

Happy Monday Peeps and greetings from Palm Springs:)

It so turns out that I managed with some help to have a finished quilt to show you along with my obligatory palm tree photo. I’m happy I did because I haven’t been able to talk quilt all week with anyone;)

I can’t even tell you when I made it. I guess it’s what you would call an ‘Oldie but Goodie’ in the UFO pile.

It’s been folded, refolded and moved.

It must have come about around the time I made HST LOVE and Pantone Pop. Both very traditional quilts in block style, but I had fun mixing up the fabrics, picking the color way and giving them some random placement. It all breaths some fresh air into those simple half-square triangle blocks that you can do so much with.

I’ve got a huge bucket list of ideas built off knowing this block and how you can twist it or add to it.

Well anyway, babies need quilts and this quilt needed a baby.

It also needed a star center, because of course I wasn’t thrilled with what I originally picked AFTER I had sewn the whole thing together. With my friend Sandie’s help we decided to fill it in with a corduroy print.

Sandie quilted it up with the maze pattern and finished it with this lovely binding. The binding and the star points in the Alexander Henry Heath add some texture without too much print distraction.

I never alone would have thought to go with the maze she picked and we both were so happy with how it turned out. Collaborating on quilts for babies is so fun.

The color way was inspired by my suitcase.

The back turned out amazing. I’m still up for my challenge to myself of using fabric from my stash and left overs from the front.

It’s made up almost entirely of a fine wale corduroy and a few left over half square triangles. I’ve now made four backs with this goal and have loved them all.

Quilt is now with happy baby. So fun to gift.

The pile of finished quilt tops is getting smaller! I believe I have three complete quilt tops left to quilt and certainly a lot in pieces;)

Have a fun week.

Starry Owl Quilt

February 23, 2015 By Katie

Happy Monday Peeps and greetings from Palm Springs:)

I can’t even tell you when I made it. I guess it’s what you would call an ‘Oldie but Goodie’ in the UFO pile.

It’s been folded, refolded and moved.

I’ve got a huge bucket list of ideas built off knowing this block and how you can twist it or add to it.

Well anyway, babies need quilts and this quilt needed a baby.

Sandie quilted it up with the maze pattern and finished it with this lovely binding. The binding and the star points in the Alexander Henry Heath add some texture without too much print distraction.

I never alone would have thought to go with the maze she picked and we both were so happy with how it turned out. Collaborating on quilts for babies is so fun.

The color way was inspired by my suitcase.

The back turned out amazing. I’m still up for my challenge to myself of using fabric from my stash and left overs from the front.

It’s made up almost entirely of a fine wale corduroy and a few left over half square triangles. I’ve now made four backs with this goal and have loved them all.

Quilt is now with happy baby. So fun to gift.

The pile of finished quilt tops is getting smaller! I believe I have three complete quilt tops left to quilt and certainly a lot in pieces;)

Have a fun week.

::Double-Trouble Take Two::

January 26, 2015 By Katie

As I’m making one quilt I generally have block cast-offs and another design lay out evolves. That’s just what happened with the leftovers from the Scrappalicous Double-Trouble Quilt I made a while back.

What I call the Double-Trouble block is a half-square-triangle with an improv Stitch and Flip triangle on one side. Merging the two triangle techniques creates a block that is both controlled and chaotic. The Swirling Medallion quilt we made in Quilting Modern has the directions for the Stitch and Flips and my tutorial for hst is combined with my value quilt tutorial.

This time around I thought I’d try out the squares by turning what I had on point and giving them some space to breath. I love the scrappy controlled sets.

I tried my best to create the whole quilt, even the background with scraps. There’s a mix of flannel, muslin, and other neutrals that I used for landing the improv triangles. Anything goes for the triangles, voile, flannel, home decor and corduroy are all present.

I failed on using left overs for the binding. This small scale print from Alexander Henry’s Farmdale line was perfect.

I could have adjusted my neutral squares in some places with a larger size, but keeping everything to 3 1/2″ squares created more texture and depth.

The backing is another old Alexander Henry. Shocking I know.

One of my goals this year is to have my backings consume cast offs from the front and fabric from stash. This challenge so far has led to creating some backs that I’m rather smitten with. Unfortunately I don’t have a current full shot to show you what I’m talking about.

The quilt hangs at Island Quilter on Vashon Island for the month of January with other lovelies made by my peeps in the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild. Go take a ferry trip!

Happy Monday Peeps!

:: Double-Trouble Take Two Quilt ::

January 26, 2015 By Katie

This time around I thought I’d try out the squares by turning what I had on point and giving them some space to breath. I love the scrappy controlled sets.

I failed on using left overs for the binding. This small scale print from Alexander Henry’s Farmdale line was perfect.

I could have adjusted my neutral squares in some places with a larger size, but keeping everything to 3 1/2″ squares created more texture and depth.

The backing is another old Alexander Henry. Shocking I know.

The quilt hangs at Island Quilter on Vashon Island for the month of January with other lovelies made by my peeps in the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild. Go take a ferry trip!

Happy Monday Peeps!

::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.

::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.

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble Quilt::

June 5, 2013 By Katie

Thanks to Sandie the Double-Trouble quilt is quilted and hopefully bound with Kei Dots (also Sandie’s suggestion) by the time I hit the Gig Harbor Guild tomorrow for a lecture on Quilting Modern.

You know I’ve got a thing for triangles right?

The double-trouble block originated from a quilt we designed for Quilting Modern called Swirling Medallion.

This quilt went through some morphs before ending here with the triple diamonds. Here’s just examples of what you can do with this block.

Chevrons or zig-zags.

Multiple diamonds.

Blocks on point.

Alternating side blocks,

and my favorite, the big radiating diamond medallion.

I have a bunch of leftovers that I’m hoping will make it into something soon.

Looking at these photos makes me so happy to have a large grey design wall now.

Happy Tuesday!

::Value In, Value Out::

March 27, 2013 By Katie

Funny how my design wall has enlarged, yet I still need more room. My plan is to create four squares on-point for this quilt to take it to my Seeing Value Workshop on Tuesday as a new sample.

This quilt is a long overdue thank you gift.

I’m holding a lot of medium value fabrics in my stash which leads to a blended look. While I like the low contrast I still need to move some stuff around to make the corners of the squares a little more defined. Rectangular would be fun too, maybe just three long ones.

Value Tutorial is here and more examples if you can do without the drive.

Off to Open Quilting Studio for the day! Happy Wednesday.

::Scattered::

February 11, 2013 By Katie

Thanks for all the quilt names! We did some rearranging yesterday and I lost a major storage spot. The spot held a large tote full to the brim with unfinished projects. As I was trying to reorganize I finally came up with the quilt’s name, Scattered.

The name seems to fit where I am with projects too.

This loss of space created a fire under my ass to reorganize further and work through those projects. I’ve had a few small projects on my sewing table that were becoming clutter, beautiful clutter, but still clutter. So I made a list and am striking some off instantly. Clutter keeps me at a stand-still and I’m re-energize for sure upon checking off a few.

These small projects are created from fabrics that I’ve picked up locally.

This fabulous Anna Maria Horner velveteen that I got at The West Seattle Fabric Company is finally an infinity scarf. I’ve been matching the voiles with flannel or velveteen to make as gifts and was happy to see some of this type of fabric available in town.

I could procrastinate no longer on my delivery of my quilt to Quiltcon. This required making a drawstring bag for its containment. My boots will need something to travel in to Austin too and this Alexander Henry zebra print I got from Island Quilter is just so sassy. I want to replenish its supply even though I have no project planned.

Island Quilter had this Alexander Henry fabric in a variety of colors. I wanted to go with the black, but as an ironing board cover I thought it would fade. I totally white-trashed the construction by tracing around the shape plus an inch or so, zig-zagging an inch down to the wrong side and pulling some elastic through the hem. The elastic is pulled taunt and held tight by a toggle. If I could do it with duct tape I would. You just don’t see it so perfection doesn’t matter.

It could use some ironing. This will surely happen.

I’m itchin’ to piece this Star-Bright Star-Light Quilt as a sample before the HST LOVE class on Saturday at Island Quilter and those diamond blocks are killing me. I pulled it down to work on step outs for Jacquie’s and my Quiltcon Demo though. Stick to the list.

Ok, ignoring the list for a second and dreaming of Valentine’s Day I couldn’t help but pile. I’m always collecting fabrics for gift making.

This one from Drygood’s is my favorite this year! I’m back to add this one too.

Here’s to a productive Monday! We’ll see how long I can stick to the list.

————————————————–OPEN QUILTING STUDIOS THIS WEEK—————————————

This Wednesday we have Open Quilting Studio at Make*Do*Mend in Ballard from 11-3pm and at Island Quilter on Saturday from 4-9pm following the HST Love class below. This is a great opportunity to take a class and then stick around to finish the quilt!

::Half-Square Triangle LOVE Class::

$85/Saturday February 16th from 10am to 4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island.

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.

::Improvisational Coin Quilt Workshop::

$85/Tuesdays, February 19th and 26th from 6-9pm at Make*Do*Mend 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/machines and tools provided.

Half-Square-Triangle LOVE pillows

Double-Trouble Restitch Quilt

Blueberry Stains and All Quilt

::Working the Pile/2::

Starry Owl Quilt

::Double-Trouble Take Two::

:: Double-Trouble Take Two Quilt ::

::Favorite Colors to Stash::

::Barn Star Quilt::

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble Quilt::

::Value In, Value Out::

::Scattered::

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half square triangle quilting block

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