patchwork

::Get Your Quilt On::

April 28, 2014 By Katie

I set up my sewing in the living room (photo above) and texted it to Jefe. He responded immediately that he better get going with painting my temporary studio before I sprouted roots for another Livudio. The big window sure was hard to leave behind!

It was a strategic move and now I’m sewing in my own room! I’ll get some pictures up once I get a light or two. It’s so awesome to have all my fabric in the same room and figure out the best storage. Loads of stuff wandered into the basement for now to keep the distracting clutter down. I don’t need any help being distracted.

What I did pull out were tons of unfinished projects. So that’s my current push. Here’s what I’ve got.

Today these double-trouble blocks are coming together as another sample for my Walla Walla workshop this weekend. Though I wanted to start something new the hst blocks were already there and should be used.

Psychedelic Baby just needs some sashing to enlarge, I’ve already envisioned the quilting.

Somewhat Circular needs a few more rows sewn and its end triangles added. The quilting will need some thought.

Embarrassed to admit how long this has sat.

Another sample for my Magic Number Class just needs some quilting.

I’m not sure on the layout or quilting for this simple snowballed star, but I love the colors. So happy.

I must be seeing stars, here’s another unfinished that was to be in The Seattle Modern Quilt Guild’s Binary Quilt Show, obviously it didn’t make it.

Need to make some decisions on finishing this as another sample for my Psychedelic Baby Block class.

I’m thinking of more unfinished projects even as I write this that I didn’t picture and I have one more box left in the studio that I wrote ‘studio/projects’ on. I decided not to open it;)

Anyone out there rivalling me on unfinished projects?

Ready, set, go!

::Practice Practice Practice::

March 19, 2014 By Katie

There’s no way around it, practice is the best teacher for free motion quilting. I’m sure none of you have an unfinished quilt top (or two) laying around!?

Drygoods Design has the perfect environment to pick up this skill in their Make*Do*Mend studio with quality Berninas. This is a two-session open studio (or one if that works) Tuesday, March 25th and April 6th from 6:15 to 9:15.

If you enjoy a laid back, social environment to learn something new at your own pace then this is the perfect set-up for you. I’ll help guide you on your way to a divine loop or geometric quilting design you’ve been envisioning on your projects.

A little inspiration perhaps?

1. Boxy Free-Motion Quilting, 2. Boro Blues # 2 – Detail, 3. Cross quilt, 4. So far so good- store bought double fold bias tape binding, 5. Bubble Path – Day 165, 6. Soft Splinters Quilt run off binding, 7. awesomeness WIP, 8. Greek Key – Day 51, 9. Martinas Puzzle Box Quilt Along, 10.Pillow, 11. Pointy Paisley #33, 12. Mod Log Table Runner 1, 13. Yay! Finished quilting it! Now to pick out a binding!, 14. Free-motion quilting fabric bucket samples done. #drygoods @drygoodsdesign @afewscraps, 15. FMQ pebbles and swirls, 16. Sunny Days 2

All supplies available at Drygoods Design and class registrants enjoy 15% off class purchases.

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Some other class goodies coming up including an Improvisational Elongated Triangle pillow workshop here!

::Starting with the Basics::

February 15, 2014 By Katie

Years ago I stumbled across Denyse Schmidt’s first book and immediately made precise cardboard templates to duplicate her patterns like my mom taught me. It only took the piecing of a single block to realize I could have accomplished the task in a few moments (not to mention all those templates), but it was truly a launching pad into improvisational quilting for me and I’m sure I’m not alone.

The thing is, I was all ambitious with my cutting and had a second quilt cut out before I even started the piecing the first. I’m efficient (or not) like that;) That first quilt was gifted. My lack of knowledge in regards to quilting density means it is likely falling apart, but as long as it was loved and used I don’t care.

I finally finished that second quilt! It now lives with my brother and sister-in-law in South Lake Tahoe and no, of course I never got a photo of the full quilt.

There’s a fabric mix party going on here to add some additional blocks to this king size mamma jamma. Mostly we have Carolina Chambrays (which Robert Kaufman came out with again), but there are also some other textural solids added. The clouds are an old Kaffe Fasset.

I brought all the blocks to size with Essex linen. The drape of this quilt is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Sandie helped me with the quilting on her long arm. Sorry, but I am NOT quilting a king size on my home machine (not even straight lines), I don’t know where I would even baste it without starting to call it bad names or needing my weight in beer. If you are one of those ambitious people, I bow down to you.

Flannel, I love you so. You are my go-to backing when I look for a quilt to pull up over me. This Anna Maria Horner flannel paired with the Essex on the front make a happy pair.

Blue it is for the binding, because it is what I had.

Ok, sorry, that’s a lot of photos for not even having a full shot of the bloody quilt. I swear, I’m working on my blogging goal, but not making it. Consider yourself lucky, you have more time to get things done the less time you spend with me.

I’m hoping next week to have some (exciting to me) news to share. No, I’m not writing another book, and no, not pregnant;)

Happy week peeps!

::Magic Number Workshop::

November 13, 2013 By Katie

I love the ease that these Magic Number blocks come together.

I’m thinking of going with the lilac color to bring the quilt to size. What do you think? I actually have it in my stash which is just amazing in itself.

Looks like I should have another sample done today for Sunday’s Magic Number Workshop.

::Mod TV Remake::

October 28, 2013 By Katie

I had thought I shot myself in the foot when I originally scheduled a Log Cabin Block class.

Regardless of all the variations we put in the Log Cabin Makeover chapter in Quilting Modern, it just seemed impossible as I was putting together my handouts to make a log cabin workshop fun. How after instructing the simple construction of the logs was I going to keep my students and myself inspired for 6 hours?

Sometimes things just exceed your expectations and students guide the class with their creativity and charisma. I’ve begun distributing inspiration prior to classes to get those a little tentative about a new technique thinking. I covered the basics, showed a million log cabin examples from my own collection and then we started with a fun warm up activity to get the juices flowing that everyone said they very much enjoyed.

Plus, who says a log cabin has to be just a log cabin? These blocks are really an opportunity to combine techniques and play with fabrics we love. Strip piecing, crazy piecing, double gauze addition? Anything goes really. Simple or detailed, they are only limited by imagination.

What was missing from my samples was a minimalist log cabin sample. Mod TV is the perfect beginner quilt for jumping into improvisational modern quilt design. I pieced this together in an afternoon, great for a class, but everyone can come up with their own thing.

A dose of leftovers made it into the back and this incredible Sketch flannel frames them in.

Krista held my hand while I used her long-arm to create the ‘static’ quilting, but this could easily be executed on a domestic machine.

I’m pretty excited to be running the Log Cabin Quilt workshop again at The Quilting Loft on Saturday, November 9th if you weren’t able to get into the last class. Should be a day of fun! Here’s some more log cabin inspiration.

::Double-Trouble Workshop::

September 20, 2013 By Katie

TGIF! What a whirl-wind week! A few guild lectures, a few workshops and snap, it’s gone!

Fit a game in too last Friday. The boys always go and Sandie and I were planning a night of sewing and drinking beer when Jefe surprised us with suite tickets. Hard to say no to that.

I think I quite possibly took my last sunshine run this afternoon. The forecast is crummy for the next four days, so I do believe it is time to think about a new project, hint hint. There’s still space in my Double-Trouble Workshop Sunday at Drygoods.

Last time I taught this workshop the designs were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Go scrappy,

or go bold with solids. I’ll be bringing in the scrap bins for playful fun (because I know you’re almost out of scraps;).

I’m a little thrilled that the weather is changing. I love staying at home on a Saturday to sew.

I did manage last Friday before the game to get some sashing onto my crazy pieced flying geese and they’ve been waiting patiently all week. My game plan is to finish them tomorrow into some sort of quilt top. As usual, I kind of have a plan.

Is sewing or a workshop in your weekend plans too?

::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.

::Mod TV Quilt Top::

August 25, 2013 By Katie

I have a million projects in some stage of process so it seemed like a perfect time to start something new.

It all came about due to this reversible double gauze I bought at Drygoods. My plan was some hand-stitchin’ on it while on our Tahoe trip.

It didn’t even make it to the hoop. This is how far I made it on the piece of Osnaburgh that was already there.

I wanted to put both the Osnaburgh and the double-gauze to work, so I started by digging through Quilting Modern to find the perfect quilt to remake. I decided on Mod TV since I have some Log Cabin Workshops coming up. Then it was onto the color combo. My fabric stack was inspired somewhat by this quilt.

I even like it from the back.

Of course I had zero fabric for the back in my stash that went, so I again made a trip to Drygoods and picked up this lovely flannel Timeless Treasures crosshatch. With a little added piecing it will be done and ready to quilt with the same design as the book’s version.

If you are looking for a quick quilt top this pattern is the one to go for. I cut all my centers, placed them up on my design wall and essentially went by the photo in the book.

Happy Sunday sewing!

::The Livudio::

August 14, 2013 By Katie

I love touring studios, so when Jennifer of Ellison Lane and Heather of the Sewing Loft asked me to join their studio spotlight tour I jumped in. You can follow along too for prizes and other studio spotlights.

I think my fascination with others spaces started when I was little. Driving around town I would daydream that I could go into people’s houses, nose around AND then leave with just one item. Now it would probably be your finest fabric, but then it was some cool lamp, plate or piece of furniture. I liked decorating I guess.

‘Livudio’ is my family’s portmanteau for our living room/studio shared space. Ever watch, Cribs? Where that NBA player that might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, nor decorating genius says, “This is where the magic happens.” The Livudio is that creative place (not in that NBA magic way) and though small I’d take it over that NBA player’s tacky house. Inspiration happens here and on ocassion a game of softie soccer.

Good things can happen in small spaces.

I work in an efficient U-shape. Sewing machine in the middle, a swivel to the left is cutting and to the right ironing.

My design wall is my most important tool and has gone through several reincarnations. You can read about building your own like it in this post.

Since I have a deep appreciation for traditional design and a crush on modern there are generally a few designs happening.

Honestly, though this wall is permanent, it is not an eyesore, but more like a revolving art piece.

But before I had something permanent I needed walls I could roll up and take down. You can read about that system here if it is more fitting for your space, especially if you like to have multiple projects brewing…never right?

I store what’s rotating on the design wall here along with my sit and sew kit.

Our small home keeps us from buying unneeded things, though I can’t say that about fabric.

My stash has to live in closets in other rooms, but this is good because it keeps me from just staring at it and getting nothing done. I’m good at wasting my time without adding that in. I guess I could say that I can stare at it from bed if I want and my overactive brain helps me get up.

(photo by Chara Michele Photography)

Smaller cuts on one side and yardage on this side.

I like to stack fabric under the window until I remember I shouldn’t start another project, so I put it away and then immediately start another pile. It hides the crack in the wall too, maybe I should just patchwork that wall.

I use my stash for sure. I love finding places for the fabric people are afraid to cut into. It’s so much more fun to see it around the house. I make pillows constantly.

I use my invisible zipper pillow tutorial. It’s simple, quick and uses fabric, all good things. These with the red make the red wine stain on the couch look more like a reflection of their color.

My other tutorial is a Value Quilt tutorial. This is a great quilt for using ANYTHING in your stash.

In this wee space I cowrote Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts with Jacquie Gering and I plan and create for teaching quilting workshops so if you think it’s space that’s stopping you, then I think I hear your momma calling.

Here are my Flickr, Pinterest and Instagram, or you can have posts delivered to your email by following that little link in the sidebar up there if you want to follow along.

Thanks for stopping by! Studio continues with links on Jennifer and Heather blogs.

Thanks Heather and Jennifer!

::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.

::A Few Class Updates::

July 16, 2013 By Katie

A few updates for my local peeps. I’ve been in full swing summer and haven’t done as much marketing as I should.

Open Studio at Drygoods is TONIGHT (Tuesday), not Wednesday this month.

The class this Thursday at The Quilting Loft is Supernova or the stitch and flip triangle technique. I’ve actually been itching to get back to some blocks I produced before we settled on the large block version of Supernova for the book. This mock-up so far has small Supernovas and will be a repetitive block version of the quilt.

Due to a quilt finish what’s left of my Heather Ross Mendocino fabric is limited to two bags of scraps. I’ve moved on from hoarding to enjoying fabrics in quilts! I’ll of course add some other goodies, but the stitch and flip triangle is a fabulous technique for using up the most beloved scraps.

I’m also aiming to trim a huge pile of valued half square triangles for a Saturday Value Quilt Class at the Quilting Loft for students to play with.

Looking to refine some skills or become a quilter, than you can jump in with my Barn Star quilt class at Drygoods. I love this simple quilt and it can easily be translated to improv or repetitive blocks.

We’re also running one of my favorite classes on the 28th at Drygoods, Modern Crazy Piecing. This technique is super fun and can be added into all sorts of projects.

Ok, off to the lake!

::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!

« Previous Page

::Get Your Quilt On::

::Practice Practice Practice::

::Starting with the Basics::

::Magic Number Workshop::

::Mod TV Remake::

::Double-Trouble Workshop::

::Benefits of Procrastination::

::Mod TV Quilt Top::

::The Livudio::

::Scrappalicious Double-Trouble::

::A Few Class Updates::

::Modern Crazy Piecing::

Connect with Katie

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