sewing

::Berry Patch Quilt Top::

November 24, 2013 By Katie

I taught the Magic Number Quilt last weekend and wanted to create a sample that had blocks with defined edges. I wished later I would have gone rectangular with the blocks, but another time. This is a perfect square baby quilt.

So welcome Berry Patch.

I now have a scrappy version (Scrappy Sunshine)

and a floating block (Smitten Kitten) example which I use to talk about adding rectangles to the equation.

I’m not quite sure how I’m going to quilt it, but I did play with the FMQing kissing flowers in Christina’s book First Steps to Free-Motion Quilting this week.

I’m a little obsessed with this Heather Ross Briar Patch line. So I picked up another yard of each of the berries from Quilt Sandwich. I noticed the others of the line are easier to come by but the berries were disappearing.

I’ve seen a lot of projects I just love with this line including Rita’s oven mitt and potholder and Anna’s pillows. It seems to translate well to a variety of projects for sure.

I’m still trying to make some time to work on my Sparkle Punch in between my Seattle MQG binary quilt which might not be done in time for the exhibit at Island Quilter in January. It would be fun to have another example of how to use stitch and flip triangles for my upcoming class. In my unfocused way I started dreaming of a Sparkle Punch Christmas quilt, those prints are a little more difficult to translate into projects.

What gifts are you crafting this year?

Happy Sunday!

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Upcoming Classes: Let’s make gifts!

Fabric Bucket Workshop

Zip Pouch

Oven mitts and stockings

Stitch and Flip Triangles

::FMQ Workshops::

November 6, 2013 By Katie

Have you made the plunge into Free-Motion Quilting yet? I was years into quilting before I did. Once you do you’ll wonder why you waited. Though I love the look of straight lines there is something very meditative about finding your ‘zone’ and making all these fun shapes.

(photo by my friend Allison Parrott Thompson)

I think for most of us it’s etching out the time to learn something new. For some it might be an equipment and/or space barrier, or maybe the desire for a little hand holding.

The classes I’ve taken myself on FMQ were very fun, but prescribed. I found they provided a nice launch pad for learning the basics, but lacked the practice time needed to explore my own spin-offs of the shapes I was most drawn to.

There’s no denying it, practice really is the best teacher when it comes to free-motion quilting.

Hmmmm, so how do you combine all these needs?

How about an Open Free-Motion Quilting Studio or a Free-Motion Quilted Nested Basket Workshop on quality Bernina machines at Drygoods Design to give you wings? It’s not too early to think about some gifts either.

Get your free-motion on with the studio’s Berninas, risk-free! Wine optional, but it might help!

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::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!

::Collecting Alexander Henry::

August 11, 2013 By Katie

Do you ever buy fabric with nothing in mind?

Just kidding.

Quilt Sandwich makes it hard for me to resist with their stock of Alexander Henry. Even though I need ZERO fabric, they make me feel like I’m running out.

I’ve collected a pile of the previous Ghastlies lines and ever since market have been waiting for Ghastlie Holiday to come out.

Pillows have already been made as samples for my invisible zipper class and the sage color will go onto my my holiday couch to replace some Halloween Ghastlies pillows.

Maybe a holiday A-Line skirt?

This jeweled web will be the backside of napkins as soon as I purchase the coordinate with the little costumed kids holding hands in a row.

The detail in Aoi Has Two Sisters is what you expect from Alexander Henry. Each dress is made of a fabulous print itself. Even the flowers feature different prints.

I’ve already made some napkins for a friend and myself.

Napkins and pillows apparently give me a good excuse to buy fabric.

Happy Sunday! Now go sew.

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::Upcoming Classes::

Modern Crazy Piecing in Small Projects

July 26, 2013 By Katie

I’ve a student that takes quite a few of my improv technique and design classes. I was reminded of Christine today when I pulled out some leftover bits of Modern Crazy Piecing and scraps to play with before my workshop at Drygoods on Sunday.

Christine always creates a small project in classes. A project she says she can finish quickly while grasping the technique and have an excuse to take another class instead of feeling like she has to finish a huge quilt.

I tend to be the polar opposite when it comes to recycling bits and scraps into another project. I go BIG and end up with more scraps than I started with when the whole idea was to use them up. So this time I channelled Christine, stayed within my perimeters and made a needed zip case for our family iPad.

Had it been just for me I would have gone girlie with this leftover which is now destine for a Christmas gift hot pad.

Got some favorite scraps from a leftover project? What small projects are your favorite to recycle blocks and bits?

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Of course you can always go large in class if you feel the need!

make*do*mend: Modern Crazy Piecing Class with Katie Pedersen,

Sunday July 28 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Step into the present with this modern version of crazy piecing from the Going Crazy Chapter in Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts. The free-flowing take on this technique will leave you inspired to find a place for crazy-piecing in every project! Once you’ve mastered the technique, we’ll focus on finding a place for those crazy pieced sections in your quilt. Katie will share multiple projects to spark your creativity and set you on the path to your own crazy-pieced design.

Experience Level: All levels welcome (some familiarity with machine sewing is highly encouraged)

Materials Needed: fabric supply list sent upon registration, however you bring your fabric and that’s about it – we have the machines, tools and space for you to use!

Dates: Sunday, June 23rd 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Log Cabining Out with Improvisational Patchwork Pillows

July 20, 2013 By Katie

It’s a verb you know? Or at least it will be in my modern log cabin pillow class at Drygoods. I managed to make two and stick to the perimeters of the 20×20 square I taped out on my design wall. I always want to do more or go large. My hope is after the class students will feel the same.

Weird as it is, I started my colors for this project from a zipper pull. My go to neutral, Alexander Henry Heath and Michael Miller Cotton Couture grays were a natural match to that candy green.

I started with what I’ll call the Quarter Turn Pillow. Looks complicated, but it is just four blocks placed together. Jacquie’s matchstick quilting almost killed me. It took me all day, I can’t imagine doing it on a quilt, but its outcome was stellar. Then when all was said and done I wished I had done the same matchstick quilting on the other pillow too.

Tunnel Vision is a log cabin block from our book Quilting Modern. I have one more I wanna make of course to add to this set (something about the number three). Log cabins have endless possibilities and with everyone in class doing their own improv thing there will be lots of examples.

Both got an invisible zipper done my way. I love a perfect pillow.

Though Jefe would like these to stay on our couch he’s getting Alexander Henry Anime Ninja girls instead.

::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!

::Hexying::

June 1, 2013 By Katie

Officially a verb.

Only one more row to sew by machine.

Inspired by this fantastic load of laundry that is actually fun to fold.

This sample will be hanging soon for the machine quilting hexagon workshop in July.

::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.

::Shattered Again::

February 7, 2013 By Katie

Pulling sample fabrics for my Shattered Quilt Starter Workshop tonight. Wanna join us? There are spots!

(Photo by Rendy Tucker)

I loved playing with the recreation of this quilt in Carolina Chambray and Osnaburg. The texture is fabulous with the velveteen on the back.

But now it’s time to try something new.

I wanna stick with the textured fabric, so I’m going with the Essex Linen, but I have some ideas with all this Echino that I’ve collected over the years.

I won’t have time for this idea anytime soon, but it might jettison to the top of the list a little faster now that I have a fabric stack.

Maybe I will see you tonight.

Tomorrow I’ve got a quilt top to show you!

::I See Stars In My Future::

February 3, 2013 By Katie

I’m sure it isn’t an original idea with this fabric.

Or maybe I see Supernovas. OH YES PLEASE!

I picked the Lizzy House Constellations up from Drygoods after my class yesterday.

Since halftime will likely be full of wardrobe malfunctions, go on and skip it to do some sale shopping. Drygoods is having a 25% off sale fabrics, some hidden 40% off items and a chance to WIN a FQ set of this line!

Details here.

If you’ve been putting off a class, sign up in store and receive 15% off. Hint Hint.

I’m pretty psyched to watch football and sew. Already got one quilt top done this morning that I’ll get some photos of when the weather perks up.

Happy Superbowl. My family will be sad that the season is over.

::Center Zip Pouch Class::

October 23, 2011 By Katie

What 7 year old boy doesn’t need a place for his Pokemon cards?

And what girl doesn’t need some new fabric?

So I merged these two ‘needs’ so that I could reacquaint myself with teaching the centered zip pouch which will take place this Thursday.

I love teaching pouch classes, they are always full of fun people that walk away happy with a finished pouch or two and a skill within three hours.

And guess what’s just around the corner that requires gifts? I won’t tell you how many days you’ve got.

::Centered Zip Pouch:: $45 Thursday October 27th from 6-9pm at the Quilting Loft in Ballard.

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

« Previous Page

::Berry Patch Quilt Top::

::FMQ Workshops::

::The Livudio::

::Collecting Alexander Henry::

Modern Crazy Piecing in Small Projects

Log Cabining Out with Improvisational Patchwork Pillows

::A Few Class Updates::

::Hexying::

::Scattered::

::Shattered Again::

::I See Stars In My Future::

::Center Zip Pouch Class::

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