SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

value quilt

Hearts

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sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

All the Christmas stuff is down in the basement still waiting to be put away, but the upstairs is rocking its Valentine.  I’m sure Jefe is fully enjoying the amount of quilted heart patchwork in the house right now;)

I thought it would be fun to post a few photos of this shape that might have recently surpassed the amount of stars I’ve made.  Above is a stash busting quilt made with my Value Quilt tutorial, which is the studio’s featured February workshop.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Splintered Hearts

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Splintered Hearts

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Have a Heart Quilt

These Splintered Hearts pillows were left overs from making my Have a Heart Quilt.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio | Have a Heart Quilt

If you make enough pillows they all start working together;)

My Improv Crazy Piecing workshop called Crushed It has become one of my favorite to teach.  You can make different shapes of course but I love the look in the heart shape.  I’ve got a Saturday workshop this month going on with this fun block.

My love of Crazy Piecing started with a bunch of  leftovers that became this quilt.  Someday I’ll get a good photo of it.  The background is amazing.

I’m sure I’m forgetting some finished projects with this shape and I’ll spare you knowing the ‘in process’ amount.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting & Sewing Studio

When I can manage to steal some time alone in the studio I’ve been getting some new workshops together.  You’ll find a little improv mixed with foundation piecing and the precision traditional curve piecing gives you in Round and Round.

Have a good Valentines Peeps.  May your heart be happy.  xo

Hearts Value Quilt

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Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio | Heart Value Quilt

I took my finished Heart Value quilt along on retreat.  I like to have a quilt with me as a little reminder of home and knew I would have some helpers for photos.  I think it was the only time I ventured outside and away from my sewing machine.

Sew Katie Did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio

This is definitely the largest quilt I’ve ever quilted on the studio’s Berninas.  It’s a little shy in width to a King.  One of my Facebook readers asked when quilting if I go north to south, and then turn to go south to north?  This quilt was too large to continually turn, so I just worked my way out from the middle.  I started with a vertical quilting line ½” from the seams and then went back to fill in.  It was the first time I’ve used the stitch in the ditch foot that came with my Bernina’s walking foot to tack down the seams.  It turned out perfectly.

Oh, all that lovely color.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio | Heart Value Quilt

I combed through my stash to find just the right fabrics for each heart.  Again a perfect sample of archiving all your lovely fabrics in one quilt.  No matchy-matchy required.

I lack in low volumes except for an insane amount of light pink.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio | Heart Value Quilt

More from the stash for back.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio | Heart Value Quilt

I have to say I’ve pulled quite a number of fabrics lately from stash that I bought specifically for backs and upon trying to square them up I believe who ever is operating the printing or checking the quality is not doing their job.  The motifs are printed so off grain that they look horrible as huge cuts and can’t be used.  I finally moved from my original prints and patched together a bunch of mostly flannel in a simple back.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio

I think I mentioned in a past post that I purchased a fabric favorite for the binding once I saw that it was reprinted.  It’s a Sevenberry and ties in the colors of the back perfectly.

I try to get photos of quilts before I wash them and now that that’s done I threw it into the wash.  I was super impressed with how supple it was when I pulled it out.  It has an amazing drape.

sew katie did | Seattle Modern Quilting Studio | Heart Value Quilt

It’s perfect timing.  The morning fog has cleared and sunny skies are expected for Seattle by mid-day.  It appears the season is turning just in time for the first day of summer making it time to pull the duvet and sleep with just a quilt.

This is just another example of how to use value in your quilts.  You can follow the simple instructions in my value quilt tutorial to make your own.

Happy Week Peeps!

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sew katie did seattle quilting and sewing studio

P.S. I’ve added evening and weekend Open Studios to the schedule;) One can never have too many opportunities to quilt!

Starry Owl Quilt

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Happy Monday Peeps and greetings from Palm Springs:)

palm springs baby;)

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.

SEW KATIE DID:Sleepy Owl Quilt full

It’s been folded, refolded and moved.

SEW KATIE DID/HST LOVE AND PANTONE POP

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Star Detail

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Binding and Quilting detail

 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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Back Full

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt back detail

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.

::Working the Pile/2::

By

Happy Monday Peeps and greetings from Palm Springs:)

palm springs baby;)

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.

SEW KATIE DID:Sleepy Owl Quilt full

It’s been folded, refolded and moved.

SEW KATIE DID/HST LOVE AND PANTONE POP

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Star Detail

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Binding and Quilting detail

 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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt Back Full

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.

Sewkatiedid:Sleepy Owl Quilt back detail

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 Quilt ::

By

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.

Sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Take Two Quilt

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.

sewkatiedid:on-point double-trouble quilt

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.

sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Double Take Back

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.

sewkatiedid:double-trouble take two quilt detail

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

sewkatiedid:double-trouble side

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.

Sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Back

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::

By

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.

Sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Take Two Quilt

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.

sewkatiedid:on-point double-trouble quilt

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.

sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Double Take Back

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.

sewkatiedid:double-trouble take two quilt detail

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

sewkatiedid:double-trouble side

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.

Sewkatiedid:Double-Trouble Back

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!

Halloween Take 10

By

I love everything about Halloween.

I love the memories of Roan’s costumes over the years, the bands of kids, the season it lands in, the decorations, watching Roan separate his bounty when he gets home and of course my own childhood memories.

Yoda

The first year Roan and I ever went trick-or-treating he asked me if candy was good for you?  I thought about it and replied back that I thought it might be good for the soul.

He’s definitely his mother’s child when it comes to having a sweet tooth.  I’ve been know to pillage his loot for a Jolly Rancher and I’m pretty sure I bought a roll of Sprees at a gas station last week that might have been ten years old.  They’re hard to come by you know;)

This will be our first Halloween in the house.  Our urban life was good to us with our neighborhood shops offering treats and our friends allowing us to tag along, but THIS Halloween in our own hood is going to be the Halloween to remember.

 Until next year at least;)

2948510716_29544d2b29_z

And of course its an excuse to make stuff right?

sewkatiedid/Halloween bag

Because it’s part of the remembering.

sewkatiedid/napkins

Napkins this year.  Much needed with chili.

sewkatiedid

Hands down, my all time favorite crafted for Halloween item is Roan’s trick or treat bag that I made using the quilt as you go method.  We just fold his old one into it for extra storage.

It just came together perfect and I have such a love for all the scraps involved.

sewkatiedid/quilt as you go trick or treat bag

sewkatiedid/quilt as you go trick or treat bag

Haha, I look at this photo and it makes me want to spend my day making potholders or a pillow!

Happy Happy Halloween Everyone!

::Bainbridge Island Quilt Festival::

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Sewkatiedid/HST LOVE

I want to remind you all that The Bainbridge Quilt Festival is this weekend.  I’m sure the weather will be stellar.

I was digging for a photo of my quilt entries from last year to no avail, but here’s HST LOVE and  Seam Ripper IPA, my entries for this year.  I love both for different reasons.

seam-ripper IPA/sewkatiedid

I had a lot of fun volunteering last year, especially because I like to talk about quilts to who ever will listen.  Everyone’s had a quilt, security blanket or comforter in their lifetime so there’s plenty to talk about.

opposing triangles/sewkatiedid

Two spots are left in my Elongated Triangle Workshop Friday at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.  The classroom space is amazing and it’s walkable from the ferry as is the festival.

Wednesday is my first open quilting studio at Drygoods new location!  I’m pretty excited about the new studio space and seeing some of my peeps. I think I’m going to venture over via the water taxi this time.

Big thanks to everyone that signed up for my Exploring Inside a Block Series,  All workshops filled with the exception of one slot in Double-Trouble, but we’ll run the series again in the winter along with some new blocks:)

::South Sound Modern Quilt Guild Workshop::

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Island Quilter and the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild are hosting me for a Modern Crazy Piecing Workshop on Saturday, March 29th from 10-4pm. The workshop is now open to the public for registration.

crazy piecing::Modern Improvisational Crazy Piecing::

Saturday,  March 29th from 10am-4pm at Island Quilter on Vashon Island

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.

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sewkatiedid

For those of you that have requested a Value Quilt Workshop, Island Quilter is also hosting me next Sunday, March 23rd from 10am-4pm.  This is a great workshop for quilters that struggle with choosing fabrics or have problems busting into their stash to use those favorite prints.

My full workshop schedule for the spring is available here.

I’m off to lecture at the Issaquah Quilt Guild this morning.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

::Sunday::

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Seattle is a very sleepy town on Sundays, but this weekend there’s reasons to get out the door besides that walk/run you’ve been promising yourself to take.

quiltingmodernslantLet me help you, I’m a good planner and capable of Jedi mind tricks.

  • Preregister online for Sunday’s Open Quilting Studio at Drygoods
  • Pack your unfinished project/tools and machine provided
  • Go grab a coffee and shop the Ballard Farmer’s Market
  • Stroll into Drygoods Design around 11 to meet author Rachel May and have snacks
  • Find your seat around noon and start stitchin’

Have you peeked inside Rachel’s book, Quilting with a Modern Slant?

sewkatiedid/value quiltEeeekkkkk!  I sound like a dud compared to the other amazing people in this book, but I’m there!  I sent two quilts.

sewkatiedid/value quiltMy favorite Value Quilt that was quilted by Angela Walters (also in the book).

sewkatiedid/value quiltI use this quilt almost every night on the couch.

sew katie did/krista withersMy Seattle Lone Star Quilt also made it into the bit on stars.  This quilt is really simple.  What really makes it shine in person is the amazing quilting my dear friend Krista Withers did on it.

sew katie did/krista withers quiltingEnough about me, the others in this book have amazing stories and quilts.  I haven’t made it all the way through, but it’s very inspirational.

Hope to see you Sunday!

::Seeing Value Workshop::

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sewkatiedidSunday, February 9th I’ll be hanging out with the Sound Sound Modern Quilt Guild in Olympia teaching my Seeing Value Workshop.

sewkatiedid/stash archive value quilt

::Seeing Value::

Sunday, February 9th from 11-5pm.  South Sound Modern Quilt Guild sponsored workshop.  I could carpool if anyone wants to travel from Seattle.

A little information-Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color and one of the most important aspects of quilt making.  Spend a day with Quilting Modern author Katie Pedersen studying the impact value has on quilt design. We’ll construct half-square triangle blocks to carry out the exercise and play with the multiple designs value creates.  Transform your quilt making process!

In the area?  Register here.

Would love to meet me some South Sound peeps!

::Ring It In::

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I’ve sewn a load of stuff this year.

sewkatiedid/2013Unknown Direction Quilt Binding, 2. I need a new pillow form, but the pillow top is done. #curvesworkshopsample, 3. Anything Goes Back Detail, 4. Shattered Remake, 5. Psychedelic Baby Quilt, 6. Grape Crush Quilt, 7. Pantone Pop Done, 8. Sonshine Quilt, 9. Seattle Lone Star Quilt, 10. Point A to Point B Quilt top, 11. Modern Charm Quilts, 12. stitched and flipped value quilt, 13. Sunspots Quilt, 14. Rock Star Wedding Quilt, 15. Smitten Kitten, 16. Opposing Triangles Remake, 17. Nicquelle’s Quilt, 18. Stash Archive Value Quilt, 19. Barn Star Quilt, 20. Soft Splinters Quilt, 21. Hexie Cutie Quilt, 22. Modern Log Cabin Pillows, 23. Scattered Quilt, 24. I think I need new sheets to match., 25. Sparkle Punch, 26. Double-Trouble, 27. Night Owl, 28. Diving Geese, 29. 9-Bxed Quilt, 30. This needs binding so that I have something to do tomorrow besides drink beer., 31. Opposing Triangle Quilt, 32. QAYG bag for class sample. TBA. I love how it turned out. #qayg, 33. Practice fabric buckets done. Now onto samples for FMQ workshop. @afewscraps thanks!, 34. Oven mitts, pair two done for class samples. #handmadeholidays, 35. Bound. Time for the wash. #quiltingmodern, 36. stash

Lack of blogging in 2013 might have been due to crafting.  Perhaps my 2014 resolution should be to show up here more often.

I think it more likely that my resolution for 2014 will be to finish up started projects and quilt tops to clear out space for new inspiration.

Happy New Year everyone!