Tag Archives: inspiration

Show and tell… Applique and EPP projects!

Posted on by
3

Elise Boivin-Ford recently wrote: “I finished my very first applique. It took me forever because I always have many projects on the go but I’m rather pleased with it. Thank you for your precious help!”

Well done, Elise!

She moved on to English paper piecing to make this pouch and wrote: “I found the pattern in the book “Patchwork & Appliqué Pas à Pas” by Murushak Volkova (the book is in French but I think the author is Russian, so it may be a translation). Once again, your videos have been very helpful. Thank you.”

I like Elise’s approach, trying new techniques on smaller projects. It gives you a chance to see if you like the technique before investing too much time and money to make something big. Elise, thank you for sharing!

Fresh Picked Show and tell…

Posted on by
3

Julie Neuffer wrote to say:

I bought the pattern shortly after it came out and then set it aside. When we were having some remodeling done in 2013 and I was relegated to the upstairs, I decided to unearth the pattern and fabric I’d picked out earlier and started to sew. I made the signature block first (next time I’ll make it last), and worked on the baskets every single day while the crew was downstairs sawing, pounding and painting. It kept me sane. I’d been doing needle turn appliqué for a long time, but this is the first project that I made using laminated templates and vinyl overlays. I loved it!

I worked on Fresh Picked Posies long after the remodeling was done, in-between other projects and it was my pick up and go retreat project, which was great because I didn’t have to pack a sewing machine. I finally finished the top, had it quilted and showed the quilt last spring in the Quilter’s Anonymous quilt show in Seattle. That show got me connected with the Garden of Quilts people in Lehi UT, who invited me to teach. I taught… and Fresh Picked Posies, along with 3 of my other quilts, was hung in the Garden of Quilts show at Ashton Botanical Gardens.

Julie Neuffer

Julie is also working on Thru Grandmother’s Window that have a Civil War flavor. Lovely!

Thank you, Julie, for sharing the story and your amazing work with us! Happy stitching :-).

Whimsical Garden Show and Tell…

Posted on by
8

Sue Lynch wrote to say “Love your designs so I will share my wonderful whimsical garden with you!” Thank you, Sue, for sharing your lovely quilt. The brown backgrounds always remind me of chocolate and who doesn’t love chocolate!

My color class…

Posted on by
6

After The Quilter’s Practical Guide To Color was published, people asked me to teach a class on color. I’ve been teaching this class for about a year and, judging from student responses, it is one of my very best classes.

This is a no-sew class. Students come with 4″ squares of white paper and 4″ squares of fabric in a variety of colors and values. I begin with a mini-version of my color lecture and then show how I organize fabric for a project. Students organize their own fabric squares and then the fun begins!

I choose a block from  The New Quick & Easy Block Tool and a color combo and everyone quickly mocks up 4 blocks. ‘Quickly’ is key. Thinking too much about color choices can stop a project from ever happening and it’s important to learn to trust your instincts.

Once glued, we put the blocks together on a table. They are flat and it’s hard to see a pattern, so I use my phone to take a photo. It’s always fun to hear the gasp as everyone sees the pattern emerge on the screen.

These photos are from a color class taught at Happiness Is… Quilting in McKinney, TX.

IMG_9726

Grandmother’s Choice Block

Everyone is working from the fabric they brought and it’s a stretch to imagine using them together in a quilt, but it is surprising how well the blocks come together.

We change the layout and take more photos:

Grandmother’s Choice Block
Grandmother’s Choice Block
Grandmother’s Choice Block

Each individual knows what they like and what they don’t. We talk about why some colors/values/settings work better than others. My goal is to empower each student, to make color their friend and ally.

Here is the Homeward Bound block in complimentary reds and greens:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s fun to put different blocks together, just to see what happens.

Grandmother’s Choice and Homeward Bound Block Combo

 

This was a 6-hour class, so there was time to mock up several blocks. As the day went on, everyone loosened up and color decisions come quicker and with more confidence.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I love this class because quilters who begin the day nervous, leave knowing that color is their friend. Trust me when I tell you that color is your friend too!

PS: If you are a shop or guild and would like to have me come teach, email me. I’m usually booking about 2 years out.

 

Kauai Road — done!

Posted on by
41

This quilt began with a photograph of a road in Hanalei, Hawaii. If you’ve been there, you know the place. I used Photoshop to generate a drawing.

I made a placement overlay with the bones of the design. I didn’t use templates — I cut fabric by eye and built the quilt on my design wall.

Here it is, unquilted…

KauaiRoad-15

The quilting brings all the elements together; the quilting finishes the quilt.

I love this quilt, but Steve loves it more. It is hanging in our dining room on the wall he can see from his spot on the sofa. I suspect it’s going to stay on that wall for a long time.

KauaiRoad-Final-01-1000

What story would you want to hear?

Posted on by
25

I am giving a lecture at the Minnesota Quilters Show in Duluth in June and they have requested that I share stories about Piece O’ Cake. Here’s my question: what sort of stories would you want to hear?

I could tell you what I’ve thought of, but I’m more interested in hearing what you think. I appreciate in advance any suggestion you have. Thanks!

IMG_8163

You’ve seen 007 before but he’s so much fun that I thought you might like seeing him again :-).