WIP - Happy Thanksgiving!

ok....a bit more seasonal themed progress for you.

Original post with a tutorial on drawing the hat.
Progress post from last week.

 

 

Assembly still required and I'm missing what I think will be the perfect blocks to extend my outer borders since the assembled piece is bigger now that I added the leaves. I sold this perfect piece in my Fall Fabrics sale, but the person who bought it is kind enough to bring it in back for auditioning to see if it is indeed the perfect fit. ha! So much for cleaning out.

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

 

 

 

WIP - some progress to show and a thank you

Wednesday--yes it's WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced, a blog I used to regularly post at and view the many entries each week.

Lee was gracious and posted on Monday about the book (book is "You Can Quilt! Building Skills for Beginners"  that Leila and I have collaborated on -- see upper right hand image on this page)  If it weren't for Lee I probably wouldn't have ever seen the Skill Builder Sampler quilt-a-long back in 2011/12.

Thank you Lee!!!

I do have some WIP to report about .....this fall wall hanging has been waiting for some attention for quite a while. I finally got the turkey block done and have added some leaves that got created last year in a wrong size for a commissioned table runner.

So, here is where we're at now.

I've got some other fabrics to consider ....maybe these for backing.

maybe these for sashings/borders.

maybe these for some fillers ??

 

 

 

 

Just glad to actually be posting something. I've worked on quite a few things this year but haven't posted any WIPs...my current stats are:

 

19 finished

12 with progress this year
4 on hold from last year


 

Sewn: You Can Quilt! Building Skills For Beginners Blog...

Sewn: You Can Quilt! Building Skills For Beginners Blog...: Hello! This week five bloggers will be reviewing and making blocks from You Can Quilt!   I am so excited! First up is Lee from  Freshl...

That's a Wrap - 6 years long-arming for you!

Finished my 72nd customer quilt this, my 6th, year quilting for others (through Nov. 11, 2015). That is a total of 409 so far.

This year ....several customer quilts won awards, if yours won something and I didn't hear about it--please let me know!

Pieced by Carol Wean --Kachemak Bay, Alaska


From the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce - Harvest Festival Quilt Show:

Pieced by Nancy Goddard - 1st place large quilts (although not given a ribbon for it, it was Best of Show)



















2nd place Small Quilts - Pieced by Linda Roberts - her version of my 1892 Rondure design


2nd place - large quilts - Pieced by Nancy Cargo - Strips Ahoy with extra borders - adapted from Tricia Cribbs/Turning Twenty design



























one was an antique just waiting to be completed,

another was my shop's Row by Row Winner pieced by Nancy Cargo,

and this one for a special anniversary of a dear friend of my client's.

Totals by style of quilting, note all are hand guided.

Pantographs - 29
Custom - 43  (ranges from 'lite' to moderately high level of custom)

(includes four done gratis for charity and one sample pieced by my mom--note quilting services are not eligible as charitable deductions --this is truly a labor of love.)

Every quilt is special to the recipient and I especially enjoy being a part of that process. You can see all the photos I've posted in this year's album.

Probably more so than in prior years, I've made an intentional effort to be a part of our industry in other ways. Now with fabric available in the studio, I spend more time working with individuals seeking to create their next treasure. Participating in Row by Row and our local North Central Washington Shop Hop took time away from quilting too, but I got to meet many new people and enjoyed sharing about our tranquil area with them. Thanks to all who ventured here....we look forward to seeing you again. And if you missed out on our 2015 Row by Row -- kits are still available.

Woven Braid - Full size

I also released new pattern designs with Island Batik at both Spring and Fall Quilt Markets. They are available to other shops through IB or directly from me. The Spring Release  - Woven Braid has done well locally. Fabrics became available about a month ago and many kits were spoken for before they arrived. We have just finished our class for it and there are a few kits customized to your preferred size still available for purchase and can be shipped. The pattern is included in each kit and has all sizes and 3 alternate layouts.

Size   - Dimensions - Price (Shipping and Tax Add'l)
Baby -  45" x 55" - $57
Lap - 55" x 65"  - $75
Full (shown)- 65" x 85" - $95
Queen - 75" x 95" - $110
King - 105" x 105" - $150

Pattern only $10



These patterns were released at Fall Market and are now available. Island Batik fabrics that they were made with will be available from your local quilt shop in 2016. Jewels is available now in a kit using Jinny Beyer Malim batiks (see lower image for sample that uses a non-batik for the border).


Dangling Diamonds

Fire Island Jewels

Jewels -- using Jinny Beyer Malim Batiks and Milan in the outer border
Pieced by Nancy Cargo -- This photo was taken at the
Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce - Harvest Festival Quilt Show where I was the featured quilter. I was honored to be asked and loved how many entries were from classes I had taught, some being my own original designs. There were over 75 quilts on display (about half were mine).

I've just learned that both Dangling Diamonds and Fire Island Jewels have been juried into AQS Phoenix Quiltweek - February 2016.

Our book "You Can Quilt! Building Skills for Beginners" was released by the American Quilter's Society in May 2015. I'll be doing author demos related to our book  at the Phoenix AQS Quilt Week on Thurs. at 11am and Friday at noon. Hope to see some of you there!

 

 

I continued to teach locally this year, but took a break over the summer. This fall we've started in with two new groups going through our book. This time we're doing it 3 nights a week for 1 hour --covering a chapter per week (3 weeks per month) and a group on Friday for 3 hours (great for those people working 4 10s). Four months is a commitment, but I'm excited with the student results already! There is also typically one or two project classes that happen each month. We've completed Woven Braid and will do a French Seam Pillowcase before Thanksgiving. In December we'll do 'Metro Rings' from Sew Kind of Wonderful using the Quick Curve Ruler. Looking forward to the quilting adventure of these results! If you're interested in taking one of the classes or would like to be kept informed of future releases, classes, new products, etc., be sure to join the email list. Sign up at www.kissedquilts.com

 

I'll do a review of my personal WIPs, other finishes and accomplishments at the end of the calendar year....until then...happy sewing!



 

 

You Can Quilt! - Island Batik Ambassador Blog Hop Finale!

Welcome to the finale post of our book's blog hop with Island Batik Ambassadors (IBAs) showcasing each chapter's blocks with beautiful fabrics.

Hope you have been inspired to learn new skills!

Chapter 13 is the 'finishing' chapter, but I also wanted to show you the airplane block that is available on the DVD that comes with the book.

The propeller is easiest using paper piecing. The rest can be done that way too. It might be over complicated doing it with templates, but regardless of you chosen method it comes out pretty cute. I will ultimately make it into a pillow.






There are many layouts that we have created as suggestions or ideas on what you can do with the blocks once you have made them. So many that they didn't all get into the book or on the DVD, so we're sharing them for free on our website.

www.skillbuildersampler.com provides information and resources for the layouts, where to post your own block and project photos on flickr, and other resources about the book and projects that have been made.

If you're just stopping by for the first time in this hop and want to see what the other IBAs posted about during this hop, here is the list with their specific blog post and one illustration of what they did.

Bloggers are by Date, Chapter, Name, Blog

Oct. 9 – Ch. 1. Basics - Leila Gardunia - co-author -  http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-building-skills-for.html

 Jersey Shore fabrics.

 

 

Oct. 12 – Ch. 2. HST - Tammy Silvers
Florida Oranges fabrics.http://tamarinis.typepad.com/tamarinis/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

 

Oct 14 – Ch 3. QST - Connie Kresin Campbell http://www.conniekresin.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

She also provided two other posts as follow-on to this original to show several finishes with all 3 block designs from the chapter.

http://www.conniekresin.com/2015/10/tuscany-sun-table-runner.html

http://www.conniekresin.com/2015/10/one-more-tuscany-sun-table-runner.html

 

Oct. 16 – Ch 4. Flying Geese - Maryellen McAuliffe http://teachpany.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

Gorgeous purples.

 

 

 

 

Oct 19 -- Ch. 5. Wonky - Christine McCrann Martinez http://madeinscraps.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

 

French Roasted beauties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 21 – Ch. 6. Improvisation - Connie Kauffman http://kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

This is just one of the blocks...she made all 3 in miniature and created potholders from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 23 -- Ch. 7. Foundation Paper Piecing - Joan Kawano http://moosestashquilting.blogspot.com/2015/10/ibaycq-blog-hop-day-7my-day.html

This block made for a small wallhanging, another block became part of a large purse, and yet another became a pillow. Check them out!

 

Just love this block--we used it in the blog hop button too.

 

 

 

 

Oct. 26 – Ch. 8. Curves - me! - Marlene Oddie http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-curves.html

 

 

More French Roasted ...look below for the completed runner I'm calling "Flight Line"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 28 -  Ch 9. One-Patch Blocks - Bea Lee http://www.beaquilter.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop.html

 

 

Just one of the one-patch blocks Bea made for the hop. We used this one in the blog hop button.

 

 

 

 

Oct. 30 – Ch. 10. Applique - Barbara Gaddy http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-can-quilt-blog-hop-island-batik.html

 

She also did a beautiful circles block. Be sure to check it out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov. 2 – Ch. 11. Inset Seams - Pamela Boatright  http://pamelaquilts.blogspot.com/2015/11/you-can-quilt-blog-hop-and-giveaway.html

Love this idea--it is a body pillow! Pamela is working on a tutorial to show us all how any three 12" blocks can be made into this. You will likely see it on her blog in the next few days. We will be adding the link on the skillbuildersampler site as soon as it is ready.

 

Nov. 4 – Ch. 12. Challenge Blocks - Linda Stewart Pearl http://www.onequiltingcircle.com/you-can-quilt-blog-hop/

 

Stunning compass! This is just one of the 3 blocks Linda made.

 

 

 

Nov. 6 – Ch. 13. finishing – You're here!!  Do bindings stress you out? A primary thing covered in this chapter is binding. There are detailed photo illustrations of doing binding completely by machine. For most of my quilts that I intend to be used --utility quilts--I want the bindings done completely by machine. I think that they will hold up better to washings and use. Aren't most of our quilts made to be used? The other nice thing is the binding goes on fairly quickly and the more practice I get the more accurate it becomes.

 

I'm calling this one Flight Line.

 

 Although not yet posted, instructions for this border treatment will be added to the skillbuildersampler site.
 

Intrigued enough to buy the book?

Autographed copies --just click on the link in the upper right side of my blog.

AQS Member? Get your member discount at - http://www.shopaqs.com

Like the new Island Batik Fabrics? Check for them at your local quilt shop. I've got the Meadow collection that is used in my Woven Braid quilt and have more bolts arriving next week.






Don't forget ...we are having a giveaway of books and fabrics. This is only open to US Residents.

Enter the giveaway for a copy of our book and a pack of fabric by using the Rafflecopter wizard. There will be 4 lucky winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Leave a comment here and stop by my Facebook page and consider following along (Note ...from the drop-down of the 'Like' button you now have the option to SEE FIRST in your news feed to be sure not to miss any posts).

What type of quilt layout or setting for 12" blocks (how many blocks? how many rows, columns, on point?) would you like information about? Maybe we'll just create it and add it to our skillbuildersampler site. Thanks for stopping by.

You Can Quilt! - Curves

We're cruising along with the You Can Quilt! Blog hop. I hope you're enjoying seeing the beautiful Island Batik fabrics and what each blogger has done with a particular chapter of blocks from the book.

Curves is something that I was always afraid of, but trying these three blocks as a way to get familiar with sewing curves is a wonderful experience. Truly!










International Quilt Market is wrapping up today and I've been able to see all the projects made with all the collections being released in the Island Batik booth. So much fun to see them all in real life. This quilt was a gift to Kathy Engle for her 30 years in this business. Various Island Batik Ambassadors and staff worked on making this a reality. My blocks are Row 1, column 4 (there are 5 columns...the 1st is well hidden) and Row 3, column 2--with fussy cut leaves on 6 tips. I got to be there on Friday afternoon when it was presented. She was very touched.














For my blocks, I used -- French Roasted. I am not a regular pre-washer, but realize I need to at least habitually test all new fabrics for color fastness. I had used these for the project above and was asked that we all pre-wash so that the group effort would have a consistent result. Even after washing these fabrics, I found them to still hold up in the curves without extra starching! Just loved them!

As an Island Batik Ambassador we often get some small cuts of a variety of fabrics. I pulled fabrics that coordinated with the line and created a strata and cut the small square sections to break up the blocks and add a bit more interest to this runner. There are still side borders to be added, so if you continue to follow along on the hop, you'll get my finishing instructions for this piece on November 6.

I'm thinking I might call this one Flight Line. Any other suggestions?

This Co-Author's Notes:

p. 80 -  Fabric "D" should be cut 3 1/8” x 3 1/8” square

Fabric "C" pre-cut dimension needs to be  Cut (4) 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” squares for Template 3.

p. 82 Templates 1^st paragraph….. there are 3 templates. Mark these changes for your pre-cuts: Fabric A: (4) 4 ¾” x 6 ¼”; Fabric C (1) 1 ½” x 1 ½” square

 

 

Do you just love or hate sewing a curve?

 

 

 

Enter the giveaway of a copy of our book and a pack of fabric by using the Rafflecopter wizard.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Leave a comment here and stop by my Facebook page and consider following along (Note ...from the drop-down of the 'Like' button you now have the option to SEE FIRST in your news feed to be sure not to miss any posts).

 

Want to buy some Island Batik fabric? This is what I now have in my shop which makes my Woven Braid design (and 3 other layouts) that was released at Spring Market this year. Kits are available with free pattern. Just name your size!

 

Look up other shops that are selling Island Batik fabrics.

 

To purchase an autographed by me copy of the book, use the Paypal request in the upper right hand corner of this blog. Leila has it available on Etsy and you can also get it at ShopAQS.com, your local quilt shop or Amazon. I even heard it was in Nancy's Notions and the Connecting Threads catalogs!