This post is part II of II, to view the first post click HERE.
Today we are piecing our “paddlewheel” blocks, adding our accent border and assembling our quilt top.
The complete written instructions were included in 2 fabulous magazine articles for spring 2015. The articles introduce you to Quiltworx.com and the Niemeyer family. All fabrics for my quilt top were donated by Timeless Treasures and part of the “Reclaimed West” collection designed by Judy and Judel Niemeyer.
Now we will continue with the tutorial…
You need (12) 6 1/2″ squares in varying colors per your color layout. These MUST be cut accurately, they are not for paper-piecing.You need (8) 1 1/2″ x 10″ strips – these are the accent pieces for the paddle’s.8 1/2″ square – you need a total of 8 of these in various colors per your color layout. These are used for paper-piecing so they can be approx. 8 1/2″Cut the 8 1/2″ squares once on the diagonalTake one of your triangles from your 8 1/2″ squares and lightly glue the WRONG side of the fabric to the WRONG side of the paper.Using your folding template, fold on SOLID line 1, then use your add-a-quarter ruler to trim away the excess fabric and create your 1/4″ seam allowance.Slide the accent fabric (1 1/2″ x 10″) under the piece you just trimmed. This fabric should be RIGHT side up!Go to your machine and stitch on SOLID line 1Then press – this is what it will look like.Using your folding template, now fold on SOLID line 2Use your add-a-quarter ruler and trim away the excess accent fabric.Slide the appropriate color triangle RIGHT side up under the piece you just trimmed (in my example this is the yellow with trees). Stitch on SOLID line 2.Press and now you are ready to trim.Carefully trim on the outside line on all sides of your blockThe finished block all trimmed up and ready!On the design wall (or floor) layout your quilt – adjust the blocks as necessary. At this point I like to take a photo with my phone; just in case I mix something up!Now you are ready to start pulling paper off. Start with Section 10 and work your way back to section 1. I like to use my fingernail to hold the stitches at the beginning so they do not pull apart as I remove the paper.Carefully progress through the block.Once the paper is all removed; I place my block back on the design wall in it’s proper place.Sew the first 2 pairs together and press counter-clockwise from the back. Now stitch the 2 pairs together to make a 4-patch. BEFORE pressing you need to “un-sew” a few stitches so we can spin the center so it lays very flat and will nestle with the next set of seams.Carefully un-sew to the seam you just sewed and now you will be able to spin the center and ALL of the seams can be pressed counter-clockwise.Another sample – prior to “spin”Un-Sew to the seam you just stitched and now you can spin – I like to leave the threads to prevent the threads from attempting to un-sew themselves anymore.And here are your 4 quadrants all sewnYou will repeat the “un-sew and spin” step as you sew your quadrants together.Now we have 2 halvesAnd with our final seam the center is done. Don’t forget to “un-sew and spin” this final seam.
NOW for my favorite part! I use this technique anytime I want to add a “skinny” accent border. I don’t have to do any math as I am not changing the size of any existing pieces, I am just overlaying an accent piece. Find a project and TRY THIS – you will love it!
Take your 1 1/2″ x 27″ strips, carefully press in half lengthwise – WRONG sides togetherPressedLine up the raw edge of your quilt center with the bottom raw edge of your accent and glue (or pin) togetherThis photo shows the two glued together – do not glue the accent closed!
Go to your machine and with a normal stitch length – stitch right in the foldSee my stitches? Once you have completed the sewing on 2 sides of your top, press accent in half again so it lays flat. Then add the last 2 sides of accent to your quilt centerHere I am getting ready to glue the last 2 sides to the quilt centerThis photo shows the center with the accent pieces added.Now stitch the side blocks together and the top/bottom blocks together.Sew the sides on to your quilt centerAdd the last 2 borders and you have finished your quilt top.
I hope you find this tutorial helpful! I hope you will no longer be intimidated by paper-piecing! You can click here to shop for a pattern and get started on your project today!
This is my first attempt with a tutorial. I welcome constructive feedback. I am not a technical writer and my chosen style is to try to put it in words how I would verbally teach it. So “listen” to my words as much or more than you “read” them.
The pattern I have chosen is “Paddlewheel” by Judy Niemeyer Quilting. Judy’s company, Quiltworx was recently highlighted in 2 major quilting magazines and this pattern was included as part of articles.
I am a certified Judy Niemeyer instructor and love teaching her patterns and techniques at quilt shops and guilds across the country (and beyond with a quilters cruise in May!)
There are some tools that are recommended for our techniques.
Before we can begin you need to cut out your papers! Quiltworx prints these on newsprint for us making it easier to remove the papers at the end! When trimming papers, be sure to leave at least 1/8″ all the way around the pieces.
Now let’s begin!
Here is my Paddlewheel quilt – there is a contest going until April – if you use fabrics from the “Reclaimed West” collection you are eligible!
Today’s post is for the “Goose” block!
(I will do the other block and assembly tomorrow)
This is the quilt we are making! My sample block is the one in the lower left corner.Here is our pattern and some of the fabrics I get to choose from!
The pattern is written for the cream and blue in the upper left in the above photo! I have chosen different fabrics for mine and made notes on my pattern which colors replace which fabrics!
Once we have our fabrics chosen we are ready to cut out the pieces. Quiltworx patterns take the guess-work out of cutting the pieces for paper-piecing. We will be using “Template Layout Sheets” These are simply pre-printed papers that tell you exactly where to cut your fabric. They are clearly labeled as you cut so there is no guess-work when you get ready to sew.
There are helpful notes on the template layout sheets – this one requires 10″ squares and all fabrics to be stacked right side upThis is the “Template Layout Sheet” It is used to cut your fabrics the proper shape and size for paper-piecing!I don’t have to have EXACTLY 10″ – I need approximately 10″ If I was using a “pre-cut” there would be not measuring or trimming. I am using yardage generously donated by Timeless Treasures Fabrics so I have some cutting to do.I use the template layout sheet to determine what size to cut my fabric – no measuring!And I will also trim off this excess fabric – just close to the outside line! Then I begin to place large paper-clips on each piece I will be cutting out. This will secure the paper with all the good information to the fabric pieces!The template layout sheet is numbered for the order to cut each line. Here I am cutting line 1, then line 2 etc. I use my Add-A-Quarter ruler as it stands over the paper-clips and will not slip as easily. (In the photo I have not added all of the clips yet)All the pieces are cut in the 1st stack. To the right is the 2nd stack as I need 2 stacks to make this quilt. (In this photo you can see the placement for the paper-clips)Here are both stacks cut – the stack on the right has BLUE on top, the left stack BLACK. (I am going to trade the BLUE triangles with the BLACK triangles)Here I have traded the geese (triangle shape) between the left stack and the right stack. (See the blue poking out on the right side? With the BLACK geese)Once I have “swapped” the geese I line up the pieces by section #. Section 1 is on the left and section 10 is on the right. All of the pieces (except section 1) have the words SEW SIDE on them, you want these to all point the same direction, in this photo all SEW SIDEs are to the right!Prior to starting the next step it is recommended that you place your sewing paper on a light box (or window) upside down, trace the DASHED lines on to the back of the paper. (If you are experienced with paper piecing this step may be skipped.Now this is section 1. (please pretend it is black fabric, I forgot to take a photo of this step with black fabric. TURN the section one fabrics upside down so you are looking at the WRONG side of the fabric.Using a water soluble glue – glue the WRONG side of section 1 to the WRONG side of the paper. You will see your traced lines to aid you in fabric placement. (once again pretend this fabric is black!)Now place your folding template (template plastic 3″ by 12″) on SOLID line 1 as shown in photo (see now it is black fabric!)Fold the paper back (solid line one)Place your add-a-quarter ruler against the folded paperUsed your rotary cutter and trimming away the excess fabric, leaving your 1/4″ seam allowanceNow to add section 2. You ALWAYS want to place this so the words “sew side” are away from you. This makes lining this piece up a breeze! (No dashed lines on this piece in a couple of photos you will see WHY the dashed lines are nice)Here I am pulling the 1st fabric off the stack (right side up) (Still no dashed lines)and sliding it under section one, where we just trimmed using our add-a-quarter ruler. I have placed the paper here only for your reference. The piece of red fabric is UNDER the black piece. The fabrics are “Right Sides Together” SEE THE DASHED LINES? For the purpose of this tutorial I am showing the pertinent dashed lines, you would have all your dashed lines showing.
WE are ready to sew now. Set your stitch length to 1.5-1.7, use a size 70 microtex sharp needle and a sewing foot without the little 1/4″ ledge. WHY a size 70 you ask? Each time we take a stitch we push fiber dust and a little bit of paper into our machine, with a 70 sharp we will push a lot less trash into our bobbin area!)
Now I am at my sewing machine, I have placed my presser foot on solid line 1 and I will sew all the way along the solid line, including the seam allowances. (See the red fabric poking out?)After I have sewed this is what it looks like and I am ready to press.And here I have pressed. Don’t worry that the edges are not even, these will be trimmed as we progress through the block.Before I can trim to add the next piece, I need to gently pull the paper away from the sewn line in the seam allowance.Another view of how I gently pull the fabric from the seam allowance so I will be able to fold and trimNotice I pulled it way back from the edge, this will allow all the straggly threads to be trimmed as I progress.Take your folding template and fold on SOLID line 2Use your add-a-quarter ruler and trim away the excess fabric. You should have some of each fabric to trim away. If not you may not have placed your 2nd piece of fabric properly.Now I am ready to add section 3. (Notice the sew side is away from me)I pull the top piece of fabric off the stackPlace it under the area I marked off when I traced the dashed lines. Now I will go to my machine and sew on SOLID line 2My line is sewn and I am ready to pressAnd I have pressedThis photo allows you to clearly see where I started and stopped my sewing!And this photo shows you where I gently pulled the paper back from the stitches so I will be able to “fold & trim”I place my folding template on SOLID line 3 and fold back the paper.I use my add-a-quarter ruler and trim away the excess fabric.The excess fabric after trimming.With my sew side away from me – I pull the top fabric off the stack of SECTION 4 fabrics
This photo shows you where you should see your fabric “under” the paper to know you have placed it properly.This is AFTER I have sewn section 4 – see next photo….Notice now that I have pressed, you cannot see any of my notes – that tells me that I have placed my fabric properlyHere I have gently pulled the paper back from my stitches. Don’t worry if the paper tears a little extra bit, that just makes it easier to pull off later!Place your folding template on SOLID line 4 and fold.Used your add a quarter ruler and trim the excess. If you have nothing to trim OR a LOT to trim – stop and check before trimming!See the red fabric – I have already placed SECTION 5 under my trimmed piece.OOPS! See the traced line? That means that I did not place SECTION 5 properly (the red triangle). I need to un-sew this and scoot it over and re-sewSee how far to the left that red fabric is? That is why it did not line up properly!See the little red corners on the left and right? Much better!Now when I press I have covered my traced lines!Gently pull back the paper and trim on SOLID line 5.
Now we are to LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT stage – just keep on with what you have been doing. Only instead of lather, rinse, repeat – you have a couple of choices of acronyms
TSP (teaspoon) – stands for TRIM, SEW, PRESS (I believe Carol Doak coined this acronym.
SIFT – Sew, Iron, Fold, Trim – I am not sure the origin of this acronym, it was shared by one of my students.
Once all 10 pieces of fabric have been added you are ready for the next steps!
Here is our little block all finished upHere is the back side – it is time to CAREFULLY trim the edges.Because we left at least an 1/8″ all the way around the block we can clearly see where to trim on the OUTER line!I like to use my add-a-quarter ruler because I can line up the “1/4” on the inside line as a double check!Here I have carefully trimmed all the sidesIsn’t it pretty?
Now that you have made one block, I encourage you to “chain-piece” the remaining blocks. This will speed up the process A LOT!!! I love chain-piecing!
For chain-piecing I will glue all the SECTION 1’s in place, Fold and Trim all Line 1’s and now I am ready to add the 2nd piece of fabric and sew
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and look forward to you joining me for tomorrow’s post as well!
Be sure to sing that title to the Paul McCartney tune “Will You Still Love Me?”
I have been quilting for Helen for a number of years. She used to make the trip from Corpus to Houston to drop off/pick up her quilts but a few years back she started having her daughter and/or daughter-in-law drop them off. I miss visiting with Helen. I hope I am as young as her when I am her age!
The majority of Helen’s quilts that I have quilted incorporate a grandmother’s flower garden theme somewhere along the way. These grandmother’s flower garden blocks are appliquéd to a square, which was then sashed. Then the entire block was appliquéd to the setting triangle backgrounds.
The border print wasn’t quite what Helen wanted so she basted it how she wanted and then sewed it with her machine.
Helen likes to use muslin for the backs of her quilts so she can see the quilting!
The overall quilt from the front.I simply stitched in the ditch on these blocks and added feathers in the backgroundA close up of Helen’s Flower Garden BlocksIn the setting triangles I added a simple swirl and curl meander – just for texture. Lots of “ditch” stitching in the border stripe.the back of the flower garden blockThe back – you can see the ditch stitching in the border stripe better here.Another view of the back – better view of the quilting
So – will you still be quilting when you are 90+? I sure hope I am and that I have all my wonderful friends right there with me!
In 2013 we had some fun at a few “Quilt til You Wilts” at Pinwheels and Posies. This is a “retreat” at a shop where you go home at night and sleep in your own bed. We would sew from early morning til late at night. What a great way to get immersed in a more complex quilt or technique!
This quilt was born during one of these events. I was happy to quilt Janeane’s quilt for her and she was willing to work around my crazy schedule last year with the “big move”. I had hoped to complete the quilting before I moved, but it was not meant to be. I know how much work is put into these quilts and I did not want to feel rushed on the quilting. So the quilting was put on hold until things were “settled” at the new house. I am so glad I waited, the quilt was able to talk to me and give me quilting ideas where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I am thrilled with how it turned out and so was Janeane!
Here are the photos – I hope you enjoy!
The compass rose starts the center of the quilt.Another view of the compass rose with more of the other piecing, see how the spokes radiate out from here?These are the sails. I created “billows” with the quilting.Sails, Feathers and Ropes – I loved how the ropes intertwined with the other piecing.Spokes and feathers…Pretty fill work – the right fill work will let the piecing stand out!Quilting just for texture.More quiltingAnd the back of the quilt…..Back of the compass roseCorner view of the back.The full quilt – stunning!
Having been a very active member of my local quilt guild since 1997 I knew I would need to find a group to play with in our new location. There is a very small group that meets once a month at the Luling Art League and members take turns presenting something new. I like the idea that it is Fiber Arts – that will help get me out of my box!
Kelly is the organizer and she had recently attended the local SAQA meeting and was ready willing and able to share what they learned there. It was called mono print – we used a bray (a tool for rolling paint smooth) Glass and plexiglass but a jelly (sp) plate works better Kelly said.
Please note – while we used glass because it was what we had, care should be used if using glass not to press to hard as the glass will break. We also were using acrylic paint for our demonstration and playing, if you are using on fabric that will be laundered you should use appropriate fabric paints.
Here are the photos from our evening of getting messy.
The blank glassSome of the items we will use for texture
Kelly gave us lots of ideas for adding texture to the paint, such as a comb for lines, leaves, crumpled paper – the ideas really are limitless. Just say “what if?” and go for it!
Squirt the paint on the plexiglasuse the bray to roll the paint smoothHere Kelly pressed paper to the rolled out paint to show us how the transfer worksThe is the paper after pressing it to the paintPress this stamp into the rolled out paint – it will remove paintAdd lines of texture – then transfer to paperVanese gets in the Valentines spiritbut once she rolls the pair the red is no longer dominate – she drew a heart – the is fabric after transferHere is another Valentine sample from Vanese – this is the paint on the glassKelly has some really old paint but she just rolled it out and blobs of paint just added textureHere is the transfer – how weird is it that all of the red disappeared?Fun with finger painted designs – these are on paper – the front one is the first impression, then the back one is lighter as there is less paint on the glass.Vanese added some finger painting to her rolled out paint and the texture on fabric was really cool!More finger painted designsRemember the stamp at the beginning of the post? This turned out fantastic!
The March meeting of the Luling Fiber arts will be the 2nd Tuesday in March. I will be demonstrating paper-piecing (guess I didn’t get to far out of the box yet!). Join our Facebook group!
Stay tuned for more posts – I have a Mariners Compass to share next!
A few days a very special little lady turned 13. Today she celebrates with a typical party with girl friends. She will have a spa day and a pizza party with a movie – because that is what you do when you turn 13.
You had a rough start when you were born but have conquered every obstacle placed in your way. You are a typical teenager that attends middle school with a few physical limitations. From being told to say our goodbyes and take photos when you were just days old to the life flight rescues for your pneumonia’s before you became bionic you have always fought back. You do this with grace and sweetness and always set an example for the rest of us!
I am honored to be your Aunt Dee and cherish all of our fabulous memories and look forward to making lots more memories through the coming years!
We have had a fabulous time so far and here are a few of my favorites, mostly from when you turned 5!
You had only be out of the operating room for a couple of weeks and you and were shopping and a little Dora bike caught our eye, so we brought it home and few days later your Uncles Trevor and Derek along with Mimi came to visit us in Houston and they got you going on that bike and you were still riding it when you were 10! When you and I flew to Seattle to join your family there was another Dora bike waiting for you there too!
Here are a few more fun time memories – I have so many it was really hard to choose!
Such a cutie patootie!You were so tiny and frail – I had not made you a quilt yet and I felt to guilty – Mimi helped pick out the fabrics and I raced home after visiting you in the hospital and made your quilt. It has accompanied you to many hospital visits. It is well-worn and very much-loved!And she is peddling! I would chant “just keep peddling, just keep peddling” (like Dory in Nemo)You showing off when we arrived in Seattle! A few months later you fell off your bike and broke your wrist – the ER doctor didn’t quite understand that! You did not walk, but you broke your wrist riding a bike!Riding bikes was a family affair!Chillin in the wagon when we would go for walks. You were recovering from major surgery but you always wanted to be doing something!You and I swinging on the bench swing – we spent hours on that sing!Not always happy – but always cute!You and uncle Corey pretending to sleep – you and he would hang out every night when he got home from work!the playground at the car washThe playground at the park – we spent a lot of time thereAnd you are swinging!Different day, maybe a different swing – but you are swinging!Even a grey drizzly day didn’t keep us from the park!And she is swinging!Yep – swinging!Sometimes you would play on the other stuff – you got pretty good at climbing all of the different equipment!Made it to the top – now time for a break!You and uncle Corey feeding and watching the birds!And she is swinging!Rocking that helmet!Cheese Nip Heads!Uncle Corey trying to measure you for mimiWe went to the park with Dahlia and you liked this swing too!Playdough with cousin Andy was fun too!The look on your face when you saw Aunt Brittney’s wedding dress!Thumbs Up!Photos with the azaleas! I don’t have azaleas at my new house 🙁You and mimi!You had so much fun with Dahlia at the park we met them at Kemah for some more fun – your first Merry Go Round Ride – you were a little scared and then you loved it (like 12 times loved it!)Feeding and watching the fish!Look towards the back of the slide – you are heading off to climb the stairs to slide down the slide – you got scared half-way down and Sue had to slide down to rescue you!We headed to the hill country to get some fresh air and blue-bonnet photos. We also took your bike and you rode up and down Marilynn’s driveway!Hope there weren’t any snakes in there!Mr. Noak’s barn was a great backdrop for this photo!Amazing this quilt is still together – it has probably when laundered 200 times!
I had the privilege this weekend to teach a fabulous group of women at a quilt retreat I held at the Wimberley Quilt Ranch. This was the 2nd time I had hosted a retreat here and I really enjoy this facility. This time we also had the owner of the retreat center join us. It was a pleasure getting Diane hooked on Judy patterns! Because our retreat was full with a waiting list Diane would head back to her home (just down the road) each night to catch a few winks (or bottle feed the calf)! She did say she really sees the value of being able to just stay and “retreat”! I think we will talk her into staying the night at the June retreat, which I am just finalizing the details on.
Here are the photos from our Fire Island Hosta Retreat!
Ronda enjoying the beautiful sunset. See more on her blog!Thursday evenings sunset – there were several of us on the porch enjoying this one!Sunset through the trees – the trees at WQR are AMAZING!I walked to the end of the road to get this shot – fabulous!And the last glimmer…. We wanted to enjoy every last drop!Lou Ann’s first vein is pieced! She is a happy girl! (that is Ginger’s clamshell on the wall behind Lou Ann)Cathy had never paper-pieced before. Her friends coached her prior to retreat so she could have some of the basic piecing done – and now she has her first vein pieced. I love her colors!All of Lou Ann’s leaves are done! now she is reading what she does next!This one is Linda’s – she had purchased her fabric before the pattern was ever released – started working on it the day she got her pattern. Then got stuck on the veins – she was happy to come to retreat just to learn how to do the veins!Melba’s colors are going to be fabulous – I think this is her first Judy project. I wish I had gotten a photo of her project with her leaves up there – dang! PS – she used one fabric in her arcs – but paper-pieced it to get lots of texture!April’s retreat – Paradise in Blooms – we are filling up for this one – let me know if you want a registration form – spots are going FAST! (Lisa’s Fire Island Hosta is hanging up there too – THANKS Lisa for sharing your design wall with me!LaVonne had never paper-pieced before – and I think she is going to enjoy it! She did GREAT! You will see more of her quilt later in the photos!Mary had attended one other class with me the pattern was “Hoffman Crackers” and a very simple pattern. I am so excited that she wanted to join us for FIH – her quilt is going to be fabulous!Ronda is doing the color way from Tennessee Quilts – this is really out of her box! She is a Civil War, 30’s kind of gal and I love watching her smile when she puts up another section because this quilt makes her HAPPY! (Cathy’s leaf is on the side)Cheryl is giving us sneak peeks of her colors – can’t wait to see more! (There is more below!)Aw Brenda – this fabulous! Her first Judy quilt (and I think paper-piecing) was Captain’s Wheel at Wimberley Quilt Ranch last year. I think she is hooked!Oh Cheryl you are such a tease – we want to see more!Look – Lou Ann has all her center pieces on the board! Pinwheels and Posies helped her select her fabrics – she told them she wanted it to look like “leather” –Look at Cathy’s focus fabric – WOW!Half-way there!And we have a top – now time for the borders!Lisa’s colors are going to be fabulous – she has made many Judy quilts and I think she was enjoying the journey this one is taking her on. She will be joining us in April for Paradise in Blooms!Diane’s is coming right along – (she is the owner of WQR) – but this weekend she was just another retreater. (until I couldn’t find the back-stock coffee!)And Ginger’s quilt makes an appearance – those are beautiful salmon colors with rich browns – going to be fabulous!Remember our first time paper-piecer – yes this is LaVonne’s. You can also see a hint of Mary’s to the left.Cheryl is hard at it!Cathy had an oh oh moment – her arcs were going to blend with her focus fabric – what to do – what to do…..Add an accent – this was SO easy – I love demonstrating this technique!Some of you know how it goes at retreats – this person is hot, this person is cold – well we had little red riding hood here. I think she just wanted to wear that scrumptious cape from Ireland! PS – Diane is purchasing deflectors so each retreat can adjust there personal sewing zone!Ginger – I am in love! Those colors are fabulous!Look at LaVonne Go!And some more of LaVonne’s! (Mary I have to apologize – I didn’t get a photo of yours!)Ronda is making progress – she is also our fabulous cook so she doesn’t get to sew as much as the rest of us!Oh Cathy – I love it! – FYI – Cathy is playing with this and there may a surprise in a future post! Stay tuned by “following” the blog!Lou Ann is DONE! She decided to add just a little punch of color – her veins on 4 of the leaves are turquoise and turquoise was added to her accent borders!Diane got a lot done – even though she was still working on the ranch part-time feeding the bottle feeding the calf and manning the gates so the hay could be unloaded!Lou Ann’s next project is Garden Wall! With the Judy Niemeyer Bali Pop’s – perfect for this project!This is Ronda’s Captain’s Wheel – she wanted a little help with the rope – this is another favorite technique for me to demonstrate – I have worked up a super easy way to do this!And here is Ronda’ Captain’s Wheel – she will finish the rope at home – when she does a blog post I will be sure to share!I finished my NR/NL sections – whoop whoop! Retreat Info Here!Hey Diane – this little calf greeted me when I got home Sunday! I just love these baby cows!
We had typical TX spring weather – Thursday was probably 80 degrees, windy on Friday as the front moved in, rainy on Saturday and Sunday started out crisp in the morning and turned out to be a perfect day – I even cleaned the car and took it to the car wash when I got back from retreat. This morning it was 36 degrees, a little breezy and the heater is on!
Now time to unpack and get ready for the next adventure!
Yesterday I decided to load a quick quilt on the frame. A very cute umbrella quilt from Ronda at And Sew it Began. But of course I had to take a quick project and complicate it – as I talked to myself I decided I should do a different background fill in each block. There are 30 blocks. My brain can quickly think of about 10 fills and then it gets stumped. Oh yeah I also decided to alternate the fills between something with straight lines or grid work vs a more flowing or rounded design. Needless to say I had out all of my modern quilting, doodle quilting and any other book that may give me some more ideas!
Here are the photos – Ronda will get her quilt tomorrow when I see her in Wimberley for our Fire Island Hosta Retreat – she is our chef!
Umbrella Blocks using prints and batiks!Some of the fills that I used for the quiltingSome of the fills that I used for the quiltingSome of the fills that I used for the quiltingSome of the fills that I used for the quiltingSome of the fills that I used for the quiltingAnd a look at the backside!And a look at the backside!
We have been having some fabulous weather here in South Central TX – lots of sunshine and 70’s my kind of weather!
I was invited by Country Living Quilts to come teach a workshop for them. We decided to also have a trunk show the evening before the workshop. I drove over to Flynn, TX on a rainy Friday and drove 8/10 mile down a dirt road to the quilt shop! I was greeted by Dixie! There were numerous cars in the parking lot as it was day 2 of the 3 day “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Shop Hop! While Country Living Quilts may be a small shop, they pack a lot of fun into their environment! I loved the selection of notions, many I had not seen before and I even had to pick up a couple. The shop is neat and orderly and the staff very knowledgeable and friendly!
This shop also has a FABULOUS class room. Where many shops are removing or shrinking their class space, Country Living Quilts just added a whole new wing for their classroom!
For our class they had chosen Seasonal Table Runner! They have also asked me to come back in March for a “Quilt til You Wilt” We will sew Friday, Saturday and Sunday with extended hours. The class fee includes lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday! The pattern is Summer Solstice and with some cutting prep work prior to class you might even go home with a completed quilt top! PS – Teri is ordering the Reclaimed West Fabrics so you can make a Summer Solstice just like the one I made for Quiltworx – see photo at the end!
Here are a few photos from the Seasonal Table Runner workshop! We did get to do some curved piecing in class – but I forgot to take some photos!
These fabrics were from her stash!This blue and white quilt is going to be stunning!Lots of blue bonnets – we are all wishing for spring!More blue bonnetsOur class, minus Teri who was taking photos! (I am holding her grey with pink pieces!Summer Solstice with Reclaimed West Fabrics!
The drive home after teaching was fabulous – no interstates for 2 1/2 hours. And the sunset was breathtaking – I really should’ve stopped to take a photo to share it with you!
I was their speaker and workshop leader earlier this month. I had a wonderful time. A really good friend from Lakeview Quilters Guild had moved to the Kingwood area a while back and she and her husband were my wonderful hosts for my stay!
The lecture was Thursday evening and then we had 2 fun days of workshops working on Seasonal Table Runner (a quilt close to my heart as I made the quilts on the new cover sheets for the Quiltworx patterns.) See 2 of my 5 table runners here, there are more on the home page slide show!
Here are a few photos from our workshop!
We all loved watching this one come together – it will look beautiful on her table for Easter.Getting the feel for the layout.And a block is madeAnother color way – stunning – I just love how the black really sets the geese.And the two together!These are beautiful rich colors – lovely!And our group of fabulous women!
Today I head to Marquez, TX – trunk show tonight and teaching this pattern again! It is also the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Shop Hop in Marquez, Flynn and Jewitt! Be sure to stop by….
