The Practical Guide to Patchwork

I'm so happy to be a stop on Elizabeth's blog tour for her new book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork (Stash Books). You probably know Elizabeth from her blog, Oh Fransson! She's been inspiring and teaching the internet saavy quilter the basics of quilting through her blog and with her book, you have the opportunity to take a little bit of Elizabeth's knowledge and style home with you.Elizabeth's book is true to the title. It is a practical guide to the basics of quilting. Elizabeth includes information on color, cutting, piecing, applique, quilting and finishing. There are 12 quilt projects classified for beginners, confident beginners and intermediate level quilters.

I think it's great that she shows throughout the book how the 12 quilts might look made with alternate sets of fabrics.
Take a look at some of the quilts you could make.


I had the opportunity to ask Elizabeth a few questions about herself and her book. It's so fun that she took the time to help us get to know her a little bit better. Here's what she shared with me.

So, why quilting? I'd love to know what drew you to quilting.
"I'm not really sure, actually! I think it started because I decided I wanted to make a quilt as a gift. I enjoyed the design and planning aspect of it so much that I just kept making more and more of them."

What's the number one thing you'd like to see folks get from reading your book?
Make a quilt is fun and achieveable! Construction fundamental are important, but quilting is, in the end, a creative endeavor. You don't have to do it the same way as everyone else. You don't need a fancy machine. And better still, you end up with a fabulous and useful object!"

How are you manifested in the book? In other words, how would you characterize your design style?
"I really like bold, graphic designs with abrupt corners and angles. I love repeating patterns, color and prints. I like to use a lot of contrast, sometimes in value and sometimes in color. I also have a soft spot for kitsch, so I often end up integrating things like animal prints, gingham, and fussy-cutting into my work."

Thanks for sharing with us, Elizabeth!

Now for the fun part. Elizabeth and Stash Books have offered a copy of The Practical Guide to Patchwork to one of my readers and Elizabeth has also put together this beautiful set of fat eighths to accompany the book.

To enter, leave a comment telling me about a quilt you love or are proud of. It could be one you've made or one you've received. Comments will close Monday 8 a.m. Central time. I'll announce the winner on Monday. Good luck everyone!

Be sure to continue on the tour with the following stops:

Sunday, October 31 Alissa at Handmade by Alissa

Monday, November 1 Melissa at Connecting Threads

Tuesday, November 2 Rossie Hutchinson

Wednesday, November 3 Amber at One Shabby Chick

Thursday, November 4 Kim at True Up

Friday, November 5 Kathy at Pink Chalk Studio

Saturday, November 6 Kathreen at Whipup

May I Offer You....

....some cheese with my whine?
I'm not going to hide it. I'm feeling a little whiney about this weekend as my friends whisk off to Houston for quilt market. It's not the right time for me, I'm resigned to that fact and determined to work my butt off and accomplish lots this weekend.

Speaking of my butt, there's another thing I've got to whine about. I've fallen off the exercise routine. In fact, I've totally sucked. I've fallen so behind I haven't even gotten some of you on the sidebar. So, I'm recommitting. I guess that happens. I'm getting on the treadmill right after this post is done, then I'm going to get caught up with all of the participants.

Next Friday, a giveaway for all of you "Improv(e) Your Butt" participants. A big one...lots of nice goodies coming right from my stash. (That's a good penance for my exercise sins.) All you have to do is recommit yourself to your exercise routine, or if your one of those who have kept it up, you don't have to do a thing. Leave a comment and let me know which category you fit in. Let's keep going!

Have a happy Friday and be sure to come back tomorrow. I'm the Saturday stop in Elizabeth's (Oh Fransson) book tour. Stop by to win a copy of her book and some fabric she picked especially for you!

Modern Conundrum

'Fabrics are from Woodland Friends by Ellen Crimi-Trent'

"Truly modern things are progressive and forward thinking in their performance and in how they're made." David Keeps, LA Times

I woke up in the middle of the night last night, thinking about quilts and the modern quilting movement. I'm even quilting in my dreams these days.

I'm not sure it's a movement, a trend, maybe? But is it really modern? Are modern fabrics or a twist on the traditional enough to make a quilt modern? Are there even modern quilts at all, or are they simply quilts made today. I can't remember where I read a comment from a quilter that she felt like 'modern' is simply a buzz word and that the vast majority of quilts she's been seeing that are characterized as modern, really aren't. They're traditional, but it's not "cool" to be traditional these days. Interesting perspective.

I find Mr. Keeps' quote thought provoking. I believe we will all come to terms in our own minds about what makes a quilt 'modern, but for me, the idea of modern conjures images of modern design, mid-century modern, and modern art. Modern makes something feel, 'out there' and edgy. I like that feeling.

Someone once described my quilting style as modern/vintage. I'm thinking I want to leave the vintage behind and push myself further out of my comfort zone. Tradition is a powerful force, though.

Do you all think about these things?

Christmas Is Coming...A Quick Tutorial

I decided to make these into pillows instead of potholders. I'm not sure I could see a grease stain on these. With pillows I can take them out once a year and they'll last a long time. So many of you asked how I made these, so I put together a brief tutorial. Start with a really cute picture that your children have drawn for you. The first step is to transfer the essence of the drawing into a simple line drawing.

I used my studio window as a light box and taped the drawings to the window, put paper over them and traced. You might be able to use a copier too. I added little details like the belt, mittens and buckle free hand. I just traced the outline to get me started, but you can trace it all if that works best for you.
Now, go to your copy machine and make several copies of this drawing. Cut out the shapes that are in the drawing. Be sure to extend the legs and arms (those will tuck under the body).
When you have your paper patterns cut, you may want to mark them with an "X" on the right side. This will prevent you from cutting parts upside down.

Prepare your fabrics with fusible web following manufacturer's directions. I use heat and bond light. Trace your patterns onto the paper side of the fusible. Be sure to put the "X" sides down when you trace.
The next step is to prepare your background. I used some recycled linen. Your background will need to be stabilized, or when you do your raw edge applique stitching, your piece will pucker. I use a lightweight fusible stabilizer. I iron it to the back of my fabric and then I have a nice stable surface for stitching.
Place your pattern pieces in the correct positions. Use the original drawing as a guide. When you are satisfied with the placement, fuse in place. I usually do this work on my pressing board, so there is no moving involved.

Now it's time to add the life to your piece. This is done by stitching around the pattern pieces with black thread. I stitch as close to the edge as possible. Don't worry about retracing your thread. This is a child's drawing. A little whimsy is a good thing. I usually have to do a lot of stopping and starting with a piece like this.
If you want to emphasize something, stitch over a line a couple of times. I did that on the arms and hands on this one. Add the eyes or other details with French knots or other embroidery stitches. I did the letters by machine. Go slow and easy on curves and leave your needle down and adjust every couple of stitches.
I added borders and quilted them to make pillow tops. These are 14" pillows. I think I'm going to give these to my mom and make another set for myself. I'd like them a little bigger.

A couple of hours and you've got a quilty memory. I think they'll make a great Christmas gift!

Bee - hind!

I pride myself in being a good bee member, but I slipped. Dedicated yesterday to not much more than bee work. I have two more blocks and them I'm caught up. I'll try not to let this happen again.
Square in a square block for Kate in Bee Imaginative.
Improv block for Elizabeth in Bee Imaginative.

Wonky star block for Jessica in Pieced Together.

Jess's block for the MidMod Bee.
Liz's square in a square for One Block Over.
Angie's snowballs for One Block Over.

With a "Cherri" on Top

Between the Walker Art Center this weekend and Cherri House speaking at the KCMQG last Thursday, I'm on inspiration overload. Cherri and I are very much alike, we see quilts everywhere. I liked that about her!
Cherri, was both fun and inspirational. Seeing her quilts up close and personal was the best part for me.
Her use of color is spectacular.
Her story is very personal and emotional. I won't tell it here, but I will say if you get a chance to meet her or hear her, jump on it. Thanks Cherri, for making the effort to come to Kansas City! I'm sure it won't be a one time thing.
I had a bunch of airport time this weekend and of course had my sketchbook with me. Cherri inspired me to design a couple of my own city quilts...city tech and city split. I can't wait until I have time to translate those drawings into fabric!

Speaking of inspiration....are you working on your Modern Quilt Guild 'Inspiration Challenge' quilt? Haven't heard of it? Head on over and check it out. Get inspired and get sewing!

Guess Who Is Coming To Our House?

When I say house, I mean the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild house. It's Cherri House, the fabulous quilt designer and author of the amazing 'City Quilts.'
We are so thrilled to have her. She'll be speaking to our guild at 7 p.m. tomorrow night (Thursday) at the Roeland Park Community Center. It's going to be standing room only I'm sure. If you're not a member of the guild it'll be $5.00 admission, but worth every penny.

I'm so excited to meet and learn from her. If you're in the neighborhood, you should come too. She's also doing a workshop on Friday at Harper's Fabrics in Overland Park. I think it's close to full, but you can check and see by giving them a call.

We have a winner of the Daisy Janie fabrics too. Thanks for all your great advice for Tammy. I'm sure she learned a bunch from you. I know I did! The winner is Lynn of the Little Red Hen! Congrats Lynn! Drop me an email with your address and I'll have Tammy send you your fabrics.

Some Really Good Stuff to Win!

Good Monday morning!
It's a new week and I'm all about new today. New fabric and a new place to shop! Awhile ago, one of my blog friends asked for some advice on opening an online fabric store. Well, I was happy to oblige. I do a lot of fabric shopping. She didn't just talk about it, she did it and I'm thrilled to say she's on her way to something great. She's opened Marmalade Fabrics.

She's started smart with a good shipping policy (check that out), great organization, an incentive program for those of us who like to shop and most importantly great fabric.
As a thank you she sent me these amazing Daisy Janie organic fabrics. Aren't they to die for? They are the brainchild of Jan DiCintio who is tops in my book these days.

The fabrics are her Geo Grand line and from left to right they are: Ogee, Hip Squares, Crystal Ball, Caravan, and Fruit Bowl. Don't you LOVE the colors....eeeek, so great!

So, do you want to share in this fabric fabulousness? Head on over to Marmalade Fabrics. Tammy is starting small, but would like to grow and we can help her. Drop in and check out her site, come back here and leave a comment telling her what you liked in her store and a piece of advice for her. What would you like to see next? While you're there, start an account so you'll be ready to shop.

A comment will enter you in a giveaway for the Daisy Janie fabrics...a whole fat quarter set....yippee!! Let the fun begin!

I'll draw a winner from all the comments that followed directions on Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. central time. Make sure there is a way to contact you...please!

Stupid Is as Stupid Does....Part Deux

I was hoping there wouldn't be a part deux of this post, but sometimes these things happen. Need a laugh to start your Friday? Read on.

I was quilting today. I finally decided how I wanted to quilt this piece. Brilliant idea I told myself. So I threaded the machine, and off I went quilting merrily....quilting, quilting quilting. All the time saying how fab it was looking. I wanted to show someone. So I took it out of the machine, pinned it to the design wall...no one around but me, so I showed myself. I admired my work and patted myself on the back. I'm sooo good.

I took the piece back to the machine, more quilting...I was smiling inside. You know that feeling when all wheels are clicking and you know you're making something great. I finished the quilting and as I pulled it out from under the presser foot, I noticed something. Something wasn't right.

Lesson One: How to Make a Quilt Sandwich....hmmm I must have missed this lesson.

This is my quilt sandwich: top, back and then the batting. Mixed that up a bit, wouldn't you say? Stupid is as stupid does.

Have a great weekend. I started mine with a good laugh at myself.