Three Little Quilts

These three little quilts will be making their way to the Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative with the group coming from the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild.  There are going to be a whole bunch of great little quilts added to the sale list soon.  This is a great guild service project.  Making the quilts doesn't take a whole lot of time, but a bit of an investment pays off in a big way.

From left to right:  Sands of Time, Life is a Circle, and Not Lost in the Woods.

Thanks for all the kind words about the book.  It's exciting to know that other quilters are interested and willing to buy it.  I'm beyond thrilled.  On a side note, the book has made its way into the Top 100 in the Crafts/Hobbies category on Amazon.  I don't have a clue what that means, but for now I'm thinking it's a good thing.  

It's Real...it's really real!!

Interweave overnighted an advance copy of the book to me on Thursday. It's hard to find the words to tell you how it feels to hold your book for the first time.  I will tell you I was shaking when I opened the package! Pretty awesome, a bit humbling, and kinda jaw dropping.  It's even better because it's everything I wanted it to be.  It's heavy too.  176 pages of quilty goodness.  21 projects...2 sets of pillows, placemats, a table runner and quilts...17 of them.

I wanted it to be beautiful.  It is.  Interweave put in all those little touches that make a difference.  I won't share much of the inside of the book today.  You'll see plenty of that later.

As with any project like this, there was a great team behind Katie and I.  I can't thank them enough!

The best part, my friend Kate was here when the book arrived so she shared the joy of opening that package.  My new friend Tricia came over and let me gush over the book to her, and I got to share the book and my enthusiasm with my new Chicago Modern Quilt Guild friends yesterday afternoon.  Life is definitely good.

It's due to arrive in the warehouse at Interweave, April 2nd.  You can pre-order it on Amazon and see a peek inside too, in case you want to see a bit more.  I hope you all will love it as much as I do.

The Bruno Chronicles - I am A Giant Basting Pin

Guest Blogger: Bruno

Hi folks! In case you didn't know this about me, I am a quilter too.

Jacquie really couldn't do any of this without me.

Don't I make a great giant basting pin?

Well, maybe I'm not so great at basting, but I did remind her that this quilt needed some batting. What would she do without me?

PS  Pet hair on quilts is a design element.

Quilt In Miniature

For the Alzheimer Quilt Initiative I decided to make one of my quilts in miniature. I used Cloud 9's organic solid in earth, Bella solid stone, and Kona pale flesh. I wanted sophisticated, neutral colors.

Not Lost in the Woods is the large version.  It has elongated wonky log cabin blocks.  It's one of my all time favorites.

The blocks in the tiny version are 4" x 5".  I think I'm going to add the dark border like I did in the original quilt, but it can't be any larger than 9" x 12" when it's done.

It's been fun working in miniature and with this design. I think I need to make another large version of this quilt.

Big News from the MQG!

Your team at the MQG has been busy working behind the scenes and we're so excited to announce QUILTCON, the first Modern Quilt Guild conference and show February 2013.  It's going to be fabulous! Find out more at our new website! Austin here I come!! I wouldn't miss this for the world. Will you be there?

Red and White

I think it's done.

Sorry about the wrinkles but it got caught up in the mess that is my studio.

I sure can create chaos in no time flat. I feel like I spend more time cleaning than working. My mom's advice to always put away when you're done using something is echoing in my ears.  I still haven't mastered that skill.  Are you a neat sewer or a chaos creator like me?

Big news coming in the world of modern quilting today.  You won't want to miss it!  Stay tuned!!!

Sewing Hexagons by Machine Without Marking

A couple of things to remember before starting to machine piece hexagons with this method:

*Cut your hexagons accurately. Perfectly cut hexagons will help you achieve the precision required for this method.

*Sew consistent 1/4" seam allowances. A 1/4" foot or patchwork foot is helpful. I'm able to place my needle 1/4" in by lining up the edge of the fabric with the edge of the presser foot.

*You may want to reduce your stitch length to 2.0.  Smaller stitches will help you hit your stop points more accurately.

*Don't press until all hexagons are sewn.  I know this seems counter intuitive, but I found that it's easier to sweep seams out of the way when they aren't pressed down.

*Be sure not to backstitch into the seam allowance.  Even one stitch will make a difference!  It's better to stop a tish in front of the stitching line rather than stitch too far.

*The KEY TO THIS METHOD is your stitching lines.  Instead of marking those 1/4" points, the stitching lines will tell you where to start and where to stop sewing.

*This method works sewing individual hexagons onto a column or sewing two columns together.  For the purpose of this tutorial, we'll sew one column and then add one hexagon at a time.

*Relax...this really does work.  It's going to feel odd at first, but you'll get the hang of it. Take a deep breath and grab some hexagons and let's get started.  I used black thread for the purpose of this tutorial, but you'll want to use matching thread.

Step 1 Sew a column
Start by sewing the hexagons together to make a column.

Sew from edge to edge as shown and backstitch at each end.  Don't press.  Repeat and make your column as long as you'd like.  For the pink quilt above I sewed 10 hexagons together to make my columns.

Step 2 - Sew Seam #1
Place a hexagon in the second column as shown.

Place the hexagons right sides together along seam #1 lining up edges and ends of the hexagons.  Notice how there is a stitching line on the left side and no stitching on the right.  (If you don't see a stitching line flip the entire piece over!) Make sure the seam on the left is swept away from the hexagon you are going to sew. Pin if desired.

Position the hexagon under the presser foot.  Drop the needle on the stitching line 1/4" from the edge.  Notice how the presser foot is lined up with the edge which will automatically place the needle 1/4" in.  I move the flywheel by hand to make sure the needle drops right on the stitching line.  Sew from this point a couple of stitches, backstitch the SAME number of stitches.  Continue sewing to the end and backstitch. You can sew to the end because there is no stitching line to stop you.

Step 3 - Sew the next adjacent seam (Seam #2)
Turn the hexagon right side up and the first seam is finished.  Time for seam 2!

Place the hexagons right sides together along seam #2 again lining up edges and ends of the hexagons.  Sweep any seams away from the hexagon so that the two hexagons lay flat and are aligned.  Pin if desired.  Notice again that there is stitching on one side and no stitching on the other side.  This time I decided to stitch from non stitching line side toward the stitching.

Start sewing at the end, sew forward a few stitches, backstitch and continue sewing until you reach the stitching line on the other side.  The stitching line means STOP!  The picture below also shows how the seams and the other hexagon is swept out of the way.

It is better to stop just in front of the stitching line rather than sew past it.  Notice how I stopped just before I reached the stitching.  Be sure to backstitch at this point.

This is how your intersection should look when sewn.

Step 4 Add a hexagon to column two
Place the next hexagon in sewing position in the second column.

Place this hexagon right sides together on the one above.  Notice in the picture below how no stitching lines are visible.  Don't be fooled.  There is a stitching line, but you need to flip the entire piece to see it.  Flip the piece over.  Feel for stitching lines...find them and make sure you can see them before you sew!

There is the stitching line. Make sure your hexagons are aligned and pin if desired.  Make sure the seam is swept away from the hexagon you're sewing.

Sew this seam just like Step 1.  Drop your needle on the stitching line, sew forward, backstitch, continue sewing to the end and backstitch.  Remember, you can sew all the way to the end because there is no stitching line to stop you.

Step 5 Continue sewing adjacent seams.
Flip the hexagon right side up.  The next step is to sew the next adjacent seam.

Place the hexagons right sides together along the seam making sure they are aligned.  Sweep the seams away on both ends.  Flip the entire piece over so that you can see the stitching lines.  Notice this time that there are stitching lines on both sides.  This means you have one START point and one STOP point.   Sweep the seams on both sides AWAY from the hexagon you are sewing.

Drop your needle on the stitching line 1/4" in, sew a couple of stitches, backstitch, continue sewing and stop on or just before the stitching line.  Backstitch.

These are the most difficult seams to sew.  Make sure your hexagons are aligned and lay flat.  I pin these seams to make sure everything stays aligned before I sew.

Continue sewing adjacent seams as shown above.  Be sure to check for stitching lines.  Repeat the process for each additional hexagon.

When all the hexagons are sewn in, turn the piece right side down and finger press the seams into position.  Trim threads at this point.

Place the piece right side down and press.

**Sweeping seams away from the hexagon you're sewing means sweep the seams and everything else too...in other words, any other hexagons need to be moved out of the way so that the two you are sewing lay flat and are aligned. You don't want to catch any other fabric in your seams.

**This tutorial demonstrates sewing one hexagon at a time. This method also works with two columns of hexagons. Sew as many columns as desired. You'll sew one seam at a time just like above except most of the seam will have a stitching line stop and start point and you'll have a floppy column of hexagons to keep out of the way.

I recommend you practice one at a time and when you feel comfortable with that, go for the column.

Many thanks to blogless Elaine for sharing this method with me! You're the best, my friend.

If you have questions, please ask in the comments or drop me an email. I'll do my best to help.

Playing With Color

I do love color. People tell me I have a knack for it, but I don't think it's one of my strengths. I'm a limited color palette kind of girl. My hex quilt is a good example of how I like to use color lately...a lot of neutrals and a bit of color. Maybe that's just my way of keeping my world calm!

Playing with color is my middle of the night when I can't sleep activity. Design Seeds is one of my favorite places to go to be inspired by color. Check it out, though be careful...it's addicting!

I also like making my own color schemes...it's a fun way to test out things without cutting into fabric. I do that with Color Scheme Designer. I have a book filled with swatches from this site.

Speaking of color, my interview is up on Victoria's blog today. I've been enjoying her Colorful Interviews every Thursday!

And speaking of Victoria, there is a BASIC's quilt distribution coming up in February.  Victoria is committed to changing the world one quilt at a time! Do you have a quilt to send?  I'm hoping to have a few more to donate.  Look at that little girl's face as she gets one of my quilts!  How great is that?  If you can spare a quilt, send it on.  We need more looks like that!

You've Got a Hex On Me!

There's something about hexagons that I like. There's nothing terribly modern about sewing a bunch of hexagons together, but I did try to get a random layout and avoid the "grandmother's flower garden" flower shape, though a couple slipped in there.

I used some of my favorite gray prints along with kona snow, white and pale flesh.  I like the lightness and depth that the two shades of white create. Pale flesh is the perfect baby pink, soft and gentle. I bound it in the pale flesh as well.  If I would have had a baby girl...sigh.

I'm pretty happy with how the hexagons came together. I'm not perfect with the machine sewing technique, but I'm definitely developing my skill level. This won't be my last hexie quilt!

A Valentine Treat

This little bit of goodness arrived in the mail today from Westminster. Flea Market Fancy will be arriving in shops soon. Tammy at Marmalade will have it for you. While you're waiting, be sure and check out Stockholm by Robin Zingone...it's fabulous!!
The new line is a bit different than the old set in color, but it has the same soft hand.

It's funny, 90% of the Flea Market Fancy that I have in my stash I bought on clearance for less than half the regular price. When it first came out it wasn't really popular at all. And then all the sudden it was rare and prices went out the window.

I've always liked it...and I'm glad it's reprinted so that folks who fell in love with it can find it and sew, sew, sew!

Time to Remember

This is the start of my quilt, "Time to Remember," for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. The Chicago Modern Quilt Guild's project this month is to make a quilt to donate to the initiative. They have to be 9 x 12 or less.

I'm OK with it, but I'm going to play some more and maybe make another one.  I want to have at least one ready to bind at our February meeting.

The hexagon tutorial should be up this week.  I wanted to finish the quilt before I shared it...put a little pressure on myself to get it done!

Please Pinch Me

Do you have idols?  You know those people when you see their work your heart skips a beat and you say to yourself, I wish I would have made that, or you secretly wish you could be that person, if only for a day to experience what it might feel like to have their mad skills.  Luke Haynes is one of those people.

The other day I looked at the comments on the Building Bridges quilt on flickr and I thought I saw that Luke had left a comment for me.  I thought for a second...no, it's not him. (his flickr name isn't Luke)

Then later in the day I received a flickr mail from the one and only, yes from Luke. I tried to be cool about it and respond like it was no big deal.
I've been a fan (an understatement) of his work for a long time.  He has, as I said earlier, mad skills, and a unique creative perspective that I admire.
If you don't know his work you should check it out.  Someday I'm going to see his work in person and even better learn from him.  That will be a good day.

Hanging Your Quilt - Part 2

Now that you've made your hanging sleeve, how and with what do you hang your quilt? I've used lots of different methods for hanging. I would love to use round dowels, but dowels are usually only readily available in shorter lengths and I like to hang larger quilts. So it's off to the molding department in Home Depot!

These are the two moldings that I purchase depending on the size of the quilt.  For smaller quilts I use screen molding, which is the piece of wood on the top in the picture.  Screen molding is thin and has two rounded edges.  You can cut it with a mat knife.  I use it to hang quilts that are around baby size and smaller.

The second piece is 1/2" x 3/4" molding.  I don't know its specific name or use, but it is readily available and you can buy it up to 12' long.  You need to have a saw to cut this one!

Cut your wood piece to the exact width of your quilt.  Notice in the picture how the wood will extend beyond the sleeve.  If the quilt is to be hung permanently, place nails or screws in the wall so that you can place the wood on top of them at this point for hanging.

You can also screw eye hooks into the ends of the wood and hook those onto nails in the wall.  If you use eye hooks you'll want to cut your wood piece shorter so that the hooks don't show when your quilt is hanging.

I like to change out quilts often, so I do things a bit differently.  I use pushpins (just regular plastic ones for bulletin boards) and I place them about three to four feet apart level on the wall.  I then place the quilt on them so the wood rod rests on the pushpins.  I've found that even large quilts hang beautifully and I can change quilts often without putting additional holes in the wall.

I hope this gives you some ideas for how to showcase your quilts on the wall.

Building Bridges

I don't have much left to say about this quilt except that it's hard to take pictures of it. Oh, and the binding...I put in one section of cream binding...I felt like the quilt needed an opening. I'm not sure why, but it works for me. Building Bridges finishes at 70" x 85" and I'm proud of it.

What I like the best:
...it has Bruno hair quilted into it.
...it's different.
...it was a collaboration.
...the only color is on the back.
...it tells a story.
...it's not perfect.
...it's me.

Forgive me for this picture heavy post, but I wanted to try to give you a real taste of the quilt. Enjoy!