Fireball

I worked on another quilt from the closet. This is the fireball quilt.  I made it to figure out how to spiral with stitch and flip triangles.  I was using it as a class sample, so I wasn't going to finish it, but I like it too much not to.

I'm not usually a border person, but I wanted to extend the firey colors, so I made the spiral the center medallion and added a couple of borders to pump up the volume.

I made the back too, so it's ready to baste and quilt.  As always there is a quilting decision to be made.

I have an idea for this one.  I'm thinking of a spiral of flames that swirls around the center.  They may repeat and get mixed with some radiating lines.  I'm still sketching the idea, but at least I have a starting place.

From the Closet of Creativity (Shame)

I have so many unfinished items it's a bit overwhelming, but I'm determined to tackle them.  It's hard for me to focus on one thing at a time, but I'm trying to change my spots. I will admit I'm working on a new design simultaneously, but for me that's an improvement. At least it's only one new thing. So, I fired up the machine and got a few things done.

I tore off the outer border of this, which was a linen that read way too yellow, replaced it with natural osnaburg and focused on getting it finished.

I changed the backing fabric too.  Quilted it up and chose the binding.

I finished handstitching the binding last night after guild.

I love crazy piecing and using crazy pieced sections in other projects.  This is one of my favorite techniques from the book.  I love that I can use up those little pieces fabric.

I also started on these pillows.  These are the second set of pillows that are in the book that have been hanging in my closet for a year or more.  My mom and dad sold the farm and moved into a house in town and my mom mentioned that they would be perfect in the new house.

I've got two of them quilted so far.  I have the third one to go and then I need to head out and get some zippers for the backs.  Another project well on the way.

I also made a back for a very old quilt top.  I'm going to tackle those tops hanging in the closet one at a time.  As that old Egyptian Pharaoh once said, "So let it be written, so let it be done!"

Supernova 2

One of the projects I pulled out to work on is the second version of the Supernova quilt from the book. The center medallion has been done forever. I just have a few rows to add to the top and bottom and one column to each side and the top will be done. I can handle that this week.

I love how this quilt builds from the center outward.  The fussy cut center...

...then the next layer of color...

...and then the final layer to create the center medallion.

I used a variety of textured fabrics for the background of this version.  This fabric is in the center.

This texture is next...

...and this one will be in the outer rows.  It'll be combined with another fabric since there wasn't enough of this to finish the quilt.  I think the different textures really add to the design of the quilt.

I hope to have a completed top by the end of the week!

The winners of Quilt Scene are Brenna and Kirstin.  Please drop me an email with your contact info and I'll get the magazine out to you.  Congrats!

Supernova Makes a Splash!

I hope the Supernova quilt from the book will make a splash this weekend. Katie and I donated this quilt from the book to The Ocean Discovery Institute for their fall gala fundraiser, Bubble Up. Ocean Discovery is all about inspiring young scientists in the San Diego area and I'm all about that! Supernova is a perfect fit for this event. I'm also giving away a full day private quilting lesson and of course a copy of the book to the lucky winner.

Katie and I are sad to see this quilt go, but it's such a wonderful cause.  The Bubble Up Gala is Saturday, September 8th!  Goodbye Supernova!  Now go raise some money!

The Windmills of My Mind

You all know QuiltCon is having a quilt show, right? I think it's going to be an amazing showcase of our work. Because I'm on the Board, I can't officially enter, but I can enter a quilt for display only. That's great with me, cause I'm not much for the whole competitive show aspect anyway. I have lots of quilts I could enter, but I wanted one made especially for this show. I don't know if I can get it done in time, but I have hope.

I'm working on my second architecture inspired quilt.  It's an homage to my Dutch heritage and it has a symbolic message as well.  In my research I found that the Dutch millers used the blades of their windmills to send messages.  You'll have to wait for the finished quilt to understand the message of this one.

This quilt has been an exercise in strip piecing...lots of it.  I'm experimenting with some ideas for the background.  Right now...no color again.  I used one of the French General solids (beautiful!) and my favorite brown, Earth from Cloud 9 fabrics.  For some reason I'm really loving the quiet sophistication of neutrals.

Wish me luck in getting this one done with all that is happening around here.  It's been in this state for a couple of months now.

Finding My Voice

This winter I'll mark my 5th year anniversary as a quilter.  In some ways five years seems like a long time and in other ways it seems like I've barely begun.  As I was writing notes today for an upcoming talk I'm going to give in Colorado I started to reminisce a bit.

After I saw the Quilts of Gees Bend, I fell in love with that improvisational spirit, but there was no "how to" in any of their books.  When Denyse Schmidt's first book arrived I thought, she is going to share the process and I was crestfallen to find a book of patterns and no insight into her process.  I've since learned that sharing, documenting and talking about the improvisational process is more complicated and involved than I had imagined.

I remember the day I first thought about what it might take to improvise in quilting.  I didn't know a thing, but I was willing to try and I set out on my own to experiment and figure it out on my own.  That led to the now famous (or so I'm told) wonky log cabin tutorial on this blog.  I wanted to continue to learn and support others who wanted to learn too, and that was the impetus for creating Project Improv in January of 2009.  It was a simple concept with a framework to help us succeed.  We would improvise, but within the structure of the log cabin block.  I've learned over time that many quilters have trouble letting loose and improvising; they need support and a structure or framework in which to work and as they build confidence and skill.  Over time, they become freer and more improvisational.  Project Improv provided many quilters the opportunity to begin an exploration of improvisation.

A few months ago a friend sent me a link to Sherri Lynn Wood's blog.  Sherri did a series of posts on her perspective on 'what is improvisational quilting' in 2011.  Her posts are insightful and recommended reading.  She has added to the conversation and put words to many of the ideas, concepts and actions that have been in my head for years.  I'm looking forward to meeting her and learning from her at QuiltCon in February.

In 2011 Sherri said,

"So I’ve been doing a search on the internet and have discovered a real lack of conversation about the nature of improvisational quilting.

In 2009 Tallgrass Prairie Studio started Project Improv:

The purpose of ‘project improv’, to support each other in our goal to quilt improvisationally, to quilt outside the lines and to find our own voice as quilters.

I applaud the effort, but with what results? If you participated in ‘project improv’ have you found your voice? Two years later I’m mostly seeing posts on ‘wonky’ log cabins."

Her final question in regards to Project Improv has stayed in the back of my mind since I read it..."but with what results...have you found your voice?"  

Today I pondered that question in terms of myself, those who participated in the project and those who have been influenced by those quilters.  

For me, the answer is yes.  I have found my voice and I continue to refine it.  It was a defining moment for me as a quilter.  

I went back on my computer and looked at the list of participants in the project.  Many of those quilters are now authors, designers and leaders in the quilting industry.  I would venture to guess that many of you would name them as your inspirations and even as your quilting idols.  I don't think I can even imagine the scope of influence that that set of quilters has had on the quilting community.

I cruise flickr and blogs and I see a wealth of original, out of the box designs that are being created every day.  I see plenty of wonky log cabins too and that makes me happy.  It is the seminal block, the block that many of us who want to improvise seem to cut our teeth on and there are many quilters who are just discovering that block.  It will always have a special place in my heart and in my quilts.

It was a nice walk down memory lane...

And, so there isn't a post without a picture....here's a couple pics of the Scandia Crush quilt finished.  I quilted it with variegated aurifil thread in all tints and shades of pink...such a pretty touch.  Another class sample into the finished stack.

Stitching and Flipping!

My goals before I left on my travels were to get a few things done that have been languishing in the closet and to get all my class samples finished. Didn't quite achieve both, but I've made progress.  I did finish all my step outs and samples for my Quilt Show Taping in Colorado next week.

I focused next on getting on my class samples done for my Stitch and Flip class.  The Stitch and Flip class is turning into one of my favorites. It always amazes me how creative folks can get with this technique. People keep coming up with new designs and that keeps the class fresh and exciting.

I'm just about finished with this double version of the Swirling Medallion quilt from the book.  I quilted spiraling circles because every time I look at this design I see a rock dropped into a pond and the ripples that extend into the water.

Binding left to go on this one.

I always knew that stitch and flip triangles could form a spiral and before I taught the class in Kansas City, I figured out how to make that happen.  This spiraling version is Fireball.

This spiraling version is Let's Go Fly a Kite.  I love how one is so strong and dramatic and the other is so light and whispy.  I have a couple more class samples for this technique that I need to get finished as well.  At least they are all basted and ready to quilt.

My next Stitch and Flip class is in Chicago with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday, August 11th.  If you're in the area, check it out.  There may be a space or two left.

PS...Margaret is the winner of the pattern.  Congratulations!!

A Little Hiccup in My Plans

It seems whenever I have time to sew, something happens to get in my way. This time it was my beloved Bernina. She decided to have a bad day, be surly and uncooperative, and I was tearing my hair out. Nothing serious, (I hope) but four hours later I made an emergency call to my favorite Bernina technician in Kansas and she talked me down from the ledge. My baby will have to go in for a check up.

I decided I liked Scandia Crush so much I made it bigger.  It was fine for a class sample, but I wanted to be able to give it away as a baby quilt and I don't like tiny baby quilts....bigger ones are useful for so much longer, so I made more blocks until I ran out of the gray Heath fabric.

  My friend Kate brought me over a couple of yards of this Finlandia fabric from her secret stash for the back!  Perfect!

Since I decided to let my Bernie rest, I did a bunch more cutting.  Look at all these hexies....more Stockholm....can't get enough of that fabric!

I basted a couple of quilts from the closet too.  Now I really need my machine!

Stockholm...I have a crush on you!

I've been busy making class samples and step outs for my upcoming appearance on "The Quilt Show." I was only going to make 4 blocks, but I liked it so much, I kept going.  This is "Scandia Crush", a version of the Lilac Crush quilt that's in the book.  It's such a sophisticated look...I'm in love with it.

The background is Alexander Henry's Heath in gray, kona coal and white and the rest of the fabric is Robin Zingone's Stockholm and some of my last scraps of my Finlandia fabric by Free Spirit.  Gotta tell you I'm in love with that Stockholm fabric.  I love when just a touch of prints makes such a big impact! I don't know what took me so long to use it.  I've got a couple hundred hexagons cut from this as well.  Itching to make that quilt!

I bought most of my Stockholm prints from Tammy at Marmalade.  She's about the only one who has it and I think I need to buy more before it's gone.  The orange and lime and blue and brown colorways are pretty great too!

It's Good to Have a Goal

I'm hoping to get some sewing done for myself this week.  I have to finish up my traveling quilts blocks and get them on their way and I'd really like to get some tops out of the closet and get some finishes.

 I tweaked this top a bit and now it's done.  Ready for a good pressing!

 I have a panel done for the back, but it needs a little pizzaz!  I'm thinking maybe this Olivia dot?

I took these 6 quilt tops out of the closet.  I have some backs to make and some basting to do.  I'm going to try table basting as soon as I get this first back made.  I'll let you know how it goes.
Hope you're getting some sewing in too!

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.  

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.

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!!!