Spring Fabrics for a New Project (and Pattern)

It's always thrilling to start a new project! This quilt will be the cover for a new pattern I'm writing. The quilt was designed for my dear friend Mallory's granddaughter who got married last summer. Strips are cut and I'm sewing!

I'll post again as soon as I've finished writing the pattern. Sherry, I hope this is good news!

Sample This! Completed Section 1

I am very excited to share my students' work in progress on our Sample This BOM! As more students complete section 1, I will fill in the gaps. One of the great benefits of a quilt class, aside from making great new friends, is the opportunity to see the same pattern interpreted in a variety of ways. I always, always, always find it inspiring.

Donna is using primarily solids ranging from pale gray to almost black. Her accent fabrics are grayscale prints. Isn't that a great concept!

Donna - Section 1

Pat is working with exuberant contemporary prints in grays, cream and burgundy ... lovely! I love the way she is using white, cream and gray ... important neutrals juxtaposed against the bold black and burgundy prints.

Pat - Section 1

Here is Karen's Section 1. She is using batiks that range from the palest of lavenders to rich purples with hints of blue. Her focus fabric is a black batik with swirls of pastel rainbow colors ... striking!

Karen - Section 1

Continuing with our purple trend, here is another section 1. As soon as I figure out whose, I will update this post. This collection of batiks ranges from soft orchid to rich purple with some blue and burgundy accents. Isn't it fun to see how unique each person's work is?

TBD - Section 1

Jeanne is working with a luscious collection by Silvia Vassileva, Silvia's Garden from P&B Textiles. Her focus fabric is the creamy beige print with red, turquoise, green and burgundy leaves. I love those touches of brilliant red in the focus fabric and check ... beautiful against the turquoise!

Jeanne - Section 1

Jan S is also using the leaf print from Silvia's Garden. I love the way the warm, creamy golds perfectly show off the teal and burgundy in her quilt. It is such a treat to see the same fabric used in two different quilts. Jan and Jeanne are in different classes ... I don't think they have seen each others' quilts!

Jan S - Section 1

I love these reds in Jodyne's work! I quickly put these two parts of her quilt on the wall for a photo ... we'll get them arranged properly before sewing. Click the photo for the larger version so you can see the Kokopelli batik and the pottery print. I am eager to see the story of her quilt unfold as she combines southwestern prints with reds, greens, browns and turquoises that evoke the rich hues of the desert.

Jodyne - Section 1

Here is a warm, rich collection featuring Stonehenge fabrics. Sandy's feature fabric is the rich red with green-gold ivy print from Northcott's Sangria collection. The warm creams and complement it beautifully and I adore the olive green Raindrops print by Lonni Rossi ... it's perfect!

Sandy - Section 1

Mallory's quilt features a brilliant, large scale floral batik in turquoise and purple. In section 1, she has used primarily green batiks with accents of blue and coral. Isn't the coral stunning? Her quilt will feel like a spring garden.

Mallory - Section 1

Rae is working with a lovely selection of soft blues and sagey green but her palette also includes creams and a black and purple batik that adds drama to her quilt. I love the softness of those greens as the backdrop for the blue stars as well as the punch of the cream and black 4-patches.

Rae T - Section 1

Julie and Rae are best friends and so are their quilts! Julie is also working with soft greens but the blue in her quilt is a bit brighter in hue. There is a cool watery feeling to Julie's quilt, due in part to the linear batik. The surprise in Julie's quilt are those soft, subtle touches of buttery yellow. Gorgeous!

Julie - Section 1

I am very proud of their work and can hardly wait for the next month when section 3 is completed. Some students have sent me photos ... but you'll have to wait until early May to see! 

Sample This! BOM Sections 1, 3 and 5

Each month, we complete one section of the "Sample This!" quilt. April is our 3rd month in the series so today I'm sharing my work in progress thus far. As I selected fabrics for this quilt, I wanted to show that solids, prints and batiks can all be used successfully together as well as create a quilt whose colors feel soft and subtle. We'll see whether it all works! Here is one of 2 parts of section 1:

Section 1b

The triangular sections consist of interlocking friendship stars with 4-patches in the corners in a point setting. Setting triangles are sewn along the left side to complete the rows. Here are both parts of section 1 that will make the top left corner of the quilt.

Section 1a and b

Whenever possible, I use Deb Tucker's rulers and this quilt is no exception. In section 3, we get to use Deb's Spotlight ruler. Section 3 is composed entirely of spotlight units that can be arranged as desired. I chose to arrange 4 spotlight blocks so the center beam triangle spins in a "circle" around a pinwheel. The 4 side triangles in the corners will also form pinwheels with adjacent units.

Four spotlight units

I love Deb's "trim down" approach to patchwork. By working slightly larger then trimming to the size needed, many "easing" headaches are minimized ... each unit is perfect! Section 3, also set on point, will become the bottom right corner of the quilt.

Section 3

In April, we will construct section 5 ... a beautiful star block again made with the Spotlight ruler. It's the exact same unit used in section 3 ... don't you love the myriad designs you can get simply by rearranging simple geometric shapes? Section 5 has two parts made in different color schemes. Here are my two color ways:

Section 5a

Section 5b

My students think this section could be developed into a beautiful quilt ... so ...

Section 5

my homework, due the last week of April, is to come up with a design. I already love the spotlight blocks and am also intrigued with the slim inner sashing framed by the bolder outer sashing. I'm excited to give it a try.

Happy sewing!

PS - I just realized "Firecracker" by Jaybird Quilts is made entirely from the spotlight block ... how cool is that!

Sample This BOM Fabrics

Spring greetings! Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are accustomed to cold, rainy spring breaks. Much to our delight, we have had a stunningly gorgeous weekend of record-setting warm days. To celebrate, here are most of the fabric collections from my BOM classes at the Pine Needle. The BOM we are making is A Quilter's Dream:  Sample This!

Sample This! Pattern Cover

Below is the first group of fabric collections beginning with Jan P (top left), Jan S (top right), Rae T (bottom left) and Linda (bottom right). I do hope I got everyone's name correctly paired up with their fabric collection ... let me know if I didn't! These are collections primarily of batiks that have a wide range of hues and values. It will be great fun to see these quilts emerge as we progress from month to month.

Batik Fabric Collections

Next are fabric collections from Karlee (top left), Heather (top right), Rae P (bottom left) and Donna (bottom right). Karlee's collection is a terrific group of fabrics from Tula Pink (Salt Water), paired with the perfect dove gray to tie it all together. Heather's quilt will be made entirely of whites and grays with a lovely pink accent ... totally modern. Rae P's quilt will be made from a stunning collection of taupe prints and wovens. Donna chose an array of solid whites and grays and plans to use white or gray prints as her accent fabrics. 

Collections That Showcase Gray

Check out this next group of fabric collections from Kathy A (top left), Sandy (top right), and Jodyne (bottom left and right). Kathy's chose a teal and chartreuse color scheme and is combining contemporary prints with batiks. Sandy's Stonehenge fabrics include brick red, cream and gold that extends almost into a mustardy green. Jodyne selected an array of Southwestern prints as shown in the bottom left photo; the bottom right photo shows the fabrics she will use in the first section of the quilt.

Color Palette Collections

This last group of collections is inspired by flowers and I included a photo of Mallory trying out a new "light tool" (bottom right). I don't know where she found this LED headlight but we were laughing so hard I forgot to take a photo of her fabric collection! Kathy S's collection (top left) is a colorful collection of small scale prints and solids that coordinate with her large scale feature floral. Carolyn's blue and green fabric collection (top right) features the Camelot group from Jason Yenter. The inspiration for Lana's collection (bottom left) is a beautiful oil painting of flowers.

Floral Inspirations

The quilt is constructed in six sections, all set on point. As we progress from month to month, I will post the completed sections. With 23 students in three classes, it will be awesome to see these quilts emerge. Despite good intentions, I somehow missed getting a photo of everyone's fabric collection but you'll still get to see them as the completed sections are posted.

Happy sewing!
 

Introducing Loved to Pieces' first pattern ... Sangria

Happy new year! I am excited to announce my first quilt pattern, Sangria, and to introduce my official business name, Loved to Pieces. I chose this name because for me, the heart and soul of quilt making is a quilt that literally is loved to pieces. Despite all the beautiful, inspiring art and competition quilts, I believe the very best quilts are those made for the people we love. And those quilts should be used daily so they become a cherished part of someone’s life. I believe there is no higher calling for a quilt; truly, it is an honor to be the maker.

 

Sangria

I designed Sangria for our intermediate quilt making class at the Pine Needle to introduce log cabin blocks, half square triangles (shoo fly and hourglass blocks), mitered borders and foundation piecing (crossed canoe blocks).

Come see these quilts at the Pine Needle open house January 18-19!

It was immensely gratifying to see my fabulous students interpret Sangria in this past fall's class. Here is Susan's quilt as she is sewing the rows together. Susan used a neutral palette of white, creams and beiges; her quilt brings to mind treasured antique linens.

 

 Susan's Sangria Quilt

 

Next is Suzanne's quilt, done in batiks and Marcia Derse prints. I love the red and canteloupe with those rich neutrals.

Suzanne's Sangria Quilt

My students receive tons of encouragement and praise when they change up a pattern. My philosophy is that a pattern, much like a recipe, is a place to start ... a suggestion. The quilt you make is your very own statement so I am thrilled when students continue to look and experiment with color and layout as they work.

Kathy chose a palette of Stonehenge fabrics and oriented the log cabin blocks with the darks in the center. Doesn't her quilt have a beautiful circular feeling? And that subtle accent of soft aqua perfectly complements the warm rich red browns.

Kathy's Sangria Quilt

Karlee worked with a neutral palette of cream, beige, sage green and charcoal. I love the texture and movement of the Stonehenge stripe in the log cabin blocks.

Closeup of Log Cabins (Karlee's Sangria Quilt)

Karlee chose a bold, modern print for the inner and outer borders that gives the quilt great energy and excitement! Wow!

Karlee's Sangria Quilt

Liz's soothing palette of blues, beige and creams has a country French mood. The red accent fabric perfectly sets off the quilt and I love that she laid out her log cabin blocks in diagonal rows. The inner border is a tone on tone stripe that looks awesome with the mitered corner seams.

Liz's Sangria Quilt

Elizabeth worked with a palette of teal, cream and burgundy. Here, she auditions border fabrics.

Elizabeth Auditions Borders

After considering several border options, Elizabeth decided against the light-medium-dark teal frame and instead chose the dramatic burgundy from her log cabin blocks which frames her quilt beautifully and allows the white and teal blocks to sparkle.

Elizabeth's Sangria Quilt

Kathy A's palette brings to mind the desert colors of the southwest with burgundy, rust, gold and that beautiful sky blue. Here she is auditioning border fabrics:

Kathy A Auditions Borders

Ultimately, Kathy A rejected the busy print originally intended for the outer border as it pulls the eye away from the beautiful center of her quilt. The burgundy she chose is a rich, dramatic frame that allows that gorgeous blue to sparkle. Kathy A also decided to widen the outer border; I can't wait to see it when it's quilted!

Kathy A's Sangria Quilt

An element of quilting that thrills Lana's heart is selecting fabric and she does a fabulous job. Here she works with batiks in a palette of soothing creams and soft aquas. Drama is not to be denied, however, with the addition of those stunning dark blue/black batiks.

Center of Lana's Quilt

Doesn't her piecing look perfect? (It is!) Stunning!

Lana's Sangria Quilt

Heather's quilt is intended for her daughter, if memory serves. She chose a modern palette of white, gray, chartreuse and orange and combines solids with polka dots and a large scale floral print. Isn't the floral stunning? I love love love the airy feeling of that floral ... a complete surprise! And I think the orange centers of the shoo fly blocks echo just enough of the orange from the floral.

Heather's Sangria Quilt

I am so very proud of my students!

So far, I have made three color stories of Sangria. Here is the inspiration for one of them:

Color Inspiration for Sangria #2

Sandy and Mallory (hiding behind the quilt) are holding up a "work in progress" version of Sangria. Aren't the colors yummy?

Sangria #2 Work in Progress

Best wishes throughout 2013!

Merry Christmas!

From our hearts and paws to yours, we wish you a joyous holiday season!

Frankie, Christmas 2002

Proper Kong Toy Management

Nickel is now 1.5 years old and still has an abundance of energy. We know from experience that he won't slow down at all until he's at least 3 years old. Our survival strategy can be summarized in a single phrase:  a tired puppy is a good puppy.

Fortunately, Nickel loves to retrieve his red kong toy so we stand on the deck outside the back door and throw the toy as far as we can into the woods. Nickel will joyfully retrieve the toy many, many, many times before he is even slightly winded. Frankie however, almost 10 years his senior, loves the kong toy too but is more interested in chewing it than endlessly retrieving.

Frankie waits for the next throw

Frankie, being the senior nose sniffer, is more accomplished at locating the toy but Nickel often lunges more quickly once Frankie finds it or he simply takes it from Frankie ... until Frankie holds his ground and refuses to give it up. Then Frankie settles in for a nice long chew. Nearby sticks work well for variety.

That red speck is the kong toy.

 

Mine!

 

After 12 or 15 retrieves, Nickel needs a bit of a breather.

The problem with a brief respite is the kong toy tends to roll off the deck. Thus, the need for proper kong toy management. One day, after fetching the kong toy from beneath the deck, the straw broke the camel's back. Nickel discovered something very exciting while getting a drink of water:

Now stay put!

Safe and secure

These days, our smart boy secures the kong toy then gets his drink of water.

Gotta go!

Miles of Thread

I have used lots of white thread this year, driven in part by the modern quilting trend of white or light gray fabrics used in the background of quilts. Last week, I finished up a cone of cotton thread:

Here is the almost empty cone beside a new one so you can see how much thread that is:

A cone of Aurifil 50wt thread is 6452 yards ... well over a mile! Yea!

Have you noticed the new tutorial menu at the top of my blog? I plan to post all four tutorials over the next few days. I started with the "clever coasters" tutorial and will add the remainder throughout the holidays. After picking up several charm packs, I folded and pinned the coasters while watching "Men in Black 3" the other night. The sewing is the fastest part ... it took a couple hours to stitch all of these:

Clever Coasters

Then a couple evenings folding and poking out the corners while watching the finale of "The Voice" and "X Factor" and wa la ... nearly 100 coasters finished! Most of these are gifts for friends and family. I hope you enjoy making them too!