Exciting News! ECMQG's first ever Sew Modern Quilt Lab

I have been so excited and couldn't wait to announce that our guild Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild will be hosting Sew Modern Quilt Lab retreat!!

September 11th and 12th there will be classes, demonstrations and quilts on display. 

For more information please visit List of classes and descriptions.  

Or here for the Sew Modern Quilt Lab Schedule.

More info and fun details to come :)

Fun with Tutorials!

I thought after the first of the year that everything would slow down, but no. Just like everyone knows more things end up on the 'to do' list! But I can't complain because I am loving it all!! Doing more of the creative things I love to do.

I volunteered for the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild Block Lottery and became the official Block Lottery Captain in January; and what an honor it is! I get to design and test block patterns for the guild. Check out our block for the March meeting...

I was really fun to sew up and easy too! The block lottery is a great way for our guild to raise funds, but it is also a way to learn new quilting skills or push yourself to use fabrics you might not have ever chosen. It is a free tutorial every month for anyone to use, even if your not a guild member it's avalable. I hope that these tutorials are helpful, educating and fun!!

The past two blocks were...

Circle of Friends

Modified Churn Dash

I am looking forward to future months!! I already have some great ideas ready.

Also I plan on making each one of these blocks to keep and then at the end of the year create a sampler quilt from them. I have a bundle of Denise Schmidt Chicopee and a nice bundle of low volumes I plan on using, the Chicopee just makes me smile so I think that will be my happy sampler quilt - finally some selfish sewing :)

So please if you see a block tutorial on the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild Blog you like, by all means make some!! And please send me a pic I would love to see it!

Two Versions of the Sew Together Bag

I have been eyeing the 'Sew Together Bag' pattern by SewDemented on Craftsy for about 6 months. I finally broke down and purchased it in December.

The pattern description is "Do you love Sewing Together with your friends, but can't keep up with all the notions you brought? This was my dilemma!

The Sew Together Bag is a niffty little bag with three zippered pockets, four open pockets, a pincushion and a great little needle landing all held together by a zipper that forms two handles.

This bag will easily hold your 8" scissors, rotary cutter, marking pencils, seam ripper, extra needles, thread, snippers, and much more. It will amaze you how much you can hold in this fun and compact bag."

It is true this is a niffty little bag and it has loads of pockets!

I made one for my mother-in-law for Christmas, using stashed fabrics in her favorite colors of teal, blue and pinks. I used fusible fleece for the outer shell and quilted straight lines.

It is a great design! But (and there is a big but in there) I would not recommend this pattern to a beginner.

For the zipper pocket linings I used a bright pink to match the outer zipper.

The overall design is perfectly well thought out and all the zippers are great for storing small items that otherwise might get lost. With four open pockets and three zipper pockets you can carry a lot in this bag.

Then I made another one for the guild's zipper bag swap, my partner was Yvonne from 'That's Sew Creative'. I know she loves English paper piecing and the soft colors of Bonnie and Camille's Scrumptious.

So I just had to make the outside of the bag with 1" EPP hexagons. These fabrics are so very sweet and relaxing to work with. I used cotton batting and hand quilted with perle cotton the outside. I recommend getting longer than recommended zippers for the three inside pockets, that way you do not have to worry about sewing over the metal zipper stops. Stay with the size she has for the outside zipper, there is no worry of sewing over those zipper stops.

My overall review of the pattern is that the design is top-notch and the written directions are good. There are only 4 diagrams to reference and I even found them confusing. The lack of photos makes it very frustrating and the price is $12.00. Now the price is equal to the great design but not due to the lack of step by step photos but that's my opinion. Although once you have it figured out it is easier when making a second one. It is a challenging pattern but don't let it stop you from making one, the finished results are very rewarding!

Thanks for visiting!

Kira

Busy, busy...

Now there is always a project on my plate, but right now there are several.

Finally I have started working on the hexagons from the Hexagon Swap on flickr from over a year ago.  I am assembling the flowers on my lunch hour at work. The plan is to eventually have enough flowers to make an applique throw quilt. 

Assembly line work on a dozen fish bags for the ECMQG bazaar in November. I have 4 done and 8 more to go. 

Using Amy Butler's Weekender Bag pattern to make a bag for my singer featherweight. I have the outside panels pieced but they need quilted.

Two feathers are partially finished for the bag outside pockets. I love Denise Schmidt's Florence line!!

So there you have it - busy busy!! What are you up to today?

ECMQG Scrap Swap Challenge 2013 - Her Light Within

I feel like this post should have the song 'Dust in the Wind' by Kansas playing in the background, not because it's sad - but because the beauty of life is so often taken for granted. We are perfect/complete/beautiful creatures and rarely do we celebrate just who we are.

Ok, back to the real world (the original post here), I wanted this to show the heart and soul I see from this person. Or celebrate her!

If it were not for her scraps being so awesome and so in-tune with her, I could not have made this! She loves the ocean (the blue fabric), she loves the sun (the oranges), she has an uncanny way of understanding and caring for people and in a very nurturing way (the awesome text prints). I just added the kona white for her love of the beach (the beautiful white beaches here) and more teal blue in the binding for more of water feel to the mini quilt.

My points are not perfect, but neither are we as humans - that's the beauty of us!

I wanted the quilt to show how she is - bright, cheerful, and loving. The sun points are pieced, like we build our lives bit by bit. The small sun is her heart, it shines so brightly sending out love from within her.

I stole this pic from Cindy

Here Cindy took a picture showing the size of the small sun points as compared to a dime. To be honest they are small but no different to make than the large sun points.

I just loved the large text print in her scraps and had to put it in the back, just a reminder of our childhood innocence (the Neverland text fabric from her scraps, please someone tell me the fabric designer sorry).

The label is simply a mimic of the small sun printed on fabric.

'Her Light Within' is 18" x 18" all quilters cottons, designed and quilted on a home machine.

Sometimes what is in my head translates into fabric and sometimes - well, it doesn't. This time I feel it did, and that's wonderful! But that's the way of life - sometimes you do the right things and well, sometimes it won't always turn out like you'd hope.

I hope you take a moment and revel in the beauty of life and those around you that make life so much more pleasurable to be living!!!

Scrap Swap Challenge? - Accepted!

Every year on ECMQG anniversary we do a scrap challenge (here is the Dec Christmas challenge and last years anniversary challange pics). Everyone that wants to participate brings a quart size zip-lock baggie filled with scraps which are placed in brown paper bags and at the end of out meeting they are randomly drawn. You then talk to the owner of the scraps and find out what they would like to receive. Sometimes they have a particular need/want or as with my partner and dear friend Cindy, I was given freedom to create anything. We are allowed the use of only one other fabric and a binding.

Cindy's Scraps

I went home that afternoon and dumped the scraps on my bed sorting them, the scraps are lovely shades of orange, low volume, a cute gray tomato print and a larger strip of an aqua print.

The orange prints in my grandmothers old bowl.

Immediately I knew what I wanted to make, but I can't really say just yet because Cindy reads my blog. So I apologize I can't spill the beans on this one until the September meeting.

I am so excited and wish I could show you, but darn it I can't and that makes it even harder to stay quiet! 

I can show you some sneak peeks for now...

Teeny Tiny Piecing

Ignore the sad thumb nail, my hands have taken a beating lately. These pieces are very tiny, and at an awkward angle so I had to use lots of pins.

Pins, pins and more pins.

There are just tiny little scraps left of the original scraps.

Working on the low-volume scraps next, still not sure if what is in my head is translating into it yet but I can't share that with you either - sorry.

It's not finished and I have so much more to do, but it should be completed by the deadline and I'll post pictures after I give it to her.

Have you ever worked on something that excites you and you want to show it to everyone but can't?

Not So Modern Maples - A Finished Quilt

I finally finished binding my 'Not So Modern Maples', and for once I am ahead of schedule (ECMQG Quilt-A-long is due at the September meeting).

I took these pictures and was cropping them and though "how odd, something just doesn't look right" and a panic set over me - did I somehow mess up with the layout of the blocks?! See how the row in the middle goes all the way across, it's not suppose to be like that. How could I have messed up that bad?? I was freaking out...

Until I looked at the layout from the pattern and a saw it! I had photographed my version the wrong way - sideways duh!! 

If I rotate the photo it is now almost like the original pattern - except see those two bottom leaves? They are in the wrong position. Oh well you can't get it all perfect!!

A close up of the large meander quilting.

Pattern Modern Maples by Lark Crafts, finished size 59" by 70". The background is Kona 'Butter', leaf fabrics are by Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett and a few random fat quarters in florals. Quilting thread is Connecting Threads in 'Cream" which matches the Kona 'Butter' perfectly. The backing is by Heather Bailey 2009 Nicey Jane For Free Spirit in Lindy Leaf  in tangerine- cream, pink and gold. Binding is Hoffman Fabrics 'Balbo Blenders' in latte.

Now I have to wait for fall to cuddle up with my 'Not So Modern Maples' quilt.

Star light, star bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have the wish I wish tonight.

 **I am going to use the abbreviated form of improvisational = improv, in this post and I hope it's ok? yea - spell check is a screamin"

Finally finished the ECMQG's Madrona Road Challenge (our guild received the fabrics late and therefore did not participate in the world wide challenge), but we are having fun with our own challenge and we all reveal our quilts at the March 9th meeting.

I used Silly BooDilly's Wonky Star Tutorial to create the two stars and with the scraps I created a mismatched border.

Front of quilt

Quilt size is 37 x 37 inches, fabrics are Madrona Road boy color way and Kona white for the background.

There are a lot of firsts on this mini for me. I like plans and drafts and designs to follow, it's a control thing but I have been trying to challenge myself when doing a "challenge quilt' (ha ha sorry I'm goofy).

I ran out of white fabric twice - yes twice! You would have thought when I ran out the first time I would have gotten enough to finish it, but I didn't have a coupon for Joann's Fabrics at the time so I only bought 2 yards thinking that when I do get a coupon I'll get over there and buy a ton.

back

The first improv pieced backing I have ever made - now I've done backings with blocks but it's usually pre-planned. This was very challenging because you see the white 'was' to be the backing, just plain fabric. After piecing the front borders I realized I didn't have enough for the back so I thought why not use the scraps and try to improv piece a backing (and the fact that a quilt buddy has been telling to try improv-piecing). Using the scraps of Madrona road and kona white I made the biggest block I could and then pulled out of my stash the blue madrona road fabric to make it large enough to cover the back.

A different angle

corner

A first for improv borders - I had planned on placing the strips evenly around the quilt, but after making the strips of the scraps my husbands was like 'Hey, what if you make it wonky like the stars". 

I did miter the corners, so this was the planned part that helped me cope (you know the recovering perfectionist).  It turned out to be a great idea. I am definitely doing this again!

A first try at improv quilting - really I had no plan (it was quite scary). All I kept thinking was "it's going to pleat or pucker I just know it" - but it didn't or at least I can't see any after washing it.

The first time ever finishing the binding 100% by machine and using on grain bias, I had always hand stitched the binding down and used bias binding. I used the blanket stitch and Pat Sloan's tutorial.. For this quilt you can't even see the stitching, and thank goodness I had a horrible time as the thread kept breaking and knotting on the back and I never found out why. I would only use decorative stitches on the binding when there is contrast because my thread disappeared into the text print, and decorative stitches take way more time to stitch out.

The quilt is a little wavy but it's cute, and I am sure once well loved the waviness will disappear. 

And a first of taking photos at work in the office. It's Friday and my brain is fried, but I did this on my lunch hour so if my boss reads this no worries I wasn't goofing off today - I promise :)

Is it improvisational, improvisation or improvising and can I say improv??

I did find this at Merriam-Webster on improv.

oh well, I was never known for good spelling and grammar in school, or math either come to think of it - was I doomed.

I'm linking to Quilt Story, see my sidebar for their button :)

http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-tuesday.html

Quilt Show Lately? If you haven't maybe you should!!

Many of our guild members had quilts in the show last weekend at the

 Emerald Coast Quilt Retreat and Show

I even submitted the quilt 'Cosmos' 

I was asked four things from my experience of having a quilt in a show -

what were my fears, why did I enter, what did I expect and what was the reality of it all in the end.

Since it's so hard for me to translate my emotions into words I did a word game - you know, make a list using one word answers to describe your feelings in each category  Using the topics 'fear', 'why', 'expectations' and 'reality', I came up with these answers answers.

Fear

• opinions- I am scare of others opinions of me, and the quilt only shows one side of who I am
• judgement- if the quilt is a failure and a horrible example of quilting
• criticism- what if no one likes it or worse what if they hate the quilt
• negativity- could my quilt put a negative spin on the modern quilting movement

Why

• experience- to have the experience of actually having a quilt in a show
• group- if not for the ECMQG I would have never had the confidence to show a quilt
• share- spread the word about modern quilting and the wonderful community of quilters
• voice- to have a voice or show what I can do 
• represent- again to show how wonderful the world of modern quilting is by being an example

Expectations

• feedback- to get feedback from the judges 
• skills- learn what skills I need to work on and what skills I have accomplished
• learn- from this and be a better quilter and share with others what I have learned
• interest- to build interest in ECMQG and modern quilting

Reality

• good- none of the fears I had became fact, I was silly to even think them!
• pride- in oneself and as a quilter, and with our quilting community
• community- our diverse quilting community is open and welcoming, not at all judgmental
• interest- we received lots of interest in the guild and modern quilting
• accomplishment- a general sense of accomplishment that I plowed through my fears and came out in the end just a little be better! 

So if you've been afraid to take the plunge and enter a quilt in a show, I say DO IT!

You won't be disappointed!!

Cindy's Wonky Stars

Melanie's Awesome Quilt

There were even more great quilts from our guild - but my computer is not cooperating with me today. Our wonderful members- Cindy, Marcy, Wendi, Kelly, Melanie, Leslie and all the members that made a block for the Modern BOM Charity quilt (who didn't even realize they had their works in the show) you did a wonderful job!!!!!

For more pictures and to see all the quilts in the show click here

a wonderful experience

Can you tell from this picture that all the fear was gone and nothing but sheer delight was to be had Saturday!

        

Out of white fabric

Back to working on the guild challenge (madrona road) this weekend.

I have it pieced to this point, but have ran out of Kona white fabric and I sooooo want to add borders to this mini quilt I am at a stopping point.

I used Silly BooDilly's tutorial but changed the block dimensions and added a smaller off center star in the negative space. I think I want to name this mini quilt 'Star Light, Star Bright' as the larger star seems to shine brighter than the little one. Until I can get to the LQS - which will more than likely but Tuesday as my work scheduled tomorrow is crammed full of excitement (not) - I will have to set this aside.

This just might give me the time I need to finish the LOVe pillow I started in the demo at the last guild meeting. 

Public Speaking is not like riding a bike

I've given lectures and taught classes on beginning quilting many years ago and even in my early 20's I did demos for the local craft stores on the weekends introducing customers to the wonderful world of crafting and painting. I haven't had the pleasure of teaching in - uhmm let's just say a few years - BUT it's not anything like riding a bike...

I was asked to do a demo/lecture/make-and-take for our local quilt guild (ECMGQ) Saturday and I did alright the first half  which was the lecture/samples part although I did mix up the order in which I had originality practiced, I do believe everyone was interested and stayed awake even if they all where staring at me wondering if the trembling was a start of a seizure.

Then when it can time to do sewing demonstration I was all thumbs! I even used the rotary cutter incorrectly - very lucky I didn't cut my thumb off!! Twice I placed fabric in the wrong place and played it off as 'Do you see what I did wrong here?" I just couldn't get it together.

After the sewing demo part everyone went to their machines and started creating blocks. This is when I think I shined - can I say that after what I just told you?!? I love the one-on-one approach to teaching, this is where I feel the most confident! I really enjoy seeing the smiles when the student gets it.

I really need to work on my confidence and demonstration skills before doing this again, but in the end I did have a lot of fun and made so many new friends!!!

As you can see here we all had a 'LOVELY' time - pardon the pun :)

the 'LOVe' pattern can be found here by Kelby Sews