A Fast & Friendly Quilted Potholder Tutorial

I've been keeping an eye out for some fast and easy gift ideas for Christmas. There's a blog post on Craftsy - a tutorial to make quilted potholders, which would be a great way to use scraps of fabric (Lord know I've got plenty of those!)  A lot of mine are pretty ratty looking, so I could always make some for myself, too.

 

But first, I need to finish a couple Santa dolls. So... I'm going to go work on them now while I have a moment.

New Fabric (I couldn't help myself)

Well, I did it. I bought more fabric when I promised myself I wouldn't. I could tell you it's because these charm packs were on sale at Green Fairy Quilts, and that may have played a small part. Mostly, it was because I thought these collections were bright and cheerful. I've had them for about a week, and I think they'll make up really cute simple lap or twin size quilts.

Then today while checking my email, I saw that Craftsy was offering another free quilting class. Of course I signed up for it. I learn new things with each class I take, and the teachers are all really good. This mini class is called Piece, Patch, Quilt: Basic Quiltmaking Skills with Gail Kessler. I doubt I can get something done before Christmas (too many other projects), but that's sort of what I had in mind.

This charm pack had me thinking of my sister, so she may get something in the distant future:

 

And this one appealed to me.

The color schemes of both are pretty similar, huh?

 

Incidentally, Craftsy is offering another free class called Professional Family Portraits, and as I just purchased a REALLY NICE camera, I signed up for this one as well. My new camera is a Canon EOS 7D, and I'm just starting to find my way around all the cool features. Even in the basic Auto mode, the photos are fantastic. I got the "For Dummies" book for this specific camera and I've got a DVD tutorial coming soon.  



Getting Ready for the Season?

I posted a link to my free pattern about this time last year, and thought I'd repost so others could find it easily. The pattern is on my website, copyrighted in 1997. That was the year I made one for all my coworkers. It was a daunting task, and I tried to make each Snow Person unique and representative of each person's interests or attributes. 

 

So if you're looking for a fast and easy project for the season, how about some Snow People made from Warm & Natural cotton batting? Click HERE for the pattern and instructions. There's also a link to photos of ALL the Snow People I made that year. Back when I had TIME, apparently.

New Craftsy Classes - an on-going obsession

I've just signed up for a couple new Craftsy classes [as if I had all the free time in the world]: Quilt-as-you-go Patchwork Bags which looks fun and easy:

And Hand-Embellishing Knit Fabric [thanks to my friends Christine Shively and Ute Vasina for turning me on to this technique]:

 

Thankfully, I have access to these classes forever, because I'll not be getting to them any time soon. Still so much on my to-do list:

 

On-going Lifebook lessons

Fiona's birthday quilt

Hoffman doll

Helper Doll for the ODACA Luncheon

Cecelia doll for Marti

Santa doll for Mike

Other Art Journaling projects

Several unfinished quilts

 

 

There are tons of free patterns, too:
Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy                                                      
Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy

Belated Christmas

Today we're celebrating our Christmas since we worked the holiday. Sometimes it's nice to have an extra couple days to get things done.

While my goal this year was to make hand-crafted gifts for most of the family, I only accomplished two projects. The first was a set of six quilted Christmas placemats for my mom. I started these earlier in the year when I signed up for a Craftsy class (Quilting Quickly by Jenny Doan). It was also my first attempt at free-motion quilting, too. Boy, that takes some practice!

 

The second project was a Santa doll for my brother and sister-in-law. I used Gail Wilson's "Linsey-Woolsey Santa pattern. He's about 13 1/2 inches tall. For his robe, cape and hood, I found some fabric scraps (from curtains, I believe.) It frayed quite a bit, but I like the texture and pattern. I made the cord for his belt, using a gadget called the Diva Cord Maker.

 

BOM ~ October

I just finshed the last two blocks for the Craftsy Block of the Month course. These blocks taught us how to paper piece (I've also been working on a quilt for granddaughter Fiona, which uses paper piecing) - what a great way to make precise blocks!

This first block is called the "Friendship Circle" block. 

This block is called the "Circle of Geese."

I used a very bright and happy fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda. I think next month (November) we'll probably be learning how to sash our blocks and assemble the quilt. I really want to finish this project, but I think the tough part is still coming (the quilting part).

BOM ~ September

It took me some time to get started on the September's blocks for the Craftsy Block-of-the-Month course, as I had to order a Drunkard's Path template. These blocks were a bit more labor-intensive than some of the others, because of the curved piecing.

The first block was the chain block. I didn't really have any trouble sewing the curves, and I attribute that to making cloth dolls (lots of curves there!).

The second block was to be Cleopatra's Puzzle, but I chose to make this variation, which is basically Cleo's block with the center four squares rearranged a bit. Of course, after I took the photo I noticed some misalignment of the circle in the center. I have since unpicked that section and fixed the eye-sore.

Only two more blocks to go!

The tough job of choosing a quilt block

I'm having the hardest time settling on a quilt design for my granddaughter Fiona's birthday quilt. As a brand new quilter, I just don't have the repertoire of blocks in my pattern stash or brain.

I saw a pillow on Craftsy made using the Simple Courthouse Steps block. The link to the pattern/template was included, so decided to audition this block to see if I liked it. I'd never tried paper piecing before, and it went together pretty well.

The fabric used is from a fat quarter bundle by Riley Blake, called "Fiona's Fancy."

BOM ~ August

 Just finished Crafty's August's blocks. Both went pretty fast. This one is called the Ohio Star block.

 The second block was the Double Star, which required a bit more cutting. Fun, though, and it went together pretty well. I wanted to make the most use of what fabric I have left, so I did a little piecing. I can hardly find the pieced ones!

Sixteen blocks so far, four more to go. 

BOM ~ July

Yesterday I worked on and finished the July blocks for the Craftsy Block-of-the-Month class. Left is a traditional Dresden, and right is a modern version. I chose to hand sew the pieces to the background fabric, as I find it relaxing. The project would have gone much faster if I'd chosen to machine sew them.

Fourteen blocks so far. There will be 20 when the class is over.  I'm using a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

I'd intended to work on my Hoffman doll this weekend, but got sidetracked with this project. Well, I did apply some paint to my doll, so I guess I'm not a complete procrastinator. I'm planning to use one of my many unfinished dolls for the Hoffman, so that gives me a bit of a head start. 
I've also got to finish a pin doll for Carole, one of my students. That project is very nearly done - she just needs some hair and a pin back. 

BOM ~ June

June's blocks have been posted on the Craftsy website. Left is the Greek Cross and right is the Octagon block. Both are 9-patch blocks, and were pretty quick projects. I'm using a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

Here are all the blocks thus far. Picture them with plain white sashing between.

BOM ~ May

I just finished the May set of blocks for Amy Gibson's free Block of the Month class on the Craftsy website.  They went pretty fast. This months blocks were variations of the Log Cabin. I messed up a bit on the wonky one on the right, but it's all a learning experience for me. 

I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda. Again, here are all the blocks thus far in no particular order.

BOM ~ April

Just finished the April set of blocks for Amy Gibson's free Block of the Month class on the Craftsy website. This month we learned English paper piecing. All the hexagrams are sewn on by hand. I had a bit of a struggle with the block on the right, arranging and rearranging hexes until I had a design I liked. Part of it was the busy background fabric, but I'm running low on the prints with the white background. I may have to buy more. I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

And here are the blocks so far, in no particular order:

Fencerail Quilt Progress

I've sewn a little more on my fencerail quilt this week, adding borders and backing. I think I might actually finish this project! The size is smaller than a twin, but would be a good size to curl up with on the couch and read or watch movies.

When I bought my backing, I was thinking my borders would be narrow. After deciding on a wider orange border, my backing wasn't large enough. So I had to do some piecing. The brown stripe looks a little more slanted in this photo than it does in person.

I've done some stitching in the ditch to secure the quilt sandwich layers, but haven't decided on an actual pattern for the blocks and borders. This is going to be the tricky part for me. 

And while I've sworn off buying any new fabric (and use my stash instead), I couldn't resist this fat quarter bundle, called Fiona's Fancy by Riley Blake Designs:

BOM ~ March

I've just finished the next set of quilt blocks, taught by Amy Gibson's free Block of the Month class on the Craftsy website. The problem with finishing the blocks so quickly in the month is that there's a really long month to wait for the next blocks! The String block is on the left, the Broken Spider Web on the right. I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

Here are all the blocks thus far:

I've also started working on a doll for a group submission to Prims magazine, due in April, for the MAIDA group. We're keeping our projects secret, however, until they are published in the magazine. From what I've seen so far, it's going to be a fantastic spread!

I think I'm in trouble...

Not only did I resolve to NOT buy any new fabric, I think I've been bitten by the quilting bug. New fabric and quilting seem to go hand in hand. I've just finished another pieced quilt top (fence rail block), about the size of a lap quilt. I used a small jelly roll of fabric called loulouthi by anna marie horner.

I still need to trim the edges and decide on a border/binding/backing. And then, of course, do the actual quilting. I'm hoping my  free-motion/darning quilt will arrive in the mail today (I thought I already had one), so I can get going on finishing the projects that are stacking up.

Help!!

BOM ~ February

I've just finished a set of quilt blocks, taught by Amy Gibson on the Craftsy site for the free Block of the Month class. I've been anxiously awaiting the pattern/instructions for the February blocks, so I'm excited they were introduced a little early. The Balkan Puzzle block is on the left, the Chunky Chevron on the right. I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

BOM ~ January

Earlier this month, I signed up for a free Block of the Month class at Craftsy.com. The asterix is on the left, and the wonky pound sign on the right. I've never done something like this, and as I'm a pretty linear person, the future unknown and different blocks are causing me a little stress. I'm a planner, and I like having some idea of the colors, fabrics, design, etc., that I'll be using.

I'm still very much a novice at quilting, and this project involves cutting and a variety of quilting techniques that are all new to me. These are the first two blocks ("Slash & Sew") which I just completed tonight. I couldn't start the project until I bought some fabric (despite my Resolution to NOT buy any more fabric), because FABRIC was on the supply list - specifically a fat quarter bundle. So I found a bundle on eBay that appealed to me (Moda's Fresh Flowers by Deb Strain).

My first quilting project was the table runner for my mother-in-law. That was easy, because I used a charm pack, so I didn't have to cut any of the pieces. I've got another quilt project in progress, also using charm packs (my goal is to make a twin size quilt and try some sort of machine quilting with stencil or templates.) I've still got a long way to go on that project, but will post a photo if/when I ever get it done.

First Quilted Project

I'm very excited to have just finished my first quilting attempt - a table runner for my mother-in-law for Christmas, made from one charm pack ("Curio," made by basicgrey for Moda). As basic as this project is, I'm still pleased with how it turned out. Most of my points match, and the overall piece lays flat.

This was also the first time I used my walking foot. I need a little more practice with that.

My mother-in-law doesn't have a computer, but no one tell her what she's getting!