Modern Hexagon Class & Winner of QuiltCon Goodies

Yesterday I taught a Modern Hexagon class at Quilter's Way.

I made this quilt as I was designing the class. Students were able to make this exact quilt or make one similar to their specifications - changing the size of the hexagons and the sashing if they so pleased.

I decided to use a fat quarter bundle I received for Christmas for my class sampler.

This is the after - after I showed the class how to cut their hexagons, how to cut and sew their sashing, how to cut their background, and how to sew it together.  I came to the class with all of this pre-cut and a bunch of it already sewn together to show exactly how I constructed my top.

Here's what some of the folks pulled together.

Alison decided to take the technique we learned and make something completely different, which I LOVE! I might have to do something similar at some point.  The wheels in my head are a churnin'.

The rest follow the same pattern I made in my class sample, but each with their own unique spin.

This one uses all batiks.  I like the use of a light blue background here - it feels like a rainbow in the sky.

This one used a deep blue/purple for the background and it worked really well.

I didn't grab a picture of KK's quilt, but I'll be sure to grab one at retreat this weekend and share that with you as well.

Now, for the winner of the QuiltCon goodie bag.  The random number generator selected #17, Tricia who is a follower and is loving aqua and red as well as gray and purple. Congratulations Tricia. 

Modern Hexagon Quilt Class

For those of you in the Massachusetts area, I'll be teaching my Modern Hexagon quilt at Quilter's Way in Acton, MA on March 10th.

Using Jaybird's Hex N More ruler, you can make this quilt top your own by changing the size of the hexagons and even changing the size of the white sashing.  You could make a small wall hanging or a larger quilt.  The one you see here measures 40" square.

I hope you'll join me if you're in the area.  Several spots have already been taken, so if you want a spot in the class, sign up here.

Dazzling Diamonds Class

Yesterday I taught my Dazzling Diamonds quilt at Quilter's Way in Acton. 

It was an intimate class, which I prefer at times.  It allows me to spend more 1:1 time with folks to ensure they understand the concept.

This is the block that I made in preparation for the class.  The goal was to have everyone leave with this. I wanted to make this quilt with prints instead of solids to make sure everyone understood what pieces needed to be right-side-up and right-side-down when piecing with prints. Once I finish this quilt, I will hang in my newly designed guest bedroom.

Here's the block that Allison made.  She used almost all of the same fabrics that I did in my original quilt, but she changed the lime green for a nice light blue.  Doesn't it look awesome?

Here's Karen's block. She used some great Kate Spain prints with a few others to make this block.  Yet another great block.

Dazzling Diamonds Class

On November 18th I will be teaching my Dazzling Diamonds quilt at Quilter's Way in Acton.

This class will teach my paper piecing technique and will show you how to make the best use of secondary designs in your projects.

The class runs from 12-5 and is just $45.  This price includes the Dazzling Diamonds pattern.

If you're interested you can call Quilter's Way or sign up here.  If you're in the area and want to make a cute holiday gift, sign on up!  I hope to see you there.

Machine Quilting the Modern Quilt with Angela Walters

I shared some pictures from the trunk show Angela Walters gave the BMQG this weekend yesterday.  Right after the trunk show, I got to take a class with Angela and learned all about machine quilting the modern quilt.

Quilter's Way recently moved into a new space and added a long arm to their store.  As a result, this class was all on the long arm.  I've rented a long arm a couple of times, but my technique on one is not near as good as it is on a domestic. There was a bit of a learning curve for me in adjusting to the long arm, but conceptually, i think I was able to grasp everything.

There were five of us in the class and we all took turns using the long arm to try different designs and techniques. 

We started with pebbles, something that I'm fairly familiar with.  One of the great things with Angela's class is that she shows you three different ways to do a certain technique, increasing in difficulty.  I think my pebbles turned out pretty good given that I hadn't been on a long arm in a few years.

We then moved onto swirls.  Swirls are one pattern that I have struggled with in the past.  I struggle with the spacing at times.  I found getting spacing down even more difficult on a long arm, but overall, I think I did pretty good.

Of course, I had to try one of the more difficult patterns here, not the simplest one.  But hey, that's just who I am.  Give me a challenge and I'll usually accept it.

I did, however, think I did a pretty good job at the next pattern.  I could certainly see myself doing this quilting design on a quilt.  I'm actually thinking it might be good on a one block wonder top I've had sitting around for what seems like forever.

I also really enjoyed, and thought I did good on the more difficult version as well.  What do you think?  Pretty good, eh?

I also really enjoyed quilting a wood grain pattern.  The bit that I did is in the middle of the picture with the more pointed knots in the wood.  Again, not bad, eh? I could see myself easily doing this one again.

By the end of the day Angela and I were like new best friends.  She's actually thinking that if she has another baby, and it's a girl, she just might name it Jen.  (Just Kidding)  A couple of us from the BMQG went out to dinner with her at one of my favorite tapas restaurants in Waltham and had a great time. I feel like I have a new friend in the quilting community after spending so much time together (and no, I'm not a stalker).

If you ever have a change to take a class with Angela, I'd highly recommend it.  She's a great teacher that simplifies machine quilting for the average quilter. 

Tile Quilt Class

On Saturday KK and I took a class at Emma's Quilt Cupboard in Franklin, MA to make a tile quilt using needle turn applique.  I've been learning more needle turn applique this year and I thought this would be a fun class to take. 

This is the class sample.  I thought the quilt was cute, although not quite my style.  After looking at it, I decided to make mine in Asian fabrics. 

Here is the beginning of my block, pre any applique.  It looks busy and not that wonderful, but once I started to needle turn, things really started to come to life and I really liked the block more and more.

Here's the block as of this morning, almost finished.  I just have to turn the three end pieces on the right and the one on the bottom left.  I really like it now that the grout has been formed. 

Here are blocks from other students.  (sorry for the blurryness, all of the photos were taken with my phone.)  I love the idea of using different background fabrics.  I think it would be cool to have multiple blocks with a rainbow of fabrics for the background, red for one, orange for another, etc. 

I might prep a few blocks to take with me on my upcoming trip to Paris.  I think this would make a good project to do on a plane. 

A Quilters Gathering II - The Quilts and a Rant

On Sunday we went back to A Quilters Gathering to take another "class" (more on that later) and see the quilts on display.  I'm always inspired by the quilts I see in these shows.  After viewing some of the quilts though, I felt more motivated to enter some of my quilts in upcoming shows.  I'm thinking of entering my fire and ice quilt in a few shows once I get it back from the quilter.

Without further adieu, the quilts:

No my rant.  KK, Lynn, and myself signed up for a half day class on Sunday to make a poppy wall hanging. Prior to the class we were sent the supply list by the organizers of the show and we all went out and bought everything necessary.  In total, I probably spent over $100 in supplies for this class.  When we showed up, the teacher, Lenore Crawford, was wondering why everyone in the class had all of these supplies when this was just a lecture.  WHAT?!?  Um, we had all of our supplies because we were told that this was a class and we were sent a supply list to have for the class.  She then went on to blame the show for not communicating with us properly.  Then, she questioned everyone in the class as to whether or not we really expected to work on a project in a half day class and that it wasn't possible.  I then said that in our half day class yesterday we were able to finish our project from start to finish.  With a snarky remark, she then responded that people in her full day class hadn't even finished their quilt and she questioned whether or not we would be able to create a decent quilt in just 3 hours.  Needless to say, everyone was very put off with her attitude towards everyone and the clear lack of communication between everyone, between Lenore and the festival organizers, and the organizers to the participants.  On top of that, Lenore seemed very off her game throughout the lecture since this was her 4th or 5th day teaching in a row.  I can understand if you're tired, but don't commit to teach a class if you aren't able to handle it.  Basically, I was very disappointed with this "class."  I spent all of that money to register for the class and buy all of the "required" supplies only to listen to the teacher's history and how she does her technique without even getting to try our hand at it and ask questions in person. 

A Quilters Gathering - A Weekend of Fun

Last weekend was the A Quilters Gathering quilt festival up in Nashua, NH.  This was my first time attending this festival and I was impressed.  I took two classes with KK and Lynn, each half day classes on Saturday and Sunday morning.  We shopped a bit and saw all of the beautiful quilts.

Our first class on Saturday was with Kathy Kansier, Christmas in Hawaii.  KK ended up having to miss this class, but Lynn and I were still able to make it and had a great time. 

The class started with learning a bit about Hawaiian style quilts.  Kathy showed one of her quilts that she just finished and needs to have sent to the quilter.

 

Then, probably the most interesting and useful skill that we learned was how to design our own Hawaiian style block.  I really enjoyed learning how to design my own because it allows us the ability to do more of these blocks moving forward without being constrained to a particular pattern.  As you can see in the quilt above, Kathy made the blocks above for a particular person and each one tells a story such as the waving hands and the houses. 

We folded our freezer paper and designed our block using a pencil.  I decided to go with a flower and some leaves.  The pattern that I designed is above.  I then ironed the paper to the back of the wonder under on a piece of batik and then traced it.

Here's Lynn ironing on her adorable house and sailboat pattern onto her wonder under.  After ironing and tracing, we cut out our pattern and ironed it onto our white or black Kona backing and begin to sew around the pattern.

Here I am beginning to sew around my flower.  As you can see, I decided not to cut out the center of the flower.  I wanted to limit the complexity for this first piece and avoid any inner pieces. 

Here's my finished piece all sewn down. Isn't it cute?  I love that i was able to finish this in a three hour class. 

And here's what Lynn's block looks like.  She hasn't finished sewing around all of the pattern yet, but isn't it fun and cute?  She's making a sampler quilt with all types of house blocks.


More on the rest of the weekend in another post...

Fiesta! Class Part 2

A little over a week ago we had our second Fiesta! class.  We worked on another type of block.  First, here's a pic of 4 of my blocks from the first style of block we worked on.  I have another 4 of this kind of block left to make.

Here are Lynn's 8 blocks.  Awesome, aren't they?

KK wasn't able to join us this class as she was traveling for work.

And here's the new block that I worked on during our last class.  It still needs some trimming on the top and left, but you get the idea.  The top spikes also aren't attached to the rest of the block.  Once it is it will fit flush with the rest of the block.

Our final class is this Thursday!  

4 Blocks Down, 4 To Go

I made another 3 blocks for the Fiesta! quilt that I'm making.  I'm loving how these are coming out. 

And here's a pic of the first block that I made...

New Quilt Plans

I'm taking a class beginning in March at a LQS with KK and Lynn.  I'm really looking forward to it.  It doesn't start for a month, but I already have a lot of the fabric I want to use.

They're all batiks.  I'm going for the browns, rusts, and teals.  I'm just hoping I have enough contrast since the pattern really calls for a lot of contrast.  I have a few brighter teals, but I'm not sure they fit with the color scheme.  I'll have to bring them with me to see as I go along. 

Here's the pattern:

 

It's not like I've never done paper piecing (as you've been able to tell in this blog) or curved piecing.  It's more to gather for the social experience and learn a few tips.  I always seem to learn something even though I've been quilting for a good 7 years now. I don't think that will ever change either.  I'm looking forward to this class because I really like the pattern.