Follow this link to Bernina’s Through the Needle Online Magazine. The most recent issue has an article by my friend, Gyleen Fitzgerald. It’s all about piecing the back of your quilts. There are three featured backs and if you look closely, you can see my quilting! Enjoy!
http://bernina-ttno.webtuning-cdn.ch/TTNO7/ttno7.html?-t20110804HL
UFO’s-we’ve all got them! For me, being a machine quilter, I love to get to the quilting part and that is where they stop! Suddenly, I realized, I have 5 rather large quilts that need binding and 2 tablerunner size. I’ve got to get moving. It’s time to start thinking of Fall and holiday projects and I can’t have these laying around. I have declared August to be Binding Month and I am determined to get caught up!
Long before I moved to the Lone Star State, I have been interested in the quilt pattern called the Lone Star. This block is likely one of the most recognizable quilt patterns to people. It is also one of the oldest,dating back to the early 1830′s. Many versions of the star are set on solid backgrounds so that intricate quilting can be seen in the setting squares and triangles. For my latest version, I wanted to break some rules and use a very busy background. This was also part of my effort to use my stash. I am sure you will recognize some of these fabrics!
Then for my backing, I again went to my stash.
I am calling this one, “It’s All About Kaffe”!
A few weeks back, my friend, Lynne, and I had a discussion on half-square triangles. She wanted to know how I made them. Well, I thought I had tried all the methods out there and personally, I was a fan of making the square larger, drawing the diagonal line, sewing the 1/4″ seam on both sides of the line, and trimming the new triangles to the correct size.
Well, last week, I took a workshop and discovered a tool that made this whole process much easier. ( And I am embarrassed to say that I already owned this tool. I think I had purchased it at the very start of my quilting journey but had not used it!) This is the Easy Angle TM from EZ Quilting.
How it works, is that you cut your strips of fabric, 1/2″ wider than the finished size of the triangle squares. (For example, for 3″ finished triangle squares, cut 3 1/2″ strips.) Place the two strips that will make up the triangle squares right sides together. Square your left edge. Line the Easy Angle TM to 3 1/2″ and use your rotary cutter on the diagonal edge. Flip the tool, line up, cut on the right edge. The triangle squares can then be sewn together. For a complete tutorial, go to www.ezquilt.com.
I am now making half-square triangles like crazy!
Now Lynne and I also had a discussion on poaching eggs but that will be for another day!
It’s time to bring out the Red, White, and Blue! Time to remember those that have gone before us and time to be with families. It’s the start of Summer 2011!
I have just returned from the Machine Quilter’s Showcase in Kansas City. On the first day, we took a tour to the International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The center features quilts from more than 25 countries. We were fortunate enough to see an exhibit of White Corded Quilting from Marseille. One piece dated back to the late 1600′s.
There was also an exhibit of Nebraska Quilts & Quiltmakers. Of course, I loved the pineapple quilt!
The tour was followed by 2 days of classes, shopping, and looking at the quilts on display. I have returned home, tired yet energized and full of new ideas!
Spring has sprung and it’s a busy time here! Just wanted to share some new quilting patterns:
Graceful feathers with a curly Q for an updated traditional look
Swirling dragonflies for a summer theme
Stars and anchors for a nautical theme
Swirling fans for an Asian theme
A light floral overall
I have been working very hard on two rather large custom jobs. At times like these, I become very focused and that is all that I can do! My only problem is my two assistants! As you can see in the photo, Buddy is positioned under the sewing table. He is in charge of the back of the quilt. I have to keep waking him up to get his opinion of things. Then there is Pete who likes to keep my feet warm! Not a small obstacle to keep stepping over! Needless to say, they are great companions. In fact, here is my small tribute to them and all the hours we spend in the studio!
The beginning of March also means the start of the Rodeo here in Houston. It began last weekend with the cook-offs and parades. I am getting into the spirit and getting ready for our house guests. I made this small table topper (on the left) for our kitchen table.
Above, on the right, is a vintage top that I had purchased on Ebay. I quilted it with a star and horse shoe pattern, added the bandanna binding, and of course, gave it a good washing.
And most fun of all, I found this great fabric and made a cornice for the guest bathroom! We just need to put on our boots and we’re ready to go!
