We are back again with month 2 of the Piece and and Quilt Sampler project.
Last month we made one block that consisted of 12- 3″ blocks surrounding a 6″ block. It was lots of little fiddly sewing so pat yourself on the back and get ready for month 2.
These blocks hold go together fairly quickly. Have fun with the layout and mix it up some if you want. I love squinting at the block below. The navy triangles float off the edges and the square on point adds an interesting movement.
I cannot get enough of this fabric. I am making this sampler and also my Moda blockheads5 quilt using the whites, light blues and greens.
Be sure and visit the following people as they sew along also.
I am such a fan girl of Vanessa Goertzen/Lella Boutique. Every fabric collection that she creates I become obsessed with. I don’t really need to describe why, if you know you know!
What is a word for fresh traditional modern? Vanessa’s designs cover it all.
I recently finished several of her patterns using OLD GLORY and have moved on to her FALL fabrics, HEY BOO! These colors are so fun and different for Halloween. I made the quilt that Moda will be kitting, named Pushing up Daisies. Stock # LB 231 and the quilt finishes at 80” x 80”
I have the pattern WEB, stock # LB 229, cut out and started from a retreat project.
FRANK! What can I saw about this one….freakin’ adorable and will be making him as a pillow.
Pattern # LB 232
Since I own almost all of the patterns for HEY BOO, I had to jump in on Lella’s MONSTER MASH Halloween Sampler Quilt.
Blocks are parts of patterns, Stock # LB 230, LB 231, LB 232 and LB 233. I had purchased 3 of the 4 , so all I needed was 1 more pattern to have all the parts and pieces.
You don’t have to buy all the patterns for the QAL . They will be available for purchase as downloads from Lella Boutique during the QAL.
A lecture that I attended at Quiltcon that I cannot stop thinking about is the one by Jacquie Gering. I should have known there was going to be something specail happening in that room, just by the size of the line. The line went round and round through every nook and cranny of the convention center. They even had to open a satellite ballroom area at the hotel next door to hold everyone. It was so inspiring and a therapy session on why we quilt.
I have known of Jackie for many years but had to do a little google search to get my facts straight.
Jacquie Gering is a well-known and highly respected figure in the quilting world. She is recognized for her innovative approach to modern quilting and her contributions to the modern quilting movement. Gering is a co-author of the book “Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts,” which has become a staple resource for modern quilters.
She is also an active member of the Modern Quilt Guild and has served on its board of directors. Gering is known for her expertise in improvisational piecing techniques, which involve creating quilts without precise patterns or templates, allowing for greater freedom and creativity in design.
Gering is an influential teacher and speaker, frequently sharing her knowledge and passion for quilting through workshops, lectures, and demonstrations at events like QuiltCon and other quilt shows and conferences. She is admired for her ability to inspire and empower quilters of all skill levels to explore their creativity and develop their own unique quilting style.
In addition to her teaching and writing, Gering is also an accomplished quilter, with her work being featured in various exhibitions and publications. Her quilts often feature bold geometric designs, striking color palettes, and meticulous craftsmanship, showcasing her distinctive artistic vision and technical skill.
Overall, Jacquie Gering is a prominent figure in the modern quilting community, known for her innovative techniques, creative approach to design, and dedication to sharing her passion for quilting with others.
Books- WALK and Walk 2.0- Which I now own both and can’t wait to dive in.
“Unlocking the Creative Potential of Your Walking Foot: A Review of ‘WALK’ by Jacquie Gering”
“WALK” by Jacquie Gering is a groundbreaking resource that revolutionizes the way quilters approach machine quilting with a walking foot. Drawing on her extensive expertise and innovative techniques, Gering presents a comprehensive guide that empowers quilters to unleash their creativity and master the art of machine quilting.
One of the standout features of “WALK” is Gering’s clear and accessible teaching style. She breaks down complex quilting concepts into manageable steps, making them easily understandable for quilters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your quilting skills or an experienced quilter seeking new inspiration, Gering’s guidance is invaluable.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from essential quilting tools and materials to advanced quilting techniques. Gering emphasizes the importance of understanding the capabilities of the walking foot and demonstrates how it can be used to achieve stunning results, from straight-line quilting to intricate designs and textures.
What sets “WALK” apart is Gering’s emphasis on creativity and experimentation. She encourages quilters to think outside the box and explore different ways of using the walking foot to create unique and personalized quilts. With Gering’s guidance, quilters will gain the confidence to trust their instincts and develop their own signature quilting style.
In addition to the wealth of technical information, “WALK” also features stunning quilt projects that showcase Gering’s distinctive aesthetic and artistic vision. Each project is accompanied by detailed instructions and helpful tips, ensuring that quilters can successfully recreate the designs while also adding their own creative twist.
.Jacquie’s passion for quilting shines through on every page, making this book both an inspiring read and an indispensable reference for anyone who wants to unlock the full potential of their walking foot, and then there is also Walk 2.0
I am a huge fan of anything red and anything with red crosses on it. This quilt was on the front row of the special exhibit honoring Jacquie. I fell in love every time I walked by.
It is hard to see but this quilt shows the matchstick style of quilting that is used on so many of the quilts exhibited at Quiltcon. She certainly was instrumental in teaching so many this technique. I also found out in her lecture that she was retiring from teaching, so my chance to take her class has passed.
QuiltCon is an annual event organized by the Modern Quilt Guild, a community of modern quilters worldwide. Each year the show is held in different locations. 2024 was n the beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina. Moda Fabrics had an exhibitors booth showcasing Moda’s Bella Solids including some of the new bright palette.
Pattern- Beasley Hollow by Lori Danelle of She Makes Joy
QuiltCon features a variety of activities such as workshops, lectures, demonstrations, Vendors booth and an assortment of industry exhibitors and a quilt show. The focus is on modern quilting, which often involves bold colors, geometric shapes, and innovative designs. Quilters from all skill levels, from beginners to experts, attend QuiltCon to learn new techniques, gain inspiration, and connect with others who share their passion for quilting.
I attended 2 lectures. We need to talk about Bertha by Mary Fons. Anytime I see Mary’s name on a class or lecture listing, I sign up. She is incredible and this lecture did not disappoint. (description from brochure-
She called them her “sculptures in cloth”. In the mid-20th century, while other quiltmakers stitched Grandmother’s Flower Garden and Churn Dash bed quilts, Bertha Meckstroth was reverse-appliquéing bats, crosses, and Aramaic text into quilts made for the wall. Anticipating by some 50 years the emergence of the art quilt movement, Bertha made nearly 200 of these iconoclastic objects, finished with spider web, angel wing, and feather motifs. For all her artistic triumphs, however, Bertha’s tale is a tragedy: When she died in a Chicago sanitarium in 1960, her will — which explicitly stated her quilts should be kept together — was ignored. Nobody cared what a “spinster” wanted, after all. The bank contested the will and won, scattering Bertha’s life’s work to the wind. For the past two years, Mary Fons has been tracking down the quilts of Bertha Meckstroth and her investigation is paying off. In this debut lecture, Mary will present her extraordinary findings, including intel from primary sources and never-before-seen images. This fascinating, true story of a woman wronged isn’t over yet. ASL services provided through generous support from HandiQuilter.
This lecture was so introspective for me. Bertha died in 1960 and in her will she requested for all 89 of her quilts to be kept together and left money to make sure her wishes were followed. for more of this story you will have to read Mary’s article in Quiltfolk, but the thing that hit home for me is that Bertha had inventoried every quilt she had made. I do such a bad job of this!! As I listened to Mary’s talk and how she was able to research this incredible woman and her story was mainly because everything was documented. I have got to improve on this!
The second lecture was from the keynote speaker, Jacquie Gering. ( more this lectures in a separate post.)
The quilt show at QuiltCon is a highlight of the event, showcasing stunning modern quilts created by members of the Modern Quilt Guild as well as other quilters from around the world. These quilts often push the boundaries of traditional quilting with their contemporary aesthetic and artistic expression.
Just a few of my favorites!
I seemed to take lots of pics of rainbow like quilts.
I look back at the pictures of quilts that I took. Was I influenced by color, design, pattern or quilting?
YES, YES, YES and YES.
I can’t ever imagine making anything so grand but could not help but be influenced by the creativity shown at this show.
As in any show the judging and winning quilts are up for speculation. The best of show sent chills down my spine and was the topic of much conversation.
What We Will Use as Weapons: A List of School Supplies by Ginny Robinson @minnowpeck
Ginny is a teacher and she asked other teachers in the Us what they would use to defend students in the event of a school shooting. The quilt is shaped like a door and has everything from pencils to jugs of paint and many more items that were sent in as answers to Ginny’s question. Imagine bringing a stapler to a gunfightare the words in the description that really got to me.
This was the back of the quilt with an automatic rifle. Ginny’s art and comment of never wanting to see this in our schools.
Not that I am partial but some of my favorite quilts were in the Moda booth including Stars Above pattern by Megan Collins
Overall, QuiltCon is a celebration of creativity, community, and the art of quilting in the modern age. It’s a fantastic opportunity for quilters to come together, learn from each other, and celebrate their shared love of the craft. This show is so much fun and the energy is so inspiring. Mark your calendars now for next years show in Phoenix, Arizona, Feb 20-23rd.
Oh Scrap was my first published book in 2018. It had never been my dream to write a quilt book, but I was intrigued at the process. I like to learn and I am always up for a challenge.
And a challenge this was. In 2016, I was experiencing massive headaches, which eventually caused a seizure. While in the hospital, they discovered I had a subdural hematoma. I am getting to the part about the quilt book but need to fill you in on the back story. After many more seizures, the doctors got a handle on those and I went home. Headaches continued, back in the hospital and had a right craniotomy on March 16th, 2016.
Brain surgery – Egads!!
Because of the seizures I could not drive for several months, state law. I was just sure that my brilliant doctors had now created Izzy 2.0 and my brain was going to be bionic. I imagined myself as the bionic woman, I can do anything after all of this.
While off work during this time, I decided I could/would tackle a quilt book. So it began. I kept a file folder on my desk, titled Oh Crap.
Is anyone going to like this?
Why am I second guessing myself, after all I am the bionic woman.
Once the quilts were completed and projects were sent in, I told me editor of my Oh Crap folder and that is actually where the name of the book came from, Oh Scrap. This book was a solo book and then I went on to do 3 more books that were collaborative books with various Moda designers and other friends in the quilting industry. I have written about this book before, so for more details, pictures and more check here, here and here.
Writing a quilting book is no small feat. It begins with an idea, a spark of inspiration that blossoms into a collection of designs, patterns, and stories. Authors pour their hearts and souls into the creative process, testing and refining each pattern, selecting fabrics, and weaving narratives that resonate with fellow quilting enthusiasts. The journey involves countless hours of stitching, experimenting, and revising until the vision is realized on the pages of the book. I have such a great appreciation of my friends and fellow authors.
Fast forward a few years and I received a call from my editor about the future of Martingale Publishing.
Martingale Publishing, a renowned name in the quilting book industry, played a pivotal role in bringing quilting inspiration to homes worldwide. Known for its commitment to quality content and being an employee-owned company, Martingale fostered a sense of community and collaboration within its ranks. The decision to close its doors came as a surprise to many in the quilting world.
The closure of Martingale Publishing marked the end of an era for myself and quilting enthusiasts. As an employee-owned company, the decision to close must have been a difficult one. While the specifics of the closure may not be fully known, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by even well-established entities in the ever-evolving publishing landscape.
Writing a quilting book is a laborious yet fulfilling endeavor, culminating in a tangible representation of one’s passion for the craft. “Oh Scrap” and the closing of Martingale Publishing remind us of the ever-changing landscape of the quilting world. As the quilting community adapts to new opportunities and challenges, the legacy of creativity and camaraderie will continue to thrive, stitching together a vibrant tapestry of shared experiences.
Authors were given the opportunity to own all of their books and the assets included with that. This is a very important story to tell. It is a bit complex and while the quilt designs are my own, the text, photography and illustrations are not. Martingale could have very easily sold this off to the highest bidder with no regards to how the books would be stripped apart, reused and repurposed with no acknowledgement of the original creator. Yes this has happened before with other publishers and it was not pretty.
I am proud to own all of the assets of my books. While I will always direct purchases to mom and pop quilt stores, many of my books are no longer available. I am in the process of creating individual patterns and as that is happening, I have partnered with Fat Quarter Shop to sell my books as downloads. To purchase Oh Scrap, click here.
This is very exciting especially for international quilters who often had to pay way to much for printed books.
I cannot thank my life-long friends from Martingale enough for believing in me and teaching me so much.
We are a month into 2024. I don’t usually make resolutions. I don’t pick a word for the year.
But I have done something quilty each year. The majority of the things listed below are very predictable for me but I did concentrate an entire year on each. This all started several years ago with my self proclaimed, Year of the DOT, polka dot. I put a polka dot fabric on the back of every quilt I made that year. I am still a huge fan of using dots wherever I can.
The next year was the year of WOVENS. Each of my quilts had a plaid/woven fabric for the back. I loved how my quilts felt. The quilts seem to just drape a little differently since most ovens are a bit more lightweight that their print counterparts. Adding the geometric plaids on the back was such a nice surprise when you flipped over the quilt.
The next year was BIAS STRIPED BINDINGS. I collect stripes so I always have something for a binding. I know all of this is silly, but it is a fun game. Did I date and of these quilts? NO. Did I document them? NO. I guess if I pulled all of my quilts made within the last 7 or 8 years I could figure some of the timeline out.
This one I am embarrassed about. My goal was to put a label on all my quilts. This is so important and I should ABSOLUTELY do this. But I didn’t! Maggi Honeyman of @sewmaggi quilts the majority of my quilts and she always stitches my name somewhere in the quilt. I have considered this a label but I need to do better. Thank you Maggi!
On year 5, I thought it would be great to add a sleeve to the back of each of my quilts. A sleeve is a casing on the top back of the quilt and is usually used to hang the quilts. I didn’t make it through the year on this one. Epic fail in fact. Really who needs sleeves, you most likely are not going to hang quilts on every wall as if they are wallpaper. Fast forward to today, right now! I have entered 3 quilts in the Dallas Quilt Show and yep, they all need sleeves added.
Year 6, PIECED BACKS! This is my fav and I still try to do this as much as I can. I highly suggest trying this for several reasons.
Pieced backs use up lots of scraps.
No need to buy 6 yards of fabric
Freedom to create a puzzle of pieces making sure it is oversized for the Longarm.
I love flipping the quilt over and the surprise on the back.
Year 7, I decided to play with what was on the inside of the quilts. I do have to say this has been my favorite thing to do, only second to pieced backs. I tried different batting, everything from bamboo, cotton, wool or poly/cotton. Each of them quilted up differently. The wool had so much great texture that the stitching disappeared into the quilt and seemed to make the fabric pop. Other than living in Texas I would use wool more. I use black batting for dark quilts and I used white batting for quilts with lots of light or low volume backgrounds or even white solid backgrounds. I could not believe the difference this made in the color of the batting not discoloring the whites.
Does that make sense? The majority of battings are cream in color. If you use a cream batting in a white quilt, it will slightly discolor the white. I also tried flannel for batting and it is my very very favorite. The quilt is thin but dense, and drapes every curve of your body. Wide flannel is hard to come by so when I see it I buy it. Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings has a 108″ flannel coming out in solids. Moda’s flannels are actually cotton fabric so the construction is a tad different from actual flannel fabrics. Moda’s flannels are then double brushed ( brushed on each side) so this makes them perfect for quilt back or batting!! As soon as Lisa’s fabric- Farmhouse Flannels get here, I will be buying bolts just for battings!!
So for this year I am tackling journalling each quilt. The saying every quilt tells a story is true so I am logging the info, details and any happenings along the way. Plus I am getting way too old too remember this stuff.
Hugs and Kisses, X’s and O’s just another reason to start a quilt. What is it about Valentine’s Day that makes me want to start another quilt? Duh, as I type this I realize what a silly question that is. I always want to start anther quilt regardless of the day.I am knee deep in Quilt-Alongs, Moda Blockhead’s, samples for work and a few overdue baby gifts but I stumbled on my block from the Blockheads 3 series and remembered I had always wanted to make this as an overall quilt.
I was going to go scrappy at first, because that is usually what I do, then I was all in to some simple Bella Solids, but game time decision and I ended up going with Moda Crossweaves. Crossweaves are a woven fabricant has the slightest bit of texture. It is a lightweight dreamy feel. This is where I wish blogs could have touch and feel ability. The end result will be a lightweight, drapey feel. I am using Crossweave Cherry 12216 14, Carnation 12216 15, and Off White 12216 34 for corner squares and border.
I starched my fabrics since these are woven and can ravel a bit with excessive use. I also used the June Tailor Quarter Cut ruler to submit my 1 1/2″ corner squares. Shown above is 2 strips 44″, then folded in fourths. I was able to accurately cut 56 squares in about 15 seconds. Using the quarter cut ruler helped make sure my squares stayed square and I didn’t slip and slide any when cutting. Click the link for a video on how this ruler is a must have.
Sorry for the blurry pic, but wanted to share this great seam guide tape by Primitive Gatherings. It has several markings for guides and eliminates the need to draw lines on your fabric.
The rest is mindless repetitive sewing. Add a corner square to opposite sides of the reds and pinks. Trim and Press.
Then depending on how you sew the sections together you get either an X block or an O block. Join 4 together to make a block.
The blocks shown here are the 8″ blocks on the instructions. (the X is 4″and the O is 4″) The instructions have several size options so be sure and follow the 8″ block cutting info.
If you are making an overall quilt, this can be assembled in rows but I am going to make blocks and then join those, so it is not so fiddly to match seams.
Here is my plan and the instructions to make the block.
A random bit of research on where the X and O symbolism came from…. the X symbolizes a kiss, often traced back to medieval times when illiterate individuals would sign documents with an X and then kiss it as a display of sincerity. The dual meaning of X’s and O’s – the X representing a kiss and the O symbolizing a hug. These symbols have become a sweet and simple way to express affection, whether in written form or as physical gestures. In the digital age, the XOXO continues to be an abbreviated text message of love.
Sending you hugs and kisses or XO XO. Now back to sewing my blocks.
New Year, New Projects or in this case a continuation of last year’s Blockheads 5. Each blockheads series I struggle with what my setting is going to be. While I think I am one of those go with the flow kind of gals, I know I suffer from paralysis from analysis. Knowing what the layout is, does influence the fabrics you are using in your blocks or at least the color placement.
Do you struggle from this also?
This is the newest block to start 2024 off with a bang. The block is from Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life.
This block is also by Sherri Mc Connell (round 1). I made the 6″ block inside of the 12″ block. Squint at it. I see a secondary design and think once it is quilted, it will show the design more.
I have made some of the blocks as 12″ versions but now that I know what my setting is going to be I am making all 6″ blocks.
I started my project with Nantucket fabrics by Camille Roskelley, mixed in some greens and lights from her current line Lighthearted and will be adding Shoreline which will be in stores later this spring.
We have a weekly Facebook group for Blockheads. If you have not joined the group, please do.
I decided to use the BLUEPRINT quilt by Susan Ache as inspiration for my setting. I am using 6″ blockheads blocks and larger filler blocks from the Celebrate with Quilts book. I did a quick video showing the book and the status of my progress on Blockheads.
So far the quilt has a soft and vintage feel. I can’t wait to finish it.
For a complete resource guide for everything Blockheads, visit here.
In the heart of every quilt, there lies a story. It whispers of patience, creativity, and love stitched meticulously into every seam. Susan Ache and I celebrate our new book, Celebrate with Quilts for this very reason. We both make quilts to captures the essence of celebrations and wanted to share a resource to be able to make a quilt exactly as featured in the book but also a design book to create your own variation.
Quilts hold a special place in the realm of gift-giving. They are more than just pieces of fabric sewn together; they are tokens of love, patience, and dedication. Imagine gifting a quilt to a newlywed couple, symbolizing the warmth and comfort of their new journey together. Picture a quilt presented to a graduate, embodying the support and pride of their achievements. Quilts are not just gifts; they are cherished memories woven into fabric, making them the perfect present for any celebration.
“Celebrate with Quilts” unveils a collection of 60 unique blocks, each thoughtfully designed and presented in four different sizes, providing endless possibilities for creativity. From vibrant birthday parties to cozy holiday gatherings, this book is a tribute to the art of celebration, offering quilting patterns that perfectly capture the spirit of various occasions. Shown above is our Blueprint quilt. It is a simple go to quilt that can be made over and over showcasing your favorite fabric line with the larger squares sprinkled with patchwork.
Mi Amour quilt will be part of our quilt along happening early December on Moda Fabrics blog.
There will also be a QAL March 2024 featuring Camille Roskelley’s upcoming fabric collection, so stay tuned for more info.
I am in love with this quilt that Susan made and may have to plan a QAL for this one also or some how try to add this one to my to-do list. See what I mean by making quilts to celebrate with? Decorating for Holidays or special events is one of the best reasons to make a new quilt and there is oodles of quilt inspiration for you in this book.
Whether you are an experienced quilter or a novice, this book is a gateway to a world of creativity, color, and joy.
So, pick up your needles, choose our fabrics, and start stitching our own stories of celebration. After all, in the world of quilting, every stitch is a small celebration in itself—a celebration of creativity, passion, and the enduring tradition of quilting.
A special thank you to the publishing team of It’s Sew Emma. The talented team helped put our vision down in print in the most beautiful way. Thank you Kimberly Jolly, Sarah Price, Jocelyn Ueng, Nova Birchfield, Cheryl Cohorn, Brittini Cortinas, Victoria Larsen, Karen Hardy, Peach Lambert and Sophia Esquivel. Thank you to our quilters, Angela McCorkle and Susan Rogers.
And what a trip to be able to work with Susan Ache! the most prolific creative and very very fast quilter!
Ask for this cook at your favorite quilt or specialty store NOW!
Hope you enjoy the book as much as we did creating it.