Category: My Life

Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern

Sunny Labor Day Sewing

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I know I’ve mentioned this before, but…

I love the time of year when the early

morning sun shines in my sewing room

windows!

When I woke this morning & the sun was already up,

I knew the task I needed to accomplish would be made better

because I’d be greeted by the sun!

I appreciate the extra light,

but for some reason

the sun shining in my sewing room

just

makes

me

happy!

It doesn’t hurt that I’m also using some

brighter than usual for me fabrics too!

I know we’re pretty far from the longest day of the year already

& soon enough the days will be way too short,

but today I’m excited to have spent a couple of hours

sewing in the sunshine!

Here is a sneak peek

at a new design that I’m working on, shhhhhhhh.

What are you doing on this Labor Day 2019?

I hope you’re doing something fun!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life, New Pattern Sample

Sewing Vs. Planting… Which Do You Prefer?

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There are MANY days that what I am working on isn’t photographable.

Lots & lots & lots of time goes into the process of making a new quilt pattern,

so much so, you have no idea!

Today is a day that I actually thought (& remembered as I was doing…) to take photos.

I’m working on a new quilt idea that has lots of Mini & Tiny Dresden plates (shocker I know).

What I was working on today involved making a single tree.

Yes, a single tree, ALL DAY.

Pretty sure I could have bought & planted a tree much quicker!

Not only that, this is not the first day that I’ve lingered over said tree.

I knew the finished size,

& that it would be a tree,

but I couldn’t get this tree to materialize, LITERALLY!

Today I jumped in and decided it would have templates.

Yes, I hate having to cut templates!

I like to start out running and be able to cut everything with my rotary cutter.

Don’t you?

Not that you can’t cut this tree block out with a rotary cutter, because I did,

not only the paper version, but also the fabric version.

Unfortunately, it’s not a certain size I can relate to you to cut.

I started with a version of a tree that I incorporated into my

“Oh Christmas Tree” pattern several years ago.

These trees are rotary cut,

quickly pieced, then trimmed to size.

I decided to resize this block to make it fit into the parameters of my new design.

I made a paper block.

Then I made another…

I stapled the seam allowance, lol!

How crafty, right?

Then “trimmed” it to the finished size.

Unfortunately I wasn’t crazy about it…

So, literally back to the drawing board…

I sketched out the finished tree that I wanted,

then I added the seam allowance to each piece.

Next I made templates & printed them out to scale.

I decided to sew the paper templates!

Why not?

“Pressing” them was quite accurate!

Next I needed to assemble the sections.

Quite simple.

So far, so good.

The finished block was perfect.

So, I gathered some newly acquired “vintage” fabrics & cut the pieces.

How awesome, right???

I sewed them just like the paper prototype.

And, voilà!

Exactly what I imagined, finally!

Now, after weeks of designing,

I’m looking forward to making the actual quilt.

If only I could decide on the fabrics, lol.

I hope you’re enjoying summer!

I love waking to the sun streaming into my sewing room once again.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

My Life, Seasonal Quilt Decorating

Your Patriotic Decorating

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The 4th of July always sneaks up on me

& before I know it,

I’ve forgotten to get out my awesome patriotic quilts!

Are you the same?

You’re so busy with work,

birthdays & graduations,

Father’s Day,

yard work,

kids,

housework, etc.,

that the precious time slips by?

Well, today is the day to get out those quilts & decorations!

I have so many quilts to choose from.

Two are brand new this year.

Both Star Spangled Dresdens

& Stars & Stripes Forever are quilt-as-you-go,

meaning if you start now they could be done by the 4th!

Dresden Flags has both wall & table top versions.

I especially love the table top version of Dresden Flags.

The 12″ stand makes the display of the quilt perfect!

The stands are on my website along with the pattern.

I think my all-time favorite patriotic quilt is Old Glory in Mini Applecore.

That’s probably because I used my all-time favorite fabrics,

Thimbleberries!

This quilt isn’t a pattern,

& I don’t own it, Blake does,

but I came across this pic & wanted to share it anyway.

This is the quilt that we designed together

with the star signature blocks from his college graduation party.

Look at those awesome feathers that Tamara quilted into the stripes!

Signs of Summer can be hung all summer long.

It’s an oldie but goodie &

so is this Four Little Flags pattern.

& I almost forgot a more recent pattern,

Dresden Buddies Uncle Sam!

He’s so cute & was lots of fun to make too.

We sold lots of these in Kansas City a couple of weeks ago.

We sold out of the hangers while there,

but they’re in stock now on my website.

If a little quilt is all you’re looking for

Tiny Dresden July may be the just the ticket!

I think my Tiny Dresden Seasonal Series is probably my favorite!

Again, the hangers make the quilt display perfect!

The 6 x 6 scroll hangers are available too.

I’m probably forgetting a patriotic quilt or two,

but I’ve given you lots to see & think about, right?

If you’ve already made them,

I hope you have them on display.

If not, here’s your reminder.

If you’re looking for some quilt projects

to help your home look more patriotic,

check them out on my website today!

We’re open Sundays, Lol.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

 

My Life, Quilt Show

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

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To me,

the most wonderful time of the year…

is when the sun is streaming into my sewing room,

BEFORE 6 a.m.!!!

Unfortunately, I won’t be sewing today…

I’m finishing up kits, getting ready to meet new

& not so new quilting friends

at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival tomorrow.

I believe there are still a few spots left in my

Dresden Love quilting class at KCRQF.

Now back to packing things up.

I hope you can join us!

Just Keep Sunning,

I mean Sewing…

Susan

 

My Life, new quilt patterns, New tiny Dresden plate quilts

New Patterns Spring 2019 Dresden Feathered Stars

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I’m finally feeling caught up with all of my after-market work.

Notice I said “feeling,” not that I am…

I want to show you my new patterns!

I’m excited to have 3 new patterns that I enjoyed making

& I know you’ll love them too!

I’m going to warn you,

this post is image heavy!!!

I love taking pics of my progress not only to mark what I’ve done,

but also as a great retrospect.

Meet Dresden Feathered Stars:

It all started way back when the total solar eclipse was happening in August of 2017.

Do you remember that day?

Clare, Nemo, Mabel & I spent the day mesmerized by the changing light.

It’s also when I started cutting fabrics for a new design for a

Feathered Star block

that would accommodate my Tiny Dresden plate.

Designing was fun.

I had to be sure it would all fit together.

I’m reminded of a book about the Wright Brothers that I read over & over in grade school.

I read it aloud to my mom while she cooked.

The boys’ mother made clothing from her own patterns.

She always made the garment out of paper first.

She would say “If you get it right on paper,

then it will be right when you make it.”

I don’t know why that stuck with me all these years, but it did.

I wish I could find that book.

The past few years I’ve bought & checked out of libraries

every version of “The Wright Brothers”

that I could find, but so far I’ve not found that exact book.

Anyway, getting it right

& making notes along the way

 

helped me to realize the process.

It also helped to remember the exact steps

to make a perfect feathered star block.

I had several Tiny Dresden plates hanging around to audition for the role…

but that really wasn’t the task at hand.

I enjoyed the process

& the results were such that I had to make more.

making more & more notes as I went along.

 

 

 

Soon feathered star block #2 was complete!

Next I cut for block #3.

I added labels, notes & illustrations to make the next block even easier!

Soon I had the instructions written to help with assembly of the next block.

By then my book,

Dresden Quilt Workshop

was released & my time & attention was taken elsewhere…

Eventually I came back to finish feathered star block #3.

It was considerably easier with the instructions that I had written.

Soon block #4 was complete!

That’s when Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler was born & I couldn’t stop myself!

That lead into getting ready for fall market

& all the prep involved with promoting a brand new book with C&T.

Dresden Feathered Stars got put on the waaaaay back burner…..

Then this past winter Susanna’s Scraps by Betsy Chutchian became available.

I ordered sample yardage.

In my prep work with that collection

I decided the border print looked great with the Moda pinks in my stash.

& that’s when it hit me that my feathered star blocks would look great with this border print!

But then what?

The pinks from other collections looked great, but they needed something else.

That something else was GREEN!

So I set to work with my instructions

that I had written more than a year before

& my green stash!

Soon I was set to sew!

An estate sale had produced this awesome green box perfect for organizing my cutting table.

So, green stars evolved.

 

They looked great with the pink stars!

Nemo kept me on task snow & all.

 

Points were just falling together!

Soon I had stars ready for the beautiful border print.

Oddly enough when I got ready for the Tiny Dresden plates,

I realized the plates that were hanging out in my sewing atelier

were perfect!!!

 

How crazy is that?

So I set to the fun task of appliqueing them to the centers of the feathered star blocks.

But now what?

 

 

Too dark…

Too…

So much too, that I had to set them aside & let them percolate.

In the meantime I made a baby quilt for a cousin’s new baby.

In case you don’t recognize it, it’s my “Name That Quilt” baby quilt book.

It has really saved me in times that I need a baby gift!!!

Soon I was back to the feathered stars…

I finally decided on the perfect fabric for the

Mini Dresden plate intersecting plates & sashing too.

Soon the quilt design was complete!

Next was to get it professionally quilted by Tamara,

then photographed by Scott.

Nemo was of course on hand to offer his support!

 

Sadly this was Nemo’s last photo shoot.

We had to have him put to sleep this week.

We had 13 years together with this sweet collie

& I already miss him!

Many of my work days were made sweeter with his company.

But life goes on & more quilts will be made.

Dresden Feathered Stars,

full of illustrations & notes

will help you make perfect Feathered Stars,

& my hope is that you enjoy the process as much as I did!

They’re available on my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

My Life, New Quilt Fabric Collection, Quilt Market

Spring Quilt Market 2019 In Kansas City

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Chloe & I traveled to Kansas City last week to attend International Quilt Market.

It was great spending time with her & some of our market friends

including Susan Knapp of The Quilt Branch,

& her helper Karen Bailey.

Lucky for me, KC is a relatively short drive so we had a double booth

and I was able to pack some of my favorite goodies for display.

It was nice to talk to lots of old friends and to make lots of new ones too!

 

Lots of little Dresdens happening here!

We also showed my new quilt-as-you-go runner/placemat & lap quilt patterns.

Since I’m always busy each day in my own booth,

we have to go early to walk the rest of the show

or we have no idea what else it there.

We were able to see Moda’s new fabric collections that will be available later this year.

I chose postcards of my favorites…

Lella Boutique has a beautiful, soft collection with pretty greens & blues that I liked.

Minick & Simpson’s Northport group looks stunning as their groups always do.

I love the neutrals of Primitive Gatherings’ Urban Farmhouse Gatherings.

Betsy Chutchian’s Sarah’s Story has some of the same colors

as her Savanna’s Scraps so it would be easy to use the two groups together.

Sandy Klop’s Bubble Pop is adorable.

She put my black & cream polka dots in this collection!!!

I guess I’m not the only one who thinks her rainbow colors

are only made better with black & dots…

You’ll definitely be seeing me use those!

I fell in love with some fabrics at the Diamond Textiles booth too.

Their prints & yard dyed fabrics look beautiful together!

I love their yard dyed fabrics with prints woven into them.

So much texture & color range!

 

Wish I could take the booths home with me.

 

 

That would certainly make some decisions easier!

 

They’re all so inspiring!

All too soon we’re back home & back to work.

Where does the time go???

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend.

I hope it includes some quilting time!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

Holiday Sewing, My Life

Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2019

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Do you need an excuse to sew a little green?

If so, here’s a tiny inspiration!

It’s just part of my Tiny Dresden Seasonal Series.

A cute little quilt (6″ x 8″) that hangs conveniently on this adorable stand.

Included in each pattern are the instructions

to make a little sleeve so the quilt will hang perfectly.

Once you have that quilt made you’ll want to make one for each month!

A unique way to decorate a little corner of your or a loved one’s abode.

You can find it all here,

including the patterns, stands, notions & fabric kits while they last.

Doing my best to inspire you!

Just keep sewing (green)…

Susan