Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

DQW Sampler Week #1 Progress

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How is your Week #1 progress?

I hope your block is finished or almost finished.

Tomorrow you’ll have more fun to work on!

I have my block hanging on my “new” coolest-ever antique cabinet.

I knew I needed this thing as soon as I saw it at Tinner’s Anvil

in downtown Alton last month.

The two oval beveled mirrors are beautiful.

It was love at first sight!

I told myself I didn’t “need” it.

Well, after I got home I realized it would fit perfectly where I wanted it to hang.

With the help of my camera & computer I “put” it on my wall, Lol…

A bit of a freak I KNOW!!!

& now you know a bit more of how my crazy brain works!

Sorry…

The next day we went back & bought it, brought it home & David hung it for me.

It took me about 5 minutes to vacuum up the mess of drilling holes in the wall

& then start filling it with my “junk”!

Last week I used a couple more of those cute little hangers to hang

my “Quilts” block from the drawer pulls.

The perfect spot for it to hang out for now.

It makes me smile!

I hope my quilts help you to smile too!

See you tomorrow.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along Week #1

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Week # 1

I’m so excited that you’ve decided to join the challenge

& sew my Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler with me!

It is such an honor to have you join me.

You’re going to love the finished quilt.

It was so much fun to create & so beautiful too!

Everything you need is in the pages of my book;

Dresden Quilt Workshop.

I’m just going to help you realize it!

Each week, for 26 weeks, we will create a portion of the quilt

using bits of each of the 13 quilts in the book.

Today it’s finally time to get started with week #1!

This week we will refer to

Button Box quilt, page 51.

This step was chosen first because the block touches so many other blocks in the quilt.

Whenever I make a sampler quilt I’m careful to plan

 the fabrics so they will not blend into each other.

That can change or even ruin a design.

I had fun auditioning fabrics for this block.

In the end, my favorite lime green won out for more reasons that it’s my favorite.

I really liked the contrast of the black letters on the green.

This is the only block in the quilt where I changed the dimensions.

This block will fit on a fat 1/4 yd. (18″ x 22″).

Cut the background 9 1/2″ x 21 1/2″.

(Not as instructed for the actual Button Box quilt in the book!)

Follow the illustration below & the instructions on page 56 to make the applique.

If you purchased one of my kits,

you can use the “Authentic” black fabric

with words printed on it for the “Quilts” applique too.

Just remember, yours doesn’t need to match mine.

Use whatever fabric you want anywhere in the quilt.

Please note: I’m VERY FRUGAL when it comes to using sample fabric in a quilt.

Sample meaning, new and not yet available in quilt shops,

but if you follow my blog you already know that…

Many of my quilts are made with sample fabrics generously supplied by Moda.

I order what I think I need and if I need a bit more of something it may or may not be available so I use it very sparingly.

If you’re more liberal with your cutting you may not be able to use your kit the same way I used my sample fabrics.

You may also want add more fabrics to make it your own.

It’s your quilt!

 

I love using Sulky’s 12 wt. threads for my fusible web applique.

I like to say that it reminds me of when I was little & outlined everything with my black crayon!

(Most often I use this thread in black. This sample is an exception.)

It covers the raw edge of the fusible web really well & it makes my applique stand out.

That’s what we want, right?

With the REALLY busy print in this fabric it’s hardly the best example,

but I love it just the same.

Once you’ve stitched around the letters you’re done with this week’s challenge.

I hope you enjoy week #1!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

Just 1 week ’til the start of DQW Quilt-Along

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Just 1 more week!

Are you sharpening your little Dresden skills???

I recommend that you prep your fabrics

like I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

In case you’re just now joining us,

that means spraying & ironing them with Mary Ellen’s Best Press.

I also mentioned for those of you that are using the same

Circulus & Lollies Sweet fabric collection like I used,

to cut 3″ strips of each of the stripe fabrics & hang

them like I did on these adorable little hangers so you can see them all at once.

Those 3″ strips of the stripe fabrics

can be used for the border.

The finished quilt is 62″ x 62″.

You’ll need a bit more than 6 strips for the border.

Do you see the one strip that is all black & gray stripes?

I didn’t want to use that one in the border.

If you don’t want to use that one either,

you’ll want to cut another strip

to use in its place as well.

(7 strips total)

Thanks Heather for reminding me to note that to everyone here!

I suggest hanging the extra strips on a hanger too

so you don’t accidentally use them before you get to the border!

Am I the only one that in a few weeks would wonder…

hmm… why did I cut this? & then use it for another part of the quilt???

Lol… NOT!

My memory stinks, so any little trick I can use to

remind myself of something I better use it…… NOW!!!

Another prep step you can do now:

(Circulus & Lollies Sweet users)

cut all of those stripe fabrics apart on the black & white or blue & white lines that separate the stripes.

Aside from the border strips I didn’t use any of the stripe prints more than 1 print at a time.

So, I cut them apart to make them more convenient to use.

But hey, it’s your quilt!

Do your own thing!

In case you already cut all of the stripes apart BEFORE cutting off enough 3″ strips for your border,

contact me & I can probably help you with that!

Aside from prepping your fabrics, please read in Dresden Quilt Workshop:

  • Perfect Tools for Perfect Little Petals, starting page 9
  • Mini Classroom, starting page 12
  • Tiny & Mini Dresden Plate Assembly Techniques, starting page 16

This will help you to jump right in next week when we start cutting & sewing.

Learning how & why I do what I do for perfect little Dresden plates will help you to have similar results!

Send me an email if you have any questions.

SuznQuilts@aol.com

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

Just 2 weeks ’til the start of DQW Quilt-Along

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I hope you’re going to join me in the challenge to make what I think is

one of the most awesome quilts that I’ve ever designed!

You’re going to love it, I promise!

Today I want to mention a couple of things to help you get ready.

First, book binding.

I took my Dresden Quilt Workshop to Office Max

& for less than $5 had a small binding put on it.

This will allow it to lie flat when it’s open.

No need to constantly bend it open.

Second, I’ve made a color in sheet for you.

Either right click the image below to print it,

or go to my website’s quilt-along page and you can print the pdf from there.

The link is below the image of the quilt.

You can either make color choices & color each block before you begin

or color in the blocks as we go to track your progress.

I’m looking forward to starting, you?

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Giveaway!

Looking Forward Winner

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Hi Quilting friends,

The lucky winner of the Jen Kingwell fat 1/8th bundle of Looking Forward

is #2.

Loraine Jarman Says:

July 20, 2018 at 9:26 pm e

You use the single finger pump bottle because it allows a very fine spray that will evenly coat but no saturate small fabric pieces.

This is correct!

Mary Ellen’s Best Press is the best for my little Dresden plates and all of my quilting cottons.

Now Loraine will have to decide what to do with the lovely fat 1/8th bundle

because she already bought a kit from me to make Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler with.

What a tragedy!

Maybe she’ll make 2 versions?

If you know Loraine, she’ll have it made into something in no time at all

& have her own wheelbarrow full of scraps.

If you still need a kit for the Quilt-Along I have them available on my website.

Thanks Moda for the lovely fabrics for the give-away!

Lissa Alexander actually gave me 2 bundles, so watch for another give-away.

I’ll be bringing you more Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along prepping ideas soon.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

 

A Giveaway!

Jen Kingwell, Looking Forward Give-Away Tomorrow!

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Quilting friends,

Have you left me a comment for a chance to win the fat 1/8th bundle

that I mentioned in my last post?

These lovelies will go to a lucky winner tomorrow!

It could be you maybe…

You could soon be filling your own wheelbarrow!

Disclaimer*** wheelbarrow not included.

You’ll have to find your own!

See you tomorrow.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Giveaway!, Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

Are You Gathering Supplies For Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along Challenge?

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It’s less than 3 weeks until the start of my

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

…..Challenge…..

Are you getting ready?

I have some friends that are anxious to start.

Are you?

If you already have your fabrics you could start now by spraying

& ironing all of them with Mary Ellen’s Best Press.

If you look in Dresden Quilt Workshop, pages 9 & 12,

you’ll see why I love it & how I use it.

Next, if you’re using the same fabrics as I did, Jen Kingwell’s Circulus & Lollies Sweet,

(I still have a limited number of fabric kits available on my website)

I suggest you cut a 3″ strip of each of the stripe fabrics.

I did this when I started my quilt and then hung each of them by a tiny hanger so that I could see each of the stripe prints.

I didn’t want to keep using the same print over & over and neglect others.

There are 48 different stripes!

I just happen to have these tiny hangers on the notions page of my website.

I’m all about having fun while I quilt… and a little bit of organization goes a long way!

That should keep you busy for a while

& you’ll become more familiar with all of your fabrics too.

And, you’ll be able to use the 3″ strips in your final border,

so don’t think it’s a waste of fabric.

It’s a win-win!!! Trust me!

And now, would you like to participate in a give-away?

A fabric give-away?

A Moda Fabric give-away?

These are fat 1/8’s (9″ x  22″).

The very talented Lissa Alexander of Moda sent these for me to share with you!

It’s Jen Kingwell’s newest line, Looking Forward, by Moda Fabrics.

Perhaps you’d like to add to this bundle & make a Dresden Quilt Workshop sampler with us?

To be eligible for a chance to win the fat 1/8 bundle,

go to the top of this page

& leave a comment answering one of the reasons or ways that I use Mary Ellen’s Best Press.

(Remember I mentioned above that the info is on pages 9 & 12 in Dresden Quilt Workshop.)

If you don’t have a copy of the book, go get one!

They’re on my website if you local shop doesn’t have them.

I will give you time to comment

at the top of this page!

The drawing will be next week, Wednesday morning.

Go gather!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

Dresden Quilt Workshop Quilt-Along

Dresden Quilt Workshop… A Quilt-Along!

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My very first quilt-along! 

I had an idea…

The idea was to create a sampler quilt using a piece of each of the 13 quilts included in

“Dresden Quilt Workshop”,

my little Dresden plate book with C&T Publishing.

This collection is absolutely perfect with it’s 5 1/4″ stripes in a plethora of colors!

It’s Jen Kingwell’s Circulus & Lollies Sweet by Moda Fabrics.

I was able to show my sampler to Jen Kingwell at fall market.

I loved how excited she was when she saw it!

Circulus & Lollies Sweet is a quilter’s rainbow!

It’s the perfect fabric collection because:

  • The stripes will accommodate the Tiny Dresden background squares (5″ x 5″)
  • …and the Tiny & Mini Dresden petals, etc.
  • There are 8 different stripe prints in each fabric.
  • There are 6 different stripe fabrics in the collection.

So, it’s like getting 40 different fabrics in the stripe fabrics alone!!!

Then there are the dots:

  • 10 beautiful colors!
  • I used fat 1/4’s which are perfect for the bigger blocks’ backgrounds.

The perfect collection for a sampler.

Then there is the “Authentic” fabric that I used for the “Quilts” applique

& Kona solid black for the binding to hold it all together.

I love this quilt and I think you will too, that’s why I decided to host a quilt-along.

So, “how will it work” you ask???

Every week for 26 weeks I’ll present a block(s) or section of the sampler quilt.

It’s a very do-able schedule considering I made the whole top in less than a month.

And you have to realize half of that time was probably deciding which fabrics to put where!!!

If you want to follow mine exactly, that will save you a lot of time for sure, Lol!

After selecting your fabrics, each week you’ll go to your “Dresden Quilt Workshop” book pages,

as instructed by my blog post, to cut & sew the block(s).

It’ll be fun & relaxed.

Here goes!

When it starts:

First week, August 8, 2018. (click link to go to first week’s starting step, then every Wednesday to follow for 26 weeks.)

Last week, January 30, 2019.

What it’s all about:

You’ll need Dresden Quilt Workshop to participate in this free quilt-along.

Paper templates are included in the book, but the plastic templates will make the cutting much quicker & more accurate.

Next, gather the supplies as outlined on page 9, then quilt along with me each week.

Dresden Quilt Workshop and I will help you make this beautiful quilt.

I’ve created a Facebook Group, Dresden Quilt Workshop, where we can share progress together.

Steps included in the process:

  • Making Tiny (4 1/2″ finished) & Mini (9″ finished) Dresden plates
  • Fusible web applique, just 1 block
  • General piecing such as flying geese & half-square triangles

Where to get the book, Dresden Quilt Workshop:

If your local shop isn’t selling the book & templates you can have them contact me for information.

You can also find them (& the notions) on my website here:

SuznQuilts.com

I also have a limited number of fabric kits:

The kit includes the same fabrics that I used for my quilt.

  • Fabric for the top & binding, over 9 yds.
  • A free spool of Sulky 30 wt. Medium Taupe thread. This is the same thread that I used to sew my quilt.

The kits are $122 + shipping.

See my website for availability.

Fabrics & Supplies necessary:

If you want to use different fabrics you’ll need the equivalent of:

  • 10 fat 1/4’s & 40 fat 1/8’s for the quilt top (approx. 8 1/2 yds.)
  • 1/4 yd. for “Quilts” letters
  • 1/2 yd. for binding
  • 1/2 yd. fusible web
  • And the supplies as described in the Perfect Tools for Perfect Little Petals chapter starting page 9.

Prizes:

A prize will be available to everyone who joins in and sews as instructed every week.

The prize???

The joy of creating…

playing…

& a beautiful quilt created by you.

Isn’t that enough?

I may have some incentive prizes along the way,

but you’ll have to quilt along with me to find out ;)

Please email me or leave a comment if you have any questions.

SuznQuilts@aol.com

Won’t you come quilt with me?

Gather your supplies so we can get started!

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, Dresden Plate Quilt, new fabric collection, New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

Coming Soon… Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler…Quilt-Along!

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For months I’ve been harboring these.

Patiently they’ve been waiting since early December of last year.

Life even gets in the way of bolts & bolts of beautiful fabric sometimes.

But now they’ve been opened

& united with their intended.

Hanging out in good company.

They’ve been cut, readying to find new homes

in hope to also one day be sewn into pretty little Dresden plate quilts.

Meet Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler:

My very first Quilt-Along!

I designed this quilt using a bit of

each of the 13 quilts featured in my new book,

Dresden Quilt Workshop.

Do you have yours yet?

If not, it’s time to head to your favorite quilt shop & get your copy today

(or tomorrow).

Stay posted for all the details right here.

If your local shop isn’t selling the books you can find them

along with my Tiny & Mini Dresden Templates

& now the exclusive Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler fabric kits too

all right here on my website!

Get ready to

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

Dresden Plates, New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Spring 2018, #14

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New Pattern #14

is Dresden LOVE.

I L-O-V-E this quilt!

I’ve been enjoying this quilt hanging in my atelier for quite some time…

3 years according to my camera roll

& now I’m sharing it in pattern form so that you can make & enjoy your own!

I had absolutely no indecision on this one.

I saw it in my head,

knew just the right fabrics for it

& got to sewing.

This is my original Tiny Dresden “O” quilt.

The black fabric is from my very own “Vintage Play” fabric line

that I designed with Red Rooster Fabrics a few years ago.

I added the alternating red little half-square triangles & that was it.

Now you can make & enjoy your own!

Meet Dresden LOVE.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a bit of the process that I use to create my pattern quilts.

All 14 new patterns, the little Dresden templates,

& the notions that I use & love are available on my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan