New Quilt pattern sample, Quilt Market

New Pattern for Fall Market – Daisy Baby Buggy

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Pictures of fabric are nice, but nothing compares to having the fabric in-hand.

I’m ALWAYS inspired to design with fabric that I can handle, how about you?

That’s why when once I had all the samples for my “Name That Quilt” book made with Odds & Ends fabrics by Julie Comstock for Moda, I was inspired to create this next sample from my scraps.

Once I have the fabrics and start sewing, my brain just starts creating and won’t stop.

By chance I had just enough of the right fabrics to create this.

Daisy Baby Buggy is all pieced, using two fabrics for the buggy, plus a background fabric, then the daisy wheels & handle are appliqued on top.

This kind of piecing always reminds me of building a puzzle.

I lay out the fabric squares on my design floor and start to sew.

Too many big windows in my sewing room for a design wall…

If you chain piece the squares, you’re less likely to get the squares out-of-order while sewing.

Another cute baby quilt don’t you think?

Want to know something else nice about this pattern?

It’s small enough you can easily quilt is yourself.

A great way to practice your machine quilting if you’re not already proficient.

So how about you?

Do you shop for fabric on-line,

or are you like me and want to go out to the quilt shops and see the fabric in person;

visit with a friendly shop owner & have some fun?

I spend plenty of hours at my computer, but not fabric shopping!

Daisy Baby Buggy is available on my website now.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New Pattern Sample, New Quilt Book, Quilt Market

New Book & Patterns Ready For Fall Market

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I finally have all of my printing done for market, yeah!

My new covers and books were delivered last week, but I’ve been busy doing other things like getting my distributor packets together, packing & putting the new designs on my website.

So, as I introduce my new designs this week, know that you can go to my website and order them and not have to wait for me to do that task after market.

Now for the best part, introducing them to you.

First, my new book.

You may remember me showing you the new Odds & Ends fabrics a couple of months ago, and then showing you the backing and batting of all three of these quilts basted and ready to sew.

Along with them I also designed and sewed some name banners.

I was lucky enough to get two more perfect models; Delaney my little friend, and my new great-nephew, Benjamin.

Aren’t they cute?

In this new book you’ll find Quilt-as-you-go instructions to make the name quilts in either baby size or lap size.

You can see from the photos that the lap quilt is the perfect size for any age kid to cuddle up in and the baby size is generous enough for wrapping any age baby into. (you know, for when the baby is 6 months old and you still don’t have a gift…)

The name banners can be made either horizontal or vertical and can say anything you want, not just names.

Entire full-size alphabet is included.

Instructions and yardage guidelines are given in the book too.

This summer our family moved into the next generation with the birth of Benjamin.

Upon trying to decide what to give the expectant parents, knowing I would be setting a precedence with 10 nieces & nephews plus 3 kids of our own, I decided on a quilt using my unique quilt-as-you-go technique.  It’s really quick, cute and usable!

I was able to match Benjamin’s nursery colors, personalize it with his name and it was quick & easy.

I also thought ahead for those of you sewing for babies that maybe are not named in time for gift sewing and giving, just put on it the word “BABY” such as I did for the quilt above that Ben is lying on.  Problem solved!

I’m so excited knowing when all those babies start coming very close together, and you know they will and soon, I will be able to sew up a quick quilt by just selecting 3 fabrics and starting to sew.

Pretty smart of me, huh?

I hope you will give them a try.

Look for two more new designs coming up.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, Quilt Market

Biting my nails

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I feel like a child, anxiously (and impatiently) waiting for Christmas!

I’ve been waiting for my new patterns…

FedEx has my covers and brochures for Fall Market in Houston where I’ll be going in a couple of weeks.

Tracking says I should get them today.

Wood River Printing is working on my new booklets.

They’re local and told me Tuesday or Wednesday, so as soon as I get the call, I’m there!

I don’t know why, but it’s always exciting to see my patterns in final form.

Yes, I’ve looked at them many hours already, but seeing them in polished form is so exciting to me.

It’s kind of like finally getting to wear that new Easter dress mom made along with the new coordinating shoes that were bought weeks in advance.

I can still remember trying them on in front of the mirror countless times.

I hope I survive.

I guess I’ll get busy by finishing up other market prep;

lighting & booth pole rental agreements,

boxing up freshly washed booth drapes for shipping,

and creating a new list of items that I’ll be taking with me to Houston.

Does this look as fun as standing in front of a mirror with shiny new shoes???

I think not!

For now I will just keep moving toward my final destination…market!

Until next time,

Susan

New Pattern Sample, New Quilt pattern sample, Quilt Shopping Out & About

A Pile of Pretty

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Isn’t it pretty?

Full of color!

It will look cute hanging in my booth with my coordinating quilts.

I can’t wait to put it all together.

So, what are you up to?

Been out at the quilt shops?

Seen the new “Odds and Ends” by Julie Comstock for Moda???

Have I at least enticed you to check your nearest quilt shop the next time you’re there???

I hope you look,

 I hope you find it,

and I really hope you pick some up so you can make some of my new patterns with it!

Until next time,

Susan

New Pattern Sample, Suzn Quilts Patterns

Miles of Charm Pack Garland, coming up…

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Last week while I was in Bloomington, I found the Odds & Ends pre-cuts.

Ever since I designed my Charm Pack Garland pattern, each market I make new strands in coordinating fabrics to drape around in my booth. So…I bought a couple of charm packs.

The yardage always takes longer to arrive in shops, so I’m going to use a Moda solid that matches really well.

These are fun and fast since the cutting of the squares is already done for you.

Stay tuned, lots of new patterns are almost ready!

Until next time,

Susan

New Pattern Sample, New Quilt pattern sample, quilt as you go lap quilt

I started 3 quilts today

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I don’t usually start three quilts at once,

but since these three quilts will be using my Quilt-as-you-go technique

and I need an extra set of hands to quickly spray baste the backing fabric and batting together,

first-thing this morning I got started before my second set of hands headed out the door for school.

I first taped the backing fabric wrong-side-down in my (freshly swept) garage.

I topped that with a light layer of basting spray.

Next is where #1 helper, Chloe, comes in with her second set of hands and helps to hold the batting off the tacky backing fabric until I can press it down smoothly.

1, 2, 3, Perfect.

Not a single wrinkle!

Years of practice…and I only use Warm & Natural cotton batting.

Sorry for the weird glare, that’s the sun rising.

Now when I start to “quilt-as-I-go” I won’t have to move any pins.
I love this technique.

Do you use basting spray?

I’ve never had a problem using it, but I know of others who have.

Usually it’s the brand, or the amount.

If you spray too much it will gunk (technical term) up your needle,

then it can’t pick up the bobbin thread.

Sparingly is a good term for the amount of spray that I use.

As I was working at the computer getting my instructions in order

my friendly UPS driver delivered these from Sulky.

Just in time to be included in these three quilts.

They match the Odds and Ends fabrics that I showed you yesterday.

C-O-L-O-R

A bit of 30 wt. for the piecing and some 12 wt. for the applique that’s going to help me “name” these quilts. ;)

Now, back to work for me.

I’m going to get reaquainted with my sewing machine.

Until next time,

Susan

Applique quilt projects, new fabric collection, New ideas, New Pattern Sample, Quilt Market, Suzn Quilts Patterns

Oh, how I LOVE color!

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Is it just me…

or could you too, sit and sew with these all day long?

I love color(s)!

This is more of Julie Comstock’s new Odds and Ends fabric line by Moda.

I’ve given you a couple of glimpses of it recently,

but yesterday I received a bit more for a few projects that I’m working on for market next month.

Yikes, that’s way too soon!

I noticed as I moved our

latte bowls from Anthropologie

from this serving (not tray, not platter, not bowl) whatever it is,

that the colors of some of the bowls matched the fabrics perfectly.

Color!!!

This is our kitchen table centerpiece this summer.

My daughter Clare and I bought these at Anthropologie last winter, one of every color they had.

When we brought them home,

they landed on this cool platter with wire base…thing.

How perfect to set our useless adorable little latte bowls on.

They make me smile, kind of like a new box of 64 crayons.

It would seem Clare has a few of my genes, she talked me into buying them.

Back to the fabric…

You can see the whole collection at Moda.

I like to go here and look at “Future Groups” to see what’s coming out.

Odds and Ends is due out this month, so check you local quilt shops.

I need to get sewing.

I’ve got some quilts to name (hint, hint).  ;)

Until next time,

Susan

A Giveaway!

3 lucky winners!

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Thanks, to everyone who joined in the drawings yesterday!

The winner of the Quilts from 100 blocks issue is

Diantha Howard,

The two winners of a Suzn Quilts’ Pattern;

Karen in Breezy Point,

she requested my Old Glory in Mini Applecore pattern,

 and Sandy D.,

she requested my In Season for Fall pattern.

Congratulations!

Those of you who didn’t win, please look for the magazine at your local quilt shop, or your nearest newsstand.

If you don’t see it there, it’s always at Quiltmaker.

Until next time,

Susan

A Giveaway!, Applique quilt projects, New quilt pattern, New Quilt Pattern Magazine

Quilts from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Fall’12

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Welcome to Quiltmaker’s on-line kickoff!

Once again, I’d like to introduce you to a new magazine.

The wonderful folks at Quiltmaker have come up with another volume of their new publication,

Quilts from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Fall ’12

To answer your question; yes, I have a quilt included in this volume!

If you remember, I introduced my “No Ordinary Flake” block from Volume 2 here.

I showed you what you could do if you made 16 of those blocks and set them together with sashing.

I still love the look of this quilt!


When Volume 4 was released I introduced you to my Santa block here.

I showed you how you could make a tablerunner with this block, remember?

For this new magazine, the folks at Quiltmaker

asked designers to submit designs

using multiple blocks from past 100 Blocks issues to make quilts, tablerunners, etc.

Since I love to sew for Christmas…

I decided a quilt using those two blocks would be a nice mix.

Just 4 Santa blocks & a few flakes and you’re on your way to a new quilt!

I almost forgot. I’m a centerfold.

Well, my pattern is.

When you get your magazine, you’ll see my quilt right there in the middle with the applique sheet.

Don’t you love the bright, cheery Christmas fabrics?

They are Northcott’s Christmas Classics by Deborah Edwards.

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of the new issue,

go up, up, up,

to the top of this blog post and

leave a comment including your email address today.

For a chance win more fun stuff, go to

Quiltmaker’s blog, Quilty Pleasures.

From there be sure to visit the other bloggers participating too.

If you’d like a chance to win a free Suzn Quilts Pattern,

just subscribe to my blog.

In your comment let me know which of my patterns is your favorite and if you win I will put it in the mail to you.

You can view all of my patterns by visiting my website.

I will choose two winners for a free pattern.

If you are already a subscriber, let me know that and I will enter you in the drawing.

Thanks for joining in the fun.

Look for the new magazine at your local quilt shop or on your favorite newsstand today.

If you can’t find it, go to Quiltmaker.com and purchase it there.

Good luck!

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

Happy Labor Day 2012

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According to Wikipedia:

Labor Day celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887.

It became a federal holiday in 1894. (my condensed version)

I grew up on a farm, so every day was a day of labor in some way!

School had already been in session for a couple of weeks and the Monday holiday was always welcome!

The highlight of Labor Day weekend was attending a local carnival.

Cotton candy, snow cones, corn dogs, carnival rides, etc.

Everyone was there.

During my younger years, our 4-H club had a lemonade stand.

Cooler years we also served hot chocolate.

This year, thanks to Isaac, it has been raining since Friday, before the carnival even opened.

This happens some years.

No cotton candy, no fish sandwich…No shooting out the star for my oldest child (my husband)!

Instead, this year was spent homecoming dress shopping for my youngest,

working on new quilt designs,

little 9 patch quilt revisited,

getting ready for lottery blocks for the guild,

new pattern ideas for my Lincoln laser-cut silhouette, plus other uses for those lovely civil war charm squares,

and look, I even took the shrink wrap off my odds n ends pre-cuts,

fortunately it’s not too wet to design & dream,

and I made more applesauce.

Next year it’s back to cotton candy, fish sandwiches & carrying a huge stuffed animal around!

Until next time,

Susan