Zig and Zag

I got inspired by this...

To make a Zig Zag quilt. There are lots of tutorials on the internet, but I chose to go my own way and used quarter-square triangles. 6" finished, so 10 across would make 60" and 13 down would make 78". Perfect. Until I cut them all out, checked for color on the design wall and realized they are 3" tall. So back to the cutting table I'll go to cut 13 more rows.

I did have to sew a few rows together to get some zigs and zags.

Read More

More red and aqua

A little quilting and a red binding will finish this up.

Read More

Another One

Sorry... it's another Root Beer Float quilt.

This one's going on the quilting block next...

Read More

Happy Chic

Happy Chic = 95% Chic + 5% Happy.

Browsing in the bookstore this week I came across this fun book, On Happy Chic Colors by Jonathan Adler. It's so full of inspiration, not only for decorating, but also for quilting.

My favorite part is where he takes each color and gives you ideas on what to mix it with and how. For example, in the classic blue and yellow combo he says, "Keep one soft, the other one punchy".
And I love all the colorful, graphic designs, like these...

And these...

Remember this baby? Well, it's getting quilted!!

Read More

Organizing

I did a lecture for a guild a couple weeks ago on Organizing your Sewing Space. One of the things I talk about is folding your fabric for shelf storage and the fact that fat quarters are too small to store folded on a shelf. They tend to get lost in the pile. Since I wasn't following my own advice, last week I went through my piles of fabric and separated the FQs. I also found I had been lazy about washing my new purchases, so I washed loads of fabric.

Shout Color Catchers are invaluable for catching excess dye as you can see by my pink sheet.

I know it's a controversial issue, but do you prewash? and why or why not?

Does anyone know what line this print is from? Love it... found it in my stash... don't remember buying it and I have no printed selvage. I might want to find some more!

So here are my washed, folded and neatly stacked FQs.

In drawers by color for easy retrieval.

Another great tip I have is using a notebook to store all your specialty rulers WITH instructions. (This cute one found at Target).

I slip the ruler and instructions in a page protector and store in the notebook. I was having trouble finding the directions when I wanted to use one of the rulers.

Recently purchased new books - full of fun, modern patterns - I'm putting those FQs to use!

Read More

Paganini

A baker's dozen. I've made 13 Schnibbles patterns over the last 13 months. This is the newest Paganini using Wee Woodland. Love the rich colors in this line.

This will be it for me doing Schnibbles for a while. I love that they are so cute, quick and fun - but it's getting cold. I may need a bigger quilt! Check out Sinta's blog and Sherri's blog on Nov. 1st for the Paganini parade.

Read More

Mess...

I know... it's been a week. But I've been traveling and now my sewing room looks like this!

Another mess on the floor. So where was I? Up in Chicago doing a program on organizing your sewing room. What kind of example is this to set??

Problem is... a lot of fabric coming in. Like this little set. We visited 5 quilt shops in Illinois. My favorite was Pieceful Hearts Fabrics. They had tons of beautiful, current fabrics, including the best selection of modern lines I've seen in any retail store.

I have some digging out to do! I'll be back with some of my projects, and a finished Schnibbles for the Nov. 1st deadline.

Read More