Stitchin' Post in Sisters

Freddy Moran is coming to Sisters!

Jean was recently teaching in California.  While there, she had the pleasure of spending some time with Freddy Moran.  Jean was very taken with Freddy's new "collage quilts".

 

Now Freddy will be joining us at the Stitchin' Post during Art Quilt Symposium week!  Freddy will be teaching a three-day workshop called "Patchwork Collage~Freddy Moran Style!"  Freddy begins with a patchwork of black & white large-scale prints and then builds her collage from the background toward the foreground in bright, bold color.  Click here for more details about the workshop!   

Here are more photos taken by Jean while visiting Freddy's House~

 

A self-portrait...?

A peek at Freddy's stash...

and scrap bins (remember...let nothing go to waste!)

What fun to sneak a peek into a working studio that isn't "airbrushed" for a studio magazine.  I like to see where REAL women create! 

(We'll stop there, as you DO NOT want to see where this real woman creates!) ~Tamra

 

Photos from Barbara Shapel workshops

Barabara Shapel was teaching in our classroom last week!  She taught a one-day workshop on "The Art of Machine Quilting" and a three-day workshop called "Waterdance."  I had the privilege of attending the three-day workshop, and all I can say is...you missed a good one!  Barbara is a fantastic teacher as well as an incredible machine quilter.

Here are photos of some of the quilts she shared in class:

The owl quilt is solid black fabric on the back but appears to be two-sided because of the "thread-painting" method Barbara uses for quilting.  REALLY amazing!

 

Here's Barbara with the teaching sample she made during the Waterdance workshop: 

Click here to see a Facebook photo album of student work!

In addition to learning how to make the beautiful Waterdance quilt, Barbara taught us how to make our quilts reversible with simple piecing of the backing fabric, and then how to add thread-painted details in the quilting.

 

Simple straight-line quilting across the moon, using invisible thread on top and in the bobbin.  Barbara says, "Keep it consistently inconsistent."

 

 

Wave quilting is made using long sweeping lines along the pieced waves on the front on the quilt, and then filled in with "bubbles."  Barbara uses a wide variety of threads including polyester, rayon, variegated, and metalics on the top and in the bobbin to create the two-sided quilting.

I loved the workshop and Barbara's teaching style.  I accomplished more work than I usually get done in a classroom setting, I learned new piecing techniques in class, and I can't wait to try the quilting techniques at home.  The next time Barbara Shapel comes to Sisters to teach, do something special for yourself and take a workshop with her...you'll thank me for it!   ~Tamra

From a different perspective...

Jean was teaching in Colorado week before last.  Here is a link to pictures from the workshop, and a little background story written by Denise Starck (Graphic Designer at Quiltmaker Magazine) who attended the workshop.  Its like being a fly on the wall...

 

Jean has a workshop, "Of The Earth," coming up May 7th-11th here at the Stitchin' Post. There are just four spaces left.  Click here for more information.

 

Barbara Shapel visiting next week!

Barbara Shapel, from Washougal, WA , will be in our classroom next week teaching two very fun workshops! 

Barabara is an award winning quilter, who is best known for her "thread-painted' quilts and machine quilting.  She enjoys the challenge of integrating the quilting line and making it an important part of the overall design of a piece. 

Another challenge that Barbara sets for herself is creating two-sided quilts, where the back of the quilt is a reflection of the quilt front and offers the viewer a different perspective of the same piece. 

We still have a few seats available in each workshop...
click here for workshop details and registration!

"The Art of Machine Quilting"
April 4, 9-4pm 
$85 (includes lunch!)

 

 

 

 

"Waterdance"
April 5,6 & 7      9-4 pm
$195 (includes lunches)

Sharing work from Jean's Intuitive Color and Design 2 Workshop

Last fall, Terri attended Jean's "Intuitive Color and Design 2" workshop.  Today, she sent in a photo of her completed project which she refers to as her "Greece project."  She said that other than the color, it is completely different than what she had started in class.  I think it is just beautiful and very calming to look at.  Great job Terri!

 

Jean is currently in a transition phase with her workshops.  Her new book "Journey to Inspired Art Quilting" will be out this summer.  She is, of course, designing a new series of workshops based on the new book.  The first workshop (at the Stitchin' Post) will be November 16, 17 & 18, 2012.  Reserve your space today!

 

That's so 252 billion seconds ago...

Ok~ quick math here:  252 billion seconds ago is roughly eight years, which is approximately when I started this quilt!

This was the quilt I started in Lawry's Absolutely Beginning Quilting Class Fall 2003, when I first moved to Sisters (all my friends in Portland said I would have to take up quilting if I was going to live in Sisters!)

I finished the quilt top by the final day of class and actually had quilted several lines of "in the ditch" quilting along the sashings.  That's when I decided this quilt was just too big for me to handle on my basic Kenmore machine.  I talked to a long-arm quilter who said if I picked out the "invisible thread" quilting I had already done, she would be happy to quilt this for me...by the time I finally got around to and finished "un-quilting", she was no longer quilting for hire!

Last year I hired Cindy, from here at the Stitchin' Post, to do the quilting.  She did a fantastic job making each block special, with beautiful feathery hearts & circles.  Cindy has a great eye for visualizing what quilting motifs will look best in each area of a pieced top.  So the quilt has been sitting in a corner of my sewing room for yet another year, quietly whispering "binding...binding...binding." 

Now finally...this is my first UFO of 2012. I didn't quite make January, but I'm just so happy to have this quilt finished.  It was an anniversary gift to my husband in 2004, when it was just a finished top.  It was a birthday gift to him in 2011 when it was three layers quilted together.  And this week it was a Valentine's gift to him in 2012 as a finished quilt.  He's waited a long time to snuggle under this quilt!

For everyone working toward the 2012 UFO Challenge, I hope you too are making progress.  Thank you D.M. for giving me the "kick-in-the-pants" I needed to finish this project...!  ~Tamra

 

 

She'll have you in stitches!

This year during Customer Appreciation Days (April 19, 20 & 21) we have the privilege of inviting Laura Wasilowski of Artfabrik to be our featured instructor.  Laura is a contemporary quilt maker who has developed a whimsical style featuring hand-dyed fabrics, fusing techniques and embroidery embellishment. 

Laura has authored several books, including her newest Fanciful Stitches Colorful Quilts.  She also writes a blog and has a fantastic website, where she gives great information about how to make improvisational art pieces, helpful tips on fusing and wonderful "how-to" information about decorative hand stitching.  (Be sure to check out "Thread-u-cation" on her website; there you will find fabulous step-by-step photos & instructions for adding decorative stitch detailing!)

Click here to see Laura's impressive portfolio!

During her stay with us, Laura will be teaching two workshops:  Stitch After Fusing (top photo shown above) and Tiny Homes (bottom photo shown above.)  There are just a handful of spots left in each of these workshops.  Do not hesitate a moment longer...get your registration in ASAP!

On Saturday, April 21st (11 am), Laura will be giving a lecture/trunk show called "So Many Chickens, So Little Time:  Diary of a Serial Quilter."  With Laura's sense of humor, this is sure to be a morning filled with laughter!  The lecture is $10 and seating is limited.  Register online, or call the store (541-549-6061.)

I can't wait to meet Laura...hope to see you in our classroom! ~Tamra

 

A New Year...

    It's that time of year when we reflect on where we have been, what we have learned, and where we want to go from here!  I don't believe in New Year's "resolutions"...they are just too formal and rigid for me.  Instead, I prefer to set goals for myself.  I like "goals" because they are more flexible!   

    What are your goals for the new year?  Around the cutting table I hear two main themes:

1) "I can't wait to start a new project!"  After the rush to finish projects for holiday gift-giving, there are many quilters who come in the store looking for a new project.  I'm one of these quilters~  I can't wait to start something new!

    Fortunately, the new Spring/Summer 2012 Class Catalog will be in mailboxes very soon.  We have a fun assortment of new classes for beginners to the very accomplished~ something for everyone!  One of my goals for 2012 is to improve my machine quilting skills.  We have several upcoming classes that will help me reach that goal.  (In fact, Ann is teaching Free-Motion Fun & Fillers on January 7th~still space available!)  And for those of you who would like to learn to knit or crochet, Paula has beginning classes starting in early January.

  

     

    2) Or, there are the quilters that say this:  "No new projects!"   At this time of year we also hear lots of quilters saying that they have too many unfinished projects and they HAVE TO finish some things before they start anything new. Ughhh!  I know what they mean and I too, feel their pain.

    Our friend Anna (from www.wooliemammoth.blogspot.com) has set forth the 2012 UFO Challenge ~ to complete one UFO (Un-Finished Object) per month in 2012.  I would really like to attempt this goal...however, I am more likely to start one UFO per month than to complete one UFO per month!  So here is another one of my goals for 2012:  I want to  post a picture each month of a UFO I finish! (let's see how far I get!)  I'd love you to join in...when you finish a UFO, post it on our Facebook page, we'd love to see it!

    The Stitchin' Post would really like to help you finish some of those UFO's!  Did you know that we have free "Sit & Sew" almost every Wednesday afternoon?  Starting in February, from Noon to 3 pm you can come to our classroom and work on projects!  Our staff is right here, available to give advice through the trouble spots. (Sorry there is no Sit & Sew on April 4th, May 9th or during the summer months when we convert the classroom into additional merchandising space.)  We love to see progress!

    Whatever your goals might be, we want to help you reach them.  Have a safe and happy New Year...we look forward to seeing you (and your finished projects) in 2012!  ~Tamra

 

  

Handmade Gifts for Holiday Giving!

"When it's made with my hands,
it comes from my heart." 

This is one of my all-time favorite sentiments.  Every year I dream of having an "all-handmade" holiday, where my intent is to give only handmade gifts to the loved ones on my Christmas List. And every year at about this time, I have to re-evaluate my intentions and come up with Plan B!

However, here at the Stitchin' Post, we have several ideas (and classes!) to help you make gifts that let your love show through! Many of these projects can be finished during class, with plenty of time to make more at home! (Be sure to check the class section of our website for full descriptions of all these classes.) Happy Sewing! ~Tamra

Knit Contemporary Christmas Stockings- This heirloom quality gift becomes part of the family tradition for years to come!

Tiny Treat Totes- Look adorable hanging in the Christmas Tree, filled with a small gift, or better yet...cookies!

Biscuit Basket- A lovely way to package a gift ensemble, and then use it again for convenient storage of CDs, books, sewing patterns, etc.


Painted Canvas Tote Bag- The perfect way to personalize a stylish, reusable tote for the environmentally conscious.

Christmas Wall Hanging- Create a unique holiday decoration for a friend (or keep it to deck your own halls!)

Decorative Ribbon Pillow- Very fun for decorating the bedroom of a favorite "tween", could also be made to fit your holiday decor when made in your favorite holiday color scheme.

Knit a Hat- Everyone enjoys a new hat on cold winter days!

Creativity Mini Banner- Display your favorite quote and share inspiration with others.

Crochet a Hat- Functional and pretty for cold winter days.

Fabric Baskets- Perfect for packaging gifts from the kitchen and can then be re-used to hold candy, keys, or sewing notions!

Whimsical Wired Angels- Create one-of-a-kind package tie-ons that can later hang from the Christmas Tree.

O'Christmas Tree- Motif can be made into potholders/hot pad, a wall decoration, a pillow or sewn into a small tote bag for packaging gifts.

 

 

 

New Block of the Month Clubs starting this month!

We had a fantastic Preview Party last weekend!  Thanks to everyone who came by the store to register for fall classes (and to wish me a happy birthday...Love you all!) 

One of the most talked about quilts of the day was Lawry's new "Hidden Stars" quilt. 
This is Lawry's new Saturday Sampler BOM Club, which starts September 10th. 

Club members will receive fabric for the star blocks and the alternate squares (the 6 big squares through the center of the quilt.)  Club members personalize their quilts by providing fabric for the block backgrounds, fabric for the sashings (shown as blue stripes in the sample above), fabric for setting triangles and for borders.

Club members may choose from two different styles of fabric: 

                  Contemporary                 or                      Batik

Meeting dates are on the 2nd Saturday of each month:
Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10, 2011
Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 10, Apr14 and May 12, 2012
  (8:30 to 9:15 am)

 

Other clubs starting in September include:

Folk Art Cat BOM Club with Jackie Erickson
2nd Mondays (1 to 3 pm)
Session 1- Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14
Session 2- Dec 12, Jan 9, Feb 13
Session 3- Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14

Heirloom Block of the Month Club with Jackie Erickson
2nd Mondays (4 to 6 pm)
Session 1- Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14
Session 2- Dec 12, Jan 9, Feb 13
Session 3- Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14

(picture is from pattern cover, different reproduction fabrics will be included in club packets)

 

Lucky Charms Club with Tamra Dumolt
3rd Tuesdays (9 am to Noon)
Session 1- Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15
Session 2-Dec 20, Jan 17, Feb 21
Session 3- Mar 20, Apr 17, May 15

The special excitement of Autumn in the air, as we get back into the classroom and share memories of Summer with our friends.  We hope to see you soon!  ~Tamra