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"Sisters" at St. Matthew's Church Quilt Show

Back at St. Matthew's Church in South Africa, our little town of Sisters has caught the attention of some special people. The "Sisters" of St. Matthew's Church, Hayfields are following in the footsteps of our town of Sisters, Oregon, with their own outdoor exhibition of quilts and quilt making. This marking their 6th annual Show. 

St Matthew’s Church, Hayfields is situated in a beautiful conservancy and the magnificent Paper Bark Acacia’s  provided the backdrop for the display of wonderful quilts by the Sisters of St Matthews.

Quilters were educating visitors on the art of quilt making and there was also a sales table of quilts for sale. And from the looks of it, the quilts looked beautiful! 

Aside from the quilts, the show also had a display of floral arrangements by various floral artists at the church.  

It is so wonderful to see all the different ways the quilting world can come to connect in small wondrous ways like these.

We love seeing and hearing about events like these, so if you have any fun stories to share or would like us to know about please comment or contact us. We quilters gotta stick together! 

Until next time!

 

Livy's First Quilt!

How many of you remember your very first quilt? Was it big, small, strips, or squares? Did you ever take a photo to commemorate the occasion?

Lucky for Livy, and us, Jean was there to document the process of her first quilt and sewing experience. 

Back in August of 2013, Jean started to help Olivia with her first steps into becoming a quilter.

Here she is arranging blocks she has chosen.

 

Making color and pattern decisions does take time.

 

And, like all of us, a fun break is needed.

 

Jean's cat, Nina, loves to supervise and visit with Livy while she sews away.

 

First row completed!

 

And her first time pressing. "I like this".

 

As more and more rows were sewn, she started to put rows together, getting closer to finishing.

 

On July 6, 2014, Livy's first quilt is finally done! Livy said, "It was a big job but I did it!" 

 

"Rose" hanging in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and a cool looking Olivia!

 

So, how was your first quilting experience?  Was it as fun as miss Livy's was? Tell us about your first quilt and what it was like. 

Until next time, fellow quilters! 

 

 

Let's Finish the Sochi Quilt with Jackie

 Sochi Olympic Quilt Week 4

 

Well, I’ve already changed my mind on how to sew the top.  I laid out the first 3 rows and realized how many small pieces I was dealing with. Every time I moved the quilt some of little pieces dropped off.  So I decided to start sewing the rows. I would lay out 2 or 3 rows and then sew the row pieces together. Just the row pieces together, not the rows together.

 

 

Continue laying out the rows and sewing together.

 

   All of the rows have been laid out and sewn.  Now you need to go back and fill in the sides, top and bottom edges before the rows are sewn to each other. 

 

Quilt before the outside diamonds have been added, and the rows have been sewn together.

 

 In adding the outside edge pieces, I used all the leftover diamonds I had pre cut.  Then went back and cut extra diamonds as needed. If I had to do over again Iwould use all large diamonds around the outside. As you can see in the photo my quilt started to look quite strange with all the odd diamonds hanging off the edges. Most of these odd diamonds will be cut away when I square up the quilt. Sew all the rows together.

 

  Quilt top sewn together before I cut the extra diamonds away.

 

Time to square the top up! I pinned my top to a design wall (It needs to lay as flat as possible). To get the vertical straight edge I used a piece of ribbon pinned on the wall with a weight tied to the bottom.    The diamonds should run vertical with the ribbon. I used masking tape to tape my cutting lines. Tape across the top, bottom and sides.  Measure from the top to the bottom in three places, both sides and the middle. The quilt should measure the same in all three places. Repossession the tape until they all measure the same. Now do the sides the same way.  The quilt corners still need fabric. Well take care of this after the edges have been cut away.

  The quilt top with the masking tape and measuring tape pinned on it.

 

Almost the last step, cutting the edges away.  Leave the masking tape on the quilt. Using the tape as your cutting guide cut the extra fabric away. Cut all four sides.

                               The quilt with the four corners that need to be finished

 

 

 Finished!

  The Sochi Quilt  -  61" x 75"

 Until next time, Happy Quilting, Jackie

Related articles

Creating your own Sochi Olympic Quilt

Part 2: Sochi Quilt Pattern

Part 3: Sochi Olympic Quilt with Jackie

Part 3: Sochi Olympic Quilt with Jackie

 

                         See the post from Feburary 20, 2014 for Part One:  Creating Your Own Sochi Olympic Quilt        

 

Time to cut the fabric! I used fat quarters and 1/3 yard cuts for my fabric. If I picked a fabric I really liked I would get ½ yard so I might use it in more places. You may cut one fabric at a time or layer them. I layer mine 4 or 5 deep.

   Once more, a photo of the blue pallet.

Lets start with the fat quarters. Layer if you choose. With right sides up place your templates (make sure the seam allowance is added) on top. If the fabric is directional I line the template up with the design. On directional fabric I may choose to cut a single layer at a time to make sure I get the fussy cuts I want. As you can see (see photo) you can get 2 large diamonds from each fat quarter. I only cut one large diamond from each fat quarter and cut 3 smaller diamonds from the same fat quarter.

                                             Fat quarter with templates on top.

 

 

 

 I cut all my large and small diamonds first and will go back later to cut the weird shape template pieces. Remember if you choose to, you can change your mind any time on the number of diamonds, size of diamonds and weird shapes you want in your quilt. I am going to make some changes to my quilt. Using a design wall I start laying out my quilt top. I’m starting with the right side upper corner. Laying out the quilt in diagonal rows (you may want to start with the left upper corner). As I come to the weird shapes I will cut them as I go. This way I won’t waste my fabric by have a lot of odd shapes laying around I never use. After I cut each piece it will go on the design wall. Sounds Like a lot of work and it is but remember this is an original quilt.

 

  Quilt being laid out on design wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep going until the whole quilt top is laid out. Notice I have some gapes alone the top, sides and bottom of my quilt. I will fill these in next week. Make sure you still have some fabric left to cut these filler blocks from.

 

Happy Designing,

Jackie

 

 

 

 

 

Graduation Day: Lawry's Absolutely Beginning Quilting Class

 

Lawry's March 7th, Absolutely Beginning Quilting class ended last Friday. Here are some of the Proud Graduates and their quilt tops. Congratulations!!!! Happy Graduation Day

Sharon Eggum

Terry Permente

 

 Jeff Omodt

 

Marie Suhre

 

The backing for Marie's quilt

 

 Doretta Kremers

 

 Pam Brewster

 

Kristi Amsberry

 

Ashley Chally

 

The students have come a long way in the six-session class, starting with the rail fence block in class one to having a lap size or larger quilt together in class six.

 

A new session begins on Tuesday evenings, starting March 25th. 

Besides beginners we also welcome those of you wanting a refresher on basic instructional techniques

or possibly you just want to make a sampler quilt.

 

Happy Quilting,

Lawry

 

Absolutely Beginning Quilting

(Spring Session)
Lawry Thorn
$45
Tuesdays ~ March 25; Apr 1, 8, 22, 29; May 13
5:30 - 8:30 pm

Have you wanted to make a quilt, but don’t know where to begin? This class is for those with little or no quilting experience. Learn how to rotary cut fabric and piece together basic quilt blocks, while making a sampler-style quilt. Lawry will take you start-to-finish through your choice of a 6-, 9-, or 12-block sampler.
Note: Attendance to first class is mandatory.

Part 2: Sochi Quilt Pattern

Part 2: Sochi Olympic Quilt with Jackie

See the post from Feburary 20, 2014 for Part One:  Creating Your Own Sochi Olympic Quilt

 

Now that I have my quilt design drawn out I’m ready to enlarge my mini templates to full size.

I’ll start with the large 8” x 16” diamond.  Using a large piece of paper (at least 9” x 17”) I’m going to find the middle by folding the paper into quarters.  Un fold and mark the center.  Measure 4” to left of the marked center and mark.  Measure 4” to the right of the center and mark.  Use the edge of the paper as a straightedge so your marks will line up correctly. Measure from the center mark up 8” and mark.  Measure 8” down form the center and mark.  Connect the four dots around the outside.  You now have your 8” x16” diamond.

Layer three pieces of large paper together and cut the large diamond out with a rotary cutter.

 You should have three full sized diamonds. 

 

Cut the smaller diamond templates from two of the large paper diamonds.

For a refresher on how to cut the smaller templates see Part One:

Creating Your Own Sochi Olympic Quilt

 

 

Next I add the ¼” seam allowance.

I tape each of the paper templates to the template plastic.  Making sure to leave at least a ¼” around each piece for the seam allowance.  I lay my ruler along the paper template edge and add the seam allowance as I cut. You can draw the ¼” seam before you cut but I like to save time and just cut.  Check out all your new cool templates! 

 Now I’m ready to cut the fabric but I have to pick it first.  I like all the colors used in the Olympic art posters but my favorite is the blue pallet.  It was the first one I saw and it depicts winter so well. I’m not sure but I believe if you could count all the patterns in the posters you would find 89 different ones. Each one representing a region of Russia. Anyway I’m going with blue and I don’t have 89 fabrics. You can see my pallet in the photo. I will still add more but can start with these.  I’m using fat quarters and should be able to get two large diamonds and some smaller diamonds from each one.

 

Remember your templates are made from thin plastic and a rotary cutter will cut them.  Use your heavy ruler to on top of the thin plastic when cutting for diamonds.  I’ll talk more about cutting your fabric next week.

Happy designing,

Jackie

 

 

#SPTula100: Jackie's almost finished...

I'm so excited! I just about have my Tula100 quilt finished.  All the blocks are finished (100) and the top is in progress.  I hope to have the top finished and quilted by this time in February.

My first thought while designing the block layout was not to put sashing between each block. It only took a few minuets for me to realize the blocks had lost their character. One block moved into the next which created one long continuous messy blob.  By inserting sashing each block is shown off to its greatest advantage.  Because my blocks are so colorful I chose white as the background. I think it feels crisp and clean. When you lay out your blocks experiment with different backgrounds. Pick the one that complements your blocks.

Photos of all 100 blocks and quilt top (maybe un-finished)

 

 Happy Stitchin, Jackie

Valori Wells debuts 2 new collections for Robert Kaufman

We are very excited to announce that Valori Wells (our resident fabric designer and co-owner) is now a designer for Robert Kaufman Company. She has 2 debut collections... yep 2 of them!

We thought we would give you a little teaser of the collections and if you want or NEED more check out Robert Kaufmans web site....We will also be posting lots of fun projects out of the collections on this blog.

The first collection is Quill...

This is the Journey Quilt made out of Quill and other new collection Blueprint Basics. The dress is the Sondy dress.... out of Quill knit! Journey will be a free pattern this spring!

This quilt is Plume... it features Generous...the main design in the Quill Collection. The yummy pillows are out of the Quill Linen....essex linen! So wonderful to work with!

And now for the beginning of the basics collection.... Blueprint Basics....they will be released in four seasons...

This is Spring!

There will be more to come.... from Valori

#SPTula100 Update & special techniques

In case you haven't heard, we are hosting our very own Tula100 Club featuring the book, blocks and quilts from Tula's book 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. Our Instagram #SPTULA100

We hold monthly gatherings where we share and sew all thing Tula...and more.

Jackie has a great Tula presentation for you today. Featuring the upcoming Fox & Field collection from Tula Pink. We should have it in the shop in January!!! We will keep you posted.

 

Just an update on the Redmond Hospice Festival of Trees.  Our trees did well.  The Beaver tree brought in $1300.00 and the Duck tree $300.00.  The dolly’s and clothes brought in $250.00, Beaver doll $140.00 and the Duck doll$110.00.  How about those Beaver & Duck fans! Hip, Hip. Hooray! (If you’re a Beaver fan you know all about the hip, hip hooray thing).  Not sure how much the table runners brought in but I do know the reindeer runner I made sold for $100.00.

 

 

Next year we will make potholders for the fundraiser.  This is the time to be thinking about making some.  You could win $150.00 Stitchin’ Post gift card.  Again no rules for the potholders, any size will do.  You can knit, crochet, or piece them. They can be potholders, oven mitts, clamshell mitts, just about anything you can come up with.  Sets of two would be nice.  Just wanted you to get a head start for next year.

 

This past weekend I started to get serious about the Tula100 club and made 22 blocks! I can’t quite reach around to pat myself on the back (due to whatever muscle I pinched in my neck!). The new blocks I made I used mostly this new fabric line. You are going to love the horses, foxes, bunnies and more...!

 

As I was sewing I found some short cuts to pass along to you. Lets start with block #16. Instead of cutting 12 pieces for the block I cut 8. Four background pieces 3 ½” x 3 ½” and four 1” x 3 ½” pieces.  I folded the 1” strip under ¼” on both sides.  Pressed and top stitch onto the 3 ½” square.  No seams!

Block #69 has sixteen 1” x 3 ½” strips. No way am I going to sew all those together one at a time.  I cut one 1” x 42” strip of the two colors in the block.  Sewed them together side by side. It now measures 1 ½” x 42”. Press and cut in half making two 1 ½” x 21” strips. Sew these two together to make the stripe 2 ½” x 21”. Cut this in half to make two 2 ½” x 10 ½” strips. Sew these together to make one strip 4 ½” x 10 ½”.  Now cut two

4 ½” x 3 ½” strips.  These are the correct size for block #69.  Sure beats 16 tiny pieces.

This system will work for blocks #7, #8, #17, #27 & #30. Just make sure the width of the strips are correct.  Each block may be a bit different.

 

 

 I really like the new Fox Field line but some of the fabrics may be hard to use because some of the images are spread so far apart.  You just need to be a little creative when using them.  In block #47 I had the opportunity to use just such a fabric. I wanted the star to show in each corner. In order for this to happen I needed to make sure each piece was cut exactly (or as close as possible) the same.  I cut a 2 ½” x 2 ½” piece of very light weight paper. Folded it left corner to right corner making a triangle.  Opened it back up and placed the paper over the star.  Making sure the whole star was inside the triangle allowing for the ¼” seam allowance.  Laid a small ruler on top and cut around the square of fabric.  Now I used the square of star fabric to cut the other eight squares.  Making sure to place the first star square on top of the star I was getting ready to cut out.  In the photo you can see a black line I drew on top.  This is where the seam will be.  As you can see the whole star will be in the triangle.  This system will work for any of the block that you want to fussy cut.  Squares are much easier because you can use a ruler.  Triangle are harder because of the angles. I made #46, #47, #52, #54 and #55 using this method.

 

I have fussy cut quite a few of my blocks. It takes a bit longer to precut but the end results are well worth the effort. I now find myself making blocks to replace blocks I now don’t like. I’m replacing block #67. What do you think is the better block?

 

Here are the rest of my new blocks.

 

May the coming holidays bring you and your family great joy and peace.

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

 

Jackie

 

Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild

 

 

The Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild (COMQG) is a chapter of a larger national Modern Quilt Guild.

They encourage anyone who is interested to join them at their local guild meetings. They are about sharing ideas, tips, techniques, and encouragement, as well as a love of quilting. Many of their members are fairly new to quilting. They are always excited to meet someone new.  Please come to one of the meetings to find out more.

You can check out The Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild at their web site: http://comqg.blogspot.com/

We are very happy to host the Guild from 5PM to 8PM on the third Tuesday of each month,  the Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild meets at the Stitchin Post. (311 West Cascade Avenue, Sisters).

  

The Pres: Kayla Herriman

Just love her wonderful Modern purse!

Some shots from the meeting Tuesday evening (12/17/13):

Just a few quilts from show and tell:

 

Lindsey Kiesz

 

 Erin Woodard

Chrisy McDevitt   

This quilt is Christy's entry into the NYC Metro MOD Quilt Guild's DWR Challenge, She won a Judges Choice award! Congratulations Christy!!!

         
Modern Quilters at Work

And the youngest member, Acacia Carr and her mom Aura

 

Winner of our $20 gift card...just because we wanted to!

Always happy to host this lovely group. COMQG registration for 2014 is $25. Join our next gathering Tuesday, January 21, 2014!