Moderation

Have you got a copy of Quilted yet?  If not, you can find it here, along with many other great publications from Uppercase Publishing Inc, based in Calgary, AB Canada.  This is my first time having this book in my hands, and it's a hefty one.  382 pages that feature over 50 designers/makers

The post it note was from Nifty Quilts. She generously sent me a copy and gave me the short cut to her quilt.  Why, because I was fortunate enough to have quilted it for her.  See some more of her work HERE and HERE

....and she made sure I got my name added to the article. So fun to see my name attached to her work.  I've been in workshops and have stitched with Nifty and she is so inspirational in the way she creates.  I find myself making quicker decisions and I don't "over think" every fabric choice.  I can get hung up in the decision process and that truly impedes moving forward when making.

Here are a few pictures of Moderation.  Many of these blocks were left overs from other projects.  She has an amazing knack of adding in florals, stripes and plaids that seem to tie together her "orphan" blocks.

The quilting was done block by block and I did my best to keep to 3 or 4 motifs.  A lot of straight line quilting was used.

The center plate was stitched using my Circle templates and I love the motion it created.

Take a minute to click on the photos and study her fabrics, they truly are eclectic and hopefully will inspire you to take a few more chances with your next fabric pull.  Add in a stripe or a plaid, (or both), try something outside your comfort zone.  You just might be surprised with the outcome.

Moderation letters have come from Tonya's book.  The E version is available here .
It also might be available via other places and it's a book that I have used many times. 

Uppercase has showcased so many makers/designers that are "new to me"  They have shared so much of their process and a peek into their world of designing.  You can read more about Uppercase here on their website/blog.

Sorry for the sideways picture.  I wanted to show the inside cover, work of Tara Faugnan.  Several of her pieces are shown via the dust jacket, which is interchangeable.  I LOVE that idea, even though I'll be keeping Tara's quilt as my preferred book cover.

Cover option 1-2

Option 3 - 4  The one on the right is Tara's work.  She is also the designer featured in Sewtopia's Color Collective. 

Ten pages have been dedicated to Maday Delgado.  Do you know her work?  I didn't and am so inspired by her work.  Find her HERE and on Instagram @sustainabletextiledesign  This maker is SO amazing. Go check her IG feed, right after you finish reading this post!

A huge thank  you to Janine Vangool from Uppercase for leading this amazing publication.   She has brought many makers to my attention via this book.  It's definitely one worth getting into your collection.  

Snow days are  Sew days.  I hope everyone is staying safe and warm as Mother Nature brings winter to many of us this week. 
Keep stitching,
Sharon

Cheddar Star Surprise

I got an unexpected surprise right before Christmas. As I was waiting on a friend to pick out a few car magazines for her guy's stocking, I picked up the NOV issue of Quilters World and what to my wondering eyes did appear? Why, my Cheddar Stars quilt!  I had sent this one to the magazine in October of 2017, so it was a big surprise to see it in print.  You might still see this issue on some news stands, but the website has moved on to Spring 2020.

This is the first photo of the quilt, but please turn the page to see the true colors.  I used Saffron, a lovely shade of cheddar,  and French Vanilla, my "go to" cream,  both from RJR Fabrics.  I do love the hand of these solids, they drape so nicely and are lovely to work with.

Here's the quilt laying on the floor, sorry for the skewed photo!  **but this color is more like Saffron, the above picture is quite "orange" :-(

Ohio Star blocks use 1/4 square triangle for the star points, and the sample was made with Triangles on a Roll.  When I need 324 of one block, I look for a method that allows for "production" sewing.  By making them on the paper, I was able to make the star point blocks in batches.  There are many methods to achieve the same result so choose the one you like.

Here is my smaller version pieced in red.  This little one has been cross hatched and has stars in the corners with plain cream borders.   I had used up all my Saffron, so when I wanted to make step outs and photograph along the way, I used red and now I have a mini!

The quilting was done with rulers and circle templates for the blocks and sashing, and the border has been free hand quilted with feathers. 

Keeping all the blocks lined up in both directions takes a bit of skill, but using a few tricks, I managed to get the rows pretty straight in all directions.  There are no corner stones in the side to side sashing.

Close up of block and quilting,

Details of this quilt:

Fabric: RJR Cotton Supreme Solids in Saffron and French Vanilla
Batting: Hobbs Tuscany Wool
Piecing: Aurifil Color 3210 in 50 wt
Quilting: So Fine by Superior Threads
81 - 6"  Blocks
Finished size: 90" x 90"
Published Nov 2019
Quilters World

*original plan was all cream sashing, but when I rolled out the second bolt of fabric, the dye lot was slightly off.  I just had enough of the Saffron to make it work, and I am thrilled with the results.

So what are you working on this month?  Me, it's getting a few blog posts up, catching up on customer quilts that were not Christmas quilts, and assessing all the UFO bags, bins, boxes, and baskets in my studio.  I have 3 days of retreat sewing coming up at the end of the month; I plan on have a box and a bag empty and two completed tops.  Fingers crossed my machine doesn't start smoking like the last retreat I went to!

Keep stitching,
Sharon

The Second Colorway - Rich Traditions

A short, self promotional note to begin this post.
I've added my available lectures and workshops to my blog, link above. This is one of the workshops I'm offering. I'd love to come teach or trunk show at your guild or group.

The piles slowly mount up as I cut stacks of 1/2 square triangle combinations for a second version of my Rich Tradition that appeared in APQ this past year.  For this quilt I needed 400 of these blocks, so that's 800 pieces.  That might sound overwhelming, but with using strips and the Easy Angler ruler, it is a piece of cake.

The endless chain of 1/2 square triangles.  It can seem daunting.  But trust me, when you get into production mode, this is a tried and true technique. It uses strips instead of squares, no trimming down required, and the little dog ears get trimmed when you cut the blocks apart after pressing.

I took a multi colored, big fabulous print.......

and pulled and cut a strip of 25 solids that I matched up to some of the colors in this big print. Then I  got busy.

Each block needs 16- 1/2 square triangles for the border and with the above method, it's a great pattern to prep and take with you for a retreat, or just to have something quick and easy to sew when  you only have a few minutes in your studio.  The block sashings quickly come together.

Black and white on the camera/phone always helps put the value into perspective.  I was positive this lighter green block would be in the center or maybe not included at all.   I loved how it bounced off all the other colors and added a bit of spark to the finished piece.

Clearly it was not going to live in the center, but it was perfect for balancing off another lighter block in the finished piece. Using a little bit of creative cutting, I got the striped setting triangle fabric to all move in the same direction.

Quite a dramatic difference just by changing up the prints/colors.  This bottom photo uses a variety of small and large 1800's prints in a various colors, and all the backgrounds were shirtings. 

As mentioned at the beginning, I am now booking outside my area (Pacific NW) for trunk shows and teaching. In 2018 I was a guest speaker at several guilds and have taught regionally for several years. With many patterns published in national magazines, I'm spreading my wings. I have dual citizenship with the US and Canada, and I'd love to come visit your guild. Please share this information and/or contact me for available dates.

Keep stitching,
Sharon

APQ June 2018 Issue

The latest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting will be hitting your mailbox and the news stands this week, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this fabulous publication.  This pattern is a riff on an antique quilt and I was so pleased with how it turned out that I submitted it to APQ and was thrilled when they accepted it for publication.

  “USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AMERICAN PATCHWORK & QUILTING ®. © 2018

MEREDITH CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED"

I know that many quilters are not dialed in with 1800's reproduction prints/colors/fabrics but it's usually  my "go to" bins when I get an idea for a new project.  I love that most prints/colors seem to play nicely with each other.  Color is my weakest skill set and by using these types of fabrics, I can be successful in my work.   APQ always tests patterns to ensure good results to the reader and I love how this was reproduced.   Brights, one color for the 1/2 sq triangles around the blocks and straight setting the blocks really changes up the whole look of this pattern. 

  “USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AMERICAN PATCHWORK & QUILTING ®. © 2018

MEREDITH CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED"

The staff at APQ work very hard to produce a first class publication.  I am proud to be part of this and I am so grateful at how good they make my work look.  I had the opportunity to meet Jody, Lindsey, Lisa, and Nancy at Quilt Market 2018 in  Portland, OR  and it was the highlight of my trip.

“USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AMERICAN PATCHWORK & QUILTING ®. © 2018

MEREDITH CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED"

I will be posting a photo heavy tutorial for making this quilt.  It's FQ friendly, and can be made in a variety of prints for outstanding results.  Think cowboy/western prints, Kaffe/Brandon, 30's repro.  Whatever your flavor, it's a great stash buster.  Start gathering 25 coordinated prints and get ready to create your own unique throw.

Keep stitching,

Sharon 

I'm a Cover Girl for APQ

My project is featured on the cover of June 2016 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine! See my project, as well as other featured projects from this issue.  Wow, do they ever make my quilt look good.  Just pinch me!!!

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2016 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. 

It's currently hanging up at a LQS in my area,  Fabric Etc, in Bellingham, WA

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2016 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. 

Here is the quilt when it was just a top.  I love pinning them to my old weathered fence for photo shoots.  This top was finished in July, what a surprise.  I always seem to be inspired by holidays or events and feel the urge to start something new.

I'd purchased the templates for this star block in late June and after making one star, I made another and another, varying the prints and color placements.  Just like potato chips, I couldn't stop after one!

Then came the secondary block. I originally thought these pieced star blocks would be set on point, but after playing around, I liked the idea of adding some appliques to lighten up the whole piece.  The background fabric is Primitive Muslin - color 22 by Primitive Gatherings for Moda.

Plus it was a great way to use up the scraps that were left over from the piecing.  I used every patriotic print that I had, and I think this one was from the very first quilted piece I made.  A red, white, and blue table runner for my mom, and I even hand quilted it with red thread.  What was I thinking?  But I digress........I love using the blanket stitch for my machine applique, and you can enlarge all these pictures.

Here is the piece on my long arm while I did the quilting.  Batting is Hobbs wool, one layer. A lot of ruler action going on.

The back looks pretty good too.  Solid light backing makes for a great secondary pattern on this piece.  I love running my hand over the backing to feel the texture.  Using wool really enhances the quilting. 

Hot off the machine, not even trimmed or bound at this point.  My quilts get washed and blocked out before sending them off for photo shoots, it just makes them look that much better.
 

It has been such a great experience working with Elizabeth at American Patchwork and Quilting.  She keeps me in the loop, gives me plenty of time to get the quilting and binding done and has been so professional with all my dealings with her.  They send me proofs of the layout so I can double check things, they pattern test and truly do a fabulous job.  Hats off to them.

So if you haven't got this delivered to your door, please take a look at it when you see it at your LQS or on the news stand. There are great quilts in this issue, and the secondary color choices might surprise you. We gravitate to our favorite colors and sometimess it's the "other" option that sings to us.

I will be posting a detailed, step by step tutorial on the star block, Give it a Whirl, so stay tuned.

Keep stitching,
Sharon

Celebrate with a Giveaway

Thanks for all the kind words, it has been so exciting for me.  To celebrate, I thought I'd do a giveaway so someone else can make this fabulous piece. 

I will include a copy of the magazine and 9 - 1/4 yard cuts of blacks with geometric prints.  You just need to add your whites and brights! 

Shipping in the US only, (sorry) and I have to have a way to contact you, so if you are a no reply blogger, please include an email address.  Just follow along my blog or my Instagram Grassrootsquilting  I've been posting photos there on a few projects I'm working on, along with a few cat photos. :-). Drawing will close at April 15th at midnight Pacific Time.

Good luck!
Sharon