Batik Spins

Batik fabrics are a rare find in my sewing room, so I had to dig through the scrap bin at my fav LQS for some additional colors for this piece. The idea for this came from seeing Wanda post her blocks and Kathy Doughty's book, Adding Layers. I've played with the wedge ruler a bit, but this got me really going.

Making a template and following a pattern sometimes just isn't in the cards for me. I pulled out my EZ Dresden ruler and got busy. I had so much fun with this one that I started a third one before this was even finished. Then my mind started with other ideas and needless to say, this one ruler can keep you busy!

I'm teaching a Wedge Workshop at Fabric Etc in Bellingham, WA on June 26th, if you are in the area, sign up and come have some fun! I think there is still room at the table for one or two more quilters. The sample is hanging in the store, have a peek if you stop in during the Western WA ShopHop.  I'll be stamping passports and helping out 4 of the 5 days, stop by and say hello!

Sharon

Dresden Spins

It started with these two blocks. I wanted  needed to make a baby quilt with cowboy/western prints.  This all came about shortly after I pulled out the little box of western fabrics that I own and I had to vacuum the dust off of them.  The next thing that happened was seeing this post of Wanda's at Exuberant Color.

I had to find Kathy Doughty's newest book RIGHT AWAY!  Oh goodness, it is filled with ideas and inspiration galore.  You can ask for it at your LQS and here's where you can peek at it.  I modified the pattern and everything still worked out for me.    I love the red bandana print for the centers.

Once I took this to my LQS, we decided to play with batiks and see how it looks.  Here I'm auditioning the last few colors that I want to add into this quilt.  It's the perfect size for a group of quilts I'm making.  With no borders, it's approx 50 x 50

Once I got my color placement organized, I squared up the circles and pressed the blocks in alternate directions so they nest together.  A quick trip to town and I had the perfect center fabric.  I've machine appliqued them for a faster finish and also because this is going to become a beach quilt for my guys ocean front condo. (when he finally moves into it!)

Kathy has created a monster, I'm addicted to this block. I woke up about 5 a.m. Sat morning with an idea running through my mind. Sunday was spent finishing up a quilt on my machine, loading up the next one, with the goal of getting into my sewing room a priority.

Stay tuned for this one to evolve! and go get Kathy's newest book, you won't regret it.

Sharon

New Life for Old Blocks

These blocks shown on the right were bought on eBay. Yes, I went down that slippery slope a few times. But what to do with wonky dresden plates that have been sewn onto a poly cotton background with the tiniest, tightest stitches?

Cut them up and move forward, that's what you do.

This is the pile of trimmings and since this quilt is from back in the 30's and 40's, I think the trimmings might have some value to someone who restores quilts.

Is someone needed a print, they could get about  a 2 x 2 piece from many of the fabrics.

How cute is this monkey print???  I'm going to call the museum in La Conner and see if they have someone who does quilt restoration and see if they want them.  I will never use them, but don't want to just throw them away.

I'm going to do some colorful perl cotton stitching on this repurposed quilt top.  Once it's quilted and bound, it will get a good bath and be gifted out to someone with a new baby.

And I now have one less bag of parts and pieces in my sewing room, what a good feeling.  Some good things going on here, life is good!

Sharon

Dresden Plate Workshop

It was a fun filled day at Fabric Etc where six of us got busy cutting and sewing and pressing. What a blast, nothing like going to teach a class where some of the students have already made the project! This is S.G.'s interpretation of the pattern.

Everyone got a full plate completed and appliqued onto their background, except for one student.  That was because she was having so much fun making blades.  K had several pieced in advance of class, and made a few more great ones with stripes and dots. This is going to be fabulous when it's all together.

A printed background was Y's choice, and we were loving this once it was all together.

Another one of KM's plates.

Some students loved the green and grey sample and worked right off of that, what a compliment that was.  I always assume something needs tweaked in the second version, but these gals were happy with my decisions

There were also lots of blades prepped for their next session in their studio.

.Since the teacher needed to demo the steps, I've started another top.  Mine is, so far, in blacks and whites.  I might add in some red and whites and see where it takes me.  I have a drawer of black/white prints, maybe I'll stick to that. You'll just have to stop back again to see where the wind takes me with this one.

Thank you, ladies, for a fabulous day.  It poured rain outside, a perfect day for sewing inside.  No minds were wandering to their yard work.  That would wait for another day!

I've since taught this class a second time, everyone was using the grey and green fabric collection and here is Marjorie's center plates.  They pinned it over top of my class sample to see the finished effect.

Love the bottom center plate, using the spine of the fabric motif is excellent, and I love the mix of centers. Great job, Marjorie


Sharon

The Big Reveal

Do not adjust your monitor, yes, I have had my blog revamped.  So not only is that being revealed today, so it my secret sewing project.

Here's the story.  I saw a project posted on Bumble Beans site back in the fall.  In January, Carol, from Fabrics Etc and I were tossing around ideas and I remembered how fun Vic's project was. We wandered and pondered and ended up with dots instead of stripes.  I emailed Vic to find out a few details of her piece and she informed me she was sworn to secrecy because it was being published.  Great for her, not for me.  We loved it so much, I went ahead and made my own version, but I promised I would not publish any pictures or hang the piece up until the magazine went live!

Well, check out your AP and Q June edition.  Here it is, and if you are in Bellingham, or close by, I'm going to be teaching this project on Sat. April 27th at Fabric Etc.

Victoria went wild with stripes, and I am calling my version, Dotty Dresdens.  This is a fun project, and the dotted fabric was a border print.  I was able to use the center of the yardage for the backgrounds, so nothing went to waste on this.  Oh and how I'm loving Vic's new fabric line, it too, has a glorious border print that would be fabulous for this same design.

So I hope you enjoy my version, I've been busting to share it with you all.  I never would have chose these fabrics but now that it's finished, I LOVE the green and grey combo.  The colors give a fresh twist to an old pattern. But be warned, use of a Dresden template can become addictive.

The daffodils are blooming, my miniature tulips are busting out, the cherry trees are bursting into a riot of color.  Enjoy your Easter weekend,

Sharon
ps, is my blog too busy with the sides done with a quilt?  Please let me know, as everyone's monitor will look a little different.