Busy Modern Quilters...

Our Saint Louis Modern Quilt Guild is a busy group! We've got so many wonderful (and challenging projects going on).

First up is the solids only challenge. Robert Kaufman generously donated a charm pack of Kona Cotton solids for each member. We're to make a wall quilt using at least 21 squares from the pack and up to 2 additional solids. Well, I think (fingers crossed) I've come up with a plan. I even made a couple of "test" blocks from some print charm squares. Is anyone else afraid to cut into their charm pack?
We're also doing a mug rug swap at the April meeting. I used some of my treasured fabric reproduced from the Victoria and Albert Art Museum in London.
I tucked a piece of the selvage on the back. Hope she likes it!We're also collecting "Just One Star" blocks for Moda's campaign to make 100 quilts in 100 days. They will be donated to the Semper Fi Fund which provides support for injured members of the armed forces. I have a Marine son-in-law who I'm so totally proud of, I wish I could make 100 myself in his honor. I've been meaning to make a new name tag in a modern style for a while. Finally got around to it. It's a fun group!! But they keep you busy!

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As predicted...

It did snow in St Louis this weekend. No gardening, grilling or bike riding.But there was some sewing. As planned, I made my quilt/throw (it has no batting) with AMH voiles. I started with 2 widths of flannel sewn together. Then I simply sewed strips of the voile (which is 54" wide) to the flannel using a sew and flip technique. The sewing took about 2 hours! Quick and easy!I wish you could reach into your computer and feel how soft this is. It drapes nicely and will make a perfect summer throw.
I also made Spring dresses for the girls and found matching leggings.

This was my first time sewing clothing in quite a while. I got out my 20 year old serger to see if I could give it a run. This is one of the first model sergers made for domestic sewers. It's a bear to thread and I gave it an hour of trying. I'm ready to toss it out, but thought maybe someone with more patience and younger eyes might want to have it. If you live in the area and would like this - it's free to a good (and patient home). Drop me an email: cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com

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The case for open seams and weekend sewing...

I've been piecing for years and always pressed my seams to one side. The latest trend is opening the seams. This week I've been piecing lots of pinwheel type blocks and I'm 100% sold on pressing those seams open. I'm getting perfect results on most of my blocks.And almost perfect on a few. If it looks good without my glasses - it works for me!
Here's how the back looks. It really creates a nice flat center.
Looking pretty good here too!
My plan was to start cleaning up the garden this weekend. Snow, rain and cold temps have forced me to Plan B. Some Spring dresses for 2 cute little girls!
And I'm going to sew up my AMH voiles into a strip quilt - quilt-as-you-go; flannel on the back. It's looking like I may have enough for 2. I know someone (ACK) who also loves AMH fabrics - I think she'll be getting one too.
Have a happy weekend!!

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June Bug...

And it's not even June yet! Pattern: Thimble Blossoms
Fabric: Parisville by Tula Pink
Simple quilting: Stippling with veins in the leaves.

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Happy Spring!

Some Spring fabric shopping... Nicey Jane
Kona Solids...
My new obsession with teal, orange and gray...
My old obsession with aqua and red...
If only I could get this enthused about Spring cleaning!

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More quilts!!

There were 19 quilts made at this retreat! And a few partial finishes that I never got photographed. You might think we didn't do any of that eating, laughing, talking and drinking. But you'd be very wrong!!

Gayle's quilt...
Sandy's "New Wave". I haven't seen one yet that I didn't just love. Perfect for so many fabric combinations.
Sandy's quilt using Sanibel fabric by Heather Mulder Peterson.
Rene's quilt with "Fig and Plum"...
Another version of the simple batik squares...
Pam quilted a baby quilt panel for a friend...
Someone made this for Bonnie for her birthday. Lucky girl!
Pam finished the applique on this long term project...
Another one. They got bigger and bigger...
Good progress on this stacked coins variation.
Of course there was some shopping involved. Next up... a few lovlies I picked up!

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Lots of Quilts!!

It was a productive retreat! Enjoy the show!

The first 3 made by me...

"Kitchen Window" from The Practical Guide to Patchwork with Sanctuary by Patty Young.
Quilting the Garden by Blackbird Designs done!!!
"Marmalade" by Thimbleblossoms in Bliss.
Next 3 made by Jean M.

My "Building Blocks" pattern from Moda Bake Shop in Central Park. (Still needs a border).

"It Takes Two" from American Patchwork and Quilting Dec. 2010 in Bliss.
"Center of Attention" from Stop, Drop and Roll by Heather Mulder Peterson.
Milly's amazing medallion quilt.
Simple, graphic in batiks.
Gayle's quilt using Sannibel.
Another wonderful, graphic design by Gayle.
That's not all. Part two next!

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Quilting with Friends...

I have no complaints. I have the time in my life at this point to quilt a lot. In fact I spend some time each day quilting. But it's not often I get to spend 4 days quilting with friends. Talking, laughing, eating, drinking and inspiring. I'm like a kid at Christmas. I so look forward to it!

Tomorrow I head to Kinderhook Lodge with 9 other quilters. I'm taking 4 projects. The first is my applique blocks from Quilting the Garden by Blackbird Designs. I've had the blocks appliqued for a year and it's time to put them together. I'm not coming home until this top is done!
I finally cut into my Bliss. I'm doing "Marmalade". The applique petals are done - now it's simply assembling the blocks.
I'm also taking Kitchen Window from The Practical Guide to Patchwork and the orange and brown color way from Sanctuary. I love Sanctuary by Patty Young. I've already designed and made a top using the blue color way. I hope to get a tutorial up for it soon.
As mentioned earlier - Penny Lane is coming too. I'll be a busy quilter! Talking, laughing, eating, drinking and hopefully a bit of sewing.

Enjoy your week!!!

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It pays to read blogs...

Well, actually reading blogs usually causes me to spend money. But it pays in all the great information and products you find! Here's what I've found this week.

My friend, Mary Claire from SplendorFalls used my MBS pattern to make 2 quilts with Central Park. A small one using the pattern as written...
And a larger one using these cutting directions. Love them!! And love all the fun, creative things Mary Claire does. Pop over and you'll see why she's always winning with her original designs!
Here's a wonderful product I found out about from Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. Niagara Non-Aerosol Spray Starch. My Best Press starch was gone and due to the priceyness, I went with Faultless. What a mess! It clogs and spits. I took Carrie's suggestion and tried the Niagara. I love it! Couldn't find it at Target here, but Walmart carried it and I stocked up.
I love reading Sherri's blog, A Quilting Life. Her quilts are gorgeous and it seems like we're both attracted to the same fabric lines. She mentioned Hullabaloo by Urban Chiks for Moda this week. I love that design team, in fact my Flower Pots quilt uses their previous line Swell. I ordered a Fat quarter pack of Hullabaloo and was not disappointed. I've refrained from ordering FQPs lately due to all the repeats within the lines. This is an exception because there are so many basics here. Love those zig-zag stripes!!
Jeni from In Color Order posted this week about a site called Kruler. You can upload a photo and it will pull the color palette from your photo.. Just for fun I uploaded a photo of Flea Market Fancy. I wanted to do a quilt with the same color feel. This is what I got... how cool!
Using the color swatches I pulled this from my newly organized stash in a matter of minutes.
After seeing Jessica's Salt Water Taffy at Twin Fibers, I knew I had to make this one. I love how the border flows around the quilt.
I got a good start yesterday.
Do you know you can win cool stuff from reading blogs? My daughter won this awesome Innocent Crush bag from Masionnette this week.

Yes, it really does pay to read blogs. And be sure to try Google Reader for the easy and quick way to bring your blogs to you.

Oh and one more thing - when you find you're overwhelmed with all those creative ideas, you might want to read this post from Small Notebook. I know I needed it!

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