Happy Christmas

Mirrored Sunset is a wall hanging from the strata section of Improvising Tradition.  It illustrates just how versatile strata can be.  In this project I used strata as the background for a Hawaiian applique, inspired by mid century starburst mirrors.  The depth of the strata comes from the Oakshott cottons.  I've used them before, and these shot cotton fabrics are just gorgeous in person.  The different colored threads woven as the warp and weft create an amazing shimmer.  I chose my fabrics from the Oakshott Ruby bundle.

photo by Joe Hancock

In these colors, it strikes me as very Christmassy - almost like a snowflake.  Happy holidays this week everyone!

 

Another Sneak Peek from Improvising Tradition

I'm excited to share another project from my new book Improvising Tradition. The Ribbons Placemats are found in the Slice and Insert section of the book.  This pattern shows you both how to cut and sew curves improvisationally.  These are great skills to add to your toolbox of quilting techniques.

photo by Joe Hancock, copyright 2014

 

The ribbon-like flow of the curved pieces is emphasized by the quilting on the Essex linen as well as the use of ombré fabrics.  All the elements combine to make a very simple design into one that is so dynamic.

Waves Baby Quilt, PDF Pattern

Thank you for your patience waiting for the pattern for the Waves Baby Quilt.  It is now available as a PDF for instant download in my etsy shop or in my new Craftsy shop.

The 10 page pattern has full color diagrams, detailed instructions, helpful tips, and full sized templates.  The quilt pairs quarter circle blocks with easy to cut rectangles and squares.  It goes together very quickly, especially once you've cut the curved blocks. 

 

The quilt works perfectly for a boy or a girl, depending on the color you choose. The design is bold and graphic, but simple enough to work well with a variety of nursery decors.  I can't wait to see your Waves quilts.  You can tag them #wavesbabyquilt on Instagram or upload them to my flickr group.

Waves Quilt, Sunrise Colorway

I finished up another Waves Quilt in sunrise colors.  This design makes a bold, modern statement, while it's clean lines are simple enough to work well with a variety of nursery themes.  Gender neutral colors likes these warm solids makes the quilt is even more versatile.

I backed the quilt in a diamond print from the Simply Color line, and I picked a contrasting aqua binding.  I don't know why I resisted the orange and aqua combination for so long.  They are made for each other!

 

As with my first Waves Quilt, I created a different free motion quilting design in each color with matching thread.

The quilt is listed in my etsy shop.  Also, I am writing a pattern for those of you who would like to make your own Waves Quilt. The PDF pattern is available for instant download here.

Waves Baby Quilt in Pink

This simple baby quilt was a response to my son's request for a gift for his teacher's baby.  She had her first child today, a little girl. 

I chose a clean, modern design that has been in a my sketchbook for a while.  It was quick to make (which was necessary since he asked me to make it just a week before her last day!), and the solids I picked create a great space to showcase free motion quilting designs.  I quilted a different design in each color with matching thread.  Each of these designs can be found in Angela Walter's  book Free-Motion Quilting.

 

I picked three shades of pink from my stash, white, and grey sketch binding. 

I hope it is used and loved for years.  It was a pleasure to make for someone who has put so much time and care into teaching my child.

I have plans to make a couple of these 40 x 50 quilts in other colors for my etsy shop, but you know what they say about plans. Want to make your own Waves Baby Quilt?  The pattern is now available as an instant download PDF.

Links Quilt

I just finished up my commissioned quilt.  My etsy customer has been a dream and given me complete freedom to create whatever I liked in her preferred colors.  I ended up using Kona chocolate, snow, and baby blue.  I added a couple of print pieces to hint at the construction of the blocks.

I started with a sketch that became an EQ pattern, a first for me (it does all the math and creates templates!).  The links are very precise, traditionally pieced shapes, but I think they are very modern.  I used an asymmetrical setting and played with the background color divide, allowing some links to fall on both sides. The link shape prompted me to think about connections, given that they are not linked together.  Some bridge divides; some float alone. I further divided the two sides of the quilt by using a different free motion design on each one.  In the cream I used a paisley, and on the brown side I used a square meander.

I created full and partial ghost links with the quilting.  I think they are my favorite part of the whole quilt.  I especially like how the single brown link is entwined with the ghost link in the center of the quilt.

I used a few cream and chocolate prints for the back and bound the quilt in baby blue with one piece of a sweet baby blue stripe.

I hope this quilt is at home in its new space and that Lindy loves it!

Custom Work

I am still working on a commission quilt order from Etsy.  I decided to go with the link shape I drafted, in spite of the precision curved piecing.  I love that no pin method.  You know, it really isn't hard.  It also helps that the blocks are large and the design only calls for a handful with lots of negative space.

The quilt is about twin sized, so I used every basting pin I had!

Now all the negative space is getting some free motion quilting.  I've been at it for a while, and I think it'll take a few more days to complete.  I'm hoping to get this finished soon.

I seem to have fallen down the social media rabbit hole into Instagram.  It is a lot of like Flickr meets Twitter - a fun, quick way to share photos.  If you're a fellow Instagram user, find me @teaginny and let me know how to find you!

Advent Calendar Class

I'll be teaching the Advent Activity Calendar pattern by Empty Bobbin Sewing at Bon Bon Atelier in Westport, October 13 and 27.  If you haven't been to this cute boutique, you have been missing out on a unique, local shop.  They have great fabrics, as well as gift items and yarn.  We'll be meeting in their classroom space.  And it is the perfect time of year for this project - you will be able to get it done in time to hang it up December 1st. Sign up for the class online here. 

I'll be sewing along with you.  I'm making a calendar for my sweet nephew whose mommy requested traditional Christmas colors.  It's going to be a lot of fun!

Beginnings

I've been sketching and pattern drafting for the beginnings of a commissioned quilt.  A lovely etsy customer asked me to make a quilt for her bedroom that is funky and original with a nod to the traditional art form.  All I need to do is be sure the colors fit into her space.  Talk about an offer I couldn't refuse, not to mention that I have a soft spot for chocolate, cream, and ice blue (Kona chocolate, Kona snow, and Kona Lake).

I've toyed with the idea of an entirely improvisational quilt, but this link shape popped into my mind when I was sketching. It is fairly simple to achieve with a few modified drunkard's path blocks, although it definitely requires precision piecing.

I used Kate Conklin's video tutorial for piecing curves without pinning.  My test block is a win.  Now to finesse the overall quilt pattern and decide if I like it enough to make more of these!