Christmas in August - It's Finished!

Stitching right next to the tape, both sides too, is easy.

 I played with designs, love the finished piece! I marked with masking tape, and choose the type of tape based on it's color. Here I chose beige, (better contrast than blue). I don't worry about the type of tape because I NEVER leave it on over night.

Christmas in August, the Quilting Design

A line is the building block of all quilting designs. Straight lines don’t need to be boring. I use Plexiglas or Duralar and a Vis-à-vis water erasable pen to play around with design ideas. The more I play, the more likely I am to find that line design that suits the quilt perfectly.

Here the quilt is backed with a lined fabric. Perfect for easy quilting, not so good for the quilt's pattern.

I used the Duralar marked with the water soluble pen.

The second design looks best to me. I'll stitch it!

Special Birthdays

A number of years ago my small group started a wonderful birthday tradition. We make quilts for special birthdays! This year there were three. We always make nine patches. I love volunteering to piece these special quilts for my friends.

Kay

Rosy

Ruthann

Christmas in July oh, it's August

I'm sitting here is this beautiful Seattle summer thinking about Christmas. Funny how that works. Yesterday I made a small quilt using already cut scraps from my collection. It always amazes me that the scrap box doesn't go down, even though I did NOT cut any new strips!

Make one of your own, send me a picture and be a guest artist!

Fall Classes Scheduled at Quiltworks NW

I'm really pleased with my offerings at Quilt Works this fall. 

Beads are a Blast
 10:30-1:30 Oct 27
Beads are a great addition to quilts and garments. Learn how to use beads to their best effect, what to look for when you shop, which tools are helpful, and how to place, sew and lock these little beauties onto the project you bring to class. We will also be making fancy fringes and dangles!.



Paint Stick Magic
2:00-5:00 Oct 27
Make elegant fabric with the look of airbrushing! Paint sticks applied to cotton or silk is fun, permanent and has an exceptionally short learning curve. Come play with paint sticks while learning the tricks the professionals use in this informative hands-on workshop for both quilt and clothing makers.. 

The Decorative Threads Experience
10:30-1:30 Oct 28  

Thread is no longer a ‘Plain Jane’ necessity - it’s now available in many luscious colors and types. Steering your

way through the sea of threads out there can be a bit daunting. Experiment with your own machine while you learn how to match thread to the appropriate needle, make the tension setting your best friend and troubleshoot your way to fun and fancy sewing.

Super Fast Binding and Piping
2:00-5:00 Oct 28
Is binding the quilt your least favorite part?  Bindings and piping are a snap with this no-fail completely machine-stitched method.  In this class you will be making a sample to take home to keep as a ‘how to’ example for your own quilts. Binding will never be the same again!

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative does it Again!

   "May The Lord Bless You..."
      by Becky Goldsmith

Twelve world renowned quilters have each donated a 16" x 16" wall quilt for an online auction benefiting the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). The auction will be held during November 1-10.

Participating in the Celebrity Invitational Quilt Auction are Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Caryl Bryer Fallert, John Flynn, Diane Gaudynski, Becky Goldsmith, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman, Marsha McCloskey, Sue Nickels. Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

This is the fourth year an elite group of quilters has donated quilts to the AAQI for an online auction in November, National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Last year's auction raised more than $14,000 for the national charity that sells donated quilts to fund Alzheimer's research. The auction is open to the public.

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (www.alzquilts.org) is a national, grassroots organization whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research through art. It auctions and sells donated quilts through the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt project and sponsors a touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer's called "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope." The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has raised more than $735,000 since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation operated entirely by volunteers. She is a quilter. Her mother had Alzheimer's.

For more information on the AAQI or to make a donation, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m. � 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilts.org or www.alzquilts.org.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/ceinquaubeaa.html#ixzz21m9CcFS6

   "Radiant Feathered Star"
      by Marsha McCloskey