The Quilting

Something like these fabrics, placed where you can see them while stitching, help train your eye. 

Let's talk a little bit about machine quilting designs. I prefer machine quilting designs done without a pattern, stencil, or template. It's a style that is personal to each individual, much like handwriting. No matter, training the eye, mind and hand to work together in order to coordinate your muscles to express and control your own personal style takes practice. You see, you must synchronize the speed of the machine with the speed in which you are moving the quilt under the presser foot to achieve a good visual.

Practice, Practice, and more Practice will improve your ability to master machine quilting designs whether it is free-motion quilting, continuous line quilting or hand quilting.

Details, Details

I love to look at the details. There is so much to be learned from the. The creative women that came before us imagined some wonderful things. I remember Easter dresses my mother made for my sister and I one year. White organdy with hundreds of yellow flowers with bead centers all along the hem. I loved that dress!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the  preceding year. The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

It's Thread Day

I love playing with thread. Yesterday I tried something new from Superior Threads. Designed with award-winning quilter Jane Sassaman, Sew Sassy is a creative quilter's dream thread. Available in 50 bold, bright solid colors, Sew Sassy is a great thread choice for projects where you want to see the stitching from across the room!
    12 wt./3-ply Spun Polyester thread.
    Available in 50 bright, bold solid colors.

Recommended Needle and Tension Settings

Home Machines: Topstitch #100/16. Set tension to 2.0
Longarm Machines: #21 (MR 5.0). Reduce tension as necessary.


I used a Topstitch #90/14 (didn't have the recommended #100/16), and did not change the tension.

Liked it so much, I tried hand sewing with the thread

San Francisco Airport Terminal 3 -- ART

On my way home, I had a chance to check out the art in Terminal 3. As always it was beautiful!

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions.

 

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Terminal 3

Terminal 3

Simple Surfaces at SCVQA

Chuck with his embellished apron!

 

Learn all about applying paint sticks and foil to cotton or silk quilts and clothing. Come explore lots of different ways to creatively apply these fun and permanent mediums to your own projects in this casual, hands-on workshop.

Great students..a good time was had by all!

 

Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association

Friendly, is the best word for the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association. Lots of activities. Be sure to visit if you are in town!  

Bi-Annual Quilt Show
The SCVQA Quilt Show is a members only show presented every other year.

Block Party
Participation in Block Party involves creating the block presented at the meeting and bringing it to the next meeting. A drawing is held for the collection of blocks. If there are enough blocks, there are multiple winners.

Boutique
Books, fabric, magazines and notions are for sale in the lobby before the meeting and in the break between the meeting and the speaker's presentation.

Fat Quarter Frenzy
To participate, members bring in a fat quarter that fits the theme for the month. A drawing is held. The winners receive a portion of the fat quarters collected.

In Town Retreats
Sewing retreats are held locally for members to get together and sew for a weekend in a group setting.

Marin Retreats
Sewing retreats are held in scenic Marin for members to get together and sew for a weekend in a group setting.

Opportunity Quilts
Opportunity Quilts are made by SCVQA members. The proceeds from this opportunity quilt are given to SCVQA.

Philanthropy
SCVQA members enjoy giving back to the community. Quilts and blankets are made by members and donated to those in need.

Quilting 101
Quilting 101 is a tutorial offered by members of SCVQA to help new and experienced members to become more familiar with a variety of quilting techniques. It is not associated with regular classes or visiting teachers.

Quilt 'til you Wilt
One Saturday a month, members have the opportunity to get together for a mini retreat to sew together for the day and finish some of those UFO's.

Round Robin
Groups form intermittently to participate in round robin challenges in which quilt centers are handed off to each participant for their contribution to the quilt top.

Show and tell included this piece made after my last visit to SCVQA

This one too!

California Here I Come!

Sunday I travel to the Santa Clara Quilt Association. Join us on Monday, November 17th at 9:30 a.m. to hear me present my lecture Quilt Toppings; Fun & Fanciful Embellishments.

On Tuesday November 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., I will teach the Simple Surfaces workshop. Come and play with different surface embellishing techniques in this fun class! In addition to the class fee, there will be a kit fee of $30 that includes foil, adhesive, and paint sticks.

1950 Fashions

Purses of the 1940s, '50s and '60s

Condition concerns come into play with most any handbag from any era, even the Lucite box purses of the '50s. These wonderful geometric bags made from hard plastic are durable, but not entirely indestructible. If not treated kindly, they are prone to cracking, scratching and discoloration from spilled beauty products, even though they're made of plastic.

For everyday functionality, shoppers wanting a vintage look that wears well should look for larger, more durable handbags dating from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. These retro and vintage bags can add dramatic flare to a wardrobe without putting a sizable dent in your wallet.

Many stylish leather, velvet and cloth bags can be purchased for less than $25 apiece at antique shops, flea markets and vintage clothing stores. Some of these bags cost nearly as much when they were new decades ago offering great quality for the price. Look for examples decorated with intricate stonework and painting, like those made by Enid Collins, whimsical needlepoint, and other colorful décor to make a unique fashion statement.

Cotton Pickins' Quilts & Bernina

Cotton Pickins' Quilts & Bernina is one of the best premier quilt shops in the Seattle area!  In 2005, they were chosen from American Patchwork and Quilting as one of the Top 10 Quilt Stores in the country.

The staff is helpful, knowledgeable and friendly!

The store specializes in a wonderful selection of quilting notions, books, patterns, kits and special gifts.

 

8718 270th St NW

Stanwood, WA 98292

(360) 629-4771

Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:30am - 5:00pm

Block Party Quilters annual Quilt Show -- Color Sensations

It isn't too late to see the great quilts at the Block Party Quilt Show. It runs through Sunday, November 9 -- 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Issaquah Community Center
301 Rainier Blvd. So.
Issaquah, WA

Block Party Quilters Annual Quilt Show

Block Party Quilters will be holding their annual Quilt Show November 7 – 9,  2014, at the Issaquah Community Center, in Issaquah, WA.

The theme will be “Color Sensations” with featured quilt artist Janet Fogg.  For more information, please visit www.bpquilters.org

 BLOCK PARTY QUILTERS
Color Sensations

Issaquah Community Center
301 Rainier Blvd. So.
Issaquah, WA

November 7, 8, and 9 2014
Friday and Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Suggested Donation: $6

Featured Artist:  Janet Fogg

Over 200 Quilts, Tea Room, Merchant Mall, Kids' Korner,

Boutique, Demos, Door Prizes,
"Own Your Own" Quilt Sales,

Challenge Quilt Exhibit “A River Runs Thru It”

My trip north, to visit Camano Island Quilters

 The focus of each meeting is an educational program, which features a guest speaker. Immediately following the meeting is a great show and tell!

A charter member's first quilt, made 77 years ago.

Her last quilt at 95, and still going strong!

The workshop... Fast Finishes
First we learn to join pre-quilted blocks using several innovative techniques. Fast finishing concludes with super-fast binding. Is binding the quilt your least favorite part? Bindings and piping are a snap with this no-fail completely machine-stitched method. Binding will never be the same again!

Saturday it was: Fun and Fancy; Make a Purse

Create stunning purses that can be finished in practically no time. Make your own in class, embellish it with trims, ribbons, buttons, bows, lace, fabric, found objects and then dive into the wonderful world of beads! Kit choices are: purple, blue and green. We will learn what beads to buy, how to sew them and how to make your own lavish beaded dangles and fringes.