Stitch Your Art Out by Kim

December Block

2011-12-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

And so another Block of the Month year comes to an end for me. Yesterday I unveiled the finished quilt to the Monday groups. It was very exciting to show how all the blocks will come together to create the finished quilt!

The quilt, as I designed it, required 13 blocks, so this month you get to make two blocks--one for December and one "bonus" block. The December block pattern tells you just what fabrics to use and where to use them, but the bonus block allows you to use your leftover strips however you wish!

For December, I forgot to take a photo before the quilt was finished, so here you get a glimpse of the beautiful quilting by Deb Kerr.

For the bonus block, choose your remaining strips and cut thirty-six 2 1/2" squares. Arrange them as you desire. You can see that I chose a gradated approach for my block.

I will post the finished quilt tomorrow or later today (as soon as I can get a good photo taken). This was a very fun quilt to design and make and I am so glad that I am able to share it with you!

November Block of the Month

2011-11-08T11:20:00.001-05:00

November's block is similar to October's, in that they both have a double-chain, but November's block has a more dynamic design. The four quadrants are diagonally split into dark/light halves, which adds a layer of interest and complexity. The piecing is actually simpler than you would think: there are five four-patches to make and then four "house" units.

Because of the visual interest in the design, it creates a very interesting quilt. Here you can see 25 blocks tiled (five rows of five blocks). The blocks have been rotated to create the secondary designs. Not only do you see the two chains, but diamonds abound in the quilt. It looks far more complex than it actually would be to make!

As always, if you get inspired by this design, please share your quilt with me. I'd love to see it!

September and October Blocks

2011-10-12T15:54:00.005-04:00

Here you will find a terribly belated picture of the September block! It's a fun one to piece, using the partial-seams method, which you probably already know having pieced it for our October meeting. (I'm very sorry for the problems this delay may have caused you.)

So here then, without further adieu, is October's block. You can see that is is a double-chain block (the squares that run through both diagonals). And it is also a quick-pieced block.

And here is a simple quilt design from this block. Each block is repeated and rotated to form the secondary patterns established by the two chains.

I wanted the chains to be a stronger element so I created an alternative value study of the block. In this, you can see there is one dark chain and one light chain. The remainder of the block is similar to a Log Cabin with one half dark and the remaining half light.

When we use this value study to create the same layout, you can see how a very strong chain pattern emerges. It reminds me of argyle. This would be a very fast quilt to make because you could use strip-pieced methods to speed the construction. It's on the pile of quilts I'd like to make. If you make one before me, please share!

August Block

2011-08-29T10:11:00.003-04:00

Oh August's block is so much fun to piece. Just make a strip set, cut triangles from it, and sew them back together. Easy peasy! Even though it's quick and easy, it makes a really striking block.

As striking as the block is, many blocks together make an even more dramatic quilt.

As soon as the fall newsletter craziness subsides (yes, it's quite close to being mailed out), I hope to add this quilt to my piecing pile. It's fast, fun, and dramatic--just how I like things!

July Block

2011-08-05T16:14:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite design tricks is to take a traditional block, like Monkey Wrench below, ask myself questions about what I can do to modify it into a new block.

So I ask myself questions like: what happens if I change the location of light and dark fabrics? Here, you can see it creates a reverse image of the block, like the negative of a photograph. (Does anyone still use negatives anymore?)

But then I wonder, would it be more interesting if I added more fabrics to the block?

I like where this is going, but I could take it further. What would happen if I turned the center square into a four-patch?

And so in asking myself these questions, I changed a traditional Monkey Wrench block into July's block.

June Block and Quilt

2011-06-27T15:39:00.002-04:00

June's block continues expanding our palette with additional rose and pinks. It's a fun, graphic design of pieced light squares alternating with solid dark rectangles.

Sometimes a block inspires me to ask questions and those questions often lead to a new quilt design. After I designed the June block, I started down that path and asked some questions.

What if I made the block bigger? Instead of the block finishing at 12”, it could finish at 18.

And then what if I made a reverse of the block, where the pieced four-patch and strips became solid and the solid strips became pieced?

And then arranged them in an alternate block setting?

Before I knew it, I was grabbing fabrics and cutting them up so I could answer those questions, piece the quilt, and share this idea with you.

When Inspiration Strikes

2011-06-02T12:51:00.003-04:00

I’m helpless in the face of inspiration. When it calls, I have to answer, no matter how inconvenient it might be at the time. Even when in the midst of many different projects, I find it hard to resist a new idea. If you read my art blog, you’ll know that my creativity is solar-powered; give me glorious sunshine and a warm breeze and ideas start flowing.

Yesterday, when I was working on designing and writing the instructions for the June Block of the Month, I found myself asking questions.

What if I make an inverted version of this block?
And place them in an alternating setting with the original block?
And then size the blocks up 50%? Or even 100%?

I quickly mocked up the quilt design in Electric Quilt and showed it to Cynthia. We both agreed it was a go—even though I had no need to start a new project. But I am helpless in the face of inspiration, so I had to give in. (Had to? Had to? In the sake of true blog honesty, let me admit that I was desperate to start this new quilt, regardless of all the other projects I have in process.)

So I began pulling fabrics from the shelf. I started with bright, fun Amy Butler fabrics. I had a nice selection, but wasn’t quite feeling it.

I wandered around the shop for a bit began pulling dusky shades of teal and blue and green, with creams and mushrooms, taupes and grays for a more sophisticated neutral palette. That was it! The fabrics matched my vision.

I did some quick calculations, figured out how much fabric I needed, and began cutting. Before the night was over, I had the piecing plan outlined and all the fabric cut.

The next block of the month is Saturday, June 25^th, so I would have plenty of time, except for the fact that Cynthia and I are heading to Columbus next week for Yarn Market. I’ve mapped out a timeline and if I stick to it, I should have no problem finishing it in time. Unless of course, inspiration strikes again.

May Block of the Month

2011-05-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

May's block gives the impression of four ribbons interwoven around a center square. It's constructed using partial seams, which is one of my favorite piecing technique. My intention from the beginning was to incorporate more fabrics and colors into the block than were in the Bali Pop. So this month I've added the left-hand blue, floral batik fabric and the rose center. Don't fear! We'll be using more of these new colors later in the year!

Summer Classes

2011-05-20T15:30:00.000-04:00

Our summer newsletter is on its way to you! It's so full of new classes that we're sure you'll find something interesting. But, because it's so full, I didn't get a chance to say everything I wanted to about the new classes I'm teaching this summer. So here's my chance!

The Color of Your Stash
Thursday, September 8, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

If I had a dollar for every time a customer said to me, "I'm no good with color," or "Color is the hardest part of quilting," then I'd be rich. Not just comfortable, but rich enough to live on some tropical beach where I could sew and paint all day and occasionally pick a lemon off the lemon tree to flavor my iced tea. That's how common it is to feel less than confident about choosing fabric!

Since I haven't been collecting those dollars from my color-challenged customers (but maybe I should start!), next best thing is to offer a class that will help them become more comfortable with color.

If you look at any fabric, you'll see that there is a lot going on: color, value, scale, motif, and texture all interact to tell a certain "story." The story one fabric tells influences what other fabrics go with it. Once you can tell what one fabric is "saying" then you can make informed choices about what other fabrics to use.

In this class, you'll learn the principles of color and fabric choices while playing with your stash. We'll work through a series of simple and painless exercises that will help you understand each fabric's story and how to choose other fabrics that complement it. We'll also play with using a color wheel to guide your decisions.

You'll walk out of class feeling more comfortable about color, or I'll give you a dollar!

Locker Hooked Log Cabin
Thursday, July 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Isn't it funny how the simplest things can become your greatest obsession? This is especially true when you are least expecting it.

A couple years ago I bought a Locker Hooking kit. It sat in my studio. And sat. And sat. I just wasn't inspired. So one day, in a fit of cleaning, I decided it had to get out of my house. I brought it into the shop to figure out what to do with it. It only had to sit in the shop for a couple hours before inspiration struck. In a fabric frenzy, I grabbed bright orange, purple, and pink batiks and began cutting narrow strips. Before I knew it, I had the design sketched on the rug canvas and started locker hooking.

Within five minutes I was addicted! There was something very compelling about the simple act of pulling up loops of fabric and then locking them in place. I loved how it felt like crochet. And I loved the texture of the fabric loops. And it felt like I was always making progress. In a matter of days I had my first project complete.

So of course, I needed to share my newest obsession with you! Join me to get hooked on locker hooking!

Painted Nine Patch
Thursdays, August 4, 11 & 18, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

If you've been reading my art blog, you know that last summer I started making paper-cloth, using paint, glue, paper, and fabric. I then began using the paper-cloth in art quilts, like the Painted Nine Patch above. It's not something I ever thought of teaching as a class, but when I brought this to stitch at the Block of the Month workshop in March, I got many requests to make it a class! So here it is.

Oh this is going to be fun! In the first class, we'll make paper cloth, using fabric, paper, glue, and acrylic paints. (Make sure to wear clothes you wouldn't mind getting paint on!) In the second class, we'll cut up our painted paper-cloth and stitch a block design. And in the third class, we'll design borders to enhance our quilts.

Summertime Strip Wrap
Tuesday, August 9, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

This wrap is inspired by a picture I saw in a British sewing magazine. (I never know where I'll find inspiration!) It pre-cut strips to make a reversible, light-weight, summer wrap in a snap! The left-hand one is from a Robert Kaufman solid strip pack and the right-hand one is the Hoffman Bali Pop from this year's Block of the Month.

X-Blocks
Wednesdays, August 10 & 24, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

This isn't an entirely new class, but it is one I wanted to highlight again because I have the sample done! X-Blocks takes ordinary blocks, like a nine-patch, and makes them fascinating by trimming with an twisted ruler. This class is great for diving into your stash because the more fabrics you use, the better the quilt looks.

Other Classes
Check out the shop website to see a complete list of our quilting, knitting, and crocheting classes!

Whirligig--April Block

2011-05-05T15:59:00.000-04:00

Whoops! It's May now, but here is the April block for you. I called it Whirligig because it reminded me of pinwheels spinning in the breeze. Although given the weather we've had so far this spring, a better image might be a pinwheel slowly melting in the rain.
It was a really fun block to piece! So much so that I got inspired to design and create a picnic blanket using one of our Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton strip packs and our Amy Butler laminated cotton. I love the huge variety of colors and how well the laminated backing coordinates with the border. It was fun and fast to make. It'll be in the shop as a sample for a while so you can check it out. (Although I really want to test it out as a picnic blanket...)

March Block

2011-03-21T14:19:00.001-04:00

March's block is constructed from chevrons that look three-dimensional because of the placement of medium and dark values.

I love making this block. It's really easy and fun. Make sixteen identical blocks and rotate them for a quick, fun quilt that has a lot of movement!

I've been collecting neutral fabrics in grays, taupes, browns, mushrooms, and charcoals, with touches of ice blue and chartreuse for accent. I'm thinking of making larger chevrons and setting them in alternating rows of browns and grays to make a lap quilt. The larger chevrons will show off the interesting patterns in the fabrics I've collected.

February Block

2011-02-21T19:51:00.000-05:00

February's block is constructed from four Log Cabin corners.

You can use these basic Log Cabin corner blocks to create a beautiful, woven-looking quilt. You just need to make two types of blocks that differ in value.

This block starts with a light square and gets progressively darker.

This block starts with a dark center and gets progressively lighter.

When you combine both blocks in an on-point, alternate-block setting, you create a quilt that has a woven appearance like this. It's quick and simple and so very much fun!

If you make a quilt based on this idea, please bring it and share with the rest of the Block of the Month friends!

January Block of the Month

2011-01-17T13:59:00.000-05:00

We're celebrating the start of another Block of the Month! For 2011, I've been inspired by Claude Monet's Nympheas painting at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. We'll be using a Hoffman Bali Pop as the basis for the twelve blocks. So each month, I'll post a picture of the pieced block that you can use as a reference as you piece your block.

January Block

As I was playing with the block in Electric Quilt, I came up with a fun design based on that block that I wanted to share with you. I took January's block and used a dark contrasting fabric for all the middle stairstep pieces. You can see how that changes the overall look of the block, making it stronger and more dynamic.

So then I made a reverse (mirror image) of the same block, in which the stairstep moves in the opposite direction. When you have asymmetrical blocks like this one, you can often come up with interesting designs by playing with the block and its reverse.

I then took both blocks and alternated them in an on-point setting. Then I rotated the blocks and came up with this dynamic design. It's fun! And shows how even the simplest block can serve as the beginning of an interesting design!

Ordinary Superpower

2010-07-22T06:28:00.000-04:00

What's your superpower? No, I'm not talking about invisibility, or flying, or telekinesis, or the ability to shoot plasma blasts from your hand. (Although that would be so totally cool!) I mean those mundane, everyday superpowers that enable you to always find a parking spot even if it's raining and crowded, or always nab the last pair of shoes in your color and size. You know, a situation where you are always lucky or an uncanny ability you have that people find kind of freaky.

My brother's superpower is the ability to estimate accurate amounts for anything. He can pick up a stack of newspapers and tell you exactly how many there are. Or tell you how many ounces are left in a cup. Or how many karats there are in a diamond. Or how much someone weighs, which is probably something he should keep to himself!

My superpower is knowing how to estimate space and volume. This comes in really handy on Thanksgiving. I have the uncanny knack of picking just the right-sized container to store leftover gravy so that it comes right to the brim without slopping over. I also am really good at packing cars so every last suitcase, bookbag, and cooler fits efficiently.

But my ordinary superpower is probably most helpful at the shop. As you know, our shop is pretty cozy, but we also have lots of great stuff in there. But for some reason we always want to be able to squeeze in a little bit more.

So every summer, before the big brown UPS truck pulls up and delivers our fall goodies, we take a fresh look at our shop and figure out ways to reclaim just a few more inches here and a little more space there so we can cram in just a little more merchandise. This is usually a big process that involves taking everything off the shelves, moving them around a little, then putting everything back.

Just this week, Cynthia and I moved almost every single bolt of fabric and almost every single fabric shelf. We only had to move things a few inches this way and a foot or so that way, but those subtle changes have made a big difference in the look and feel of the shop. It feels more open now, it's easier to get around, and it offers way more room for shopping and classes.

We're still have a few things to do over the next month or so, but we're feeling ready for fall. Bring on that big brown truck--we can handle it!