Thursday, July 31, 2014

Traveling Quilts

How is that my quilts get to travel more than I do? Last month my Curvy Log Cabin quilts went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They visited Sara Snuggerud at Heirloom Creations www.heirloomcreations.net. Sara did a fantastic job of creating a Youtube video showing how to use the ruler and the many different blocks and quilts you can make with my latest trim tool by Creative Grids https://www.facebook.com/CreativeGridsUSA.

Take the time to visit Youtube and see how Sara uses the ruler. Her approach is a little different than mine. I add a full round of 4 logs and then trim, but Sara likes to add 2 strips of half a round, trim then add the remaining 2 strips of the round for the final trim. Both methods work...watch and choose your own. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=heirloom+creations+curvy+log+cabin

Here is my newest Curvy Log Cabin quilt. I made the quilt in a week, another reason I love my trim tools because there is no precutting, no math and no measuring thus eliminating hours of prep work before starting to sew when you use the tools.

I used Tonga Treats Cabana 2-1/2" precut strips by Timeless Treasures. The setting for the quilt is the traditional straight furrows setting. The curved blocks in this setting look like waves gently breaking on the shore with the light rows water and sand and the dark rows are the seaweed.
The name of this new pattern is Sun, Surf and Seaweed.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Imagination!

When I designed my first ruler, the Log Cabin Trim Tool, I had no idea how many more rulers were to follow and how wonderfully they would be used to create new quilts. Here are some of the wonderful quilts that have been created....
At the Sit and Sew event sponsored by Creations Sew Clever in Ohio. The quilt uses the latest ruler in the collection...the 8" Curvy Log Cabin (CGRJAW5). Love that blue and white, very classic and classy.

Nellie's Needles used the Hexagon Trim Tool (CGRJAW4) to make this very imaginative quilt, the pattern is: Hexi Flip. If you like it you can order the pattern. There is a small hexagon shaped pillow in front of the quilt that can also be made using the same trim tool.

The Pineapple Trim Tool (CGRJAW3) remains one of the most popular of the five tools I have designed so far. This is quilt was made by Rita Fischel and is available as a Cut Loose Pattern. I will be offering this pattern for sale in my vendor booth at Quilting LIVE! in Atlanta on Sept 13-16 and at the Sewing Expo in Fredericksburg VA on October 2-4. I hope I see you at one of these events

Squiggles...don't you love the name (and look at the first photo again, they are the same design layout. This one is a Cut Loose Pattern as well. Another pattern I will offer at my vendor booths in Atlanta and Fredericksburg. 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Charlotte's Quilt - Roly Poly Squares

This coming weekend I am headed for Kanuga, the Episcopal Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC for our annual family reunion. In July of every year we take a guest cottage so the whole family can get together. Our newest family member, Charlotte, will be 3 months old and we can't wait to meet her. This morning I finished her quilt and I want to share the quilt and a very simple method to make it with you.
The sixteen patch quilt blocks are made using 10" layer cake squares. You will need 15 layer cake squares, 2/3 yards white fabric, 2/3 yard border fabric, 1-1/2 yard backing fabric and 1/3 yard binding fabric. Here are the steps to make this quilt.
Cut (12) of the 10" layer cake squares into 2-1/2" x 10" strips. (Set the remaining 3 layer cake squares aside for the setting squares.) Arrange the strips you have cut for the blocks in sets of 4 strips per block.
Sew each set of 4 strips together. Press the seams OPEN.
Sew the strips into a roll. Press this final seam open. Using your 2-1/2" wide ruler, cut the roll at 2-1/2" intervals to make (4) 2-1/2" rolls. Unsew one seam to make a strip as shown.
Unsew the remaining 3 rolls one seam in each roll, advancing the seam to unsew to make a progression of squares in the same fabric pattern as shown.
Sew the strips together in order as arranged, maintaining the progression of squares by fabric pattern.
This is a completed Roly Poly Squares block. Make 12 blocks.

  • To complete the quilt cut the white fabric into (31) 2-1/2" x 10-1/2" sashing strips. Cut an additional (20) 2-1/2" squares from the 3 set aside layer cake squares set aside for for the sashing squares. Sew 5 sashing strips rows using (4) print setting squares and (3) white sashing strips. Make 5 rows.
  • Sew the blocks together in rows alternating 4 white sashing strips and 3 roly poly blocks in each row. Make 4 rows.
  • Alternate the (5) sashing rows with the (4) block rows and join them together to complete the quilt center.
  • Cut (4) 5" border strips from the border fabric. Sew a border to opposite sides of the quilt top and trim to size as needed. Sew a border strip to top/bottom of the quilt and trim to size to complete the quilt top.
  • Layer the quilt top, batting and backing. Quilt the layers together. Bind to finish the outside edges.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Quilting LIVE!

I am getting so excited! Quilting LIVE is coming to Atlanta.




The event will be in the Galleria in northwest Atlanta. It is only five miles from my house. Now that is something for me personally to get excited about, but even more important to quilters everywhere is the line-up of celebrity quilters who will be teaching workshops and presenting programs at this fantastic event...something very, very exciting for beginning to experienced quilters who will have an array of classes to take, techniques to learn, and quilts to make.

I will be teaching 3 workshops. Free-motion Quilting, Cut the Cake Hexies and Curvy Log Cabin. Here is a sneak peek at the projects. The Curvy Log Cabin workshop offers a Carousel quilt project or a Zen Table Runner. The blocks are made using the same method, but colors, number of blocks and setting can be your choice. Both are made using my new Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool. Classes fill quickly so don't delay...sign up today.

Carousel

Zen Table Runners

Since hexagons are so hot right now a workshop using this versatile six-sided shape is a must. I have really gotten into using precuts to make my quilts...with this quilt using 10" precut squares. The separating triangles and borders are cut from white yardage to avoid "Y" seams in the assembly. Learn how to put it all together. Great for beginning and advance quilters. 

Cut The Cake Hexies

You will love the Galleria setting for this event. It is attached to an upscale mall so there are lots of choices for eating, the classrooms well lit and roomy and the many vendors offer a wonderful variety of fabrics, machines and notions to make your quilting experiences the best ever. The quilts on exhibit are top notch and exciting to see. The Galleria is easy to get to and there is plenty of free parking.