Back to the Beginning

3 years ago I designed the first Log Cabin Trim Tool. It is 8" and makes a traditional Log Cabin block. Since then I have added tools for strip-pieced blocks for the pineapple, hexagon, curvy log cabin and more. Now it is back to basics as basics are always "in". You can order the trim tool from my website: www.jeanannquilts.com

Last week I was in Hailey, Idaho. It was 59° there, almost summer! I gave programs for the quilters in Twin Falls ID and in Hailey. Here is a quilt made by a member of the quilters in Hailey using the original Log Cabin Trim tool. It was started in a workshop taught by my sister, Janet Houts (holding the quilt on the right). I like the planned color scheme and the way the quilt came together.

And here is another Log Cabin quilt made by Sharon Wyeth using the Log Cabin Trim Tool Two and a pattern from our book, Log Cabin Basics. Sharon is also from Hailey Idaho.

Basics can also take an interesting and creative turn. What about this Red Hot Logs quilt made using the same trim tool. Debby Kratovil, who designed quilts for me while I was editor of QUILT,  is always coming up with a new way to use a traditional quilt block. Here is a Greek key quilt she made using the 8" Log Cabin Trim Tool. The clever placement of the red and white fabrics makes a very different quilt.

Debby is featuring the quilt on her blog http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com/2015/02/red-and-white-and-graphic.html. She has a Cut Loose pattern for the quilt and is having a drawing for one free pattern this week. She also has 11 patterns to sell for $3.99 if you aren't the winner. Visit Debby's blog to enter the drawing.

Sewing is a Family Affair

Last may my oldest grandson was married to a lovely young lady who came with a sewing machine, a Janome! We both like the same machine. So far Elizabeth hasn't made a quilt, but you can see how very crafty she is. They are going to England in March for a short vacation and you can see Elizabeth has been busy making a personalized passport cover.

Now if I can just get her to make a quilt. So far she has requested and received a quilt from me to keep them warm this winter. Rob sent me a thank you note that said "Thank you for the blanket". You would think after all these years he would know the difference between a blanket and a quilt! Oh well, he's a guy.

 Elizabeth's passport cover

Rob and Elizabeth

It takes a Quillage

Lots of pictures of quilts came from my recent trip to teach 3 days of workshops at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. Here are two photos of quilts that were made (or are being made) as a group effort.

Jan, Charlotta, and Mary (left to right) have been coming to Kanuga with their friend Michele for 10 years. They are fast friends at the conference and for all the days they quilt at home. Jan and Charlotta live in Tennesse, though not near each other and Mary and Michele live in Atlanta. They have embarked on a Round Robin project and proudly showed off the quilts they are helping each other design and sew. Jan is a veterinarian, Charlotta a lawyer, Michele is a journalist and Mary is a scientist. Quilting binds them together. 

Jacalyn quilts with a group that made blocks for each other last year. Here is the block Jacalyn chose. Her friends did a great job of making the blocks in vibrant colors. Jacalyn completed the free motion machine quilting and binding at Kanuga, then started another project.