2019 Recap and My Best Of

It's that time of year again believe it or not.  Pulling together a recap is always a challenge in itself but I am glad to be participating in the BEST OF 2019 linky party with Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs.  

I'm choosing these Best Five for 2019  EYES, Portraits, Temperature Quilt, Capitola Coral  and Dedicated to Design    Here's my blog post from last years linky party  Top Five 2018 .

Finished quilts

With lightning speed another twelve months has flown by and since a new decade is upon us it feels even more notable.  The finished mosaic above features   1. QuiltCon Mini swap which I'm assuming was my first of the year made in January and swapped in Nashville in person 2. Surface Stripes, this one I love, love, love and will lead to more exploration for sure.  It is among the many wonderful quilts that are (affectionately) hash tagged #QuiltConRejects  3. "Abstract Whimsy" was beautifully quilted by my sister and unfortunately won't be showing at QuiltCon either.  4.  "Solo Choke" 20x20 challenge mini won a ribbon at local(ish) Artichoke Festival 5. "Eyes" BeeSewcial was juried into the QuiltCon Group/Bee category and will be seen in Austin in February 6. Wedding quilt, started in a workshop with Sujata Shaw and happily finished and gifted. 7. Baby quilt, started in a workshop with Kathy Doughty and happily finished and gifted 8. "Nat's cousin Mini" Curated Quilts applique portrait challenge will be published in their mini gallery - it is a nod to my bee block from earlier and my final finish of the year. 9. " Oppostripes" also juried in to QuiltCon, the challenge category - you guessed it - Stripes!

Finishes (other than quilts)

There was some sewing done that did not involve quilts as shown in the mosaic above.  The eight bags were made for our first ever BeeSewcial Retreat in June and it was fun to make the same thing but different for each person.  I also received a bunch of great handmade gifts.  The skirts were an impromptu make collaborated with my granddaughter who had a sleepover and wanted something new to wear.  She picked all of the fabrics and helped sew.  You can see her here with the pillow case she made for a friend's birthday party.  Lastly, the machine cover/sewing pad that I created for our guilds secret partner swap.

New and Progress made WIPS

Last year I had a ton of new WIPS and I'm happy to say that isn't the case for 2019.  1. The Temperature Quilt is obviously not done and shouldn't be because the year still has a few days left to go!  I am happy to say that I am totally caught up to date and have very high expectations to finish it in 2020.  2. "Pantone color of the year Living Coral" was entered into the Top Only category of the challenge.  It's a favorite make, both the process/experience and the end result.  3.  "Maximalist, BeeSewcial prompt 2018" this one was on my WIPS list from last year but I made enough progress puzzling it all - and leaving it in my sister's capable hands that I anticipate it becoming a 2020 finish.

2019 BeeSewcial Prompt "Triptych" 

As usual, much of what I create has to do with BeeSewcial and that's okay with me.  We are heading into our sixth year and I am still pushing myself creatively as well as technique.  My Triptych blocks are not quite together but the vision is close.

made by me Bee Blocks 2019 

With a little luck, I'll get to blogging about the blocks even if it's after the fact as they should get the attention (and explanation) they deserve.  I would also like to make a post about 2019 Highlights because there truly were many to share.


Check out the other bloggers at the linky party:

Wishing you all a Happy New Year,  Karen

2019 FAL Q4 Goals

Time is ticking and so thrilled to see so many people linking up to the 2019 FAL Q4 Goals party found HERE, or on any of the other hosts blogs.   Just like last quarter, I'm keeping it simple with just four projects.  Hopefully unlike last time I'll actually finish something!

1. Stripes Challenge Horizontal vs Vertical   : current state is parts and partially sewn with a tentative layout. The deadline for this (and the next) is November 30 if I am aiming to enter it to QuiltCon.
2. Stripes Challenge Games we Play:  hand stitching final parts and then quilt, bind, label and photograph.
3. Pantone challenge (rolling over) haven't named this one but absolutely love it.  The top has been done and it is just waiting on me to quilt and bind.
4. Improv Abstraction:  sneak peak, it's a top and I hope to have it done to enter into QuiltCon.

Well folks, that's it for me.  I'm sure things will come up and interrupt the FAL plans but that's okay too.  It's nice to have these four on my radar.
Happy Stitching, Karen

Dedicated to Design - 2019 FAL Q3 Goals

I've linked up from instagram my 2019 FAL Q3 Goals but I do like to have a reference here on the blog for posterity so this post is two fold.   I realized that the four tops that I chose to (hopefully) finish are All About Design in their own way. There can be many levels of "design" and I think it's important to value them all.

The theme for the month of July #sbbsewfor15 with hostess Isabelle @southbaybella is Quilt Design so I thought I'd take this time to write a post about the topic near and dear to my creative heart.  I'll also link to previous #qdad2reality projects mentioned so you can learn more if you like.

Shown in the mosaic below:
1. Glamp Stitchalot  2015 Medallion - six instructors shared their own original block design and encouraged attendees to combine them into a unique layout.
2. Merge v3, my third color variation of the pattern that I wrote for MQG QOM
3. Nosey Kitten - from Jen Carlton-Bailey's Secondary Design workshop that I took at QuiltCon
4. Pantone Living Coral, an original design influenced by the wedge workshop with Kathy Doughty.

Because I enjoy hearing about the design and construction process from other makers, I've made a point of sharing my own on the blog.  I also find it helpful to read old posts with a new perspective on things.

Whatever method you use to track or document your creative journey (for me it's my blog, instagram posts and random disorganized sketchbooks)  think about revisiting earlier ideas because if you're anything like me, there's a goldmine of unexplored concepts waiting to be made - and remade.

Digital Mock Up Color Variations 

First up is MERGE - mostly because I haven't written a post about it yet and it's sew sew special!  This is an original design that was chosen by the Modern Quilt Guild as a Quilt of the Month.  The pattern is available for free to members.  It is graphic with oversized parts and gentle curves.  Pushing my "Improv Abstraction" into yet another direction was really rewarding.

Merge MQG QOM

This was the first collaboration with my sister who custom quilted it beautifully.   There were two other tops that I made during the pattern testing phase as a way to check my math, instructions and also to play with color placement. Isn't it fun how different the three are?

I straight line stitched and finished the one above FAL Q1 and have included the one below as a Q3 goal.  You can see the slight change in colors used when comparing the digital mock up but I stayed in the same general palette so they read pretty true. 

The vector design program that I use is called InkScape.  It is free and on my apple mini.  I discovered it through the Facebook group Quilt Design A Day (QDAD) and although I've learned just enough of the basics to get by - for the most part it does what I need.  I also do some of the editing in photoshop for publishing.  The mono option when viewing the image on my iPhone is an easy way to check value on a prospective fabric pull.

A post about Merge would not be complete without a picture of my sis and I posing with it at QuiltCon in Nashville and a shout out to Curated Quilts where it was featured in the Gallery of "Curves" issue 7.

Next up is the QuiltCon Swap mini that I made using a pencil/pen and graph paper to design with the intention of letting the final composition evolve during the make.  The sketches are simply a jumping off point, a general concept for a place to start.  Then it's Design As You Go. 

One of the really entertaining things that can happen with this approach is the unintended "object" that sometimes appears - in this case it was a thumb and I didn't see it until after I'd nailed the small inset circle-ish had been sewn in beautifully.  (technique tutorial here)

Laughing at myself, I had to capture a picture before cutting it out and moving on. Here's the finished mini at the swap exchange - my partner Jera gave it the thumbs up!

QuiltCon Mini Swap Exchanged

Another example of translating the "spirit of" a design rather than literally is this inkscape mock up for Marci in May 2015 of Tiny Little Houses for her BeeSewcial neighborhood prompt.  Rather than freeform improv she specifically requested that we sketch an idea, a step that she includes in her process. 

Inkscape mock up

one of several blocks

I found that I spent as much time on the digital design as I did sewing it but that including this step in my process was a stretch - which is a big part of the bee.  Once I let go and embraced the idea that I did not need to replicate it I was fine.

There are other times when the personal challenge for myself is to bring the digital version to life in fabric.  Here are several examples with links to the original posts where I describe in more detail the design process:

RESONATE: An Art Gallery Heartland Fabric Blog Hop

Original Coloring and Revised 

TILT SHIFT: 

GET A GRIP: Shown here with the spark image and palette, digital mock up and finished quilt. 

BEND, DON'T BREAK:  QDAD Special Exhibit - This was a big deal for me :)

Parts On the Design Wall

QuiltCon

Original QDAD

Some of the QDADers at QuiltCon Special Exhibit

SURF CRUSADE: Gloaming Fabric Blog Hop

Digital mock up

Finished Quilt

FREE-RANGE: Fabric Challenge

I hope that you'll give designing a try at whatever level you feel comfortable with - and then push a little further.  Happy Stitching, Karen

EYE have three FAL Q2 Finishes

Saving the best finish for last, "Eyes" a BeeSewcial collaborative bee quilt was custom quilted by my sister and I brought it on the plane on the flight to visit her in Montana last month.  There was to be a layover of about 3 hours which made for the perfect excuse to hand stitch the binding down.  

The sleeve was stitched on leisurely with my sister's adorable dog as my sewing side kick. 

When it was completed, I knew that there would be photo opportunities and was not disappointed. I'll write a post about the EPIC first ever BeeSewcial Retreat but for now you just get a glimpse at the venue, the Grizzly Mountain Cabin at sunset.

This picture was at sunrise.  I woke to the most gentle morning light and popped up out of bed, grabbed the quilt and tossed it on the deck in the backyard.  

My favorite picture above captures the majestic mood pretty well- draped on the side fence with only the birds to keep me company - my phone timestamped it at 4:49am but it must have read the wrong timezone, it was actually 5:49am.

You can read about the theme prompt HERE  and see my original FAL Q2 GOALS post HERE

The other two finishes are found on my Instagram feed  #2019falq2capitolaquilter 

Linking up to the Party as the lights dim.  

Happy Stitching, Karen

FAL Tutorial - "In a Bubble"

With FAL Q2 wrapping up, it's not only LINKY PARTY time found HERE (edit: linky party is now closed) but it is also means that several of the hosts post Tutorials and today it's my turn!

I am pleased to present a freehand block tutorial.   There are many great rulers and templates available to make precise and perfect quarter, half and full circles but sometimes it feels good to explore creating organic curves using a not-too-fussy technique.

Here are a couple finished examples:

10"x13" "Double Bubble"

10"x13" "In a Bubble"

A few general things to keep in mind:

• Oversize your "background" fabric pieces by about an inch on all sides.
• You can leave the "bubble" fabric large or odd shaped until after it is sewn.
• Larger curves are easier to handle.
• Be flexible with the process and find what works best for you.

I like to use a pinking blade in my rotary because it makes it easy to clip the curve.  In the mosaic below you can see that I have folded over a rectangle of fabric to get a more uniform shape.  In some of the other examples I have cut single layered freestyle.

Audition the bubble fabric to make sure it is large enough and the desired color.  Using small scissors clip the curve.

Cutting and Clipping

Using the tip of the iron, fold back the clipped curve as shown below.   Apply tiny dots of glue (I like Roxanne's with a fine tip). Heat set with the iron.   Stitch on the fold line and trim away the excess.

Gluing, Stitching and Trimming

Press and square up with a ruler to your target size.

When you are making multiple blocks, you can use the discarded "background" fabric that has been cut away for the "bubble" fabric in another.   

When you are making a "Double Bubble" you also want to place them staggered to allow enough room and create a more interesting secondary shape.  

Cutting and Clipping

 These pictures show the gluing steps a little more clearly.  Note that in this example I put the background on top face up - either way, I do find that gluing one half at a time works best.

Gluing Details

Tip:  to make sure the orientation is correct, place your prepped unit Face Up and then Flip Back to stitch.

Stitching and Trimming

I am always amazed how oversized the bubble fabric needs to be.  Look back at the first mosaic to see how much smaller the cutout of blue was and yet there is very little to trim away in that final step shown above.

You can complete one bubble before moving onto the second or you can prep them both  - it doesn't matter.

I hope you have found the tutorial helpful and will give it a try.

 Happy Stitching, Karen