Bobbin Along

The first day of summer, June 21, is also the first day of the Row by Row Experience 2015.  It is an exciting shop hop event where you can visit participating shops and receive a free pattern for a quilt row.  Collect at least 8 row patterns, make a quilt and show-and-tell at a participating shop and you could win prizes!  There are over 2700 participating shops from all 50 states and Canada with 107 shops in my home state of Pennsylvania.  Just amazing!

This year is the third year that our local quilt shop, The Round Bobbin is participating in this event.  Every year, I have had the privilege of designing the row for The Round Bobbin.  So, with an event theme of H2O (water!),  our row for the The Round Bobbin is the Storm At Sea!

It is a paper-pieced pattern as the pieces do get a bit small.  Susan S., the shop owner, put the row together and Susan A. machine quilted fish on it!  So wonderful!  It looks great even as a stand-alone row (think table runner!).  You just have to come and see it!!!

Our Fabric plate this year is - Bobbin Along!  I accidentally came up with it during a group discussion.

So, if you're in Ambler, Pennsylvania this summer (June 21-Sept 8), drop by the Round Bobbin, pick up your free row pattern and maybe throw in a kit and a fabric plate!

Winners and Rulers

Congratulations to Debbie E. from NJ for winning a copy of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 11 magazine!

Congratulations also goes out to Donna W. from WI for winning not only a copy of the magazine but also a fat quarter pack of Quilting Treasures Color Blends fabrics.  

Donna shared a tip about using Mr Clean Magic Eraser to clean the bottom of an iron!   Coincidentally, not only do I currently have an iron with a dirty sole, I also had just bought a pack of Mr Clean Magic Eraser!  So, you know one of the things I'll be doing this coming holiday weekend.  

It has been so much fun participating in the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Hop!  Thanks so much for dropping by!

So, I have just received word that "Quilts Made With Rulers" is now out!   This book is all about 4 rulers - 120-Degree Triangle, 45-Degree Diamond, Single Wedding Ring Arc and Flying Geese.  You know, those rulers that end up in your ruler stash after only one project!  Well, time to dig them out and put them to use on the wonderful quilts in this book.  

Photo courtesy of Annie's.

Photo courtesy of Annie's.

My project, Buy Low, Sell High, which uses the 120-Degree Triangle (see above), is featured on the back cover.   It's scrappy and uses both gray and white as background triangles to create a shadow effect for added depth.  

Carole Whaling did a phenomenal job with the machine quilting as usual.   


Check out the book and I hope you like it as much as I do!  

Enjoy your holiday weekend and welcome summer!

ECHO

Welcome to the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 11 Blog Hop!  

If you're not hopping yet, get thee to Quilty Pleasures right away to find out what's going on.   Don't miss out on giveaways, quilt ideas, fun stuff, giveaways, more fun and more giveaways!

I am so honored and pleased to have my block, ECHO, in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 11.   It is listed on page 36 as Block 1049.  This is only the second time I've submitted a block and also the second time I've participated in this blog hop!  So exciting!  It's also a bit nerve-wracking to be on the Hop on the very first day!!  But, here we go....

I thought it would be fun to see what this block would look like in different fabrics.  So, the first thing I did is to change the background to dramatic black!  

Those bright colors really become brighter on a black background, don't they?  

Next, I wanted to see it with reproductions.  Here's a black and tan version that looks like it was made in 1890!

Are you loving a particular version yet?  How about a soft modern look?

Did you notice I changed the value placement in the soft modern version?  It makes the diagonals look more prominent.  

Last but not the least, here is a traditional version that's just a touch patriotic. I did several things different about this block.   First, I mixed batiks and regular cottons.  I have been doing that more and more these days.  You can, too!  The quilt police won't come after you for mixing them up.  I promise! Second, the color for the arcs and the circle in contrast to the red/blue really pops those arcs and circle.  Finally, I just love the transparency between the red and the blue in this one.  These 3 fabrics just blend and transition so well!

Making the blocks in different colorways is one thing.  But, really, how would they look in a quilt?  

So, I designed a 30" square wallhanging with a special sashing strip that creates a secondary pattern for a more cohesive look.  Check out the different looks:    

So, which one is your favorite colorway?  Tell me in a comment below and you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 11!    This prize will come from Quiltmaker directly.


Even better, in your comment below, include your favorite quilting tip and you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 11 AND a fat quarter bundle of yummy fabrics from Quilting Treasures.   These fabrics are from the Color Blends collection with which I designed the Surf and Sand Block of the Month program.    I will be sending this prize bundle out.






You will find a link at the top of this blog (and on the right-hand side column) for quick directions to make the quilt above - especially those sashing strips.  However, these directions are intended for the more experienced quilter who knows how to make flying geese units, hour glass units and make circle appliques.  You can substitute a yo-yo for the circle applique, by the way.

Just one more - here's Echo in a table runner.

Have fun Hopping onto the other blogs!  Back to the Blog Hop...

SURF AND SAND

I'm excited to show you "Surf and Sand".  This is a bed-size block of the month program I created for Quilting Treasures featuring their new and fabulous blender collection, Color Blends.  

It's in two colorways - Surf (cool colors) and Sand (warm).  I will admit to liking the Surf version a little bit more than Sand!  

The best part about this project, I feel, are the "Arcs" which makes the blocks look like they are circles!  They're actually very straightforward to do with a little bit of applique and I feel that a confident beginner can make this quilt easily.   Of course, if you would rather not do any type of applique at all, it is easy enough to skip the Arcs.

If you're interested in doing this program, please contact your local quilt shop to see if they're offering it.   The Round Bobbin Quilt Shop does offer the program in both colorways.

Passionately Pink

Quilter's World Fall 2014

Do you know someone who has had to deal with breast cancer?  I'm pretty sure you have several someones - as do I.  From those who passed away from breast cancer like my cousin's wife who had a lifelong battle with it and like a fellow guild member who generously willed her stash to the guild, to several friends and acquaintances who have battled (and continue to battle) and survived it, these women inspire and amaze us with their strength, courage and resilience.

For the Fall 2014 issue of Quilter's World magazine, I thought of these women and created the Pink Ribbon Quilt.

The Pink Ribbon Quilt.  Photo courtesy of Quilter's World Magazine.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it seemed fitting to offer a class to make the Pink Ribbon Quilt.  So, on October 30, 2014, just a week from now, I'll be at the Round Bobbin Quilt Shop teaching how to make this Quilt.    

Taking it one step further, Susan, the shop owner, and I have decided to donate ALL the class fees to the Susan G Komen foundation!    

We are PASSIONATELY PINK!  

If you would like to take the class, I believe there are still openings so just contact the shop at 215-367-5596.  If you would like to support this effort but can't come to the class, you can donate online at the link given above or you can drop by the shop and give your donation then.  

Please do come and visit with us on that class day - and WEAR PINK! 

Our Passionately Pink Event ID # is 19281174.

Thank you for your support!

Pink Ribbon Quilt Passionately Pink Website

SOAR!

At the last minute, I entered a block called "SOAR" in the AccuQuilt Design Contest.   It's basically a popularity contest so I need votes!   But, the neat thing about is that prizes are also awarded to your chosen guild (County Line Quilters in my case) and your chosen charity (Last Chance Ranch, a local animal rescue). 

For security and fairness, AccuQuilt does require you to register your email.  It's pretty easy to do!

You can vote once a day until May 27.  So, please do!  Here's the link to my entry:

http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/entry/6688818?=e54mk7

Thank you!

My block, SOAR!

SOAR in a Quilt with an On Point Setting

SOAR in a Quilt with a Horizontal Setting

   

One Patch At A Time

This evening, I will be announcing the County Line Quilters Guild's annual challenge theme.  It is "One Patch At A Time" - a challenge to make a One Patch Quilt.  So, I combed the internet and my stash of projects and pictures for examples  (and non-examples!) of one patch quilts for inspiration.

In 2000, Quilter's Newsletter Magazine came out with a very helpful article on One Patch quilt and they also published several one patch shapes!  It was so exciting to find this article for not only does it include the templates, it includes some pictures of what the one patch shapes look like in a quilt.  So, click on this link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20090124080514/http://qnm.com/articles/feat15.pdf

From Janet Wickell at Quilting.About.com

One Patch quilts are those that consist of one repeating shape.  The one that comes to mind right away is the Apple Core.

By Lynn Kough, 2013 AZQG show.

I also find this baby blocks quilt fascinating.  It's a tessellation quilt made with  half-hexagons.  And, it IS a One Patch Quilt.

By Terry Aske.

This next quilt is also a tessellation done with half-hexagons.  But, because some of the setting pieces are full hexagons, it cannot be called a One Patch Quilt.


As a rule, only some tessellation quilts may be considered one patch quilts.

Check out my "A Thimble Full" quilt.  While a One Patch Shape is used - the Tumbler, this quilt cannot be considered a One Patch Quilt.  The multi-color tumbler consists of fabric squares and the rows are separated by sashing.  Both of these fail to make this a One Patch Quilt.

Change it to one fabric per tumbler and eliminate the sashing and, voila!, it becomes a One Patch Quilt!

Pieced Cracker Block - NOT a One Patch

Most of us are familiar with the pieced Cracker block that is often used for signature quilts. 

Cracker - One Patch Quilt.

However, there is another Cracker block which is a One Patch Shape.  It looks like a rectangle with wavy sides.  
A great resource for One Patch Quilts is
Quilt Teacher/Author/Celebrity Pat Yamin.

This cracker quilt is her sample and she offers templates to make One Patch Quilts including the Cracker acrylic template.

By Debbie Moyes. 

A simply stunning One Patch Quilt is the Spinning Star. There is so much movement to this curvy shape.  Does it not look like an Apple Core that has been stretched on the bias?









Another resource to check out is Ardco Templates.  They offer metal templates for a variety of quilt shapes.  The links I have included are for their Charm Templates and their Single Shapes pages as these are where most of the One Patch Shapes are listed.

This brings us to Charm Quilts.  A Charm Quilt is one where no fabric is repeated except maybe for the background or setting.   It does not have to be a One Patch Quilt though a lot of Charm Quilts are.

One Patch Quilt -  Yoka's Thousand Pyramids CHARM Quilt

NOT A One Patch Quilt - Peggy's Snowball CHARM Quilt

So many other One Patch Quilts out there.  I may have to revisit this in the future!  

Have you made a One Patch Quilt?

Guild Show 2014

My quilt guild just had the bi-annual quilt show this past weekend.  What a fun but exhausting time!  The quilts were just amazing.  Anyhow, here are some pictures.  Enjoy!

This was the raffle quilt that I designed and the guild members put together.

Raffle Quilt detail.  Beautifully quilted by Kim Pope. 

Joined by a third Joyce (Joyce H's mom)!

My friends, Joyce O. and Joyce H.!

One of Joyce Hughes' quilts entered in a McCall's series of quilt competitions. 

Joyce's final quilt for the McCall's competition which won her the top prize! 2012 Quilt Design Star!

Setting up my booth on Friday.  Apparently, I've been indulging my love of brights lately.

A bit chilly on Saturday.  DH Mike's the best!  

I gave my Vendor's Choice award to Grace Katz for this
hand-pieced and hand-quilted project, "Worth the Wait".  Just amazing.

Detail on "Worth the Wait".  I just love it.

Carol Breinig and her stunning quilt that was hanging directly across my booth.
It won the Round Bobbin's Vendor's Choice!

Joyce Overberger's latest quilt (really big quilt, too!) that she made with her friend, Joan.  

A Vintage Yo-Yo quilt.
It's one of the Vintage quilts that the guild will be auctioning off in October.
Contact County Line Quilters Guild for more info.

 

What a surprise and a delight it was to see this quilt by Rosemary Malizia!
It was a shop hop quilt that I designed several years ago. 

From the talented Gretchen Gibbons comes this unique project.
These were Batik UFO blocks that she embellished with wool applique.  
Just her style!  

Our former guild president, Jeanne Malone, received
these signed oriental lantern blocks from the membership.  She did a great job finishing it!
I had to look 3 or 4 times before I found my block.  Lesson learned - go for contrast when signing blocks!

Innovative quilt by Mary Mollettiere(sp?).

Traditional quilt also by Mary Molly.  Awesome! 

One of the pansy pots scattered around the show.  So pretty.

Just one more... Marilyn Becker so happy to have won the raffle quilt!