Summer Camps

I thought I would share a few photos of some of the work my students have done so far in their summer camps!

The following photos are summer dresses made with a shirred bust, I have previously posted a tutorial on how to accomplish that look.

Lots of awesome work so far this month by my young students!


There are two articles about the PEC Quilt Show that I was the guest speaker for, published in local newspapers!

The Picton Gazette
http://issuu.com/pictongazette/docs/picton_gazette_july12

The Wellington Times
http://wellingtontimes.ca/a-stitch-in-time/

both really great articles, their guild hosted a fabulous show that I`m sure will be the talk of the town for weeks to come!




This is Lacey, my Aunt`s dog. She is going to be my new sewing buddy! 

Basket Weave Quilting

While recently the guest artist at the PEC Quilt Show, in Wellington ON, I had the opportunity to sit in on a demonstration presented by the President of their guild.
She demonstrated a technique called the Basket Weave, I`ve recently taken the technique and used it to create a small table mat.

The greater number of squares that you use, the more you will notice the basket weave design. It is recommended that your squares all be of the same print, or at least all shades within an identical colour or pattern.

I cut my main fabric into 5 inch strips, and my dark brown sashing I cut into 1 inch strips.
I sewed a sashing strip onto either side of my 5 inch strip, after they are sewn on, press the seams towards your darkest fabric.

Measure the new width of your strip, mine was 5 & 6/8"
Use this new size, to cut as many squares as possible from your strip of fabric.

To make my table mat I used 8 squares.

Lay your squares out, so that your sashing directions alternate, which forms the basket weave design.

Once your centre is sewn together, I added a 2 inch border of a coordinating colour.

Now you can quilt, back and bind your mat as desired.


*TIP: This technique would work really well in flannels to make a baby quilt.

After A Quilt Show

This past weekend I was featured as the guest artist for the Prince Edward County Quilter`s Guild 2012 Quilt Show, held at the Essroc Arena in Wellington ON.

It was a fantastic show with approximately 800 guests per day!
I re-connected with some familiar quilters and spent lots of time speaking about my work to the various people viewing the exhibits.

While at the show I purchased a `Scallops, Vines and Waves`ruler by Quilt in a Day. I can`t wait to try it out!

I also observed a new basket-weave quilt technique, I`ll post pictures when I put that technique to use.

After a quilt show, whether I am a featured artist, demonstrator or even just a viewer amongst hundreds of others, I always leave a quilt show on what I like to call a quilting-high.
I think it is caused by spending a long period of time, basking in the works of other quilters, and speaking to people who share in my passion for quilting and other forms of fiber-arts. The amount of inspiration and support you receive from participating or attending a quilt show is phenomenal.

I recommend travelling to different towns to attend shows hosted by various guilds. You will be so surprised at how different each one is. The more quilt shows you attend, the more diverse amount of quilting knowledge you will obtain, by watching and learning different tips and techniques.

The Canadian Quilter`s Association has a calendar of events on their website, I encourage you to check it out and attend an upcoming event!
http://www.canadianquilter.com/events-calendar.php

Happy Quilting!

Prince Edward County Quilt Show 2012

Saturday July 7th and Sunday July 8th 2012, I'll be the guest artist at the Prince Edward County Quilt Show, held at the Wellington Community Centre - Essroc Arena.

The show will be open 10-5 both days and parking is free!

Come see all the beautiful quilts that will be on display and check out the vendors!

It'll be a great show!

Chenille, Chenille, Chenille

I'm so excited to share with everyone a technique that I've recently fallen in love with.

This is my new best friend:

So far I have used it to make pot holders & casserole dish pads, pillows and wall hangings. 

 The photo below is a close up photo of this casserole pad, so that you can see the effect of the chenille cutter once the fabric has been washed.

 This wall hanging has not yet been washed, but it gives you an idea of what it will look like once you have sewn and cut across the entire panel.

So how do you chenille exactly?

First you need to decide if you are going to chenille a panel (as seen in the casserole pads and wall hanging) OR you can chenille a regular piece of a cotton with a light print, as seen in the photo of the pillow.

TIP: if you are going to chenille a fabric that is NOT a panel, do not choose something with a large scale print. I have already attempted it and even though I "fussy cut" so that I got the same "repeats" within the fabric, it did not turn out. Once washed, you could no longer really tell what the print was. So in the pillow above, I chose a pink with tiny white polka dots, which can still be seen when looking at the pillow up close. Select a fabric that has a small print, something that you will be able to notice the print on the fabric once cut and washed. 

For casserole pads & wall hangings (or crib quilts):

Place the backing fabric right side DOWN on the table

Place your batting on top (for casserole pads use the fire resistant batting and make sure that the silver/shiny side is face UP)

Place your "base" fabric on top of your batting, right side up. (your base fabric should be a solid/neutral fabric that matches your panels, you will only see a tiny bit of the base fabric when you are done, but you don't want the base to be too dark or it will over take your main fabrics)

On top of your base fabric place THREE layers of your main fabrics (whether it is three identical panels or three pieces of cut fabric)

Pin or baste all these layers together

Stitch across your panel on a 45 degree angle, each row of stitching should be 1/4" apart (you can use the edge of your pressure foot as a guide)

Once you have sewn across your entire item, use your chenille cutter and slice ONLY the top three layers, inbetween each row of stitching. DO NOT CUT THE BASE FABRIC. 

Once you are done cutting, you can bind the edges as desired and wash your item. 

I recommend washing in cold water. 

Practice and play using different types of panels/fabrics and make different things. This works with both cotton and flannel. 

Have fun! :) 

Quilts Kingston 2012

This past weekend I was working for V.B Simkins Sewing Machines at the Quilts Kingston 2012 quilt show, hosted by Kingston Heirloom Quilters and the Limestone Quilter's Guild.

It was absolutely a fantastic weekend, I saw some stunning quilts on display in their quilt competition, met some new quilting friends, demonstrated lots of sewing machines and new techniques and of course ran into some old friends.

I thought I'd share a picture of Eric's truck, current owner of V.B Simkins Sewing Machines, downtown Kingston. I wish I could have a truck like this too!

At the show I purchased a Janome 7700 Horizon sewing machine...I haven't taken it out of the box yet, but I definitely will tomorrow. I'm so excited to make something with it!

4 More Sleeps!

Only four more sleeps until the Kingston Quilt Show. I'll be there at "VB Simkins Sewing Machines" booth. I'm very excited for the show!
http://quiltskingston.org/2012%20Quilts/QuiltsKingstonPoster2012.pdf


I have pictures of some completed projects my students completed this past Saturday in class:
This is her second paper pieced ice cream quilt. One was previously done as a gift for a baby cousin and this one is "FINALLY!" for her :)

This is Jenna and her drawstring backpack. She's been hard at work doing projects that she has been giving away as gifts to others, nice to see both these girls do something for themselves.

Awesome work girls!

My Spring session of lessons ends on Saturday June 23rd, summer camp starts Monday July 2nd!