Four Patch Petunia...

 Wednesday night I met with four of the five ladies taking the Four Patch Petunia Beginning Quilting class.  They made at least 2 of each of the 4 blocks over the course of the four sessions, some of them made more. We met Wed. night to talk about what they wanted to put together to use during the finishing classes beginning next week. Becky made 4 of these blocks and decided to put them together in a star formation. She added borders to complete it. She started pinning hers that night as she is going to miss the first finishing class.          

 Tara put these 4 blocks together and wants to make some more in these colors so that she can make it a little bigger.She wasn't as happy with some of her other blocks.

 Christine is making more blocks with her original fabrics so that she can make a bed size quilt, so she made different blocks out of fall fabrics to learn how to finish a quilt. It will make a cute topper!

Carolyn made a set of 16 of the bow tie blocks to make a throw size quilt..not sure what she is doing with her other blocks, but this one looks great!

Stay tuned for some great finishes!

Building a quilt, block by block

 One of the things that is fun about teaching classes is that you can share the excitement the students have when they finish their first blocks. Last night was no exception...they made their most complicated block so they were really happy when they got them finished.  (the picture above is last week's Four Plus Four blocks).

We are meeting Wed. night so that they can decide what they will put together to finish. They can make more blocks and make a throw, or use just a few for something smaller, like a runner or table topper. I'm excited to see how many blocks they will have finished and what their plans are.

I have several different quilts I use for beginning quilting classes. This one is more like a sampler class than the others, but I like to offer it occasionally as the students have more choice in their final project.

 I think it's important for them to learn the finishing steps too. I don't teach machine quilting, but teach them how to layer, pin, tie and baste the edges of their quilts. Those steps help if they want to finish them in other ways as well. Then they learn  how to figure out the fabric for their binding, make and attach it.

I'm really proud of how well they have done and look forward to helping them finish their projects!

Beginners building a quilt!

 The Four Patch Petunia class learned how to make and square up half square triangles Thursday night. They caught on very quickly!

 They each got 2 finished, then we played with 2 of the sets to show some other settings that can be done with this block. The idea is to make 2 in class and then make 2 for homework if they want 16 blocks to make a throw. I will teach some finishing classes for this group as well.

The bookfair went well, and my parent helpers helped me pack it up yesterday before they left. Now it's just a matter of filling out the paperwork. People can also order online for another week, so I might get a few more sales that way. I purchased lots of books for the library from the fair since there are always a lot of current books the kids love. 

 I"m headed today to sew with my retreat buddies...we are having a sewing day to plan the next retreat! Should be fun...I want to work on a quilt for my great nephew...he will be making his appearance on
11-12-13 so I don't have much time! I hope you are having a quilty Saturday!

Newbies Double Four Patch and a label...

 The Double Four Patch block is really interesting when you make some positive and some negative. That is what we did Thursday night during the Four Patch Petunia Beginning Quilting class. They enjoyed seeing how different the block looked and what interesting designs they could make with them. They are making four blocks from each pattern, so they will have a lap quilt when finished.

Their homework last week was to finish two more Bowtie blocks, and they looked good too!

 One of the quilters missed the first class, so she worked on her Bowtie blocks. Love her gray background!

 I made and attached the label for the Snake Dance quilt....it is going on a journey soon!

 I have a busy week coming up...I teach a sampler class the second Monday every month, and one on the third Wednesday every month. Every once in awhile (this month!) they end up in the same week. I have my bookfair going on all week at school, plus Tuesday night....and my beginners on Thursday! The week will fly by!

I have a few class prep things to do today,  finish my class calendar for the year, plus some cleaning, so better get to it!

Beginning Piecing begins...

 Thursday night I started a new group of quilters on their journey to stitching heaven. This beginning piecing class introduces rotary cutting, half square triangles, 1/4" seams as well as many other skills needed to learn to piece quilt blocks.

 They will work on four different four patch blocks, learning a few things along the way. The first block is the Bowtie block...fun and easy to make. They seemed to enjoy themselves and were eager to come back next week.

 Saturday is finally here and I am off to Des Moines to see all the quilty goodness of the AQS show in Des Moines, and I'm especially excited to see my quilt there. More on that when I get back! Happy Saturday!

Do you put labels on all of YOUR quilts?

At the last class for the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses, I asked if anyone wanted to learn how to finish their quilt. Patty and Kelsey were going to quilt their quilt, but the other three were anxious to learn the finishing steps. So Thursday night we met to learn how to layer and tie the quilt. Christie's quilt top (above)is so bright and cheerful, it will make her happy just to have it nearby! Bunnie and Kellie are still working on their quilts as they want to make them larger, so they are practicing the finishing steps on smaller quilts. I didn't get pix of them last night, but will next week. Hopefully when they get theirs finished, they will bring them in for a photo op! Next week....binding!

How many people label all of their quilts? I think it's a great idea, but honestly it doesn't always get done. I like to make labels using the photo fabric, so that I can add a picture or graphic to it. I needed a label the other day, so decided to crop a part of a quilt picture for the background. Then I played with the color a bit and added the words, in this case my name and date. Six fit on a page easily, so I just printed out 6 of the same one. I have finished several quilts in the past few months, and haven't attached labels, so these will come in handy. If using the photo fabric, be sure to follow the directions on setting the colors.

 After you have set the colors, you can either press the edges under carefully 1/4" or line it and then flip it right side out. That is what I did, as I think it's easier to do that then to fold the edge over consistently.

 Then hand stitch it to the back of the quilt.

Ok, now be honest....do you attach labels to all of your quilts? 

Proud beginners

Thursday night was the last night of the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses. They made the Sawtooth Star, which took a little longer to make two blocks of  than the other blocks had in the weeks before.

 Kelsey and Patty with their blocks....This grandma/granddaughter duo is having so much fun making this quilt. I can see they will spend many happy hours sewing together.

Bunnie was ready to sew the final seams together by the end of class. Her fun kid's prints are going to make a gorgeous quilt. She said I can take her picture after she finishes it....I am going to hold her to that!

Christy came early and we got her started on her blocks, but no picture. I am going to hold a finishing class in a couple of weeks, so I will get pix then.

Today I am teaching the Funky Rock Stars quilt....should be fun seeing all of these scrappy blocks come together!

Catch up Sunday

It has been a busy week of getting something finished, so I can get something else accomplished! Ever have a week like that, where the list is so long that you feel like you won't ever get caught up? The last few weeks have been like that for me, so I have been hunkered down over the sewing machine sewing and the computer writing patterns.

I make notes as I figure out a quilt design, so I like to write the patterns fairly soon after I make it, just so it is fresh in my mind. Plus there are a certain amount of graphics to make for the pattern as well. So it can be pretty time consuming. Last summer as I was making projects for my fall classes, I wrote most of the patterns as I made the quilts, except for one. I had the pictures ready for it, but hadn't ever written it. It seemed like things just kept coming up, a new project for a demo I did, a new Sampler with a deadline, a special project with a deadline, a very busy Sept. class schedule....you get the idea.  I got the demo project made and pattern written, I got the Sampler made, the patterns partly finished. Last weekend I started work on the special project...

 And worked on rewriting the pattern for it all week.  It is finished now. I had a day off Friday, and that really helped! I finally got the pattern written for the class that I have been putting off to work on other things...good thing, since the class is next weekend!  I also got the special project (no pictures yet!) on the quilt machine and partially quilted. I hope to finish it today. So I feel like I can see the end of the tunnel now and might be able to get back to a normal life. I am even thinking about cleaning...

Thursday night the Four Patch Petunia Minicourse class worked on block 3, Four Plus Four. As you can see from the photo at the beginning of my post, our little Miss Photogenic Kelsey is doing a great job on her blocks, with her grandma Patty taking the class and working on matching blocks as well. They are going to use the blue as a sashing in between the blocks to make a quilt for her bed.

I love the bright colors Bunny is using for her quilt....We turned her red block on point just to see how it would look.

Here are her blocks so far. Some little person is going to have one pretty quilt!

Kellie's blocks have lots of movement and many shades of browns. It is so much fun working with this group of ladies on this project...I really enjoy teaching beginners!

Christie had a conflict, so couldn't be here for class, but she will be on Thursday. One more class in this four patch minicourse series left.

I taught the Circle and Spin class yesterday at Cut Up and Quilt, more about that tomorrow! Off to quilt!

Four Patch Petunia MInicourse, #2

 Last night's class went very well, with everyone making the Double Four Patch block. You might remember Christie's  Bowties from last week!

 Kelsey and Patty are using the same fabrics as they are going to make one quilt. Not only does she like to quilt, she loves to iron too!

 Kellie's earthtones have lots of movement.

Bunny's using this circus print...it will make a young someone a very cute quilt!

I plan to stop out at Cut Up and Quilt after work as I need some bright prints for a project and they are having a 2 day sale to celebrate Kim's birthday. That's a good enough reason to stop, right? I mean it would be crazy NOT to stop!
Happy Friday!

Beginning quilters

 I taught the first class of the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses Thursday night. Everyone made the Bowtie block. This young quilter has been sewing for 3 years already and now wants to learn to quilt. She came with her grandma and they each worked on their own blocks, but used the same fabrics.

Anyone want to try to guess her favorite colors? 

The other ladies did a great job on theirs as well, with a variety of fabrics.

 I can tell this is going to be a great group!
I'm teaching the Modern Cathedral Windows Pillow class today. Should be fun! I expect them to get quite a bit done, so I hope to have some good pix! I am going to do a demo on the traditional method during class as well. I think it's interesting to see this method, as it was completely done by hand.
Happy Saturday!

More wonky stars.

 I finished sewing the stars with the green background yesterday and then spent some time arranging them on the design wall. I was just using up leftovers for the backgrounds, but I was able to fit them into this layout. I thought maybe it was too organized, but random didn't really work since I have different amounts of each color. I love this green...I used it for a backing on a quilt a long time ago, and was glad it worked for this quilt. I will probably do some type of scrappy border too.

My sister Deb is coming down today so we're doing some shopping, then I have the second session of the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses tonight. 

A puzzle...

 Pretty pair...

 Another pretty pair...

 Even prettier four patch! I started a new project today. A friend made one from a pattern she found online and I loved it. I changed the pattern a bit, so I hope it turns out cute.  It would be finished, except I didn't have any 1" elastic.

This is the back. The four patch is about 34" x 38".

I am sewing with some very nice ladies today, so hopefully I will get it finished later after a trip to get elastic.