Winterset

 Hello Everyone,

As I sit at my computer under a blanket of snow, it seems like a good day to show you my sister's finished version of my Winterset pattern.

Gail was on a roll last year and was determined to finish some of her projects.  She knew she wanted to have this quilt on display in her guest room, and voila here it is!  Gail expanded the original pattern to fit a queen-sized bed. I appreciate all of work that went into the making of this quilt.

The little blue quilt hanging on the quilt rack was made by our grandmother, Emilie Elizabeth.  Grandma made a doll quilt for each of us, and I still have mine.

Gail's quilt was masterfully quilted by Dianne Schweickert from Livermore, CA.

Here's a picture of Gail's quilt from the November retreat.  It's a big quilt.

The original pattern has a windmill in the center.  Gail doesn't do applique, so she eliminated the center applique and added additional blocks.....a lot of additional blocks and a lot more pinwheels in the borders.

Here's a closeup of the center.

Gail's quilt is a perfect example of taking a pattern and making it her own.  Don't be afraid to make changes.  Gail worked on this quilt at one of my retreats last year, and we calculated the inner borders and the borders together.

I've retired this pattern, but if anyone is interested in Winterset, I can resurrect it and put it in my Etsy shop.  Send me an email sewnwildoaks@gmail.com if you are interested in making a Winterset quilt.

Our morning will be spent snow blowing and shoveling our way out of the cabin. It snowed for most of the night, and we have about 9" of snow we need to shovel out of the way.  It looks like January outside instead of mid-March.  Historically we've received some big storms in March, and this month is no exception.

I'll take some pictures of the snow when the sun comes up and post them tomorrow.  

I'll be out playing in our own personal Winterset today.

Soon,

Lynn

Curling up in Comfort

 Hello Everyone,

This picture is me over the past few days.  We are limiting our trips outside to get a load of wood and respond to Mazey's needs to visit the powder room. 

Another 5" of snow arrived the other day, adding to our layer of ice.  It is so cold; the snow is not melting and falling off the branches of the trees. Today we plan on shoveling because we have to get out and get to the post office to mail the Etsy orders.  We may have to hitch Mazey up to a dog sled to maneuver the icy roads.

I saw this picture and quote on The Besotted Bookworm site on Facebook.  I LOVE it!

“The weather is a friend if you make it one. I look forward to the gray, quiet time for solitude, contemplation, reading, long conversations with friends. Colors are softer, sounds have more depth, the pace is gentler. Instead of resentment at the lack of sun, snuggle into the gray velvet quilt and make yourself a cup of tea." ~ Jennifer Jones

Art: Esther Bennink

My footnote to this quote is the only way we could have a conversation with a friend is over the phone as we really shouldn't be out on the roads to go see each other.  

Someone asked me in an email if I've ever made a two-color quilt.  I had to think for a second and then I remembered my Winterset pattern. I actually love this wall hanging.  But the reason I don't make two-color quilts is that I get bored too easily.

I love the challenge of pulling fabric from my stash and combining many different fabric lines and colors. 

When I'm not shoveling today, or working on orders, and designing, I'll be curled up under a quilt by the fire with a cup of cocoa.  Sigh......life is good until you start slipping on the ice and your arms act like a windmill trying to stay upright!

Soon,

Lynn

 

Sew'n Wild Oaks Class is in Session

Hello Everyone,

 

The following phenomenal quilts and projects are proudly brought to you by my Sew'n Wild Oaks girls.  They have been busy!!  Remember, they are finishers.  Kathy has been diligently working on her Toyland Tree quilt, and it is going to be decorating her home for Christmas. 

 

Kathy personalized her little baby doll with smocking, embroidery, lace and other embellishments which make her look so real.

Her quilt is incredible.....a real heirloom!

Suzanne is working on UFO's and isn't this one cute and timely.

I started another Holiday Treats Tablerunner.  This is a pattern by Laura Nownes.  It is so much fun to make the little presents and machine applique the little plaid, polka dot, and checked bows in place.

Cindy is finishing up two Nostalgic Christmas pillows.  They are so cheerful.

The next grouping of pictures are all made from my Country Corners blocks using the Patchwork Math book.  Here are Kathy's blocks which she made from scraps from all different projects.

Barbara brought in her tabletopper that she designed to fit an 8-sided table using a variety of Christmas fabrics.

This is my Country Corners scrappy version.....more blocks will be added this week.

This is Paula's adorable block.

This is Susan's light and airy block.

Gail has half of her Winterset sewn together!  This is a labor of love.  Gail chose to bypass the applique and make the quilt larger by adding lots of extra blocks.  You'll be seeing more of this one as it grows and grows.

 

 Isabelle designed a quilt for the coach of her daughter's ice skating team.  Each block represents and aspect of the team from bake sales to, different skating formation, to ice skates, to a first place trophy.  The coach is going to be amazed!

Marti is making some patchwork for Mittens with Moxie.  It takes awhile to get to this point and Marti is doing a great job.

 

 

The following blocks are all from Harvest of Hope. Suzanne made some great looking pumpkins.

 

Kathy finished her barn and sunflower.  I could live in this bar!

Isabelle finished her acorn block.  So pretty.

Patty is working on her October Magic quilt. Once she gets the applique section completed, the rest is going to be easy!

Irene has a good start on her For The Love of Baskets.  The baskets finish as 4".

She has a gorgeous little pile going!

Aren't my girls the quilting machines!  They out did themselves this time.  The classroom at In Between Stitches was filled with beauty on the wall and at each work station.  Well done by all!

Soon,
Lynn

Making Winterset at the Cabin

Hello Everyone,

 

Last week, my sister Gail joined us for a few days of quilting at the cabin.  We both set up our machines on the dining room table and quilted until it was time to each and time to take Mazey for a walk.

 

Gail is diligently working on Winterset.  She starts out with her pieces nicely placed on her block layout sheet.  

 

She is VERY precise and organized.  She inherited the "organizational" gene.......I did not.

All of her little parts and pieces turned into this gorgeous block.  This block is spot on when it comes to being the correct size.

Gail is making her quilt larger without the appliqué in the center.  Here are all of her finished blocks to date.  In addition to these, she has all 72 of her pinwheels made.

 

Here's my original quilt with the center appliqué.  So I guess you could say that I inherited the "appliqué" gene.  Gail has an aversion to the "A" word.  One of these days Gail, you are going to get an intensive lesson in appliqué.  You can run but you can't hide.  I know where to find you!

 



We had a wonderful week working on our projects together.  Each of us were totally consumed in quilting for much of the day.  Mazey loved having Auntie Gail come for a visit.  She's just so much fun and we all love her.....both Gail and Mazey!  Everyone should have such a great, supportive, kind and genuine sister!

Soon,
Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks Class is in Session

 

Hello Everyone,

 

The following quilted loveliness is brought to you by the girls of Sew'n Wild Oaks. Yesterday we hit the eye candy jackpot.....again.  These girls are amazing!

 

Paula signed up for the UFO program through In Between Stitches and finished Party in the Garden.  The details she added are phenomenal.

 

Every petal and French knot is made to perfection....and the fussy cutting....fabulous.

We all marveled at each at every block.  Well done my dear!

My sister Gail also signed up the UFO program and finished her Nostalgic Christmas quilt!  We all had another chance to oohhh and aahhhh!  What a great way to celebrate the Holidays with this quilt on display.

Perfect, perfect fabric for the flange.  Gail enjoys selecting her fabrics, and you can see that reflected in her quilts.

Kathy is following along with my Country Corners BOM and just look at these beautiful blocks!  She has a wonderful stash of fabrics left over from other projects from clothing made for her granddaughters to quilting projects.  She is certainly putting it to good use!  She liked one of the blocks on the cover of the book, and made one on her own.....without any help.

 Country Corners blocks were popping up all around the classroom walls.

It is so much fun for me to see the different block variations.

Gail is now working on Winterset.  She said how much fun it was to switch to blues now instead of the green and red fabrics.

Wendy is adding Ohio Star blocks and flying geese around this adorable panel.  It is going to be so cute!  Wendy is new to quilting and she has jumped right in with both feet.  Now she is totally submerged in the world of quilting and loves it!

Susan is making two blocks at the same time for Country Corners.  Same components.....

......different layout, wonderful fabrics.

 

Suzanne is really putting the Patchwork Math book through its paces!  I've always said I learn from my students.......and yesterday I learned so much.  Suzanne is making the Country Corners blocks 6" instead of 9".  She's good at math and resized it all down.  I always have my girls work on the blocks a month before I release the cutting directions to the world to shake out any bugs or cobwebs .  In block #3, Suzanne wanted to make irregular sized Flying Geese.  We realized the formula in the book doesn't work for a "goose" that is irregular with the construction method that I show in the book.  In most Flying Geese, the width is twice the amount of the height 6 x 3.....4 x 2..... 3 x 1-1/2....you get the picture.  But the formula will not work if you make a goose that finishes at 3-1/2 x 1-1/4, an irregular size. Suzanne and I were ready to hit The Ale House prior to happy hour as we tried calculation after calculation. To make a long story short.....stick with a proportional "goose" and you will not have to hit the liquor cabinet! (But it was 5 o'clock somewhere.)

 



So there you have it.  Another wonderful day in the classroom with a great group of quilters who constantly amaze me.  Well done by all!

Soon,
Lynn