Lucy Boston Class Was In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

Fifteen quilters began their Lucy Boston journey in the "auxiliary" classroom at In Between Stitches last Saturday.  Here is just a small sample of the beginnings of some pretty fantastic blocks.

 

Once the paper pieces are all prepared, it is time to play with their arrangement.

I had the class make copies of their fabric first using the copy feature on a home printer.  If you create your shapes first on paper, it is easier to make intricate designs without wasting fabric.  I provide a numbered sheet making it easier to figure out what goes where.  I suggest that you number each piece so you know the exact orientation in the block.

This design was first made with paper.  It makes it so much easier to figure out what goes where and cutting placement.  The corners can be tricky if you aren't paying attention to orientation.  If you begin with paper first, you can take the paper pieces and place them directly on the fabric so you know where to cut the real deal.

 Now the block is starting to come alive in fabric.

 

 

As usual, I get so caught up in teaching, that I forget to take pictures of everyones work.  I missed out on several opportunities to show you some amazing blocks.  Sorry girls!  Bring your blocks to the shop so I can see them again and take pictures.

You were a great group!  So entertaining and just plain fun to spend the day together learning a new skill. 

In Between Stitches is sponsoring an English Paper Piecing Tea at the Purple Orchid Resort and Spa on Sept. 10th. I'll let you know more about it as details become available.  I do know that the Vice President of sales from Marcus Fabrics will be there and she's bringing "goodies"......and I don't mean food.  Fabric goodies!  We are taking sign-ups at the shop.  This is going to be a fun event and a great learning experience in a beautiful location.

Monday is my normal day to work at the shop.  Why be normal?  I have the day off since I filled in at the shop on Sunday.  I have planned so much for my day off that I can't possibly get to everything on my list.....but I'm going to try,  Ready, set, sew!

Soon,
Lynn

Butterscotch Baskets Again

Hello Everyone,

 

I haven't posted in days, and I have an excellent excuse.  My sister Gail and I have been making another Butterscotch Baskets quilt at the request of RJR fabrics.  Most likely this one will travel to Australia once it's finished.

 

 

Gail has been VERY busy making all 80 of the Ohio Star blocks on her own at home.  She also made 6 of the little basket blocks.  If it weren't for her, this quilt would not be this far along in the process.

While Gail was sewing the frames around the basket blocks, I was sewing the blocks together in groups of four, and added the little red dot in the center.  Then I made 6 more basket blocks.

 

Here's our workstation without a cookie in sight!  Those two Berninas were humming for days.

 

 



All parts are pieces are done....just waiting for a quilt to be born.  it is amazing this small pile can become an entire quilt.

We started assembling the parts and pieces yesterday morning. 

 

 

Good Morning All...Gail here to put in my two cents.  We have had another marathon quilting session going on since Tuesday at the cabin.  We haven't posted during this process.  Instead, we've just kept our noses to the grindstone the whole time!  We were seeing daylight yesterday when we started putting it all together.  We were like two horses headed for the barn!  And now as I am writing, Lynn is sewing the last seam.  I "made" her do the last one that joins the two halves, since she is faster and I am "all tuckered out"!  I do have to thank Mr. Joe, who took pity on me, and brought home two BOXES of cookies the other day.  Of course, I had to share, but I SAVORED every bite!  Now it's time for me to head home.  Stay tuned to see what I have "volunteered" for next and Sweat Shop Central will open it's doors once again.  Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

 

All it needs now is some borders, and it's off to be quilted.

 



The first quilt is now on display at Quilt Haven on Main in Hutchinson, MN.  They are selling kits if you are interested in making this beauty from the Autumn Landscape fabric line by Lynette Jensen from Thimbleberries.  (If you buy a kit, Gail has graciously volunteered to go to your homes and make all 80 Ohio Star blocks for you.....wink wink!)  It's fun to tease your sister.

 

 

Mazey wanted to get in on the action and make sure you saw her "selfie".  Unfortunately you can't see her pearly white teeth.

 

 

Soon,

Lynn



Two Sew'n Wild Oaks Classes Were In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

I knew last week was going to be a busy one, but I didn't realize just how busy it was going to be until it was over. 

 

I taught Heritage at Cloth and Quilts in Turlock on Thursday.  Here is a small sample of the progress the girls made.

 



Ann had all of the little pieces cut for the blocks nicely organized on two pieces of leftover cardboard from bolts of fabric.  This idea is genius!

Once I subcut my strips up into pieces they usually go into little baggies.  Not anymore.  I absolutely loved this organizational idea.

The class loved the block layout sheet.  Once they got one block under their belt, they started to fly.

 Stacks and stacks of little parts and pieces for Heritage dotted the classroom.

I do love to see the patterns made in alternative colorways.  Marlene selected all Kansas Trouble warm and cozy fabrics.  Stunning!

Pam has a bit of a cowboy theme in her quilt.  Her paisley was yummy.  Pam is coming to my retreat in September, so we will all get to see her beauty come together.

 

Judy dropped by to show me her finished Country Charmer quilt!  Her fabric selection was so unique and beautiful.  I loved her interpretation of my pattern. 

 

You Turlock girls are fantastic!  I feel right at home in your classroom. Thank you so much for the fun day and your welcoming nature.

 



 

Yesterday I taught my Let's Make a Diehl class at In Between Stitches.  We started working on a little table topper from Kim's latest book.

 



 

I shared the idea about using the bolt cardboard with them, and they adopted the idea right off the bat!  It is a fabulous way to store the little 1-1/2" x 1-1/" squares.

 



Space is at a premium when the classroom is full, so I see lots of different ways to keep organized.

I also demonstrated foundation paper-piecing.  A couple of the girls made some little 4-1/2"  houses.  I LOVE foundation paper-piecing......once I wrapped my head around the concept.  It is like rubbing your head and patting your tummy at the same time.  Such a different approach to quilting that can be frustrating, yet extremely satisfying when it all comes together in the end.

You will be seeing lots more of the Kim Diehl projects over the next few months.  Most of the girls who attended by class yesterday are also in my Sew'n Wild Oaks classes.

This coming week will be much calmer for me.  Maybe I can actually get some quilting done on my projects!  Now that's a novel idea.

Soon,
Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks Class Was In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

I met with some of "my girls" on Tuesday for Sew'n Wild Oaks.  This is what they've been up to over the past few weeks.

 

Mary finished her beautiful and intricate wall hanging. The original pattern was made in batiks.  Mary added her own style to it and it is beautiful.

 

Barbara finished her Heritage top!

She changed up the border fabric and it looks so good Barbara.

Barbara also just returned from Texas and look what pattern followed her home.  "Tex" is going to be protecting her house!

Mary also finished her Heritage top!  I keep saying my girls are impeccable and fast finishers. Well done!

Jeanne is working on her blocks for Heritage.  Her attention to detail surpasses me!

Pat has a great start on her Lucy Boston quilt.  There is so much detail in each and every block.

Barbara is also working on her little plaid elephants.  Their ears may be polka dots, or flowers.  Whatever she decides, they are going to be a cute elephant herd.

Karen is sewing her Walk in the Park rows together.  Very striking!

Dianne is making Lil' Orphan Scrappy in such happy colors.  Love it!

Cindy is making a quilt for the Orlando tragedy.  All of her hearts are foundation pieced.  This is going to be a treasured quilt.

Nancy is making a little basket pillow from my Buttonwood pattern.  This is the optional project from my retreat last year.

Mary is putting her own spin on my Summers Blush pattern.  It is great fun to see this one in a different colorway.

 

I'm off to Cloth and Quilts in Turlock to teach Heritage today.  There's always a nice group of quilters waiting for me in the spacious classroom. My quilting projects bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

 

Soon,

Lynn