Let's Make a Diehl Class was in Session

Hello Everyone,

 

Last Saturday we giggled our way through my Let's Make a Diehl class at In Between Stitches.  In fact, we were "in stitches" for the majority of the day.

 



It's a wonder this group got anything done.....but boy did they!

Kim Diehl fabrics covered every table and in some cases chairs.

Here's a compilation of just some of the blocks the girls made.

Here are some more just waiting for their frames around the outside.

 

Can you spot the oopsie?

Now it's all better.

 

This wasn't just a quilting class, it was a therapy class punctuated with laughter throughout the entire day.  Some of the girls are born comedians which makes the day of learning so much fun, and stress free.  Maybe that's why they finished so many blocks.  We all were having a great time and enjoyed being together, surrounded by beautiful fabrics and beautiful people.  You make my "job" so easy!

Now about my "problem child" table......you girls cracked me up.....and you know who you are! 

Soon,
Lynn

A Two-fer Class

Hello Everyone,

 

Tomorrow I'm teaching a two-fer class at In Between Stitches.  The students will be learning how to make two quilts for the price of one in my Let's Make a Diehl class.

 

The first part of the class will focus on Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo designed by Kim Diehl and is in her Simple Graces book. I have always loved this quilt.  I loved making it, quilting it, and I've been enjoying it for years.

 



Most of the time, this quilt spends her days hanging from this old fabric holder in my entry hall.  My fabric choices have the Kim Diehl "look" to them.  I made this before Kim started designing fabric.

Several years ago when we were on a road trip in North Carolina, we bought this piece of equipment in an antique shop.  I don't know what it was called, but it was used to dispense cotton fabric.  The markings on the side represent "yards".  This was back in the day when shoppers had limited fabric selection.  I guess if you didn't like the blue calico you were out of luck.

The second part of the class I will teach Walk in the Park by Kim Diehl.  I got my blocks together yesterday and the first border is now on. 

 

There will be flowers, leaves, berries, and vines around each corner.  I haven't appliqued in so long, I had to dust off my applique supplies and teach myself the starch method all over again.

 



Hope you all have a great weekend.  I'm sure I will have lots of pictures to post from class.

 

Soon,

Lynn

Sew'n WildOaks Class was in Session

 

Hello Everyone,

 

I wish everyone could experience what I have the good fortune to witness and be part of every other Tuesday in the classroom at In Between Stitches.

 

 

The opportunity to be immersed in beauty, friendship, and laughter for six hours fills your heart and soul with inspiration and peace.

 



The girls never cease to amaze me with their creativity.  Jim Hahn taught this class at In Between Stitches in January, and Barbara's quilt top is completed already.

Barbara is going to put this section on the back of her incredible quilt.

Melody is also making an amazing Bargello quilt.  The depth and combination of color in each of these quilts is breathtaking.  I didn't crop this picture at all so you could see the wonderful old creaking floors at the shop.  The building is almost 100 years old, and these are the original floors.

Paula is finishing up a quilt for her daughter.  She fussy cut each and every Eiffel Tower for the border.

 

Each of these blocks is made from 1" strips folks!  Cindy is making my kind of quilt!

 



Wendy is adding many more blocks to her Lil' Orphan Scrappy quilt.

Nancy had this great little binding winder working along with her as she stitched her binding to her king size quilt.  I think it is a great invention.  I use an empty paper towel cardboard when I work on my binding, but this little gadget is far superior to my cardboard.

Speaking of paper towels, Paula, placed her parts and pieces on a paper towel she marked with the correct sizes to keep herself organized.

Mary is also adding blocks four at a time to her Lil' Orphan Scrappy.

Barbara is making a patriotic table topper with her Lil' Orphan Scrappy blocks.

Laurie is augmenting the Lil' Orphan Scrappy BOM with fabrics from her stash.  She now has 32 blocks finished.

Here are pictures of the gracious women who are responsible for so much creativity.

The class room is full and buzzing with activity, chatter, and laughter.

Mazey is our unofficial mascot for the group.  Doris brought in a new toy, and gave it to Mazey at the end of the day.  Doris is now Mazey's new best friend.

I have a busy week ahead which includes lots of quilting.  I have another full class on Saturday at In Between Stitches.  I'm teaching my Let's Make a Diehl class.  The bundles of Sunday Best fabrics are now available at the shop.  This fabric is flying out the door!  Some of it flew to my house!

Soon,
Lynn

 

My Heritage

Hello Everyone,

 

The last three days I've bonded with my machine while making blocks for my new Heritage quilt.  The additional box of Macie's Journal fabrics arrived from Marcus Fabrics just in time for me to continue working.

 

I set my workspace up in the dining room at our cabin.  I've had a nice view of the trees and the snow.  As of yesterday there's only a little bit on snow left on the deck.

To make the job a little quicker, I make four log cabin blocks at a time.  Just like an assembly line.

I use my block layout sheet and make two intricate blocks at a time.  If I made more than two at a time, I might get confused.  There are dark squares.......

 .......and there are light squares.

Mazey, our gorgeous golden girl, loves to have her picture taken in front of my quilts.  Her main fault is that she eats everything in sight, shoes, socks, under garments, and napkins on your lap while you eat......but she leaves the quilts alone.

The last time I posted a picture of this quilt it looked like this.

Here it is with an additional 28 blocks added to it.  The intended design is appearing with the combination of lights and darks.  The design wall is 72" x 72", so you can see this is already a big quilt.

I have a full week ahead with two classes, and preparation for my new Let's Make a Diehl class next Saturday.  I'll try to squeeze out a few more Heritage blocks during the week......but it's going to be tough to dedicate more time to this quilt over the next two weeks.  A block a day maybe?  Then there are the dreaded days ahead of pattern writing.  I've already started writing......but it's slow and tedious. Maybe I'm slow and tedious?

In Between Stitches ordered bolts, and bolts of Macie's Journal fabric.  I'll let you know when the kits are available.  I really do need to finish writing the pattern!  I guess I need to finish making the quilt first.  I hear my sewing machine calling.

Soon,
Lynn

Happy Anniversary

 

Hello Everyone,

 

When I'm not quilting, I'm at quilting events.  Wednesday night was a very special event for In Between Stitches.  Many quilters buzzed on in to help Leslie and Melissa celebrate the shops 14th anniversary.

 



 Everyone received a free applique pattern.  There were many raffles too.

Lisa had a demonstration on how to make baskets from scraps and clothesline. They were adorable!

Many quilters gathered around Carrie's table.

She showed us how to make these floating stars using a new Creative Grids ruler.

In Between Stitches has become the local "watering hole" where quilters come from far and wide with a thirst for quilting knowledge, the newest fabrics, books, notions, and most importantly friendship.

In Between Stitches is a vibrant, happy place.  The classroom is always "buzzing" with activity and laughter where Leslie and Melissa have created a haven for quilters.  We all appreciate you and what you have given our community.  Here's to another 14 years and many, many more.

Soon,
Lynn

Country Charmer in the Country

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was a great day at Cloth and Quilts in Turlock.  The girls arrived with bins of fabric, and a cheery attitude and dug right in to learning how to make Country Charmer.

 

Barbara won a basket full of fat quarters which she decided to use in her quilt.  The pile went from this....

 



 ....to this

 

....then this

 

....and then she prepared two more blocks on her block layout sheets.

 



 

Judy started with this beautiful selection of fabrics.

 



In no time, she had her pieces cut out and ready for sewing.

Her sashing is going to be black and grey.....perfect for her blocks.

 

Mindy had a tower of Kim Diehl's Sunday Best fabrics which she combined with additional fabrics in the shop, and prepared many blocks. 

 



The Kim Diehl fabrics are a great choice to make this quilt.  Now why didn't I think of that?

 

Carolyn has seven granddaughters, and she brought in zip lock bags full of pastels left over from past quilts that she's made for the girls.  This quilt is a perfect use of scraps and is going to be so sweet.

 



 

Linda had two bins full of 3 Sisters Christmas fabrics.  We are kindred spirits since I have many of the same fabrics.  I admire her quilting precision and organization.

 



Susan took this class from me last year, and she FINISHED all of her beautiful blocks!  She also made additional blocks to increase the size of the quilt.

She made all of her sashing in class, and started in on some power sewing to get all of the rows together.

Susan selected the perfect fabric for her sashing.

You girls were so sweet and made me feel right at home in your "home" away from home.  How lucky you are to have access to such a vibrant quilt shop with a wonderful selection of fabrics, blocks of the month, and many clubs and classes.  A true gathering place.  I'm looking forward to many return trips to see you again in future classes.  Thank you all for the wonderful day.

 

Soon,

Lynn