What fun! I was featured in The Applique Society Newsletter this month. It is great newsletter with so much information inside. Lots of great articles, give-aways, book reviews, shopping, challenges and they even include a couple of patterns each month!
Click on this link: www.theappliquesociety.org to read the complete article about Border Techniques where they interviewed Kari Carr and me for our ideas. I especially talked about how I use pieced borders–my specialty!
My new book Perfect Fit Pieced Borders has just been released by Martingale & Co. It’s exciting to see the great photography, graphics and clear instructions.
You already know from my previous patterns that I like to piece the quilt right out to the edge; that includes the borders! Some designs have traditional looking borders, some have what I call finishing elements that give the quilt a finished look without borders. Be sure to look at the slide show to see the fun designs. It really has been an honor to work with Martingale & Co. to develop this book as they are easy to work with and have allowed me to have so much control. Of course the quilting is very important to me as a longarm quilter, and I was able to include quilting designs for each quilt that also included photography of the quilting so you could get some ideas of how to quilt your version!
Pieced borders will change the look of a quilt, making it more interesting and exciting by adding a surprising finish. What I love most about quilting is what I call the “layers” of design: choosing the fabrics, cutting the shapes, piecing, creating appliqué designs, sewing everything together, adding borders, quilting, and the final statement of the binding. Each layer relates to the others, and this always teaches me something and keeps me interested. Every step along the way can be fun and creative, and I think traditionally the borders are often overlooked. I always take the time to consider border options. Almost every quilt can benefit from pieced borders; they make a quilt extra special.
I hope you love this book and make several of the quilts!
JANUARY 14, FEBRUARY 11, MARCH 11, APRIL 8, 2011 (classes can be taken individually or in a series)
Longarm Series at Sheila’s Studio
Girl’s Night Out
WHO: YOU can quilt like a Rock Star!
WHAT if you had a chance to learn some rockin’ and rollin’ new quilting designs?
WHEN: Lessons are offered in a series of four Friday evenings: 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Sheila’s Longarm Lair
We’ll get together for fun-packed short lessons and hands-on quilting for everybody! Learn some great new designs and skills. Drop in for one lesson, or sign up for the whole series! There might be a glass of wine (or sparkling cider) with your name on it, and some hors d’oeuvres to go along with the laughter and good cheer. Of course the focus is on freehand artistic quilting, so sign up soon, space is limited.
Lesson 1: January 14: Rockin’ Out All-over Designs
Lesson 2: February 11: New-Fangled Feathers
Lesson 3: March 11: Skills and Basics (Make your circles round and your squares square)!
Lesson 4: April 8: Micro, Mini and Amazingly Small Designs!
Each Lesson $15; Complete Series $55
Some may see it as a Turban Footstool, others may conjure up visions of Little Miss Muffet’s Tuffet – whatever it is to you, you have to admit is a fabulously charming. In this two-part class you will learn to foundation piece wedges of fabric together to be made into the upholstery for a footstool. You can use scraps or coordinate your fabrics to give your footstool a particular personality. This project is best suited for a confident beginner or intermediate sewer. A kit for the base and foam will be available for purchase and instruction will be given on putting your stool together once the cover is sewn.
Not your Grandmother’s Footstool Class Details
DURATION: This is a 2 day class.
CLASS FEE: $45
KIT FEE: $30 – A kit for the wood base, foam, tufting cord and drafted pattern will be available for purchase from the teacher at the first class for $30. Feet may be purchased for $20/set of four, various styles and colors available.
Supplies List
Don’t know what style of quilting will enhance your own or your customer’s quilt? In this class there will be a discussion of quilting and thread options for a variety of quilts. Streamlining the decision process will make you more efficient in your business.
Sheila will bring unquilted examples to discuss together as well as her teaching quilts to learn from. This class is appropriate for all types of machine users – longarm, midarm, shortarm and those using a home sewing machine will also benefit.
There are no supplies required for this class, but please bring an unquilted piece to use in the discussion.
CLASS FEE: $40
Make this BIG star quilt as a throw, twin or queen size quilt. Big pieces = fast work! The throw can easily be completed in class. This pattern is sure to become your favorite gift quilt since it goes together so fast. The pieces are large enough to show off those large-scale prints, geometrics, batiks or florals – anything goes. Don’t you love the drama of the large scale? Bet you can’t make just one!
Big Star Quilt Class Details
DURATION: One day class: 10 am – 2 pm
CLASS FEE: $35
Supplies List
