I'm back

 It's been a while, and I'm back with the hope of doing more blogging. 

Starting this year with some blue Mile a Minute blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Blue Mile a Minute quilt blocks

Let's see what February brings for projects, finishes and colours of the rainbow.

There are a few quilt projects on the go, and I'm working on a Shop page (tab) for my blog, as this house has more quilts than it can use in a life-time and yet there's not much I like better than playing with fabric, sitting at my sewing machine and creating quilts.  It's time to let some of them find new homes.

Quilting is my passion… chocolate comes in a close second.

New Quilters

Well it's been a while since I've posted, so time to catch up and share.

First I'd like to show a group of new (or possibly returning to the craft) quilters.

I have taught a couple of classes of Quilting 101 at Out of Hand Quilting and Fabrics in Calgary, and want to show off their beautiful quilts.

Unfortunately I didn't keep good records of names and quilts.  I do remember a few names, as some have already taken another class (Quilting 201) with me, or frequent the store.  I will happily add names to pictures, leave a comment if you can help me out.

If my memory serves me, this first group is from the Fall of 2024.

Alex and Megan

Jessica

Next group is from January 2025.

Sally & Helene

One more group of new quilters from May, 2025.

Mom and daughter time

It makes me so happy to make this post and see these lovely quilts and the happy faces.  Welcome to the world of quilting and I look forward to seeing you in the store and perhaps in future classes.

‘Creativity takes courage.’ ~ Henri Matisse

Finishing School Plus

Getting ready for Finishing School, this Sunday, March 17th at Out of Hand Quilting and Fabrics, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Join me, let's have some fun finishing up quilting (or other) projects.  I think I’ll be working on a flannelette nightgown.

I also have a class coming up:

Quilting 201, or The next step (after 101) will be

Tuesday, March 19 - 7-9pm - prep class

Saturday, March 23 - 10:30am - 4:30pm - all day sew day

In this class you will add four new blocks to your repertoire and come away with a larger (approximately twin size) quilt.  We still have space in this class.

If you have taken 201 in the past and haven't completed it, we have a few spaces on Saturday for you to join us and continue working on this quilt, Jamie @ Out of Hand has a separate pricing for Saturday only quilters.

You can register through the Out of Hand 'Classes' page - https://outofhandquilting.com/classes/ - or by calling the store, 403-217-4871

Starting strong is good.  Finishing strong is epic. ~ Robin Sharma

Zelda Quilt

Quilting and binding the Zelda quilt is complete, my February goal. Having a ‘One Monthly Goal’  helps me to complete projects and to finish both old and new things on the go.

Quilted with the Entangle pantograph by Hermione Agree.

The backing is Ravel Twist Mix, which is a conglomeration of all of the prints in this collection.

I used a Ravel - 15 Piece Fat Quarter Bundle - e bond, available online from Out of Hand Quilting and Fabrics.

I will be teaching the Zelda quilt as a class at Out of Hand to learn the skill of half square triangles.  Of course you might want to take the class just to make this lovely quilt while hanging out with other quilters. I love this picture that Leslie took of me with Zelda at Out of Hand.

QUILT DETAILS

 The Zelda quilt

Started January 2024

The finished quilts measures  60 inches by 72  inches

Finished:  February 2024

Life is like a triangle, sides made of yes, no and excuse! ~ Ragesh Valse

February's OMG

For my February One Monthly Goal (OMG) I have decided to finish the Zelda quilt, complete the top, quilt and bind it. This is a sample for a class that I will be teaching at Out of Hand Quilting and Fabric in March.  Here are a few of my blocks.

I do have all the blocks pieced, so I just need to assemble them into a quilt top and get this quilt on the long-arm machine, this should be doable.  

The fabric is Ravel by e bond for Free Spirit Fabrics.

Check out the class page at Out of Hand and join us with your creative spirit, if you are interested in becoming more competent with half-square triangles, or just love the look of this quilt. You might also want to join in the monthly finishing fun at Stories from the sewing room.

See you at the end of the month with a completed quilt.

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. ~ Maya Angelou

The Next Step

I have completed my January One Monthly Goal which was to finish the top then quilt and bind this sampler quilt. The fun fabric is Dandi Duo by Robin Pickens, I love the whimsy of the puffs of dandelions. You can see what others have completed this January at Stories from the Sewing Room.

The Next Step is a class that I teach which is a good ‘next step’ after you have taken beginner quilting.  It adds a few more techniques to your bag of quilting tricks.  In the next step we learn, a four patch, a rail fence and a half-square triangle and a double four patch.  Can you see all those blocks in this quilt? 

Once you have completed all the blocks, you can arrange them any way you please, symmetrically, or asymmetrically, square or rectangular, here are some links to how some past students have arranged their blocks.

The Next Step by Sharon

Quilting Lessons

A Table top quilt by Lorie

 I will be teaching The Next Step (Quilting 201) at Out of Hand Quilting and Fabrics in March, check out their Classes page, or call the shop to sign up.

Quilted with the Double Plume pantograph by Keryn Emmerson and white thread.

A white with soft green fabric for the backing.

QUILT DETAILS

 The Next Step quilt

Started December 2023

The finished quilts measures  61 inches by 65  inches

Finished:  January 2024

May the seeds of dreams scatter and grow

New Year and a New Goal

It’s time to start posting and finishing projects again. 

My first One Monthly Goal (OMG) for this year is to arrange these blocks into a quilt top, and also to quilt and bind it.

They are for a class I will be teaching at Out of Hand Quilting and Fabrics (Calgary) in March called Quilting 201 (Q201).  Q201 is a nice follow-up to beginner quilting where you can add these blocks - half square triangle, rail fence, four patch, and double four patch to your repertoire of quilt blocks (we've learned the nine-patch in Q101).

The green dandelion fabric will be the border.

For anyone in or near Calgary, consider joining me and other quilters as we have a fun time of chatting and quilting at one of my Finishing School (classes) at Out of Hand, you can sign up on their classes page. Upcoming date are Sundays, January 21st, February 11th and March 17th, all from 10 am until 2 pm.

Looking forward to playing with these blocks in my quilting studio, stop by at the end of the month to see the finished Q201 quilt.

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. ~ Greg Anderson