Voices in Cloth and Stitch Modern. Two Great Quilt Groups and Two Great Quilt Shows!

I'll just say it - if you're a quilter, the San Francisco Bay Area is the place to be.  This area is blessed with great museums, great fabric stores and an even greater quilting and sewing community.  Just in the next month, there are two great quilt shows!  This weekend, March 19 & 20, the East Bay Heritage Quilt Guild will be hosting their bi-annual quilt show at the beautiful Craneway Pavilion.  Every member has a chance to show a quilt of their choice and the range of different types of quilting is really fun to see.  There will also be a special exhibit of Julie Silber's "Maverick Quilts," which I'm super excited to check out.

I will be doing a free demo on Sunday from 12-1.  my topic is "Improvising with Structure," and I've been having so much coming up with samples!  You can find out more about the my demo as well as what else will be on offer here.  Entry to the show is $15, but the demos are all free with admittance!

Some samples for the Improvising with Structure demonstration

The second show I want to tell you about is Stitch Modern, which runs from April 8 - May 8 at the Piedmont Center for the Arts.  This show is very special to me because it's the 5th year that my group, the East Bay Modern Quilters, has put on this month long exhibit!  Amazing!  And, every year it gets better.  Many of the events hosted over the course of the month are free, or at a very low cost and open to all ages.  This is an event that we put on to promote our love of the art and we want to share it with as many people as possible!  Check out what we have going on, or sign up for the East Bay Modern Quilters newsletter to keep abreast of late-breaking news.

I have work in both shows, so go check them out!

Pop Rox!

I adore candy.  I adore fabric.  So, a line of fabric inspired by one of my favorite candies?  Heaven!  My friend, Carol Van Zandt, has come out with a new line of fabric called Pop Rox and I was able to get my greedy hands on some of it.  There are two color ways, and the one I used to make my quilt is nice and bright, but I can't wait to make a new top out of one of the darker prints.

Here's what I've been working on...

In progress...

...almost done...

Finished top!

Now, I just need to find the time to quilt it up!

At the same time I was working on this quilt, I agreed to do a demo at the Voices in Cloth quilt show hosted by the East Bay Heritage Quilt Guild.  I decided to demonstrate how I put together blocks without using a ruler or pattern. For the demo, I put together this quilt with some of the extra bits of solids that I had left over from my Pop Rox project.  All of these blocks were done without any measuring!

 

To see pictures of me cutting and sewing like a maniac, as well as other pictures from the show, click here!

Bill Volkening's New York Beauty Quilts. Ooooh! Aaaah!

In September, I was honored to be able to teach at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.  Although I only live about an hour and a half away, this was my first visit to the museum. (I know, I'm a lazy, lazy girl!)  The museum was lovely!  Our classroom was one of the small galleries, so we were surrounded by inspiring quilts while we sewed.  How fun is that?!

These ladies got a lot of great work done in class!

During a break, I was able to peak in at the exhibition, Collecting New York Beauty Quilts: Bill Volckening’s Passion.  I'm pretty sure that show was put there just for me!  I loved it!  Below are some of my favorites.

Back to School

It's that time of year again.  Time to think about school supplies (so fun!) and how to pack a healthy, yet edible school lunch (not fun at all).  But, don't let this September be all about the kids!  Get your own learnin'!  I'll be teaching two classes in the Bay Area this September.  The first class will be at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles on Sunday, September 22nd.  There's a great show going on at the museum through October 27th, showcasing the amazing collection of Bill Volckening's New York Beauty quilts. Sigh, I do love a New York Beauty, and I love Bill Volckening's blog, so  I can't wait to see the show!  (I was a little obsessed with making NYB's a few years ago.  I have to thank Karen K. Stone for that!)

The second class I'll be teaching is in Oakland on September 29th, at my favorite local quilt store (my lqs, for those in the know!), A Verb for Keeping Warm.   They have the coolest, most eclectic collection of quilting fabric around!

I promise, I won't rap anyone's knuckles with my ruler...unless you leave your rotary cutter open...So, come and learn some new skills!

Class Alert!

I'll be teaching a one day workshop on Improvisational Quilting at A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland on Sunday, June 23rd.

Cutting, sewing, chatting, and cupcakes right next door!  What could be better?  Click here to register.

Learning: Back in the classroom!

I have been taking a bit of a break from teaching quilting over the past year.  I've been busy acquiring some new sewing machines and some new skills.

The longarm that took over my living room in April.

The turquoise beauty that I couldn't live without.

My latest acquisition, a vintage Yamato serger. She's scary fast!

I've even taken a few classes myself!

I went to MQX in Portland and took TONS of classes from some great longarm quilters, like Claudia Pfeil (above), Gina Perkes and Karen McTavish.

I took an improvisation workshop by Sherri Lynn Wood with other Modern Quilt Guild members from around the Bay area.

But, now I'm back in the classroom!  I will be teaching my Improvisational Basketweave quilt pattern this upcoming Sunday (Feb. 24 & March 3) at A Verb for Keeping Warm from 1-3 pm.  If you live in the area and have been wanting to try quilting without using rulers OR rules, sign up!  If you can't get here, don't fret.  I've published the pattern over on Craftsy.  It's not quite as fun as meeting a bunch of great people and chatting while you sew, but it's the best I can do until some genius invents teleportation!

Teaching: Confetti Quilt Class with the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of teaching an Improvisational Confetti Quilt class for the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild. The San Francisco Bay area is so saturated with amazing modern quilters, that we have FOUR guilds covering the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, and one general Bay Area group.  We can't get enough around here!

Confetti Quilt Class with the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild

It was a lovely day, both inside Sue Dee's Quilt shop and out!  You can read more about the class on the South Bay Modern blog.

Making: The Embers Quilt

The Embers Quilt is finished!  It's the latest sample for my Confetti Quilts class, so I rushed it down to the shop and hung it on the wall.  I barely even had time to take a picture of it!  I think it photographs nicely next to the blazing red wall of the New Pieces class room.

If you are interested in learning how to make your own Confetti Quilt and live in the SF Bay area, I'm teaching the next class on March 7 & 14, 2012, 10 AM - 12 PM at New Pieces in Berkeley, CA.  It's fun - I promise!

Teaching: Improvisational Confetti Class

A couple of weeks ago, I taught my Improvisational Confetti Quilt class for the first time.  Because I often work in an improvisational way, not planning before I cut, or worrying too much about how I sew it together, I forget about how hard it can be to step away from "perfection."  I always have a great time in class telling people to "just cut it!" and yelling across the room, "put down that seam ripper!"  (I promise, my classed ARE fun - not scary...right?!) Sometimes my students listen to me, but sometimes, they struggle with being afraid to go "off pattern" and letting wonderful things happen organically.

Confetti Quilt Class at New Pieces Quilt Shop, October 2011

 

In this class, some may have had a bit of a struggle, but look how beautifully the work came out! 

Ah well, I might be more comfortable with improvisational quilting, but I bet all you perfectionists that think ten steps ahead would kick my butt at chess.

Learning how to make a quilt. Please help!

Lately, I've been making some major changes to my sewing studio.  But, I'll talk more about that later - I'm not finished with it yet!  The reason I mention it, is that while re-organizing all of my things, I found this picture:

My First Quilt!

Pictures of the very first quilt I ever made!  I didn't even remember that pictures of this quilt existed!  I made it back in 1994, when I was in my last year of college. It was for the first friend my own age that was having a kid.  (It took all my other friends a LONG TIME before they had any off-spring!)

I don't even remember who's sewing machine I used to make this, but I do remember that although I didn't have much trouble with the piecing (yes, I'm sure I cut this out with scissors!), I really struggled with the over-all quilting.  I know I originally thought I would hand-quilt it, but decided on machine quilting, so I'd have it finished before the kid was in college himself.  It almost didn't happen!  The batting was a puffy polyester and I hadn't ever heard of a walking foot before.  It was so frustrating and such a struggle to get it finished.  The lines weren't straight at all and the stitch lengths were all over the place.  I was annoyed and disappointed and I don't think I made another quilt for about 4 years.  (The next one took years to finish as it was all hand-quilted!)

Now I quilt all the time.  And I just wish that back then, I had someone telling me all the tips and tricks to make sewing and quilting more fun and not so frustrating.  With that in mind, I'm starting a new class, held here in Berkeley (sorry, it's not web-based) called Home Ec 101 to help new quilters, or anyone struggling with sewing.  It's also for anyone who just wants some dedicated quilting time and some fun peeps to hang out and quilt with!  It starts next Tuesday, October 4th and will be held on the first Tuesday of every month at New Pieces Quilt Shop. 

Here's where I need HELP!!!

What I'm wondering is, if you're a new quilter, what are you struggling with?  And, if you're an experienced quilter, what are your words of wisdom?  I would LOVE it if you would leave comments and let me know! 

If you'd like more information on Home Ec 101, you can check it out here: http://onthedesignwall.blogspot.com/p/quilting-classes.html

I pulled an all-nighter!

Well, I didn't actually stay up all night, but it was close!  I'm a big fan of sleep, so you know it's important if I'm staying up late and waking up early.  I'll just come out and admit it, I went on vacation, over-committed myself, and fell a bit behind on my obligations. But, although I'm a bit sleepy today, I'm happy to say, I finished!!!

Confetti Quilt

Here's my new Confetti Quilt.  It's totally scrappy and lovely and I'll be teaching a class on how to make it in October!

You can see more pictures on Flickr!

Teaching: Classes, cake, and more classes!

This first official week of summer has been so busy! My son's out of school, so summer camp has begun, I have had great friends visiting from out of town, it was my birthday (I love yummy birthday treats!), I took a class, and I taught a class. Whew! Just typing that makes me tired. So, with all that going on, I haven't had much of a chance get any real sewing done...but the ladies in my latest Improvisational Basketweave class did!

Improvisational Basketweave Class at New Pieces Quilt Shop

I never get tired of watching people create.  It's wonderful to see the different color and fabric combinations that people bring to class.  This was a great group, and we had such a great time!  If you'd like to see the pictures in detail, click on over to my Flickr set!

Completed: A Couple of Different Basketweave Quilts

I'm teaching a new class in June and made a few quilts to demonstrate the pattern. 

A bright and springy green and white quilt

A moodier green and white quilt

Same blocks, mostly the same fabric, really different quilts!

Yeah Bloggers' Quilt Festival Time!

Teaching: Student Success!

One of my quilting students brought in her completed Split Log Cabin quilt.  Isn't it great?  Can you guess where she might have gotten some inspiration?

Gail with her split log cabin quilt.

I love her quilting. She did this on her home machine!

Interested in making one of your own?  See my list of classes to see when I'm teaching next!

Teaching: A wonky good time!

I'll get back to the quilt-making rampage I referred to in my previous post tomorrow (or perhaps the next day!) as I have 2 new quilts to show off, but first I want to share some pictures from my last improvisational quilt class!

Lots of sewing!

And designing!

These ladies were so much fun.  I'm always amazed at how each person interprets the class in a different way and each quilt is so unique to the quilt-maker.  One of my students, Elena, started a quilt in the first class and had it finished (mostly!) AND selected for a show by the next class!   

Elena's selected quilt is in the center, the one to the left of it is the one she started on between class sesssions!

Another simple quilt, still modern?

Once I got back from New York, I went on a quilt-making rampage.  As soon as I was done with the simple, modern quilt, I realized that I needed to turn in a quilt sample for my next improvisational quilt  class.  So, I made this green and white number with some blocks I've been playing with for awhile.  I just couldn't help myself and backed it with yellow gingham checks made from thrift store curtains.  I didn't even care that the gingham was part polyester.  Madness! 

I love how bright and sunny this quilt is!

Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the back.  I whipped on the binding, threw it up on the design wall to take a couple of pictures and rushed it to the shop, as my "homework" was a day late!

If you'll be in the Bay Area in June and are interested in taking the class for this incredibly versatile pattern sign up here!

Teaching: Split Log Cabin Class - Round 2!

Last week I taught the my second Split Log Cabin class at New Pieces, my local quilt shop here in Berkeley. I had so much fun teaching this group how to make this quilt! Since this class was an evening class on a week-day, I was expecting some tired folks to show up, but these ladies had their rotary cutters out and ready to go.

Wow! These ladies sew fast!

Thanks to Gail for letting me use her photos - as I forgot to bring the memory card for my camera!

If you're in the SF Bay Area and interested in taking the class, you can sign up for the next session here.  I'll also be teaching a class based on my Basket Weave quilt, which will be held in June.  If you're interested, you can sign up for that here.

Fearless Blogging!

I'm so excited to be the guest blogger today over at Fat Quarterly.

 Pop over and check it out, then come back and let me know what you think!

* If you're interested in taking a class on improvisational (fearless!) quilting from me and live in the SF Bay Area, I'll be teaching at New Peices Quilt Shop in Berkeley on April 12th and 19th from 6:15-8:15.  Contact the store for more information!

Teaching: Improvisational Quilting Class, Part II

We wrapped up the second session of my Split Log Cabin class on Saturday (you can see pictures from the first class here).  Since everyone had finished their homework, we were able to move into the process of finalizing our designs and finishing our quilt tops.  It was so exciting to see how everyone's quilts came together!

For more detail, see these on Flickr.

Most of the students were able to finish putting on the interior sashes of the quilt before the end of class, and some had even started on outer borders.

I hope everyone sends me pictures of their finished quilts!

Teaching: Improvisational Quilting Class

On Saturday, I taught my first improvisational quilting class and it was so much fun!

The busy work-room

The class is based on my split log cabin quilts. (You can see my green one here and my blue one here.) It's so cool to watch other people take that design and interpret it into their own styles. The color and fabric choices (oh, that wool flannel!) are wonderful. This was the first in a two-part class and I'll post more photos of the works in progress after our next meeting! Hope everyone does their homework!

If you live in the San Francisco area and are interested in signing up for this class, you can register for the next session at New Pieces Quilt Shop. Class starts March 1 at 6:15 pm!  All levels of quilting ability are welcome!