NEW TEACHER AT ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

We have a new teacher at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and I’d like to introduce you to her.  You’ve heard me mention her before.  Marilyn Knight teaches the Scrap Therapy Classes.   Above she holds a sample block for the class.

 Marilyn also teaches the Storm at Sea classes using the Creative Grid Ruler.  Above Nancy shows us her block that she made in the class.  Gorgeous fabrics, Nancy.  (PS:  That cute little gal behind Nancy is Eva, Lee Ann’s Granddaughter.)

Lee Ann chose these beautiful batiks for her Storm At Sea block. 

There was also some show-n-tell to show you.  Above Kathy Bauman shows us her wool and cotton quilt.  Stunning!

Jill (who works at the shop) made this awesome quilt.

This is a closer look.  I’m always amazed at how others can do such precise piecing. 

Since I was unavailable, Judi A. took all these pictures for me.  Again, Judi, thank you so much!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Fresh Lemons Quilts has a tutorial for a nice star block.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

MACHINE APPLIQUE TUTORIAL #2

This is a continuation of last month’s tutorial on machine applique that Chris is presenting to the Whimsical Garden BOM group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  If you need to catch up, you can read the previous post which includes the beginning of this tutorial here. 

 Last month Chris showed us how to trace a pattern onto the rough side of Wonder Under fusible web using a Sharpie permanent pen.   Next you need to prepare your fabric.  If you are using a lighter fabric, you might get a shadow effect when turning under your edge or when placing a darker fabric beneath it, and you will need to face your fabric will Pellon Shape Flex Woven interfacing.  (see picture above)

Next Chris has roughly cut her pattern from the Pellon 805 Wonder Under paperbacked fusible web. 

Then she irons her roughly cut pattern to her fabric.  Not all of your fabrics will need to be interfaced.  I do not interface darker fabrics that do not allow shadowing.

Then she cuts out the design just inside the dark Sharpie pen line. Above she cuts the yellow top of the flower.  Since it is made with lighter fabric, it has been interfaced.

Here you can see that she has cut the top of the flower out and the flower petals are ready to be cut.

Once your pieces are cut, you should remove the paper backing from each piece and place them on top of your Teflon ironing sheet which is see-through and allows you to place your designs properly.

You can see above that the flower center has been placed on the red petals.  They were then fused together in previous photo.  Be sure and do this first fusing on the Teflon ironing sheet as the pieces will not adhere to the sheet and once cool may be removed easily and then adhered to your background fabric later. Above the new unit has cooled and has been placed on the ironing board as one piece.

This is another shot to let you see how it is done.

Since we didn’t get any further with our Whimsical design, I wanted to show you this sample to show you of an entire project fused using this method and adhered to the background fabric. 

Next step is to machine quilt.  Next month Chris will not be available, so we will skip a month (or two) before we show you the final sewing step.  Stay tuned.  There is more to come.

 ON ANOTHER NOTE:  From The Blue Chair has a Stack Whack Wonky block tutorial.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHIMSICAL GARDEN BOM AT ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

 The Whimsical Garden BOM met Tuesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I think I have some slackers in this group...LOL...or maybe everyone has just been busy.  However, Sandy was the only one to complete her block for this month!  Congratulations Sandy.  You did a beautiful job.

 Look what else Sandy did.  She showed us this stunning quilt.  She said she started it when she went on retreat and recently finished it.  I love those bright colors.  Sandy did too, and told us that when she saw the kit with those lovely fabrics she had to buy it.  The pattern is Rainbow Log Cabin.

 Judi had a finish to show us too.  Remember the Little Miss Shabby blocks I showed you here?  Judi put them all together and made this darling quilt.

 This is a close up of one of the blocks.  So cute!

 Does anyone remember seeing a Whitman Sampler tin? I've never seen one. This one is circa 2009.  Judi had one and put it to use.

 This is what is inside this cute little tin.  She made the items herself.  How lovely!

 Mary Ellen had a free quilt to show us.  I say free because she won 52 fat quarters at a retreat.  She used 18 of them to make the front of this lovely quilt. 

Then she took 12 more of the fat quarters and some leftover fabric from the front and made the backing. That is Mary Ellen on the left.  She said she still has fat quarters left!  What a lovely quilt.  The pattern is Yellow Brick Road.

Chris also continued her demo for machine applique that she started last month here.  I’ll show you those step-by-step pictures tomorrow.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Fat Quarter Shop has a pattern and tutorial for a Full Swing Quilt Pattern. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HOT IRON!

Have you ever had this problem?  Class has ended.  You have to hurry home, but your iron is hot.  What do you do with the hot iron?

I found the answer when I saw Judi’s little Caddy Pad at a recent Happy Scrapper’s meeting.  So I made my own Caddy Pad, a clever iron tote and ironing pad in one!   This is the Caddy Pad Jr.  There is also a larger size for your big iron.

This adorable tote opens up to become your personal ironing bad.  Great for class or retreat!

This is the other side.  The Caddy Pad Jr. holds a 6” to 8 ¼” travel iron.

Here it is again.  I had picked up a fat quarter while on a recent road trip and used that for the outside of the pad.  The pattern is by Sisters’ Common Thread. 

ALSO: Be sure and stop by the Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild blog and read about their virtual activity for this month.  Sounds like fun. 

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Stitched In Color has a tutorial for a gemstone block.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

ARE YOU MATERIALISTIC?

Robbie, who used to work at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, sent me this.  As you can see she got it from Handi Quilter or maybe it was from All People Quilt.  I'm not sure but it made me smile.  It  also made me smile that Robbie is still thinking of us.  We miss her happy face at the shop and hope she will get back to visit us often. 

Thanks Robbie for thinking of us.  Now she has me wondering...would my kids say I'm greedy or materialistic?

Hope you all  have a great weekend.  You might want to check out Gen X Quilters for a free pattern. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING, QUILT AND PILLOWCASES!

Ooops!  It’s Friday already.  What happened to Thursday?  This summer is going way too fast! Today I want to show you pictures that Jeanne B. sent me of her son’s wedding.  They had a lovely garden wedding at Jeanne’s home at Brady Lake.  Above are Jeanne and her husband and son and new daughter-in-law.  What a beautiful family.

Above, Michael and Megan unfold the quilt that Jeanne made for them.  I previously posted about that quilt here.  What a darling couple! 

I had to show you these pillowcases that Jeanne said she included with the quilt.  I imagine she made them too.  Aren’t they priceless! (You can click on the picture to get a closer view.)

Thank you Jeanne for sharing your photos with us.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Green Fairy Quilts has a tutorial for an unnamed block that she designed.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

ON A ROLL! ANOTHER TOP FINISHED!

Earlier this year I joined Terry’s quilt along.  I kept up for a while, but somehow got behind.  Today I decided to get down to business and finished the quilt.  You can find the pattern for the above quilt by going to Terry’s Treasures.  Once there, scroll down and look on the sidebar for “2013 Sew Along.”  Click on the picture and it will take you to the pattern!  I had lots of fun making this.

This is a little closer look.  I was so excited when I read the pattern because I had an extra Charm Square packet – Happy by Moda.  It was perfect for this quilt.  Now to get it quilted!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Zaaberry has a tutorial for an insulated lunch tote.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

A VERY EASY PAPER PIECED BLOCK

I played this weekend and had to show you these two blocks.  The pattern is Dresden Stars and is in a recent issue of Quilt Magazine.  It is a paper pieced pattern with only two stitching lines on each square of paper.  What could be easier?  I made the above block first.  The only thing I was concerned about was that the center strip calls for a seven inch strip of fabric.  Well, I have lots of scraps and most are smaller than seven inches.

So I decided to “make” fabric for that center strip.  This is the block I made using small scraps.  I love making fabric and using those small “unusable” leftover pieces, however, I didn’t like this block as well as I did the first one.  I think I’ll dig out all my flowery fabrics and use them.  This pattern reminds me a little of the tea leaf quilt I recently finished, so I can visualize how it will look using those same fabrics.

Some of the Happy Scrappers were asking about another project.  What do you think about this one?  We could have fun as we did when we exchanged fabrics for the tea leaves.  

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Quilting on About.Com has a tutorial for piecing a Bright Hopes block that has partial seams.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

MORE PICTURES FROM JUDI

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  It was beautiful weather here in Michigan.  Today I’d like to show you more pictures that Judi sent me.  Jill, who works at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, recently went on a McCall’s quilting cruise.  Above is the Christmas Strip quilt called Rose Wreath that she made while there.  Isn’t it lovely!

Jill also made this gorgeous quilt.  She said it is for a raffle for the 2014 Senior All Night party at Northview High School.  I bet she makes lots of money on this raffle!  These beautiful colors make a stunning quilt.

This quilt was also on the disk that Judi gave me.  Pam made this beautiful quilt.  I’m sorry but I don’t know any of the details, such as pattern name or fabric.  All I know is that is a lovely quilt. 

Judi also included this picture of Chris with this huge basket that she won!  Wow, is that big or what!  I bet you could get lots of quilting supplies in that bag!  Congratulations Chris!

A special thanks to Judi for taking these pictures and sending them to me.  I love sharing pictures of what everyone is doing. 

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Made With Love has a tutorial for a mini churn dash quilt.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

PEGGY'S AWESOME T-SHIRT QUILT

Today I’m devoting this post to Peggy who made this fantastic T-shirt quilt for her granddaughter.  Not only is it large, it is filled with wonderful memories.

 Another view.  That is Peggy on the right.

 Peggy put a lot of thought into making this quilt.  It tells of the places her granddaughter went and the things she did.  Note the scrap on the pink square above the block that says Caledonia High School.  That little scrap is what was left of the girl’s baby blanket.

 Peggy incorporated just about everything but the kitchen sink (what teen ager would go near that anyway) in making this quilt.  Above Peggy included her granddaughter's Girl Scout Sash and badges on the bottom border.  How clever.

Check out the little romper suit in one block and a bib makes up another block.

 This is another piece of baby clothing.  Note the pink diamonds on the sashing between the blocks.  I wish you could see this quilt for real as it is really awesome.  Peggy, your granddaughter must be thrilled and you should be proud!  Thanks for sharing with us. 

And a special thank you goes to Judi A.  The first time I saw this quilt, I didn't have my camera.  Then, I was unable to make it to the Attic Window Quilt Shop when Peggy shared her quilt during a Bee, so Judi took the pictures and shared them with me.  

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Sew Happy Geek has a tutorials for a woven snowball blocks.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAPPY SCRAPPERS MEET AT ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

The Happy Scrappers met Wednesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and have some things to show you.  Above, is Judi’s beautiful wool needle keeper.  This is the front.

Above, it is opened so you can see both the front and back.  I love all the various decorative stitches.  She does beautiful work.

Lee Ann shows us this gorgeous pillowcase she made.  I bet it is for one of her grandchildren.

Above is a close up of this darling fabric.  It's a wonder she got this sewn as I kept her busy helping me finish my bag and then attaching a light to my sewing machine.  I don’t know what I would do without you Lee Ann!  Thanks so much!

Peggy also made a pillowcase.  The fabric she used was purchased 16 years ago to make her granddaughter a dress.   The dress was never made, so Peggy decided it was about time to do something with that fabric.  She said a friend made a small pillowcase and stuffed it with left over scraps.  Peggy said that is what she is going to do with this pillowcase.  Great idea!

 Yvonne worked on her paper pieced focus squares.  This is quite a group!  I love looking at all her squares and finding those special centers, like the McDonald’s arch. 

This is a close up of one of her blocks.  Who doesn’t love a frog?

My favorite though is the kitty.  Isn’t he cute?

I was going to go to Knotty Girls tonight and get some pictures.  It’s been a while since I’ve been and I’m anxious to see what those gals are up to.  However, after being with the Happy Scrappers all day, and then picking up my four-year-old great grandson from nursery school and spending the rest of the afternoon and early part of the evening with him, I didn’t feel up to it.  Maybe I can make it the next time they meet.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: KD Quilts has a tutorial for a solid star.  Pretty interesting.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll