Category: Blog

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TWIST ~ This Week In Studio Time

My newest feature – TWIST – This Week In Studio Time – a weekly peek inside my studio to see what I’ve been working on, debuts today. This week I finished (waiting for customer to finalize label info to finish label and add black binding)  a wedding quilt I was commissioned to make for a friend’s family to give as a gift.  The bride approved the printed fabrics, but has no idea about the quilt pattern.  I adapted Jenny Doan’s, Shadow Quilt to Cotton Theory.  I think she’ll love it.  The fabric is Contempo Studios Paintbox Shadows.  It’s modern, contemporary, and neutral enough to go with whatever other colors she chooses for her decor now and in the future.

Jenny Doan's Illusion Quilt Pattern using Contempo Studios Paintbox Shadows fabric line
Jenny Doan’s Illusion Quilt Pattern using Contempo Studios Paintbox Shadows fabric line


Next Friday may feature a project using my new serger!  So excited to get it set up and make it a working part of my studio.

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Zentangle: Now I Get it!

I have often wondered about Zentangle.  Is it just doodling?  Why are people coming up with another name for doodling?  I just didnt’ get it.  People I asked would reply, “What do you mean, you don’t get it?”  I just didn’t understand what it was and what it was all about.  So, when I saw a class offered at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in nearby Bloomington, IN, I decided to find out.

I signed up for two one day back to back classes with Certified Zentangle Teacher, Nysha Oren Nelson.  Thursday’s class was an introduction to Zentangle.  This was an enlightening experience for me and now I get it!  Your brain can only think about one thing at a time (I always thought I was fabulous at multi-tasking!) and so concentrating on drawing particular Tangles for some amount of time is similar to a form of meditation and takes your mind off of everything else that’s going on up there.  And there is a process and it’s NOT just doodling.  And it does clear your mind for that amount of time.

Here are some of our class samples of the Tangle patterns we learned.  We all followed the same directions and drew the same tangles, but they all came out differently.

Friday’s class was adapting the art of Zentangle to free motion quilting.  Free motion quilting can be daunting for me.  I can practice and get to the point that I feel comfortable doing it, but if I don’t practice regularly I have to start all over the next time.  I did find the Zentangle patterns lend themselves will to FMQ and am excited about the possibilities.  I believe warming up with drawing the Tangles will also translate into better FMQ. I can definitely see myself using this in the future.

 

 

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Cotton Theory 102

Cotton Theory 102 is the second in the 5 part series of learning all aspects of the Cotton Theory method of quilting.  Our project is the Button Back Runner.

Button-Back Runner front
Button-Back Runner front
Button-Back Runner back
Button-Back Runner back

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will learn

  • What the Cotton Theory method is all about
  • “Quilt First, then Assemble” allows you to make a truly reversible quilt while making only one project and when you’re finished, it’s already quilted!
  • The Wobble Quilting Stitch
  • The Joining Stitch
  • The Cotton Theory One Way  and Highway procedures
  • How to stitch a label in the binding
  • The Magic Triangle method of attaching French-Fold binding

This class is scheduled for three consecutive Wednesday afternoons or evenings in April:  April 15, 22, and 29.  Class is from either 1 – 4 pm or 6 -9 pm.  Cost of this class is $45 plus the pattern ($13) and materials.  Once registered for the class, I will forward to you preparation and instructions for the first class.  If you do not wish to embroider the center rectangle, there is a quilting option.

If you are an experienced quilter, you may begin with this class and skip Cotton Theory 101, however, either CT 101 or CT 102 is required to advance to CT 103.

Current beginning Cotton Theory classes, CT 101, are offered Feb. 9 and 23 from 10 – noon or 6 – 8 pm OR Feb. 10 and 17 from 10 – noon or 6 – 8 pm and is $35 which includes a pre cut kit for the 10″ x 10″ Candle Mat.

If interested, please email me at lanarussel@gmail.com.

 

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Cotton Theory 101

Cotton Theory 101, Introduction to Cotton Theory, is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9  and 23, mornings (10 am – noon) or evenings (6 pm – 8pm). This class consists of two 2 hour classes and is a good starting point for those either new to sewing or quilting or those having some experience.  You will learn what Cotton Theory is all about and will be provided with a precut kit (choice of colors) for your convenience.  Our project will be a 10″ x 10″ Candle Mat.

Candle Mat backside
Candle Mat backside
Candle Mat front
Candle Mat front

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of this class is $35 (includes precut kit) plus the purchase of Cotton Theory Quilting 2, available on Amazon.  Please email me @ lanarussel@gmail.com asap if interested.  This class will fill up quickly.

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Disappearing Four Patch

I have been blessed with 9 great nieces and nephews and have 2 more on the way. I have SO enjoyed making each one a unique quilt.

This one is on its way to my newest Great Niece in Kansas.  It’s a Disappearing Four Patch made with two charm packs.  Check out Jenny Doan’s (Missouri Star Quilt Company) youtube video for directions.  Super fun and pretty quick and easy.  I quilted in the ditch with white Superior So Fine #50 thread.

Disappearing Four Patch front
Disappearing Four Patch front
Disappearing Four Patch back
Disappearing Four Patch back
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Idiot’s Guides: Quilting Book Review

 

Idiot's Guide: Quilting by Jennifer Fulton
Idiot’s Guides: Quilting by Jennifer Fulton

One of our Quilt Guild Indy members, Jennifer Fulton, recently published this wonderful book.  As I perused it for the first time, I wondered if it would offer anything that wasn’t already out there.  I found it to be the most complete book on quilting I have seen.  This would be a perfect book for a beginning quilter, but, as an experienced quilter, I felt it would be a great one to add to my library as well.

Beginning with the preparation of machine and supplies, including hand and machine quilting and applique supplies, to selection, preparation, and cutting of fabric (including color, value, saturation, scale, and style), it provides a step by step progress to begin quilting.  Other chapters include easy as well as advanced piecing and applique techniques, assembling and preparing a quilt for quilting, different methods of quilting the project, including binding, labeling, and making a hanging sleeve, finishing with how to wash and store quilts.  Each chapter is very well illustrated and ends with a project to practice the skills learned.  The last chapter includes 11 additional projects, such as a table runner, wall hangings, crib and lap quilts, and a twin size quilt.  Whether you are interested in hand or machine quilting, are a beginner or experienced quilter, I am confident you will appreciate this newly published soft cover book.

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Historic Home Tour Surprise

One of our very best friends lives in the oldest home in their nearby city and recently went through a major home addition / renovation.  When they moved back into their home, I gave them a quilt I had made for them as a housewarming gift.  They opened their home this year for their city’s Holiday Historic Home Tour and I was surprised to see they had hung it on their wall!  So, I’m excited to say I had a quilt displayed in a Historic Home Tour!!

 

Housewarming gift for my dear friends
Housewarming gift for my dear friends. Fly Away Home quilt.
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Christmas Jitterbug Rug

Jitterbug Christmas Rug
Jitterbug Christmas Rug

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know it’s Christmas once my Jitterbug Christmas Rug is down in front of my cooktop. Quilted this with double batting two years ago. For some people it’s their tree, for me it’s my rug.  Makes me happy!

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