Handi Quilter National Educator, Island Batik Ambassador
Interested in seeing a tutorial of just how a Cotton Theory Quilt is assembled, step by step? Here we go…
Hope this helps you understand the process a little better. Please don’t hesitate to comment and ask if you have any questions.
Take Care til next time,
Lana
TWIST – This Week In Studio Time
Hello! Super busy week, but managed a finish: my Bossa Nova cotton theory quilt. I wanted to complete this so I could have a complete step by step tutorial ready for my Cotton Theory quilting presentation for the south side Indianapolis quilt guild Thursday. I’ll post the same tutorial here in its entirety very soon, but next week is Houston! YAY! First time for me! I look forward to reporting on that experience, too! But, first things, first – my finished Bossa Nova…
I loved meeting the ladies from the south side guild!! What a fun group! Super friendly! My husband even commented that they were as friendly as Airstreamers! We meet the nicest people camping and now that he is helping me set up for my presentations, he will see first hand how friendly quilters are. We enjoyed meeting and talking with them so much that we both forgot to take pictures! Next time…
Take Care,
Lana
This summer the Indiana State Museum had a quilt exhibit entitled 19 Stars. Here’s their description of the exhibit:
“Indiana is the 19th state to join the Union; the state flag depicts nineteen stars. In anticipation of the state’s Bicentennial, this exhibit presents 19 historic star-patterned quilts selected from the Indiana State Museum’s collection along with 19 contemporary star-themed quilts created by some of Indiana’s outstanding quilters.
Stars were favored patterns in the 19th and 20th centuries and appear in many variations. The historic quilts in this exhibit span a hundred and fifty years of Indiana quilt-making, from the 1830s to the 1980s. In contrast, most of the contemporary works were created specifically for this exhibit, and incorporate the star theme in any number of ways, from overt to illusory. The artists’ techniques vary widely, from traditional piecework and appliqué to improvisational collage, layering, or richly textural thread painting.”
The Quilt Guild of Indianapolis, of which I am a member, thought it would be nice to have some members sit outside the exhibit quilting and available to answer any questions visitors might have about quilting or our guild. My friend, Bev, and I enjoyed this so much the first time we did this that we signed up for double duty. Here I am working on a Cotton Theory Charity Quilt.
I really enjoyed the experience!
Take Care,
Lana
My friends’ nephew went to China to teach English. While there he fell in love and got married. My friends visited China this summer to meet the new family members and wanted to take some gifts along for the newlyweds, Mom and Dad (in laws), and grandmothers. We decided placemats and table toppers would be easy to pack, so I used my PJ’s In the Hoop Holiday Hostess pattern and made these.
I love this pattern. It’s amazing how it all gets sewn together while in the hoop on your embroidery machine.
Here are the recipients in China:
Thanks, Kim and Eric, for giving me the opportunity to make these gifts for your new family members in China. I’m so happy you had a wonderful trip. It’s good to have you back home.
This week was a short one for me in my studio, but I did manage to meet my goal of getting my next Cotton Theory project cut out and labeled.
Can’t wait to get quilting it next week!!
A couple of weeks ago, Eleanor Burn’s sister, Pat Knoechel, spoke to our quilt guild. I was simply amazed at how similar their voice and manerisms are. It’s really uncanny. She is just as funny, too. They are not similar in appearance, however. I would never have guessed from just seeing her that they are sisters.
We enjoyed the many beautiful quilts she shared with us.
She graciously autographed patterns and books afterwards. A delightful presentation!
I joined the Turning Twenty Mystery Quilt Block of the Month last week and after I found out it was going to be stars, decided I would make this in red, white, and blue and donate it to Quilts of Valor. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Quilt Guild of Indianapolis recently had a presentation by this organization that was quite moving. Very impressive! I volunteered to be a presenter after hearing about what they do. Anyway, here’s my progress:
I love the confetti background!
My neice just gave birth to a 9 lb 10 oz bouncing baby boy, so I’ve started this quilt for Caleb.
I cut half square triangles with my Accuquilt Go – so easy and quick!
On the design wall…
That’s my weekly recap! Take care til next week!
Lana
Last weekend I spent a lovely time with my bestie since age 8, Cheryl. Every summer we meet up at The Cornerstone Inn, a B&B in Nashville, IN, bring our sewing machines, projects, and wine, and have a wonderful time catching up with each other! The Cornerstone Inn is not your typical Bed and Breakfast. The hot breakfasts are buffet style with several choices every morning. Delicious fresh fruit is always in abundance. Homemade goodies are available starting at 4 pm and desserts in the evening from 7:30 – 10:00 pm. With all this available we find we only need to eat a late lunch /early dinner out each day. They are so accommodating that they have let us peek in each room to see which ones work best for us to set up our machines and sew. And if the chapel isn’t being used the weekend we are there, they let us set up in there and give us the key! The chapel is about 15 x 20 with it’s own bathroom. Couldn’t ask for more.
I decided to spend some time sewing a couple projects for myself for a change:
We spent A LOT of our weekend perusing the 430 classes being offered at the Houston Quilt Festival because that’s our next trip together!! We are SO excited! Cheryl is retiring at the end of August and I’ve just been retired for a year, so this is our retirement trip together. Neither of us has ever been so we want to make the most of it. We wanted to take some classes together, but not be tied to feeling like we had to do that because of our different interests. We registered on Wednesday, the first day registration was open, and are both thrilled with our choices. Can’t wait!
I did make good progress on my projects over the weekend. I finished the Trapezoid Tote and made headway on my Beatle Bag.
In order to finish the Beatle Bag, I need to find a 2″ metal ring for the front of the bag. I wish they would have included this with the pattern, as they did the plastic zippered compartments. I have had a terrible time trying to find one. I have been to JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Menards, and my local quilt shops. One of the quilt shops had a dark wooden one, but I think this bag is begging for a silver one.
It was a fabulous week with much chatting, planning, and sewing!
Take Care til next week and thanks for following me!
Lana
Comfort quilt finished! I was able to complete Megan’s gift and present it to her before her third chemo treatment. My heart is in every stitch. I gave a lot of thought as I was piecing and quilting for just the right thing to say on the label.
The bits and pieces that represent life’s ebb and flow, ups and downs, joys and sorrows are on the front.
I echo quilted the tumbler shape after I stitched in the ditch. I decided to name the quilt, Lemonade for Megan because we all know what we are supposed to do when life gives us scraps.
The label side was made of a wide single paisley printed fabric in case she preferred it over the scrappy side.
My wish is that it brings her much comfort.
What do snorkeling and quilting have to do with each other, you ask?
Take a look at these photos:
I see stippling. You? Art mimics nature.
I was fortunate enough to be snorkeling on the North Shore of Grand Cayman the week before last and took these shots with my underwater camera. Couldn’t help seeing the quilting patterns underwater.
I’ll leave you with another couple shots just for fun:
See ya next week!