Daily Blog - TheQuiltShow.com

Anna and G on the Road: Block or Color?

I was checking up on my sister's place and noticed my BIL's had a puzzle laid out in a peculiar way. I laughed out loud! I knew it was him that had laid the puzzle out because his brain just works in a different way. So, the next time they came to Central Oregon I asked him... "What's his process?" He had separated the pieces by shape! Not color! Each sheet of paper has only pieces that were shaped the same...hummm.

I told him one of my favorite activities on The Quilt Show is the puzzle, and this past week I had to piece together the puzzle of Gwen Marston's quilt. But, I mostly piece the puzzles by color.

All of this got me thinking about the quilting process...do you start a quilt because of the pattern or shapes...like I am sure my BIL would do? Or, do you first decide on color, find fabric and then decide on how you want to use them? I am mostly color or fabric driven. Occasionally I will find a pattern and then search for fabric to use but for many years I built my stash by being color driven. It made me wonder...what kind of quilter are you...block or color???

Stay tuned and travel along with us on Quilt Roadies.

Click here for Anna's YouTube Channel.

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Spoonflower Tutorial: Renew * Repurpose * Recreate - Mend Your Wardrobe

Textile artist Katie Berman of Katie Berman Textiles is sharing ways you can incorporate an eco-friendly form of mending into your wardrobe. She wants you to give your clothes a second (or third or fourth…) chance by giving them a little TLC! Learn how to get started on a more sustainable wardrobe using basic Sashiko stitching and Spoonflower fabric scraps.

Click here to read the whole article and get more information from Spoonflower.

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Inspired by Diversity and Common Ground - "We are the Triangle" by the Triangle Modern Quilt Guild

We Are The Triangle, by the Triangle Modern Quilt Guild, was one of the Charity Quilt Challenge quilts displayed at QuiltCon 2019. Inspired by their home, the North Carolina triangle of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, the guild took the name to heart and triangles are reflected throughout the quilt. We particularly love the quilting...usually flying geese are pieced not quilted.

"We Are The Triangle" by the Triangle Modern Quilt Guild - Sign

"We Are The Triangle" by the Triangle Modern Quilt Guild - Detail

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How Do You Know When Alex is on the Plane?

This photo was taken on the plane ride to Paducah. As the plane flew over some clouds, the shadow of the plane was projected on them. There is no Photoshop work done here. It is just a picture taken on the iPhone from the window seat. Capt'n John says it's because Alex is on the plane, but he is biased.

Be sure to watch TQS on Facebook and Instagram as we capture the feel, the fun and the quilts at AQS Spring Paducah 2019.

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April's Birthstone Block Is The Diamond

Birthstone Blocks by MJ Kinman are stunning... and fun to make!

April's birthstone quilt block pattern and 13-piece fabric bundle is the diamond.

To Ancient Greeks, diamonds represented the tears of weeping gods. Ancient Romans believed them to be parts of the outer rings of stars that had fallen to earth.

Diamonds were mined in India at least as far back as 400 BC, and even today they are the hardest substance known to man. Each stone is unique, with a personality and character of its own.

In its rarity, beauty, and durability, the diamond symbolizes purity, love, fidelity, and strength of character.

Also Available - Complete Pattern Sets!

Each pattern set includes all 12 Birthstone Block Patterns with pre-printed and ready-to-cut and use freezer paper templates for the block pieces, life-size paper block layout keys, detailed assembly instructions, and detailed fabric requirements including recommendations (with fabric color codes) from Paintbrush Studio's Painter's Palette fabric line for every block.

We made the diamond block (April's Birthstone) and found that piecing it was very straightforward. It went together quickly, and most importantly, it was FUN to make!

We recommend an Add-A-Quarter Ruler to make this project a cinch!

To make the quilt, you cut apart the freezer paper template that is provided with the pattern and iron the pieces to the fabric before cutting around them with an additional quarter-inch seam allowance. The Add-A-Quarter makes this super easy!

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Enjoy "Andesine" by Andrea Stracke

Andrea Stracke turned a simple strip quilt into an exquisite piece of art with the help of diamond jewelry. She based the quilting for Andesine on jewelry made in the Belle Epoque era (ca. 1871-1914). Andrea marked the quilting patterns with a darning needle freehand and also used cardboard templates. The quilt takes you back to another time.

Andrea's quilt was on display in Houston 2018 as part of the Merit Quilting Hand exhibit.

"Andesine" by Andrea Stracke - Detail White

"Andesine" by Andrea Stracke - Detail Pink

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Anna Bates Shows You How to Make a Fabric Postcard

Anna has the perfect day for sewing...it's raining. So, after sharing a bit of mail (with some beautiful cards), she teaches you how to make a fabric postcard. Grab a cup of coffee, relax and join in the fun.

"You are the perfect person to make videos! The bloopers are the best. They put a smile in my day????" - KD

"Anna, I love your video's so much, you have no idea the joy and the knowledge you spread! I love your charming "Beehive", it gives me ideas as to display some of my own treasures that I have in boxes." - Prugne Tramonto

Learn more from Anna in Show 1804: Quilting Outside the Blocks and Show 2213: Amish Remix and Quilting On The Road.

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Christa Watson Tutorial: How to Build a Design Wall for Quilting

Since this was posted, a TQS member has shared some important safety information. It seems that foam board can be flammable and should be covered by drywall. There is a simple solution. Instead of foam board, use acoustic insulation sound board. Since it is pourous, it works just fine with pins. As an added bonus, it contributes to the absorption of sound transmitted from the exterior or other rooms.

Here is the alternative:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-Acoustic-Insulation-Sound-Board-BSNAT85US/207168829

When Christa moved into her new home, her top priority was getting her quilt studio up and running. One of the first things she did was build a design wall, and she took step-by-step pictures so she could share the process with you.

Click on Go to Tutorial to learn how Christa built her design wall.

Learn more from Christa here at TQS in Show 2409.

(The quilt on the wall is from Christa's Rainbow Weave quilt kit.)

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TQS Puzzle: "Bowtie" by Heidi Kaisand

Heidi learned from Darlene Zimmerman how to take things you've found and put them to good use. Heidi found these bowtie blocks (which featured her favorite Iowa State colors) and put them together in this quilt, Bowtie.

Watch Heidi in Show 2408.

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 36 Pieces Non-Rotating

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 100 Pieces Non-Rotating

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 289 Pieces Non-Rotating

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 36 Pieces Rotating

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 100 Pieces Rotating

BowtiebyHeidiKaisand - 289 Pieces Rotating