On my way to Portland...

This is a big week for me.  Bright and early tomorrow morning, I'll be on my way to Quilt Market in Portland, OR.  I've been to Quilt Market before, but this is the first time I'm having my own booth!  I'll have lots of quilts on display and patterns for quilt shop owners to take home and share with their wonderful customers.  I will also be doing a short presentation on Thursday about modern applique.

I've been busy finishing up two new patterns and working out the logistics of being a Quilt Market vendor.  Other than getting quilts and patterns ready to take, there are SO MANY things to think about:  poles and drapes, and flyers and order forms, and electricity and internet, and carpeting and lighting, and shipping everything to the other side of the country!  I belong to a fantastic online group that has really helped answer my questions and point me in the right direction.

I'll do posts on the new patterns after I get back from Market (everything in my life right now is pretty much "after I get back from Market").  I will also try to remember to put some shots of my booth and other Market stuff on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  You can click the buttons at the top of my right sidebar if you want to follow along.  Lots of others will be doing the same, so check out #quiltmarket to join the fun.

If you're going to Quilt Market too, be sure to stop by booth #2542 to say hi!

Basic Math

Is there a layer cake out there you've been eyeing but weren't sure what you'd make?  Do you need a fast quilt for somebody special this Spring?  Basic Math is the answer to all your questions!

My Basic Math quilt is featured on the Moda Bake Shop today.  All you need for the quilt top is one layer cake - that's it.  Add batting, backing and binding and you're done - no waste!

Basic Math finishes at 54" x 60" - which is a great summer throw size for those cooler evenings when you don't need to bury yourself under a quilt, but a little extra warmth is so welcome.  I'd love to try it with some flannel instead of batting to make it even lighter.

The colors and prints in Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic's Juggling Summer collection are perfect for this quilt.  I'm crazy about Brigitte's second line, Comma, too, but really you can't go wrong with any group of fabrics you love. 

Why is it called Basic Math?  Click on over and find out.

Happy Mother's Day to all my US readers who are moms!

Bias Applique class

Interested in taking my Bias Applique class?  I'll be teaching it at the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild's Quilting Unlimited event in Ann Arbor, MI on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

We will learn how to make our own bias strips and what to do with them. You'll love making fun curves and shapes for a unique quilt. It's almost like drawing with fabric. We'll make at least one block from both the mug and flower (see header above right) projects. 

You do NOT need to be a member of the Guild to participate, but there is a $20 additional charge for non-members.  (As membership is only $35 a year and gives you access to six great speakers a year, it is worth considering joining.)  The class itself is only $45, so it is still a real bargain compared to what we often pay at national quilt shows.

There are lots of other fantastic classes available too.  Everything from thread painting and finishing techniques to quilted chairs and developing your own quilting voice.  So check it all out here!  I hope to see you there :)

Fat Quarterly

I've been a fan of the folks over at Fat Quarterly for quite some time.  So when Lynne (Lily's Quilts) asked if I'd like to play with Jessica Hogarth's Velocity line, I jumped at the chance.

I've had plus quilts on the brain and I remembered seeing an image of a garden wall with plus shaped cut-outs.  I love the idea of the background fabric being the wall and the focus fabrics being the images you can "see" through the cut-outs in the wall.

Did you notice the places where it looks like I skipped the plus?  I didn't - the fabric just blends so well with the background it doesn't show up in the photo.  I briefly considered leaving that print out of the quilt, but I love the bit of randomness it adds to an otherwise predictable layout.

Velocity is about urban transportation and features lots of prints of buildings, bicycles, birds and a fun chevron and a "rice" blender print.  I'm always drawn to building prints and this one, with its sketchy style design is wonderful.  I love it in multi color, but it also comes in grey on grey and blue on blue so you know I'm crazy about those too.

I called this quilt Urban Oasis and it is included in Fat Quarterly issue #13.  This issue focuses on "modern traditional" projects and there are lots of fun interpretations included.  Have you made a plus quilt yet?

Quilts for Boston

How do we, as individuals, respond to random acts of evil and violence?  I'll be responding by a (slightly less) random act of comfort and kindness.

The Boston Modern Quilt Guild is organizing an effort to provide quilts for those who have been most affected by the events of last week.  They are asking quilters to provide them with bright, cheerful blocks measuring 12 1/2" high and any width in the Boston Marathon colors of blue, yellow, grey, and white.  Blocks should be sent to the Boston MQG by May 24 where they will be stitched together into quilts. If you aren't able to make blocks, but have materials for sashing, binding or backing, those are needed as well.  For all the details, please see the BMQG post here.

I hope you'll join me in contributing to this effort.  I know how generous quilters are and I have no doubt the Boston MQG will be able to provide many quilts for those who were affected by this senseless tragedy.

PS  If you need some ideas, check out the Flickr group.

Giveaway Winners!

Carrie and Lisa are the lucky winners of the two issues of Modern Patchwork!  Thanks so much everyone for playing along!

Thank you all for the kind words about Maynard Plaza.  I apologize for not replying to all your wonderful comments.  I'm afraid I came down with a virus this week and was out of commission for a few days.  I'm feeling back to normal now!  Luckily, I don't get sick too often, because I'm so impatient when I can't get things done :)

It sounds like so many of you have such fun plans for sewing this Spring (or Autumn, depending on where you are :)).  I hope you all get in some fun sewing today.

Modern Patchwork Giveaway!

Modern Patchwork is hot off the presses and, thanks to the lovely people at Interweave, I have two copies to give away!

This magazine surely includes a project for everyone - the main categories are quilts, kitchen and dining, gifts and accessories, home decor and bags and totes.  Most of the quilts are throw size, which is so versatile, but my favorite quilt in the magazine (aside from my own :)) is Paula Prass' "Regency Squared".  It is written for 80" x 90" but could easily be adjusted since it is block based.  It has exactly the kind of graphic punch that I love.  Of course, there are also lots of smaller projects that call to me as well - especially some of the bags.  I'm always drawn to bag patterns, even though I rarely make them. (Why not?)

There are some great articles in here too - I especially enjoyed the article about the NYC Modern Quilt Guild quilting in public to raise awareness that quilting is an exciting contemporary activity.  I'll be looking into whether my local MQG would like to do this too - it sounds like so much fun!

Here is a full shot of my quilt, Maynard Plaza.  It is my favorite throw size, about 50" x 70", and was inspired by a building near where my daughter used to go to dance class.  I spent lots of time over the years staring up at it while waiting for her to finish class :)

To enter, leave me a comment telling me what kind of project you are most looking forward to making this Spring.  If you don't follow me on any of my social media places, I'd love it if you'd sign up, but it is not a requirement for the giveaway.  BUT, no-reply-bloggers and WordPress users especially - don't forget to include an email address in your comment.   You can't win if I can't reach you!  The giveaway will remain open through the end of the day on Saturday, April 20.  Good luck!