Quilt Week in Grand Rapids

This past week was AQS Quilt Week in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

It's the 5th year the show has been here; and the 5th year I have attended. 

I stayed at the Marriot Hotel with my friend, Sally, who I have known since 9th grade. We keep in touch during the year via texts and card and letters, and try to visit each other every few years. This year we got together for the quilt show! I was surprised that the special rate for those attending the show was so reasonable. This worked well for both of us since we could walk from the DeVos Conference Center thru the skywalks and get to the hotel to rest or drop off class supplies! This freed our hands to take photos of the quilts and shop.

I cut back on the number of classes I took this year. It was the first big outing since my foot surgery and I didn't want to over-do. My foot did well with the walking and the classes. The 3 classes I took were: 

Designing Outside the Lines: Unlock Your Unique Creative Potential with Barbara Olson

Barbara had an hour-long lecture and talked about how she began designing her quilts and some of the methods she uses. I enjoyed learning about another quilter's background. You can see her gallery HERE.

Rock the Block, Album Style with Joe Cunningham

You can see Joe Cunningham's workshop quilt HERE. This was a full-day class and we were busy. 

While we worked, Joe played his guitar and sang some few songs. He was a very good teacher. The concept of the class is to use 4 different fabrics, sew strips, cut, sew again, cut and arrange to our liking.

This is how my blocks were arranged at the workshop. I need to rearrange, make a few more blocks and take photos of arrangements to see what pleases me. I plan on making a table topper with the blocks. 

They Aren't Weeds! Intro to Thread Sketching with Trisha Stuart

This class was awesome! Trisha presented the technique in such a way that everyone in the class was able to thread sketch a great piece. I never thought this could be so easy! 
This is what I had sketched in the 3-hour class.

The mauve and yellow flowers are wool.

After this Saturday class ended, I went to the vendor area to purchase some Fabrico Markers that Trisha recommended for adding coloring to our sketches. TSC Designs was the vendor. I watched a demonstration of how to marble with shaving cream. Joyce explained a few techniques that could be used with our thread sketchings using inks. When I got home I used the green marker to try coloring the leaves. 

HERE is the link to Trisha's website.

I'll have another post, soon, showing some of quilts from a special display from Taiwan.

REMEMBER THE ROW ALONG 

Starting September 4, 2018

See all the details at Seams To Be Sew.

Pumpkin Patch Quilt

I spent Monday quilting with my 3 friends. We had fun, taking breaks every now and then to floow the eclipse with a pinhole in a piece of paper (should have watched the NASA channel). We were finally able to see it when Gloria went home and brought her husband's welding mask. By that time it was ending. (The news reported the welder mask isn't safe, but we used my dad's when we were kids and I didn't look but a moment.)

Back to quilting! I saw a banner online with a patchwork pumpkin and the word FALL below it. I thought I would make a few of those for my daughters. The night before I bagged up my scraps of orange fabrics, a large piece of green, one of dark brown and a background of grey with dots for the background.

The first one was so much fun to sew that I continued making more.

I am still working on them today and my pumpkin patch is growing. I will stop when I have no more background fabric left or when my box of orange scraps is depleted. I am not sure of the arrangement yet, maybe a small lap quilt (sorry girls).The largest block on the bottom right is 18" tall and 16" wide.

I have other projects to work on for upcoming events, but I think I needed this project to just relax me. Have you ever put a project aside so you could do some other one? Are you working on a fall themed quilt project?

Have fun creating.

Here are the links to last week's AQS class posts I wrote:

Bobbin Work with Phyllis Cullen HERE
Applique with Susan Cleveland HERE

Sheila Frampton-Cooper HERE

AQS Quilt Week Classes

Hello. If you read my blog the other day, you saw the posting about my class with Phyllis Cullen on Machine Bobbin Work while I attended the AQS Quilt Week event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can read it HERE.

Today I will tell you about the great class I took from Susan Cleveland. I have been wanting to take a class from her for a few years now and was elated that she was scheduled to teach.

Her class was titled BODACIOUS BIG THREAD APPLIQUE, QUILTING, AND MORE!

We could pick one of the two patterns she had available for us--Daisy or Joy.

I chose JOY. 

Susan recommended using Decor Bond (#809) by Pellon for these projects that become small hangings. She had drawn the image for us, in reverse, on the non-shiny side of the Decor Bond to save us some time (which was very nice of her). The Decor Bond is used in a manner similar to fusibles, but only one side has fusible.

We used a blanket stitch with decorative threads. I used a Wonderfil 12 wt. rayon thread that I got last year. Susan uses Razzle threads by Wonderfil. I bought a pack of them at the show after seeing how great they looked. Razzle comes in such a variety of colors!

I got the heart sewn down as the class was coming to an end. (I really wanted to continue sewing but they close and lock the room for lunch.) Susan said we should finish what we were doing because at home our machines might not get the same look of this blanket stitch. Using our own machines on all the other pieces would look planned. So I stopped with the heart and will take the thread ends to the back at home.

(The J and Y are showing the Decor Bond on the reverse of the letters.)

I look forward to finishing very soon. This is an easily do-able piece and I look forward to making some of her other patterns. Have nay of you made one of Susan's patterns? I want to try her piping on a small quilt, it looks fun and I hope easy. 

Classes at the Quilt Show

This past week I was fortunate to have attended the American Quilters Society "Quilt Week" in Grand Rapids, MI. Since 2013, AQS has brought this show to DeVos Center which is about 45 miles from my home. The show will be here in 2018, but I don't know if that will be the last year or not.

I have saved funds through the year so I could take classes. I was not disappointed in my choice of instructors! I have taken classes in the past and have added some new skill or technique to my repertoire.

Wow! What a wealth of quilting knowledge to be had. When I take a class I do not go with expectations of learning everything these quilters can do. But if I go away with one new idea, or accomplishment that I can try at home, I am very happy. I am extremely pleased if I take away more than one thing. And I never expect to complete a project in the class, there is just not enough time!

This year I attended these half day classes:

Machine Lace and Bobbin Work with Phyllis Cullen

Bodacious Big Thread Applique with Susan Cleveland

Introduction to Paints, Inks, and Foil with Kathy McNeil

Fearless Feather Fun with Linda Thielfoldt

and

Improv Blocks with Sheila Frampton Cooper

PHYLLIS CULLEN'S CLASS
We used heavy, decorative threads or yarns in the bobbin. These are the threads and crochet yarns I brought.

The sewing machine dealer set the bobbin tensions for us. Phyllis suggested some ways to adjust our bobbin tensions at home--the one I would choose is to get another bobbin just for adjusting and leave my regular bobbin as it is for sewing. We used the bobbin winder spool, but held the threads with our hand and wound slowly!

We worked from the back side of the piece, layering the fabric, right side down on the table, then a layer of batting, and on top of those layers, a piece of embroidery stabilizer (with the drawing reversed on it).

An embroidery hoop held it all taut and we moved it as we sewed. This is what I got done in the class-- part of the body and the wings shown below.

Phyllis did say that the top thread color should match the heavier threads in the bobbin so they blend. It is sometimes impossible to get the top thread to pull tight enough to bury itself in the heavier threads. You can see that on my wings where the white thread shows over the black yarn.

As this week progresses, I will post more about the classes I took during the week. Tell us if you have taken classes while attending a show, such as the AQS and what you took away from it.

Happy Quilting!

Quilt Week Classes

The 4 days I spent at AQS Quilt Week in Grand Rapids were great. 

I pre-registered in May for classes each day. 

I wanted to take advantage of having such a wealth of quilt teachers in one place at one time.

I enjoyed each class, learning something new from every instructor. 

I was able to take time between classes and from 4-6PM 

to view the quilts on display and see what types of things the vendors had to sell (another post, another day).

I didn't think there were as many quilt entries as in the first few years. 

After reading a few articles lately about the changes occurring in the quilting industry I wondered if this was reflective of that change.

Each day began with an 8:30 AM class which ended at 11:30AM. 

I left Nancy Clark McNally's class, Compass Fire Star, 

having sewn up one of the 9 blocks for the quilt using Island Batik fabrics.

I find that it is not unusual to finish only one block when in an instructional class like these. 

Nancy has developed templates that made the construction of the block very simple. 

I look forward to making the rest of the blocks very soon. 

After lunch and a quick trip to the vendors, 

my next class was Triangles and Strip Piecing with Linda J. Hahn.

We used Triangles on a Roll paper to make HST (half square triangles)

to use with 4 patches we made with ruler and strips. 

I have used various methods including other papers to make HST. 

These papers worked well. I would say it is just individual preference as to method.

What I did learn was how to look at quilt blocks, patterns or designs 

and break them down into units. 

Most can be triangles and squares, sometimes rectangles are included. 

I have learned to do this over the years, but it was good to have 

the perspective of another quilter to remind me. 

The next day I began with a painting class by Esterita Austin. 

We learned her technique of painting on silicon parchment paper, 

fusing with Misty Fuse to organza and discussing the many ways to 

incorporate this into our quilting as well as other art. 

I was happy with my first project attempt of this Luminous Painted Illusions technique.

My afternoon class was Whimsical Applique with Nancy Clark McNally.

Nancy and I found we both save fabric scraps for making quilts. 

After sewing scrap strips together and adding fusing on the back, 

we used the many Accuquilt dies she brought. 

We could cut anything for any projects. 

I cut these letters for a banner in the mudroom.

I think a decorative stitch in dark blue thread 

on the edges of the letters will show them off. 

The following day I again joined Esterita Austin for another class using her painting technique. 

A few of us were in the previous class and she said 

we were going to do something a bit different from the rest of the class. 

Taking a photo of a flower, we traced it to make a pattern.

I think my second attempt turned out very well. 

With 20 minutes left in class I whipped up this mum-like flower and was off to lunch. 

That afternoon Charlotte Angotti had us ripping fabrics and passing along pieces to create a fabric stash. Let me say we were a wild bunch of fabric rippers. (It gave me an idea for a guild meeting!)

She displayed a number of her quilts, showing us how light and dark values played the biggest part in their simple construction. She showed how some basic shapes cut with some simple templates can be used to create stunning quilts all based on placement using lights and darks.  

Quilt Week classes ended on Saturday with Kathleen Andrews 

showing us how to build cubes for an easy optical illusion. 

It definitely was easier than I imagined. 

A design wall is a must, cut triangles from 3 shades of a color and a background! 

Our HST blocks had to be precise or the cubes would not appear defined. 

The progress I made that morning was a start. (Square cube units are not sewn together.)

This was a busy week. I left refreshed and ready to start some projects-- right after I complete the quilt projects for 

the Mid-Century Modern Bee swap for August

and

with my post date August 30, 2016

and

with my post date September 27, 2016.

I will post more about the Quilt Show and some other quilting topics in the coming days. 

Please stop by again. 

AQS Quilt Week Grand Rapids

Today begins Quilt Week in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

I am attending today and look forward to seeing the display of quilts, 

seeing the winners and perhaps coming away with some new ideas for my quilts. 

But my excitement is about something I have kept under wraps for a few months now. 

Our Tall Pine Quilters Guild entered the Guild Quilt Challenge catagory 

and our 8 quilts were accepted! And mine is one of them! 

AQS allows 8 quilts to be entered by each guild that is accepted. 

Without the work of the other members of the guild, 

I would not have a quilt in the show. 

Our challenge theme was landmarks. 

The size had to be 32" x 48" with no front bindings. 

Each quilt had to have the words: "Greetings from" on the front. 

I had a photo from 2015 when I took a qult trip to New Orleans with a group of quilters.

I was standing on the corner of Canal Street, waiting for the traffic light to change 

so I could cross and go to North Broad Street. 

I enlarged the photo to the size requirement. 

Each piece of the brickwork was an applique. 

I had to sponge the darker black and brown onto the brick fabric since 

I found no fabric that looked like the brickwork in the photo. 

The words Canal Street were made using Deco Foil gold. 

My shoes were printed on fabric. 

I used trapunto and quilting techniques on them before appliquing 

them to the quilt to give them a 3D effect. 

I adjusted the photo a bit to show more detail. 

I hope I get some good photos at the show since the lighting wasn't 

good at home when I took it.

I am taking classes and will post about them. 

Back in the Loop

Yes, I have been out of the loop for days now. I am back and trying to focus on quilting.

Last week I spent 4 days at AQS Quilt Week in Grand Rapids. This was my 4th year to go. I am glad I live only 40 minutes away. I am able to stay with relatives, so it makes the drive less (and not as early getting up). 

I had a lovely time visiting the quilt exhibits and vendors on the first day. Here are a few of my favorite quilts. These were part of the AQS Ultimate Guild Challenge by Happy Heart Quilters of Louisville, KY. The guild challenged its members to design a flower seed packet of the quilter's choice. They titled it Flower Seed Packets. 

The other days I took classes. 

In Reeze Hanson's class called Curved One-Patch Machine Piecing without Pins I finally learned a method to machine sew curves - and I really did not have to use pins! I discovered that using the AccuCut for all those apple core and clamshell pieces is the way to go. I tried with the acrylic templates and rotary cutter and it was a chore and not accurate. Now to save some money for the system.

These are the apple core pieces I cut out with the acrylic templates and decided to hand sew them because they are not all exactly true to size. The fabric slipped as I cut each side. I know with hand stitching I can tweak them to make them work. I have 35 pairs sewn and 17 more pairs to go--unless I decide to cut more! 

I have been getting Reeze's email newletter for years now. She designs the most wonderful BOM each year. I have not yet made any of them, but have collected the patterns and will be starting one this winter. I wanted to meet Reeze and introduce myself because she is one of the designers involved in the EQ Seasons Row-Along with me and 18 other designers. She is a very nice and lively person.  

She had a lecture titled Inspiration is in the Air.  And what can I say but, "It was inspiring." It got me excited to devote more time to my EQ7 program (I added the EQ Stitch component 2 years ago). I will be looking everywhere for inspiration now!

I took one of her other classes, EQ7 Drawing: Appliqué Blocks and Motifs. I learned techniques and many little tricks to getting the best applique and motif blocks drawn. I actually worked on one the other night where I created the motif in EQ Stitch and was very happy with the result. Now to try it on my embroidery machine. Here is the pic of it:

I have to post a photo of the 5" x 7" mini landscape I made in Lenore Crawford's class on the last day. She calls her technique Mini Blended Fabric Collages. It is a mosic technique. The fabric is cut and repositioned just over the piece next to it. Everyone in the class had a blast...and we all went away with a project we were proud of. Now to mount it.

Do check out the information about the EQ7 Seasons Row Along by clicking the button below.

Find out about all the wonderful rows that are being created for you to download...Free! 

And the giveaways, too. 

There is a Facebook group you can join HERE. Put in a request to join.