Market Shares!

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

No, not the stock market… *wink*

I am sure everyone and their ironing boards know that this weekend was Quilt Market. That bi-annual whirlwind trade show of quilts, patterns, and upcoming fabric lines. Instagram was full of pictures from designers, exhibitors and visitors alike, sharing the visual extravaganza that was Fall Quilt market. If you haven’t yet, check out #quiltmarket on any of your hashtag compatible programs to gasp in pleasure and delight at everything market had to offer this year. Oh yes, did I mention I have Instagram now? You can find me @staceyinstitches

From Succulents (@crimsontate and Windham Fabrics) to Elizabeth (@tulapink and Freespirit Fabrics) to Color Theory (@vchristenson and Moda Fabrics), the next 6 months of new fabrics is going to be AWESOME.

Like most of us, I was sitting at home during all the excitement, but Kim @iadorepattern, my good friend and the lovely designer behind Tidal Lace, was in attendance. She took the time to go booth hunting on my behalf. Because even though I wasn’t there in person, I was still represented by my work!

First up is the Rose Medallion Wallhanging

Rose Medallion for Lulu Roses Collection By Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit

This beauty was made for Tanya Whelans upcoming collection, Lulu Roses. Because I live in a house full of boys I rarely make things that are pink and soft and pretty. I love this collection. That perfect mix of soft and feminine and modern. That raspberry red color is to dye for! What scraps I have left have already been claimed for a little girls dress. I would make myself a dress from the white and red rose print. Something retro with a flair skirt and sweetheart neckline, and a contrast waistband in the red. Tanya has a wrap skirt tutorial on her blog that I might have to make in my size!

Next was a pillow for Heather Baileys new line, Clementine, also from Freespirit Fabrics. There are a few snaps of this display on Instagram because of how pretty it was and its proximity to the FreeSpirit Selfie Board.

Garden Grows Pillow for Heather Baileys Clementine collection from FreeSpirit Fabrics

This line has a good mix of soft and bold colors, gorgeous prints and rich blenders. The green background is one of my favorite prints, and even more so when kiddo decided to “help mommy sew the broccoli fabric”. Apparently if you are 2 any green fabric with a flower is broccoli. I am very excited for the release of Heathers Owl Pincushion pattern in December. I love owls so much! My scraps are being carefully tucked away (ie: hoarded like a dragon) so I can make myself an owl or two….or five….

The last item is a quilt I made for Tula Pinks baby line, Bumble. I don’t have a photo of this one (that I can Share yet) but if you follow @freespirit or @tulapink or either hashtag there is a picture of the Bumble display, and my little baby Bumble quilt nicely folded and waiting for its big reveal (hint: the pattern will be free!)

There was so much going, I had a great time following along on IG, and finding/meeting new people to follow along with!

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!

Paris Fashion House: Free Pattern

It’s finally up!

A while ago I designed a quilt for a new Timeless Treasures line: Tres Jolie. This French inspired line is full of soft colours and rich prints. Even better, the prints are sewing related! The antique machines and sewing scissors were begging to be showcased.

I chose a block called French Silk Pie as my feature block, and put my favorite prints in the center. Then I played with the layout until I hit one that I liked. The borders are my favorite part, they set off the inside perfectly!

I sent off my idea, and Timeless Treasures chose it as the free pattern for the line!

Head on over here to get your copy. I can’t wait to see what people make!

Happy Stitching!

20Oct2014

CQA Time For Colour Gallery

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

The gallery of the Time for Colour challenge quilts is up on the Canadian Quilters Association blog. There are some amazingly beautiful mini quilts from a whole lot of talented quilters. British Columbia made a food showing, and I am happy to say that the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild had three members participate.

You can see all the quilts by following the link below. I am a little disappointed that my quilt looks so dull. Its definitely bright and cheery in person. Each of the quilts will be sold with the proceeds going to the Children’s Wish Foundation. you can also get postcards of your favorites =)

http://www.cqacanadianquilting.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page.html?m=1

14Oct2014

Book Review: The Modern Applique Workbook

Posted in Reviews by StaceyinStitches

The next in a series of book reviews! yay!

I ran out and bought myself a copy of The Modern Applique Workbook by Jenifer Dick as soon as I heard it was available. I tend to stalk the publishing websites for things I might be interested in, and this one was at the top of my list. I am the type of person who prefers hard copy books to digital (hurrah for full color pictures!) and I have to say that this is one of my favorites.

The Modern Applique Workbook

As most you know, I have been having a love affair with applique. My first quilts were applique, and it is a skill I am always pulling out in the course of my quilt making. I always seem to find myself using raw edge techniques, which are fine, but I have always wanted to brush up on my turned applique. There are some projects that a good crisp turned block would be much better than raw edge. Even the stitch and flip interfacing technique just doesn’t have the same look. Jenifer explains step by step her techniques for perfecting the turned edge applique and securing the pieces with the invisible zig zag method. A big reason I was drawn to the book was Jenifers introduction. Her journey into modern applique is very relatable, we have all had one of those ah-ha moments when a technique just works and becomes more than you ever thought it would.

So what is modern applique? Jenifer lays it all out for you in an easy to understand, straightforward manner. From tools to fabric selections (she includes batiks! AWESOME!), Jenifer is able to create a modern aesthetic while maintaining a balance with the traditional roots of the technique. Her instructions are easy to follow and the diagrams and pictures are clean and concise. She even includes a well rounded section about fabric prep-whether you pre wash or not, it has useful tips and tricks for fabric prep. The first 60 pages are so are all instructional and specific to the technique, which is fantastic because as far as I can tell it covers everything you could possibly need to know about Modern Applique.

The technique itself isn’t anything new, applique has been around for a very long time, but the process is broken down in an easy to follow, detailed step-by-step way that makes this book beginner friendly. I have other books outlining a similar process, but it seemed so daunting I never even tried. Jenifer’s writing style practically drags you by the arm and shoves you into a chair with the supplies, and holds your hand through each step, after which you look and say “Oh my gosh WHY did I not try this before?!” she comes across as upbeat and friendly, very easy to read! from sharp points to concave curves and ovals, you get everything you need to make the quilts in the book, including a well rounded and easy to understand section on reverse applique. Her bias tape and straight grain tape techniques are to die for as well. This is one I am adopting into my repertoire of techniques immediately!

OKay, onto the projects!

The Modern Applique Workbook includes a variety of projects in different sizes for you to try out your newly learned skills. Each project has a forward that includes tips on fabric choices and a list of the techniques used, as well as the page references for each, making going back to look stuff up super easy. The photography is wonderful, you get a full shot and a detail shot of each quilt, as well as specific quilting and binding tips and instructions for each quilt. That has to be one of my favorite details in the book, that each quilt is explained individually from start to finish, instead of the cookie cutter “Basic quilt making and finishing” chapters in most books. Don’t get me wrong, they are useful and probably industry standard, but the individualized attention to each quilt really makes THe Modern Applique Workbook stand out.

The written instructions are detailed, yet flexible, which I like but others may find daunting, because there are no traditional layout diagrams. Any piecing is illustrated, but the applique itself is visually placed. That is the nature of applique, you are usually going off a photo, but because the pieces nest together so well you don’t have to worry about lining up overlaps exactly or ruining your project. It definitely add a planned improv feel to your projects, but almost guarantees that no two projects will look the same.

My favorite quilt is the cover quilt, Star Bright. Such a fun retro shape with a ton of flexibility in fabric choice and layout! I can think of a few fabric pulls for this quilt, the hardest part will be narrowing it down.

The Modern Applique Workbook

I am also really drawn to Mod. Again, a fun retro vibe without feeling like your wading through the shag carpet in your grandparents living room. The quilting in each is spectacular, both done by Angela Walters.

Mod

Fall is adorable and its a good thing everyone I know is having babies. FYI, you all get this quilt!

Fall

For beginners, Birds is a easy one to start with. Cute and fun, would also make a great gift!

Birds

Overall I would recommend The Modern Applique Workbook to anyone. Beginners will love the step by step, detailed instructions, and experienced quilters will love making the more complex shapes and adopting Jenifers techniques for applique.

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!

Stacey