Blogathon Canada Day!

Posted in Finished Quilts, Quilt-A-Longs by StaceyinStitches

Welcome Everyone from the Blogathon Canada Blog Hop!!

My name is Stacey, and I live in Beautiful British Columbia, Canada. I have been blogging here for just over a year now. I love to quilt, and Paper piecing stars and compasses are my favorite. I am a founding member of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, and I love it! I am a self-described Hybrid Quilter, not fully traditional, not fully modern, but fully a quilter! I love to write patterns, and I work as an X-Ray Technologist to support my quilting addiction.

I hope you enjoy your visit.

I am so excited to share my newest quilt with everyone- Sherbert At The Beach!

Sherbert at the Beach

Sherbert at the Beach is my Michael Miller Cotton Couture Challenge quilt. I gets its name from a memory of the summer, when I took my little guy to the beach on a hot day. We had ice cream and it dripped all over the sand, too fast for us to catch it. It was a great day that I will always remember. When the challenge was announced at the August guild meeting the bright, citrus palette immediately brought the idea of bright fruity sherbert to mind and the memory of that day. Having only worked with Kona solids at that point, the Michael Miller Cotton Couture was a pleasant change for me. I like the texture and the weight of the fabric. It is almost a voile weight. Very light, easy to sew. I chose a Free Spirit Designer Solid in Sandstone as by background color to keep the colors popping without looking like a neon sign. I also used it for the backing and binding, and threw my extra blocks onto the back. WHAT?! A Pieced back you say! That’s right, I finally did it!

The quilt consists of 16 Disappearing Nine Patch blocks. Those were a lot of fun to make once I got over the fact that I was technically making each block twice. I chose random color placements and some I even cut off-center for some variety. Overall it worked out great and this quilt is probably the most truly modern thing I have ever made.

Quilting Detail

I chose an overall meandering square design for the quilting. I saw the design used by Melissa Corry of Happy Quilting some weeks ago, and I immediately thought if it when I was preparing to quilt. I free motion quilted mine however, and getting those points perfect takes some practice! Not all the lines are perfectly straight, which I think gives it a great organic feel. I used a YLI Coated Cotton Quilting thread in Rose for the top and Mettler Metrosene for the bobbin. The balance between the two threads was amazing and you cannot see the colored thread on the back.

YLI Coated Cotton Thread in Rose

I was very impressed with the thread. I was afraid that the weight combined with the coating would not go over well, but it is specially made for machine quilting, which definitely shows when you are quilting. I highly recommend trying some out!

Quilting Detail

Thank you everyone for for coming over for a visit! There will be lots of exciting things happening here at Stacey in Stitches over the next few months, so feel free to follow along!

As promised, here is the free pattern I promised you all! Some of you may recall the Quilted Clock I made for my FLiRTS swap partner. There was enough interest to turn that clock into a pattern. Enjoy!

Quilted CLock Pattern

Quilt CLock Templates

Happy Stitching,

Stacey

10Nov2013

Blogathon Canada is Coming!

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

I am pleased to announce that Blogathon Canada 2013 is coming! Next weeks kicks off a celebration of Canadian Bloggers, hosted by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop. Whats even better is that my friend and president of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, Holly, will be the a host blogger for BC! Woot Woot!

On November 18th, head on over to Holly’s Red Bike for all the Blogathon Awesomeness! There are links to all the local BC bloggers (yours truly included), there will be giveaways and prizes, and if you haven’t seen Holly’s Rainbow Girl Quilt, you are missing out!!

I will be sharing a new quilt and a surprise pattern for a past project. Can you guess what it is?? Hint: tick…..

I look forward to seeing you all here on November 18th!

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

Teaser

Its fun working on a quilt that is not mine. One of my fellow VMQG members made a knitted wrap shawl for me in exchange for quilting her sampler quilt. At first I was hesitant. I always had a hard time quilting my own things, how on earth was I going to be able to do it for someone else? I managed to procrastinate for about 3 weeks, but finally I pulled out the quilt and had a grand ol’ time quilting it. Nancy hasn’t seen it yet, so I will wait to post the finished pictures of her quilt. I think I am going to make her wait until show and tell at the next meeting to see it. 😉

I think I might need to think about a long arm……

Stacey

14Oct2013

Swappin’ Fun

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week marks the send date for my FLiRTs Swap on Flickr.

This go round I really wanted to make something fab, and I was hoping to get a bag that I have been eyeballing FOREVER.

I made a Quilted Clock for my partner.I am happy with how it turned out, and thankfully my parter commented about it so I know she is going to love it!

The Quilted Clock

I designed the pattern in my EQ7 and pulled some great fabrics out of my stash. The clockwork I picked up from the local craft shop. Getting the clock hands to fit and still turn without brushing against the fabric was a bit of a challenge. I ended up building the back up layer by layer until it was the right thickness, then enclosing it in a little pouch made from the backing scraps, and hand sewing it to the back of the clock. I am thinking about posting a tutorial or the pattern if there is enough interest.

I received my item in the mail just before the long weekend. I was so super stoked and happy I giggled like a maniac and my good old hubster though I had lost my mind.

My Partner made me this Gorgeous, Wonderful, SUPER AWESOME 241 BAG!

Rainbow 241 Bag

I love this bag!!

It has some of my favorite collections in it- Flea Market Fancy, Madrona Road….

I love that she used the cream text print from Madrona Road for the sides.

love Love LOVE!!!!

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

10Oct2013

Sewing With Sew Sisters-A New Tutorial!

Posted in Tutorials and Patterns by StaceyinStitches

Today is the Day!!

I was asked by Sew Sisters to come up with a tutorial for their Kona Club Challenge. Sew Sisters is an Online/Brick and Mortar Quilt Shop located in Toronto, Canada. They have an amazing selection of quilting cottons, solids, notions and patterns, and the shipping is some of the most reasonable around, especially if you live here in the Great White North.

The Kona Club is one of the best monthly clubs online too! They send you 4 different Kona Colors in Fat Quarters or Half Yards every month. Each month they post a different inspiration photo and use it to choose the colors. It is a fabulous way to build your solids stash and see colors you may not normally use in a coordinated bundle. I am a member of the Kona Club, and my solids stash is getting pretty respectable. I used most of them in my Modern Mystery Quilt. Let the inspiration strike!

I set to work with the December 2012 palette of Burgundy, Wine, Evergreen and Amber. The Candy Dish was the brainchild of a stack of fat quarters sitting on the kitchen table, a bag of hard candies, and random comment of “let the candy season commence.”

LIGHTBULB!

Candy Dishes!

Hop on over here to see how you too can make a lovely customized set of Candy Dishes (or Bowls, or Buckets) for yourself!

Happy Stitching!!

Stacey

9Oct2013

Something Fun This Way Comes…

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

Tomorrow is the big day for my friend. She is getting married in Mexico! Since I wasn’t able to attend, but still wanted to contribute to her wonderful day, I offered to make her daughters Flower Girl Dress.

One week and 10 yards of ocean blue tulle later, we had a dress! After tweaking a teeny bit it fit her like a glove. The pattern was easy to follow, the hardest part was gathering the yards and yards of tulle into the 3 layers of ruffled goodness under that skirt. I had to shorten it by almost 10 inches though. Seriously, what 3 year old is 4-ft tall? But I digress =) Miss M was SO HAPPY with her “princess dress” that we had a hard time keeping her out of it until the wedding. I can’t wait to post some professional shots of her in it on the beach, but for now you can enjoy the finished product!

You will want to stay tuned this Friday…….something fun is a-comin’!

I want to be a princess too!

Super Sneak-peek! Can you guess whats coming?

Miles of ruffles!

Pretty Bow!

6Oct2013

Looks What’s Back!

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

My Hoffman quilts from 2012 is finally home! Yay!! I have been itching to take better photos of this one and bring it in to a guild meeting. I haven’t had much to show lately, so I can’t wait.

My Secret Garden 2013

This quilt was a mini tribute to one of my favorite quilts from my favorite quilting duo- Greensleeves by Claudia C Myers and Marilyn Badger. They are the super stars behind Super Star and Sparkle Plenty as well.

I quilted it in invisible thread because I was trying out some free-motion stipples and feathering for the first time. It was the most heavily quilted thing I had done in a very long time at the time, and it snowballed into some of the quilting you see on my new pieces.

I am so happy My Secret Garden is home and hanging in my hallway.

Lots of exciting things coming in the next few months! In the meantime, check out the Hoffman Challenge 2014 Fabric. I am stumped. Any suggestions?

Happy Stitching,

Stacey

14Sep2013

August Recap

Posted in Finished Quilts, Quilt-A-Longs, Tutorials and Patterns by StaceyinStitches

Well, it is well into September now, I guess its time to finish up with August =)

The last couple weeks have been busy around here, but not much sewing getting done. I have a few nifty things in the works that I cant wait to share with you, but you will have to be patient!

Monday night is the monthly Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I am excited for this one, it is in our new venue at teh Trout Lake Community Center. For those of you who have been to or live around Vancouver, BC, its a lovely spot in East Vancouver with parks, playgrounds, and a big bright new center. This month we are having a brown bag tote swap. Members who want to participate make a tote bag, put it in a brown paper bag, and put it on the table. Then you randomly chose a bag. No partners, no worries, just make a bag and go!

I decided to use the Renegade Tote Bag Tutorial from Renegade Seamstress. I loved how simple it was to put together, but with the right fabric it really wows! Since we were on vacation, I took the opportunity to purchase some new fabrics from the local quilt shops, and I found this beautiful Amy Butler print that screamed “MAKE ME INTO A BAG!” So of course I had to. When fabric screams, you listen! Its the Gothic Rose print from her Belle Collection in Burgundy.

Belle Gothic Rose in Burgundy

It paired well with a chocolate canvas and webbing. I still opted for stabilizer even though I was using the canvas, and I am happy with the results. The bag holds itself together well.

Belle Bag

At this point in our vacation my camera was almost dead, but I did get some lovely pictures on the patio at my parents house. I love this bag so much that I am making a second one. I have just enough fabric left over. The pattern is quite generous.

Belle Bag

The lining is a bright pink blender that I pulled off a sale rack. I think it is Disco Dots but I cannot remember for sure.

I also FINALLY finished my best friends wedding present. She got married in February and to my regret I was unable to attend. Her photos were amazing and the venue was breathtaking, and so inspiring, that I made her a photo album wall hanging.

Photo Album Wallhanging

I Love all her photographs. the contrast beween the whites and the blues and greys, I loved every minute of making this quilt.

I also managed to finish up some more City Sampler blocks. They haven’t seen the hot side of an iron yet, but they are done! You can find them in the Tula PInk City Sampler QAL Album.

Keep your eyes peeled in mid-October for a little something fun!

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

20Aug2013

The Wedding Quilt

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

A coworker of mine has been gearing up for her best friends wedding all year. She has been all over the place planning parties, a stagette, showers, and helping with the details of the big day. They have been friends since high school, and she wanted to do something really special as a wedding present. She asked me come up with a quilt that would capture her friends crazy and quirky nature, while still complimenting her wedding colors.

I suggested a free-pieced low volume log cabin block inspired by a WIP posted by Anna at Play-Crafts. She took one look and loved it, so we went out and picked up a stack of low Volume fabrics. Some Batiks, a lot of Comma, and some random pieces, with some colorful pops and a gorgeous Disco Dots backing in teal, and we had a quilt!

The Wedding Quilt for KT

The blocks are 12″ finished. I cut a ton of random strips from the low volume fabrics, and built them up log cabin style randomly around the center piece. KT sent me her favorite pictures from the last year, and I used Iron on photo transfer paper to attach them to the blocks. Next time I may print right onto the fabric, as the transfers have a very bad habit of melting near heat, and they did not want to secure properly.

Lovely engagement photo!

I quilted the entire thing in straight lines in a windmill pattern, so the lines are all in different directions, skipping around the photos. The blocks were sewn together randomly so there is technically no up or down to the quilt. This way no matter how the quilt is laying she can see the pictures.

The quilting

I double stitched the binding. I like the look of 2″ binding, it turns over snugly and has a low profile around the edges. The black really sets off the quilt. I have a really easy technique for finishing the binding, I am working on a tutorial.

Binding

I had so much fun making this quilt. All free pieced, no borders, no rules! A very freeing experience, and I think is one quilt option that will make another appearance in the near future!

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

9Aug2013

A WIP update

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

The last couple weeks have been filled with some WIP’s that I have finally complete. The Hoffman Challenge Quilt being the most notable, because I actually wrote about it! I also had a couple commissions and a personal quilt going as well at that time. One is at the quilting stage, and the other two are Finished. Phew!

First up is the First Years Memory Quilt

This was a very fun project to take on. I was contacted through a mom group on Facebook, she was looking for someone to make a quilt using her daughters clothes from her first year. The theme was sweet and simple, and I love how the quilt turned out. It finished at 45×60, the perfect size for a toddler bed.

Applique from a skirt lining

The finished quilt.

The clothes were adorable. Its always hard cutting into someones cherished pieces of clothing, but it gets easier when I think about it as transforming instead of destroying. =) Now the pieces will live on a a quilt, and each time she looks at it she will remember a part of her daughters first year. I try to preserve a memorable part of each outfit, whether it is a bit of applique, some silkscreening, or a tulle skirt with a bow. My favorite block in the quilt is in the center of the 3rd row up. It was a princess dress with a bow and tulle overskirt, and a satin lining. I used the satin lining for the name on the bottom, and then gathered the overskirt into the 6″ block.

I also finally hung the mini wall hanging I made a couple months ago. It was supposed to be for a swap but my machine tension was all goobered. Once I got the tension issues fixed I took it to the Free Motion Quilting Class that the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild put on. It was a great class, and not just because I got to go sew on a Sunday afternoon! It was super informative, and I managed to get the tension issues ironed out.

Compass Star Mini Quilt

The finished size is 24″x24″. I used some of my coveted Kaufman Fusions stash for the green spikes between the Star points, and some leftover ivory text print from the Canadian Cottage line by Robyn Pandolph. The entire color scheme was insired by a pink/green batik in my stash. I used it for the outside corners.

Quilting detail-spikes

Quilting detail-star

I designed the quilting pattern myself. I have been practising my feathers, and I am very happy with how it turned out. I used a very very pale seafoam green thread for the quitling, and it worked very nicely with all the colors involved. This one is hanging in my kitchen until my mother comes to visit. Then I am sure it will be found somewhere in her house, which is fine by me =)

Happy Stitching!

Stacey