Book Review: Stack, Shuffle, and Slide

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

Welcome back friends!

I had the opportunity to review another book for the VMQG. This time around I pulled Stack Shuffle and Slide by Karla Alexander.

Stack, Shuffle and Slide

I am not much of an improv quilter, not by a long shot. There is something about randomly sewing things with no plan that scares me. The one time I tried I ended up with a set of fairly symmetrical blocks that looked planned. Its this reason that when I started into Stack, Shuffle, and Slide, I could not put it down. I sped through the whole thing, and re-read a couple chapters, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Now, I have to be honest, I hadn’t heard of the stack the deck technique used for the projects in the book, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I got was a versatile technique combining structured techniques and modern improv cutting. The result is a quilt style suitable for any quilter and experience level.

Loosely Woven

Stack Shuffle and Slide patterns can be as structured or as improv as you want. The quilts themselves are very easy to customize. In fact, Karla includes tips for fabric selection and cutting ideas at the start of each. She also gives you her inspirations and why she chose to make each quilt.

Karla writes in a friendly manner that makes the instructions easy to understand. The patterns are well written and straightforward, with plenty of diagrams and illustrations to highlight key points in the techniques.

Reflections

Her quilts are the perfect combinations of styles, so I am sure anyone could find at least 3 quilts in the book that they like (Go ahead, get the book and prove me wrong!) There are 15 quilts to choose from in a wide variety of sizes, and almost all of them can be increased in size by cutting some extra blocks.

Simple Simon

The projects for the most part are simple, there are a few that are more complex, but the instructions and diagrams are well written, so as long as you aren’t rushing through you will be fine no matter what your skill level. The simple patterns are perfect for quick gifts or a day retreat.

Paint Chips

Most of the quilts use smaller cuts of fabric so its really easy to pull from your stash. Prints, solids, it doesn’t matter, as long as you keep to the suggested values you will keep the essence of the quilt design.

Dot Dash Click

My favorite quilt is a toss up between Dot Dash Click and Simple Simon. Both have an eye pleasing aesthetic to them and I can’t wait to start pulling fabrics to see where it takes me.

Hang Ups

Overall I would recommend Stack, Shuffle and Slide to pretty well everyone, but especially those quilters who enjoy the improv process or have always wanted to try but get stuck, like me! I think the stack the deck technique is simple enough for anyone to learn and use, and the number of patterns included means there is something for everyone. The book is easy to read and understand, the patterns are clear and well written, and her designs suggestions make it easy to tailor the quilt to suit your own personal tastes. An A+ in all categories!

Windmill Way

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

4Apr2014

Book Review: Becoming a Confident Quilter

Posted in Reviews by StaceyinStitches

I was recently given the opportunity to read and review a copy of Becoming A Confident Quilter by Elizabeth Dackson, who you may (or should) know as the blogger behind Don’t Call Me Betsy. I love quilt books, and have amassed quite a collection. There are some I like, some I LOVE, and others that just don’t get there.

Becoming a Confident Quilter by Elizabeth Dackson

Becoming a Confident Quilter is definitely in my Like shelf, and only because my Love shelf needs a bit of rearranging before I can move it on up there!

I really, genuinely enjoyed Elizabeth’s writing. I thought it was well thought out, greatly informative without overloading, and the quilt projects are fun and increase in steady increments from super simple to more complex in an easy transition. You can definitely tell that Elizabeth comes from an instruction background (she used to teach doctors how to use technology, not as easy as you might think it would be!). This book is perfect for the immediate beginner- if you have never sewn a quilt in your life, Elizabeth will get you going!

Monterey Square

So lets review:

Elizabeth’s personality comes out in her writing, making you feel like you are sitting in a classroom listening to her speak. The instructions are clear and concise, easy to understand and follow along. The lessons are well thought out and in a logical order for someone to learn the basics.

Deconstructed Beads

The section on stash building is a refreshing change to the standard color wheel basics. She goes over how to choose fabrics, how to build a functional stash to pull from, and goes over the more common pre-cuts and how to utilize them. Elizabeth also covers the basic quilting tools you need to get started, plus some fun extras to make your sewing life a breeze.

X Marks The Spot

The project diagrams are clear and colorful, and easy to follow. Each project has a story behind it and how it relates to the lessons, and where it fall in your repertoire of skills. The construction diagrams are easy to read as well.

Polaris

The sections on finishing your quilt is very informative and well laid out. Elizabeth covers various options for backing, basting, quilting and binding, and presents the information in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. There is also a glossary of the most commonly used terms, advice on how to read a quilt pattern, and a resources for support and information for a new quilter.

Precious Stones

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to get started on a couple of the quilts. I would recommend it to any quilter, whether just starting their quilting journey or those who are well on their way!

Happy Stitching!

Stacey

23Jan2014

The Very Finished Caterpillar

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Today was a perfect day.

I spent the morning taking a lesson from Joan at Maple Leaf Quilters on her long arm!! WOOOOOO! It was so much fun! I love quilting on the long arm! (can’t you tell I am happy?)I had always wanted to take a lesson from her, and finally found a day to do it. It was very different from free motion quilting. You use your whole body. Its like a dance, the Gammill Two-Step. So of course we had to blast some 90’s pop hits to rock out to. =)

Quilting!

I brought my son’s Hungry Caterpillar quilt with me to finish. It was going to be his 1st birthday present, but now it can be his 2nd birthday present. Strike one off the WIP list! I chose a simple large stipple called Inkblot and some rainbow variegated thread. It looks great, and the rainbow thread is both colorful and hidden at the same time.

Maple Leaf Quilters is located in beautiful Tsawwassen, BC. Yes its spelled correctly =) Its 1 block from the waterfront and a lovely, light filled space perfect for quilting. If your going to be in the lower mainland for a time or don’t mind sending your quilts out, I highly recommend them! I will be using them for all my large quilts from now on. I love the look of a long armed quilt, and it is very hard to achieve the kind of tension on the layers you can get from the long arm set up. My space is also limited behind my machine, which makes quilting larger quilts….. challenging, as a nice word.

When I got home the little guy was so excited about his quilt that he couldn’t wait for mommy to bind it, out of the bag and on to the floor for a game of “Night Night Baby” Normally he tucks his Pooh-Bear under all the blankets and cushions in the house, but this time it was all about him! He was not happy when I took the quilt to square and bind, and insisted on “helping” me sew the binding on. Read: press the Automatic Thread Cutter every 8″ or so. But I don’t mind, because he is warm and snuggly, and very much a little boy who doesn’t want to be snuggly, so I take what I can get!

Night Night Baby

The afternoon was spent at the park with the family for an afternoon of play and a photo shoot. The bright colors really stood out in the playground! It was a rare sunny day today, normally it rains from November to April, so we took full advantage.

Hubby is getting really good at holding quilts. No fingers or toes sticking out!

As an added bonus to the day, there was a pair of bald eagles sounding off in a tree in nearby. They really are huge, majestic birds, but the sound they make seems so undignified! Squawk Squawk! Maybe trying to trick the resident seagulls a little closer, or fighting over who has to clean the bathroom? Either way, its one of the very few times I wish I had a mega zoom lens.

Right at the top of the center left tree, you can make out the little brown and white blots. =)

I hope your day was a good one wherever you are!

Happy Stitches,

Stacey

27Nov2013

New Beginnings

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

It all started innocently enough. A random compliment of a friends closet. How tidy and organized it was.

“You should come over and do my closet” I (half) jokingly stated.

” Sure, I love to organize things!” She replied

We continued with our play-date.

Fast forward to Monday. She was going to be free, did I want to do something? “We could go to a movie, or organize your closet. Or whatever”

I chose whatever.

” Alright, I will be there at 8!”

*knock knock*

” So where is this closet?”

*Gulp*

I didn’t take a before picture. I don’t think it would have come close to conveying just how much was stuffed into those little square shelves. While I went to grabs us a couple of drinks (no, not those kind, though by the end of the night I could have used…. like…eight) she started pulling fabric. And pulling. And PULLING. I really did not know how much I had in there! And dangnabbit woman, you were fast! There was no time to turn back. in 5 minutes a lifetime of collection was out and in my face.

Have

PROBLEM

A big, scary problem. One we probably all have, but don’t realize it until it’s staring us in the face from every flat surface in the room.

That picture marks the halfway point of the night. HALFWAY!!!!

It was an intervention. A cleansing of the soul. It broke my heart to see some of the beautiful pieces hidden that could have been used. Forgotten, forlorn fabrics that were never going to see the light of day because I had grown out of them. Sentimental pieces, one never even cut into, from my very quilt shop excursion with my grandmother. All stuffed into a closet and largely ignored.

This was the hardest thing I ever had to do. That includes childbirth. We sat on the floor, and she kept me focused. We talked about the fabrics, and the reasons why it needed to be done, why some never were used, and how it got to this point. For the most part, it was such a huge job that I never got around to sorting it, and it piled and accumulated until it was a scary closet monster. I also think I did not want to face the reality of how much fabric I have actually purchased over the years.

Here is the walk of shame. All the pretty, beautiful fabrics that I realistically would never use in a project. As a quilter, my tastes and vision have morphed and changed so much that many things I thought were perfect for such and such a quilt, are no longer appealing. I vividly remember the feeling of discovery, how it was a gorgeous piece with so much potential. I can still appreciate the fabrics, their potential and beauty, but the ugly truth is I can no longer see myself using some of them in a quilt. Some people might think “gee, whats the big deal?” But I think most of you will understand. That is why I chose to share with you.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend. She kept me on track and strong. Hard realities with compassion and understanding. Tonight we are going through and sorting the bags further. Some of the fabric will end up in my etsy shop. The majority will be given away to a worthy organization called Victoria’s Quilts Canada. Victoria’s Quilts is a non-profit group of volunteers that take donations of fabric and quilt making supplies and turns it into quilts for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. So far this year they have given away 2223 quilts. This year. Since its inception in 1999 they have freely given almost 34,000 quilts to cancer patients. There is Victoria’s Quilts in the States as well, which was founded in 1998.

Here is the after picture. Organized, and a lot less full. I still need some storage solutions for my heirloom quilts as you can see across the top. UFO’s are in clear bins and clearly marked with the project name. There are still many to go through, and decisions to be made about unquilted tops, and the finished quilts languishing in the closet. Some have already found forever homes. That makes me happy, because our quilts are made to be enjoyed.

Stacey

9Mar2013

Madrona Road Challenge Quilt

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Phew!

I finally finished my Madrona Road Challenge quilt. That is to say, the sandwich was finished 1 month ago, it just took me thins long to work up the guts to quilt is as I wanted to. I have had a quilting motif in mind since the start of this quilt. Like most of my quilts, I know what would look perfect, but I was agonizing over the actual execution of the design. What if I can’t draw it, what if the thread is too dark/light/colorful, what if my machine messes up, what about stitch length consistency, and on and on until things deteriorate into stitch in the ditch so I don’t ‘ruin’ my quilt.

That almost happened this time. I was terrified. I spent so much time hand sewing that I thought there was no way I could possibly do this.

What is it you ask that I love, yet it terrifies me so?

FEATHERS.

I LOVE FEATHERS. Love them! I can’t really explain why, its part symmetry, part motion, part music. Its like someone is stitching a symphony that I can hear with my eyes. I have always wanted to quilt in feathers. I have classes and DVDs and patterns for feathers, but for some reason I was never able to make them come out the way I wanted. Even my doodles were strange, so feathers ended up on the “I can’t do that list”.

Lets face it, we all have one of those lists when it comes to quilting. For some people it’s paper-piecing, for some people it’s working in a certain fabric, like a batik or solid, for others its a style of quilting. Feathers was on mine. I could admire them from afar, but never attempt them.

That changed a couple months ago. Janet from my guild does AMAZING work. Her quilting is spectacular and I have always admired it. I (half)jokingly told her I would pay her to do all my quilting for me, and she said that she started on small charity and challenge type quilts and just practice practices practiced. As I was sitting in my sewing room with the terrifying thought of quilting this staring me in the face, I remembered what Janet told me. It was like a switch flipped in my head, and suddenly the idea of quilting it how in had envisioned didn’t seem so scary anymore. If it didn’t look exactly how I wanted, no one would know except me. The fear was gone and I just went for it!

I divided the sections first, then I used a silver marking pencil to sketch my feathers in one of the sections. I FMQ it, then took a sheet of clear template plastic (unexposed but developed x-ray film that I got from work) and traced my quilting lines onto it. Then I would place it over the next section and use it as a guide for my feather placement. It worked really well, and I am so happy with how the finished quilt turned out. I may have conquered my fear of the Free Motion Feather!

Have a great quilting day!

Stacey

2Feb2013

Happy Goodness

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

Its been a week since the giveaway, I hope everyone had fun. I don’t know where the time went, but I am finally back with enough time to say hello.

*Ahem*

Hello!

I am super excited this week, I am picking up my mom from the airport and heading on up to their house with the little guy for some well deserved rest. There is a box of Tula Pink Birds and The Bees fabric, as well as some Frog Prince and a Valori Wells Wrenly print from waiting for me there. I ordered it on Boxing Day (Dec. 26 for my friends south of the 49th) and due to some weird cutting/shipping backlog it didn’t arrive until mid-January, long after we had left for home. So now I get to drool all over it again. Yippee!!

FYI the Wrenly collection is on sale at Fabric.com for a sinfully low price and there is a full stock of it. Just Sayin’….

I also got a new camera from my parents this last week so I have been having a lot of fun learning how to use it and loving the pictures that come out. Gotta love parents and Airmiles! Be prepared for a significant increase in picture quality here at Stacey In Stitches.

I managed to accomplish a few things this week, which has been interesting at best and terrifyingly hectic at worst. I received my first fabric bundle from the February Queen Bee in my new Star Block Bee. They had a drop out and were kind enough to let me join. Many of the bee-mates are from the UK, and one from Australia. I think I might send back a bottle of real Maple Syrup (carefully packages of course) with my returned blocks. The fabrics were a pair of gorgeous Cusco prints in the orchid colorway. I am going to fussy cut some of the pieces and paper piece others. I love Stars, don’t you!

I finally completed a baby quilt for my friend. Her little one was born in October. better late than never. She got her first baby’s quilt a month early, so the two even out *the math works in my head, just carry a two somewhere, its all good* I had picked up a really cute panel back in July with some coordinating prints and I pieced it all together, and then it sat until Sunday when I finally changed up my thread and free-motion quilted around all the little animals. I am a fan of this panel, very very cute!

D’s Baby Quilt

Gotta love the hippo

I got around to making another project for my little monkey as well. I have a number of things in mind, and all the supplies and fabric are sitting in the bin for his stuff. This time it was a set of Nesting Blocks. They came together super fast and are adorable. I chose a group of Micheal Miller prints in the Lagoon colorway and he loves them! He likes to take the smallest and place it in and out of the 3 largest bins.

Literally a little monkey. See him holding with his toes?

Now all that’s left is to work on my bee blocks for Linda, mail my DQS13 to my partner, finish my Madrona Road Challenge Quilt and wait for the clothing drop off so I can get started on a new commissioned quilt. Maybe I will work on some more checkerboard for my Listen With Your Eyes quilt. Its been a few months since I worked on that project. I think its going to be my Big Finish this year.

Just for fun here is a little preview of my Madrona Road.

Enjoy!

Stacey

12Jan2013

Starburst Quilt-A-Long from Happy Quilting

Posted in Quilt-A-Longs, Starburst QAL by StaceyinStitches

Many of you know by now that there is nothing I like better than a Quilt-A-Long. Except Maybe another QAL!! This next QAL is from Melissa over at Happy Quilting. We will be making her Starburst original design in any of the three sizes. So head on over and nab all the details on the Happy Quilting: Starburst Quilt-A-Long!

Starburst Pattern from Melissa of Happy Quilting

I have a fat quarter bundle of Pat Bravo’s Rock N’ Romance from Intrepid Thread just waiting for me to cut into it. I purchased it a few months ago specifically for the Starburst quilt and got so busy I never had time to start it. I am still looking for the perfect background. I want to use the AGF Pure Elements, but it is proving hard to find and delivery can take up to three whole weeks! I may cave and either drive 45 minutes to the Fabricana in Richmond and hope they have a similar weight solid, or 45 min to the Point Roberts Border crossing to my mailbox and have it delivered there. Decisions Decisions.

On a very exciting note, one of my very good friends is getting married this year and she asked me to be a bridesmaid. The wedding is in…..MEXICO!!! Woot woot!! Its not like I need an excuse to go someplace warm and sunny during the cold winter months here in Canada, but now its a for sure instead of “oh, if I find time/not working/place to stay…..” Of course the little Moo Man will be coming with me, I thought about letting him stay with his Grandparents but I might miss him too much! On the other hand an unattached week might be nice and he will be old enough for a long stay….we will see.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting!

8Jan2013

Guess Who’s Back!

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

Well, after a long Christmas break I am back ready to rock and roll (and sew)! The last months has been a super whirlwind of sewing, cooking, baking and family. It was the first Christmas with our little one in our new home with all the family here (and only one person sleeping on the couch/floor). Then 10 days on the mountain with my parents and grandparents with no cell coverage and spotty internet, where the cards abounded! Its been a long time since we had everyone together for the holidays, and I forgot how much fun it is playing cards until midnight, yelling and scrapping and basically having a grand old time I BUY!! I BUY!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

For those who play Pepper, these are two deadman’s hands dealt honestly

Baby H got his first taste of deep snow. It was about 3 feet deep, but he is such a featherweight that he was able to sit on top of the pile. He was fine until mommy pushed him over *wink*

Not Happy!

He also recieved a beautiful quilt from his Great Grandma for Christmas. Mommy loves it because its owls, and she used the Jenny Ski 10 Little Things owls for the border. H likes it because the wings are prairie points that he can flap and chew.

The Owl Quilt

My big project over the last 3 months has been the Sawtooth Cat Quilt commission. I finished it and a set of pillow shams in time for Christmas ( December 23rd still counts). It was for my clients mother, who lost everything she had to a house fire. She has a very large cat collection, and Laurel Burch figured among them. The inspiration for the quilt was a panel I had in my stash of Laurel Burch’s Fanciful Felines.

The Pillow Sham

I had a major panic attack when I went to make the shams because I ran out of fabric to do the ruffle and the back. I was starting to hyperventilate when I remembered that Holly of Holly’s Red Bike, who is the President of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, had given me 2 meters of Laurel Burch Fanciful Felines cat print in the same colorway! It saved my sanity and the commission. Thank You Holly!!

The Cat Quilt

Of course no quilt is ever fully completed without home special “helpers”, usually in the form of a cat or small child. This go round was the latter for me.

Mommy I’m Helping!

For those of you who downloaded the mystery pattern, I am still working on the tutorial, and it will be up soon!

Happy New Year!

Stacey

31Oct2012

Happy Halloween!!

Posted in Other by StaceyinStitches

Why hello! Its been another long stretch. October has practically flown by and hardly a peep outta me! Thanks you all for hanging in there! I haven’t been to neglectful, as you may have noticed the Gallery is finally up and running, and I have added some new pages! Hurray! Once I finally figured it all out…..

Oh, and Happy Halloween! I looked everywhere for a costume this year, all I wanted to be was a princess to match my little guy’s dragon. after wading through mountains of slutty cats/fairies/pirates/anything else you can think of, I had 2 days left to whip up a costume! I searched through the pattern books at the shop, and there were no patterns that I either liked, or could make in such a short amount of time. I did come across a gem of a pattern. Its Simplicity, its Steampunk, and I LOVE it. The entire outfit requires 10 meters of fabric to complete, and the entire hem is composed of box pleats, but someday I will make this!!She says as she buys it….

Stunning! maybe next year??

I really wanted an old costume that was made with the help of a lady from my church ages ago. As in more than 10 years. I have a collection of patterns from all over the place, and I found the pattern for the costume I wanted. It is no longer in print, and the pattern was from 2000. So I ran down to the Save-On-Fabrics and managed to get everything I needed for $40. The same price as buying a costume, except better quality, and my front and back are fully clothed! The costume was a success (as long as I did not have to walk up any stairs, long skirts are dangerous!) and we had fun at the Halloween parties this week =)

I also started a new quilt commission this week. I am making a Laurel Burch inspired cat quilt using the Sawtooth Cats Pattern and a Laurel Burch Fanciful Felines panel from my stash that is apparently Out Of Print and RARE. We needed a second panel for a set of matching pillow shams, and the only one available was on Ebay for $20. That’s for a single layer of the panel, which translates into almost $50/yard. OUCH! The end result will be well worth the effort, and I am having fun matching up the colors for the cat bodies.

Fanciful Felines

Have a safe and Happy Halloween, and as always,

Happy Quilting!

15Oct2012

Phew, what a week! Lots to share!

Posted in Cathedral Window QAL, Other, Quilt-A-Longs, Tutorials and Patterns, Works In Progress by StaceyinStitches

Hello everyone! It has been a very busy week here, so I haven’t had time to do much blogging. I say week but in reality the last 15 days have been go go go!Between play-dates and appointments and pick ups and drop off I have had time to finish up all my 3×6 bee blocks and get them in the mail, catch up on my Modern Mystery Quilt, keep up with the Cathedral Window QAL, and make/hunt down some props for my little man’s 6 month photo session today. Throw in some grocery shopping and a sudden change in the weather read: from Indian Summer to torrential rain overnight and voila! Lots of excuses not to vacuum….. =)

I realize that this is the west coast, and normally by the start of October the rain has moved in, but it was so beautiful for so long. Thanksgiving weekend was so warm people were still out in shorts. We were going to go to the Pumpkin Patch and have ourselves a grand old time yesterday, but record rainfall coupled with a rainfall warning quashed that faster than you can say “eh?” I did get to try Harry’s snowsuit. I don’t think it fits quite right yet……but it sure is warm!

Do I look impressed?

Can you tell I don’t like the rain? I’m from Northern Alberta. It may be -40, but at least the sun is shining and your not soaked! Anywho….onwards!

It seems lately that everything I make heads out the door. I feel like I have been sewing like a madwoman but have nothing to show at the guild meeting tonight.

Here, this is my stack of finished blocks that need more to complete whatever I was going to do with them, 1/2 of the checkerboard for a show quilt, and all the pieces to a mystery quilt that I can’t for the life of me figure out how the end result will look….*chirp chirp*

However, I do have a cute little project that I whipped up last night as a photo prop that I can take with me. If Harry is going to be a dragon for Halloween, he needs a Princess to kidnap (and probably try to eat).

She looks so happy, just wait until the dragon starts gumming her head =)

The dress fabric is my favorite colorway from Treasures of the East by Hoffman. The teal/aqua colorway was the challenge fabric in 2010. I also picked some up in the fuchsia and sunset colorways. I can’t seem to find them anymore, so If anyone comes across either colorway, please let me know! Poppins Quilt Parlour in Penticton, BC still has the challenge fabric for anyone looking to nab some. They do phone orders!

I drew her face on with Sharpie markers. I think she looks suitably princessy!

You can find the pattern here as well as the tutorial. I just winged it with mine.

I was also doing some pinning while watching TV the other night. This is why you don’t leave your pin box where the cat can get to it!

Luckily I found them all (magnets are wonderful wonderful wonderful!) and I have yet to be stuck with a pin! It did inspire a pincushion design however, but more on that to come!

Tomorrow I will be posting my Scrappy Star block pattern, no tutorial yet though, so please be patient with me! I start a temporary job as a nanny for my friend who just welcomes their little boy yesterday morning. I have all the fabrics for her new baby quilt, I just need to get to it!
Happy Quilting!