Tamarinis

Introducing Astria

I'm so thrilled to share another new stellar pattern,  Astria.  Astria means star maiden, and yes, it was inspired by the star strewn Block of the Month Kate Colleran of Seams Like a Dream and I designed, Luminous!

You can see Kate and I had had stars on the brain!  Luminous is gorgeous (at least we think so!), and we love all of the different stars in the quilt.  We thought it would be fun to carry on that starry theme  - and Astria was born!

Like most of our collaborative projects, Kate and I played around with color.  And no surprise to most of you - I went with a dark or nighttime color way for Astria.  Felix definitely approved - he finds the rich colors make a nice backdrop for him.

Astria has sparkling stars that glitter and shimmer against a simple field - in my case, deep dark blue.  I love how the icy green and light lavender shine against the deep midnight background.

One of my favorite features of the quilt is not the star blocks (they are great, don't get me wrong), but instead the little shimmer squares that explode out from some of the star blocks.  They provide a nice little pop of color and make me think of star showers.

Another interesting feature of our star maiden quilt is that it explores the same star shape in three different sizes, each with their own unique setting.  

Kate's stars shine in a sparkling citrus sky that evokes tropical sunrises.  It has colors that bring to mind hot days, warm blue waters and summer.

You can grab your very own copy on my website here!

Head over to Kate's blog to see her fabrics for her versions of Astria and Novalie.  

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

Batiks Go Retro - the Blog Hop Continues

Thanks for stopping by again!  By now you've seen a preview of the fabrics, and had a peek at some of the great projects that some of my designer friends have created using my first fabric line with the great folks at Island Batik, Batiks Go Retro.

I wanted to go behind the scenes a bit and give you some insight into some of my new patterns, what inspired them, and the techniques you can try.  Ready?

 

Jangle: so sometimes you just want an easy quilt, something with interest and movement, but not too challenging or time consuming.  Jangle fits that bill.  Easy strip piecing and not TOO many HSTs (half square triangles) in a limited colorway make this a quick quilt to piece - so you can be snuggling under it in record time.

The inspiration for this quilt?  I wanted to play on the strong lines so popular in mid-century design, but offer a modern twist.  I remember all those pole lamps that were so popular way back when.  Uh....I mean, in researching style and design for the time period...uh huh.  Well, ok, so I'm dating myself.  But in any event, I took that idea - the pole lamp - and played up on it with fractured coming off the poles - and Jangle was born!

Wedge-O-Matic:  my mid-century inspired version of a charm quilt.  One template (you can use the template or use the awesome two-part 10 degree ruler to speed things up), and some background fabric to make this fun quilt.

The inspiration for this quilt?  Atomic or mid-century designs were rich with wedges and asymmetrical angles, and those angled shapes inspired Wedge-O-Matic.  Not to seem fixated on lamps or anything, but.....I do also remember a lot of pendant lamps with those long, cone shaped shades.

Atomic Bombshell: atomic wedges and star bursts that pay homage to the fascination of the time with space and space travel.  How do you get all those wonderful sharp points and long diamonds - paper piecing, of course!

The inspiration for this quilt? Why - space travel and the mid-century obsession with starbursts, of course (one of the fabrics in the collection features those same starbursts!).  And I totally LOVE paper piecing - so I try to have a paper piecing pattern each season.

Dutch Windmills: so this has absolutely NOTHING to do with atomic or mid-century design, but I do so love this quilt and wanted to expand the pattern to include 5" and 10" precuts.  And what, you say you don't like curved piecing?  Well, dear friend - you'll be pleased to know there is absolutely NO curved piecing.

And the last little project - which honestly is not quite done - is my kitchen set featuring my little atomic tvs from the fabric line.  So what's not done?  The apron is finished - super cute, IMHO.  But....I will be adding an appliquéd tea towel, a hot pad (probably with the super duper cute tv again), and probably a tea towel with a pieced border.  Time will tell!  And of course I'll share pics here on the blog when it's done!

All of these projects (except the yet-to-be finished kitchen set) are patterns available on my website!

And don't forget to continue with the blog hop and check out all of the great projects using the Batiks Go Retro line, available from Island Batik.

Drop by each blog (schedule below) and enter through the Rafflecopter for prizes.  I'm giving away a Tamarinis pattern pack!

Mark your calendars and stop by all of the blogs to see what can be done with the Batiks Go Retro line:

Sept 11th: Island Batik, Aurifil Thread

Sept 12th:  Susan Emory Swirly Girls Designs

 http://susanemory.com/

Sept 13th: Toni Smith Quiltoni 

 http://www.quiltoni.com/

Sept 14th:  Terri Sontra Purple Moose Designs
  https://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/index.php



Sept 15th:  Kris Poor  Poor House Quilt Design  
http://poorhousequiltdesign.com/quilting-at-the-poorhouse/



Sept 16th:

Tammy Silvers Tamarinis (you're here!)

Sept 17th: Libby Williamson Libbywilliamson.com

Sept 18th:  Sandra Johnson  Sandra Johnson Designs



Sept 19th:  

Linda Pearl One Quilting Cirlce   http://www.onequiltingcircle.com/

Sept 20th:  Kate Colleran  Seams Like a Dream  http://seamslikeadream.com/blog/

Sept 21st:  Jo Hillstead Fat Quarter Gypsy http://www.thefatquartergypsy.com/Lex-Luther-Blog.html

And don't forget to enter via the Rafflecopter to win great prizes, including a wonderful Tamarinis pattern pack from me, fabric, thread and more from several of the designers in the blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!

If you are interested in having me teach at your shop or guild, please contact me!

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!

Fiesta de Azucar - Border Option #2

Where did the time go?  It seems like just yesterday we were starting the Fiesta de Azucar blog hop, and here we are - the final post.  I hope you've found some wonderful blocks along the way, enjoyed some wonderful stories behind the designs, and had fun stitching up your own sugar skulls.

We've seen some absolutely amazing pictures of blocks from some of you that are participating.  Don't forget - there will be prizes at the end!  What, you say?  Prizes???  Yep!  Prizes.  Fun stuff.  I've been hoarding a few little goodies myself that will be part of the prize pack, and I'll reveal those on the Facebook group (join here).

Before I move on to the purpose of my post - the second border option for all you FdA (Fiesta de Azucar) blog hoppers, I want to give a huge shout out to our sponsors, the amazing Island Batik (only the BEST batiks on the planet!), and of course the never-to-be equaled Aurifil thread (only the most amazing thread - really!).  All of the designer projects featured fabrics from Island Batik, and stitching with Aurifil threads.  

So now - about my border option.  I wanted to capture the essence of the celebration - joy and appreciation for family, those present and those that have passed.  I created my own version of the flags (see Terri's post for more info on the flags she created as a child)in bright colors, and added a few winged hearts to further represent those we hold near and dear in our hearts.

Never fear - all of this is fused applique, so it is super quick to cut and fuse.  You can add decorative stitching along the edges of your flags, or leave as is - maker's choice.  I added some minimal decorative stitching on the wings just for detail - again, strictly maker's choice.

Where can you find this?  On Craftsy, of course!  All of the blocks are there, along with both border options.

Thanks so much for "skulling" with us!  Please don't forget to join the Facebook group, share your projects, and celebrate the love of family!

The schedule of posts:

July 1st – Block 1 – Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

July 8th – Block 2 – Joanne Hillestad, Fat Quarter Gypsy

July 15th – Block 3 – Vicki Hansen, Cranberry Pie Designs

July 22nd – Block 4 – Cheryl Sleboda, Muppin

July 29th – Block 5 – Penni Domikis, Cabin In The Woods Quilters

August 5th – Block 6 – Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis

August 12th – Block 7 – Kate Colleran, Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs

August 19th – Block 8 – Susan Emory, Swirly Girls Design

August 26th – Block 9 – Trish Frankland, Persimon Dreams

September 2nd – Border Option #2 – Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

September 9th – Border Option #1 – Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis

October 30th – Prize winner announcements

 

The rules - in case you missed them:

Not a quilter, but want to make skulls?  Check out my tutorial video on creating fused fabric art here!

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!

If you are interested in having me teach at your shop or guild, please contact me!

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!

 

Fiesta de Azucar Block 6 - Butterfly Dreams

Welcome to Week 6 of the Fiesta de Azucar blog hop!  By now, you are well on your way to stitching up a wonderful sugar skull wall hanging!

As you may be aware by now, the motifs, colors and designs on traditional sugar skulls represent those loved ones that are no longer with us.  My block, Butterfly Dreams, is in tribute to my mother.  She loved gardening, anything green and growing, and most especially butterflies.  Mom, aka Dixie to her closest friends, was extremely proud of her southern heritage, of her family, and of her garden.

Several years ago, my parents relocated (for my mom, it was really more of a southern gal returning to her roots) to Tennessee, and not long after, they found their dream spot and built a house nestled in the woods, with more than enough room for her to indulge her green thumb and enjoy all of the wildlife.  But of course, the butterflies didn't stay in the garden.  Ok - the REAL butterflies did - but she brought their joy and bright colors inside with her. 

                                                           

Mom was an avid sewer and quilter - she quilted years before I even thought about quilting.  But she always surrounded herself with her greatest passion - butterflies.  Yep - there was an official butterfly crossing in her sewing room.

Admittedly, this passion made it SUPER EASY to figure out what to give her for birthdays, Mother's Day, and Christmas - butterflies. Butterfly pins.  All kinds of butterfly pins. Big butterflies.  Small butterflies.  Glittery butterflies.  Jeweled butterflies. I used to love going to antique markets, flea markets and garage sales, trying to find the most unique butterfly pins to add to her collection.  Her collection grew to the point that she had two huge framed velvet boards so she could display them!

And when I say she had a passion for butterflies, it is not just a general statement.  I remember driving with her one day, and a butterfly flew in front of the car and into the grill.  She stopped the car and was heartbroken when the butterfly was a casualty of the encounter.  She kept those that she found, carefully preserved in a tin to protect the delicate wings from harm.  In fact, on the day of her passing, I went for a walk, and found my own winged beauty, no longer alive, but resting there on the side of road.  It was like her final good bye to me.

So naturally, when it came time to create my sugar skull, I wanted to honor her memory and her passion.  I included beautiful little butterflies, a dragonfly, and of course, lots of bright blooms and green leaves.

I hope you enjoy Butterfly Dreams and stitch up your own winged beauties and blooms to enjoy.  You can find the pattern in my Craftsy shop here.  And visit my website for more Tamarinis patterns!

If you've been "skulling" with us, your quilt could look like this so far:

Please visit all of the other designers' blogs to see the stories behind their designs and to get the links to their sugar skull patterns as well.  And remember that Terri (Purple Moose Designs) and I will be offering two different border options to you at the end of the blog hop.  

Timeline:

Beginning on July 1st through August 26th 2017 each designer will release their skull design. On September 2nd and September 9th there will be two border designs released. Here’s the schedule along with the participants and their blogs.

July 1st – Block 1 – Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

July 8th – Block 2 – Joanne Hillestad, Fat Quarter Gypsy

July 15th – Block 3 – Vicki Hansen, Cranberry Pie Designs

July 22nd – Block 4 – Cheryl Sleboda, Muppin

July 29th – Block 5 – Penni Domikis, Cabin In The Woods Quilters

August 5th – Block 6 – Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis

August 12th – Block 7 – Kate Colleran, Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs

August 19th – Block 8 – Susan Emory, Swirly Girls Design

August 26th – Block 9 – Trish Frankland, Persimon Dreams

September 2nd – Border Option #1 – Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis

September 9th – Border Option #2 – Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

October 30th – Prize winner announcements

 

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me.  Happy stitching!

If you are interested in having me teach at your shop or guild, please contact me!

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?  Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!

Fresh From Quilt Market - New Tamarinis Patterns

Like many in the quilting industry, I'm fresh back from Quilt Market and reeling from all of the fabulous quilts, projects, tools and threads I saw there!  And I actually took some time to look at the exhibit - oh my!  So many talented quilters!

I have three new projects to share with you, all featuring the Coastal Mist collection from the wonderful folks at Island Batik,(click on the link to view the entire collection). Fabrics can be ordered now, and delivery will begin in in January.  Patterns for Monkey Bread and Tartary are available now, and Boho Bliss will be available by December, 2016.

Want a sneak peek?  Of course you do!

 

Boho Bliss - A Block of The Month
80" x 88"


Tartary
61" x 73"


Monkey Bread
42" x 59"


Monkey Bread (bright version)

Amazing how different one fabric line can look, isn't it?

Oh - and of course there will be a thread collection from Aurifil to coordinate with the fabrics.  And a floss collection (yum!)!

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me.  Happy stitching!

In case you missed them, the following new patterns are now in stock:

                   

                

Some fun things planned for the future:  Coastal Mist Blog Hop, featuring a slew of designers and a variety of projects, a sneak peek at the new fabric line coming next spring, new patterns, and an exciting give-away!

If you enjoyed this blog post and the designs featured here, you can click on this link to visit my website. Enter your name and email address and get a FREE pattern download for a pattern designed by me.*

*Entering your information on the website will also add you to my periodic newsletter subscription list.

Island Batiks' Seaside Summer Blog Hop

 

The fabo folks at Island Batik have done it yet again (how DO they do it?!), and have brought us drool worthy collections of fabrics.  My favorite?  Hmmmm.....so hard to choose.  But, no surprise, I'm going to go with Seashore (by Kathy Ingle for Tamarinis, of course!).  I was lucky enough to get to make not one, not two, but FIVE different projects with this awesomely versatile collection.  Want a peek?

Here's Melon Blossom.  I'm kinda partial to this one.  Ok, I'm kinda partial to all of them.  They all show a different side of the line - and of me and my style.  Like curved piecing?  Well, neither do I!  And guess what?  There is absolutely NO curved piecing in this quilt.  Promise!  

And then there's Sea Glass.  Kind of a cubist's approach to sea glass that you find on the beaches.  And a whole different side of the line - softer, more sun washed.  

Not feeling a big project right now?  Great!  Here's Pebbles, a slightly brighter version of Sea Glass that's perfect for bringing a bit of the sunshine and waves to your table.

Love strip piecing?  Then Sea Salt might be perfect for you!  This surprisingly easy one block quilt stitches up quickly.  And are the blocks spilling out into the borders fun?

 

And if you want something a bit more contemporary, Modern Churn is perfect!  Like Melon Blossom, it takes advantage of the fabrics that read somewhat more solid to create a modern take on an traditional block.

As you can see, the Seashore collection has a little bit of something for everyone - lovely sun-washed pastels, tropical brights, and an overall beachy feel.  Makes you crave the sand between your toes and the sound of the surf in your ears, doesn't it?  And of course you can find all of the above patterns (and more!) on my website (I've linked each for you!).

Oh - and there are two great Aurifil Thread Collections to coordinate with Seashore - so you can not only stitch up some wonderful projects, but have terrific quilting thread and floss to quilt and embellish your projects.  How wonderful is that?!

Check out all of the other fabulous collections and projects done by the talented Island Batik Ambassadors - and don't forget to enter via the Rafflecopter to win a gorgeous set of fabrics of your very own!

 

Seaside Summer Blog Hop Schedule

Monday Aug 15 - Rain Forest

KISSed Quilts

Tuesday Aug 16 - Red Tide

Free Motion by the River

Mary Mack Made Mine

Wednesday Aug 17 - Sand Dune

Purrfect Spots

KnitBug 2

Thursday Aug 18 - Seashore

Tammy Silvers

Pamela Quilts

Maria Michael Designs

KISSed Quilts

Friday Aug 19 - Surf Squirt

Quilting Affection

Archipelago Quilting

Monday Aug 22 - Tradewinds

Arkangel Creations

Bejeweled Quilts

Tuesday Aug 23 - Equinox

Kauffman Designs

Adele Mogavero * Del~Lillian's

Wednesday Aug 24 - Sea Canyon

Lemon Tree Snippets

Bea Quilter

Thursday Aug 25 - Sea Foam

Stone Cottage Quilts

Sew Supportive

Friday Aug 26 - Spoolin' Around

Sallys Quilting Corner

Toolontilkkupaja

Monday Aug 29 - Tide Pools

Inchworm Fabrics

MooseStashQuilting

Tuesday Aug 30 - Wind and Sea

For Quilts Sake

Patchwork Breeze

Wednesday Aug 31 - Spring Zing

Desert Bloom Quilting

Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Thursday Sep 1 - Splash

KISSed Quilts

The Patchwork Pearl

Friday Sept 2 - Landscapes

For Quilts Sake

 

Note:  While the Rafflecopter may not display within this post, clicking on the link WILL take you to the Rafflecopter so you can enter.  Why doesn't it work for me?  I make quilts; I don't understand code.  So I don't know.  So sorry!  But the cats and dog were absolutely no help in getting it to work, so I ask for your indulgence and kindly request you click on the link to enter.  Thanks! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

If you enjoyed this blog post and the designs featured here, you can click on this link to visit my website. Enter your name and email address and get a FREE pattern download for a pattern designed by me.*

*Entering your information on the website will also add you to my periodic newsletter subscription list.

Tamarinis - the latest and greatest patterns!

Did you make it to Quilt Market?  If not, I'm going to take a brief moment to bring a bit of Quilt Market to you - Tamarinis style.  AKA - here are my new patterns!


Boho Bliss:
Boho Bliss has 10 different 16" blocks, plus a pattern for spacer blocks and the applique border.  All the blocks are Sizzix friendly, but you don't have to have a Sizzix.  Templates are provided.  And if you don't feel like tackling 10 different 16" blocks, they are the perfect size for a wallhanging (pick your favorite), or choose three and make a table runner.  And if you know me, you know those appliques are fused!!! (Island Batik fabrics)


Flower Fields
One jelly roll, two background fabrics and a border fabric - and you have a flower garden that blooms all year!  The flowers are dimensional, so they add an extra bit of interest, but are super easy.  And you'll have enough left from your jelly roll to make a coordinating table runner too!

This quilt is quick and very easy to put together, and would be wonderful in any color scheme - maybe whites (daisies) or yellows (sunflowers).  Have fun! (Island Batik fabrics)



Forever Infinity Scarf
8 different fabrics and simple strip piecing in two different directions combine to quickly make a scarf that is lovely to behold, and perfect for embellishment.  I embellished mine with some decorative machine stitches in wonderful Aurifil variegated threads (don't you just love 'em?), but you could just as easily add some wonderful hand embroidery, or some big stitch quilting - or heck, just leave it as is and let the fabrics shine.

The sample is done in batiks, but it would work great with regular cottons, and I think it would be super snuggly in flannels.  (Island Batik Fabrics)

Fractures

The kaleidoscope block takes on a whole new look with this
asymmetrical layout.  And the Kaleido ruler makes it quick and easy (really!).  And the lap size means you'll finish in no time.  Suitable for prints as well as solids, and it makes a great class too!

(Fabri-Quilt /Ro Gregg Marblehead fabrics)


 

 

Mary's Contrary Garden

 I must have been in a garden state of mind (just realized this is my second flower themed quilt!).  But Mary's Contrary Garden is fun, easy and flexible, so it's great for beginners and experienced quilts alike. 

The stitch and flip technique is combined with traditional piecing and a modern layout to yield a quilt that blooms year round. 

And just like Flower Fields, you can change the color scheme to reflect your favorite gardenscape!  (Island Batik fabrics)


                               Monkey Bread

For those of you that follow my blog, you may remember that this started out as a class for beginning quilters.   So now it's a pattern that is geared for beginners, with super detailed instructions and tons of diagrams.  But experienced quilters appreciate the nod to tradition and the accommodating layout.  And just like it's namesake, you won't be able to resist it!

Charming in solids or in prints, it is a great class quilt! (Island Batik fabrics)

 


Spice Market

20" blocks means this quilt goes together quickly.  And large pieces make it easy to use those lovely large prints that are sometimes hard to showcase.  

The pattern offers two sizes, a generous lap (75" square) and a queen size - so you have your choice.  Either choice will result in a beautiful project!  And strip piecing means that those large squares will go together even faster!  (Dear Stella fabrics)

 

                                                 Tropical Punch

When is a color study more than a color study?  When you combine beautiful batiks with the oh so versatile pineapple block.  Add a bit of pieced border and you have Tropical Punch!

One easy paper piecing pattern and easy strip directions make this pattern painless, and lovely at the same time.  (Island Batik fabrics)


 

 

Whirlygigs

Four different sized double pinwheels dance across a two color background,  to capture the essence of springtime.  Can't you just feel the breeze?  An easy layout (and yes, the blocks coming into the border are easy too - I promise!) make this a joy to behold.

Use some of the leftover blocks to make the bonus project - a charming little table runner! (Island Batik fabrics)

 

 

So that's it - a virtual tour, so to speak, of my booth from Quilt Market - and a mini-trunk show!

Hope you enjoyed it!  I'd love to know your thoughts on the newest patterns - and what you'd love to see next.  Yep - already started on projects for the Fall Market. 

And - don't forget - my Craftsy class launches July 1.  So I'll be posting here and on Facebook about the blog hop (some great quilt designers are participating!!!), and the giveaway! 

So c'mon back now, ya hear!

Name that Quilt - Because the quilt is FINISHED!!!!

Despite the polar vortex that has settled into the South, despite the threat of power outages, despite.....well, you get the idea....the quilt-with-no-name is finished!!!!

So here it is!  Once the snow, sleet and ice all melt, I'll take it to the quilter (I personally call her the quilt fairy, but others know her as Pat) for the final transformation into finished quilt.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is togive this little bright beauty a name.  So - let's see - it's Wednesday (two days before Happy Heart Day) - so I'll take suggestions through Sunday, Febrary 16th.  

There have been terrific suggestions so far!  So keep 'em coming. 

And some lucky someone will be the proud receipient of these lovely fabrics from Island Batik.

So let the name-a-thon begin!

And good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blowin' in the Wind????

The mailman came the other day and I did my happy dance - my fabrics for the first of several Spring Market quilts for Island Batik was here!

Fresh out of the box

Channel Steve Martin in The Jerk (the new phone books are here!!!) - yep, that was me.

Yes, they are simply yummy.  But I had to excercise my best restraint - the same restraint I use driving home from the grocery store with a fresh bag of Dove dark chocolates in the grocery bag on the seat next to me......

But now I've started - and they get even yummier as I work with them.  I love batiks, don't you? The variations in color that make each block unique, the wonderful smooth texture, the bonus benefit that there really ISN'T a wrong side (score!).

The two background fabrics - don't they place nicely together?

This particular quilt uses two different background fabrics, and then several lovely bright and lights that almost dance across the surface of the quilt.

I've already started on the (yikes - I don't like to count number of blocks - I'll just get intimidated by the sheer numbers!) large number of half square triangles to put this baby together.

Sneak peek?  Sure....want to see more?

Batch of itty bitty HSTs

Here are some pinwheel blades in the works.  Don't you just love those wonderful brights and lights, not to mention the scrumptious motifs, mixed with those teal backgrounds?  I practically hear the ocean breeze and smell the salt air!

These little beauties are trimmed and put together into fun pinwheels.  There's something relaxing and happy about pinwheels.  They aren't the most difficult of blocks, but they sure will bring a smile to your face when you look at 'em.  C'mon - you smile when you look at pinwheel quilts, right?

One more sneak peek -

Rough block placement

here are some of the blocks in a rough layout - still deciding on final block placement and color distribution.

I JUST finished making all the HSTs (half square triangles) needed for the quilt - so what did YOU do this weekend? Yes, I'm living large!), so tomorrow night I hope to get the rest of the pinwheels pieced, and then I'll share another pic.

Now here's where I need your input, please.  The working title for this quilt is "Blowin' in the Wind".....but I thought it might be fun to have a "Name That Quilt" contest.

So I'm taking suggestions for names for the quilt pattern, which will be introduced at Quilt Market in May.  AND Island Batik has generously offered some of their luscious fabrics to the winner.

So....start the brain cells firing.  Let the colors inspire you.  Check back to see the quilt progress - and check Facebook.  I post pics there as well.  And please share your suggestions for the quilt's new name.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

A Quilt Grows in Georgia

(Yes, that's my lit teacher background coming through....we all need to embrace who we are, so.....)

 

Casserole Sampler

 A local quilt shop, Stitch'n Quilt (if you're in the area, a must-check-out shop!), asked me to teach their beginning quilting class, which is a personal fav of mine - any opportunity to get others hooked on quilting is a GREAT opportunity!  And AND AND they thought it would be great if I designed a pattern for the class. 

I thought you might enjoy a little of the behind the scenes process in making the lovely above come to life. 

Little back story here - when I learned to quilt (thank you Lorrie for dragging me, heels dug firmly in the ground all the way, to the quilt shop to take that class!), the project was a sampler.  I learned so much!  It was a little bit of this, a little bit of that (you know, like a casserole!), and in the end I was hooked on quilting.

So - Tamarinis thought process - scary stuff here folks - how to
reproduce that same experience but in a cleaner, more modern approach?  So I thought about which techniques I thought beginners should know - and which would relate to each other.  So that was the science behind the blocks chosen - your basic four patch, nine patch (and what strip set do you use in a nine patch.....), the humble but oh-so-versitle half square triangle, and of course a little partial seam piecing just for fun.

And because I believe in packing in more bang for your buck, I thought why not introduce them to different size blocks?  And the idea that different size blocks can exist in the same size quilt.

So I started with this lovely stack of Island Batik fabrics from their fall collection, and then started building from there.  Note the concept quilt image in the foreground - that's what I started from.  I deviated just a little bit, but pretty much fell in love with the saturated color palate and combination.

The sampler is a medalion style, building out from the center.  I thought that would be a nice way to start - after all, you can find tons of same size block, sashed, row constructed quilts. 

The beauty (and my thought process behind the medallion style) is that this provides some wiggle room for the beginning quilter.  So your blocks are slightly off? 
Your center square is a tad bigger/smaller than designed?  Adjustments can be made in the solid borders around each block.  Right?

So it builds from a lovely center star (who doesn't love a star), and then uses three different blocks (nine patch, hole in the barn door and rail fence) to make the second border (I'm not really counting the solid borders in my "count", but yes, they are are there)

And see that print hanging outon the left side?  I was auditioning it (or interogating it, as a friend of mine says) for the border.  But....even though it pulls in all the colors of the quilt, I decided, and no it isn't a spoiler - you had the full quilt at the first of the post!, to use it as backing and keep the front "modern Amish" in feel.  So happy I did.

After that, it was a matter of adding the second pieced border (at left), solid borders, the last pieced border, the final outside border....and ah.....quilt success!

I can't wait to teach this class!  And the pattern will be available soon (before the class is the plan!).

Now you've seen a glimpse behind the process.  I didn't go into color balance, scale, size, commanaility of components for cutting, piecing and construction, or consideration for instruction writing.  But that was all part of the process too - trust me!

I love this pattern.  Really.  Once I got it in my head, it was like one of those craving - had to be satisfied so I could move on to other things - like deadlines for magazine quilts and market quilts (yikes - three to do this month - February - short month - no worries, right?!).  I'm so glad I did - so pleased with the outcome.  And I can't wait to see it translated into traditional prints, florals - everything!

Want to come quilt with me?  The class will start the end of March, so if you're in the area, please come and stitch with us!  If you aren't, but want me to come to your area, well.....I can be convinced to pack a bag!