Fantasy Flowers Instructions

Margaret Patty Angie and Mary can't wait to get started on their quilt so here is a jpeg of the pattern

A pdf of this, along with pictures will be posted shortly on the website and linked to the blog

A New Mystery Quilt from my Cupboard

While cleaning out my stash cupboard for the new mystery quilt I have been working on, I was reflecting on recent visits from my sons.

Whenever my oldest son came home from university he would point out the dated salad dressings and condiments in the refrigerator. We had to point out that we don't use these things as much now that the boys are all away from home.
Now, before my oldest comes home to visit, I check the "best before" dates on everything in the refrigerator and cupboards so as not to get him thinking his parents are losing it and he should be making plans for them.

I was determined to use up fabric from my stash for a new mystery quilt and realized that fabric probably has a "best before" date too, although it probably won't do as much damage as the old food in the refrigerator. This is a common theme we hear at the shop--"I have more fabric than I will ever use" This quilt is a great way to use some of those wonderful "mature" fat quarters taking up space in the cupboard that have passed the "best before" date.

Watch this space for details about this quilt. It is big and easy and a bit like a seven layer dip but without the calories! Now to come up with a name.

Fantasy Flowers Shop Hop Kit Quilt

The lucky winner of the June Shop Hop quilt top is Kelly Dillabough. Congratulations to Kelly. Thanks to everyone who purchased a kit from Picket Fence Fabrics. We look forward to seeing your finished quilts from the Freckles fabric at next year's Shop Hop.

Fantasy Flowers are what I saw when I started making the quilt for the annual June Shop Hop.
Simple instructions are available here. A picture of the Fantasy Flowers quilt is available here. The KaleidoRuler by Marti Michell makes easy work of the cutting for this quilt. If you use the paper pattern, check your printer settings are NOT set for print to fit. This setting may reduce the size of the template.

Start by following the cutting instructions. On a design wall or flannel sheet layout the fabric wedges in a pleasing layout.or follow the layout of the completed quilt. This is a quilt you can play with colour placement. I want to try it again in batiks just for the challenge of placing colours. The techniques I used to make the kaleidoscope flowers are in the attached images. Refer to these before construction of your blocks and you should have no problem with the blocks fitting together.

I look forward to seeing your completed quilts. If you did not participate in the shop hop and would like to order a fabric kit for this quilt please contact the shop by phone, or by email.

Thanks

Jennifer

Spring Day Trippers --BoM BoM BoM

Along with the great weather we have been experiencing we have been catching up with favourite quilting friends, lured out by the sunny skies for a day trip to Brockville. The visits started with annual Poker Run Shop Hop, which brought everyone out from winter hibernation. We love seeing the projects you have been working on this winter! This weekend a visit from the season's first cottager returning to their island cottages was a sure sign that summer is on its way!

We have new samples, kits and fabric to share with our summer friends. Our American Beauty Block of the Month still has a few spaces left.

Another Block of the Month, this one appliqued, is now kitted and ready to go. This angelic block is just one of the twelve in a series. Try just one, or all twelve in a lap quilt. This a perfect BoM for a summer of applique at the cottage.

Green and Purple scrap quilt

This green and purple scrap quilt is making a dent in my scrap pile. I cut a few rectangles every time I am in the sewing room, even taking a few minutes to cut while I am waiting for the iron to heat up to press my husband's shirts!

For each block you need 8 rectangles measuring 2 1/2" X 4 1/2". Sew together in pairs and then sew pairs into a four patch. Press seams in clockwise direction on the back , then all seams will nest together when sewing rows. This makes a great woven quilt.

When I have a few minutes to sew I make a block or two. Here are the results. The block in the bottom centre of the image shows the layout of the block.

I will post an image of the rows as they are assembled.

American Beauty Block of the Month

We are using Set L of Marti Michell's acrylic templates for our Block of the Month, American Beauty. Two blocks are shown here. The templates cut away any excess fabric and if you follow the pressing directions given in the instructions, little or no bulk is left at the seams.

When complete we will have a fabulous queen-sized quilt.

Every month I have been cutting additional blocks from my scraps for a future scrappy sampler quilt. This is a great way to chip away at the scrap pile, which seems to reproduce in the dark. This is a blue block using one of the block patterns. Changing the colour placement changes the look of the blocks. What Fun!

Congratulations to Barb (last month) and Kristie (this month) who won the draw. Remember to bring in your completed American Beauty Block for a chance to win the draw. Next month in keeping with the block name we will be have strawberry treats with our morning coffee.

There are still a few spaces left is you would like to join in the fun. Call the shop for details.

Block of the Month--American Beauty

We are launching a new Block of the Month on March 13. The blocks kits are ready and we are busy completing the sashing and border kits this week. The quilt, designed by Marti Michell, uses her Wild Roses fabric line from Maywood Studios and is available with black or white borders.

To keep the price low we are offering a tutorial (demonstration) of the block construction every month instead of a class . There is no need to bring your machine, tools, cutting mat, rulers, etc. Come for the demo, pick up your block, and if you bring your completed block from the previous month your name will go into a draw for free stuff!

Block kits will be $15 plus taxes. Shipping is extra.

Prepayment of the first and last months' kit fees plus a start up fee of $25.00 is due when registering. The start up fee is applied to the finishing kit at the end of the program if all 12 months are purchased at Picket Fence Fabrics. For those of you eager to get a start on the sashing and borders, you also have the option of purchasing the finishing kit when you register. anyone choosing this option receives a Maywood Studios totebag, while quantities last.

The quilt top will be in the shop March 1.

Mardi Gras Sale Winner

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

A line started forming just before 8:00 a.m for our Mardi Gras Sale yesterday. Customers braved the cold and the early hour to take advantage of 40 percent off their purchases. Congratulations to Dianne Alberry, the winner of the gift basket, pictured here.

Another Morning Mayhem Sale will be held in late March. Dates, times and specifics will be posted in the shop the week leading up to the sale and on this blog.

Fusibles

Working in a series can be quite liberating. While working on one piece using a simple motif, numerous alternatives were presenting themselves on how the motif, in this case fish, could be used.  Rather than choosing just one  layout and colourway and stopping there, I started drafting, cutting, fusing (yes, I fuse sometimes!) and layering and came up with a number of interesting pieces.   

Fusing was a exploration in itself.  I have often referred to anything fused as lick-and-stick, or cut-and-paste. These products speed up the process of construction, if you know which product to use.

All of these products are available at Picket Fence Fabrics. 

Start with  a good teflon sheet when using your iron with these products. As an inexpensive alternative, use parchment paper found in the baking section of your grocery store.

1.  The powder bonding agent by BoNash can be used to hold down small pieces until you sew them in place.  A little of this product goes a long way. Great for landscapes, snippets technique.

2. Misty Fuse in black or white, is excellent for fine silk or sheers.  Unusual textures can be accomplished with this product.

3. Wonder Under is great for general fusing of appliqué pieces. It is inexpensive compared to other products. 

4. Steam-a-Seam is thicker and gummed up my needle but probably works better on pieces that you will be buttonhole stitching by hand or machine along the edges, not stitching in definition  with threadon the piece itself.

5. Peltex, a great two-sided fusible product is used for postcards,  boxes, book covers and anything you want some stiffness.  Use this instead of batting.

6. A water-based glue stick (kids use these in school) is inexpensive and provides a temporary hold for appliqué pieces.

7.  Glue Pens are used to hold down finer details.

8.  Glue Baste provides a temporary bond where pins would be awkward such as Celtic  appliqué,  stems, letters.

9.  Spray baste products are great for adhering a quilt backing, batting, top together but the airborne particles can pose a health issue for some.

Log Cabin Crazy

Yesterday I had the pleasure of leading a Log Cabin Workshop for the Heritage Quilters Guild of Napanee. The 25 participants worked on a variety of log cabin block designs. Here are the results of some of their blocks.

The log cabin quilt block is one of my favourites and I usually have one or two log cabin quilts in progress. I try to include a variation so

that no two quilts look alike. I designed this blue/green/yellow combination for our guild to make as part of Community Quilts. With the right colour placement these blocks appear 3-D.

More pics to come.

Winter Workshops Start this week

I am excited to be teaching another group of new quilters in the eight-week beginner workshop starting this Wednesday evening. What a kick it is to see their enthusiasm for quilting grow as they master techniques! Although the evening workshop is full, we will an afternoon session if there is enough interest.

Jane will be hosting our first rug hookers Hook-In on Friday. Bring a work-in-progress and a lunch and spend the day with fellow rug hooking enthusiasts. Jane will also be teaching Beginner rug-hooking on Saturday. If you are interested in learning this traditional craft there is still space. We have made it easy for you by kitting your first project. All you need is a hoop and a hook(which we stock).

A reminder that next week's classes are also filling. Faith will be teaching embroidery stitches on a wool Eyeglass case. No need to buy lots of supplies--we have kitted this project too! A needle, thimble and scissors are all the tools required.

Jackie's group of Sylvia's Bridal Sampler enthusiasts is growing--the morning session has one spot left but there is still space in the afternoon session. This workshop is a great way to use up your stash--the blocks are only 6" finished!

Another sampler class being offered is the Biblical BlockSampler from Rosemary Makhan's book More Biblical Blocks. This is a great next steps workshop for anyone who has successfully completed the beginner workshop or mastered basic techniques.

We have added two workshops in March. Shamrocks and Shillelaghs will be held on March 1. Come to class with your green scraps cut and we will spend the day turning them into a small quilt to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Drop in to see workshop samples and sign up.

New fabrics are arriving every week. The latest is this line

just in time for Valentine's Day.