Behind The Scenes of Photo Shoot At My Home-Part One

For me, it isn't everyday that my home is photographed for a magazine.  How about never until now!  My family and I were flattered (to say the least!) and excited just to see how all of this would work.  Fascinating stuff, and a very fun way to spend four days!! 

Senior Editor Elizabeth Tisinger Beese &
Design Director Nancy Wiles
Quilt on table is Elizabeth's Prairie Garden~PWSC Journey Three displayed on top of a coverlet. 

We were visited by Senior Editor, Elizabeth Beese and Design Director, Nancy Wiles, along with photographer Greg Scheidemann, and his assistant (and lovely wife).  

This photo shows Nancy fluffing my American Gothic quilt to stylize it for Greg to shoot the quilt and all the samplers that are hanging on the wall you can't see (photo on pg 19 in the magazine).  The Bear Paw quilt on the wall behind the sofa was my first quilt acquisition.  I purchased the top from a fellow teacher at a quilt shop where we both worked long before I knew how to quilt.  I love it so much, I decorated the entire living room around that quilt.  Blues and greens are a favorite color combo for me.    The quilt on the wall behind the blue chair is called A Light In The Window from my Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club ~ Journey Three.

In my family room, things have been moved around a bit to photograph some of my prized possessions, my Three Sisters samplers.  My husband, Ed, bought the three samplers for me for Christmas last year.  I'm still amazed that in over 150 years, the Three Sisters have remained together, and I'll certainly do my part to keep them that way!  Nancy chose to lay them on top of the table for the photo, which you can see on the computer monitor.  (The photo is on page 19 in the magazine. )

This is how the Three Sisters are displayed in my home.  One rests a top a vintage sewing machine drawer that my pal Lynne Hagmeier gifted to me.  I've turned the drawer into a narrow shelf, and think they all make a good nineteenth century vignette.  

Here's how it all looks on any given day.  The quilt draped over the blue chair is Union Blues, and the other is a quilt I made long ago for my family to use, and for which there isn't a pattern.  You might spot our little Yorkie, Bella, in one of her favorite spots in the house, with her head in between the stair rails.  

I love old samplers as much as I love quilts.  I own three with dates in the 1700's, and the rest, nearly thirty more, are all dated in the 1800's.  I have some reproduction samplers mixed in with the vintage samplers on the wall in this room, and repros and vintage samplers are displayed all over the house.  

Also displayed in the living room is one of my all time favorite quilts, Scraps From Home, from PWSC-Journey One.  Love the combo of round yo-yos, and straight lines of the Flying Geese, finished with a soft scalloped border.  Also pictured is the Star Strings Pinkeep, which has a quilt included in the same pattern.  Both are terrific scrap-buster projects!!  

In a vintage treen square wood bucket sits a few things that make me smile.  A star block wool pillow, a QUILT sign, and a tea towel with the sampler alphabet.  I collect lots of things with the alphabet on them!  The items in this bucket are changed out with the seasons and holidays. These little vignettes make me happy, and provide a place to display lots of favorite things.  I'm sure you have those favorite spots, too!

Well, that's all for now.  I don't want to bore you to death!  I'll post more pictures of my home and sewing room in my next post.  

Until then....hope you find some time for stitching and other delights that feed your soul. 

Can't Believe It's Me in AP&Q Magazine!!!

Quilt in the photo is Scraps from Home bonus project in
Journey One of The Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club.

I am still in disbelief over having been chosen to be featured in a profile article in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine!!  But here it is...it's finally out, and I am humbled and grateful for this wonderful adventure!  

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
(c) 2015 Meredith Corp.  All rights reserved.

My profile article appears in the December, 2015 issue which is arriving now in your mail box, your local quilt shop, and newsstands everywhere.

Several members of the American Patchwork & Quilting magazine staff came to visit us the week following the July 4th holiday, and did we ever have fun!  Oh...just a little stress when a national magazine comes to photograph your home!!  But, they took all the worries away, and we all enjoyed every moment.  

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
(C) 2015 Meredith Corp.  All rights reserved.

I was also blessed to design a special quilt just for this issue, and it's called Prairie At Heart.  The name says it all for me, and you can read lots more about what inspires me, and see lots of pictures of my home and sewing room.  

Photo used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
(c) 2015 Meredith Corp.  All rights reserved.

Prairie At Heart was inspired by an amazing nineteenth century antique quilt that just caught my eye for it's powerful pizzazz, and patchwork simplicity.  One glorious, yet easy-to-piece block, with loads of shirtings and dark prints, set on diagonal point against a sweet navy blue print fabric, just really jazzed me!!    I hope you love it, too!!

The pattern for Prairie At Heart is, of course, found in the pages of this, the December, 2015 issue. Also in this issue is a web link to see even more photos of my home!

Kits are available, with exactly the same fabrics I used, 

all from my Antique Cotton fabric collection for Marcus Fabrics.  

Click here to order a kit, and bring a little Prairie into your home.  

I'll share more photos of my home, and some behind-the-scenes pictures of the photo shoot in my next blog post!!  I also invite you to click on over to the Marcus Fabrics blog, where you'll see a few pictures you won't see here.  

And...I'll have a BIG GIVE-AWAY next week, so watch my blog for news!!  So exciting!!  

Sending out the biggest THANK YOU to all the amazing and oh-so-talented women working at American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  You're a joy to work with each and every time I am lucky enough to do so!!!  

Find some time for the stitching that feeds your soul!

Bundles, Bundles, Bundles!!

I ask you....who doesn't love a cute bundle of Fat Quarters??  I know I do!!  Sometimes, you know you just need more of a particular color in your stash...and stashes need to be fed from time to time...no matter what non-quilters say.  You never have enough fabric...am I right?

I've added what I call "color bank" Fat Quarter bundles to my website.  

All bundles are a fun mix of just my fabrics, designed for the most fabulous fabric company ever....Marcus Fabrics!!!!

Starting with my favorite color....RED!  Love, love, love!!

And there are warm and cozy BROWNS!!

And bundles and bundles of creamy, luscious LIGHTS!!  

All will be a wonderful addition to your stash and upcoming quilt projects.  I can also put together assortments for you, via email request, such as nothing but tone-on-tones, and/or all shirtings, etc.  I've been doing that for customers all along, and would be happy to do so for you!!

Click here to see all the available bundles and color banks.

There will be more color bank bundles added as collections come out, and I have three new collections already in production with more coming later next year!  Feeling excited and so blessed.

Just a fun reminder.....another FREE Pocket Patchwork Sew-Along is coming very soon!

Quilt Storage Out of the Box!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about having a storage dilemma for holiday quilts.  You know, those quilts you only use once a year.  I asked for your advice and ideas on how you handle this issue.  I received many wonderful comments to the post I wrote and I thank everyone for helping me  (click here to see my original post and comments.)

I received an email from Marcia B. that I thought was particularly inspiring, and asked her if I could share her ideas with all of you.  Happily, she said YES!

Marcia writes that she discovered awhile ago that she can layer one quilt on top of another so that the borders and other elements of the quilt underneath peek out from behind.  The black applique borders of the bottom quilt extend past the red print border of the quilt on top of it, making it look like a whole new quilt!  So, so cute!  

Notice there are two quilts on the very top, turned on point, and flipped over, so only the backings are showing.  One has the black and white checked binding (a Christmas quilt), and the other a red binding (an autumnal quilt).  This idea, she says, makes her think a lot more about what fabric she chooses for backing.  Great idea, don't you agree?! 

Marcia goes on to say "Using my larger quilts folded with the backs showing and layering them over the backs of chairs is now common practice in my house.  I don't always want the front to be on display, but if its season oriented, it gets turned around and used for the color or the theme (this quilt with ticking is a large Halloween quilt.)  It helps me not to get tired of looking at the same quilt over time, as if it isn't even there anymore....like any decorating."  With the small dining room she has, Marcia can "store" seven or more quilts without any of them "clashing or overpowering the space with too much color or pattern.  This makes me happy" she says.  

Marcia layers quilts even when she's showing the fronts.  Looks so very comfy!!

Displaying the back of her quilts means that Marcia's labels will also be on display.  Marcia purposely centered the label on the backing so that when she folded the quilt into thirds, the label would be in just the right spot to show it off.  Notice the blue bird?

Marcia cleverly tucked the important label information under the bird's wing!!  She says "I'm a big fan of paper folding, and this came into play by designing the wing of the bird to unfold as a heart with the information inside.  The wing then buttons closed which was labor intensive but worth the effort."  We wholeheartedly agree!!  She goes on to say "the black backing fabric really shows off the labels, and also looks great."  I really, really does!  

Marcia says "I now challenge myself to come up with creative labels and color specific backings to make the layering even better.  It has given me a unique way to make my quilts standout a bit, and has opened my mind to possibilities that I never would have thought to do.  I do more labels on the front than on the back, and "hiding" them is so much fun!"

Notice the sashing print to the bottom right of the wing applique.  

Marcia told me "The flap above looks a bit like a regular sashing between the flags.  It is re-enforced with light interfacing and hand quilted before being sewn in place along with another flap that will be the actual label.  it doesn't take away from the overall design and works well for a wall hanging quilt."  How wonderful is that?!!  

I leave you with more of Marcia's lovely words as she writes "Our homes are the gallery of our works in fiber art. "  Marcia...you are absolutely right, and I have truly been inspired by you and your gorgeous quilts!  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your beautiful quilts and ideas with us all.  

Tokens of the Past: Attic Treasures

Introducing my newest pattern in the Tokens of the Past series, called Attic Treasures! 

Once again, the units and blocks for all three of these cutie quilts were made from just one 10 inch precut of my new Antique Cotton fabrics (for Marcus Fabrics)!!  Add some yummy sashing, border and binding fabrics and you're all set.  

I thought you'd like to see some up-close pictures of the quilts, and the wonderful quilting by my friend, Ronda.

Back In Time from Tokens of the Past: Attic Treasures

The first quilt is called Back In Time.  It was inspired by a nineteenth century doll quilt I saw recently and fell madly for.  So unusual, so simple, so stunning!  All of the quilts in this pattern were inspired by very simple patchwork.  Lovely colors, great fabric prints, and simple patchwork make for classic quilts!  Quilt size is 21 x 21.

Remembering Mama from Tokens of the Past ~ Attic Treasures

The second quilt is called Remembering Mama.  Sixteen Patches and Sawtooth Star blocks make for a simply beautiful combination.  I knew those alternate blocks would be a place for gorgeous quilting, and the design really makes this quilt come alive, don't you think?!  Classic patchwork and great colors and prints really make for another classic, sweet little quilt.  Love, Love!!  Quilt size is 20 x 24.

Forever Memories from Tokens of the Past ~ Attic Treasures

 

The third quilt, called Forever Memories, is actually just one large block.  I have always loved this block, called Birds on the Tracks, and thought it was a great choice for an eye-catching small quilt.  Again, simple patchwork triangles and the sashing X are the only thing needed for a center that really pops in this classic quilt.  It was fun and super easy piecing these three small quilts, and I hope you'll have fun making them, too!!  Quilt size is 27 x 27.

The Tokens: Attic Treasures patterns are available now!!  To order the pattern, click here.

PRE~ORDER the 

Tokens: Attic Treasures Quilt Trio ~ Complete Kit

The Antique Cotton 10 inch precuts will be available in early October!!  As I so often like to do, I'm inviting you to pre-order the complete Tokens: Attic Treasures Quilt Trio complete kit, which includes the pattern, the 10 inch precut, and all borders and binding to make all three quilts.  Regular price for the kit is $111.00.  Your special pre-order price is just $96.00!!  A $15 savings!!  Offer ends October 2nd.  

To pre-order your Tokens: Attic Treasures complete kit, click here.  Your kit will ship in October, as soon as the fabrics arrive!

A Prairie Gathering Quilt of the Quarter ~ Month Nine

This is an exciting month!  Another border will be added, and our quilt is growing.  I'm sure you enjoyed the drastically reduced cutting this month!  Yahoo!!  

Construction of our Four Patch border is the first task.  I've had about half a dozen emails in the last few weeks about pieced borders that don't fit.  This is a very common problem!  The solution?  Hate to sound like a broken record, but measure, measure, measure. So much of quilting is mathematics....like it or not.  Our impossible mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make as close to a perfect quilt as your skills allow.  Unless you're willing to take months, if not years making the perfect quilt, it's not likely that each and every unit and block will be truly perfect.  

I promise you, the only truly perfect quilts I make are constructed in Electric Quilt!!  

That said, I do everything I can to be as perfect as I can, with skills and tools (if they truly help) to get me there.  Measuring is one skill that is paramount in every unit, block and quilt you make.  It's easy and the results are soooo worth it. Onward....

Your (on point) Four Patch blocks should measure 3 1/2 inches.  Sew 7 pairs together, press, then measure again.  They should measure 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 unfinished.  If they don't, you only have one seam to look at and correct.  Don't proceed until all measure what they should.  

Next sew two pairs together, press and check that they measure 3 1/2 x 12 1/2.  Repeat to make a total of three groups of 4 Four Patch pairs.  (You'll have one pair left over.)  Proceed to sew the border together, using the three 4 Patch groups and the single

pair unit.  Your border should measure 3 1/2 x 42 1/2 unfinished.  Repeat to make four Four Patch borders.

Sew two borders to the sides of your quilt center, press.  

Sew a Four Patch cornerpost unit to both ends of the remaining borders, press.  Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt center, press.

The red "chain of squares" will bend the corner nicely!  Refer to your pattern and check to be sure your quilt measures what it should.  Then, proceed with sewing the next plain border to your top.  

Here's what our quilt looks like after Month Nine!!  So exciting!!  You'll also be constructing some Shoo-Fly blocks and working on Half Square Triangles for the Triangle Sawtooth border.  

It's all coming together!!  Only a few more months to go!  

What To Do With All These Quilts?

I'm blessed with a growing business and for the last year have had some growing pains.  What to do with all the "stuff".  Bolts of fabric, more patterns, Fat Quarters and bundles.  It's a nice problem to have, and I'm not complaining.  I'm in the process of renovation to accommodate all these goodies, and I'm just not coming up with a good plan for storing quilts I don't use very often.  Mostly holiday quilts I made years ago.  So, I'm wondering... 

What you do with your quilts?  

How do you store quilts you don't use or display in your home regularly?  

Any advice would be appreciated, and I think many others would benefit from your ideas!  

Guess what's coming soon??  

Another Pocket Patchwork Sew-Along!!  

This will be short and sweet and use nothin' but scraps.  Details will be posted right here in a couple of weeks, and it will be over before the holidays.  So....get ready for a little stash raid!!