Design Wall Monday - Jan.5

Its the first Design Wall Monday of the year and I have a design wall!  Yes, no more using the floor. Over the holidays, I moved some furniture and created a design wall.  

The first project for the design wall are these blocks that I made during an improv class at Quiltcon 2013.  I sewed them all together, but then put the project away.  I never felt right about this piece because the blocks were lost when sewed together.

So I got out the seam ripper and threw them up on the design wall.  They look so much better now that they have been set free.  First up, I think that I will reinforce a few seams and then press the blocks.  

It may be ambitious, but I think that finishing this project will be my January goal for the Lovely Year of Finishes.

Quiltcon Day4

Well, I am back home from Quiltcon and I really am so thankful that I did not have to fly.  There is no way my luggage would be under the weight limit!

I am sad to leave Austin. I really had a good time and I think that there was so much more to do and see. 

 

I definitely hope to attend the next Quiltcon.  Maybe next time, I will take 4 workshops instead of 3.  I also want to take classes that will totally push me out of my comfort zone.  If I cant make it into a class, then I would hope to volunteer.

 

 

 

 

When I first went through my bag at the hotel, I have to admit that this cassette tape was a bit confusing.  My first thought was "where the heck am I going to find a tape player?"  Then I opened it, and as you can see, it is a clever usb stick.

 

 

 

Also, I was able to get a photo of my dyed cloth from Malka's class. I still have to boil them, but that sounds like a weekend job. 

 

On the last day of the show, I told my mom that - hey, my pants are falling down.  So I weighed myself when I got home and I am down 6 pounds.  What!  I never read that in any of the Quiltcon brochures.  I am going to consider it a bonus!

 

Linking today to the Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link-up. 

Quiltcon Day3

The workshop that I attended on Day3 was Free-Motion Quilting on a Home Machine with Elizabeth Hartman. 

 

I wasn't sure what to expect, because I have never tried this technique.  OK, I admit that I still hand quilt.  I was so nervous that I would be so behind in the class, but, it turns out that I can do it!

I took notes and Elizabeth explained the process so well.  It may also be that since I have never done this, I hadn't developed any quirks or bad habits.  My favorite was the bubbles or pebbles pattern and the overlapping squares.

There were plenty of instructor samples to review. 

 

This class was similar to Day1 where half the students sewed with shoes and half were shoe-less.  I removed my shoes today and had a much better time with the machine. 

This class ended with an incident.  We had about 20 minutes left when something happened to a student on the other table.  I didn't want to look (to respect this lady's privacy).  Her finger got stuck in the needle.  I am not sure how this happened, but they had to call 911.  I really do hope she is OK. 

 

On Day4, I do not have anything scheduled.  Just to see more of the show.

Quiltcon Day2

On the second day of Quiltcon, I took the Color Your Cloth class with Malka Dubrawsky which was held off-site in the basement of the church. 

 

 

We pinned material over the top of a box.  As you stamp on the material with different items, the interior of the box catches the wax drippings.  We used various objects to mark the fabric such as: paint brushes, vegetable stamps, cardboard shapes, and potato mashers.

 



This was my favorite shape to use.  It is a strip of cardboard that was taped together to make a square.

 

After applying the wax, the fabric is placed in a dye bath.

 

 

The next day during the lunch break, I went back to pick up my fabric pieces at the church.  I am not sure why, but it looks like there are purple splashes on this blue fabric.  The fabric squares were still a bit wet, so I will post a picture of all the pieces when I get back home. 

 

 

 

 

Day3 is Machine Sewing on a Home Machine with Elizabeth Hartman.

Quiltcon Day1

On the first day of Quiltcon, I took the Modern Block Improv workshop with Sherri Lynn Wood.  I was looking forward to the class because this is the first time that I have ever taken a quilt class.

 

The first thing that I learned was to get to class early!  Our quilt supply list stated to be at class 15 minutes early to set up.  Well I was there 16 minutes early and most all the seats were taken.  I got one of the last seats in the back row.  But it was next to the ironing station, so all I had to do was turn my chair to iron a piece if needed.

  

 

 

The class began with instruction and a centering exercise, then we were instructed to work in silence for 30 minutes. I really enjoyed this silent period because it was a big change from a room full of quilters talking.

 

It was interesting to see that some quilters sew with their shoes off and some keep their shoes on.  I sew without shoes, but tried to sew wearing sneakers which felt weird. 

 

This was the first time that I have ever used a design wall.  At home, I have a design floor.

 

I couldn't figure out which of the 3 block designs to go with at first.  I then decided to work with the Monkey Wrench or Churn Dash blocks mostly because I hate to work with triangles.  Although, I am pleased with all the blocks and will use them in projects when I return home.

 

I can't believe how fast the day seemed to go by.  I believe that there were 25 people in the class and I was surprised at the age range of the students.  There was quite a mixture of ages.

 

During the lunch break, I was able to quickly run through the show and visit a few vendors. 

 

Day2 is Color Your Cloth with Malka Dubrawsky which is at an off-site location.

I'm Going to Quiltcon!

Whew.....I was kinda nervous about getting into a workshop at Quiltcon.  Registration opened this morning, and it was thought that the workshops would sell out fast (and some have).

But, I was able to register for the workshops that I selected.  Doing the happy dance :)