Spicy Spiral Innovation. . .

I am continually surprised at how creative we quilters are. This Spicy Spiral innovation from one of our students is no exception.

Our student made two table runners, one for Autumn,

and one for Christmas.

She wanted them to be one reversible table runner.  Notice that the spirals on both table runners are reversed of each other.  That allowed them to be placed back-to-back. 

The table runners were sewn right sides together and turned inside out.  And, whala, a reversible table runner. Our student figured out that the reversed spirals occur by how the wedges are sewn together.  So smart, don't you think?

Blessings,
Karri

Spicy Spiral Table Runner Class No. 2. . .

On Friday we held our second Spicy Spiral Table Runner Class.  This is an exciting pattern to watch happen.

It begins with eight fat quarter stripped and sewn together.

Then the stress begins as the stripped section is cut with the wedge ruler.  Students continually ask "Are you sure we can get what we need out of this?"

Then the fun begins as the wedged pieces are sewn together.  Easy, peasy with no seams to match.  Just the wonder of the spiral as it begins.

One-half is sewn at a time to look like this.

With two halves sewn together, this is what you get,

 and this,

and this.  They all look great.  It's obvious that Autumn and Christmas are upon us, isn't it?  Class time is fun for this pattern as you have the opportunity to see the way various fabric choices look together.

Click here to purchase this unique pattern and join in the fun.

Blessings,
Karri

A Christmas Gift to Make. . .

One of our quilters shared the easiest and coolest organizer to make.

It begins with a pot holder, preferably one at least 8" square with a hanging loop.

Using quart-sized plastic bags, determine if you want six or eight compartments, one bag for each compartment.  We used Ziploc zipper bags.  This organizer I am showing uses six bags.

Divide the number of plastic bags in half and stack together.  Double-sided tape was placed at the bottom end of the bags to control their movement (very slippery).  These ends will be cut off after sewn.  Place double-sided tape directly on pot holder opposite the loop.  Place one bag group with zippers toward loop side on tape.  Put tape on previously placed bag group.  Place other bag group with zippers facing opposite loop on tape.

Cut a ribbon of choice about 10".  Place down center of pot holder, tucking about 1" under each end.  Sew down length of ribbon on both edges making sure to catch ribbon tucked ends.  This ribbon center is perfect for storing needles.  Once sewn, cut the bottoms of the bags that are beyond the seam lines off.  Be sure to pull off any tape not cut off with the bottoms.

Sew a button on the top edge of the pot holder on the opposite side of the loop side.  This is fun to make, inexpensive, and takes about 15 minutes to complete.  I love mine!  Take some time to make a few quick gifts for others or just to get yourself organized.

Blessings,
Karri

Christmas Week Project Sharing. . .

The shop is open all week to quilters to come in and get a jump on Christmas projects (or whatever they want).

This quilter has a good jump on gifts with these two table runners,

and another one well under way.

As autumn happens before Christmas, this quilter wanted to get this quilt completed to hang in the next month or so.

And, a Christmas quilt, an opportunity to complete a previously purchased project.   Tomorrow I'll share a fun project you can make for a gift.

Blessings,
Karri

Ugly Fabric Challenge begins. . .

I began my Ugly Fabric Challenge quilt.  Here is my drawing with a few determined measurements.

The quilt had to be reduced from this quilt whose size is about 60" long to no larger than 22."  Needless to say the new design had to reduce the amount of blocks and their sizes.  I am also rearranging the use of the focus fabric and including applique in three of the blocks.

The block strips have been cut.  Next is creating the applique arrangement and shapes.  At least I've got it started. :)

Blessings,
Karri

Ugly Fabric Challenge Upcoming in September. . .

Bigfork Quilts, Etc. was opened with fabric purchased from the closing of another quilt store.  

The bolt of fabric had been purchased when the other shop had opened and was still full. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it as an Ugly Fabric Challenge that will begin in September.  Fat quarters will be available for purchase at that time.

To get your creative juices flowing, Sandi, who works with me at the shop, and I are going to work on our Ugly Fabric Challenge quilts this month and document it here on the website.  These are Sandi's fabrics (of course, with the option of being free to add or subtract as needed).

And a drawing of her quilt design, which will be an appliqued quilt.

These are my fabrics,

and this is the design I will be using (with a few adjustments) from the July/August 2012 Quiltmaker magazine by Gayla Nielsen.  The challenge rules are:  Ugly Fabric must be used at least 3 times; quilt can be no larger than 22" x 22"; must contain three layers; edges must be closed in style of choice.

Keep watching.

Blessings,
Karri

August Class Schedule Posted. . .

The new class schedule for August has been posted.  Please visit the "Class Schedule" page and see what class can fit into your schedule.

Maybe you can join us for our hand work Twisted Fibers Friday, or 

the Itsy Bitsy Quilt Club on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

The Spicy Spiral class offered by Clara is scheduled once again,

and we are having a full week of Christmas sewing to begin gifts and decorations.  We look forward to a busy month full of buzzing sewing machines and lots of fun shared with other quilters.  Happy August to all.


Blessings,
Karri

More Spicy Spiral Table Runners to Share. . .

Here are a few more Spicy Spiral table runners.  This one is a class student's.  (Not my best photo I know. Sorry :(

And these two are Clara's.  Nice to know the teacher likes the pattern :).

Every one looks very different.  I will hopefully get mine quilted this next week (we'll see :)


Blessings,
Karri

Last week I began a quilt in the Itsy Bitsy Quilt Club and had gotten fairly far along to this point.

I decided to put the effort into finishing it before too much time had gone by.  I gathered a bead embellishment and the cording for my binding.

I stitched the bead embellishment to the quilt bottom.  As I began to lay the cording around the quilt edge I realized that even doubled up it was too thin to create a good binding.  So I decided to braid it.

Once braided the cording was a good thickness to stitch to the quilt's side.

I zigzag stitched the braided cording to the quilt's side stitching around the quilt twice.

And here is a close-up of the beading embellishment stitched with a straight stitch.

Here is the result.  I enjoyed this style of raw edge strip quilting.  We will be expanding on this style for this month's club project.


Blessings,
Karri