Raffle Quilt for the Friendship Knot Quilt Guild

Karla came and picked up this beauty and she was thrilled!

This is the 2019 Raffle Quilt for the Friendship Knot Quilters Guild of Sarasota.  Yes, that's right, you have an entire year to purchase tickets.  For ticket info, please contact Karla - her email is paulandkarla@aol.com

There is a 20-minute video on my Patreon account sharing my quilting process on this quilt, including nesting backing fill tips, border fill, the two different paths for continuous ditch/stitch of the quilt body, as well as the pieced triangle path.  Please remember that Patreon is a subscription service, there is a monthly subscription fee (I have two tier levels) - it is so worth it with the amount of info I share.  It is a peek into my quilty world, I cover just about everything that's going on - tips, tricks, up close videos, even my mistakes and mess-ups (and how I fix them).  Go ahead and check it out - patreon.com/quiltyk

Here's a peek into the quilting of this beauty:

Nancy's Onion blooms

Being sick stinks, and I've had this cruddy cold for too many days now.  One of the perks of the Elevate is that it works for me.... ahhhh.  Well, kind of, I still need to check on it and make sure nothing is going crazy, as well as advance the quilt after each row, but let me tell you - this is the way to quilt when you're sick!

I did this beauty for Nancy - it's a modified Red Onion quilt pattern (Karla Alexander - Stack a New Deck).   Nancy added sashing and cornerstones.  I know this because we worked on our quilts together... and no, mine still isn't finished.  Mine is sitting nicely in a project box just waiting for all the blocks to be squared up and sewn into rows.  Yeah, not happening anytime soon.

So back to Nancy's quilt -- she wanted all over circles so I used AborigRE2E by Stitch Happy.

I think it turned out awesome.  Oh and on the E2E homefront, I've been designing a few of my own patterns... more about that a little later.

Marian's Jacobean Arbor quilt

Marian's Jacobean Arbor quilt is finished (pattern/designs by Pat Campbell)

To hear some tips and see me stitching on this beauty you can subscribe to my Patreon account - patreon.com/quiltyk

Here are a few detail pics:

I absolutely love how this turned out -- Marian chose some beautiful fabrics and that deep aubergine purple really sets off those colors!

Weekly finishes...

So I've been quilting up a storm with my Elevate by Gammill - its been a blast so far!

Here are vintage twin quilts for my client Dot - she's thinking they are at least 50-60 years old.  Now they'll be like new on her guest room beds.

Did you know that having a computerized system is kinda like an employee?  You get so much more done!  I've also managed to finish up two of my older pieces.

This charm quilt is old, I'm thinking from around 2004, back when I worked at the quilt shop.  I really love this quilt - it is one piece of every fabric that came into the shop that year.  I remember many of them!  Now, all it needs is some binding.

And I finally finished this cute Halloween table topper - a simple rail fence created (years ago) from a jelly roll.

Lots more to come on the edge-to-edge side of my world...

Maureen's Infinity Quilt

I just finished Maureen's Infinity quilt (pattern by Jacqueline de Jonge/Be Colourful)and it is gorgeous!  Yes, I went a little over budget on the background fills around some of the stars, but it is okay - the effect was worth it.

And a few close-ups:

I definitely had a lot of fun with this one!

East Coast Gammill Statler Conference

This is absolutely one of my favorite events of the year. And I'm even more excited for 2018 as the venue has changed to Williamsburg, VA - click HERE for all the details.   Join me and many other super talented teachers!  I wouldn't wait too long to sign up - there are only a limited number of spots available - once it's full you'll have to wait until next time!

Here are the classes I'll be teaching:

A few brand new classes - watch in coming weeks as I share pictures of the samples!  And yes, that's right, Build-A-Stitch 3 will be ready (the book too) - where I'll share many other ways to utilize those stitches you've been learning!

Say what...

Yesterday I shared a post about Gammill's newest option in their product line-up - the Elevate.  If you were at Market or Festival you have already heard all about it, and maybe you even took it for a test drive.  Well, as you can see from the ad above, I've been using this amazing computerized option.  I've mainly used it for my own stuff as I had to get used to it and adjust to doing some computerized stuff.  Yes, I know I would have been the last person to think I'd ever be using a computerized quilting option.  After all these years of doing custom and heirloom work I'm now able to offer really affordable edge-to-edge options.  Yes, I've always done edge-to-edge, but now... BOOM - I can let the machine do it for me -- if it saves me time, it saves you money!

Here's the special part - introductory pricing, but only for a limited time!  

The introductory pricing of .015 per square inch will be for computerized edge-to-edge quilting (minimum $50).  Quilts must be delivered/dropped off by January 15, 2018.  Additional fees for batting, binding, and general services will still apply.

But wait... there's more!  If you drop/send a custom piece at the same time, your computerized edge-to-edge piece will drop to .010 per square inch (minimum $50)!  Additional fees for batting, binding, and general services will still apply.

When you call/email just mention the Elevate introductory offer - and do it before the offer expires! karen@creativelongarmquilting.com

Block Breakdown #4 - Economy Patch

Here is Block Breakdown # 4 - Economy Patch



Every month on the Gammill YouTube channel I'll be sharing a different block showing several quilting variations. I'll make sure to share the link here as well. You can always click on the Block Breakdown links (located in the sidebar) to check if you've missed any.

Kate's Christmas goodies

So, it was the week before Festival and I was trying to get client work finished.

I managed to stitch up these four beauties for Kate:

First this super cute table topper:

Then these adorable twin log cabin toppers:

And then this little tree skirt:

This last one was kind of a little secret.  I'm sure by now you've heard/read all about Gammill's newest product, the Elevate, a mid-range computerized system.  Well, I've been using the Elevate and I'm super excited to finally be able to share something.  On this little beauty I used both computerized and hand-guided - can you tell? 

So, more about the Elevate - now that I'm able to share!
OMG... who would ever have thought that I would be using a computerized system?!!  Right, even I shocked myself!  The Elevate is a mid-range product - it does blocks and rows.  So for me, it is more of an employee... it will do edge-to-edge quilts for me while I'm busy working on other things... I can actually multi-task even more now!

So what this means for my clients... oooh, there will be another blog post sometime tomorrow with a super special. 

Block Breakdown #3 - Square in a Square

Every month on the Gammill YouTube channel I'll be sharing a different block showing several quilting variations. I'll make sure to share the link here as well. You can always click on the Block Breakdown links (located in sidebar) to check if you've missed any.

Here is Block Breakdown #3 - Square in a Square:

Remember, let me know if there are any specific blocks you'd like to see - happy stitching!

Karen's Sunbonnet Sue Christmas

Karen's Sunbonnet Sue Christmas (embroidery designs by Anita Goodesign) is finished and it's a super cutie!  Two batting layers on this one to let those embroideries shine as well as accentuate the quilting - Hobbs 80/20 topped with Quilters Dream wool (my favorite combo).

A couple of detail pics:

And, of course, the back!

Meet me in Virginia...

Yes, I'm getting super excited about my upcoming trip to Virginia.  I'll be teaching at the Mid-Atlantic Gammill Training Center in Phenix.  I'm hoping the weather gets a wee bit cooler - I'm hearing it's almost the same weather as here right now... no, I want fall!

I'll tell you all about my classes in a second but, first I want to share the awesomeness.  Each class is limited to only 8 people.  Each person will get full use of their own machine - no sharing which is super awesome, right?  The only downside to small class sizes is they fill fast -- if you're thinking about signing up you'll probably want to hurry.

Now, on to the class fun stuff -

The Creative Process - full day class
Have you ever wanted to create your own design?  In this class, you are going to design your own original mini wholecloth and then stitch it out!  Yes, designing a quilt is not as difficult as you thought - and you don't even have to know how to draw!  Just a little guidance and some creativity and you'll soon be on your way to designing many original quilts!  This process can be used to create both applique and wholecloth designs.

If you've been following me you've probably seen these quilts - these were all created using this technique!

Wonderlust by Karen Marchetti

Stella Luminosa by Karen Marchetti

Iron Acanthus by Karen Marchetti

Jokers Jest by Karen Marchetti

Sidewalk Chalk by Karen Marchetti

And here's a little surprise - if you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen a couple of peeks of my latest competition piece.  Guess what?  I'll have it with me (to work on) and it too was created using this technique - you'll be the very first ones to see it (well, if you're in class)!

Pop Those Lines - full day class
Using rulers and some background fills on a custom-printed panel, you'll learn how to make your ruler work pop!  You'll take basic ruler work to the next level.

So there they are - two totally different classes.  One is totally right brain and the other kinda left brain! 

Remember, there are only a few spots left in the classes - hope to see you there!

Ruth's Catch Me If You Can Quilt

Ruth's beautiful Catch Me If You Can Quilt, a Jacqueline de Jonge/Be Colourful pattern, is finished!

And, of course, some detail pics:

Block Breakdown #2 - Nine Patch

Every month on the Gammill YouTube channel I'll be sharing a different block showing several quilting variations.  I'll make sure to share the link here as well.  You can always click on the Block Breakdown links (located in sidebar) to check if you've missed any.

Here is Block Breakdown #2 - Nine Patch

Let me know how you're liking the series and if there are any specific blocks you'd like to see.

Houston Quilt Festival

I'm am thrilled to be part of this year's faculty at Houston Quilt Festival.  I have the honor of sharing four classes with all of you. Yes, Quilt Festival is still happening, you can read all about it later in this post.

Friday's classes:

Unfortunately, Build-A-Stitch is sold out.

But there is still room in Build-A-Stitch 2, which covers 20 more stitches.  And no worries, Build-A-Stitch is NOT a prerequisite for this class.





Saturday's classes:

Lots of ruler work in Pop Those Lines but, when we combine it with fun background fills some amazing things happen!

Spunky Funky Feathers is full of super fun and super whimsical feathers.  The best part... all of these feathers have ZERO backtracks!  

With the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, everyone is wondering about this year's Quilt Festival.  Is it happening - there is no doubt about it.  Here is IQA's recent Facebook post:

International Quilt Association (IQA)

September 6 at 3:23pm · 

Important note regarding the IQA Judged Show at International Quilt Festival

We would like to thank all who have sent messages of support to us in response to the devastating flooding taking place in our home city of Houston. We are happy to report that all of our staff and volunteers are safe, that our office did not suffer any hurricane- or flood-related damages, and that all the quilts sent in for the judging that is still taking place this week are safe and secure.

Our office has reopened with limited hours as of Tuesday, September 5. Please be patient in receiving a response to calls and emails as we catch up on work and correspondence.

We have also heard from many people asking whether they should cancel their plans to attend this year’s International Quilt Festival or the IQA Winners Circle Celebration. We want to assure you that there is no reason to cancel any travel plans, as the show is still scheduled to go on.

Festival is nearly two months away, and we have full confidence that our city will bounce back quickly, as it has always done. Also, neither the George R. Brown Convention Center nor the Downtown Houston hotels were damaged in the flooding.

Many others have not been so lucky, and we ask that you keep Houston and all areas that have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey in your thoughts, and, if possible, consider making a contribution toward organizations involved in the ongoing relief efforts.

If you are interested in making a donation to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, please consider the Houston Flood Relief Fund organized by J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, or the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett.

Some people are questioning if Houston and IQA really can pull things together in our badly hurt city so that Festival can be held. We understand where those doubts are coming from. Our best answer to anyone with doubts is this: as the founders of the International Quilt Association, we promise you that the display of our Judged Show at Festival WILL go on!

But our second best answer can be found in the commentary piece below for the Austin American-Statesman written by a non-Texan. It brought us to tears. We hope it will help you understand why we can make our promise: The show WILL go on.

Thank you!

Karey Bresenhan & Nancy Puentes
Co-Founders
International Quilt Association

So, with all that - hope to see you in Houston!