Category Archives: Sewing

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Lincoln 2009 Celebration Quilt “Penny For Your Thoughts” by Leona Harden

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One of the nice things that comes from being a designer is hearing from someone who is using  my patterns.  Leona Harden contacted me a few months ago regarding a quilt block pattern that I had designed, “Pieced Eagle”

Leona was working on a quilt for an AQS (American Quilter’s Society) show that was held in Nashville in August.  Leona’s quilt “Penny for Your Thoughts” was juried into the show and was selected along with 9 others for the Lincoln 2009 Celebration to be on display at the Museum of American Quilter’s Society in Padacah, Ky.  The exhibit will run February 7 to April 6, 2009.

Abe Lincoln quilt

Leona did an outstanding job designing the layout of the quilt and combining blocks and techniques. The amazing story behind Leona’s quilt is that she has only been quilting for 2 years.  This is a pretty amazing and complex quilt for anyone to complete.

abe quilt closeup

Leona created her first quilt as a lap quilt for her husband to use during football season.  After that, she was hooked with quilting immediately becoming her passion.  In the past 2 years, Leona has completed 40 quilts.  She devotes 8 hours a day to either quilting or studying quilting.  Living in a remote area of Tennessee, she uses the internet for her instructor.

One of Leona’s other quilts was this beauty that was a 2nd place ribbon winner.

Family Quilt

Leona is a member of the Smoky Mountain Quilter’s Guild as well as the Bit’s n Pieces Guild. I can only imagine the beatiful quilts she will compete in the next 2 years! And if you are in the Paducah area next spring, be sure to visit the Museum and see “Penny for your Thoughts” up close.

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Free apron pattern using Meow Meow cat fabrics

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Apron made with cat fabric

Are you feeling a little catty? I just finished this easy-to-make and fun-to-wear apron using the Meow Meow cat fabric collection that I designed for Quilting Treasures. This free pattern is for you to use and enjoy.

I’ve also given instructions on how you can adjust the size of the apron pattern.  Sewing the apron is so easy, you can sew it then wear it in a couple of hours.   If you want to purchase any of the Meow Meow cat fabrics, check out these links for online stores.  Click for a link to download the insructions.

Enjoy and I would love to see what you make!

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New quilting designs – Quilted Chair Cover and Curtain

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I just received a book,  Sew It in a Weekend that features 2 quilted items that I designed.  Quilted Chairback

The “Simple-to-Quilt Chair Cover” adds a decorative touch to a room.  Easy to make, it ties onto your chair.  The quilt batting adds a little cushion to the chairbck.

The window curtain panel was created with the Sweetheart Ballerinas fabric collection that I designed for Quilting Treasures.  For the batting, I used Warm & Safe TM by the Warm Company, which is flame retardant and a big plus for window treatments.  Sweetheart Ballerina curtain

 Sew It in a Weekend is published by House of White Birches and is edited by Julie Johnson, the editor for Sewing Savvy  magazine. I really like that the pages are spiral bound so that the book lays flat when opened.

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Free instructions and pattern to create a tee shirt dress.

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Tee Shirt Dress

Take a tee shirt out of your closet and turn it into a dress with a few simple sewing instructions.  I designed this child sized “T-Shirt Flounce Dress” for Sewing Savvy magazine.  The pattern and instructions are on their website for free downloading so that you can sew a few before school starts  The dress is embellished with ribbon and has a ribbon flower that you can make.

I chose a yellow and orange color combination, but you can come up with your own color combinations based on the tee shirt colors you choose.  And why not enlarge the pattern and make one for yourself!!  It would make a comfy dress to shop in or even a cute dress for the beach!

Best to you and all that you do!

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Sewing away with new designs

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New sewing projects on the horizon!  I just completed a sewing project that I designed for a publication due out in a few months.  I can’t give any details but thought I would give a sneak peak of the fabrics I used.  I am a fabric junkie and just love bright colored fabrics. Fabrics for projectIts inspirational just looking at my fabric stash because of all the colors.  This is just a small part of my fabric stash.My fabric stash

 

I’m leaving Thursday for the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) trade show in Chicago.  I just read a comparison somewhere that its like the World Fair of craft shows.  I agree and wish I could remember where I saw that, but my brain is in overload right now.  I am displaying in the Designer Showcase at the show and am working on last minute preparations.  The show is so exciting to attend and check out all the new products available to the crafters of the world

Best wishes for a happy day to each of you! 

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Quilt Market and Meow Meow Cat Fabrics – Free Patterns for Quilt and Table Runner

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For the debut of the Meow Meow cat fabric collection that I designed for Quilting Treasures, I also designed a table runner and a quilt for their booth at the International Quilt Market trade show.  The table runner is shown in the photo with a cat pet carrier.   Meow Meow cat fabric

 

The Meow Meow quilt was displayed on the wall in the Quilting Treasures booth.   Meow Meow cat fabric quilt 

 

Both the Quilt and Table Runner patterns are available on the Quilting Treasures website for downloading.  While looking at these patterns, note the other patterns available.  I designed some of these as well – the Sophia quilt pattern and the Flintstones Nap Mat as well as the art and instructions for the Blanc et Noir quilt by Marie Osmond.  In addition, there is a free quilt pattern for the Sweetheart Ballerina fabric collection that I designed. 

Please enjoy using these free patterns – there are so many great patterns available for you to choose from.

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Quilt Market – catching up with friends, a perk in addition to the beautiful colors of fabrics

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As I walk the International Quilt Market, I am always in heaven seeing all the beautiful colors of fabrics and quilts displayed throughout the whole show.  Another thing that I really enjoy about the show is catching up with friends, which I did last month at the Spring Quilt Market in Portland.

I think all of my friends are interesting and unique.  I remembered to take out the camera a few times, but not often enough, to capture some of these moments.

Phyllis Dobbs, Julie Stephani and Carol ZentgrafJulie Stephani is sitting in the center and Carol Zentgraf is sitting on the right side.    Julie is the editor of Today’s Creative Home Arts magazine.  Carol is a very talented designer specializing in sewing projects.  Its always a delight to be with these two as our conversations are always filled with many, many laughs.

I have to admit that I don’t know the 4th person behind us. She surreptitiously joined our photo session. We were in the Home Arts booth and didn’t realize until later that we were posed in front of a photo in the booth background – she fit in just like she belonged! Also note my tote bag – made with my new Meow Meow cat fabric from Quilting Treasures.

Threaded Pear booth at Quilt Market I’m afraid that I interrupted Gina Halladay’s lunch in the booth of her and Stephanie Goudzwaard’s pattern company, Threaded Pear (introducing several new patterns).  Gina is such a cut-up, plus she looked simply fabulous.  I just loved the booth sign using red long johns – what a great idea and easy to spot!  Gina is also a blogger extraordinaire with her hit blog, Quilters’ Buzz.

Phyllis Dobbs and Desiree OvertvietAnother friend, Desiree Overtviet, travels a great distance to attend Quilt Market.  She is from Holland where she owns a very successful online fabric and quilt shop, Desiree’s Lappeteknikk.  Desiree is fun as well as very interesting.  I enjoy hearing about her life in Holland, which she tells with a humorous slant.  And Desiree is definitely a shoe lover, traveling with many pairs of gorgeous and stylish shoes including some Jimmy Choo’s.

Proof reading this post reminds me of two quotes.  “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people” (Victor Borge).  Plus “A good snapshot stops a moment from running away”. (Eduora Welty).  Note to self – remember to pull the camera out more often!

 


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Bernina Fashions at Spring Quilt Market

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Bernina of America sponsored a Bernina Fashion Show at the Spring Internatonal Quilt Market.  I took photographs of 3 of the gorgeous entries, although they were all spectacular.

The Many, Many Tears I\'ve Shed

This entry. titled The Many, Many Tears I’ve Shed, was created by Virgie Fisher of Yukon, OK.

 

Silk Road Caravanserai

 

Audrey Durnan of Claremont, CA, created the blue Silk Road Caravanserai which has a coordinating  hooded cloak.

 

 

 

 

The Warrio goddess..Guardian of Lost Treasure

This fashion, The Warrior Goddess…Guardian of Lost Treasure, was created by Janet Brooks of Rio Rancho, NM.

It was a busy show, so unfortunately, I did not get back to take additional pictures of the gorgeous fashions. 

Please check back for more from Quilt Market.  And one more piece of eye candy, a close up (although a little out of focus) of one of the beautiful rhododendron blooms that were outside the convention center.

Rhododendron bloom

 

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Quilt Market in Portland with Meow Meow Cat Fabric Debut

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International Quilt Market is always a beautiful trade show, full of eye candy with all the beautiful colors of quilts and fabrics.  It was an exciting event for me as Meow, Meow, my new cat fabric collection debuted with Quilting Treasures.

I also created several projects for Quilting Treasures’ booth using Meow Meow.  I’m in the center with Donna (left) and Jodi (right) from Quilting Treasures.  The two quilted projects shown in front are a Meow Meow Cat Carrier (with a fluffy white “stuffed” cat), and a Meow Meow Table Runner.  Free instructions for making the table runner as well as a quilt will be on the Quilting Treasures website for downloading soon.  I will post a link when it it up.

Meow Meow Cat Fabric debut

 

Two other quilted projects that I designed with Meow Meow cat fabrics are a Chair Back Cover and a Tote Bag.

Meow Meow Cat Fabric Projects

Quilt Market was held in Portland, OR in mid-May, during an unexpected heatwave with temperatures in the 90’s.  Since I live in the South with high temperatures, I was looking forward to the cooler days in Portland.  Oh well, at least it didn’t rain.

Portland was really beautiful with all the flowers blooming.  Even though Portland is known for roses, I think it should be noted for rhododendrons as they were huge and blooming everywhere.  They were gorgeous and gave additional eye candy for Quilt Market.

Rhododendren at Quilt Market in Portland

After Quilt Market as I took a vacation to Seattle and an Alaskan cruise.  Please check back for lots more from Quilt Market as well as some photos of unbelievable scenic views from Alaska and Mt Ranier.

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Today’s Creative Home Arts Magazine has 4 sewing and quilt projects by me!

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Today\'s Creative Home ArtsI just received the latest issue of Today’s Creative Home Arts magazine.  I have 4 designs created with the Sweetheart Ballerina fabrics in this issue.

The sewing and quilt projects are designed for a child’s room with dimensional dragonflies.  The projects include a quilt, window valance, lamp shade and fabric framed bulletin board.Dragonfly Quilt  The Fabric Framed Bulletin Board is on Today’s Creative Home Arts website so that you can follow the easy instructions to create this project. Dragonfly Valance in Today\'s Creative Home ArtsThis magazine is available by subscription only and is not on the newstand.  It was fun to design these projects and I hope some of you enjoy sewing them as well.