tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29318399951501538932024-03-18T14:57:39.512-07:00Piece and PressAdventures in modern quilting.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-27092320126132969782017-11-19T13:27:00.004-08:002017-11-19T13:35:37.311-08:00Mama Ru<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_y1waRUkmQk/WhHkbQJZX6I/AAAAAAAAMxQ/ocZzsg0Y2xk521f30Uva4mT23kL1vqIFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_full_r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1415" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_y1waRUkmQk/WhHkbQJZX6I/AAAAAAAAMxQ/ocZzsg0Y2xk521f30Uva4mT23kL1vqIFQCEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_full_r.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mama Ru</i>, 74"x84". Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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Creating art brings a tremendous amount of joy to my life, and boy howdy has that been important this year. I chose the subject because RuPaul gives me so much joy with his music, his <a href="http://www.rupaulpodcast.com/">podcast</a>, and most of all with <a href="http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race" style="font-style: italic;">Drag Race</a>. And this quilt brings me buckets of joy. </div>
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I started with the inspiration of promotional photos for the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4d20Tyzlv0">Sissy That Walk</a></i> music video. The process of making it has been a little scary. I haven't done many portraits and I wasn't entirely confident this one would work out. Would it read as Ru? Would the shifting colors just look like a rash? So many questions.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgop0SfX1Ms/WhHkbhgn4ZI/AAAAAAAAMxU/8J4KSNn72BkdS0M88JGVqs_SdljeEvNUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_logs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgop0SfX1Ms/WhHkbhgn4ZI/AAAAAAAAMxU/8J4KSNn72BkdS0M88JGVqs_SdljeEvNUQCEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_logs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvisationally pieced log cabin blocks. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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The only thing to do was start. I decided that the portrait should glow from behind, and that I'd pull colors from the full rainbow. The portrait uses light values of red, orange, and yellow. The background uses dark values of green, blue, violet, and purple.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sksWI99Fgw/WhHmGY02A7I/AAAAAAAAMxc/lyM4oHjBWsYa9URuiwM0DPY4OIXe2X6iACLcBGAs/s1600/Ru_piecing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sksWI99Fgw/WhHmGY02A7I/AAAAAAAAMxc/lyM4oHjBWsYa9URuiwM0DPY4OIXe2X6iACLcBGAs/s400/Ru_piecing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt top layout. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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I free pieced a bunch of small log cabin blocks, then arranged them on the design wall. I didn't have a plan other than I wanted the colors to flow green-blue-violet-purple. I started with a few green spots and filled it in. After a few adjustments I sat down to sew it all together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ymYCyF6Wg/WhHkclw9ZlI/AAAAAAAAMxU/CfWCLCUVacQkw1PQODNtVPB0PqiYmlVnACEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_reverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ymYCyF6Wg/WhHkclw9ZlI/AAAAAAAAMxU/CfWCLCUVacQkw1PQODNtVPB0PqiYmlVnACEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_reverse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reverse appliqué layout. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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Because I constructed the reverse appliqué patchwork in 12" blocks I had to do a bit more planning. I drew a grid overlay over a reduction of my portrait sketch to rough out the flow between yellow, orange, and pink. Then I made blocks corresponding to the grid. The blocks follow <a href="https://cauchycomplete.wordpress.com/">Chawne Kimber</a>'s "Roberta" pattern, a combination of 2 large squares, more medium squares, and lots of little squares. "Roberta" gives the appearance of randomness without complicating construction — similar to an ashlar paving pattern in the landscape.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwDVRFYjv60/WhHkPv71w3I/AAAAAAAAMxU/piCCeqEKPXQK2fkmHwWw1OszQbhe1yQwACEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwDVRFYjv60/WhHkPv71w3I/AAAAAAAAMxU/piCCeqEKPXQK2fkmHwWw1OszQbhe1yQwACEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_cut.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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I cut out a paper template for the portrait and traced the design to the log-cabin layer using chalk pencil. Then I basted the two appliqué layers, sewed the outline, and rough-trimmed the excess fabric from the front and back. The trimmed bits and and any extra blocks form the bulk of the quilt back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C69bBZF5cUs/WhHkfPo2oOI/AAAAAAAAMxU/RWPzu2UAvrs84UpWzjMPCkPDL7nO-YM9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_up_r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C69bBZF5cUs/WhHkfPo2oOI/AAAAAAAAMxU/RWPzu2UAvrs84UpWzjMPCkPDL7nO-YM9gCEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_up_r.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting detail. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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Finally I basted the quilt layers, quilted on my domestic machine, gave the raw edges a detailed trim, and threw Ru in the washing machine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLF9sSfOaYo/WhHkZdQ0B3I/AAAAAAAAMxU/VJD1TaN4jV45IDbVZ0M4kEnuX690oHNLgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_eye_r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLF9sSfOaYo/WhHkZdQ0B3I/AAAAAAAAMxU/VJD1TaN4jV45IDbVZ0M4kEnuX690oHNLgCEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_eye_r.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appliqué detail. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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I was pretty sure it was going to come out okay, but I'm never certain my reverse appliqués will match my original vision until they come out of the dryer. As I mentioned at the top of the post I was especially unsure about this one. I'm so happy with how it turned out.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vu-5OQQ4bY/WhHkaREblVI/AAAAAAAAMxU/3Tr51YWY7J0qfWYyD70rLzrqLTrgljCwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ru_face_r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vu-5OQQ4bY/WhHkaREblVI/AAAAAAAAMxU/3Tr51YWY7J0qfWYyD70rLzrqLTrgljCwwCEwYBhgL/s400/Ru_face_r.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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<b><i>Mama Ru</i></b></div>
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Materials: cotton solids and prints</div>
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Techniques: machine pieced, raw-edge reverse appliqué, domestic machine quilted, hand bound</div>
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Finished size: 74" wide x 84" tall</div>
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Started: August 2, 2017</div>
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Finished: November 19, 2017</div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com197tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-54844239481007291842017-02-20T20:32:00.003-08:002017-03-20T15:25:42.612-07:00Asterism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
"Asterism" is the second of two quilts that I will show at QuiltCon in Savannah, Georgia 23 Feb 2017 - 26 Feb 2017. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5AX63HGOVE/WKuzYMscb0I/AAAAAAAAIQo/-fZt1R_eEW8x6wvw-jRPRqT2Z5NAv7Y9gCPcB/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5AX63HGOVE/WKuzYMscb0I/AAAAAAAAIQo/-fZt1R_eEW8x6wvw-jRPRqT2Z5NAv7Y9gCPcB/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Asterism" is a typographical term - a group of three asterisks, traditionally set in a triangle but more commonly printed in a straight line, that serves as a visual section break in a longer chapter. At this dark pivot point in our history I look for the path that will lead us to a brighter future. I constructed the quilt top - both the improvised field and the precision-pieced asterisk medallions - entirely from used jeans, some of them mine and some second-hand.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SupsjISanqk/WKuzaU4lzjI/AAAAAAAAIQo/nJs8jxBmLc4rPQlhaLliUa1bCiPCUvz-QCPcB/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SupsjISanqk/WKuzaU4lzjI/AAAAAAAAIQo/nJs8jxBmLc4rPQlhaLliUa1bCiPCUvz-QCPcB/s400/IMG_0087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made the three medallions several years ago from the same batch of jeans. I wrote about my series of <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2011/12/salvaged-pillows.html">salvaged cushions</a> in 2011. I called this particular iteration "Asterisk."<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYyIc1kMZF0/WKuzb5gVyzI/AAAAAAAAIQk/-2OyDhQ_ETAPp5nVJSoVpfdpXEjYO7TcwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYyIc1kMZF0/WKuzb5gVyzI/AAAAAAAAIQk/-2OyDhQ_ETAPp5nVJSoVpfdpXEjYO7TcwCLcB/s400/IMG_9911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went with pressed-open seams on the rectangular background to manage seam bulk. The curvy medallions came together cleanly with seams pressed to the side.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spIgsgUAB9Q/WKuzYAVKhpI/AAAAAAAAIQo/t_gllHqQXJ4xRMp1NRtBXXVXuLsVFJCUgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spIgsgUAB9Q/WKuzYAVKhpI/AAAAAAAAIQo/t_gllHqQXJ4xRMp1NRtBXXVXuLsVFJCUgCPcB/s400/IMG_0009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The backing is a pretty neat combination of orphan units from a wedge-curve class I attended with Sherri Lynn Wood way back when and a bunch of indigo cross-weaves and chambrays. I love the back of this quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfRdovxhgg0/WKuzYCKPIhI/AAAAAAAAIQo/3o5AGZ5Qxfob1WN6ZJssvOnVdKRXPpWVwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfRdovxhgg0/WKuzYCKPIhI/AAAAAAAAIQo/3o5AGZ5Qxfob1WN6ZJssvOnVdKRXPpWVwCPcB/s400/IMG_0018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I quilted on my domestic machine with a walking foot, marking intermediately spaced lines with painting tape. My inspiration was falling water. I filled in the interstitial quilting with 1/2" - 1" spacing.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBjId1ZnACE/WKuzaX4knfI/AAAAAAAAIQo/EnsOBA6xxNUiq-MC6v2D7A-wjXF3YhJuQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBjId1ZnACE/WKuzaX4knfI/AAAAAAAAIQo/EnsOBA6xxNUiq-MC6v2D7A-wjXF3YhJuQCPcB/s400/IMG_0079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Chambray binding finished by hand. I made this photo into a button. Hit me up and I'll give you one at QuiltCon, while supplies last!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZqIqsqx4v8/WKuzafPqhRI/AAAAAAAAIQo/V6_ky3T188Q_eCiyhkAHxRhdH5Gj4EVQQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZqIqsqx4v8/WKuzafPqhRI/AAAAAAAAIQo/V6_ky3T188Q_eCiyhkAHxRhdH5Gj4EVQQCPcB/s400/IMG_0131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here I'm blocking the quilt after washing. I like this picture because it gives a good idea of the quilting and the color. I had such a hard time getting the indigo right in the photos!<br />
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<b>Asterism</b><br />
81"x74"<br />
begun 2011, completed 2016<br />
pieced and quilted by Daniel RouseDan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-64968458041526059992017-02-20T11:08:00.001-08:002017-02-20T11:08:07.198-08:00Permanence"Permanence" is one of two quilts of mine that will be shown at QuiltCon in Savannah, Georgia 23 Feb 2017 - 26 Feb 2017. Like the quilt in my last post it is a large-scale raw-edge reverse applique quilt.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69TFz-XqqEE/WKqA5MjqaeI/AAAAAAAAIPo/8p3_7ZLsK9MJp4zPbkfLln9_qFSxGsF4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9756.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69TFz-XqqEE/WKqA5MjqaeI/AAAAAAAAIPo/8p3_7ZLsK9MJp4zPbkfLln9_qFSxGsF4wCLcB/s400/IMG_9756.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The technique was inspired by an antique quilt presented at a guild meeting several years ago. The torn top of the quilt revealed an equally tattered quilt sandwiched inside, worn to the point it served best as batting. The layers suggested the rich history of our shared quilting tradition. This particular design, begun in 2012, was prompted by Day of the Dead festivities.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbN9quiztVA/WKqA2CovpLI/AAAAAAAAIPg/QX83EB5Z7MghWNPaNo-hwrnC_fm4YCguQCEw/s1600/IMG_4047.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbN9quiztVA/WKqA2CovpLI/AAAAAAAAIPg/QX83EB5Z7MghWNPaNo-hwrnC_fm4YCguQCEw/s400/IMG_4047.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The top layer incorporates a bunch of prints from the Daisy Janie "Shades of Grey" print collection - provided to the East Bay Modern Quilters as a fabric challenge - and a bunch of other gray and red prints and solids.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjnzJcql8o4/WKqA0qFvcfI/AAAAAAAAIPQ/Dcmrv8gm5wQJga4P2n5yBe9IO6rYQsxegCEw/s1600/IMG_5757.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjnzJcql8o4/WKqA0qFvcfI/AAAAAAAAIPQ/Dcmrv8gm5wQJga4P2n5yBe9IO6rYQsxegCEw/s400/IMG_5757.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The reverse applique piece is a lonestar pieced of upcycled denim, some of it mine and some thrifted.<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h7QKleUymM/WKqA0kOF47I/AAAAAAAAIPU/1TnXqMKKZhcZD0gS4cvAQCVnOzSgqa8eQCEw/s1600/IMG_5772.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h7QKleUymM/WKqA0kOF47I/AAAAAAAAIPU/1TnXqMKKZhcZD0gS4cvAQCVnOzSgqa8eQCEw/s400/IMG_5772.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I beefed up the seam allowances of the denim for durability.<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmTkhxmZkBE/WKqA2GyRjFI/AAAAAAAAIPc/Y_q5pTwVAtAxpVdvvlyTbPQZWabQjrXlgCEw/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmTkhxmZkBE/WKqA2GyRjFI/AAAAAAAAIPc/Y_q5pTwVAtAxpVdvvlyTbPQZWabQjrXlgCEw/s400/IMG_5778.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I usually trim away the excess patchwork around the border of my reverse applique. For this quilt I kept the entire lonestar in the quilt sandwich. In fact I quilted the denim, batting & backing using a heavy jeans-like thread before completing the applique.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KPQI9y2eivU/WKqA1n9avCI/AAAAAAAAIPY/clAasSwEWnQttmSwEHY2Hl9rbGyNg2deQCEw/s1600/IMG_5843.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KPQI9y2eivU/WKqA1n9avCI/AAAAAAAAIPY/clAasSwEWnQttmSwEHY2Hl9rbGyNg2deQCEw/s400/IMG_5843.jpg" /></a><br /><br />You can clearly see the outline of the star on the quilt back.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHayCfscMgY/WKqA5LUFYtI/AAAAAAAAIPk/JSlYr8jiMzkFGtfx6nsYYcOKVPxD7etwACEw/s1600/IMG_9759.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHayCfscMgY/WKqA5LUFYtI/AAAAAAAAIPk/JSlYr8jiMzkFGtfx6nsYYcOKVPxD7etwACEw/s400/IMG_9759.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The I added the top layer, sewed the applique outline, and cut out the excess to leave a raw edge. I quilted the gray and red bits on my domestic machine using a flame motif.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rON2x0de-hM/WKqA5tb27HI/AAAAAAAAIPw/jFAZNEz9EcwACRcwEWbJoagC2AjXmaz_ACEw/s1600/IMG_9817.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rON2x0de-hM/WKqA5tb27HI/AAAAAAAAIPw/jFAZNEz9EcwACRcwEWbJoagC2AjXmaz_ACEw/s400/IMG_9817.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><b>Permanence</b>96"x96"<br />Weight: at least a ton<br />Begun 2012, completed 2016<br />Pieced and quilted by Daniel Rouse<br /><br /><br /><br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-21492502950724990692017-02-18T22:56:00.000-08:002017-02-18T23:09:57.853-08:00The Poetry of Manners and Motion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have three quilts in shows next week, and I hope to post about each of them. Today I'm writing about "The Poetry of Manners and Motion." The quilt will be hanging at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Virginia 23 Feb 2017 - 26 Feb 2017.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TiZlDf8qts/WKkwvogplAI/AAAAAAAAIOw/qAsVv40ZdR0w5amxNrsw0tts3sVogWioACLcB/s1600/IMG_9715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TiZlDf8qts/WKkwvogplAI/AAAAAAAAIOw/qAsVv40ZdR0w5amxNrsw0tts3sVogWioACLcB/s400/IMG_9715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is the only quilt I have remade. The first iteration I designed and sewed in 2011. I wrote about it <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2011/05/milestones.html">here</a>. I sold that quilt the same year, and immediately missed it. Five years later I decided to give it another go, enlarged and with new piecing and quilting challenges.</div>
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I lifted the title of the piece from the writings of John Muir, observing a blacktailed deer in Yosemite.</div>
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A fine specimen of the blacktailed deer went bounding past camp this morning. A buck with wide spread of antlers, showing admirable vigor and grace. Wonderful the beauty, strength, and graceful movements of animals in wildernesses, cared for by Nature only, when our experience with domestic animals would lead us to fear that all the so-called neglected wild beasts would degenerate. Yet the upshot of Nature's method of breeding and teaching seems to lead to excellence of every sort. Deer, like all wild animals, are as clean as plants. The beauties of their gestures and attitudes, alert or in repose, surprise yet more than their bounding exuberant strength. Every movement and posture is graceful, the very poetry of manners and motion. Mother Nature is too often spoken of as in reality no mother at all. Yet how wisely, sternly, tenderly she loves and looks after her children in all sorts of weather and wildernesses. The more I see of deer the more I admire them as mountaineers. They make their way into the heart of the roughest solitudes with smooth reserve of strength, through dense belts of brush and forest encumbered with fallen trees and boulder piles, across cañons, roaring streams, and snow-fields, ever showing forth beauty and courage. </blockquote>
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- John Muir, <u>My First Summer in the Sierra</u></blockquote>
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I began this quilt as I did the first one: constructing the green reverse applique from cotton prints using a disappearing nine-patch pattern. Many of the prints were the same as the first iteration, many were different, but I stuck with the same range of greens. Caroline at <a href="http://trilliumdesign.blogspot.com/">Trillium Design</a> generously sent me a fat quarter of the Joel Dewberry hummingbird print, which absolutely needed to reprise its role.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBkRHN7wESg/WKkwnb0ai5I/AAAAAAAAIO4/6gp5DexuIqYEkSXoRX9PzFg8sFn-bes5wCEw/s1600/IMG_9270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBkRHN7wESg/WKkwnb0ai5I/AAAAAAAAIO4/6gp5DexuIqYEkSXoRX9PzFg8sFn-bes5wCEw/s400/IMG_9270.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
Next I set about the background. I employed Sherri Lynn Wood's wedge curve technique for the background of this and one other wildlife applique quilt. I started with curve segments from a series of wedges, maybe a dozen at a time. My original idea was a random series of waves and curves that would give a landform effect (much like the bear quilt, which you can find on my instagram until I blog about it).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXHLnj2MuzA/WKkwmwIwLvI/AAAAAAAAIO4/PmF8cHwuybI-6g26vC1vwXLR_Ej2xP3NACEw/s1600/IMG_9210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXHLnj2MuzA/WKkwmwIwLvI/AAAAAAAAIO4/PmF8cHwuybI-6g26vC1vwXLR_Ej2xP3NACEw/s400/IMG_9210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The first bit I constructed was this keyhole shape (here stuck up on the design wall on top of the backing of the bear quilt) and my imagination latched onto how multiple keyholes would fit together.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws9oLzG6MvM/WKkwoVHqwvI/AAAAAAAAIO4/wrsbD_8se4sb8sNhfapMh_xUfpKfM6CbgCEw/s1600/IMG_9309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws9oLzG6MvM/WKkwoVHqwvI/AAAAAAAAIO4/wrsbD_8se4sb8sNhfapMh_xUfpKfM6CbgCEw/s400/IMG_9309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So I made four similar bits, trying to keep them a similar size, using trimmed scraps from the two quilts for the keyhole centers. With one of the four pieces sliced in half I almost had a rectangle.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pvmhVJ2sPBo/WKkwoGAV2aI/AAAAAAAAIO4/a1kIxWEwMeYQw5bdPAi0ULgsBXsS7YqiACEw/s1600/IMG_9333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pvmhVJ2sPBo/WKkwoGAV2aI/AAAAAAAAIO4/a1kIxWEwMeYQw5bdPAi0ULgsBXsS7YqiACEw/s400/IMG_9333.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I filled in the voids with a combination of wedges and scraps.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9z7NQEo4U/WKkwrmp2iEI/AAAAAAAAIO4/lg3e9pnBZ6wBlGN430b4y_KsWgbv31NGgCEw/s1600/IMG_9337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9z7NQEo4U/WKkwrmp2iEI/AAAAAAAAIO4/lg3e9pnBZ6wBlGN430b4y_KsWgbv31NGgCEw/s400/IMG_9337.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
And then the reverse applique, trimming the back, and cutting the front (the most nerve-racking step).<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50cbPz9sfnI/WKkwp4V211I/AAAAAAAAIO4/_Uhq1iD1OQ0P2Y1quEbees5CKEhJi50qgCEw/s1600/IMG_9346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50cbPz9sfnI/WKkwp4V211I/AAAAAAAAIO4/_Uhq1iD1OQ0P2Y1quEbees5CKEhJi50qgCEw/s400/IMG_9346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love an elaborately pieced quilt back, so there I went. I started with forming the scraps of the trimmed stag into five circles, then surrounded a couple of them with leftover wedge curves.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWaCYCDdGew/WKkwqUXDm4I/AAAAAAAAIO4/W1-Vv83FaHk2AfzySt59WyZ0AHcuq5yegCEw/s1600/IMG_9412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWaCYCDdGew/WKkwqUXDm4I/AAAAAAAAIO4/W1-Vv83FaHk2AfzySt59WyZ0AHcuq5yegCEw/s400/IMG_9412.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I finished the composition with ALL THE SCRAPS and bits of yardage.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUNmXcTVST4/WKkwsM_iiVI/AAAAAAAAIO4/bBObGaCfRIU0mRyXc0NoHd7c3iCDNWPCQCEw/s1600/IMG_9448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUNmXcTVST4/WKkwsM_iiVI/AAAAAAAAIO4/bBObGaCfRIU0mRyXc0NoHd7c3iCDNWPCQCEw/s400/IMG_9448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Quilting on my domestic machine...<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ocLv600Yo/WKkws2cArpI/AAAAAAAAIO4/3fwvQk8QYXAKxEerEWIu582c_SBGjeRyQCEw/s1600/IMG_9460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ocLv600Yo/WKkws2cArpI/AAAAAAAAIO4/3fwvQk8QYXAKxEerEWIu582c_SBGjeRyQCEw/s400/IMG_9460.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
And binding in green.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2c1zgkljcdw/WKkwvP8Ha4I/AAAAAAAAIO4/SpULUG2C0sA1cRlcGgKIPEMSQv2sE0m3QCEw/s1600/IMG_9593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2c1zgkljcdw/WKkwvP8Ha4I/AAAAAAAAIO4/SpULUG2C0sA1cRlcGgKIPEMSQv2sE0m3QCEw/s400/IMG_9593.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I love the quilting front and back. The quilting at the bottom is inspired by grass and wildflowers. There are a few more motifs in irregular bands moving toward the top, where I finish with a windy pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSiapIePJoE/WKkwt4imO7I/AAAAAAAAIO4/ibv8YppUJXoc5A_kPpv8bFkQ1NsJs-fwgCEw/s1600/IMG_9582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSiapIePJoE/WKkwt4imO7I/AAAAAAAAIO4/ibv8YppUJXoc5A_kPpv8bFkQ1NsJs-fwgCEw/s400/IMG_9582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The finished quilt is 84"W x 78"H<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3jR7p26rdQ/WKkwwIHBEVI/AAAAAAAAIO4/6rEeGKUNnychNXlBgYg5D-RoAXmeaqhRQCEw/s1600/IMG_9716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3jR7p26rdQ/WKkwwIHBEVI/AAAAAAAAIO4/6rEeGKUNnychNXlBgYg5D-RoAXmeaqhRQCEw/s400/IMG_9716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If you get a chance to see the show, I would love it if you could send me a photo of the hanging quilt. If you post to Instagram tag me @dsrouse.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-4962929892170763962016-06-27T09:46:00.000-07:002016-06-27T09:46:07.099-07:00Quilts for PulseThe Orlando Modern Quilt Guild organized a <a href="http://theorlandomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2016/06/donation-quilts-for-pride-orlando.html">quilt drive</a> for all the injured and the families of the lost following the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, in which 49 people were murdered and 53 wounded. The Orlando MQG suggested a heart theme, based on the the block design of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cluckclucksew/">Allison Harris</a> of <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/">Cluck Cluck Sew</a>.<br />
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I completed a quilt top this weekend. Read on if you would like to know how I put it together.<br />
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I started with the <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/2015/01/making-heart-blocks-in-multiple-sizes.html">10" square version of her heart block</a>, but I split the two 10 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles into four 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" squares so I could pixelate the hearts. The finished quilt is 60" x 60".<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yI0voj6ecjw/V3CaTD-ggSI/AAAAAAAAFs8/-gDiLBGHnz0RhZJMh947TgmC7SDPrqo_QCLcB/s1600/pulse%2Btop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yI0voj6ecjw/V3CaTD-ggSI/AAAAAAAAFs8/-gDiLBGHnz0RhZJMh947TgmC7SDPrqo_QCLcB/s400/pulse%2Btop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made six heart blocks in each of six different colors, and then I mixed them up. For each foreground color I picked a low-volume background print. Mostly they fade to the distance, but I like that a couple are more noticeable.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MsNivWIrozI/V3CayJ1RGcI/AAAAAAAAFtU/yoCrnJYumu4lx4P8MNLhZ-T9amU7sRydACLcB/s1600/pulse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MsNivWIrozI/V3CayJ1RGcI/AAAAAAAAFtU/yoCrnJYumu4lx4P8MNLhZ-T9amU7sRydACLcB/s400/pulse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I followed Allison's stitch and flip method for the half square triangles and corners, but on the larger blocks I also sewed a second seam at a half-inch offset and trimmed between the seams to create bonus HST units (I have a plan!).<br />
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If you would like to make a similar quilt, here is a quick summary. Really, more a series of hints than a pattern. Check out Allison Cluck Cluck Sew's tutorial for more information.<br />
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Materials:<br />
<u>Foreground Prints</u><br />
6 red prints, 3/4 yard total<br />
6 orange prints, 3/4 yard total<br />
6 yellow prints, 3/4 yard total<br />
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6 green prints, 3/4 yard total</div>
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6 blue prints, 3/4 yard total</div>
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6 purple prints, 3/4 yard total<br />
<u>Background Prints</u><br />
6 low-volume prints, 1/2 yard each</div>
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From each of the 36 foreground prints, cut four 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" squares.</div>
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From each of the 6 background prints, cut twenty-four 2" x 2" squares and twelve 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" squares.</div>
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Some of my six background fabrics have more personality than the others. I especially like the metallic violet paisley I paired with the yellows, and the pink dot Cotton + Steel voile I paired with the purples. They create an interesting halo effect,and the voile just feels so good to work with.</div>
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I followed Allison's <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/2015/01/simple-heart-quilt-tutorial.html">stitch-and-flip method</a> for the corner triangles, and then sewed another seam a half inch away, and trimmed a quarter inch between, leaving the heart corner block and a bonus scrap HST unit. I did it this way, rather than a 2-from-1-square HST method because it was easier to maintain direction with directional prints, and I have a plan for the bonus units anyway.</div>
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For each of the 36 foreground prints, make a left-point unit, a right-point unit, and 2 lobe units (with the 2" flip-and-stitch corners). In the diagram below, sew along the dotted lines and trim along the heavy diagonal. Reserve the extra HST units for another project.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMUVUmp96ls/V3EVkGx4ooI/AAAAAAAAFvU/-I35iuKmIawzwdXphbExPmbqHmNlG7nHgCLcB/s1600/pulse%2Bblocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMUVUmp96ls/V3EVkGx4ooI/AAAAAAAAFvU/-I35iuKmIawzwdXphbExPmbqHmNlG7nHgCLcB/s400/pulse%2Bblocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Assemble 10" four-patch squares by row, pinning as necessary to match points. The four-patch blocks alternate split hearts (pont above lobes) and whole hearts. Now combine rows 1, 2 and 3, then 4, 5 and 6. Finally combine the two halves.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2FVBpMU4-w/V3FYJm2NdcI/AAAAAAAAFwI/L73wt5g7ZOUE54cwgwIOuGs6S1LIejEpwCLcB/s1600/pulse%2Bassembly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2FVBpMU4-w/V3FYJm2NdcI/AAAAAAAAFwI/L73wt5g7ZOUE54cwgwIOuGs6S1LIejEpwCLcB/s400/pulse%2Bassembly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't intend this as a proper pattern, but do let me know if you have any questions, especially after reviewing the Cluck Cluck Sew tutorial.<br />
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A few notes:<br />
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<li>I substituted similar fabrics in a few situations where I didn't have enough yardage.</li>
<li>I didn't go for perfect symmetry. Some of the block placements are a bit dissonant because I liked the way it came together. You can put your blocks wherever you like!</li>
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Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-8505611735506493422016-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:002016-01-18T18:27:53.482-08:00Good Hair DayA few months ago Kim Andersson of I Adore Pattern asked me to have some fun with her new fabric range Good Hair Day from Windham Fabrics, available in stores now. I was immediately taken with the oranges, golds and blues in the collection and set about designing a quilt to highlight the prints.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuNIkZlek3Q/VpgN7wzPMsI/AAAAAAAADTs/PWLNlm9K2Eg/s1600/IMG_8097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuNIkZlek3Q/VpgN7wzPMsI/AAAAAAAADTs/PWLNlm9K2Eg/s400/IMG_8097.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Hair Day collection. Photo Credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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There are some great blenders in the collection. The bobby pins are a lot of fun, and the braids are gorgeous. </div>
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For the quilt design I started playing with abstract bow and knot designs. The final result was the Beehive quilt.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CEJZqt74RQ4/VpgOuonOAII/AAAAAAAADT4/tJlv56xPP7w/s1600/IMG_8156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CEJZqt74RQ4/VpgOuonOAII/AAAAAAAADT4/tJlv56xPP7w/s400/IMG_8156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Beehive Quilt by Daniel Rouse. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</span></td></tr>
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The design is based on 4 block designs - a large square, a small square, and two rectangles. I'm working on a pattern to post here soon!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GXLKIwp5VA/VpgXThH9rtI/AAAAAAAADUU/LUql5wQXoxA/s1600/GHD_BeehiveQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GXLKIwp5VA/VpgXThH9rtI/AAAAAAAADUU/LUql5wQXoxA/s400/GHD_BeehiveQuilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beehive Quilt by Daniel Rouse. Photo credit Danielle Collins</td></tr>
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I quilted the Beehive on my domestic machine using three motifs to highlight the piecing and the prints.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM-5fef_bIM/VpgXQMb5yII/AAAAAAAADUI/GtGib_-5Hsw/s1600/IMG_8146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM-5fef_bIM/VpgXQMb5yII/AAAAAAAADUI/GtGib_-5Hsw/s400/IMG_8146.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Beehive Quilt by Daniel Rouse. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</span></td></tr>
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I backed and bound the quilt with Windham Fabrics Artisan Cotton in Blue Aqua. I love the look and feel of the shot cotton, and it shows the quilting beautifully.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bx2BxWCbvE/VpgXx9pinJI/AAAAAAAADUo/GTRVTcvhtzA/s1600/GHD_MedallionQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bx2BxWCbvE/VpgXx9pinJI/AAAAAAAADUo/GTRVTcvhtzA/s400/GHD_MedallionQuilt.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medallion Quilt by Daniel Rouse. Photo credit Daniel Rouse</td></tr>
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My construction method for the square Beehive blocks left me with several half-square triangle scraps that I couldn't resist playing with a bit more. The fun resulted in this baby-sized Medallion quilt.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEewxkpbOa8/VpgXxZp_6OI/AAAAAAAADUg/STFSUKT-fN0/s1600/GHD_MedallionQuiltBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEewxkpbOa8/VpgXxZp_6OI/AAAAAAAADUg/STFSUKT-fN0/s400/GHD_MedallionQuiltBack.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medallion Quilt back by Daniel Rouse. Photo credit Danielle Collins</td></tr>
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And I finished the back with the rest of my Good Hair Day scraps. I think I like the back better than the front!</div>
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<b><u>Giveaway (closed)</u></b></div>
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But here's the really fun part! Kim and Windham have passed along a Good Hair Day charm pack to give to one of my readers.<br />
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The givaway is now closed, and the lucky winner is Robyn! Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Good Hair Day Blog Hop<br />January 2016<br /><br />Mon 11th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Kim Andersson</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://iadorepattern.com/blog/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4853" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://iadorepattern.com/blog/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Windham</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://windhamfabrics.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://windhamfabrics.wordpress.com</a><br />Tue 12th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Erin Harris</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://www.houseonhillroad.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.houseonhillroad.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Terri Carpenter</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://thequiltedfox.blogspot.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4865" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://thequiltedfox.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Cath Mosley</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://www.instagram.com/cathmosely/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4866" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/cathmosely/</a><br />Wed 13th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Adrianne Ove</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://www.littlebluebell.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4870" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.littlebluebell.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Kristen Takakuwa</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://theneedies.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://theneedies.wordpress.com</a><br />Thursday 14th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Daniel Rouse</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4873" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Cal Patch</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://hodgepodgefarm.net/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://hodgepodgefarm.net</a><br />Friday 15th<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Stacey Day </span>- <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://staceyinstitches.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://staceyinstitches.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Amy Gunson </span>- <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://badskirt.blogspot.com.au/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://badskirt.blogspot.com.au</a><br />Sat 16th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Madeleine Roberg</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://domesticstrata.com/blogs/domestic-strata" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://domesticstrata.com/blogs/domestic-strata</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Darci Alexis -</span> <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://darcisews.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://darcisews.com</a><br />Sun 17th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Miriam Blaich </span>- <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://berlinquilter.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://berlinquilter.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Crystal Chadwick </span>- <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://theclothalbatross.wordpress.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4882" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://theclothalbatross.wordpress.com</a><br />Mon 18th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Pati Fried & Laura Nownes </span>- <a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://seehowwesew.wordpress.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1452549915532_4887" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://seehowwesew.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Gillian Smith:</span> <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://sokath.com/main/blog/category/creative/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://sokath.com/main/blog/category/creative/</a><br />Tues 19th:<br /><span class="yiv1822215961">Casey York - </span><a class="yiv1822215961" href="https://studioloblog.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://studioloblog.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="yiv1822215961">Nicole Daksiewicz</span> - <a class="yiv1822215961" href="http://modernhandcraft.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" style="border-radius: 12px; color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://modernhandcraft.com/blog/</a></span></div>
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Good Hair Day by Kim Andersson for Windham Fabrics is available in stores now.</div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-38782259955474556282015-04-12T18:02:00.001-07:002015-04-12T20:11:48.037-07:00Howto: Binding little round thingsI wasn't sure how I would finish the edges of my lonestar circle coasters. I liked the idea of double-fold quilt binding, but it seemed like it might be tricky, especially the curves and the relatively tight diameter. I decided to try it on one coaster, and then decide what to do with the rest.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qijGeRH9P8/VSsOE8jeJ1I/AAAAAAAACPA/JWLIAXckntQ/s1600/0-IMG_7559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qijGeRH9P8/VSsOE8jeJ1I/AAAAAAAACPA/JWLIAXckntQ/s1600/0-IMG_7559.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It turned out exactly like I wanted. I'll show you how I did it.<br />
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I used 17" lengths of 2 1/4" bias strips for my 4 1/2" diameter circles. If you're working with a different sized circle the length of your bias strip will be<br />
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(Diameter * 3.14) + 3"<br />
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This will give you about 3/4" extra length for wiggle room. Please note that you must use bias-cut binding strips. Binding strips cut on the grain will not conform to the curve, and your finished project will not sit flat. Bias is essential!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VfulvNFVGs/VSsNCuU4t8I/AAAAAAAACNU/jLzfDq_7B7o/s1600/1-IMG_7536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VfulvNFVGs/VSsNCuU4t8I/AAAAAAAACNU/jLzfDq_7B7o/s1600/1-IMG_7536.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mark a 45-degree diagonal line on the wrong side of one end of the bias strip starting at the top right corner. (Pay attention to the diagonal orientation - top right corner to bottom left edge. It won't work if you draw from the bottom right corner.) Press the strip in half.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpJHluHdTcg/VSsNGOADdBI/AAAAAAAACOA/WzVaL80WebY/s1600/2-IMG_7538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpJHluHdTcg/VSsNGOADdBI/AAAAAAAACOA/WzVaL80WebY/s1600/2-IMG_7538.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Begin pinning the strip to the front of the circle. Leave a 4" unpinned tail at the marked end.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u3e4hhEk_s/VSsNHnp2mXI/AAAAAAAACOI/T9vTrXBfWpQ/s1600/3-IMG_7540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u3e4hhEk_s/VSsNHnp2mXI/AAAAAAAACOI/T9vTrXBfWpQ/s1600/3-IMG_7540.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Carefully pin the bias strip about 2/3 of the way around the circle. Pin every 3/4" to 1", angling the pins toward the center of the circle. Gather the folded edge as you pin. Be careful not to stretch the cut bias edge.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4umDSD7F9mw/VSsNIB9jxhI/AAAAAAAACOM/JnvSRmz6-rE/s1600/4-IMG_7542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4umDSD7F9mw/VSsNIB9jxhI/AAAAAAAACOM/JnvSRmz6-rE/s1600/4-IMG_7542.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Go back to the 4" marked tail. Gingerly wrap the tail around the circle edge as if you were going to pin it. Place a pin in the coaster circle where the binding ends (note the yellow flower pin head behind my finger).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj5C2mW9XsM/VSsNIRZnOXI/AAAAAAAACOU/4vWfDwYCKuI/s1600/5-IMG_7543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj5C2mW9XsM/VSsNIRZnOXI/AAAAAAAACOU/4vWfDwYCKuI/s1600/5-IMG_7543.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now set the marked binding tail aside and pick up the opposite binding tail. As before, wrap it around the circle edge until you reach the marker pin. Mark the bias strip at the pin (I've made a small tick mark in the photo).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXpeAdx9fow/VSsNI4ISyZI/AAAAAAAACOc/dFHVq95_9t0/s1600/6-IMG_7545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXpeAdx9fow/VSsNI4ISyZI/AAAAAAAACOc/dFHVq95_9t0/s1600/6-IMG_7545.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Flip the coaster over, with the trailing binding strip extended and the new mark visible. Trim the strip 2 1/4" from the mark you just made. (If you look very closely you can see my tick mark on the fabric at 2 1/4".)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zf1JfhCyzmI/VSsNJ_AkaDI/AAAAAAAACOo/VhepFIhYi8I/s1600/7-IMG_7547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zf1JfhCyzmI/VSsNJ_AkaDI/AAAAAAAACOo/VhepFIhYi8I/s1600/7-IMG_7547.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Press the crease flat at the two ends of the binding strip.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqdFJXwVMEA/VSsNLEejpCI/AAAAAAAACO0/CXmwkTfaXxs/s1600/8-IMG_7549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqdFJXwVMEA/VSsNLEejpCI/AAAAAAAACO0/CXmwkTfaXxs/s1600/8-IMG_7549.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pin the two ends together right sides together at a 90-degree angle, aligning the edges.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCEAHXtHWcM/VSsNLOvcXnI/AAAAAAAACOw/VYSRXVI4eKA/s1600/9-IMG_7550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCEAHXtHWcM/VSsNLOvcXnI/AAAAAAAACOw/VYSRXVI4eKA/s1600/9-IMG_7550.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sew along the marked line.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H5dg-CIjXqk/VSsNCYbh_yI/AAAAAAAACNQ/LEQWJkqyKjo/s1600/10-IMG_7552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H5dg-CIjXqk/VSsNCYbh_yI/AAAAAAAACNQ/LEQWJkqyKjo/s1600/10-IMG_7552.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Time for a reality check. Before you trim anything, fold the bias strip in half to make sure you didn't make a Möbius strip or some other unworkable shape.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJkCpZByhc/VSsNCg7arsI/AAAAAAAACNY/1aONa-7nrSE/s1600/11-IMG_7555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJkCpZByhc/VSsNCg7arsI/AAAAAAAACNY/1aONa-7nrSE/s1600/11-IMG_7555.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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But it looks good! So trim the excess, and press the seam flat.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIIIq5ZkEQ/VSsNEpZXnYI/AAAAAAAACNo/swBAg8FLL4Y/s1600/12-IMG_7556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIIIq5ZkEQ/VSsNEpZXnYI/AAAAAAAACNo/swBAg8FLL4Y/s1600/12-IMG_7556.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Re-crease the binding strip.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w9V5qQtJeM/VSsNFf0_EnI/AAAAAAAACNw/Ll4gs7aujEY/s1600/13-IMG_7453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w9V5qQtJeM/VSsNFf0_EnI/AAAAAAAACNw/Ll4gs7aujEY/s1600/13-IMG_7453.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pin around the remaining 1/3 of the circle, careful to even out any excess or tightness. Now sew around the circle with a 1/4" seam allowance.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuDepp8jigA/VSsNFWC4OFI/AAAAAAAACN0/qXWREB9zsVs/s1600/14-IMG_7560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuDepp8jigA/VSsNFWC4OFI/AAAAAAAACN0/qXWREB9zsVs/s1600/14-IMG_7560.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Turn and press the binding to the back of the coaster. Finish the back of the binding as you wish. I enjoy finishing by hand!Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-26879356702388304542015-04-09T21:05:00.003-07:002015-04-09T21:05:43.812-07:00A pile of coastersMy mom was at my home the other day. She picked up a quilted fabric coaster I had made from an orphan block and said, "This is what I want." Well, there's no arguing with that,is there.<br />
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I got it in my head to make some mini lonestars, cropped round & quilted. I wasn't sure how many I'd make. Maybe 4 or a couple more, I thought. Once I got going they came together pretty fast & I ended up making 12, enough for three game tables when my mom & dad host bridge night.<br />
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The first couple blocks I assembled in standard concentric rings of like fabrics. Lonestars are strip-pieced and assembled in 8 wedges, then combined to form the whole star.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKxNodyHs2U/VSdIYQVn7yI/AAAAAAAACLg/eFMBPOv6sc8/s1600/IMG_7483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKxNodyHs2U/VSdIYQVn7yI/AAAAAAAACLg/eFMBPOv6sc8/s1600/IMG_7483.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I tried making two contrasting sets of 8 wedges, using the same fabrics but in different order, and mixing the two sets together for a pinwheel effect.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIaVdyRodU0/VSdIYQ7FZlI/AAAAAAAACLk/eH93-A6ZIFc/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIaVdyRodU0/VSdIYQ7FZlI/AAAAAAAACLk/eH93-A6ZIFc/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then mixing sets with varying fabric choices, though all the star blocks use just 4 fabrics.<br />
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Finally I collected strip-piecing remnants to make one scrappy block. It's in the top left corner of the group shot at the top of the post.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCRBMEb88fU/VSdIaL7f_SI/AAAAAAAACL0/SG4qqOhy_SE/s1600/IMG_7534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCRBMEb88fU/VSdIaL7f_SI/AAAAAAAACL0/SG4qqOhy_SE/s1600/IMG_7534.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The coasters are machine quilted along the seam lines, trimmed to 4 1/2" diameter with a rotary circle cutter, and bound with 2 1/4" double fold bias tape.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QEGjqnBIXpE/VSdIauh1YcI/AAAAAAAACMA/MpueeC-DvAM/s1600/IMG_7560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QEGjqnBIXpE/VSdIauh1YcI/AAAAAAAACMA/MpueeC-DvAM/s1600/IMG_7560.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I finished the binding during several days of my commute. I'm tickled that the backing fabric looks a bit like that old end table that everyone forgets to use a coaster on. Now it's time to get these in the mail!<br />
<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-41866511441120601572013-07-19T09:37:00.000-07:002013-07-19T09:37:18.998-07:00Yoga bag<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hamish is on a yoga kick lately, but sadly lacks appropriate yoga lifestyle accessories. So I set about making a bag for his yoga mat.</span><br />
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I picked a handsome Parson Gray canvas print and studied up on free patterns and tutorials. Nothing matched my vision exactly, but several tutorials had helpful bits and pieces.<br />
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There are three open pockets on the outside of the bag around the base. The bag and pockets are lined with quilting-weight cotton.<br />
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The inner lining has a small pattern-matched envelope pocket for storing cash and keys.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTYYferzgKk/UelbQmAafyI/AAAAAAAABaU/uQuJMfnrBtY/s1600/IMG_5448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTYYferzgKk/UelbQmAafyI/AAAAAAAABaU/uQuJMfnrBtY/s400/IMG_5448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a fun project, and came together more quickly than I expected. The final closure at the top where the zipper, strap, shell & lining come together was a bit tricky – I don't have a lot of bag making experience – but a bit of hand stitching did the job.<br />
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The three sources I found the most helpful were Amy Butler's free <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/NigellaYogaBag.pdf">Nigella pattern</a> for proportions and outer pocket, <a href="http://modestmaven.blogspot.com/2012/03/yoga-mat-bag-tutorial.html">Modest Maven's tutorial</a> for zipper and inner envelope pocket, and <a href="http://jgirldesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/yoga-bag-tutorial.html">Jane's Girl Designs tutorial</a> for another take on inserting a zipper.<br />
<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-16343545053287841842013-07-12T10:26:00.004-07:002013-07-13T18:59:14.197-07:00NYC MOD Double Wedding Ring Challenge + GiveawayThe <a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/dwr-challenge-2/">NYC MOD quilters</a> have partnered with EZ Quilting/Simplicity, Interweave and Juki to sponsor the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Challenge! Use the Double wedding ring template/or pattern to create a project, then enter it to win amazing prizes!<br />
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<a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/EZDWRChallengeBlogLogo-1-235x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/EZDWRChallengeBlogLogo-1-235x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'll be making my first DWR quilt for this challenge using my <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/06/fiber-reactive-dye-for-tea-stain-effect.html">red and neutral over-dyed fabrics</a> from the last post. I pieced my first four arcs.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcD6mMA7fao/UeAxmk0KAeI/AAAAAAAABZo/1Gi3IaEMbm4/s1600/dwr+arcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcD6mMA7fao/UeAxmk0KAeI/AAAAAAAABZo/1Gi3IaEMbm4/s400/dwr+arcs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Challenge Categories:</h4>
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<li>SMALL - ONE RING: 20″ or smaller. This is a great way to play and learn your curves, and try your own version of making this fun design.</li>
<li>TRADITIONAL: 4 rings or larger. Make the traditional double wedding pattern by using the template and your choice of fabrics…not straying to far from the traditional style.</li>
<li>MODERN: 4 rings or larger. How can you interpret the double wedding ring, put a MODERN spin on a traditional design? Piece it, applique, fuse, whole cloth? Possibilities are endless! </li>
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For all categories, quilts must be made of three layers and bound.</div>
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The EZ Double Wedding Ring templates are available at <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/">www.simplicity.com</a> or at your local store. You don’t have to use Darlene’s Double Wedding Ring templates to enter, but we’d sure like it if you did! Any double Wedding ring template will work.</div>
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The judges for the challenge are Darlene Zimmerman ( EZ quilting), Vivika DeNegre (Interweave), Lisa Mason(president of NYC MOD), Victoria Findlay Wolfe(Quiltcon Winner, with Double Edged Love), and Elisa Albury.</div>
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The deadline for entries in December 1, 2013. You can enter up to three times, one project in each category, any project you have started this year. Enter at the following pages:<br />
<a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/dwr-challenge-small-category/">Small</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/dwr-challenge-traditional/">Traditional</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/dwr-challenge-modern/">Modern</a></div>
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Prize Categories:</h4>
1. Grand Prize from any of the 3 categories<br />
2. One winner from Small<br />
3. One winner from Traditional<br />
4. One winner from Modern<br />
5. Judges Choice<br />
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Grand Prize:</h4>
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<li>Photo of the Grand Prize project in EZ/Simplicity advertisement in Modern Patchwork Magazine,</li>
<li>Complete collection of EZ Templates by Darlene Zimmerman, Deluxe sidewinder and Deluxe Bias Tape and Quilt Binding Machine</li>
<li>Juki HZL Exceed F600 Sewing Machine</li>
<li>Featured in an article in Spring issue of Modern Patchwork 2014</li>
<li>15 Minutes of Play</li>
<li>FQ bundles of Robert Kaufman Kona cotton & Darlene Zimmerman collection</li>
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Additional prizes for all other categories will include:</h4>
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<li>EZ Quilting Templates and Notions</li>
<li>Special gift from Modern Patchwork</li>
<li>15 Minutes of Play by Victoria Findlay Wolfe</li>
<li>One year Membership from The Quilt Alliance</li>
<li>Oliso Irons 3 small traditional and modern</li>
<li>Gutterman Thread (In-home Cabinet) 100 spools, 100 m, 100% cotton</li>
<li>$50 Gift Certificate to Canton Village Quilt Works</li>
<li>Gift Certificate from Fabric Depot online store</li>
<li>American Spirit by Fairfield queen-sized</li>
<li>FQ bundles of Robert Kaufman Kona cotton & Darlene Zimmerman collection</li>
<li>Fabric Bundles by New Castle Fabric</li>
<li>Fabric Bundles by Fabric Traditions</li>
<li>Darlene’s latest quilt</li>
<li>The Spray and Fix Sewing Adhesive Collection by ODIF USA traditional</li>
<li>A FREE class at <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a></li>
<li>Joy of Quilting by Kathy Doughty, Material Obsession</li>
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Winners will be announced Dec 15th, 2013. Winning quilts with need to be sent in by January 1st.</div>
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<a href="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-06-05-at-7.11.42-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-06-05-at-7.11.42-PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Blog hop Schedule:</h4>
July 8th<br />
NYC MOD Quilters (<a href="http://nycmetromodquilters.blogspot.com/">http://nycmetromodquilters.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
Interweave (<a href="http://quiltingdaily.com/">quiltingdaily.com</a>)<br />
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July 9th<br />
Emily Bailey (<a href="http://emsscrapbag.blogspot.com/">emsscrapbag.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
Shelly Pagliai (<a href="http://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=62">http://prairiemoonquilts.com</a>)<br />
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July 10th<br />
Amy Ellis (<a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/">amyscreativeside.com</a>)<br />
Faith Jones (<a href="http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/">www.freshlemonsquilts.com</a>)<br />
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July 11th<br />
Amy Smart (<a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">http://www.diaryofaquilter.com</a>)<br />
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July 12th<br />
Dan Rouse (hi!)<br />
Elisa Albury (<a href="http://www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com/">www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com</a>)<br />
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July 13<br />
Jenny Cameron (<a href="http://fiberlosophy.blogspot.com/">Fiberlosophy.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
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July 14th<br />
Jane Davidson (<a href="http://quiltjane.blogspot.com/">http://quiltjane.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
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July 15th<br />
Joanna Wilczynska (<a href="http://shape-moth.blogspot.com/">http://shape-moth.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
Jackie Kunkel (<a href="http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/">http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
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July 16th<br />
Kathy Doughty (<a href="http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/">http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com</a>)<br />
Juki (<a href="http://jukihomesewing.wordpress.com/">http://jukihomesewing.wordpress.com</a>)<br />
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July 17th<br />
Lisa Mason (<a href="http://theredheadedmermaid.blogspot.com/">http://theredheadedmermaid.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
Flaun Cline (<a href="http://ipleadquilty.blogspot.com/">http://ipleadquilty.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
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July 18<br />
Pat Sloan (<a href="http://blog.patsloan.com/">http://blog.patsloan.com</a>)<br />
Jessica Alexandrakis (<a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/">http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
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July 19th<br />
Jacquie Gering (<a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
Lee Heinrich (<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/">http://www.freshlypieced.com</a>)<br />
Monica Solorio-Snow (<a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/">http://thehappyzombie.com/blog</a>)</div>
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<h4>
Giveaway!</h4>
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I've been given a set of EZ Double Wedding Ring templates to give away to one lucky reader. Please leave one comment on this post for your chance to win. I'll pick a random comment next week.</div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-15955213243921692032013-06-26T17:53:00.000-07:002013-06-26T17:53:33.290-07:00Fiber reactive dye for a tea-stain effectI'm starting a quilt project with prints in a range of reds, and a range of off-whites and tans, but I had a hard time finding fabrics with compatible color tone. I want all the fabrics to have an aged, muted tone, like they were all <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/French-General-Fabric-Moda-Fabrics.asp?Store_Id=499">French General prints</a> (fabrics printed by Moda with an aged, French countryside personality), even if the prints are not all French General fussy.<br />
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The first thing that came to mind was Penny <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/">Sew Take a Hike</a>'s <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2013/04/fruits.html">tea-stained Scrappy Trips quilt</a>. The tea stain softens the chaotic colors and unifies the composition. So off to the internet I went, searching for information on colorfastness. Alas, I couldn't find anything that made me feel confident that the color would persist through washings. And though it seems very abstract compared to color-fastness, several people were worried that the tannic acids in tea would damage the fabric in the long term.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81mPaACfXos/UcuLzCce2LI/AAAAAAAABZQ/PWTzeroTP14/s1600/tea+stack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81mPaACfXos/UcuLzCce2LI/AAAAAAAABZQ/PWTzeroTP14/s400/tea+stack.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final fabric pull, including many over-dyed prints.</td></tr>
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I set about searching for permanent dye solutions, and found several very helpful sources. First, I came upon a <a href="http://artthreads.blogspot.com/2011/08/monday-project-tea-stain-dye.html">post by Deborah Schlegel at Art Threads</a> about using Ecru fiber-reactive dye to stain a cotton sweater. Next I found an old <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/freshmodernquilts/discuss/72157614019625370/">Flickr discussion</a> prompted by <a href="http://r0ssie.blogspot.com/">Rossie Hutchinson</a> culminating in a experiment to find the best fiber-reactive color for tea-stain effect. Of the three she tested, Rossie also preferred Ecru. Voila - a plan!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzZdcyr_pQQ/UcqAB6Ipl2I/AAAAAAAABYc/r7zqRyi4Jv4/s1600/tea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzZdcyr_pQQ/UcqAB6Ipl2I/AAAAAAAABYc/r7zqRyi4Jv4/s400/tea1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I pulled out all my fabrics with true whites -- mostly red prints, but many off-whites too -- and set about dyeing in batches. I adapted <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html">Dharma Trading's instructions for tub dyeing</a>, using a 5-gallon bucket, 4 gallons of water, 4 cups salt, 2 Tbs Ecru dye, and 1/2 cup soda ash to dye about 2 lbs of fabric (~6 yards). That's too much fabric for that volume of water if you need completely even color, but I was open to some mottling. I did have some unexpected results, but more on that later.<br />
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My first surprise was that although I pre-washed every scrap, some fabrics sucked up the dye color, and some hardly took a sip. I did a total of three dye batches, and a few of the fabrics went through all three. Here are a few of the dyed reds next to undyed yardage. The Julie Comstock Junk Drawer print was dyed twice, and the Sweetwater Tangled Threads just once.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMmOG0mzfTQ/UcqAC2CbPHI/AAAAAAAABYk/6OW8_L6ZCSI/s1600/tea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMmOG0mzfTQ/UcqAC2CbPHI/AAAAAAAABYk/6OW8_L6ZCSI/s400/tea2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here are some tans. The Metro Circles and Oval Elements prints received two batches of dye because I want them not just dingy but dark. But the fancy Japanese woven (second from bottom) was only in the dye bath a few minutes before I pulled it out, and let the others stir and soak for another half hour.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-Oesb8_MIg/UcqAGSipEjI/AAAAAAAABY8/YP3QBFSlExA/s1600/tea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-Oesb8_MIg/UcqAGSipEjI/AAAAAAAABY8/YP3QBFSlExA/s400/tea3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But the biggest surprise came in the color tone of a few dyed fabrics. These three prints were in the same dye bath. All were dyed primarily to reduce contrast between the print and the background, mitigate the yellow, and perhaps add some mottling. But the colors came out so differently! The keys and the birds look great, but the foliage print is so orange -- where did that come from?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52slvZCD3VU/UcqAFqo3VLI/AAAAAAAABY0/MsFCTeFrcrw/s1600/tea4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52slvZCD3VU/UcqAFqo3VLI/AAAAAAAABY0/MsFCTeFrcrw/s400/tea4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wonder if certain fabric is more receptive to a specific component in the dye, or perhaps some components of the dye are absorbed and removed from solution more quickly, leaving scraps on the inside of the fabric pile to fight for what's left when they're stirred free. Who knows? I'm sure that orange fabric is not going to be in this quilt, but I think I'll use the original.<br />
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I'll leave you with photos of the final 40 or so of each color. Not the greatest photos, but I love how the fabric turned out.<br />
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What do you know about tea staining, and dyeing for tea-stained effect? I'd love to hear.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-50037878769059021862013-05-28T01:00:00.000-07:002013-05-28T01:00:09.261-07:00Camp StitchalotWon't you join me on a quilting retreat this summer? I'll be teaching at <a href="http://www.pinkcastlefabrics.com/pages/camp-stitchalot-summer-2013">Camp Stitchalot</a> in Ann Arbor this August 9-11, hosted by <a href="http://www.pinkcastlefabrics.com/">Pink Castle Fabrics</a>. There will also be three more amazing teachers: Jacquie Gering (<a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">Tallgrass Prairie Studio</a>), Amanda Jean Nyberg (<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>), and Rossie Hutchinson (<a href="http://r0ssie.blogspot.com/">Fresh Modern Quilts</a>).<br />
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I'll be teaching curved piecing techniques, starting with curved improv. This is the 20" block I made for the retreat sample quilt. The idea for the retreat is we'll have focused instruction time with each teacher, then mentored studio time to explore the new techniques individually and together.<br />
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Brenda and Rossie sent out four solids to each of the teachers, with instructions to stick to the palette so all our blocks would work together for the sample quilt. Not very good at following directions, I added four additional fabrics in equal measure, including two prints, naturally. Hopefully it won't get me in too much trouble.<br />
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I love quilts where improv and traditional precise piecing bump into each other, and that's what I was exploring in this block. I used the same approach in my recent <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunrise-quilt.html">Sunrise</a> and <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/05/orb-final.html">Orb</a> quilts.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWOuGBnYHjQ/UaJn9FC4L6I/AAAAAAAABYA/5ViwlVVjl1o/s1600/rays" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWOuGBnYHjQ/UaJn9FC4L6I/AAAAAAAABYA/5ViwlVVjl1o/s400/rays" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'll have more photos and discussion soon of the quilt beneath the block in this photo. It's another use of improv curved piecing, here in a (perhaps) more approachable rectangular setting.<br />
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I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to Summer Camp Stitchalot. Brenda's (<a href="http://justabitfrayed.wordpress.com/">Just a Bit Frayed</a>) spring retreat came off as a mad success. You can read full reports, including descriptions of the idyllic rural B&B venue, from Katy Ginger Monkey Jones <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-postcard-from-camp.html">here</a> and <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/2013/05/postcard-from-camp-part-2.html">here</a>, and more from Rossie Hutchinson <a href="http://r0ssie.blogspot.com/2013/05/camp-stitchalot.html">here</a>.<br />
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Hope to see you at camp!Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-90286899864529654282013-05-22T17:42:00.001-07:002013-05-22T17:42:27.698-07:00Happy Harvey Milk DayToday is Harvey Milk Day in California, honoring the birth date of one of my heroes in the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. We've come so far in the last couple years -- it's hard to imagine the challenges Harvey faced when he won public office as an openly gay man.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPXnfnnqiNU/TfZcT_RJ3wI/AAAAAAAAALM/74WUkKozRMg/s1600/Milk_tie_new+master_d4_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPXnfnnqiNU/TfZcT_RJ3wI/AAAAAAAAALM/74WUkKozRMg/s400/Milk_tie_new+master_d4_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Harvey Milk. Photo by permission of Daniel Nicoletta</i></td></tr>
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Two years ago I started a portrait quilt of Harvey Milk, based on this famous photo by Daniel Nicoletta. I finished in June 2011.</div>
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Nicoletta's photo was taken during his campaign for City Supervisor, and his campaign button is prominently displayed on his chest.<br />
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We've made so much progress, and there is still so much to do. Thank you for your support in the fight for full equality.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-90866653040458918282013-05-20T10:25:00.000-07:002013-05-20T10:25:18.571-07:00Another SunriseIt's actually the same <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunrise-quilt.html">Sunrise quilt</a> from a few weeks ago, but I'm revisiting to enter the quilt into Amy Ellis's <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2013/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-baby-quilts/">Baby Quilts</a> category. The baby blanket is machine pieced and quilted, and measures 44" x 45".<br />
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I quilted horizontal lines in various shades of orange and yellow, with the lines across the center of the blanket more dense and more orange than the sides.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIYSO_QTgXk/UXSxYy3XmYI/AAAAAAAABRs/i7nSgY6RFoI/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIYSO_QTgXk/UXSxYy3XmYI/AAAAAAAABRs/i7nSgY6RFoI/s400/IMG_4756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the density of the the quilting, the blanket drapes beautifully and has a remarkably soft hand<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip2aflv_4vA/UXSxRVHl1bI/AAAAAAAABRg/ys1gFjSGPcY/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip2aflv_4vA/UXSxRVHl1bI/AAAAAAAABRg/ys1gFjSGPcY/s400/IMG_4754.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you have a moment, check out all the great festival quilts.<br />
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<a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/" title="AmysCreativeSide.com"><img alt="AmysCreativeSide.com" src="http://amyscreativeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Spring-2013-BQF-button-e1365396620338.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-38658291034432049022013-05-19T09:29:00.000-07:002013-05-20T09:55:26.103-07:00Orb final, including quilting notesI finished the binding on the Orb quilt the other day using the same hibiscus purple that appears in strips on the quilt top, only without the orange bits. The final dimensions are 51" x 51".<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOunMX2JL4A/UZgtssFk1HI/AAAAAAAABWg/plzmoLR8z1g/s1600/orb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOunMX2JL4A/UZgtssFk1HI/AAAAAAAABWg/plzmoLR8z1g/s400/orb" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I had some helpers for taking photos yesterday.<br />
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I'm still quite happy with the quilting on this one.<br />
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I emptied several spools of orange and yellow thread.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8tNTfsStR0/UZgt6XaazdI/AAAAAAAABWo/OsyxzUro1mA/s1600/orb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8tNTfsStR0/UZgt6XaazdI/AAAAAAAABWo/OsyxzUro1mA/s400/orb" width="400" /></a></div>
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Several people have asked how I went about the quilting. The short answer is I marked each straight line using various colors of Frixion pens and quilted with a walking foot. Lots and lots of lines.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCTw9mUkEqc/UZj3cgl-yZI/AAAAAAAABXA/9f2L_i316PE/s1600/Orb+Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCTw9mUkEqc/UZj3cgl-yZI/AAAAAAAABXA/9f2L_i316PE/s400/Orb+Steps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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1. I started by marking (but not sewing) the locations of the circles. I used two small bowls as circle templates.<br />
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2. Then I marked a first set of tangent lines -- about three tangent lines for each circle, with each line touching two circles. I quilted the lines with a medium orange thread.<br />
3. I repeated Step 2 several times using progressively lighter oranges, then yellows.<br />
4. When I got to my lightest thread color, I focused on the circles one by one, marking and then quilting lines so there were no large gaps/angles between the tangent lines. Each 2-1/2" circle has about 25 tangent lines, and each 3-1/2" circle has about 30 lines.<br />
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The final step was to add a few lines at the edges and corners where the quilting lines were farther apart than in the center of the quilt.<br />
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I was nervous about using the Frixion pens, but I'm very happy with how it turned out. My favorite color was bright pink. It was visible on the light and dark colors, but not super ugly like the dark blue and black. After quilting I washed and blocked the quilt. Most of the pen marks washed away, and the few that remained disappeared completely when ironed. And there aren't any white ghost marks on the dark fabrics, as some have experienced. Perhaps ironing before an initial wash can set the ink medium, even as the pigment disappears? I have no idea, but I'm very happy with how this particular process worked.<br />
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I've entered the quilt in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-home-machine-quilted-quilts/">Home Machine Quilted</a> category of Amy Ellis's <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2013">Bloggers Quilt Festival</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/" title="AmysCreativeSide.com"><img alt="AmysCreativeSide.com" src="http://amyscreativeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Spring-2013-BQF-button-e1365396620338.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-87855977305219059872013-05-05T11:03:00.004-07:002013-05-05T11:03:52.903-07:00Orb quiltedIn spite of fighting a nasty cold most of this week I managed to quilt the Orb. This is the second quilt from the <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-little-sunshine.html">improv curved piecing</a> I started several weeks ago. The first is the <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunrise-quilt.html">Sunrise quilt</a>.<br />
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The quilting is all straight lines in shades of yellow and orange. The lines go every which way, but meet to form circles at tangent intersections.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdqKBBXMDQo/UYaX5EFHEnI/AAAAAAAABUo/TIb-FjmqBHY/s1600/Orb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdqKBBXMDQo/UYaX5EFHEnI/AAAAAAAABUo/TIb-FjmqBHY/s400/Orb" width="400" /></a></div>
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I marked the lines with various shades of Pilot Frixion pens. The ink disappears when you iron -- I haven't had a chance to iron yet.<br />
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The light was so beautiful yesterday evening, I had to take some photos.<br />
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And the shadows do a pretty good job of hiding the Frixion marks.<br />
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I backed the quilt with a Ty Pennington print. I was surprised to see a few of the quilting circles framed the print in ways that seemed fussy and intentional.<br />
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I'll bind the quilt with the purple solid -- hopefully this week.<br />
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<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-54647064581394936802013-04-30T10:57:00.002-07:002013-04-30T10:57:40.202-07:00Munchkin projectsLast week I spent a lot of time sewing for and with my son. He's working on a Women's History Month research project for his 5th grade class. Each kid was assigned a notable historical figure to learn about. The final output of the project is a "place setting" with all the items in the place setting -- the plate, cup, fork, etc. -- representing something about the famous woman. The objects are not literal representations of what you would find on a dinner table, but abstract artistic interpretations.<br />
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Munchkin's subject is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt">Eleanor Roosevelt</a>, first lady of the United States from 1933-1945, delegate to the United Nations, and architect of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For his "plate" Munchkin chose to sew a baby blanket to show that Eleanor was born with the courage of her convictions.<br />
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He searched for an appropriate symbol for courage, and chose the Tabono (oars), an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adinkra">Adinkra</a> <a href="http://handeyemagazine.com/content/ashanti-adinkra-cloth">textile</a> symbol from West Africa. The symbol represents confidence, strength and perseverance.<br />
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Munchkin has used a sewing machine in craft class, but this is the first time he's asked me to teach him. I put on the binding, but he did everything else, including selecting the fabrics, cutting and sewing, drawing and applying a fusible webbing template, basting the quilt sandwich, and quilting. It turned out great. I love that he chose a textile symbol, and the fact that it's from Africa reflects Eleanor Roosevelt's internationalist vision.<br />
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Last week's other project was a pillow for Munchkin to take to 5th grade science camp this week. He wanted the word "camp" and an Angry Birds pig. He loves those pigs.<br />
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I imitated one of <a href="http://cauchycomplete.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/is-this-love/">Chawn's lettering styles</a>.<br />
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The pig pattern is from <a href="http://borsedigaya.com/?p=1938">Le Borse di Gaya</a> via <a href="http://www.fandominstitches.com/2011/05/comicsgamestech.html">Fandom in Stitches</a>. I enlarged the template 150% and added pieced pupils to the eyes.<br />
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And yesterday morning I sent him off to camp. I know he'll have an amazing time, and I can't wait to hear about his experience when I pick him up Friday afternoon.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-29206071509708779462013-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-22T09:33:36.039-07:00Sunrise quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finished a small quilt with those improv-pieced drunkard's path units I <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-little-sunshine.html">wrote about a couple weeks ago</a>. The arcs are set in solid white, symmetrical on one axis, and a bit off center on the other axis.<br />
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I quilted horizontal straight lines using 8 or so shades of orange, gold, and yellow. I quilted the first lines on a longarm machine, then filled in on my domestic sewing machine.</div>
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The quilting lines are darkest and densest through the center of the quilt -- about 1/8" apart. Further out the lines are spaced 1/4" to 3/8", and the thread color is paler.</div>
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The bias binding is a diagonal cross hatch print (with a snip of blue on one side of the quilt). I'm pleased with how it works with both the drunkard's path prints and the dense horizontal quilting.</div>
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The back is everyone's favorite Ikea number script print. Munchkin was a good sport taking photos all over town on this beautiful San Francisco day.</div>
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The finished size is 44" x 45". I love the play between the looseness of the improv piecing of the prints, and the precision of the circles and the horizontal quilting.</div>
Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-37703302396477535802013-04-01T12:34:00.002-07:002016-11-22T11:59:10.452-08:00A Little SunshineThis weekend I did some more work with improvisationally pieced curves. It's the same stack, cut and shuffle technique I used for last week's <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/03/nest.html">Nest</a> blocks, except I did two iterations of cut and shuffle.<br />
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I started with a stack of yellow fat quarters, and a stack of orange. My goal was to sew some blocks of made fabric for use in upcoming projects. With about 10 gently curving seams top to bottom, the yellow blocks finished at about 17.5" x 17.5" usable fabric.<br />
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I cut the orange blocks more densely, resulting in more seams and less usable fabric. Also, I think, a busier and less pleasing effect.<br />
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I don't have plans for all of it yet, but my first projects will be some drunkards path blocks, cut on point. The inner and outer units will be paired with solid white, rather than yellow print to orange print, and I have a few layout ideas swimming around in my head. I'll let you know where it goes!Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-34597278974455089962013-03-26T08:24:00.000-07:002013-03-26T21:33:40.119-07:00NestIt was a pleasure to be able to sew this weekend after several weeks off. I started with a little curved improv piecing, inspired by a gorgeous quilt pieced and quilted by Sue Fox. Sue started teaching me the basics of long-arm quilting last week (more on that in a later post).<br />
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I pulled a bunch of gray prints and wovens. I was a little drab, and I decided I needed something with more punch. The technicolor Echino birds and berries fit the bill, and I added a coordinating Essex linen for good measure.<br />
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I cut and shuffled the fabrics, then sewed them together to make 10 blocks, roughly 10 inches each side.<br />
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I laid nine of the blocks out on two pieces of grey woven fabric (yarn dyed Essex linen in black, and Kaufman Carolina Chambray in black) until the arrangement pleased me.<br />
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I added some strips of light and dark gray solids and a vibrant blue Oakshott cotton that also coordinates with the bird print. The blue especially gives the composition a greater sense of movement.<br />
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Then I set the blocks using the two gray woven fabrics. The top measures approximately 48x64.<br />
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The back features one last curved improv block, set in the remaining scraps of linen and Carolina Chambray, and finished with several prints from my stash. I was going to use more of the Ikea bird print on the right side but I think even that 8" strip is quite a lot. In the end I'll trim another 2 or 3 inches off that edge before I bind the quilt, and I hope that will be just enough.<br />
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<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-90835024419544793022013-02-22T00:30:00.000-08:002013-02-22T00:30:01.610-08:00Building StarsToday I'm going to talk a little more about the <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2013/02/measuring-stars.html">Measuring Stars</a> quilt -- this time about the piecing of the star and the background facets.<br />
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In my last post I mentioned that I started by making the 60-degree diamonds from mostly pink prints. I had cut a stack of 2 1/2" width-of-fabric strips almost two years ago for a project I later abandoned. But seeing that stack of fabric haunted me, and I decided to strip piece some diamonds, then follow where inspiration led. </div>
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I strip pieced sets of 8 width-or-fabric prints in a manner similar to how you would strip piece diamonds for a lone star quilt. But here I used random strips and 60-degree angles, where a lone star requires 45-degree angles and usually a careful progression of prints.<br />
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As I pieced the strips together I offset the edges by about an inch. I trued the first angle edge by pressing and straightening the the panel as much as possible (some waviness is inevitable), aligning the ruler's 60-degree line with the center seam, and slicing off the edge.<br />
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I sliced the diamond rows by aligning the ruler's 2 1/2" line with the cut edge, and the 60-degree line with the central seam.<br />
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To account for the waviness, I re-flattened and trued the cut edge after every two diamond strips. (I found that distortions multiplied quickly if I wasn't careful to keep the edge true.)<br />
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I ended up with a whole lot of diamonds -- far more than I used in this quilt -- and considered using more in the quilt top, with more stars in various sizes. As it turned out a little bit of pink goes a long way for me, so I opted for one star and the rest of the pink strips are waiting for another project (or two or three).<br />
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It took a little practice and a lot of careful pinning to get the diamond points to match. Once I got in the rhythm the six star sections came together pretty quickly.<br />
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The blue background made use of a very different process. For each hexagon ring I started with about sixteen somewhat wedge-shaped width-of-fabric strips, varying in width from 5" to 8" or so.<br />
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Also, for each ring, one of the strips was the light green (Kona Asparagus), and one or two of the strips were reserved from the first cut of the previous ring, and therefore contained smaller pieces of darker fabrics.<br />
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Next I sewed the strips into two panels, each approximately 44" square. In the above picture you can see a "reserved" strip in the top panel, second strip from the top.<br />
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Then it was time to press the seams, rotate the panels, and cut a new set of slightly wedge-shaped strips, about the same width as before. I pulled out two of the strips to add to the panels for the next ring, mixed with slightly lighter blues.<br />
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I finished the panel by sewing, cutting and sewing one more time, yielding a panel approximately 40" x 60", if memory serves.<br />
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I drafted large paper templates to cut triangles (for the innermost background) and wedges (for the three outer rings), using the same software I use to do architectural drafting. It would have been a much trickier puzzle to figure out without those tools.<br />
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I mentioned in the last post that I miscut the panels for the third ring, aligning the wrong edge of the paper template with the fabric grain (in fact, it's probably the panel-in-progress photographed above). It took a while to get started again and make a new panel. Most of those mis-cut pieces found a home on the back of the quilt.<br />
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<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-23278966398855505882013-02-19T10:37:00.001-08:002013-02-19T10:44:53.036-08:00Measuring StarsThe title for the quilt I finished for my guild's Stitch Modern show this month is a mouthful: Measuring Stars With a Calculator and a Ruler. The name is a reference to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqxr_knclF0">a song by Au Revoir Simone</a>. I must have been in a romantic mood.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxd9ZKIWGMQ/USLW4qmTuzI/AAAAAAAABMg/l1RwUTxHwbQ/s1600/IMG_4244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxd9ZKIWGMQ/USLW4qmTuzI/AAAAAAAABMg/l1RwUTxHwbQ/s400/IMG_4244.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I started this quilt without a plan, making the 60-degree diamonds from a variety of mostly pink and lavender prints, then experimenting with several arrangements. The six pointed star was my favorite.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4zEIo3z7c/USLWzb4UAmI/AAAAAAAABMI/FfGQQhqVqus/s1600/IMG_4225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4zEIo3z7c/USLWzb4UAmI/AAAAAAAABMI/FfGQQhqVqus/s400/IMG_4225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In contrast to the regularity of the diamonds, the star is set in a series of improvisationally pieced wedges that form hexagon rings around the star.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3tIll4JTZg/USLWwDhbopI/AAAAAAAABMA/r6Lepaq-9f0/s1600/IMG_3318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3tIll4JTZg/USLWwDhbopI/AAAAAAAABMA/r6Lepaq-9f0/s400/IMG_3318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To highlight the pinwheel movement of the asymmetric star, I rotated each successive hexagon ring by 10 degrees, always keeping the dominant grain of the improvised piecing perpendicular to the outer edge of the hexagon. One of my biggest errors in making this quilt happened when I cut the wedges for the second or third ring with the grain in the wrong direction. After that, I set the quilt aside for weeks until I was ready to recreate the pieced fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YglWk6IDgg/USLWzuZRccI/AAAAAAAABMM/AqJGIza3LvI/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YglWk6IDgg/USLWzuZRccI/AAAAAAAABMM/AqJGIza3LvI/s400/IMG_3739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was inspired to use the green bits by the light green tones in a couple of the diamond prints. I used approximately 20 different blue solids, adding lighter solids as the rings got larger. The star is set of center, also to reinforce the sense of movement.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAsTOwE8208/USLW3xJvK5I/AAAAAAAABMY/f8LHmd8fAnM/s1600/IMG_4237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAsTOwE8208/USLW3xJvK5I/AAAAAAAABMY/f8LHmd8fAnM/s400/IMG_4237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used three pasterns for quilting. On the central star I used an Angela Walters inspired paisley swirl in white thread. For the inermost hexagon I pebbled in midnight blue thread, leaving the green flecks unquilted. The outer hexagons are quilted in a back-and-forth curve in various shades of blue. I must confess that quilting took a long time, as more than once my quilting caught ugly puckers on the back, and the quilt sat again for weeks waiting for me to motivate myself to unpick large sections of dense quilting.<br />
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I am happy with how the quilting turned out, especially in the bit in the above photo where the three quilting patterns come together.<br />
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I'll have some more photos and descriptions soon detailing how I constructed the diamond star and the blue fields.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-17487118284989130302013-02-09T10:12:00.001-08:002013-02-09T10:12:07.435-08:00Geese TrailsA while back I <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2012/04/traveling-quilts-round-2.html">posted</a> photos and <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5OpPJTPyjwUM0JBWUNwVXFTMjZsNEh1dkRTQzJNZw">templates</a> for the Trail of Geese block I designed for <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.com/2012/04/traveling-quilts-round-2.html">Monica's quilt</a> in the Traveling Quilts round robin.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRKvDVg1KzI/T3p9XrsosLI/AAAAAAAAArM/HZOWu2OBTm0/s1600/IMG_4256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRKvDVg1KzI/T3p9XrsosLI/AAAAAAAAArM/HZOWu2OBTm0/s400/IMG_4256.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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I hadn't noticed anybody using the template all these months. In fact I wondered from time to time if there was an error in the template or something. Then I saw two great examples within a couple hours and it made my day.<br />
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The first is this lyrical quilt top by Catherine Mosely. The setting is graceful, and the movement is both peaceful and compelling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmkXr5WSLc/URaPH6Q2RJI/AAAAAAAABLk/cgO7Yun546Y/s1600/Catherine+Flying+geese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmkXr5WSLc/URaPH6Q2RJI/AAAAAAAABLk/cgO7Yun546Y/s400/Catherine+Flying+geese.JPG" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt top and photo by Catherine Mosely</td></tr>
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The second comes from the other side of the world from Kelly (blogging at <a href="http://jeliquilts.blogspot.com/">jeli quilt</a>s and flickring at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41904070@N08/">chunky09</a>). The rainbow geese look so cool in the grey background. And the quilting really sings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlSk4MXzYW0/URaPHsI789I/AAAAAAAABLg/-rVsqSh4C8s/s1600/kellys+geese+cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlSk4MXzYW0/URaPHsI789I/AAAAAAAABLg/-rVsqSh4C8s/s400/kellys+geese+cushion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cushion and photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41904070@N08/8423414102/in/photostream">Kelly</a></td></tr>
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Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-10791966624779679552013-02-04T12:46:00.001-08:002013-02-04T18:30:09.337-08:00Dawna Bell PhotographyThis post is a bit off topic, but I wanted to take a moment to brag about my sister in law, <a href="http://dawnabellphotography.com/Tiles.html">Dawna Bell</a>. She's a wonderful photographer with a real talent for detail and composition. I'm writing now because this weekend she'll be exhibiting at the Portland Yard, Garden and Patio Show, and I wanted to encourage all my Portland-area garden-loving readers to stop by.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03aZ7jFaq0M/URAaclOTJRI/AAAAAAAABLI/0v2sD-ncOXw/s1600/paperbark+maple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03aZ7jFaq0M/URAaclOTJRI/AAAAAAAABLI/0v2sD-ncOXw/s400/paperbark+maple.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paperbark Maple</i> by Dawna Bell</td></tr>
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The garden show runs February 8-10 at the Oregon Convention Center. You can get a coupon for <a href="http://www.ygpshow.com/pdf/Save2Dollars.pdf">$2 off the admission price here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3w67o4fmzFA/URAaYSpwemI/AAAAAAAABKw/ysGFwX7ODnU/s1600/In+a+mallatds+eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3w67o4fmzFA/URAaYSpwemI/AAAAAAAABKw/ysGFwX7ODnU/s400/In+a+mallatds+eye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In a Mallard's Eye</i> by Dawna Bell</td></tr>
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She'll have a range of beautiful prints, note card sets, and photo tiles on display and available for purchase.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8pQTBjbU4U/URAaYSFrTTI/AAAAAAAABK0/cqro2YWjxpM/s1600/water+rocks+and+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8pQTBjbU4U/URAaYSFrTTI/AAAAAAAABK0/cqro2YWjxpM/s400/water+rocks+and+leaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Water, Rocks and Leaf</i> by Dawna Bell</td></tr>
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I know she's been working hard to get ready for the show, including building a pergola inside her living room, to be disassembled and then reassembled for her booth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38IowKAunqk/URAab2_HDAI/AAAAAAAABLA/ITnouw2ayYE/s1600/white+dahlia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38IowKAunqk/URAab2_HDAI/AAAAAAAABLA/ITnouw2ayYE/s400/white+dahlia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>White Dahlia</i> by Dawna Bell</td></tr>
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If you go to the Portland Yard, Garden and Patio Show, be sure to stop by booth #758, Dawna Bell Photography, across the aisle from the showcase gardens, and say 'hi' to Dawna!<br />
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<br />Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931839995150153893.post-53271436937057589292013-02-02T09:33:00.003-08:002013-02-02T09:34:35.635-08:00Stitch ModernThe opening reception for <a href="http://www.bravoyourcity.com/story/invitation-to-stitch-modern-2013-hosted-by-the-east-bay-modern-quilt-guild">Stitch Modern</a>, the East Bay Modern Quilt Guild's second annual exhibit, is tonight at the Piedmont Center for the Arts.<br />
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My most recent finish (phew!), <i>Measuring Stars With a Calculator and a Ruler</i>, is hanging. There are dozens of quilts by Bay Area quilters, and lectures and events scheduled through the month.<br />
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I hope to have better photos to share with you soon, but here's a shot Birgit was kind enough to share when the quilt was being hung.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielrousequilts/8435525685/" title="Measuring Stars With a Calculator and a Ruler by Dan @ Piece and Press, on Flickr"><img alt="Measuring Stars With a Calculator and a Ruler" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8435525685_56cec1e714.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The gallery will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3 through February 24. Read more about the show <a href="http://www.bravoyourcity.com/story/invitation-to-stitch-modern-2013-hosted-by-the-east-bay-modern-quilt-guild">here</a>.Dan Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732200663031410999noreply@blogger.com3