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And the Floss Frenzy Winner Is:

March 8, 2015 3 Comments

Because of some time-sensitive information, I’m actually sharing two blog topics this week. The challenge results are the most exciting, so they come first. But please continue to the end for a bit of sharing about the French Braid pattern.

I’ve had an exciting week of tallying votes in the Floss Frenzy Challenge. All of the entries were delightful! They received so many wonderful comments, and many voters mentioned that they wished they could vote for more than one. But one vote a piece was all that was allowed and the winner is:

Ida Porzky of Watertown, WI,

for her crocheted button flower wall quilt!

Ida is a dear friend of mine. She is a talented quilter and her crochet work is spectacular also (I have the privilege of owning a number of her doilies!). She has won a basket full of floss – 237 skeins to be exact, one each of all the different colors I was originally gifted 😀 ! Congratulations Ida!

Next I need to make a special mention of Patt Nieman’s quilt. Patt had requested only red floss, because she wanted to make a redwork quilt. She completed her beautiful quilt, and sent me pictures well before the deadline. I’m sorry to say, I misplaced her picture and it wasn’t included in the initial posting of the challenge. Patt emailed me concerning my error a few hours after the challenge began. I put it into the blog as soon as I could and, even with the late start into the viewer’s choice voting, her quilt still won second place!

Patt will also receive a prize of embroidery floss!

Thanks so much to all the participants. You are all winners to me!!!

A few interesting challenge statistics:

37 packs of floss were sent out.

18 stitchers returned pictures in time for the challenge.

Over 120 votes were cast.

Quite a few people have let me know that they are still working on their projects, but they just couldn’t get them done in time. If you’re one of these – keep at it – and then send me a picture when it’s finished. I plan to feature a Floss Frenzy II showing in a future blog post!

Braids and French Braids – Quilt As You Go

Doing a braided table runner – quilt as you go, is a quick and easy way to complete a pretty project. Many of you may know how to do this, but just so we’re all on the same page, I’ll share a brief “how-to”:

1. Cut a piece of batting and backing fabric slightly larger than the size of the runner you desire. Layer the backing, wrong side up, on the work surface. Smooth the batting on top of this. These layers may be held together with basting spray, or a few pins. Mark center lines down the length and the width on the batting, with a removable marker.

2. Cut a square of fabric that will fit the width of the runner, when placed on the diagonal. Pin in place at the center.

3. Cut strips of fabric for the braid. It looks nice in either a planned palette or scrappy. You will complete one side of the runner first, and then the other. The strips will be added chevron fashion on two adjacent sides of the center square. Choose a strip and lay it, right sides together, even with one edge of the center square, and with the tail hanging off the edge of the runner. Stitch in place with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

4. Carefully press the strip open, and trim off the tail even with the runner edges.

5. Lay a strip of fabric along the adjacent side of the center square, even with the square/strip portion of the runner, and with the tail hanging off the outer edge of the runner again. Stitch as in step 4, press open and trim the tail.

6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until one half of the runner is pieced and quilted. Finish the other half of the runner the same way.

8. Square off with pointed ends (as in my sample) or rectangular, bind and enjoy!

A technique with a similar look, but an added bit of pizazz is called a French braid. This pattern became very popular a few years ago. The original book constructed the pattern as a top, in need of quilting. It struck me that doing it “quilt as you go” would be a great option. I played a bit and created this lap sized quilt:

Adding the squares was the tricky part, but I came up with a fun way to make it work. Each row was made separately and then I put them together with the Reversible Quilts method I used for Hanna and Willy’s I-Spy quilts (to read the post on that technique – click here). Each row was actually a runner, so I made that option into a class and I’ll be teaching it the end of this month at Waukesha County Technical College. Here’s the info:

Quilting Workshop: French Braid Runner – Friday, March 27th, 9 – 2:30

Use a gradation of color or value to create this stunning table runner. The best part is the piecing is done “quilt-as-you-go”. Once the top is done, the quilting is too! This technique can be used to create a bed-sized quilt and instructions for doing so will be included in the class.

If you are interested, please sign up soon! You can register on-line at http://www.wctc.edu/ or by phone at 262.691.5578. The Course Reference Number (CRN) is 21783.

Floss Frenzy Challenge – Revealed!

March 1, 2015 2 Comments

I’m so excited! The entire Floss Frenzy adventure has been so much fun: getting the floss, figuring out what to do with it, and then … receiving all the pictures of your wonderful projects. What a joy!!! (if anyone is new to the blog, click here for the original post)

To begin this post I’d like to share “my challenge project”. I cross stitched a cover for my Iphone. I’d seen something like it on Pinterest and felt it was a great use for embroidery floss!

The base was purchased on Amazon.com and it was fun to cross stitch through the silicone (there were perforations for the stitches). It must be an Amish iPhone case because I didn’t cross one of the stitches, proving only God is perfect (LOL – can you find it?)

The problem is that the case didn’t fit my phone as tightly as I’d like, so I gifted it to my friend Maria – who was thrilled! I enjoyed making it and I’m glad it found a good home.

After issuing the challenge I realized that I still had way more floss than I could ever use, so I sent an email out to the missionaries my church supports, asking if they could use it in their ministries, and quite a few of them responded. It’s been fun to see how far the floss is traveling and to hear about the crafts it’s being used for in Peru, Mexico, Estonia, Sweden and even Micronesia!

So now – it’s time for the challenge. Please remember that most all of the floss “three packs” were chosen at random by me – and please only vote once 🙂 .

Virtual Floss Frenzy Challenge Exhibit and Viewers Choice Voting

The following projects are numbered and anonymous. Please vote for your favorite by emailing your chosen number to me at

FFblog Por — A wall quilt of a vase filled with crocheted button flowers.

FFblog PorL — An embellished wall hanging

An embellished wall hanging. (sorry I didn’t take a “floss” shot, so I’ve included a detail of the embroidered portion) — An embellished wall hanging
(sorry I didn’t take a “floss” shot, so I’ve included a detail of the embroidered portion)

#10

#11

#12

Embroidered block that will become a label for a granddaughter's quilt — An embroidered block that will become a label for a granddaughter’s quilt

#13

Wallhanging quilted with embroidery floss — A wallhanging quilted with embroidery floss

#14

#15

#16

#17

#18

Thanks to everyone for the great response. I loved seeing what the floss became. Finishing by the deadline makes you all winners in my book, but it will be fun to see which project wins the prize!

Please vote soon everyone!

Eureka! A Mariner’s Victory!

February 22, 2015 2 Comments

Two years ago I put together a lecture called Tradition With a Twist. In it I share antique quilts in traditional patterns, and the modern variations I’ve created. Collecting the antique quilts for the talk was a big part of the fun. By the time I presented th Compass-Capers-to-Di e lecture for the first time I had found antique versions for all but one pattern – Mariner’s Compass. This was particularly frustrating because I’ve made so many unique Mariners variations – and even written a book about it!

Fast forward to this past January. Our life has taken a new direction because Mike retired on December 31st. This change has presented many new things to deal with, and one was to adjust our cell phone/internet plan. As many of you may know, there are tons of options out there, and it’s all so confusing! As a part of this adventure, we spent one night “trying out” a new WiFi possibility. In the midst of this Mike told me to just “surf the web” and see how the speed of the connection was (silly man 🙂 ). I don’t surf often, but when I do, it’s usually to try to find an antique Mariner’s Compass quilt in my price range (a seemingly hopeless plan). Well … a lovely quilt in white, orange and yellow popped up, and 12 hours later it was mine!!!

I’m thrilled! I had really wanted a medallion style Mariner’s quilt, and I love yellow and orange. But this one really tickled me – and here’s why!

Mariner’s Compass quilts tend to be rare because of the degree of difficulty involved in the traditional template method for piecing them. Those long skinny points require a lot of patience and skill. I didn’t get into making this pattern until I discovered that compasses could be made with paper piecing. This made accurate blocks attainable for average quilters.

Now, look closely at the above picture of the central medallion from the quilt, and prepare to be impressed. Those points were not foundation pieced, they were not even template pieced… they were hand appliquéd!!! It’s a bit easier to see on this picture of one of the small corner compasses.

The quilt is hand quilted also. The stitches are not the finest I’ve ever seen, but they have kept the quilt together through much wear and numerous washings. Oh how I wish it could talk and tell me who made it and when. That’s why I’m always telling students to label their quilts!

So, would you like to see this quilt “in the cloth”?

I’ve been blessed with the wonderful opportunity to be one of the keynote speakers for University Days 2015, at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art in Cedarburg, WI. This event takes place May 1st and 2nd. I’ll be presenting Tradition With a Twist on Saturday morning at 9am. University Days is an exciting event with a lot of great activities. For all the information go to: http://wiquiltmuseum.com/education/classes-workshops/university-days-2014

Then, on a personal note – Sommer has a new baby brother!!!

Trey Michael Kirsch was born this past Friday night, February 20th.

Brad and Betsy (our son and daughter-in-law), are doing well. We’re all thrilled and Sommer loves her “bay brudder”.

Decking Out the Nursery

February 8, 2015 1 Comment

I’ve been doing more sewing than quilting lately. Sommer’s baby brother is due February 26th, and Betsy is in nursery preparation mode. The color scheme she’s chosen is navy blue, kelly green and brown. She asked me to make the curtains …

bumper pads, and a hanging diaper holder.

I’m continually being amazed by my daughter-in-law’s abilities. She’s a loving wife and mother. She’s done the design work on two of my books. But I never realized what a talented painter she is, until now. Here’s a picture of Sommer with their two doggies, Moseley and Nershi (Sommer is quite an artist herself – and two fisted).

And these are the pictures Betsy painted recently for the baby’s room:

Didn’t she capture them well? The finishing touches on the nursery will be completed this weekend, and I put the final stitches into the baby’s quilt this past week. So, he can come any time now 😀 ! I’ll send pictures once he’s arrived!

Yo Yo update!

I recently received an email and photo from Lorraine about her yo yo project. I just had to share:

“Hi Chris,
A few weeks ago you talked about yo yos on your blog and asked for pictures of our yo yo projects. Here is my story:

When I bought my first yo yo maker I decided to make a vest. I spent several evenings making yo yos and after I had a big pile of them I decided I had enough to put the vest together. I took a vest that fit me well, laid it on the floor and began arranging my pile of yo yos to duplicate the front panels. My big pile of yo yos did not come close to finishing the front panels! I had to spend many more evenings making many many more yo yos in order to finish the front panels and then do the back of the vest. Although it took much longer than I thought and many more yo yos than I anticipated I like the finished project and get lots of compliments when I wear the vest.”

Lorraine, It is lovely! Thanks for sharing!

Sisters – From a Number of Angles

February 1, 2015 3 Comments

Just a couple of quick notes about last week’s post. Thanks to those who commented and suggested checking with your machine technician before using monofilament thread – good advice. Also, I recently spent some quality time on Diane Gaudynski’s blog and I highly recommend it: http://www.dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/. Her website is: http://www.dianegaudynski.net/.

Sisters

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may remember the Saga of the Quiltsissies. It was really quite silly, but the feedback was great. This is how the story began (and this is leading to something):

“Once upon a time there were 2 quilters, named Chris and Wendy, who liked to take others on quilting adventures in Europe. Prior to a trip to France in 2008 they talked about creating a traveling companion named Quiltina. She was based on a cardboard cut out called Flat Stanley who travels with school children and helps them to journal their trips. Wendy made the first Quiltina and then created her sister Quiltanna for Chris. These Quiltsissies joined the quilting cruise in France. They brought along a third sister, Quiltilly.

While on the cruise a contest was held and the winner, Evelyn, was awarded Quiltilly as her prize.”

As the story continues, Evelyn and her sister Hazel (who has Quiltzilla) stayed with us during quilt week in Paducah a few years ago, and she brought Quiltilly along, but Quiltilly was showing signs of neglect. On top of that, Evelyn left her behind. So Wendy and I naturally held her for ransom.

After quite a bit of excitement, Evelyn did pay the ransom in jewels – batik diamonds!

(To read the whole adventure go to: https://chrisquilts.net/?p=3448 and https://chrisquilts.net/?p=3467 and https://chrisquilts.net/?p=3497 and https://chrisquilts.net/?p=3515 )

Years have passed and Wendy and I are currently planning our next Sew We Go Adventure to the Sisters Oregon Quilt Show this July! For our trip project we’ve chosen the Seven Sisters block, and it uses diamonds! The ransom diamonds have been waiting for such a time as this, and we’ve been having a wonderful time putting it all together – in hand and machine piecing options. Here are the three samples we’ve created already (they’re table topper sized and addictive – like eating potato chips):

All of the quilters who join us on the trip (Evelyn and Hazel are already on the list!) will have the opportunity to make their own Seven Sisters quilt during our travels. We’ll also have a pre-trip get together in which travelers can make their very own Quiltsissie!

Here’s the good news:

WE STILL HAVE A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE!

Our adventure begins and ends in Portland, OR – how you get there is up to you (although our travel planner would be happy to help you with those details). Thus, it doesn’t matter where you live – you can be a part of the fun!

So if you’d like to join us there’s still time! You can even bring your sister!

For all the details go to: chrisquilts.net/trip

then call Kristi at: (262)786-6763

And I couldn’t resist this parting picture:

While shopping in a local quilt shop – Tea and Textiles in Jefferson – I found this wonderful “cheater cloth” of the Seven Sisters block. I just had to make a pillowcase for Wendy to take on the trip. I think I’ll make one for myself also. Too much fun!!!

Hanna’s Patchwork

January 18, 2015 2 Comments

You may remember when Hanna and Willy were here for Christmas, Willy finally got his turn to sew and he made a doll sized quilt for his stuffed animal (to read that post click here). While he was sewing, Hanna was planning her next quilt (that’s my girl!).

She’s definitely interested in quilting and during their visit she accompanied me to a guild meeting, and ran my computer slide show while I presented a lecture for Common Threads quilt guild.

One afternoon, at the beginning of their visit, we took my fishbowl of scraps off the shelf and the kids had a blast causing it to “rain scraps” in my studio (I’m one of the kids 😀 ).

But in the next picture I realized that examining the scraps was more fun than throwing them for Hanna (Willy’s moving so fast, he’s just a blur behind Sommer).

She touched, chose, arranged, and chose some more while Willy was quilting, and when he was done she asked if she could have a turn. She laid her chosen scraps in an arrangement that pleased her and then started sewing. It was a crazy quilt sort of way to do it and every so often I would rotary cut the edges straight so she could continue. She made a number of “chunks” from her favorite scraps.

But time wasn’t on her side and all too soon, it was time to return to Washington. I told her we could put her pieces in a special place and she could work on it again on her next visit. She said she had a better idea – I could finish it for her!

On the long plane ride back from taking the kids home, I came up with a plan. Last year grandpa and I bought the kids Kindles for Christmas. They brought them on this trip, wrapped in a kitchen towel. Hanna’s birthday is on January 21st, and I decided a quilted Kindle sleeve would be the perfect place to use her pieces. I made an outside rectangle from the majority of the pieces, and the inside was made up of leftover flannel from the bed quilt I’d previously made her, with more of her pieced units in the “flap”.

The layers were quilted, then it was folded and stitched into a sleeve.

Lastly, a button and loop for were added for closing it up.

It’s ready and in the mail to Hanna for her 9th birthday!

Willy’s birthday is in March. I’d better get going on a sleeve for his kindle too!

A Yo Yo follow up!

After last week’s post Eleanor sent me this picture:

Her guild made yo yo flowers for the centerpieces at a quilting luncheon (thanks for the picture, Eleanor). This reminded me of a post I did a few years ago about fabric flowers and I thought I’d share that link, just in case you’re interested: https://chrisquilts.net/?p=2933

Yo – Yo’s

January 11, 2015 3 Comments

Mike and I were out antiquing recently and I found an absolute treasure! We do a lot more looking than buying (our home is getting full), but occasionally I just can’t say “no”. Here’s the story:

Fabric Yo Yo’s have always been popular with quilters. In my collection I have 2 antique coverlets (they’re not called quilts because they do not have the traditional “3 layers, held together with stitches”). This first one is put together with “squares” framed with a purple “sashing”.

I love this piece. The placement of the yo yo’s is rather unique and the “grape” clusters look wonderful hanging down the sides of a bed.

The other one is quite different. I was looking for a vintage quilt with a dog on it for one of my lectures and this one barked right out at me:

What makes it unique is that the yo yo’s are attached to a muslin back with tufts of wool yarn. The doggie is stuffed and has 3-D ears. They just don’t make em like this any more 😀 !

Clover came out with wonderful yo yo makers a few years ago and there was a big surge in popularity at that time. On our Sew We Go project, when we cruised through France, we used the yo yo maker to create a cluster of grapes on a quilter’s arm chair caddy.

It was Wendy’s idea … and very clever!

About ten years ago I adopted this clown from an antique store in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. His body is all yo yo’s and I just couldn’t resist him. He’s been sitting on a shelf ever since.

This brings me up to my latest find. A yo yo girl!

Isn’t she delightful? I think all of her yo yo’s are made from men’s silk neckties, and where the clown has pom pom hands and feet – she has bells. I just knew they were perfect for each other!

They now share a shelf in “Sommer’s room”, and they’re a sweet couple of yo-yo’s!

Do you have any unusual yo yo items? Please send me pictures – I’d love to share them.

And just a quick reminder – the Floss Frenzy challenge is due February 28th. Here in Wisconsin, we are enjoying the perfect weather for sitting and stitching under a cozy lap sized quilt! So you have over a month to do just that and send me a picture. Remember – there will be a blog quilt show of these pictures – with prizes!!!

Spinning Stars

January 4, 2015 5 Comments

Fussy cutting motifs from fabric is a technique that has been around for generations. It was made incredibly popular about 20 years ago by Bethany Reynolds (click here for her website). At that time I was intrigued by Bethany’s quilts and started playing with my own style of cutting identical triangles from large print fabric. To begin, I chose a teapot fabric with a lot of thin lines and curves.

I found a traditional star block I liked, and devised a fun way to piece it.

Isn’t the variety of stars amazing? And the fun part is, if I had cut the triangles just an inch away from where I did, every star would be different from these. I must admit, it’s addicting. I showed this quilt to friends and students, and my Spin Star class was born. It has been extremely popular over the years and I think the appeal lies in the fact that each star is a surprise! The down side is that it makes “swiss cheese” out of your fabric:

My stars begin as four stacks with 8 identical triangles in each. Here’s a portion of a Jane Sassamann fabric that worked great, and just one triangle stack:

This one stack of triangles can be put together 2 different ways – with the top right point at center:

or with the lower left point there:

Here they are together so you can see how much variety there is in just one stack of triangles.

I think it’s time I sew those stars together!

These are the blocks I made from a Christmas poinsettia fabric:

Did I mention this is addictive?

During one class I decided to make stars from a fabric printed with adorable children.

These blocks have never been stitched together because, even though the star is pretty, it bothers me to see cut up kids swirling around:

If this type of play is of interest to you, I’ll be teaching my Spin Star class at WCTC on Saturday, January 17th, and we need 3 more students to sign up for the class to run. Please consider joining us! The deadline is this Wednesday.

Have you had fun with fussy cutting? Please send pictures. Oh, and those of you who have taken this class – I’d love to get photos of your star creations. Perhaps it would be fun to do a virtual quilt show on a future blog. Send pictures to me at:

And the Floss Frenzy Winner Is:

Ida Porzky of Watertown, WI,

for her crocheted button flower wall quilt!

A few interesting challenge statistics:

Braids and French Braids – Quilt As You Go

Floss Frenzy Challenge – Revealed!

Eureka! A Mariner’s Victory!

Then, on a personal note – Sommer has a new baby brother!!!

Decking Out the Nursery

Sisters – From a Number of Angles

Sisters

Here’s the good news:

WE STILL HAVE A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE!

For all the details go to: chrisquilts.net/trip

then call Kristi at: (262)786-6763

Hanna’s Patchwork

Yo – Yo’s

Spinning Stars

My Guide

Contact Chris!

Blog

Ida Porzky of Watertown, WI,

for her crocheted button flower wall quilt!

A few interesting challenge statistics:

Braids and French Braids – Quilt As You Go

Then, on a personal note – Sommer has a new baby brother!!!

Sisters

Here’s the good news:

WE STILL HAVE A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE!

For all the details go to: chrisquilts.net/trip

then call Kristi at: (262)786-6763

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My Guide

Contact Chris!