Set-In-Circles ~ how to insert by machine

Set-In-Circles ....a most thorough how-to by Judy Gauthier.  Circles don't have to be appliqued (she says)!

Circles are just a hoot to set in....here's the proof in the pudding.    The fun of this quilt was to take improv orphan blocks and insert those plaid circles.  The flower petals were an after-thought.  That's what I get for thinking! 

Save The Date.....Save The Date.....Save The Date.....

Save it!  Saturday, March 9, 2019.  Quilters' Guild Acadienne:   A quilt guild in the heart of Acadiana whose 150 members  are movers and shakers and do so enjoy passing a good time.

Yes, this pretty, pretty flyer tells it all.....well, almost.... This event is indeed in the heart of Acadiana....Lafayette, Louisiana.    Now you can save the date and put the location in your GPS.
Come spin some time with us, enjoying great company, sipping wine and frolicking  away the afternoon in and out of  the raffles, live auctions and silent ones too.

Treasures, Tea and Treats

  March 9, 2019, 1-5 p.m.  

  TOPS Appliances and Cabinetry 
 5826 Johnston Street

  Lafayette, Louisiana.

What you say? The Starling Quilt ~

The name of this Art Gallery Fabric stitched quilt gives us a huge hint as to it's content!  Stars:  You guessed it and every star is within our reach.  Yes, reach for the stars....a free quilt pattern found at Fat Quarter Shop.... The Jolly Jabber.   Work your stash or purchase the kit made available from The Fat Quarter Shop. 

Direct link here to the AGF Starling Quilt - a free pattern download. 

Won't You Be My Valentine?

That's a question that can only be answered by you.    You, being the one who takes advantage of this free quilt pattern designed by Ellen March featuring Spoonflower fabric and Sulky thread.  Oh, yes.  I Heart You Quilt.....a free pattern to download and adore to your heart's desire. 

LET GO AND IMPROV

If you’re not a modern quilter (yet), you probably wonder what is meant by “improv”. 

Here are a few explanations relating to the arts from Wikipedia:

·       Experimenting with the concepts of shape, space, time, and energy while moving without inhibition or cognitive thinking can create unique and innovative movement designs, spatial configuration, dynamics, and unpredictable rhythms.

·       Can be thought of as an "on the spot" or "off the cuff" spontaneous moment of sudden inventiveness that can just come to mind, body and spirit as an inspiration.

·       The activity of making or doing something not planned beforehand, using whatever can be found.

·       A very spontaneous performance without specific or scripted preparation. 

To put it simply, in quilting,  improvisation is making it up as you go along.  No pattern is used, and no rulers are allowed. Sounds scary but it is enegizing and liberating to improv.

From Sherri Lynn Wood's Quilt Portfolio

A great place to start understanding and learning how to improv is with Sherri Lynn Wood.  She believes improv is a process of self-discovery.

Take time to watch her Improv Mash Up shown on her Facebook Page:

The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. 

While you’re there nosey around and see what her followers are doing in improv. 

From Cheryl Arkinson's perspective in her Dining Room Empire we can see what really counts as improv quilting

                               

If you find excitement building in your veins to try your hand at improv, you can check out   

The Modern Quilt Guild or join other modern quilters at Quilters’ Guild Acadienne’s Mod Squad. 

No experience necessary! Just a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and explore what could be!

How to Clean Your Iron ~

Oh, yes....irons get dirty too.   This video might not dazzle your socks off, but nontheless, just watch and see how much gunk ZJ took away from her iron.

 Click the link to watch National Quilters' Circle video  ~   How To Clean Your Iron

Face The Year

Let's face the facts.....we all get creative block at some point.  I love how Freddy Moran just faced up to her problem.   A video found on The Quilt Show. 

It's A New Year ~ Resolve

Do you publicize your new year's resolution?  Make it vocal to friends and family?  Put it in writing?
Or, make no commitment but just think about what you might like to get done in the new year?

Here's a great resolution for quilters found at All People Quilt:  Vow to use your scraps.  What's even better is with that suggested resolution, APQ gives us the pictures and links to free patterns for scrap quilts.....Be still, my heart!

Make Your Point

Star Attraction

A Thousand Pyramids

and more.   I'm hooked on scraps and busting them out of here in this new year thanks to the help of All People Quilt.

NEW YEAR; NEW CHALLENGES; NEW BEGINNINGS

I spent the end of 2018 and welcomed in 2019 at a quilting retreat with 4 friends.  I cannot think of anything I would have preferred doing.  Working on a new quilt and accomplishing a good part of it was rewarding.  I got to thinking about all the completed tops I have not quilted and projects not finished, let alone started. Certainly too many to keep, especially with all the new ones waiting to begin! Instead of stressing over this, I'm going to rethink, re-purpose and regain my momentum.

                                  Kaffe Fassett Collective by Kaffe Fassett for Free Spirit Fabrics
                                                       Purple Roller Coaster Fabric

Come along for the ride. What will you do differently in 2019?  I offer a few ideas to start you off and hope you will add your own in comments.

• Look at an old, unfinished project with new eyes. Maybe you could cut up what you've done and create a totally new design using the improv method of modern quilting.
• Use fabric sitting in a box to make a doggy bed for the animal shelter.
• Begin a project totally out of your comfort zone. There are so many new ideas to choose from. You may find out you like it.
• Visit a group you positively think is out of your box.  You may find you fit right in that box!

• Donate an unfinished top or kit to the community service committee.
• Put an unfinished project in the Boutique to inspire someone and help the guild treasury.
• Uncover a long ago purchased, never begun kit you couldn't live without and donate it to the guild auction.

• Ask someone you don't know in your guild to join you for a sew day at your home. You may become great friends!
• Invite a new quilter to your sewing room and let him or her choose from your stash to get her started. Then help him/her.
• Begin a small quilting group in your home to complete a project from a workshop long forgotten.
• Teach a child to quilt.
• Take a class at your guild or local quilt store. Find something totally different from your usual style.
• Volunteer to serve on a committee or work on a guild project. New friends and new inspiration await.

Well, you get the idea! If anyone has examples to share please comment. Send pictures and your story may just get published in this blog.

Don't Fear ~ Hexagons Are Here !

The Caffeinated Quilter, Emily Breclaw, gets you going with hexies from start to finish on this most delightful Quilt-Along that started in November, but is still ongoing.  Find each post in Emily's side bar under recent posts about her Fiesta Flowers Quilt-along.    Whether you quilt along or just follow along, Emily makes sewing hexagon blocks by machine a breeze.  This will be a fun trip to begin the new year. 

Fiesta Time Flowers   features Lecien's Modern Basics Fiesta Time collection.



Happy New Year....come on in 2019 and quilt-along-with us.