I am taking a class taught by a Sue, an amazing local quilter, on how to do hand
embroidery. Sue said this used to be done all the time but like a lot
of other craft projects it’s been forgotten. I remember the pre-printed
table runners and pillow cases my mother used to do when I was little.
Back then you didn’t go to Joann’s or Walmart to get these panels. You
went up to the neighborhood dry goods store or 5 & dime to get them.

We spent the morning yacking about quilting, kids and the weather while
Sue taught us how to do these easy (ya right) stitches. All the way home
from the class I tried to remember how to do these easy stitches -
so why is it that as soon as I got home I forgot most of them! Good thing she
said “just call me and I’ll help you!”

Sue is teaching some basic stitches: stem stitch, button hole, twilling
and couching.

Here is my first attempt at learning the basic stitches: button hole & couching

Here is the finished sample that Sue did:

Below is the center of the block.  Notice the — stippling, she did that too!

After I finish my sample I’m to do the first block. Below is Sue’s. It’s a 14″ square, and when she said I could take it home to use a visual I said I didn’t want the responsibility because it’s detailed and pretty!

There’s lots of good stuff in this issure of the American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine:

PG: 19 -22 - “The way it was” a nice article about Joanna Fiqueroa from Fig Tree Quilts and a new quilt pattern on PG 80 from her newest fabric collection: DANDELION WISHES coming in March. 

PG: 41 - ”On a Roll“ -  DAYDREAMYS Fabrics by Deb Strain - jelly roll friendly pattern

Meet the Designer: Tammy Harrison - QUILTALICIOUS - quilting can be delicious! A full-color pattern with a little treat, too!  We call this a one-bobbin quilt top!  Quilt takes six half-yard fabric cuts and the pattern includes cutting, piecing and finishing your quilt - the only thing you’ll need to add is your batting.  This is a superb pattern to use to make charity quilts, too!

Quilt Designer Tammy Harrison, with her Four Children

Tammy has designed 3 quilt patterns for beginners: Building Blocks Baby Quilt:   Nine Patch Star Baby Quilt : and  Hug & Mooch. The quilts are 40″ x 40″, simple blocks, and complete instructions.  The beginner level patterns are so user-friendly that I highly recommend them if you are a first time quilter! The instructions are very detailed and the pictures are large enough to see even without my glasses on! If you have been afraid to put on a binding try her method, it’s easy and the instructions even show you how to tack the binding down on the back of the quilt.  

 You can purchase kits for these here:

Hug & Mooch Baby Quilt

Want a challenge try these her other quilt patterns and kits? These are Intermediate to Advanced level and include piecing and applique:

Surf Sailing  Star Sailing Summer Picnic Basket

Uno Lives Up to His Name As the Beagle Becomes First of His Breed to Win Westminster!

Uno, my name is Girlie Girl…………

I am a very kind and pretty Beagle.

I have all of my shots and very nice teeth.

If you want to come over for supper and cookies, please give me a bark….

                   Girlie Girl

Strawberry Lemonade Fabric Collection has arrived! 

 Me & My Sister has outdone themselves with this refreshingly simple take on a country picnic theme. Adding a taste of strawberry to a traditional summer favorite makes this group unique. Strawberry Lemonade is bright and cheerful, perfect for a picnic throw or backyard bar-b-q table runner. Bring a little summer back into the sewing room.

 Make this Picnic Throw 50″ x 50″ purchase the kit here and get the free pattern  from Me & My Sister:

Hey Pickle Posse, did you tell Mark Lipinski about the BOM quilt kit I’m offering, using Katmandu fabrics?!?

My designer worked very hard to get the correct feeling for this quilt … and not a mention about it anywhere. 

I think she’s speaking to the Pickle People on her blog! 

And what’s the rumor about Mark leaving Troy Fabrics?

Burrrrr…it’s 1.6 degrees and a wind chill of -25 deg

but Spring is right around the corner!

I received a email from Sue, one of my Austrialian customers, and she was telling me how much she liked my picture of my little dog in the snow. She said it was summer time there and her pool was a little on the cool side 32 deg C or 90 deg F haha. They had just got back from a holiday (vacation) and wanted to share this picture with me of her very handsome son Harry!

FYI: Sue, we just got 12″of snow! 

Urban Chicks have put a modern spin on urban lifestyle. Swell is fun, fresh and laidback in its appeal. The oversized polka dots and freshly cut flowers remind us to sit back, take in the sunshine and remember life really is just swell.

 Purchase this kit here: SWELL 

Making this block was so much fun and it was easy too!! 

 The intructions can be printed out here:  BOM Quilts