A New Chapter...

Well...  I'm getting old.  Had some health problems in July, and had to quit my job at RR Donnelley.

But that means I get to go full-time in my little business!  So, I have a new website:  https://www.QuiltedSunshine.com.  It has 4 sections:  Printed Paper Patterns, Pdf Pattern Downloads, Handmade and a Second Hand Store.

Besides selling my patterns, I'm making and selling my handmade items.  This includes quilts, tablerunners, upcycled denim items, thread catchers and serger thread catchers, etc.

In my Second Hand Store, I'll be selling things that I may find for a screamin' deal, and pass the savings on to you.  They might even come from a local thrift store.  Or curated fabrics from my stash.  Or batting scraps cut to fit my denim quilt patterns.  Or things that I bought and don't really want any more.   ...Things like that.

I'd love for you to check out my new website! 

Please click on the image below.

 

 Here's a scrappy quilt pattern for you.  I call it Stacked Logs.

 

Here's a couple close-ups.

You can find the pattern on my Etsy Shop.  Stacked Logs

I have a new denim quilt pattern called Slats!  You can use a jellyroll of your favorite fabrics with this pattern.  I used mostly Maywood's Woolies Flannels, with a few Moda Wool and Needle Flannels.  I love the bright colors!

The Slats Denim Quilt pattern is available on my Etsy shop.  Here's a link.

The pattern gives six sizes, from a small rug to a queen size quilt.  Here are some more pictures.


 

Front of Planks Denim Quilt

Back of Planks Denim Quilt

Close-up of Planks Denim Quilt

 

 

Check out the pattern on my Etsy Shop at this LINK.

First Time Quilting Negative Space

Keep in mind that this is my first time quilting negative space.  I've used up 3 bobbins for this top section.  Here's what I've got so far....

Gotta have some dandelions!

 

Just a fun flower.

 I used a stencil to get the main shape.  Then added some free-motion to fill it up. 

Made a Cover For My Longarm

I have a lot of samples that I've made for teaching my classes, or when I took classes.  So I sewed some of them together with my serger.  This will keep the cat from getting on the quilt.  And I'll have some ideas handy when I'm stuck with the how-do-I-quilt-this blues.

Fringe Quilt Top Is Finished

The exciting thing about this quilt, is all of the "negative space" that needs to be quilted!  I haven't really had much experience with negative space quilting, and it's a bit intimidating.

 My longarm is in the way, so you can't see the whole thing.

I've made a lot of samples for my Home Machine Quilting Club.  Maybe I'll just make something different in each big, grey square. 

Or do I want to make the quilting revolve around dandelions and birds?

The light grey sashings are 3/4" wide.  I think I'll just quilt 2 straight lines through each sashing.  Maybe do a strand of pearls in each small, dark grey, border rectangle.

Where the focus fabrics (dandelions and birds) are, I'll probably just cross-hatch.  In the other big print squares, I'd like to make medallions.

Please post any ideas you may have, below.

Matching Sashing Intersections

I'm making the Fringe sample for the store, from Robin Pickens' Dandi Annie line, by Moda.  I LOVE this fabric!  The pattern is challenging if you're not sure how to get all of those sashing intersections to match.  Here's how I do it.

First, I sewed all the rows together.  Then I measured 6 different rows.  Then averaged the measurements and cut ALL of the horizontal sashing pieces the SAME size.  This will help the quilt
be squared-up when the top is finished.

My sewn rows aren't exactly the same length, but that's alright.  I'll pin the sashing strip to the bottom of a row, at both ends.  Then I'll pin one end (right side) into the carpet.  

The sashing is a little shorter than the row.

 

Stretch the sashing and the row just a little, until they're the same size.  Then pin the other end into the carpet.  Now I can evenly pin the rest of the row.









When the sashing strip is sewn to one strip, then we'll get it ready to sew to the other side.  I fold the sashing onto the row and use my Frixion pen to mark where the seams are on the sashing.

 

See how the marks line-up with the opposite row?

Pin all of the seam allowances in place.

 See how there's gap in the row between the pins?  As I sew, I can ease this to fit by pulling it taut.

Here are my finished intersections.