Back and Forth at the Same Time: New Year's Eve Edition

I  couldn't possibly say goodbye to 2010 without looking back at the quilts I've made over the past year. Sometimes I wonder what it is about quilts that attracts me to them. I certainly enjoy designing and making other things, but oftentimes those ideas are spurred by a need or an assignment rather than just inspiration. It seems like whenever I think about patterning, I do so in terms of quilt design rather than a garment or home dec item. The idea may evolve into something other than a quilt, but it probably started out with a quilt in mind.
Anyway, I'll probably have to go into analysis to figure that one out, so if someone wants to recommend a therapist, I'm all ears. :) Until I get that sorted out, here's my mosaic of 2010 quilts.

I probably could have included a few more as I often make repeats of designs as custom orders, but I think this mosaic gives a good overview.
Also, since these posts have been about the future as much as the past, I'm announcing that I'll be releasing a new quilt pattern on Monday, January 3, 2011.

I first showed sneak peaks of this quilt in mid-November when I requested that a few helpful folks review the pattern. I've since done a wee bit of editing and I'm ready for it to go live this Monday. Check back here then as I'll have more pictures and information and will be giving away 2 copies of the pattern to celebrate its launch.
Until then...have a fabulous New Year and, for those who live close by, I hope to see you at the book signing this Sunday at 5:00pm at Stitch Lab (1000 S. First St.)

Back and Forth at the Same Time #2

I was planning to look back on the quilts I've made in the 2010 and chat about some quilting plans for the new year, but I was struck by a discussion thread over at Sew, Mama, Sew.  So(or should I say sew :)) I'll save that for tomorrow's post. Instead, I'll play along with their prompts and would love to hear your thoughts about what sewing in 2010 meant to you and what you think the future holds.

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?
This might seem a wee bit self-serving, but I genuinely believe that the biggest trend on the sewing horizon these days is the making of contemporary quilts that are both beautiful and functional. I think there's a slew of young and young at heart sewers who want to make quilts, just not exactly the way grandma did.
What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)
My favorite thing is the mini explosion I see of downloadable patterns. Knitters have been doing this kind of thing for a few years and those of us who sew are just starting to get in on it. Now what we need is a Ravelry-like site for sewers where independent designers and crafty folks can have an online community to swap ideas, sell patterns, and generally display their talents. BTW- I love Burdastyle, but that doesn't fit this bill in my opinion.  
What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
I may be biased, but I was pretty partial to my friend Kathy York's collection for Clothworks.
What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)

I do a lot of sewing, so it's hard to pick one item, but I feel like the Hexagon String Baby Quilt that I designed for Quilt Scene Magazine was definitely one of my favorites.

 What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?
This might be a weaselly way to answer this question, but oh well.... I have seen so many beautiful creations over the past year that I can't, no matter what, name just one. I do have a bunch of beautiful crafty images faved over at flickr and I'd invite others to be as inspired by them as I've been. 
What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
I think the past few years have seen a growing fascination with all crafts and designs Japanese. While I've really enjoyed this, I think this year's trends may be a bit bolder and more color-based than what you tend to see in the Japanese aesthetic. I think there's a real interest in simple, strong designs that focus on color. 
Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?
Not really. I think we're a pretty decent bunch and if something isn't your cup of tea, just don't make it or buy it.
What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?
I've got lots more quilts and quilt patterns planned for 2011 and more personal clothes sewing with knits. I've been a bit wary about working with knits in the past but I'm ready to get over that.

Back and Forth at the Same Time #1

I love this time of the year, reading all the best-of lists that are published or listening to the best-of radio shows. It's fun to look back on the past year and to think about the possibilities for the year to come. It's really a strange dichotomy of recalling the past and anticipating the future all at the same time. Frankly it should make me a little schizoid, but instead it makes me smile.
This week I thought I'd share some of my highlights from the past year as well as plans or maybe just hopes for the year to come.
I wanted to start off with a mosaic of some of the projects from my book, Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration.

I'm featuring the book as my first look back because I'm going to have a book signing this Sunday at 5:00pm at Stitch Lab,1000 South First Street.  If you've never been to Stitch Lab you are in for a real treat. The place defines the word eye candy. It's located in a refurbished old house on and not only is it fun and funky and colorful, but they sell the best, most contemporary, perfect for quilting, crafting, any-which-way-kind-of-sewing fabrics there. I'll be there along with copies of the book and the original projects from the book. Want to see the Honeycomb Hexagon or Nate's Quilt up close? Come to Stitch Lab this Sunday at 5:00. Also, I'm going to be teaching some classes this Spring at Stitch Lab and though I plan to post about that here later in January, all the class info will be available at the book event. I hope to see you there!

Cathy's Ocean Revisited

Today's post is brought to you by kismet or fate or karma or one of those forces in the universe. The other day a friend and devoted customer emailed to say hello and ask a question. She then mentioned that she'd seen my write-up in American Craft and saw that one of the quilts featured was a quilt I'd made for her. I replied that the editors had asked for a high resolution image of that quilt and unfortunately all I had was a pretty crappy photo I'd probably taken with a point and shoot. Being the kind and generous person she is, my friend offered to drop the quilt off for a few days so I could properly document it.
So here it is:

Its an improvisational take on the traditional Ocean Waves pattern and if you've ever looked at my flickr photostream you've seen it in my quilt set. What the original photo doesn't reveal and frankly neither does this one is how much embroidery I added to the quilt top before I basted and machine quilted it.
That's why I took these closeups.

 

 I had so much fun adding the embroidery to this piece. I remember telling my friend at the time I was working on the quilt that I found the embroidery work to be so calming. I just couldn't seem to stop myself. Also, I used wool embroidery thread which I feel is the perfect compliment to a lot of the hand dyed fabrics. The wool has such an amazing richness of color it really suits the color saturation of the fabrics.
For those who might be interested in some of the mundane details, the quilt measures about 30" x 40" and features both hand dyed and commercial cottons.

Fresh Quilting Across the USA :: Day 7

Whew! I made it all the way across the USA and boy...wait I already used that. I'm actually not tired; I'm thrilled. I've really enjoyed reading the comments and seeing some of the interpretations of the Fresh Quilting projects. Today's the last stop on the tour and it's a great place to visit. Kathy Mack is a designer and owner of a fabulous online store, Pink Chalk Fabrics. I can personally attest to how terrific her space is because not only do I buy a lot of fabric from her I also sell my downloadable patterns there. On her blog today she's posted her review of Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration including a book giveaway.
Throughout the blog tour I've featured photos that I took of the projects before I sent them off to the publisher last winter. Since this is the last day, I've decided to focus on two of the wearable projects I designed for the book. In the book these items are modeled by professionals, but my photos feature two lovely girls, my eldest and her friend. Being teenagers they insisted I not include their faces, but take my word for it they are as cute above the neck as they appear below the neck.  

 Peppermint Neck Warmer

Mix-it-up Patchwork Scarf

Fresh Quilting Across the USA :: Day 6

We're rolling into Day 6, but week 2 of the Fresh Quilting Across the USA tour. I think I like the idea that we could have an incongruous number of days to weeks. If  I could figure out how to do that in the reverse, I could probably go back in time and imagine what an amazing book and subsequent blog tour that would lead to.

Annie's Picnic Quilt from Fresh Quilting

But, back to reality and the blog tour at hand. Today's stop is at Blair's always beautiful and well-designed space. Remember, each stop includes a book giveaway, so be sure to check it out for your chance to win.

Fresh Quilting Across the USA :: Day 5

 Honeycomb Hexagon quilt from Fresh Quilting

I'm virtually flying my way across the USA and boy are my arms tired! :) I was going to wait until the last stop on the Fresh Quilting tour to make that silly comment, but ever time I thought about it I'd giggle, so I couldn't help myself. I guess I"ll have to spend the weekend coming up with something else.
Today's stop is at Jacquie's incredibly popular and informative blog. This woman has so much energy and enthusiasm and it shows in the beautiful quilts that she makes. A little birdie told me that Jacquie has a book in the works too, so I'm definitely looking forward to that.
The tour takes the weekend off for refueling, but begins again on Monday at Wise Craft.
As with all the previous stops, today's blog is offering a free copy of Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration. So head on over there and check it out.