April Flowers

 

Howdy quilt folks! Long time since I last blogged. I feel like I'm in confession LOL. Quilting has become my total obsession. With family obligations, household chores, and a part-time job, time is limited for much else. However, I enjoy sharing the things I learn in the quilting world. Therefore, I will get back to it! 

What's going on this week?

The weather in this area of Texas has been sunny and warm. The spring flowers are scattered about and make for lovely walking scenery. Normally, during this time of the year, we have tons of bluebonnet fields. This year, bluebonnets are sparse. But I enjoy all of the wildflowers as you can see some of my photos from my morning walk yesterday above. 

I attended my second Chisolm Trail Quilt Guild meeting yesterday. I really enjoyed being with many other like-minded people. We had a speaker;  Annie Smith who did an excellent presentation on Understanding Color Sense. My biggest takeaway was about the value of colors from light to dark and how using them appropriately can enhance your quilts. 

What am I listening to?

I found this great Podcast for quilters called "The Quilter on Fire Podcast" by Brandy Maslowski. She interviews quilters and fiber artists from all over the world. I have really enjoyed listening to her during my morning walks.

What am I working On?

After having recently finished a bit of a monotonous ....I should say very large and monotonous quilt last week, I started an improv quilt. I find that I do that.  It's like my brain needs the freedom after focusing so much on the same blocks over and over and over. The aforementioned quilt was a bow tie medallion quilt 96X96. I will post a photo of that once I have quilted it. Back to the improv quilt....I wanted to do a Medallion Improv type quilt that I could use my scraps on. I decided to use all of my purple scraps with orange scraps. This is what I have so far.  Today I am working on finishing up the bottom border blocks. I love how it is turning out. 

What are you working on?

  

Summer Update

"Enchanted"

 I have been busy with various quilting projects. I might have even finished a couple. The above quilt was inspired by a quilt I saw at the Texas Quilt Museum in LaGrange a month or so ago. The quilt was created by Ann Moore. You can see her online gallery here.  I was intrigued by her use of tiny glass beads throughout the quilt. I could see that she had used the reverse applique technique. Hers was much more intricate with beautiful borders, reverse applique, and exquisite quilting. I did not know how she created hers until I called the museum to ask about the artist. I found her webpage and as usual,  I had already started mine using my best guess. LOL

This was my first time using the quilt-as-you-go technique.  I like how it came out,  but for improvement purposes,  I will check into Ann's classes.  I know she uses templates for the quilting and that is something I have not tried yet.  The reverse applique process is so much fun. I love the reveal of the fabric underneath the design when cut out. I struggled with the satin stitch going around angles and curves of the designs. I have seen some people leave the edges unstitched. I don't know if I like that idea. 

I entered this one into the Austin Quiltfest 2024 for September 2024. 

It is about to be September here. It is hot, hot, hot. All we want to do is stay inside and stay cool. I am looking forward to cooler weather in the fall.  Happy quilting. 

Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024

 The Quilters Hall of Fame ( Marion, IN) presented a call for art to celebrate the total solar eclipse that is happening on April 8th. I participated by sending in these photos of my piece called "Behind the Scenes".

AND,  the 18X18" quilt was accepted for display at that Museum. What an honor! It was a fun piece that I thought about for a week or so. I finally decided on these layered circles to represent the sun and the moon. Then I added the phases and lots of stitching with both metallic and regular embroidery threads. The background fabric is one of my favorites from Marcia Derse which is a piece of art all by it's self. I love her fabrics.  Yesterday, I got it ready to mail and I will pop it in the mail today. Wish me luck! Will keep you posted. 

Raspberry and Lime Tumble

 

Raspberry and Lime Tumble Digital Pattern

Created In EQ*

I'm currently working on the above quilt design. I created it using the Improved Nine Patch block and the Mosaic block.  I had the hot pink and black on hand for another quilt that I decided I did not like. I was inspired by a quilt I saw on Pinterest that had the bottom of the print fabric curved. I plan to curve more than what I could draw on the pattern. Then it will float onto the black background. I don't plan to add a border. Finished it should be about 50X70-a perfect nap on the couch quilt or wall hanging. 

This is my second time to do the Improved Nine Patch. The first time I did it, I did not mark or clip the pieces as instructed on the templates I purchased. Some came out good....others not so much. But on this one, I am slowing down and taking the time to mark all the pieces so that they will fit together nicely and show those beautiful points. I am very pleased with how they are coming out. I only have 2 more of these blocks and then on to the mosaics. I can't wait to create that curve at the bottom. I will keep you all posted!.

Raspberry and Lime Tumble

 

EZ Speak Pub Gal

  This small art quilt was inspired by the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY challenge using the 1920's as inspiration. It got accepted as a finalist but did not place. I don't even care! I felt so honored that she gets to be on display at the Museum for a few months! 

I designed this using EQ8 Software. I used Drunkards Path blocks which I thought were appropriate given the times and prohibition! I used a magazine picture of a woman for the silhouette of the woman and drew the dress and accessories on to create a freezer paper pattern. Same for the old refcord player. I hand stitched the woman completely. I quilted all around her with a digital pattern and Longarm Sewing machine. I did decide afterwards I should have tacked down the woman after I quilted her, but I did not-which caused her to puff out a bit. You learn something every time!

Treasures Left Behind

Several months ago, one of my coworkers at Over the Top Quilting Studio brought in this plain brown box, maybe a hat box? When she opened it up and I peered inside, I was amazed at the contents. Tons and tons of paper pieced hexagon blocks from a time gone by.  The story is that a man took this unfinished quilt top to an appraiser to see if she knew anyone who would be willing to piece it. I believe it belonged to his mother. I was so taken with the perfection of the pieces and the neatness of their placement in that box. We call them unfinished objects (UFO's). Who knows why this top was discarded. Perhaps the maker had another more exciting project? Maybe she did not like the colors? Could it be that life got in the way and she no longer had the time to quilt? Oh so many thoughts come to mind. 

You would be surprised how often people bring similar items to the quilt studio seeking assistance with repair or construction. I have seen so many beautiful and sometimes tattered and weathered quilt tops. I feel honored to get to be part of their resurrection.  It seems like the stories are usually the same.  "Mom passed away, we were cleaning out her house.....we found these in the attic...". Something like that.  Often times, it is very emotional as we help our customers decide on their preferences for quilting and finishing their treasure. 

Back to the hat box. Upon closer examination of the hexagon blocks, you can see the newspaper is quite old.  Look at the price of those tires! WHAT?! The car ad is about a 1959 model. Look at that story on Jimmy Hoffa! It is just so interesting. 

I have several quilts started that may never get finished. I imagine what my kids will find when they clean out my estate. I think about this every time someone brings one of these quilts in to the shop.  

This is the quilt top being constructed. 

 Many thanks to Shari Heacock Sloane for her beautiful construction of this treasure and for all of the photos. 

Circle Back in Black

 

I feel like I have slowed down quite a bit on my quilt making frenzy. I think I got a little worn out after working so hard to finish a few pieces for deadlines for the Quiltcon 2024 possible entries. I got the ones I wanted completed and just kind of rested my mind a bit.  I am trying to slow it down and pay more attention to details which is hard for me because I always feel like I'm in a race to finish a quilt so I can start another. LOL. But here is my latest design. I'm calling it "Circle Back in Black" with a bit of a nod to my youth and ACDC rock song "Back in Black" that can always get me singing and dancing. 

I am exploring the use of negative space, in this case-the black. I love how primary colors pop on top of black. I am loving geometrical shapes and as you can see, CIRCLES and curves. I am currently on row 4 and the challenge of this one for me is the whole slowing down and getting the pieces fitting together nicely. The yellow and green blocks are very small and I have seam ripped many times trying to get these suckers to fit right. Geez. Some are really good and others I'm asking myself if I am willing to redo when I get to the end. I tell myself there will be an inspection at the end where I ask myself these same questions. 

I am currently on row 4 and I'm already thinking about how I will quilt this. I'm wondering if I truly am going for negative space, then how will I fill the black squares so as not to draw away from this design. So, happy Saturday. I am spending the day with the family and some quilt piecing. I hope you enjoy your day. I will keep you posted on this piece!. Happy Quilting.

What is Your Message to the World?

 There is a Text on Textiles call for art through Quilt Festival Calls. I have been thinking about this challenge for a while. I have been thinking to myself, if I only had one chance to speak to the world, what would I say? What would you say? I'm not sure what I would want to say other than to be kind to one another. I'm not one to stir up conflict. I don't have any angry messages, not that it is bad to express anger or upset through this means. Just be kind, it's not that hard. That's my big message to the world. Simple. 

I created this on the Electric Quilt 8 software. Not sure I love it yet. I do like the bright letters on the black but not that excited about the blocks I used on the sides. I will keep working on this. The last day for entry is April 18th, 2024 so there is plenty of time to think on this. Perhaps my message will change too. But it seems so appropriate for these days. Happy Quilting Y'all!

Unfinished Objects (UFO's)

I promise I won't start another quilt until I finish all of my Unfinished Objects (UFO's) says every quilter I know. I usually use my weekends to finish and bind quilts I have going. After having completed two very small quilts this last week, my sewing room looked like a major storm had passed through it. I decided I needed to clean and reorganize this morning before I could attack anything else. I successfully stayed focused long enough to give the room a good thorough cleaning and vacuming. 

I also sorted through all unfinished items and kind of prioritized what I need to get done. First, I want to get these two mini quilts binded. I plan to submit these two to the quiltcon 2024 mini quilts competition. Top one is called "Blooming" and the bottom one is called "Fusion". Two friends/mentors recommended the facing type of binding so I had to look at a few tutorials on that process. I will have pics when done. I quilted the Blooming (Top one) with Modern Curves and the bottom was just straight lines about 3/4" apart. 

I have this quilt I need to finish binding so I can get it donated to Community First. I don't have much to go. 

I still need to bind and put label on this entry to the Quiltcon color challenge-deadline is October 31, 2023! 

I'm calling this one "After the Storm". I was very pleased with how this one turned out. Even after all the struggle with the Storm at Sea blocks and that Lone Star. It was worth the work I think.

I have this one that I need to complete. I'm calling it "The Games we Play" because I feel like it looks like a game board. I created this one in the Electric Quilt Program and it is turning out beautiful. Can't wait to show you finished project. 

So, as you can see I have plenty to do. I love that. It made me think of that saying:  

“Happiness is pretty simple: someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to.” Rita Mae Brown

On top of all that, we took time out to view the Solar Eclipse (with special glasses). It was so cool. I had to go and purchase some fabric at Over the Top Quilting Studio today and there were so many people there looking at the Eclipse. It was like a party. I'm signing out to get started on all these projects. Let's see if I can keep myself from starting a new quilt! Happy Quilting folks!  

About Mola Quilting

MOLA QUILTING

 A friend of mine gave me this little Mola piece of fiber art. I'm not sure where it came from, but she knew I would be intrigued by it. She explained to me that these originated in Panama by the women of Kuna. I researched a little more about this art form.  Historically, the women used to decorate their bodies with geometric figures using whatever was available to them for paint. As fabrics became available, the women started incorporating the same concept on their clothing. "Mola "actually means shirt in Dulegaya, the language of the Kuna people. 

These are very intricate pieces put together using many colors and layers of fabric in a reverse applique method. I have seen reverse applique methods used in quilting. I think if I try this method, I will start with a couple of layers. Something a little simpler. I did find some great video tutorials on Youtube for reverse applique techniques. If you are interested, just do a search--of course some are better than others so I won't link any of them here. 

What am I working on now? 

Currently, I have three quilts I'm working on. I am working on the Tropical Storm I showed you before. I keep procrastinating this one because of the level of difficulty I find in the Storm at Sea Block. But, I keep pushing a long with that one. I'm also working on an improv type quilt using some fabrics from Marcia Derse and Windham fabrics. I am loving Marcia Derse!  Having a project like this on the side of a more intense project helps me relax and just enjoy the process. This is the beginning of that quilt. 

The third one is a quilt pattern I ordered on Etsy called "Seafarer" by Quiltfabrication. This one is made with strip blocks in many shades of blue to create an ocean scene with one sailboat. It makes me think of pictures we took while visiting Seattle many times for our anniversary. I am going to add some sunset colors in the top left, not sure how that will look? 

Happy Quilting folks. I would love to hear about what you are working on! Please message me here or come see me on instagram @lesley_chandlercrafts. 

Stained Glass Quilt

 

I have always loved stained glass and I thought I would try to make a quilt that had that look. I had recently taken an online class by Caralina Oneto called Curves and Transparencies. It is a great class if you want to check it out.  So in this class, I learned a technique using Freezer paper to draw your patterns. You draw the pattern on the non-shiny side and then you cut out the pieces after numbering them. I also took pictures before I cut out the templates so I would not get too confused about where the pieces went in the quilt. This is one of my patterns that I drew out. I used plates to draw my circles and rulers for lines. 

Then, I cut out all of my templates from the freezer paper. I ironed the templates on the right sides of my fabric. Then, by using a ruler to add a quarter inch around each side of the piece of fabric, I cut pieces using my rotary cutter. I have learned that for curves, it is much easier to use a smaller rotary cutter 28mm. 

The piecing is a bit intuitive. Although you can kind of go row by row, you have to anticipate what is coming up to see how best to piece them. 

After I pieced everything, I added a 1/4" fusible bias tape to all of the seams to give it more of the stained glass look. You iron it on the the areas you want and then sew it down. This was a challenge to get the seams straight. I tried my best to have a seam going down both sides of the tape to tack it down good. I just learned yesterday that someone actually suggested using a double sewing needle so that you can sew both lines at the same time. This is something I will have to try. I also plan to use a wider tape next time. 

In keeping with the stained glass look, I added first a black border. Then I used a simple rectangle block border alternating the colors with black. Then added another black border. I decided on a black binding as well. This piece was actually inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright who was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. 

Hidden Agenda Quilts-Secret Codes

    Today I am finishing up a quilt I created that I am calling "Hidden Agenda". I will show it to you later in this post. But first, I want to talk about how quilts have been used in the past and perhaps even today to send secret messages. I find it very interesting and clever that one would take a perfectly innocent object such as a quilt to pass on a message. For instance, the Underground Railroad Quilts. There is folklore that certain quilt blocks were used to convey messages and maps to help the enslaved escape. For example the Log Cabin was supposedly used to convey where safe houses were along the journey. I like to believe this is true. 

   I have always been drawn to fabric with writing, fonts, words, scribble etc. I love to look at other peoples drawings and doodles on paper and journals. What does it mean? I can't help myself, I even like to pick up people's grocery lists left behind in baskets at grocery stores and I have used them in my art. I'm weird like that. 

   I had quite a bit of scraps of fabric with writing to use for part of the sashing on this circle pattern quilt. I wanted to get outside of my usual color pallet on this one so I asked a good friend, Theresa to help me choose my colors. I am so pleased with the outcomes. I never would have picked some of these colors. If you are trying to get out of your usual patterns, colors etc. I encourage you to ask a friend to help you pick out your next fabrics for your project. 

 

Improving My Diamonds in Rectangles

 

Still working on my Tropical Storm quilt that I shared about in my last post. Like I mentioned before, I really struggled with the diamond in the rectangle blocks.  I'm going to share some tips I have picked up from friends and Youtube tutorials:

1. The Deb Tucker's Diamond in Rects ruler will save your life! You get precision cut diamonds and the side triangles are oversized on purpose so you can trim that down at the end. It is so much easier than the tiny little templates that I printed out from EQ8. You just look on the ruler for the size you need and follow the instructions. I'm a little directionally challenged so it took me a few minutes and Deb Tucker's Youtube video tutorial to figure it out.
2. Lay out the corners on top of the diamond before you sew. It is so easy to get mixed up and sew the sides on wrong. 
3. Sew with the diamond on top so you can see placement better.
4. Place the top points of diamond just a tad from top of side. Don't try to equalize the amount of overage on each end. Deb Tucker talks about this in her video. But here is a photo of what I mean, can you see my little black arrow at top and end?
   
   
   
5. I have found that a little less than 1/4" on the seams is better to give you more edge. 
6. Sew opposite ends first then the other two. Press seams toward edge of diamond.

I was determined to have more precision in the cutting out of all the pieces. I have been cutting out all of the square in square pieces with my Cricut maker. It takes a long time but I feel the results will be so much better since I can't seem to cut out the proper sizes on my own. LOL  As you can see, I have my shop assistant, Bentley helping me. 

Fun Using EQ8

 Electric Quilt 8 Fun

I have been hearing about EQ8 for a while now and finally decided I needed to have this quilt making software. I purchased it and downloaded directly from the EQ8 Website a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have been playing around and learning how to use it. I have found several really helpful tutorials on Youtube and the EQ8 online site. I am quite comfortable with different design software so this really helped speed the learning curve along. However, I did have some trouble understanding the mathematics of building a quilt. In my mind, if I told the software I wanted my block to be 12 inches when I completed piecing the block, it should be 12 inches right? Nope, the software considers the seam allowance. So my blocks came out to 12.5 inches because I had entered 1/4 inch seam allowance. It was a little confusing until I learned a "finished block" is the size of the block after piecing it. 

Also designing a quilt and actually constructing it are two different animals. I could design quilts all day long. But, being fairly new to quilting, piecing these fantastic designs has been challenging. Of course, not knowing what I don't know, I picked some hard to piece type blocks for my first quilt. Let me just go into the first quilt I designed in EQ8. I'm calling this one "Little Storm". First, I will show you the photo of the design from the software-not the actual quilt I made. I did not color in the boarders.

The sides and corner pieces were easy peasy. The dang Storm at Sea blocks about killed me! LOL. I had never pieced the diamond in the rectangle before. I first tried to do them using the templates from the EQ8. The rotary cutting of these tiny corner pieces was brutal. I struggled with the piecing and even with some tutoring from a dear friend, I still had great difficulty. I did get some validation that this was a hard block by several quilters who I shared my frustrations with. When I said "storm at sea block", I got that "OH" look. Anyway, someone suggested I get the Deb Tucker Diamond Rectangle ruler. So I purchased that and it helped so much. She purposely designed the ruler/template so the pieces are bigger and can be trimmed to correct size later. But, I had already completed a couple of the blocks in my wonky fashion and I was unwilling to make those over. So in piecing the wonky ones with the better ones, it still came out not show worthy by any means.

But, I still love it and I am currently working on my Storm at Sea Redemption quilt. I'm calling this one "Tropical Storm". I have purchased the fabric and am currently in process of cutting out all of the pieces. I am focusing on precision cutting using my Cricut Maker for a lot of the blocks and the Deb Tucker ruler for the diamonds in rectangles. I will keep you posted on the progress. 

 Let me Introduce Myself

Hello, I am Lesley. This is not my first rodeo...I mean my first blog. I started blogging years ago as an avenue to share my love for all things mixed media. Even though I revisited that blog a few times over the years, it finally dwindled down and it remains there on the world wide web.... just sitting there like an old friend. I tried to go back there several times and reignite that blog but though it is a part of me and my journey in life, it just does not seem to fit anymore.  

Fast forward to now.  I'm a West Texas girl transplanted in the Austin, Texas area. My family has lived here since 2014 and we absolutely love it. Although I was a working nurse when we moved here, I have since retired. I retired in 2021 and it took me a while to figure out how to manage all that free time. More about that later. My husband and I have our dream retirement part time  jobs. He works at a local vetrenarian clinic and I work at a Long Arm quilt shop. 

I grew up surrounded by creative women. My mom always had some craft going. Among her many crafty and creative talents, she could sew. She made a lot of my clothes. My grandmother sewed for the public for years to help provide income. She was very talented. She also quilted. I remember she had a quilting rack that hung over her bed that she could bring down to hand quilt her pieced tops. I don't remember seeing her hand piece her tops but I'm betting she did. Her quilts were made from scraps from clothes and anything she could find. She was a resourceful woman. 

Both Mom and Grandma let me play on the sewing machine and they taught me how to sew a bit. I took sewing in Home Economics in Junior High and High School. I remember taking on a project that was beyond my skill set to create a jacket with shoulder pads and matching skirt. The skirt came out great but the jacket....er..uh...let's just say I had to walk a certain way to make the shoulders seem to be even. LOL

Over the years, I dabbled in sewing. My Mom gave me my first sewing machine. I think it was her old one. I made curtains for our home, baby blankets, some simple garments. Then in the years of the Funky Art Queen, I discovered fiber arts. I used fabric in my collage art and also played with fabric sculpture. 

Finally, back to my retirement. I found myself with plenty of time to explore my creative side. I discovered quilting last summer. I was at a local dollar store and as I was leaving I saw a sign for a quilting shop. It was Over the Top Quilting Studio. I thought I was just go in and have a look. I met one of the owners named "Susan". She explained that they were a longarm quilting studio. She was so warm and friendly explaining how the machines worked and before I knew it, I was signed up for the certification class so that I could quilt my own quilts. 

I was hooked. I think I have made about 15 quilts since then. Maybe more. I have lost count. I tried to keep a scrap book of all my quilts but I could not keep up with myself. LOL  I think I needed the community of quilters as much as I needed the outlet for my creativity. Since I started, I have met some amazingly talented people. I would say "amazing women" but not all quilters are women. I have met some amazing male quilters too.  

I will use this blog to share my adventures in this quilting journey. I hope to introduce you to some amazing people I meet along the way. Just know that I am Fixin'ta Quilt.  

Love and Light, 

Lesley