Category: Connecting Threads

Magic Stars Quilt Pattern now available online from Connecting Threads

11/1/2016

Hi everyone! I’m excited to tell you that I have added a third pattern that is available for download from the Connecting Threads website. Click on the quilt image below for a link to the quilt pattern.

This design was originally published in the September/October 2014 Quiltmaker magazine. This version is different than what was published in the issue. I didn’t pick the fabrics for that quilt. Also the folks at Quiltmaker decided to change the placement of the values. So the resulting quilt didn’t reflect my original vision.

This quilt, made with various values of green and violet, is exactly what I envisioned. I was trying to achieve the illusion of transparency. To get the transparency that I desired I needed to use a couple of my favorite tools.
I used a color filtering tool and a grey scale value card. The first item helps you to see the value of the fabric represented in a neutral color, grey. This way you aren’t swayed by your emotions when you look at the fabric. The second tool helps you to attach a name or number to the value so that you can differentiate between it and other values of grey that may be close to it. The experience of making this quilt was improved by the use of these tools.

I recently did a lecture and workshop for my guild. In the lecture, Quilter's Color Theory Muscle Building, I explained how to use these tools to improve your quilting experience. For the workshop I taught the techniques that I use, from start to finish, to make a quilt with matching seams and not a single triangle point cut cut off anywhere in the design. Both the lecture and the workshop went well, but I think that the workshop might need to be lengthened to a two day class.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leave a comment if you'd like. It just may take me a while. If you haven't recieved an answer to a comment you left on an earlier blog, please be patient with me. Happy New Year to everyone! Please stay safe!

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Spinning Flowers Quilt Pattern Now Available online from Connecting Threads

5/26/2016

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Hi everyone! I’m excited to tell you that I have added a second pattern available for download from the Connecting Threads website. Click on the quilt image to the right for a link to the quilt pattern.

This design was originally published in the November/December 2014 issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting. If you'd like to know more about this design you can read my blog post about the development of this design by clicking here.

The fabric used in the original design is from two collections by Quilting Treasures called Petals and Matrix. The pattern can be made using precut 2 1/2" strips. You could use an easy-angle ruler for the half square triangles.

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Squash Blossoms quilt pattern now available online from connecting Threads

8/1/2015

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Hi everyone! I’m excited to tell you that I have my first pattern available for download on the Connecting Threads website. Click on the quilt image to the right for a link to their quilt patterns page.

You may remember this design called Squash Blossoms that was published in the March/April 2014 issue of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting. I really love the colors and the design for this quilt.

The fabric was from the Quilting Treasures' Cow girl up collection. The colors remind me of the geological formations called The Book Cliffs. I saw them on the border between Colorado and Utah along Highway I-70.

The Book Cliffs are represented by the zig zag horizontal rows. The alternating rows contain a traditional block known as squash blossom. I've had my mind on this block for a long time. This seemed like the right time for including it in a design. This quilt was finished with long arm quilting by Janice Roy.

I’ve posted some pictures sent to me by Katherine Kohler of her version of the Squash Blossom quilt design. It looks beautiful! I especially love the glamour shot. Katherine put together her own group of tonal prints for the grey, brown and turquoise palette. I love her fabric choices. She also sent detail shots of the quilting. Nice work, Katherine!