Category: Fabric

My Dazzle Dots Fabric is Back in Stock

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Have you added some of this bright colorful fabric to your stash yet? Dazzle Dots is my 9th collection so far with Benartex and it’s been the most popular one yet, which is super exciting! I guess folks love the rainbow colors and simple polka dot prints. Fawning over my fabric is like telling me my kids are cute – so I just eat it up!!

Dazzle Dots Yardage, Bundles and Kits

The exciting news is that Dazzle Dots is now on it’s 2nd printing and is ready to ship! Many of the colors, such as the neutrals and the navy blues sold out so fast it was hard to get ahold of them after the first print run sold out. I always order several of my bolts of fabric from the manufacturer but it was fun to see the demand for these.

So in case you missed them the first time around (or need more – that’s totall ok!) you can once again get any of the 22 prints by the yard. Or stock up on your favorite bundles such as fat quarters of the full line, or 1/2 yard bundles by colorway.

Click here to grab Dazzle Dots fabrics, bundles and kits!

Dazzle Dots Video Tutorials

And in case you missed it, I’ve created 7 different videos showing the 8 quilts I’ve made (so far) from Dazzle Dots. I made a play list of all of them on my YouTube channel. Click the icon or image to get started watching. (Depending on your browser you might NOT see a preview image, but it will play once you click on it.)

They videos will play continuously one right after the other, in order.

Sharing is Caring!

If you’ve made projects from Dazzle Dots, I’d love to see them. You can tag me on social media using #dazzledotsfabric and you can also share what you are doing (and get feedback if you’d like) on my ChristaQuilts Facebook Group.

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!

New Machine Quilting Video: Quilting Walking Foot Wavy Grids

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Did you check out last week’s tutorial where I showed how to quilt simple wavy lines with your walking foot? Well, guess what?? In this week’s video I’m taking that concept one step further and turning those wavy lines into a Wavy Grid. Click play below to watch, then scroll down for bonus goodies that will help you whip up a quick and easy quilt in no time!!

Easy Peasy Terrace Tiles Quilt Pattern

I designed and wrote Terrace Tiles to be the easiest quilt pattern I offer. It’s made from fat quarters and you can literally whip it up in a weekend by following the pattern + bonus tips I shared in my video above.

Optional Terrace Tiles Quilt Kits – While Supplies Last

The Citrus and Jewel versions of the quilts shown above are made from my Dazzle Dots fabric collection from Benartex. I’m thrilled that it has been my best selling line so far and so pleased that other quilters love these rich, yummy colors as much as I do! For a limited time I’m offering kits in both colorways and will replenish these as long as the fabrics are available.

Now I’m curious – which colorway resonates most with you?

QuiltCon Together Begins Feb 18, 2021 – See My Schedule of Events!

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I’m very excited about QuiltCon Together, the annual event presented by The Modern Quilt Guild. So far, I’ve been to every show and I’ve had a quilt in every show, too. Even though this year’s event is virtual, I still wouldn’t miss it. Here’s where you can find me – and my quilts – online from February 18-22, 2021.

QuiltCon Together 2021

My Workshops

Carefree Walking Foot Quilting (On Demand) – Sold Out
Carefree Free-Motion Quilting (On Demand) – Click here to register for DSMQ009

My Walking foot quilting class is completely sold out. However, as of this writing I still have room in my Carefree Free-Motion Quilting workshop. These classes are the next best thing to being live in person. They’ve been pre-recorded and you’ll have access to them the entire length of the show. That means you can view them on your schedule and then pause to do the “homework” given in each class.

There’s an “enhanced” option meaning that students have the option of meeting with me live online in a small group setting to get additional help on anything they need from in class.

Free Motion Quilting

Click here to register for my Free Motion Quilting class at Quiltcon Together.

My Lectures

BERNINA 770QE

#1 BERNINA LIVE 2/18 at 10:30 – FREE for QuiltCon participants
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SHOW

I’m kicking off the event first thing on Thursday morning, February, 18th at 10:30 AM Central time with a live presentation sponsored by BERNINA. It will be about 30 minutes of me chatting about my favorite machine feet for quilting. Following that, I’ll stick around for about an hour to chat with everyone and answer any questions you may have. Best of all, this event is FREE for all QuiltCon attendees. So be sure to pop over to the vitrual BERNINA booth that morning and join the fun!!

#2 Quilt Perspectives Panel 2/20 at 11:00
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR LE17

Join me and industry experts Riane Menardi Morrison, Sandra Johnson and Tia Curtis as we chat about all things machine quilting. This will be another live event that you can register for separately, or as part of an all access lecture pass.

#3 How Do I Quilt It Lecture 2/21 at 5 PM
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR LE29

I’m excited to be presenting my ever popular lecture “How Do I Quilt It” at QuiltCon Together. It will be shown on Sunday, February 21 at 5 PM Central Time. It also includes a Q&A live chat so that you can better understand the material presented. Through the magic of technology I’ll also be answering your questions live during the pre-recorded presentation.

My Quilts In the Show

I’m thrilled to have 2 quilts in the virtual show this year. The first one is a brand new design called “Pixie Stix” that in included in this year’s version of QuiltCon Magazine.

Pixie Stix by Christa Quiltss

Click here to get QuiltCon Magazine 2021 for the Pixie Stix Quilt Pattern

Pixe Stix is made from a fat quarter bundle of my Good Vibes low volume fabric plus the Bedazzled print in dark gray for the background and binding.

Good Vibes by Christa Watson

Click here to get my Good Vibes Low Volume prints.

It was fun to design and make this quilt and there’s a bonus article in the magazine all about my design process and different versions I came up with until I settled on the final layout.

Pixie Stix QuiltCon Magazine

My other quilt in the show is called “Interlinked” which was patterned in Make Modern Magazine isue #34 last year. This is one of those “try, try again” situations. I actually submitted it to QuiltCon last year and it didn’t get in. But this year it did – so you just never know how things will turn out!

Interlinked Quilt by Christa Watson

Click here to get issue #34 of Make Modern Magazine for the Interlinked Quilt Pattern

I’m currently in the process of updating the Interlinked pattern with more information and hope to release the PDF version along with some kits, soon. So be on the lookout for that in a few weeks!

Free Quilt Pattern – Connections by Charisma Horton in Modern by the Yard Ezine from Benartex

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One of the things that I love about working with Benartex on fabric design is that they produce a fantastic free digital magazine called Modern by the Yard. In each issue, they share inspiring projects that you can make from their fabrics. So each time I have a new line that comes out, one of my amazing designer friends creates a fabulous pattern for you for free!!

Connections Quilt in Modern by the Yard

Click here to download Modern by the Yard for free from Benartex.

In the current issue of Modern by the Yard, my talented designer friend Charisma Horton has created and shared her amazing quilt  pattern called Connections, which is right up my alley!! She made it using my latest fabric line, Good Vibes from Benartex.

Good Vibes by Christa Watson for Benartex

Click here to get your hands on Good Vibes yardage, precuts and bundles.

Here is what Charisma has to say about her latest project:

 “I am a big fan of Christa’s fabrics. I have made a few projects with her collections. They are fun, colorful and diverse. I actually designed Connections years ago before I was a professional designer.

I have learned that sometimes you have to wait for the designs to speak and decide when they should be released and where. I have always been a fan of quilts with negative space. This quilt decided that it was time and she is shining in all her glory.

 If you’d like to check out some of my other patterns you can visit my shop here:Charismas Corner on Etsy

Thanks so much for letting me share! I can’t wait to design with Christa’s next line of fabric. We make a great team.”

Connections Quilt by Charisma Horton

Connections Quilt made by Charisma Horton from Good Vibes fabric.

Thanks Charisma!!!
Click here to see other beautiful quilts and projects that Charisma has made from my fabrics.

I can’t wait to see what she makes next!

Color Weave Quilt Kit, Gray Fabrics Back in Stock!!

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I know it’s been a minute since I posted but I have lots of exciting behind-the-scenes stuff happening right now. But I had to come up for air to let you know the fabulous news that my Confetti Crosshatch fabrics are now back in stock.

Confetti Crosshatch by Christa Watson

Click here to get Confetti Crosshatch by the yard in light or dark grey.

These are my most popular prints of all time and you can see why – because they are the PERFECT grays that go with just about anything!!

And there’s even more great news to share – my Color Weave quilt kit is now back in stock, too. This has been my best selling kit and pattern EVER!! I’m not sure if it’s the rainbow effect that folks love, or the magic of the piecing, but it’s one of my favorites, too!!Color Weave quilt by Christa Watson

Click here to get the Color Weave quilt kit, while supplies last.

In case you missed it the first time around, you can learn how to make this quilt from start to finish by checking out my step-by-step Color Weave Quilt Along. The quilt along itself is free – all you need is a copy of the Color Weave quilt pattern to follow along.

Click here for the Color Weave Quilt Along

Color Weave Quilt Pattern

I love seeing everything you all have made with my quilt patterns and fabric. Keep sharing them with me and making my day!!!

Color Weave Quilt by Christa Watson

Featured Designer: Heather Black of Quiltachusetts

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Today I’m happy to have a guest post from my friend Heather Black of Quiltachusetts. Heather is a talented designer of modern quilts and when you visit her blog, you’ll recognize some of the designs on her published page.

Heather Black

Her most recent adventure is fabric design, and I know you’ll enjoy hearing about that. Take it away, Heather!

I’m so honored that Christa asked me to be a guest on her blog. Christa was one of the first quilters I met online and she’s been a mentor as well as a friend through the years. 

She encouraged me to follow my own sensibilities when it came to designing quilts and gave me the courage to branch out into fabric design when Paintbrush Studio came calling.

Fat quarters of Sketchbook by Heather Black for Paintbrush Studio

Earlier this year my first fabric line, Sketchbook for Paintbrush Studio, was released. I don’t know what I would have done without Christa’s support and guidance. The fabric line was inspired by a quilt I designed called Swatches.

Swatches by Heather Black

When I designed this quilt, I wanted the pink swatches to look like paint cakes, but the quilting is where I really found inspiration for the fabric line. 

I liked the black outline quilting around the paint cakes. It reminded me of doodling or sketching, and from there I began playing with shapes and textures that had the same feel and look.

Detail, Swatches by Heather Black

I also designed three different quilts to go along with the fabric line. They’re Sketchbook Sampler, Office Daydreams and Topsy-Turvy. Two of the designs are fat quarter friendly, and they use Painter’s Palette Solids as the background.

All of the prints from the line and the patterns are now available in my shop, quiltachusetts.com.

I’m so thankful to Paintbrush Studio for taking the risk and giving me a chance to design fabric. I really love the process and the creativity of it all.  My second fabric line, Road Trip, will be out before the end of the year. It’s all very exciting.

Again, this fabric line was inspired by a quilt I designed, and that quilt was inspired by all the road trips my family took and still takes. We’ve driven all over the USA and parts of Canada. 

I really appreciate the memories and time spent with my parents and siblings. The Road Trip fabric line is a combination of bright cheery colors and geometric shapes.

Road Trip by Heather Black

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading a bit about the inspiration behind my quilts and fabric. I love the design process and making quilts and I encourage all quilters to add their own personality to every quilt they create.

Detail, Road Trip by Heather Black

Isn’t it great to see that Heather has found her creative voice? She has a unique style all her own. It was fun to hear how her modern quilt designs inspired fabric designs! Be sure to visit Heather’s website and her blog, and follow her on Instagram: @quiltachusetts.

Featured Designer: Charisma Horton

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I’m having a ball seeing what everyone makes from my fabrics so I thought I’d share some of the amazing quilts my good friend Charisma Horton from Charisma’s Corner has made from my prints. She’s a prolific and talented pattern designer and chances are, you have one of her patterns in your stash! I’ll let Charisma tell us a little bit more about these beauties in her own words….

Charisma Horton

Hi Everybody! I am so excited to share a little about the quilts I have designed using Christa’s fabrics. I met Christa a few years ago in a design group. She has always been so generous with sharing information and collaborations.

I was a really new designer when I originally contacted Christa to use her fabrics. Since then I have designed several quilts using her lines of fabric. I love working with her lines because they are so versatile. You will find that many of my designs are based upon color as a feature design element.

Check out The Hive made from geo pop:

Click here to get The Hive quilt pattern from Charisma’s Corner on Etsy

“The Hive” was designed and waiting for the perfect line of fabric to come along and bring it to life. That was Geo Pop.  I was so excited that Christa loved my design & displayed it in her booth at quilt market last year:

The Hive made from Geo Pop

The Hive pattern with the white background looks great next to Christa’s Bling pattern in Black!!

All the rest of the quilts that I have designed using Christa’s fabrics were a direct result of seeing her lines. Meaning that I designed the quilts specifically after seeing her fabric swatches.

Mid Mod was designed with Gridwork:

Mid Mod by Charisma Horton

Click here to get Mid Mod quilt pattern from Charisma’s Corner on Etsy

First of all, I have to say that I LOVE-LOVE Gridwork. I made 2 published projects with this line and I have another coming out in a magazine that I can’t share yet. But it’s a very special quilt and I can’t wait to share that one as well. I am a HUGE fan of this line because I love the colors, the grids and all of the lovely textures.

Mid Mod is my take on Mid Century modern art. I wanted to create a quilt that was easy to complete but looked random and freeform. I think many people are pleasantly surprised when they make this pattern. It’s WAY easier than it looks. I also have these blocks mocked up in several different layouts. There are so many ways to arrange these blocks and make the quilt your own.

Before I was a pattern designer, when I bought patterns, I treated them as a jumping off point. I wanted to make them my own. This pattern can easily be changed to fit your own style.

Nate and Tate Pillows Made from Gridwork

I am one of those quilters that loves all styles. This next pattern looks vastly different than the Mid Century modern one that I just shared!

Nate and Tate PillowsClick here to get Nate & Tate pillow pattern from Charisma’s Corner on Etsy

Can you get any more cutesy than these gnome bench pillows? I had some scraps left from my Mid Mod project and I didn’t waste one inch! LOL. I keep my Christa fabrics in separate bags, away from the rest of my scraps so that I can save them for something special.

Who else does that? Haha! I can’t help it!  I just knew I could use them for something else and I whipped out these pillows. They have been a great addition for the seasons. They are also great gifts.

Groovy Chutes from Good Vibes

Groovy Chutes by Charisma Horton

Click here to get Groovy Chutes quilt pattern from Charisma’s Corner on Etsy

Since Christa and I have been working together on these projects we have become great friends, even though we’ve never met in real life!! We realized we were about the same age and we are both 80’s kids. So when she released her next line, Good Vibes, it was like totally, radically, awesome! Haha!

I immediately channeled my spiral perm, mall bangs, watermelon Bubblicious and thought about the times I carried my boom box to the playground to listen to my tunes. Yes! I actually did that! D batteries were in high demand in the 80’s!

Groovy Cutes is clean, simple and takes us back to simpler times. Little things made us happy or maybe I was just intoxicated from all of the aqua net? Haha! Either way, good times.

I am so blessed to get to work with Christa. Whether her fabrics help bring my designs to life or whether her designs spark creative designs from me I feel like we are a great team! I am anxiously waiting for the next set of swatches! *hint-hint*

From Christa:

Thanks Charisma – I sure hope everyone loves your fun, colorful quilts as much as I do. And here’s a hint… I’m working on my next fabric line right now – you’ll be one of the first to see it before anyone else!!

EQ Design Challenge Call for Entry: You Could Win Good Vibes Fabric

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Design challenge alert!! I’ve partnered with Electric Quilt and Benartex, LLC. to bring you a fun design contest. Download swatches of my Good Vibes fabric, design an original quilt using EQ, and enter to win a bundle of my fabric. This is a great way to stretch your creativity and you don’t even have to make the quilt.GoodVibes-Challenge

You DO have to use Electric Quilt to enter this contest, but you DO NOT have to make the quilt! 2 lucky winners will each win a Bundle of my Good Vibes fabric.

The exciting part about this design challenge is that I get to pick one of the winners! My friends over at Benartex will pick the other. I’ve done this contest for most of my fabric lines so far and I just LOVE seeing what you all create!!

Good Vibes fat quarters

To enter

Design your own, original quilt in EQ using the Good Vibes fabrics then submit an image of it to EQ by 11:59pm ET on October 31, 2020. Download the free Good Vibes fabrics for EQ here.

For other rules and to submit, click here to visit the Electric Quilt Blog.

I can’t wait to see your entries!!

 

Modern Logs QAL Part 5 – Spray Basting

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It’s time to baste your Modern Logs quilt – are you excited?? I’ve developed my spray basting method using a design wall and it cuts the basting time in half!! I made a YouTube video below explaining the entire process. Hit play to watch and let me know if you have any questions!

HELPFUL LINKS

Sneak Peek of My Next Book; Grab my Current Books on Sale!

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I’m so excited to share with you the cover art for my brand new book, 99 Machine Quilting Designs, coming soon! I don’t have a release date yet, but once I do, I’ll open up pre-orders with some bonus incentives and freebies for those who order early. So stay tuned for more info!!

99 Machine Quilting Designs

Get my Current Books for just $19.95 Each!

While supplies last, I’m giving you a chance to stock up on my previous books to complete your machine quilting library. I’m offering these for a price way below the retail price, AND I’m happy to sign a personal message to you – just leave me a note with your order!

Click here to purchase my other 3 books on sale, while supplies last!Machine Quilting Books by Christa Watson

Over the years, I’ve hosted several quilt alongs from my books to help you gain confidence in making a quilt from start to finish. Here’s a roundup of some of them that you can still access anytime, on your own schedule. All you need is a copy of the book for the pattern and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way!

Facets from Machine Quilting with Style

Facets Quilt

Get the pattern for Facets from my book Machine Quilting with Style.

If you loved trying out Improv Piecing while making Modern Logs, you will love this take on it, too! Use up your smallest scraps to create this gorgeous quilt! I was thrilled that it won a ribbon in a national show a few years ago, and it’s still one of my favorite quilts!

Click here for links to the Facets Quilt Along

Dot ‘n’ Dash from Piece and quilt with Precuts

Dot 'n Dash quilt by Christa Watson

Get the pattern for Dot’n’Dash from my book Piece and Quilt with Precuts.

Dot ‘n’ Dash is my modern version of a jelly roll quilt! I used precut strips of my Fandangle fabric line for this remake version, but you’ll find a different inspiring colorway in my book, Piece and Quilt with Precuts. No matter how you slice it, it looks great every time!

Click here for links to Dot ‘n’ Dash Quilt Along

Squiggles from Piece and Quilt with Precuts

Squiggles by Christa Watson

Get the pattern for Squiggles from my book Piece and Quilt with Precuts.

I really enjoyed remaking Squiggles from charm packs of my bold and colorful prints. The original pattern in the book uses a softer color palette which just goes to show this design looks great no matter which fabrics you choose!

Click here for links to the Squiggles Quilt Along

I sure enjoy being a cheerleader for do-it-yourself quilting and can’t wait to share more about the new book. In the meantime, I hope the projects above will keep you busy!!