I’m excited to announce I’ll be checking off another show from my bucket list! Next February (2025) I get to teach at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Virginia. I made a quick, 3 minute video chatting about what I’m teaching and other fun things I’ll be doing there. Check it out by clicking the screen below:
Here are links to register for any of the workshops and featured lecture I’ll be giving.
My lecture and workshops are based on my last 2 books, How Do I Quilt It and 99 Machine Quilting Designs. If you are unable to attend my workshops, getting my books is the next best thing!!
I have a little secret to share. I’m currently working on a followup to my popular Dazzle Dots fabric collection. But in the meantime, while I can’t share what’s new, I can revisit some of my earlier fabric collections, just in case you missed them the first time around!
I designed this grouping to add to my stash of black & white prints, but then threw in a few bright colors and fun backgrounds. In fact, the four prints shown below – called “Crackle” are my absolute favorites from the group.
You can use the front side shown below for a “low volume” background with a pop of color. Or turn them over and use the back side of the print to tone it down a bit. These are such high quality that they look great on either side!!
The other quilt I made from this grouping is called Blooming Wallflowers, a quilt that I’ve made in several different collections. This time around I made a scrappy version and I recorded a longer video sharing cutting tips and tricks, too!
If you haven’t had a chance to travel to Paducah, KY for the AQS quilt show, I thought it would be fun to share a few highlights from my week of teaching there. It was my first trip to this amazing show and it certainly won’t be my last!
From Las Vegas, I flew to Charlotte, NC and then took a smaller commuter plane to the Paducah regional airport. Once there, we were greeted by the Paducah ambassadors and then taken over to the host hotel to settle in. The next day kicked off a 4 day frenzy of lectures, workshops, food, friends and fun!
Here’s a short little clip of excited students eagerly awaiting my first lecture. There’s nothing like a room full of quilters to get me all amped up!! Click the image below to play.
I taught a total of 5 machine quilting workshops, demonstrating a variety of walking foot and free motion techniques. At a large show like this, the students don’t even have to bring in machines because each room was sponsored by a different sewing machine manufacturer which is really nice.
Pro tip- the best place to test drive a new machine is in a workshop at a major quilt show – and that’s usually the best way to get a great deal on a new machine!
Above is a few images of the practice samples that students created in class. In between trying out the different motifs from my books, I sprinkled in plenty of ideas showing how students could apply these designs to actual, full sized quilts.
During the break in between classes, I was able to squeeze in a few minutes each day to see the quilts at the show and they did not disappoint! Of course, I’m partial to the modern quilts, so I put together a little montage below, showing just a few of my faves. I took a photo of each artist credit as well. Click the image below to play.
On the last day of teaching which was Saturday, I finally had time to head over to the National Quilt Museum which was in walking distance of my hotel. The whole downtown area is adorable and there’s even a scenic river walk which adds to the charm!
I ran across a time capsule on the front lawn of the museum which was placed back in 1993. That’s just 2 years before I made my first quilt in 1995 at the ripe young age of 22!! The time capsule will be unearthed in April of 2043, 50 years later. I realized I will be 70 years old at that time, so I decided right then and there, if I’m (hopefully) still around, I’ll make plans to be there for the opening. How fun will that be???
The museum hosts a collection of over 600 quilts they’ve acquired over the years, and they just have a partial display of quilts on display at any one time. While I was there, they had several curated exhibitions, including a fun display of 1920’s themed Art Deco quilts, along with several quilts shown from teachers and other notable attendees who were there at the show. How fun would it be to walk into the museum and see your quilt hanging there. (I may need to add this honor to my bucket list of goals….)
Here’s a short 2 minute video showing a quick overview of 2 of the exhibit rooms along with some of my personal faves. Click play below to watch:
Seeing all of the beautiful quilts at the show, and also at the museum has caused me to reflect deeply upon my current work. While I love all of the quilts I make for patterns, books and to promote my fabrics, I’ve realized it’s been awhile since I’ve made a quilt specifically to enter into a quilt show. So I plan to set aside more time to do that in the future. Of course I’ll continue to share my journey and I hope you’ll continue along for the ride!
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.
As promised, I’m trying to release more video tutorials so you can have something to watch or listen to while you sew! In my latest chat, which runs about 15 minutes, I go in depth about my teaching schedule for the rest of 2023, plus I get a little philosophical about why I do what I do. Click play below to watch and enjoy!
I’m thrilled that my 4th book has now officially been released and I have a signed copy waiting for you! Take a look at my newest pride and joy called 99 Machine Quilting Designs from Martingale/That Patchwork Place.
As an author, it’s been great fun to open up boxes and boxes of my brand new book and get it out into the world.
99 Machine Quilting Designs includes a detailed photo, illustrated diagram, and step-by-step instructions on how to quilt 99 different machine quilting motifs, using walking foot AND free-motion techniques. I wrote the book from the perspective of a domestic machine quilter, but most of the designs will translate well to longarm quilting, too!
Here’s an example of one of the walking-foot designs from the book:
And here’s an example of just one of the dozens of free motion ideas in the book:
Each of the 99 designs also includes a variation to try, so it’s really like 198 designs in all! Plus there’s space on each page for you to practice your doodles and take notes right in the book! My hope is for you to get better at machine quilting by practicing as often as you can.
To make things even more fun, I created a bunch of cute buttons to promote the book, and I’m including one with each order, along with a signed message from me.
So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already snagged your copy, you can click here to order 99 Machine Quilting Designs. Leave a note with your order if you’d like it personalized with your name, or as a gift for a friend. I PROMISE it will make you a better machine quilter!!
As always, thanks for your support, and happy machine quilting!!
I’m looking forward to teaching during Virtual Quilt Festival Dec. 3 to 5. This online event is presented by Quilts, Inc., the parent company of International Quilt Festival.
Focused forum of 20-minute back-to-back presentations from five top educators, including live Q&A and chat for a truly engaging experience. Download a compilation of handouts from each presenter, new ideas, and information on products and processes.
My portion is titled Christa’s Top Tips for Machine Quilting Success:
Learn to become better at quilting on your home sewing machine with Christa’s top tips for machine quilting success. A few of these include proper work station setup, choosing the right materials, how to hide your mistakes, and learning why a “can-do” attitude is the most important tool in your toolbox! If you can sketch it, you can quilt it. See Christa’s “doodle” demonstration and learn up close how practice makes progress with each and every quilt!
Other presenters are Jenny K. Lyon, Sue Nickels, Catherine Redford and Cyndi Zacheis. We’d love to have you join us!
Stitch beyond the ditch and unleash the power of your walking foot! Learn how to stitch wavy lines, decorative stitches, grids, spirals, straight-line designs, and more! Christa Watson loves to share her modern machine quilting methods which emphasize texture over perfection in a warm and encouraging manner. After viewing this master class, you’ll feel armed with the confidence that yes, you can quilt your own quilts!
3 days of interactive content – classes, vendors, special exhibits, live connect to exhibitors and fellow VQF attendees, games, and more during show hours
3 months to continue to view beautiful quilts, experience Open Studios™, and shop the vendor mall
WHEN?
Show hours – December 3-5, 2020, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM CST
Special Live Lecture, December 3, 2020, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CST
Quilt exhibits, Open Studios™, and Vendor Mall – December 3, 2020 – March 5, 2021
HOW WILL THE EVENT WORK VIRTUALLY?
VQF includes elements of our in-person shows – special quilt exhibits, classes, vendors – brought to you online in a mix of live and pre-recorded content. VQF is accessible from any device on the web from any computer or tablet and through an app on mobile devices.
WHEN WILL CLASSES BE?
Exciting news – Classes are available throughout show hours AND recordings of selected classes will be available for one week post-show, December 6-12, 2020. This means you can register for any class that you might not be able to join live. It also allows you to register for more than one class that broadcasts at the same time because you can watch classes later.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A few classes will not be recorded and are only available during their scheduled time – these classes are denoted by the words “Live Viewing Only” in the class description.
I love it when we get to the machine quilting part of a Quilt Along! I’ve just finished my fourth book on machine quilting so I feel like that is one of my specialties. I’m excited for you to try free motion stipple quilting like I did on my Modern Logs, or another quilting design of your choice.
I made a video with all my best tips and tricks for quilting Modern Logs. Just nine minutes but it’s packed full of help and guidance! Click play below to watch.
If you’ve never tried free motion quilting or a stipple (also called a meander), layer up a couple of fat quarters with batting and practice there before you start on your real quilt. You can quilt on this practice sandwich many times over, using it as a warm-up if you like.
I can’t wait to see how you decide to quilt your Modern Logs!
Today I’m excited to share a sneak peek of a several designs included in my upcoming book, 99 Machine Quilting Designs. There are still few of days left pre-order my new book and get all the bonus premiums as well as reduced shipping.
When I teach in person, students stitch a series of practice samples to try out different walking foot and free motion designs. Now you can see 99 of those “in the cloth” along with a quilting diagram and instructions on how to quilt it.
Just imagine me cheering you on as you try out these designs on your next project! Delivery is February 2021. I know the time will fly and it will be here before you know it!!
Grab these Bonuses with Your Preorder by 10/20/20
If you pre-order my book by Oct. 20, you’ll get a complimentary fat quarter of my fabric from one of my 6 fabrics lines, chosen at random. (Don’t you love surprises?!)
You also get one of my patterns so that you can practice your favorite designs from the book!
I’ll also sign it for you – which I promise will be a good luck charm as you quilt!!
Christa Quilts 