Project Linus Charity Drive and Free Quilt Tutorials

April 29, 2014April 28, 20149 Comments

I’d like to help spread the word about the the Project Linus Charity Drive being coordinated by Fave Quilts and Leisure Arts. They are requesting quilts and blankets to be donated to the Chicago, Illinois chapter of Project Linus.

If you are able to send in a quilt or blanket, they are giving away some pretty nice prize packs sponsored by Leisure Arts books. The drive runs through June 23rd, 2014. For complete details and where to send, please click here.

Fave Quilts has been very supportive of my efforts to share my love of quilting with as many people as possible. They routinely feature my free quilt alongs on their website, along with hundreds (possibly thousands) of other free patterns and tutorials. You can check out my profile here and literally spend hours on their site, combing through all the inspiration!

Baby Bricks Quilts by Christa Watson

For the charity drive, I’m sending them the Baby Boy Blue version of my Baby Bricks quilts shown above. I made two versions of Baby Bricks to illustrate how different a pattern can look, depending on the fabrics. I knew I wanted to donate them both, and I was able to give away the pink version to a brand new mom earlier this year. However, I held onto the blue one until just the right opportunity came along. Now I’m glad it’s going to the right place! 🙂

Here’s a full shot of just the blue version:

As you can see, I added more straight line quilting to the original quilt. Here’s a closeup so that you can see that straight lines don’t need to be perfectly straight or evenly spaced! The trick is to add enough lines so that your eye takes in the overall effect of the added texture.

When I quilted this quilt, I marked all of the original straight lines, about 2″ apart. Then I filled in the rows of quilting between the lines using the edge of my foot as a guide. It’s totally not perfect, but I love it and hope it will go to a good home. 🙂

Click here to get the free tutorials for Baby Bricks and whip up your own version for someone you love, or for someone in need!

And remember, pieced quilt backs are a great place to use up all those leftovers, whether they match perfectly or not. 🙂

I love the yummy crinkly texture all that straight line quilting provides!

Christa’s Soap Box – Modern Quilting Validation

April 5, 2014April 4, 201456 Comments

It’s no secret I’ve fallen head over heels for modern quilting and the community that surrounds it. Because of this vibrant movement, I’ve probably made more meaningful quilts in the last year than I have in the previous ten years combined! This weekend my tastes were validated when 3 of my modern quilts took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons in my traditional guild’s annual quilt show. 🙂

Ribbon winners got to wear these buttons of pride while walking around the show!

I’ve been a member of the Desert Quilters of Nevada going on 18 years now. It’s a lively group, full of encouragement and support. Even though I’m one of the youngest of the 400+ member group (and have been ever since I joined nearly 2 decades ago), the guild has offered me a place to share my quilts, practice my teaching skills, and attend amazing workshops and events.

String of Pearls by Christa Watson, 1st Place – DQN Pieced Category 2014

DQN is very open minded when it comes to the latest happenings in the quilt world. They have a very healthy art quilt subgroup and they’ve even recently started a modern “circle.”

I’m super excited that they’ve invited me to teach String of Pearls at this year’s annual quilting retreat. But I’m even more jazzed that the theme of the retreat is going to be “It’s a Modern World.” I mean, how cool is that??

Modern X by Christa Watson, 2nd Place – DQN Modern Category 2014

At the show it was fun to see people walk by Modern X and do a double take. One gentleman I spoke to, a long-arm quilter by trade, couldn’t figure out where I started and stopped my lines of stitching.

When I told him I quilted long lines from one edge of the quilt to the other on my Bernina, he said you couldn’t really do that type of uninterrupted straight-line quilting on a long arm. (Score one for the domestic quilters!)

Spiraling Out of Control by Christa Watson, 3rd Place – DQN Modern Category

And I have to admit, it was super validating when Spiraling Out of Control took a 3rd place ribbon. This is probably my most favorite quilt to date and one where I really stretched myself doing stuff I’d never tried before. I always try to remind everyone (including myself) that I don’t enter my quilts in shows to win ribbons, but it sure is like icing on the cake when they do!

I have to give a final shout out to this fabulous quilt below which is NOT mine. It was made by one of my students who began it in my Charming Chevrons class last year. I couldn’t have been more proud to see that ribbon hanging on it!

Gray Chevy by Suzanne Mayfield, quilted by Brenda Alcorn, 1st Place – DQN Modern Category

Suzanne kindly credited me in her description as the pattern designer, so in some small way, I even got to be a part of this award-winning quilt, too!

Well, now you know what this means – it’s time to go make more quilts!

It’s Worldwide Quilting Day – How are You Celebrating?

March 15, 2014March 15, 201412 Comments

It’s Worldwide Quilting Day – how are you celebrating? I hope you are enjoying the day with a bit of sewing! Or if you don’t have time to sew, maybe a little dreaming!

To mark the occasion, I was honored to contribute a quilt block that will go towards supporting St. Judes’ Children’s Research Hospital. The folks over at Chili’s restaurant chain are putting together a quilt for them in honor of this “unofficial” holiday.

Chili Pepper block by Christa Watson, 8″ x 8″ – machine applique

Last year, Chili’s reached their goal of donating $50 million for the Chili’s Care Center and the kids of St. Jude. I think that is wonderful and I am honored to be a part of a special quilt they are making.

Picking fabrics is so fun! My finished block is a reverse image of the original picture.

I made an applique Chili Pepper block from an image I had saved in my “idea folder” waiting for something to do with it! It was fun to print off the block and find solid fabrics to match.

I also enjoyed rummaging through my ever-growing stash of Aurifil threads to find the right colors for machine applique. Next to designing and quilting, machine applique ranks up there as one of my favorite go-to techniques!

Be sure to visit Chili’s blog to see the rest of the quilt blocks, made by other bloggers around the country. I’m sure you’ll recognize many of their names. Now I can’t wait to see how the quilt comes together!

Blog Reviews – Fun Quilt Alongs and Challenges to Join

March 4, 2014March 2, 20144 Comments

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to a few of my blogger friends who are hosting some amazing events! Many of them have already started, but thanks to the convenience of the internet, you can join at any time and work at your own pace and on your own schedule!

First of all, Melissa from Happy Quilting has another fabulous quilt along called Star Light Star Bright. It features one of my favorite units – half square triangles, lovingly known as HST’s. Melissa is always sharing tons of cool video tutorials and plenty of inspiration on her blog so be sure to check it out! You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Quilting Quilt Along

Next, the super talented machine quilter, Amy from Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures just launched a new quilt along which will run for the entire month of March. It’s called “McTavishing: a Free Motion Quilting Adventure” and she’ll include a giveaway to go along with the series. Fun stuff indeed!

Free Motion Quilting Adventures QAL

SewCalGal is hosting two year-long events that will really get your creative juices flowing. Her Handmade Christmas Challenge features monthly challenges throughout the year to share holiday projects you finish in 2014.

SewCalGal Christmas Challenge

She’s also hosting a Year of Red and White Quilt Challenges, inspired by the fabulous Red and White quilt exhibit held in New York back in 2011. As part of this year long event, there’s a special design competition running now through March 23rd. Be sure to read the full details here. It’s perfect for budding pattern designers and of course there will be fabulous prizes!

Red and White Challenge

Finally, I wanted to give another shout out to my good friend Alyssa from Pile O’ Fabric. She’s hosting another fabulous skillbuilding quilt as you go series. It’s called “For the Love of Sewing” and features all sorts of adorable sewing-themed blocks. This one has a small fee involved but trust me, it’s totally worth it as she puts in way more time than what she charges for!

I hope you will check out these fun events!

QuiltCon 2015 – Make Plans Now!

February 22, 2014February 22, 20146 Comments

Have you heard the news? QuiltCon is coming again in 2015! Put on by the Modern Quilt Guild, it’s going to be an amazing show full of modern quilts, workshops, lectures and special exhibits! Click here for full details and schedule of special exhibits!

Logo Created by Jill Brown Design

General registration opens July 1st, but if you are a MQG member, you’ll get a chance to register early on June 24th! So be sure to join the Modern Guilt Guild here, if you haven’t already.

An extra benefit for MQG members for 2014 is a series of free modern patterns published in the guild’s members-only newsletter. These have been designed by 12 different MQG members, maybe even by people you know. 🙂 So I’m just saying, it would be really good for you to sign up and become a member now, like before next month (hint, hint)!

Modern Quilts at AQS Phoenix 2014

February 10, 2014February 9, 201427 Comments

I had the great opportunity to attend AQS Phoenix last week and check out all of the awesome modern quilts. Click here for the list of all AQS winners.

Unraveling #2 by Judy Tescher, Pendleton, IN
3rd Place

It’s inspiring to get up close and personal with so many bold and graphic quilts, something that’s hard to do by just looking at pictures online, or in books and magazines.

Thoroughly Modern Millie by Karolyn Jensen, Tucson AZ
Honorable Mention

Throughout this post, I’m sharing modern quilts from the show that really spoke to me and engaged my attention.

Bookcases by Jane Bromberg, Kansas City, MO

Whether they were awarded ribbons or not, they are certainly winners in my eyes.

Cycles 2 by Leanne Chahley, Alberta, Canada
1st Place

I’m loving that fact that more and more people are taking the plunge and entering their modern quilts into shows because I think it’s having a huge impact on the quilting community.

Fissures by Debra Jeske, Lynnwood, WA
2nd Place

Modern quilters are proving to the world that functional, “made it myself” quilts can be just as beautiful as over-the-top bedazzled pieces.

Be Yourself – Everyone Else is Taken by Meg Cowey, Western Australia

As quilters embrace the organic beauty of crafting their own quilts rather than opting to pay for computerized perfection, I believe this movement will continue to explode.

Quilterly Realism by Amanda Ruden, Albuquerque, NM

I like to compare quilts show to fashion shows – you can see an amazing amount of diverse talent all in one spot.

Moons Over Bars by Susan Garrity, Wilson, WY
Modern Quilt Challenge

Depending on your own personal aesthetic, the quilts can be soul-inspiring and engaging, or they can be overwhelming and perhaps a little outrageous.

Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit

Whatever the case or your opinion, large national shows certainly generate excitement for the craft and help shape the conversation of quilting.

Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit

Over time, ongoing trends seen at quilt shows trickle down and permeate throughout the entire quilting community.

Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit

I for one am glad for the proliferation of quilting events and shows – and I can’t wait for the next one!

Keep it Simple by Jodi Robinson, Enon Valley, PA
Best Modern Quilt

Christa’s Soap Box – Embrace Imperfectionism!

February 8, 2014February 7, 201453 Comments

I am a budding imperfectionist.

It’s not really a word, but I did find it in a search of the Urban Dictionary. Obviously, it means: “to be good at being imperfect; ie not perfect.”

Having fun and sharing quilts with friends in Phoenix!

I am a perfectionist by nature, which at times has stifled my creative journey. For years, I thought I had to be “perfect” in order to share my work publicly. I hid in the comfort and safety of my local quilting guild, waiting for the time that I would be “good enough” to share my quilts with a wider audience.

Thanks to the online quilting community and especially the modern quilting movement, I’ve realized that quilts don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful! And the more they are shared, the more they are loved. 🙂 I’m learning that perfectionism only stands in my way, and it keeps me from finishing more quilts.

So I’ve decided to work on perfecting my imperfectionism. Darn it, I don’t want to miss out on any more of the fun! Who’s with me?

Road to California 2014 – Modern Quilt Winners

January 29, 2014January 27, 201422 Comments

As promised, here are the pictures I took of all the winning quilts from the modern categories at Road to California. Special guest Jacquie Gering did a fantastic job judging the modern quilt category and she gave excellent feedback for each entry.

Best Modern Quilt – Lost in Space by Clare Victor, Palm Springs, CA

I got a chance to chat with Jacquie for a few minutes at the show and she shared with me some excellent tips on how to make your quilts more modern: be sure to emphasize the “hard edges” so prominent in modern design, include a focal point were possible, and make sure the quilting really enhances the geometric quality of the design.

1st Place – Modern Negative Space – The Long Winter by Catherine Redford, Naperville, IL

As you can see, these winning quilts are all excellent examples of modern design!

2nd Place – Modern Negative Space – by Alissa Carlton, Las Angeles, CA

There were plenty of other breathtakingly beautiful quilts at the show which I’m sure will be popping up in the latest quilting magazines; I just wanted to give special billing to the modern quilts because they are the ones that really speak to me.

3rd Place – Modern Negative Space – Modern Alphabet by Gerri Thompson, Happy Valley, OR

I hope you will be inspired to enter your lovely quilts in an an upcoming show (whether they are modern or not). It’s a great way to get feedback, but more importantly, it’s a great way to share your love of quilting with others.

Judges Choice – Layered Landscape Pieced by Valetta Gyurci, St. Paul, MN; Quilted by Mary Rossi

Best Modern Piecing – Valley Snapshots by Timna Tarr, South Hadley, MA

1st Place, Modern Piecing – Didn’t Get the Memo by Alissa Carlton, Los Angeles, CA

Road to California Wrap Up 2014

January 27, 20148 Comments

There’s so much to say about my fabulous Road to California trip that it will take me several blog posts to cover it all! Fortunately I was able to share a summary of the event from a modern perspective for my weekly Craftsy blog post.

You can click here to read it and hopefully this will tide you over until I get a chance to write about it more indepth on my own blog. 🙂 In fact, you can bookmark this page which will be a landing page for all of my future Craftsy posts!

A few of the Modern Quilts at Road to CA 2014

Suffice it to say, Road to California was awesomely amazing and inspiring. As soon as I get a chance to reflect on my weekend, I will plan on sharing pictures of all the modern quilts plus a few summaries of the classes and lectures I took.

It just so happened that my hubby and kids were able to have their own fun adventure while I was having mine. 🙂 They got to go on a last minute trip to Disneyland with the grandparents. Yay for Disney (we are huge fans)!

Disney at night, from the perspective of my 17 year old son.

To help me feel like I was still a part of the fun, my oldest son would text me pictures at various locations throughout the day and have me guess where they were. Hopefully, if this year turns out well with all of my new quilting aspirations, we’ll all be able to go there again soon!

I’m Heading out on the Road to California – Hope to See You there!

January 22, 2014January 18, 201417 Comments

I’m excitedly packing my bags and gathering my supplies for a fun-filled weekend of quilting and inspiration. 🙂 I’ll be attending the annual Road to California quilters conference and I’m super excited!

Quilting Trips are the Best!

I’ve signed up for a full slate of classes, including Jacquie Gering’s improv class, plus several machine quilting classes from the likes of Karen McTavish, Gina Perkes and Debby Brown. I’m especially excited about attending a lecture on batting, plus I’ll get a chance to meet the ever-delightful Eleanor Burns.

Jacquie Gering Stitch and Flip Improv

Karen McTavish Victorian Feathers

This is definitely an investment in my quilting education which will pay out rich rewards. Attending large events like this helps me to improve both my quilting skills and my teaching skills. I love to observe how professional teachers engage with their students, and I take mental notes on their tone and presentation style. I’ve never been disappointed yet!

Gina Perkes Fantabulous Feathers and Fills

Debby Brown Feather Phobics Only

Are any of you planning on attending? It would be fun to bump into some friendly faces. I’ll be the short one with tons of enthusiasm and a big smile on her face! 🙂