Blogger’s Quilt Fest Entry – Spiraling Out of Control (Original Design)

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I’m excited to participate in the Blogger’s Online Quilt Festival with my first of two entries, Spiraling Out of Control. I am entering it into the Original Design category and voting begins May 23rd.

You can view my other entry here.

Modern Quilt

Spiraling Out of Control, 70″ x 70″ by Christa Watson, Original Design

Those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis will have seen this quilt before. However since I’m entering it into the Original Design category, I thought I’d share with you a little bit about the design process that went into making this quilt.

Parallel Lines

I started with this block I had created in EQ7 for a modern design competition. After being selected as a finalist, I held onto the design for a bit, thinking I might do something more with it later. When the MQG’s first fabric challenge of 2014 was announced, I started playing around with my design again, seeing how it could evolve by changing a few lines.

Improv String BlockI kept the light background, added more lines, and drew them at odd angles rather than parallel. I digitally colored the strips using the challenge fabric we were to work with. I liked where this was going, but thought it needed something more dramatic.

So I pieced two sample blocks using two different backgrounds – dark and medium grey. I wanted to see which colorway would provide the most visual impact.

spiral_blocks_2

I used the lighter grey block as a sample to test various machine quilting designs.

At this point my gut was telling me to go with the darker background fabric, but just to be sure, I started recoloring my original digital layout. Once I got this far with the coloring, I knew the darker fabric was the right choice. 🙂

spiraling_color_choicesSince I knew I wanted each block to be different, I had to figure out a way to sew the blocks without using traditional paper-foundation piecing methods. I solved the problem by cutting long strips of fabric in various widths and lengths, and sewing them together improvisationally, keeping the overall diagonal line intact. I then trimmed up the blocks using a large square ruler so they were all the same size.

spiraling_square

The hardest part was making sure the shorter strips were longer than the ruler!

So that’s how this quilt design came to be. In addition to design, machine quilting is one of my favorite steps of the quilt-making process. Here are some detailed shots of the machine quilting and thread choices:

aurifilYummy Aurifil threads in matching colors!

straight_line_quiltingStraight-Line Quilting in the Negative Space

 quilting_zig_zagsQuilting zig-zags in matching thread colors – lots of threads to tie off later!

color_backColorful Thread-play on the Back

spiraling_detailQuilting Detail – Front

Spiraling Out of Control measures 70″ x 70″ and it has been one of my most fun quilts to make! You can vote for it as your favorite in the Original Design category of the Blogger’s Quilt Festival starting May 23, 2014.

Please note: quilts will show up randomly in each festival category, and they will not be numbered or named. You may need to scroll through to find my quilt on the category page. 🙂

As always, thanks for your support!

Sew and Tell Fabric Trade Show – Like a “Mini” Quilt Market

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I’m not attending Spring Quilt Market this weekend like many of my peers. I had too many other commitments this time around. However, I do want to share a few “behind-the-scenes” pictures of a recent fabric show I attended locally. One of the things I love about living in Las Vegas (other than the fabulous weather) is the fact that we are a destination city, so smaller, regional fabric trade shows come here a couple of times a year, in between the big ones.

20140510_trade1One of the most fun thing about attending trade shows, (besides the free lunch) is running into friends of mine who do what I do. From left to right are Linda from The Stitch Sanctuary, Stacy from Farm Road Quilts, and me. (Jason is kindly taking the picture!)

We swap stories and compare notes about which vendors we are going to see and who has the best stuff. Rather than viewing each other as competition, we network and encourage each other to succeed. Besides, there’s plenty of room for all of us in this business! 🙂

Christa Meeting with Michael Miller Sales Rep

 This picture is actually from the previous local trade show, but I forgot to get some “action shots” this time around, LOL!!

Meeting with my fabric sales reps in person gives me a chance to not only check out the upcoming lines, it also allows me to get to know them on a more personal basis. Now that our reps all know that we are dealing with precuts exclusively, they can tailor their appointments to show me what I’m truly interested in.

20140510_tradeqtSeeing the precuts in person, rather than simply ordering them from our vendors online allows me to get a really good sense of the colors and see how big each bundle is. Plus, it’s always nice to touch them and play with the pretty ribbons!

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The vendor booths also feature tons of scrumptious eye candy – lots of  fabulous quilts to show off their latest fabrics and patterns. This quilt was in the EE Schenck booth (they distribute Maywood Studio fabrics, among others). I don’t know which line it was featuring or what pattern, but I sure thought it was striking, and I love the quilting!

20140510_trade_patternFabric companies also include plenty of inspiration images to go along with their fabrics and many of them will direct their customers (with stores like me) to their free patterns to help promote the new lines. Now that I’m getting to know more quilt designers, it was fun to see this pattern by my friend Kristy featured as I was shopping Windham’s fabrics.

If you ever get a chance to go to a fabric trade show, whether for your own business or as the guest of another company, it sure is a fun and inspiring place to be! I will be eagerly watching many of the blogs I follow over the next week or so for their spring quilt market reports. It will almost be like being there. 🙂

 

Blogger’s Quilt Festival is Coming!!

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The semi-annual Blogger’s Quilt Festival is coming! Are you ready? I will be sharing my entries at the end of the week and I hope you’ll do the same!

20140510_bloggersquiltfestAmy Ellis – blogger, quilt author, fabric designer, podcaster, and all around great gal is hosting another round of her very popular Blogger’s Quilt Festival. This is a chance for all creative bloggers to share their fabulous quilts that they’ve made in the last 6 months as they compete for fun fabric-y prizes!

But it’s more than just that. It’s also a great place to be inspired and share your work with your peers. Find fun new blogs to follow, and followers who will find you! Voting is open to the public and there are even prizes to win for those who comment. 🙂

Click here for complete details and I hope you participate, either as an entrant, or a viewer (or both!) It will be super fun!

Modern Quilts at HMQS 2014

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This weekend I got a chance to attend the Home Machine Quilting Show in Sandy, Utah (near SLC). I attended this particular show for the first time last year and was excited to return again this year. Although I didn’t take any classes, and there was a little too much “bling” for my tastes, they had a very well-represented modern category.

hmqs logoIn fact, this was probably the best selection of modern quilts I’ve seen in the last few shows I’ve attended. I think more and more people are starting to “get” modern quilting, which I, for one, am thrilled about! I present these beauties now for your viewing pleasure. 🙂

modern_1st_maryModern Dots with a Passion, 1st Place Modern by Mary Buckeyene, Las Vegas, NV

Mary is a member of our local traditional guild. I was thrilled to see a ribbon hanging on her fabulous quilt, and pleased to see she’s made the modern switch!

modern_2nd_lindaModern Mojo 2nd Place Modern by Linda Thielfolt, Troy, MI

If I remember correctly, this quilt also got a ribbon at MQX in 2013. Nicely done, Linda! 🙂

modern_3rd_candaceFloating on a Lazy River, 3rd Place Modern by Candace West, Floral City, FL

It was fun to see a ribbon on this quilt. I remember seeing it hanging at Road to Ca earlier this year (ribbonless). It just goes to show that different judges have different tastes, so if you enter your quilts into a variety of shows, who knows – you just may hit the jackpot!

dandelion_clockDandelion Clock by Linda Hungerford, Honorable Mention, Conventional Machine

I just love this cheery quilt! It was made by my friend Linda and it just goes to show that turnabout is fair play. Linda photographed my quilt at Paducah for me a few weeks ago, and I was happy to return the favor at this show where she was unable to attend!

string_of_pearlsMy String of Pearls quilt at HMQS. I love entering my quilts in shows because the most fun part of finishing a quilt, is the sharing that comes after!

The rest of the quilts below earn my seal of approval for “awesomeness in modern quilting.” Most of the modern quilts at HMQS were pieced and quilted by the same person which thrills me to no end! Yes, you really can make show quality quilts on your own. 🙂

threes_a_charmThree’s a Charm by Sue Mariotti, Seattle, WA

zephyrVarigated by Paige Alexander, Easley, SC (pattern design by Debbie Grifka)

love_prayLove, Pray, Hope, Give by Kristin Barrus, Lehi, UT

greenTiki by Mary Eldredge, Murray, UT

gray_starsGray Stars by Corinna Weir, Salt Lake City, UT

alphabetModern Alphabet by Gerrie Thompson, Happy Valley, OR

green_trianglesSpring Frenzy by DeAnn Oliekan, Kaysville, UT

I hope you enjoyed the virtual show!

Fabric Friday – Riley Blake Color Variety Bundles

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I’m super excited about the new Riley Blake color variety bundles! These are precut bundles available as fat quarters, rolie polies, layer cakes, and yardage bundles. They come in a rainbow of juicy colors with modern geometric designs.

riley_blake_color_varietyI think my favorite bundle, shown below, is Shaded Chevrons – 15 different prints!!

shaded_chevronsJason, the sweet man that he is, took pictures of each of the bundles and then put together group images for each set like this:

shaded_chervrons_groupSo when you go to our precut store and click on the Riley Blake variety bundles, you’ll know exactly which prints are in each set. Cool, huh?

Of course my daughter loves the pink bundle:

variety_pink

And you just can’t go wrong with grey!!

variety_greyClick here to see all of the colors and order your favorites. Remember, it’s free shipping on all orders of $35 or more (and free 2-day shipping if you are an Amazon prime member).

Herringbone Finish and Tips for Better Binding

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Today I get to share the big reveal: Herringbone is finished!

herringbone_finishedHerringbone, 63″ x 73″ designed and made by Christa Watson for Camelot Fabrics

You can click the links below to read my WIP process posts as I worked on this quilt:

Herringbone took a total of 25 hours to complete (13 hours to cut, sew and press the top; 12 hours to baste, quilt and bind by hand.)

I wanted to share a few tips for better binding that I practiced while finishing this quilt:

binding_cornerWhen attaching the binding, I marked my stopping point with a water soluble pen so that I know exactly where to stop stitching at the corners. Whenever I “fudge” this part of the process, it always gives me problems.

binding_ironAfter the binding is attached by machine, I will iron it away from the quilt so that it’s easier to pull over to the back for hand sewing. (By the way, this is another reason I prefer to quilt with cotton thread and natural fiber batting, so I don’t have to worry about melting anything with the iron!)

binding_clips1When I get to the corners, I fold them so that they match up evenly and use Clover Wonder Clips to secure the binding in place. I fold over the corners opposite from how they are folded on the front to reduce bulk. I also prefer to add clips so that the clear side of the clip is showing on the back. It seems less bumpy that way.

binding_clips2I use a liberal amount of clips and space them pretty close together. So far, I’ve invested in two 100 clip packs and am ready to order another set. I prefer to clip all the way around the perimeter of my quilt so that I can sew continuously without having to adjust the clips!

For more step by step pictures, click here for my indepth tutorial on binding by hand.

Herringbone is on it’s way to the Camelot Fabrics quilt booth at Spring Market. I won’t be there, so if any of you go – be sure to snap a picture of it for me, will you?

 

Coming Soon – 2014 New Blogger Blog Hop

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I always love to share fun things with you guys that are happening in blog land. 🙂 My friend Beth from Plum and June is going to be hosting the 3rd annual New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop later this month. Click here for details on how you can participate.

20140505_new_blog_hop

I’m happy to promote this hop because I was the recipient of a lot of great info and traffic when I participated as a new blogger in previous years. It really helped me grow my blog and meet such other fabulous friends and people to follow. 🙂 I will be back this year as an “alumni” sharing some advice that I’ve learned along the way!

20140505_pj_adviceBeth is doing something really cool with this. She’s going to kick off the hop with a series of advice posts about blogging. Hopefully, the newer bloggers can put some of this into practice before they participate in the hop.

Be sure to check out advice from previous years’ bloggers here. There’s a wealth of info for you to explore!

This and That

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Just a little bit of this, that, and the other today:

This

Congratulations to loralyejean who won the copy of EQ7 quilt design software. She requested the Mac version, so it should be on it’s way soon!
20140425_eq7_mac

This is what she had to say in her comment:

“I have been drawing graph paper designs since I was a teenager and am now in my 50′s! I just finished my first large quilt (large to me 67″ x 67″) from my own design! I am an unemployed graphic artist and design on one of my two imacs at home! The EQ7 for Mac software would be extremely beneficial in turning 100′s of graph paper designs into quilt patterns! My designs are pretty intricate and the software would make the process of transferring the designs to the software so much easier! Thank you for this opportunity! Best of luck to everyone! :)”

Well loralyejean definitely had good luck today! Thanks to all of you who commented – that really makes my day! And just remember, you can like Electric Quilt on Facebook or sign up for the EQ Mailing List to get all latest news, including sales and giveaways, and free EQ7 downloads!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricQuilt
Mailing List: http://electricquilt.com/community/newsletter-signup/

That

20140505_sew_fresh

Here’s a fun blog post I wanted to share with you, written by my friend Lorna of who blogs at SewFreshQuilts. She compiled a list of one word attributes from fellow bloggers along with advice on what makes a great blog. I was honored to be included among her guests, so be sure to check it out here. She has a really fun weekly linky party, too!

The Other

Thanks to all of you who follow me via my other social media. Because of the traffic to my Craftsy Blog Posts, I was listed as one of the top referrers to Craftsy in our monthly writers’ newsletter. So thanks, guys and gals, for making me look good!

Craftsy

(And also thanks to those of you who started following me via Instagram after my announcement yesterday!) It’s fun to have followers. 🙂

 

Christa’s Soap Box – I Finally Joined Instagram!

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I did it! I finally joined Instagram! I have to admit I had been resisting because I’m really not super comfortable with technology. Say what? I run an online store, blog nearly everyday and design nearly all of my quilts in EQ7. However, I’m a “need to know” type of gal. I don’t learn something new unless I’m absolutely sure it’s going to be worth my time and effort.

20140501_instagram You can view my instagram pictures here and follow me @christaquilts!

Pinterest? Occasionally. Facebook? Definitely not! (Unless you count the auto posts that come from my blog). Twitter? I’ve never even tweeted once (though others have tweeted about me on occasion and somehow I still know about it, LOL!!)

Seriously – I don’t even watch TV or Netflix or anything of the sort whenever hubs goes out of town. It’s too much bother! I’m really simplistic and don’t like to hassle with keeping up with all of the different buttons to push and ways to communicate. I mean really, I have my blog, isn’t that all the social media I need? Apparently not!

There were two things that I was afraid of if I hopped on the Instagram bandwagon:

  1. That it would be a huge time-suck
  2. That it would discouraging me from blogging.

So far, it’s been relatively pain-free and actually sort of fun. I’ve been on it for a week now and I’m very proud of myself for figuring out how to follow people, add pictures, and leave comments. Fortunately, I’ve been able to add Instagram into my daily routine, checking my phone throughout the day and not wasting too much time.

As far as blogging, I don’t think anything will slow me down in that respect. I have to blog, just as much as I have to breathe, so no worries there! As I mentioned in my soapbox last week, no matter how crazy busy things get around here,  I won’t neglect the blog. I mean on a really hectic week, I may only blog 3-4 days a week instead of 5-6, so that’s still pretty good, right?

20140501_instagram_screen

This is my Instagram screen shot from just after I joined. Lots of fun stuff to share!

I’ve decided that Instagram is really nice for capturing the little snippets of my day between blog posts, or sharing tidbits that don’t quite justify a full-length essay on the subject. I’ve heard that Instagram is like walking down the street and saying “hi” to your friend or neighbor, while blogging is more like stopping them and having a conversation.

I’m definitely a conversationalist, but already with Instagram, I’ve been able to have little chats with people whom I wouldn’t normally run into, so overall it’s been a positive experience.

How about you? Have you joined the Instagram train?

 

 

Modern Logs Quilt Finish

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Presenting my latest finish: Modern Logs!

Modern-Logs-FinishedModern Logs by Christa Watson, 48″ x 54″

Modern Logs was one of my fastest finishes ever! From picking out the fabrics, to stitching down the binding, I finished in just under a week. The folks at Quiltique were kind enough to order the Petal Pinwheels line from Michael Miller for this quilt. It’s the same fabric being used in the Modern Quilt Guild’s fabric challenge. I chose coordinating solids and I was off and running (or should I say sewing)!

stripsProbably the hardest part of the whole quilt was deciding on which fabrics to put together, but of course, that’s also the most rewarding part when it all comes together. I made test blocks, wrote copious pattern notes, and practiced quilting on a sample block so that I could test the thread and batting.

test_blockI prefer natural batting when quilting on my home machine – it doesn’t pucker!

I went with Aurifil Dove grey 50Wt. cotton for the quilting (in both top and bobbin) with Quilter’s Dream Cotton in the select loft thickness. I used an elongated ziz-zag stitch – #16 on my Bernina model 710. I adjusted the length and width of the stitch until I was happy with the result.

basting_sprayThis is the fourth quilt I’ve made using 505 basting spray and I’m just in love with it! It sticks every square inch of the top to every square inch of the batting and backing – so important to keep things from shifting and bunching while quilting!

This time I put a sheet under my layers as I sprayed and did it indoors with the windows open. My room is large and well ventilated so fumes were not a problem. I sprayed the backing and top, rather than the batting. I also ironed the whole thing when finished to set the adhesive, a tip I learned from machine quilter extraordinaire Ann Petersen.

back_design_wallI created the backing on my design wall by covering up the top with yardage and leftover scraps. I kept going until the backing was big enough. I love fun pieced backs, don’t you?

Here’s a nice angled shot where you can really see the quilting:

quilting_detailZig zag quilting was super easy and fast to do!

And the back:

finishsed_backingI think quilt backs should be as interesting as the fronts!

Modern Logs finishes at 48″ x 54″ and took a total of 24 hours to complete, including binding by hand. Not bad for a week’s work, and much faster than my last MQG challenge!

Modern-Logs-FinishedModern Logs – designed, pieced and quilted by Christa Watson, 2014

For those of you outside the local area, I will be teaching this quilt as a week-long retreat class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, March 8-14, 2015.

I’ll update my teaching schedule when Folk School registration opens later this spring.