Craftsy Review – Pre-Cut Shortcuts Class by Amy Smart

Leave a comment

My talented friend Amy Smart (from Diary of a Quilter)  just released her first Craftsy class and it’s right up my alley! It’s called Pre-Cut Shortcuts: Quilt Tops in Less Time.

From now until June 9th, you can get 50% off using this link, available only from me!

titleCard_10652

As you may or may not know, I am a huge fan of precuts and run The Precut Store with my husband, Jason. In fact, we stock many of the precuts shown in the class!!

Amy’s class is chock full of information as she walks you through how to make several different patterns from precuts. In addition to the Q&A sidebar and easy to follow class materials, a new feature to this class includes animated illustrations.

For each pattern, Amy does a voiceover of the steps she’s going to perform while images move around the screen showing what the final layout will look like. Then she hops on the machine and shows each step of the process. It’s a great way to learn!

Screen Shot 2016-05-11 at 11.56.55 AM

My personal favorite quilt from the class is the Gumball Quilt which is hanging behind her in the picture above. Watching this one come together was so fun to see. I picked up a few tips that I’m definitely going to incorporate in my piecing from now on!

10652_Set_Stills_04_10652

The camera angles in the class are fantastic – you can really see what she’s doing!

10652_CB_Pre-Cut_Shortcuts_Quilt_Tops_in_Less_Time_Amy_Smart_49_10652_10652

The Basket Weave Quilt in Progress – No you don’t have to cut any little pieces!!

Amy cleverly starts with precuts, sews them into units which are then cut up into other units, using shortcuts like disappearing blocks and strip piecing. In fact, after viewing this class, there are several quilts I want to make!

Screen Shot 2016-05-11 at 11.54.52 AM

I really liked the Crosshatch quilt Amy made using the Valley Collection by Sheri and Chelsi for Moda. In fact, I recently made a quilt from these fabrics, and they are in stock now!

Pre-cut Shortcuts is broken down into a total of 6 segments, of about 15-20 minutes each. It’s the prefect length to watch a segment and get a little sewing done at the same time! And the last section of the class is worth the entire price of the class!

Amy walks you through step by step how to bind your quilts. It’s very similar to the way I bind mine, but she throws in a a few speedy tricks which I’ve never seen before and definitely plan to incorporate going forward.

10652_CB_Pre-Cut_Shortcuts_Quilt_Tops_in_Less_Time_Amy_Smart_57_10652_10652

Check out that yummy Elizabeth Hartman Pacific rollup! We have it at The Precut Store!

Amy also includes tips on working with multiple precuts and how to measure them or deal with inconsistencies between different precuts.

I’ve known Amy for several years now and can truly say she’s a cheerleader for fast and fun quilting. She’s also a great teacher with a very calming voice that you can listen to for hours on end.

titleCard_10652

I hope you’ll give Precut Shortcuts a try. Click here to save 50% off until June 9!

 

My QuiltCon 2017 Workshop Schedule – Catalog Available Now!

Leave a comment

I’m super excited for QuiltCon East 2017 in Savannah Georgia! After having a blast teaching in 2016, I’m so excited to return in 2017! The 2017 Catalog is available now.  Registration for Modern Quilt Guild Members opens June 25th. Public registration opens July 1.

teaching_at_quiltcon_2017_v2

I am excited to be teaching 2 classes on EQ7, 3 classes on domestic machine quilting, plus a lecture. Here’s my schedule, in order:

(220) Getting Started with EQ7 – Thursday 2/23 9-5

introtoEQ7

In this comprehensive workshop, students will learn the basics of Electric Quilt Software – version 7 for Windows or Mac. Topics include: learning to use the block library, setting blocks into quilt layouts, adding borders, importing fabric swatches, designing simple quilts, calculating yardage and more. This is a hands-on computer class, and students must be comfortable using their own laptops, with their version of the software installed and validated prior to class.

(826) Machine quilting Spirals and Swirls – Thursday 2/23 6-9 PM

center_spiral

Learn how to quilt modern, geometric spirals and swirls using both walking foot and free-motion motifs. Students will learn how to quilt stunning designs such as large continuous spirals, geometric spirals, and several swirl variations. Spirals can be quilted in different areas of your quilts, or used as an allover design. Combine motifs for even more possibilities! Students should be comfortable with basic machine quilting techniques.

(LE08) Quilting on Your Home Sewing Machine: Tips and Tricks – Friday 2/24 10:30-11:15 AM (lecture)

trunk_show

There are quite a few differences between quilting on a long arm and quilting on a sit-down home sewing machine. Although many of the same motifs can be quilted on either machine, the techniques on how to approach the quilting are different. In this lecture, I will share her best tricks on how to approach quilting on a sit-down machine. Plus, I’ll answer your questions and share tips on how to become a better quilter.

(223) Designing Modern Quilts in EQ7 – Saturday 2/25 6-9 PM

Designing-Modern-Quilts-in-EQ7-Image

Take your modern designs to the next level by learning how to draw and change them in EQ7. Topics will include drawing improv blocks, manipulating borders, incorporating negative space, going off the grid, changing sizes, and designing custom set quilts. We will work at a quick pace, so students should be comfortable with the basics of EQ7 prior to class. This is a hands-on computer workshop, and students must be comfortable using their own laptops, with their version of the software installed and validated prior to class.

(817) Free Motion Alternatives to STraight Line Quilting – Sunday 2/26 9-12

fmq_straight_line_alternatives

Go beyond the straight line and use your free-motion quilting skills to their fullest. In this workshop, students will learn how to turn basic shapes into linear free-motion quilting designs. Quilt them as allover designs across the surface of your quilt, or use them sporadically to create custom quilting motifs. Students should be comfortable with basic machine quilting techniques.

(833) Improv Machine Quilting – Sunday 2/26 2-5

improv_machine_quilting_image

Liberate yourself from traditional quilting symmetry by combining your favorite machine quilting motifs in a seemingly random way. Add amazing texture to the negative spaces in your quilts and create your own unique combinations. The class will cover basic free-motion filler designs such as pebbles, swirls, leaves, paisleys, triangles, and more. Learn how to improvisationally combine them for stunning results. Students should be comfortable with basic machine quilting techniques.

The rest of the time, I’ll be walking the show floor, checking out the quilts, and of course trying to meet as many of you! Let me know if you are planning to attend.

Download the QuiltCon 2017 catalog here.

Get Your Perfectly Imperfect Quilter Tee!

2 Comments

Over two years ago I wrote a short blog post about embracing imperfection and a seed of an idea began to form. What if I could get someone to make T-shirts, letting the world (or at least the quilting community) know that it’s okay to NOT be perfect?? The stars finally aligned and thanks to the folks at Patchwork Threads, you can now get your own Perfectly Imperfect Quilter V-neck shirt.

perfectly imperfect quilter

Click here to get your Perfectly Imperfect Quilter t-shirt.

If you also believe that “Finished is Better Than Perfect” you can also channel your inner Angela Walters with her version:

Finished is Better Than Perfect

Click here to get your Finished is Better Than Perfect t-shirt.

Angela and I debuted our new shirts at Quilt Market recently, while promoting our new book. We got some really positive reactions which was really great. One of the goals for both of us in teaching our passion of machine quilting is for others to realize they can make beautiful things that ARE NOT perfect, and it will be okay! 🙂

Angela Walters and Christa Watson

Each T-shirt comes with this guarantee – your quilting will be better and you’ll feel more at peace with the world, if you wear them while quilting!!

Click here to view all Patchwork Thread V’s – and spice up your wardrobe with some quilty fun!

Quilt Finish – Easy Going in Quilts and More

19 Comments

I’m excited to share a quilt with you that I had been working on secretly a little bit earlier this year. Here’s a hint: if you follow me on instagram @christaquilts and search the hashtag #secretsewingchrista, you’ll see live updates as to all the secret stuff I’m working on now, for publication later! 😉

Introducing, Easy Going, in the latest issue of Quilts and More magazine, summer 2016.

Easy Going Quilt

Photography courtesy of Quilts and More Magazine, 2016 Meredith Corp. All rights reserved.

I’ve always been a big fan of Hoffman Batiks and am one of those people believes that you can indeed make modern quilts using batiks that incorporate simple striking geometry.

Easy going in Quilts and More

I made my version of Easy going in pretty greens and teals with just a pop of tan, cream and gray to make it sparkle. Seriously, this quilt is so easy you can make it in a weekend! I quilted it using my “boxes” motif from my first book. It’s a super forgiving free-motion design that is actually easier to do than stippling!

Boxes FMQ

Click the picture above to see a larger detailed image of the quilting.

I quilted Easy Going using Aurifil 50 weight in a pretty shade of green.

I love it when magazines test out my pattern in a different colorway. The version below was made by Jan Ragaller using Ombre by V and Co. for Moda. Isn’t it fabulous??

Easy Going alternate colorway

I was also super happy that they chose to include an extra page with some of my machine quilting tips. After all, when I make a quilt, I’m also thinking about the quilting, not just the piecing.

mq_tips

If you can’t find a copy of Quilts and More in your local quilt shop, you can pick it up online.

Quilts and More Summer 2016

 

If you end up making this quilt, or any quilt from any of my patterns, please share your progress in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa. I love to see what you are making!

The Splendid Sampler Block – Scrappy Happy Heart

15 Comments

Welcome to my stop on the Splendid Sampler 100 blocks tour! Today is a very special day. Not only because I get to share my special block with you, but it is also my anniversary! 23 years ago I married my best friend and he’s supported my quilting habits ever since! Sharing my heart block with you now has extra special meaning and today I’m dedicating this block to Jason – the love of my life!

scrappy_heart_finished

Scrappy Happy Heart – for Jason –  the love of my life who’s also my #1 fan!

I love the “structured improv” look so I chose to paper piece this block, to contain the crazy pieced chaos. I took some step by step pictures while making this block that can help you with your paper piecing efforts.

Click here for Splendid tutorials on paper piecing.

I was very lucky to get to work with the Little Miss Sunshine collection by Vanessa Goertzen of  Lella Boutique for many of the fabrics. Click here to get the precuts to make a similar block. 🙂

Step 1

Comb through your stash for pretty scraps that work well together.

scrappyheart_1

Thanks to Moda Fabrics for supplying me with such a sweet palette to work from!

Step 2

Cut the pieces according to the cutting chart given in the Splendid Sampler block pattern.

Step 3

Sew the first section of pieces starting with the white background square; press and trim after each piece. It will look somewhat like the hot mess below!

scrappyheart_2

 Step 4

Add the corner triangle to the first section. Remember, all this time you are sewing onto paper following the printed lines on the front of the paper.

scrappyheart_3

Step 5

Repeat the piecing, pressing and trimming process for the second section of the block.

scrappyheart_4

This is what the front looks like – I fold each line I am going to sew next and use an add a quarter ruler to trim off the excess smoothly and neatly.

scrappyheart_5

Step 6

Add the last section of heart in the same manner. It will look so good once it’s all trimmed!

scrappyheart_6

Step 7

Add the last two background corner triangles to complete the heart shape and trim to size. Now the best part – gently remove all the paper!

scrappyheart_7

Step 8

Stop and admire your beautiful handiwork. Now is a great time to start thinking about the threads you will use to machine quilt your beautiful blocks. My favorite thread for both piecing and machine quilting  is Aurifil – 50 weight cotton.

scrappy_heart_styled

All of that mess miraculously turns into a beautifully finished block!

Click here to go to the Splendid Sampler Block Page

Here’s my block in other colorways, made by some of the other Splendid Sampler designers. 🙂

Splendid Sampler Heart Blocks

Made by Pat Sloan, Julie Karasek, Jane Davidson, Lynette Anderson, Joan Ford, Melissa Corry

New around here?

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to sign up for Friendly Threads, my email newsletter and get a free PDF pattern plus other fun weekly tidbits!

The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting – Migration

1 Comment

Angela Walters and I are at Quilt Market this weekend, sharing our new book with shop owners across the country, so it’s time to share another quilt from the book with you. (Click here to see all of the quilts from The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting.)

This one is called Migration which features tons of negative space for you to show off your quilting skills! Angela and I quilted our quilts so differently which gives you plenty of ideas to explore!

Migration Quilt by Christa Watson

In my version of migration, I played up the grid work with free-motion quilting.

Free Motion Quilting

We both tried to pack in as many machine quilting designs as possible!

Migration by Angela Walters

Angela quilted her rectangles so that they would look like sparkling jewels!

Click here to see all of the quilts from the book, as they are added each week!
All photography courtesy of Brent Kane and Martingale.

Christa Watson Books

Click here to get your autographed copies of both of my books!

Simple Strips Quilt Along – The Finish

2 Comments

It’s time to put the finishing touches on Simple Strips with my quick and easy machine binding tutorial that can be found on the BERNINA blog at We All Sew.

Machine Binding

My machine binding method is very similar to my hand binding method all the way until the final finishing step. The nice thing about this method is that you can wait to decide how to finish until the end.

Super Simple Strips Quilt Along

Simple strips was made from Valley precuts from Moda.

I hope you have enjoyed quilting along! Be sure to share your progress in my Facebook group at Quilt with Christa and also on the BERNINA community site.

If you are new around here, click here for the Simple Strips Quilt Along tutorials.

 

My Spring 2016 Quilt Market Schedule

4 Comments

I’m so excited to attend Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, Utah this weekend. This is the twice-yearly trade show for the quilting industry. Even though it’s not open to the public, you can still feel like you are part of the action by following along via social media.

Quilt Market 2016

I will be attending to help promote my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting with co-author Angela Walters. Our publisher, Martingale/That Patchwork Place has scheduled 3 fun events for us. If you happen to go, please come by and say hi!

On Thursday, Angela and I will present a schoolhouse session for our new book at 4:40 PM in room 255A. We will be going on just before the Moda All-stars book debut so I’m kinda hoping we’ll capture some of the audience who wants to come in early for a great seat! 😉

Quilt Marke 2016

On Friday, May 20th at 11 AM in Martingale’s booth 422, Angela and I will be doing a fun Q&A session. We will answer your most pressing machine quilting sessions and may even show you how we sketch out our designs on paper ahead of time.

Machine Quilting

 

 

Finally, on Saturday, May 21 we’ll cap off the weekend with two live machine quilting events. At 10 AM we’ll be at the Handi Quilter booth and at 1 PM we’ll be at the BERNINA booth, showing how we actually machine quilt in person! We will also have a booksigning at each event, for the first 50 people in line – so be sure to arrive early!!

The rest of the time, I’ll be hanging out with Jason, purchasing new products for The Precut Store. It’s always exciting to see what’s new!

The Precut Store

If you can’t attend, be sure to follow me on Instagram at @christaquilts and @theprecutstore!

Join Me at the Folkschool for a Week of Quilty Fun!

4 Comments

Please join me this summer at the John C. Campbell Folkschool in Brasstown, North Carolina! From July 31-August 6, 2016 I will be teaching a week-long class: Modern Quilting 101, featuring my Charming Chevrons Pattern.

John C. Campbell Folkschool

Click here to register for the rare opportunity to learn from me for an entire week!

What to Expect

I had such an amazing time teaching last year that when they invited me to return, I immediately said yes! Let me tell you a little bit about what to expect, if you’ve never been:

You’ll arrive on Sunday afternoon and get a chance to meet me and the other students. You’ll receive an orientation to the program along with a yummy home-cooked meal. Then on Monday morning, the week-long event will kick off with the best breakfast you’ve ever had!

Class sessions will run for 6 hours a day Monday-Friday with breaks for scrumptious family-style meals 3 times a day. Seriously, it’s worth it to come just for the food!

Folkschool Fiber Studio

This is the fiber studio at the Folkschool. Don’t you just love the barn-quilt block??

In the evenings, students can choose to spend additional additional free-time in the sewing studio, attend evening performances, or just relax in their rooms after a fun day!

The on Friday night, students will have a chance to present what they’ve made to the other classes that have met during the week. Trust me, seeing the handwork of makers from many different disciplines under one roof is incredibly inspiring!

Folkschool 2015

2015 Modern Logs quilts on stage behind the beautifully handcrafted Windsor chairs

Classes and Registration

I’ll be upfront and tell you that it’s a big investment of time and money to take a week out of your busy life for this amazing event. But it’s so worth it to escape to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina so you can enjoy this magical experience.

Class sizes are limited to 12 students so you will get plenty of personal interaction with me and the other students. (At of this writing there are just 6 spots left – so register soon!) In fact, you’ll meet fantastic like-minded quilters that will most likely turn into life-long friends.

You can also bring along a friend or spouse who can take a different class at the same time. During my week, there will be 14 classes going on at the same time including spinning, weaving, photography, cooking, woodworking, clay-working, print-making, and more!

Click here for the complete class catalog.
Click here to register for my week-long class: Modern Quilting 101.

20140702_folkschool_housing

The Folkschool offers a variety of lodging packages to suit your budget. My mom was part of my class last time around, and we stayed in this beautiful historic home that has been updated with modern amenities! This year I’m taking Jason along for the ride, and he’s going to take either cooking or photography while I teach. (He can’t quite decide yet!)

Follow the Folkschool

I sure would love for you to join me in this amazing adventure!

Local Trunk Show and Book Signing Events

3 Comments

If you are in or near the Las Vegas area, be sure to catch my trunk show and book signing events coming up at these two fabulous locations below.

  • Saturday, May 14th, Sew Yeah Quilting, located at 3690 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas NV 89130.
  • Thursday, May 26th, at Quiltique, located at 213 N. Stephanie Ste. E, Henderson NV 89074.

Christa Watson Books

My books – The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting and Machine Quilting with Style will be available from both shops. I’ll be happy to personally sign them for you!

At Sew Yeah, I’ll be sharing quilts from both books and what makes them modern. Stick around afterward for a fun and free sew-in. Sign up online or call (702) 586-8687.

At Quiltique, I’ll be sharing my quilts along with a hands on free-motion quilting demonstration. Plus, I’m happy to answer your most pressing questions about machine quilting.

I hope to see you there!