Paducha

 I was able to get away for several days to Paducha for some shopping and classes.

First stop.... Hancocks!  I needed some coordinating fabrics to construct this quilt block that I will be teaching at FCE retreat the end of May.   I don't know the official name or designer of this block, but was given a picture and asked to make a quilt. The design was based on the layout of the squares in Savannah GA by a quilt shop that used to be there.... So, I've named it Savannah Squares.   I was working on a sample block at the retreat two years ago and everyone suggested I teach it at a future retreat.  I will be able to teach this year and I've found these fabrics to make up kits for those who attend.... and I'll make up a quilt for myself with the extra fabric purchased.

My first of two classes was with Gail Garber.   Using a compass she taught us how to design our own star quilt.

These are some of the shape designs she incorporates into her quilts

A 6-pointed star she designed

  

She showed us how to use a compass to design a star.... and here is mine, colored in.   I need to cut it apart and paper piece it when I have some time.  I'll need to play with the compass some more and see what other designs I can come up with.

The second class I took was with Sue Patten.  A long-arm class named Plunk & Play.  I hadn't seen any of her work before, but it was a long-arm class and I was hoping to learn something new.  Boy, did I!

I probably would not have taken her class had I googled her in advance and learned more about her style.  Her quilting is more whole-cloth with a twist.   She tosses out templates, pounces with powder and the just sews... heavy quilting in spots, light quilting in others... very different then the  E2E quilting I'm accustomed to.   But, I gave it a try!   and it was fun!

I'm not sure if I'm interested in doing a complete quilt using this method, but I do have a quilt that I was going to applique kites in the border..... instead, I am going to give this a try.

  

During down-time between the show and classes at our cabin I brought along a project that I started in a Paducha class last year... Mardis Gras by Toby Lam Lischko.   I have made mine in Christmas colors rather than the purple/gold/green of Mardis Gras.

 

2016-05 Paducha

I've been a bit busy the last couple weeks and forgot to post!   shocking!  I know.

  

It has now been quilted and is waiting to be bound.  I pieced the backing for the Trip Around the World wedding quilt for my husband's niece.

I took some time off and went to Paducha for several days to see the AQS Quilt show.

I arrived in Paducha Tuesday afternoon and spent several hours drooling over fabrics at Hancocks... and burning up the credit card!

I bunked with Wanda (from Alaska) and her friend Terry.  We went to TGIFridays for dinner and a "rousing" game of trivia!  LOL!


Wednesday through Saturday I rented a cottage with Barbara, a friend from church.   It was a very relaxing place to be after a busy show and classes.


We set up tables and featherweights in the living room and enjoyed the view of the Grand River, watching tugboats go by... pushing barges of coal .

  

Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday I signed up for classes (more on that later) and spent time at the show.   But Friday we spent all day relaxing in the cottage sewing and chatting.... except for an afternoon exercise break when we walked down the hill and out to the end of that jetty and back.

There was the mandatory "Sloanie" meet-up on Thursday with Pat Sloan

Pat laid out her blocks for the Splendid Sampler... an online sew-along that she is hosting.  There will be 100 six inch blocks made when this is done!

And no trip to Paducha would be complete without a dinner at Patti's 1880 Settlement.  Great restaurant... great food... great friends... old and new.

2016-04 part 2 class prep work and a challenge

I am working on preparations for upcoming classes.

I bought these fabrics for the Mardis Gras class.... a variation of a Lone Star pattern and there are no pre-cutting instructions given... just fabric amounts.

As you can see I chose NOT to use traditional New Orleans Mardis Gras colors of purple, green and gold.  These Christmas fabrics will fit in better with my holiday home decor.

Next I pulled these blue and gold fabrics from my stash for the Fire Island class.

I think these will make a nice focal piece in my living room.  I have the dark blue pieces cut and will spend "free time" this weekend cutting up the print and gold fabrics.  I'm a bit short of yardage for the gold and I've added this additional gold print that I think I can use in the center block and/or maybe the 4 corners too.

The third class is Glorified 9-Patch.  I need to select 2 dark/med  and 2 med/light fat quarter pairs to make some blocks in class.   I love my purples, but I definitely do not have enough in my stash for a full project.  I will need to go shopping if I want to go with those colors.   But I do have several blue and gold fat quarters that I think  will do.

After downloading this picture I've decided to change out that one light fat quarter.  I think it will stand out too much.

I am also working on pulling colors for a 3-color challenge project that I am participating in with a group of friends.  We were each assigned colors by lottery and we have until August to make something. I am struggling with finding a way to make these three colors work. I'm hoping to find some inspiration at the upcoming quilt show.