31 Day Blog Writing Challenge - Most Impactful Class

 I'm just going to start with the fact that I've never taken a class! There. I said it. As someone who is self taught from waaay back when in the 1990s, I learned from magazines and books. Then blogs and tutorials. Are there famous quilters I would love to be in the room with? Absolutely! But it hasn't happened yet.

So, for Cheryl's prompt today I considered the first class I taught just before the pandemic hit. I was approached my a local quilt guild to teach my Liberated Churn Dash technique. And I loved it!

Here is the post that features the students' work from that day - inspiring!

Liberated Churn Dash Workshop

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm seriously considering offering it as a virtual class next year.

The Inventory Quilt mentioned in the post never happened as again, it was planned to start right when Covid 19 hit and everything shut down. I'm going to be working on mine next year and will suggest a sew along on my blog. At least, you can come back and see my progress!

In case you're wondering I wrote this post too - What's an Inventory Quilt?

If you would like to find out about my new patterns and virtual classes, please consider signing up for my newsletter. I give my subscribers early peeks and discounts ;) You can sign up through this link - newsletter signup.

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Top 5 Books - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

 Let's see what my Top 5 quilting books reveal about me!

In no particular order, but Pat Sloan's book is kept in a drawer of my cutting table with my sewing machine guide. So, maybe #1?

I love Pat Sloan's enthusiastic style and prolific happy quilts. This book is so encouraging; it has trouble shooting advice, practice stitching and projects. She has a whole series of Teach Me books!

I got this book for myself last year. I love it. I could just sit and read it all day. And then go make some blocks! I first fell in love with the history of quilt names when I started quilting and really enjoy learning and discovering blocks with Barbara's system. I follow Barbara's blog too.

I'm not sure how long ago I bought this book, some time in the last ten years. I love the Baltimore Album quilts and at one point considered making an applique quilt when I turn 50. As that birthday gets closer, I'm still considering! I know Jeana is doing a handquilting challenge right now but that won't be happening ;)

I started quilting when I lived in southern Ontario where there are many active Mennonite quilters. I love the colors and pieced blocks. The quilting is exquisite too. So inspiring! Roberta passed away this February - here is a link to a Quilt Show episode of her home she shared with her sister.

Last but not least, Making Welsh Quilts. This style reminds me of the Mennonite quilts. The quilting is where the magic is - an additional layer of story in the historical stitches. I would love to visit Jen Jones store full of Welsh quilts.

If you haven't joined the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge yet, I encourage you to at least do this prompt in a post. I think you can telll that I love to design my own quilts and am inspired by past quilters.

 I would love to see your top 5 books!

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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My Favorite Tip - 31 Days of Blog Writing Challenge

 Today's challenge for the 31 Days of Blog Writing Challenge is a Favorite Tip. 

I think this tip has helped me the most to enjoy my quilting time and to spend my time finishing quilts. Well, quilt tops at least!

I started making a Visual Project List way back in 2013 - this is my original post.

Then I created a Visual Project List downloadable pdf to share with other quilters - that's you :)

Check out how I use it here - My secret to quilt finishes - lists!

Sign up to my newsletter and receive your own copy.

Sign up by clicking here or on the image above.

It's a perfect time of year to start getting ready to finish more quilts - next year ;)

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Skills I wish I had - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

 There are a few skills I wish I had when it comes to quilting; mostly though I console myself designing patterns and using bright fabrics :) Seriously though, there are so many techniques in quilting that when I first started I tried a lot of them out.

I tried english paper piecing, foundation piecing, hand quilting, and like them all but don't have the time. I have done a bit of foundation piecing lately, but prefer patchwork.

I designed this quilt for a friend who helped us move into our house a few years ago. I loved the panel and was fortunate enough to have more Northcott fabric in my stash to make the blocks.

I love applique but have never tried needle turn. I love Pat Sloan's applique and usually machine applique when I do this technique.

This is one of my favourite applique quilts I made. It was a Pat Sloan Mad Hatter's Tea Party challenge. My quilt actually got to hang at the local public school at a Grade 8 graduation when the theme was Alice in Wonderland!

I wish I could figure out cutting triangles so I could make some of Edyta Sitar's beautiful star quilts.

I wish I could just try a new technique and be good at it, right away! Oh well, looks like I'm still human :)

Oh, and I'm not sure it's a skill (and really not sure I want it!) but how do quilters only work on one quilt at a time and FINISH it before starting another!?!

What quilting skill do you wish you had?

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Dream Project - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

 I think I'm like most quilters and am always finding new quilts that I would love to make!

One that caught my eye recently will actually be a Block of the Month next year: Homage to Grandmother's Flower Garden by Katja Marek.

I took this photo from her website where you can find more inspiration and more beautiful hexagon projects. Katja's Quilt Shoppe.

You can check out other quilt blogger's dream projects by visiting the links at Cheryl's site. Join the fun and share with others by writing on your blog too! 

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Maybe my oldest UFO

 I'm not sure right now what my oldest UFO is - I don't count finished tops ;) Today's prompt from Cheryl for the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge is our oldest UFO. This one has been on my mind lately.

It's called Fancy This by Linda Cordell and is in the December 2002 issue of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. I loved that magazine! The pattern was inspired by Blind Man's Fancy and Linda credits the book, Quilts of Western New York by Lynn Hoffman. (here's a link that will take  you to a more recent book that has the quilt on the cover)

I won this fat quarter bundle at my local quilt shop's anniversary in 2009 I think? It took me a bit to decide what pattern to make and then I only made one block. So many bias edges! I'm not usually one to use starch and that was one thing that made me set this project to the side. Now that it's one of my oldest UFOs I've been thinking about getting back to it. Glad for this reminder today :)

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Day 5 of 31 for the Blog Writing Challenge - First Quilt

 

I'm re-using a post today because I can! 

I made my first quilt using cardboard templates and sewing the blocks together by hand.

Some days I think about going back to the slow stitching, but most days I just want to play with colorful fabric and get something made :)

My First Quilt

Head over to Cheryl's blog to visit the other bloggers and see their first quilts too - a great way to spend some time this weekend!

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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