Introducing our newest quilt pattern Constellation, featuring Robert Kaufman's new Posie fabrics in a wonderful batik. We designed the quilt in two color stories...the blue above, and in toasty spice. Our Constellation quilt combines the best of classic quilt blocks such as the Friendship Star, and the Nine Patch Block.
These fabrics are so rich and beautiful, picking a favorite would be very difficult. Here's the Spice version, great for the gents in your life that favor something a little a little more masculine. Father's Day is just around the corner!
FYI - If you are looking for this pattern, the magazine is currently on the newsstands. It is Quick Quilts Spring 2009 by Harris Publications...not Quick Quilts by McCall. See the link below for an image of the magazine cover.
Aren't names funny? I named this quilt Florin 1. because a florin is an ancient Italian coin 2. because the fabric reminds me of beautiful, ornate Florentine paper, and 3. because it's a variation of a Chinese Coin. I love stories about quilt names! When Quick Quilts published the pattern they renamed it Gilded Asian Elegance ...gilded asian elegance - such a fancy name. When someone would email me about the quilt, they would say something to the effect of "I'm writing about the asian quilt". I thought how interesting it was that the name influenced people's perception of the quilt. I wonder if we do that with people, and their names too? Is someone viewed differently because they are a Lizzy, Kate, Bill or Jimmy vs. a Elizabeth, Kathryn, William, or a James?
Some of you have said that you are having difficulty finding all of the fabrics for this quilt, so I wanted to suggest a couple of options if you are interested in using another fabric lines:
Any grouping from the Imperial Fusion collection
Fabrics from the Fairy Frost Collection
Any gilded, ornate fabric group
Batiks - I hadn't thought of it, but sweet Amy did...see the comments
Any of these ornate fabrics will work wonderfully with the simplicity of this pattern. If you have your heart set on the shown Imperial Fusion fabrics, one of my favorite resource for finding seemingly obscure fabrics is www.quiltshops.com
If you make this quilt, be sure and send us a photo, we would love to see your creations!
Meet my forgotten quilt...I recently came across it when looking for something else. You might not even recognize it as mine, it's hand quilted, with applique, and embroidery. I started this quilt several years ago, when I had fallen in love with all of these romantic, lush fabrics. My horde of 3 Sisters fabrics is pretty impressive. I had been making several trips to Austin to see my son, and to visit their incredible array of quilt stores. It's kind of funny, I would get into town several hours before I ever arrived at his place, because I had to visit all the quilts stores first; some kinda priorities! About this time I had been having some health issues, and before I even knew what was happening I was in the hospital for a blood transfusion due to anemia, and then I was told I had to have a hysterectomy. It seemed to have happened in a matter of weeks. This quilt become my solace, and companion; and hand work was just the thing that I needed to do to keep my sanity. I worked on it during my recuperation, which was much tougher emotionally then I would have ever imagined. A friend asked if I had wanted more children, and if that was why I was so upset. I said, I hadn't planned on more children, but just because you don't bake anymore doesn't mean you want to throw out the oven.
So I recovered, went back to work, a grandbaby was born, Melissa graduated from high school, left for college, and within two weeks Cherry House Quilts was born. During all of this my comfort quilt just kept getting pushed further, and further back. That was until the other day when I accidentally came across it, and felt kind of sad that I hadn't finished it, and had kind of forgotten about it.
I am going to finish it, life seems so be moving so quickly, that it would be nice to slow down a little, and to just enjoy the process.
Here's a portion of my log cabin - which is still nameless. Any suggestions? I am just having the hardest time with a name. This top has been finished for years, just sitting and sitting, waiting patiently to be quilted. The problem was that I wanted concentric circles across the entire quilt...red on the red, and creme on the creme. I was never able to find someone to quilt it the way I wanted, and I knew that I couldn't do it myself, unless I did it by hand, which wasn't going to happen. I was able to find a wonderful quilter named DeLoa Jones, who I am now sort of related to by marriage in a completely long way around the bend, kind of way. When I explained what I wanted, she said that it wasn't possible, but she made some suggestions, and in the end, I'm very happy with how it turned out. If I had my own long arm, I believe I could accomplish what I was trying to do - maybe I'm just a bad explainer - who knows??? So, back to this quilt - I love it so much, and I am looking forward to getting the binding done, and giving this baby a name. Part of the reason this quilt is so special to me is because I collected the fabric for a couple of years before starting it. When I traveled frequently for Continental, I would track down all of the local quilt shops in the city where I was working. I was always on the hunt for red, and creme scraps, as well as repro Conversation Prints. There is also some fabric that was a gift from my Mom, and fabric that the girls picked out to go in the quilt. Some of the fabric is representative of what was important to the children at the time. See that little strip of Tartan Plaid (top, to the right)? That is fabric from the jumper that I made for Lizzy on her first day of Kindergarten. I'm not sure if this is considered a string pieced quilt or not...the finished strips are only 1". Do any names come to mind? If so, please leave me a comment - if I pick your name - you will receive a free pattern of the quilt when it is released.
Also, don't forget about our free pattern giveaway for the three new patterns released!
UPDATE: I'm going on and on about EQ6, and someone responds to the survey and said that don't know what it is...silly me
EQ6 is computer design software which aids in designing quilts, creating embrodery designs, and drawing applique, etc. I have found the product invaluable for my pattern design business. How do you guys that use the software, utilize it? What are your favorite applications? Personally I love being able to import fabric images - this is wonderful for planning, yardage, etc.
The response to our free EQ6 Magic Blocks download has been huge! I hope you enjoy the pattern, and I cannot wait to see what you create. This got me thinking about EQ...I wonder how many people use EQ, or some other type of quilt software. I only purchased the software when I started Cherry House Quilts. Creating patterns is something that I have always done, but just with pen and paper. The way I used to create quilts was I'd have a general idea what I wanted to do, I'd prepare yards, and yards of fabric, figure out the blocks I wanted, make stacks of blocks in various configurations, then start putting everything on the design wall. Sometimes I'd end up with lots of extra blocks (sandwich bags full), and other times I'd run out, and have to make more. This worked well for me, for years. Since starting the business, and having the opportunity to work with fabric manufacturers, my design process has had to change. They generally aren't a fan of "I'm not sure what I'm creating, so just send me mountains of fabric, okay?" Cool for me, less cool for them :)
Here's the info that is listed on EQ6's website concerning the use of EQ6 on a MAC:
Do you make Macintosh versions? We now have Macintosh users using our programs on their Macs through emulation software. Gloria Hansen, co-author of the "Free Stuff on the Internet" series of books, is a Mac user and writes that "you can run any quilt PC program by using Virtual PC if you are using a newer Macintosh, such as an iMac or a Macintosh with a 603 180 MHz processor or better."
We think Macs are fabulous computers and value our Mac users; we just want to be able to provide the high level of programming expected and best support we can, without spreading ourselves too thin.
Our Electric Quilt/Virtual PC users have their own support group on Yahoo. It is a free email/forum group you can join. Check out their group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EQonMacs/. This group will provide an additional level of support to any quilters using, or considering using, Electric Quilt on a Mac with Virtual PC. The original Info-EQ list and EQ tech support are great primary resources, but sometimes it's also helpful to talk to other Mac users when questions arise.
I thought it would be fun to take a survey, and see how many of you lovelies use EQ - ready!
Have a seat won't you? Join me for something refreshing...sparkling water, tea, whatever you like. First, let me thank you for your kindness and encouragement for all that is happening with my quilting! Your support has meant the world to me...my heart is full of gratitude. What is happening in your world? Are you super busy? I bet you are, I bet you are running a 100 miles an hour. Knowing that, your support means more to me than ever! Well, let's sit here for a few more minutes before we have to get back to our busy lives. You know the girls are home for a few days, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible before they all fly off again. Having them all home at the same time is becoming rare, which makes it all the more special. Well, I guess it's time to go, but please know how much this little time together has meant to me...we will do this again, very soon.
Okay, I just have to say how exciting it was to go with Ashlee to Barnes & Noble the other day, to find this issue of Fons & Porter Easy Quilts on the shelf, open it up, and find my Jukebox Quilt Pattern inside...it's just a little bit unreal! Awesome, exciting, a dream come true, but a little unreal nevertheless.
Another little dream come true is Lizzy's etsy shop...have you guys seen it? I wanted to buy everything! Do I buy the Cathedral book in yellow leather? Or the home print with the beautiful bird, and paper clip? Something about birds who collect things will forever remind me of The Secret of NIMH. And let me tell you about a show stopper...the Illuminate print...this was my Mother's day present from Lizzy, and I kid you not, it brought me to tears, it is so beautiful! What she was able to achieve on this print seemed unreal to me. I just kept looking at her, and looking at the print, and in some kind of dumbfounded stupor, I kept asking "how did you do this, how was this possible?" It really is that amazing, and that they are only $30.00 is too good to be true. This isn't something that is available in stores yet, but just a heads up to everyone. Lizzy showed me the final images of Lizzy Dish (her first fabric line), and it is incredible! You guys are going to flip, and then flip again, and then maybe one more time for good measure!!! When I saw all of the color ways, and all of the different images, my mind started spinning with everything that I want to create. It's going to be great, and everyone is going to love it. Think old school Betty Crocker, throw in something amazing from Anthropologie, with a dash of creative genius and you can get a vision of what Lizzy Dish is going to be! It will be released this fall; and that is just around the corner. Well, this is probably enough gushing from my about my super talented girl. All three girls are home this week in what has to be a gift from Heaven. Take care everybody!
Today was the photo shoot for Candy Box, and I was tickled pink to be working in a candy shop...it brought all of my Willy Wonka dreams to life. How I love that movie; I will forever be searching for fizzy lifting drinks!
Here's a little look at Candy Box. This quilt is for Morgan, the tiniest member of our family. She was born a week ago Thursday, and Momma, Dad, and the wee babe are all doing fine.
As I mentioned here, I was apprehensive about quilting on Minkee, but it turned out so well; much to my surprise. I definitely wanted the quilt to have some fluff to it, but I also wanted it to have the texture of quilting. In order to achieve the look I wanted, I used two battings: a traditional loft on the bottom, plus a thin cotton batting under the quilt top, I think it turned out really well. The quilting has definition (lots of hearts), plus it has the weight that I was looking for.
Remember here, my experience of sewing with Minkee? And the solution? Well, the quilt is just about finished, with only the binding to stitch down. I couldn't think of a name for this pattern for the longest, but as I was quilting it one evening, I stopped to look at the quilt, and realized that it looked like a box of candy...a cheery, sweet, box of candy! So the official name of the quilt pattern will be Candy Box. Lizzy is working on the logo, and I am so excited to see her creation.
Here's a peek at part of the quilt as it was on the design wall. The yellow block has a Minkee center...the finished size is the same as the charm square blocks. This is how it's done...take a 4" square of Minkee (or other fussy fabrics), add 2" sashing to the top & bottom, using a 1/2" seam allowance, press out, trim to 5". Next, add 2" sashing to the left & right, repeat as above, trim to 5", voila now the block fits in with the rest of the charm squares, but we all know that the Minkee blocks are magical!
Here's a close up:
I was so pleased with this solution, I did the same thing with flannel, as well as chenille.
Next time...quilting with Minkee! I have to admit that I was really apprehensive about this, but it turned out so well, what a treat!
The photo shoot for the pattern is scheduled next Saturday at a beautiful Candy Shop in Kingwood, Texas. The quilt pattern for Candy Box will be available soon.
Remember to leave Lizzy a comment about your best birthday memory to be entered into her Birthday Handmade Book Drawing.
Unique: Here are some cool/unique finds from Market.
Okay, this first one is really about Portland, not Market, but I love this business card from Cupcake Jones. Whenever I see a font that I love, I save it for Lizzy, to ask the name of it. If ever there is a game show called "name that font" Lizzy would surely be the champion.
Seven Islands Fabric...nothing fancy, but that fabric is adorable!
Late Bloomer Quilts...I had to save this...M&M's with QUILTS written on them. I'm so sad they got crushed.
Me and My Sister Designs - isn't this box wonderful? The box is full of Tic Tacs...perfect!
Andover Spring 2008 Free Quilt Patterns...this is brilliant, all of the free patterns for the new fabric lines are available on this disk.
Key Fabric from Bunny's Designs. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but I just fell in love with it, and bought all the fat quarters they had.
Time Consuming: Every quilters dilemma
When I was preparing to quilt City News, there were so many choices to make...so many that I could have used a flow chart. Easy or Challenging? Easy - do an overall design, with a single color thread. No Challenging - Variegated thread, overall design? No. Variegated thread, two unique types of quilting? No. Individual threads to match the background fabric? Yes. Monofilament for the B&W fabric? Yes. Quilted all the same, or directional? Directional. I ended up purchasing 18 different colors to match the fabrics in the quilt...I thought I was never going to get the quilting done. After seeing the quilt at Market, hanging on Robert Kaufman's wall...I'm glad that I made the decisions that I did, it was worth it.
No portion of this website may be copied, or used without the written permission of me, the author, Lizzy. So, please contact me for use and licensing. 2007-2010
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