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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Blocks for Baltimore

Part of my preparation for my upcoming workshops in Baltimore has been creating pre-sewn blocks to sell on my vendor's table.

I've done this for a variety of reasons:

--my students are from an embroidery background, not from quilting. Some may want to pursue the crazy quilt aspect of what they learn, but they may not enjoy the applique process as much as the embellishment. Plus, most of them have wonderful thread stashes, but probably not much fabric on hand. (I'll be selling little fabric packs, too.)

--I wanted them to see, if nothing else, that all fabrics are eligible for this kind of work! Combining different textures and fiber contents adds to the richness of any piece.

--creating these blocks over the last few days has made me utterly and intimately familiar with the process of working this way, from start to finish. This "refresher course" should help my teaching go more smoothly.

--It was SO MUCH FUN to dive in and play with my fabrics. It has been way too long since I have done that.

I made 12, and will charge $20.00 apiece for them. I avoided "busy" fabrics because these blocks are intended as backgrounds for embellishments, and the fabrics should support that, not compete...

So have a look!













Using my favorite fabrics with abandon was just an incredible joy!
Here they are all together on the design wall. They are trimmed to 11" X 11", and should finish out at about 9" X 9".

This concept could yield a very nice quilt!
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23 comments:

  1. JessApril 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    Hey Allie,

    I love your color combinations, and your smooth curved seams. I keep finding references on lots of CQ blogs to a tutorial you had on your old blog for stitch 'n flip curved seams -- would you consider recreating that sometime?

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  2. Judy S.April 18, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    Oh my, I can't decide which one I like best! I'm with Jess, maybe you'd give a refresher on curved seams sometime when you're not so busy?

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  3. Vicki WApril 18, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    Oh my gosh! I see a couple of my fabrics!

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  4. FrancyApril 18, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    Oh they are all so beautiful. I wish I could "play" with them.

    You are correct, they would make a nice quilt sewn all together.

    I love the circle seams.

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  5. MargaretApril 18, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    Lovely selection, Allie! I am sure your students will be excited to see, touch and purchase these. I am interested that you are using a curvy format for the block; is this to do with the subject matter of your class, or do you just prefer curved piecing to something more angular?

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  6. Debra DixonApril 18, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Fabulous colors and variety of colors too! should be something for each person's taste.

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  7. Marty52April 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Oh, yummers, Allie! Your choice of fabrics and colors really send me. Your students will be in heaven!

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  8. Marie AltonApril 18, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Oooooo...so beautiful! Awesome colour/fabric selections...from the Queen of Curved Seams! I am sure they're gonna just love them! Looking forward to hearing how that goes for you.

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  9. GailM.April 19, 2009 at 5:18 AM

    I love the curvy seams. How did you do that. If I look close, I think I see top stitching... Very nice idea to bring these to your workshop. Good idea since not everyone is a quilter.

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  10. Barbara CApril 19, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    It's nice to see so many color variations on one pattern. I like the way it mimics a blossom.

    I bet the light colored ones will be popular. You have a wonderful selection of fabrics.

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  11. black bear cabinApril 19, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    very colorful and pretty...im sure they will be a hit! :) sounds like its going to be a great class!

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  12. JoWynn JohnsApril 19, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    Oh boy, oh boy! These are just fabulous blocks. Since I'll be at the lecture, I hope I'll get to see them actually. I am so looking forward to seeing YOU, as well as your fabrics.

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  13. SummersetApril 19, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    They look great! This will save time and keep the focus on the embroidery, not the piecing, which could be another class by itself.

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  14. AnonymousApril 19, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    Unbelievably gorgeous! Nobody can choose just one. You are going to be such a fabulous teacher at this workshop. You've already been teaching all of us for a long time.
    Granny Fran

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  15. Possibilities, Etc.April 20, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    These are absolutely GORGEOUS! It made me exclaim out loud. I wish I could be in that class!!! Your colors are superb.

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  16. MalissaApril 20, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    I am totally fascinated to see what happens to the same pattern when different colors and textures are used in it. Really inspirational!

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  17. Susan ElliottApril 20, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    ooh la la!! A veritable cacophony of color and curvaceousness!! I cannot WAIT To learn this. You don't know this, but I think the first time I "met" you was when I found your "Courage" block (spelled in rhinestones) on Flickr and you used that beautiful pink/paleyellow/peach two tone ribbon and beautiful curved piecing...I fell in love then and there and still have that picture in my inspiration file. You should revisit it's beauty...it's really really lovely... aah, you never forget your first love...

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  18. bluemufApril 20, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    Allie, I just love all the blocks they are gorgeous. I can only imagine how they will look embellished.

    Karen

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  19. MaureenApril 21, 2009 at 9:22 AM

    Allie, Take a lot with you. I think everyone is going to love them. Maureen

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  20. JeanApril 21, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Allie, the curves are lovely... and it sure looks like you had a great time choosing the colors/fabrics. I think that if I were one of the people at your table it would be hard to pass up any one of those beautiful pieces. It looks as if with the curves and all that there is more room for embelishment. Nice! How can you give them up? You may have to do another one just for you!

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  21. PatriciaApril 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Allie, that would be an absolutely gorgeous quilt. The colors are spectacular, looks like you delving into a jewel box. You won't have a one of those left over!
    Pat
    Patricia Rose-A Potpourri of Fabric, Fragrance and Findings
    www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com
    www.patriciarose-apotpourriof.blogspot.com

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  22. Courtney ShortApril 27, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    those are lovely lovely blocks.. those would make a beautiful quilt.. looking at them - do you topstitch them down? It's too small to see.. I always wondered how one would do the curves.. my blocks are always so angular.

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  23. qwertyJuly 6, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    What a wonderful idea. I LOVE your color combos! They also have a lovely texture!!

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