I release quilt patters twice a year now, in conjunction with my new fabric lines. (More about the fabric later…) So today I'm happy to introduce 4 new patterns which will be released on November 16, but you can get them at a discount when you preorder now!
All four of my new patterns are available as print or PDF. Print versions will be shipped to you approximately November 16th. When you order the PDF version through my Craftsy shop, you'll be able to download the cover now, and then the pattern itself will be emailed as an update on November 16th.
Click here to purchase the PDF version instant download.
Click here to order the print version which will be shipped.
Click the image above to enlarge the detailed materials list.
These patterns will be available from most major distributors. Or email me christa@christaquilts.com for order info.
I hope you'll enjoy making these quilts as much as I did!
Click here to get the free Modern Puzzle pattern.
It's full of brightly colored geometric prints that are perfect for quilts in any size and style!
I used Modern Marks from Benartex/Contempo for this quilt – it's bright and cheerful!
Modern Puzzle is a remake of the design I originally created called "Puzzle Box" that showed off some solid fabrics, but I never actually made the quilt. Now that my fabric is out there in the world, I was excited to see how well this design looks using prints!
Modern Puzzle is super fast and easy to make from 2 sets of precut strips – one bundle of colorful prints, and another set for the background. Benartex calls their precut strips "Pinwheels" but they are also known as Jelly Rolls, Pixie Strips, Rollie Polies, Roll Ups, etc. depending on the manufacturer. Each precut bundle includes 40 strips, 2 1/2″ x 42″.
For my quilt I used one Pinwheel of Modern Marks plus one neutral background bundle in gray/white that I asked Benartex to offer along with my fabric. I love how the neutrals really allow the brighter prints to pop!
Click here to get the Modern Marks Precuts.
Because the fabric images are finalized months before the fabric was ready, I was able to play around in Electric Quilt software to come up with lots of fun designs using my fabric. When I show the "real" quilt you'll be amazed at how much it looks like the original drawing!
Don't you just love a snuggly, colorful quilt?? Full reveal coming soon!
I recently finished "Fractured Puzzle" which was my Modern Quilt Guild fabric challenge entry. All contestants were given samples of Michael Miller Glitz fabrics and we could add in additional Michael Miller fabrics as desired. My quilt is based on my Puzzle Box quilt design that's a free download for newsletter subscribers.
What would happen if if I slashed up the quilt top and then sewed it back together??
Getting ready to take the first cut – this was so scary!!
Going this route scared me so much because I thought people would really think I'd gone off the deep end. But something in me said I had to try, and that was truly exciting. After all, this WAS a quilt challenge. It's not for publication, nor is it for a class sample, and I really didn't need anyone else's approval to do this. I finally decided to just dive in and see what happened. What a liberating feeling!!
Wanna go crazy? Slash up your quilt!!
After making the first cut, things got a little easier. Now I'm liking the fractured look and for a time, I considered adding white strips in between each of the sections, "slash-and-insert" style. I still may explore this idea in a future quilt. But with this one, I decided to sew the sections back together, creating a really fractured, disjointed look.
At this point I'm not quite sure if it's a modern quilt, or really more of an art quilt, but I don't care, as I'm truly loving the process!!
Fractured Puzzle quilt top – a more dynamic design, don't you think?
The hardest part was figuring how to sew the pieces back together. I felt like I was sewing a puzzle, joining sections back together to create larger units. I knew that I'd lose quite a bit around the edges once I squared it up, but that was totally okay with me.
After the top came together, I had a really great vision for the quilting, even though I knew it would be a TON of work! With my new BERNINA 770 I quilted tons of straight lines, about 1/4″ apart in each of the fractured sections, following a different angle.
This meant lots of loose threads to tie off at the end, but it was important for me to go with what the quilt "wanted" rather than what was easy. After all, I realized this quilt was more about the process and the journey, rather than the finished product.
Quilting Detail – it's all about the angular texture!
I truly enjoyed making this quilt from start to finish. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me the freedom to explore the boundaries beyond traditional design.
I entered it into QuiltCon for 2016 and statistically the odds are slim that it will get in: there were over 1800 entries and only around 325 are accepted. But I'm an optimist and I'll keep my fingers crossed. 🙂 Besides, no matter what happens, this was a fabulous journey for me to complete, and I'm now emboldened to make other, "un-safe" choices when it comes to quilting!
What's the most interesting, unique, or non-traditional quilt you've ever made?
Let me know in the comments, or post pictures over on my Facebook Group: Quilt With Christa.
In this comprehensive 3-day workshop, students will enjoy hands-on computer instruction for 6 full hours of class each day. In addition to learning the basics of EQ7 for Windows or Mac, additional topics will include: using the Block Library, setting blocks into quilt layouts, adding borders, importing fabric swatches, designing original quilts, scaling and numbering foundation piecing templates, applying a layer of quilting, calculating yardage, and more. Gain confidence in your design skills, knowing how your finished quilt will look before making the first cut!
Class registration opens on August 18th.
In addition to my class, there will be three other classes offered at the same time to meet your needs. Students will register for one class only and will be with the same instructor for 3 days. We'll be BQF's (Best Quilting Friends) by the end of the week!
The fiber arts building housed both the weaving studio and the quilting studio in separate halves of this beautiful structure, complete with a barn block!
Day 0 – Arrival and check in. This wasn't a full day of teaching, but as soon as I got off the airplane (in Atlanta) I took a beautiful scenic drive through the woods of Georgia to the mountains of North Carolina. The Folkschool is located in a quaint little town called Brasstown and it was a beautiful place where time literally seemed to stand still. As soon as I was out of the car, it was time to check-in for teacher orientation, enjoy a wonderful southern dinner (the first of many delicious meals), and then meet the students.
Fortunately many of my students had been there before, and knew their way around, so they were able to lead me to the quilting studio, a huge space that was fully equipped for some serious sewing (though most of my students brought their own machines).
There was enough space for all 12 students to each have their own table, design wall and cutting area, plus plenty of ironing boards. We even had room for full-size basting tables!
Day 1-2 Cutting and sewing. Once the students had settled in and organized their supplies, it was time to cut fabrics and learn some modern quilting basics (letting go of perfection, embracing asymmetry, discovering improvisational piecing.) Throughout the week it was fun getting to know the quilters and their various styles. As a teacher, I love to share my methods but I am so happy for each student to settle into her own process and find a comfortable work-flow.
Some of the Modern Logs blocks starting to emerge. I love all the fabric choices!
Day 3 – More block sewing and piecing the backs. Throughout the class I encouraged the students to work at their own pace. Some decided to make bigger quilts, others took their time with the process, and they all seemed to embrace the design possibilities in their backing.
Isn't this a great pieced backing?
Day 4 – Basting and machine quilting. This was the day that many had been waiting for, a chance to learn how to quilt their own quilts! They all agreed that they preferred spray basting hands-down to pin-basting and were pleased to learn some of my tips and tricks: such as smoothing each layer with a long ruler, applying spray to the top and backing (not the batting) and ironing the whole thing to set the glue. Each time a quilter finished her backing, several others came together to get it basted in mere minutes. It was quite the efficient process!
This combination of modern fabrics and nearly solids makes my heart sing!
Our week just happened to coincide with Southern Appalachian Modern Quilt Guild meeting, so several of the students and I were able to attend. We got to see inspiring show 'n tell, eat yummy treats and watch a wonderful slideshow recap of QuiltCon highlights. I even picked up a couple of great ideas to share with my local modern quilt guild (LVMQG).
Pam's SAMQG show 'n tell – her original woven fabrics pieced into a table runner.
Pam Howard is the Resident Weaver at the Folkschool and a member of the SAMQG. She was in my class and we became fast friends. She's experimenting with incorporating her hand-loomed fabrics into her quilts. Isn't that a cool idea?
Day 5 – The finish and closing ceremony. I am so proud of my students! After a full week of nearly-non stop quilting, smiles were aplenty as everyone got to display their work for the entire school to see. From basketry to woodworking, to tin-smithing, photography, soapmaking, beadwork and more, just about every craft you could think of was well-represented.
Several of the arts and crafts on display at the Folkschool Closing ceremony.
If you've never been to the Folkschool, I highly encourage you to visit. They run week-long classes year 'round and I can't wait to return!
For those of you near the Little Rock, Arkansas area, I will be teaching a shorter version of Modern Logs at the NQA 46th annual quilt show June 18-20, 2015 along with a few other classes. Click here for details.
I just made some new BQF's (best quilting friends) and I'd love to meet some more!
Don't think you are just limited to making it the exact same way as me. How about making it into a wall banner, or make a square version into a cute little wallhanging or pillow? Here are couple more inspiration images to get you started.
Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Sewing!