Slice and Insert!

One of the techniques mentioned in the new 'Quilting Modern' book recently reviewed by Hazel was 'Slice & Insert'. This is a technique I have been playing with recently so I thought I would share some of my projects with you.

I am working on a new liberated patchwork workshop sample inspired by one of my favourite Gee's Bend quilts. I decided to slice and insert a red strip into my liberated stars - I am really pleased with the effect.

 I have also used the technique on an orphan Civil War block. This was inspired by reading Rayna Gilman's latest book where she encourages us to chop up those orphan blocks. This one you may recognise as 'Birds in the air.' I know the fabrics are far from modern but bear with me as I think you might find the results interesting.

 First I sliced it diagonally and inserted a pale cream strip. Still boring, I know!

 But then I sliced again through the other two small triangles and rearranged the pieces - this is much better I think!

 Got any orphan blocks that could do with a makeover?

A Bloggers' Quilt Festival

This weekend I have visited the Malvern Quilt Show for the first time, I enjoyed the experience, bought far too much fabric, and viewed lots of great quilts. However I could not help but notice that there was a distinct lack of modern quilts on display. Sadly, I am not allowed to share any photos with you either as the organisers have brought in strict rules about not sharing photos on the internet.

But all is not lost, if you want to see loads of great quilts Amy, of Amy's Creative Side is hosting a Bloggers' Quilt Festival. You can view the quilts here and even enter if you are quick!




Also, do not forget the Harrogate Quilt Show 31st August - 2nd September, its our local show and I think we should enter some modern quilts don't you?

Closing date for entries is 5th July and  you can get an entry form here.

Fat Quarterly

We all like magazines right? But where do you find a magazine devoted to modern quilting, packed with inspiring projects and articles? Well, in my opinion you can't go far wrong with Fat Quarterly. It's an  emagazine aimed at modern quilters and I love it! To get a flavour of the magazine visit the blog page then check out the tutorials. 

Each issue has loads of projects on a theme such as 'Scraps', 'Fussy Cutting', 'Solids' and in the current issue 'Kids'. You can buy each issue, including back issues, individually for $8 or you can subscribe to 4 issues at a time for $28. In the current issue there are 17  quilt and sewing projects in a modern style plus several articles  a showcase of current fabrics, and a book review. The magazine can be viewed in a Flipbook format enabling pages to be turned on the screen and a one click zoom means you can see the text and pictures up close. You can also download the PDF version. Pages can be printed and the description of each issue on the site has sample pages to view before you buy.

2 of the 3 contents pages for issue 9

I was so impressed I decided to subscribe and within a few seconds of paying by Paypal I had automatically been logged in and had an email with my login details for future reference. Each issue also comes with a substantial list of discount vouchers for online fabrics stores ranging from 10 to 20% off purchases. Visit Trudi, The Prolific Quilter to see how she's making the most of her vouchers!

Now I just need to double the number of hours in every day to give me time to make some of these wonderful quilts! Let us know your favourite magazines, books and websites by leaving a comment below.

Hazel

P.S For Hexagon inspiration visit the Tuesday Quilters blog to see and read about Helene's amazing first quilt and how she swaps fabric with crafters around the world.

Quilting Modern Book Review

I was so excited when this book arrived from Amazon about 10 days ago and haven't stopped showing it to my quilting friends since! It's beautifully written and illustrated and has loads of inspiring techniques and projects. It covers 7 clever improvisational patchwork techniques and shows ways of applying those to quilt design.

The book is divided into eleven chapters and the first four are devoted to basic quilt making and design with advice on choosing tools and materials, actually sewing a quilt, choosing colours and backing and binding. All of this is very clearly laid out and explained with clear diagrams.

Chapters five to eleven are each devoted to an improvisational technique with basic instructions followed by three example projects. The techniques covered are:

Chapter 5: Free Piecing
Chapter 6: Improvisational Log Cabin
Chapter 7: Slice and Insert
Chapter 8: Stitch and flip triangles
Chapter 9: Strip piecing
Chapter 10: Modern crazy piecing
Chapter 11: Improvisational curves

The three projects in each chapter show how very different quilts can look using these techniques and range from full bed-sized quilts to cushions and table mats. Although the quilt projects can be completed exactly as the examples in the book the authors encourage you to have a go at creating your own designs too. Here are a few of my favourite quilts:

 I just love the simplicity of the black and grey and I'm itching to make my own version of this for one of the men in my life.

 Janet will tell you my usual reaction to the mention of 'crazy quilts' is the uttering of not very polite words - rather like her reaction recently to the mention of the word 'collage'!! The crazy piecing in this book is not at all like the Victorian examples to be found in museums and even I can see myself using this as in the beautiful quilt above.

 I enjoy piecing curves but they can be time consuming to cut and sew accurately. These improvised 'pods' are really fun to make.

Just to prove modern quilts do not have to have a large amounts of white or grey the last quilt in the book is a riot of colour - right up my street.

I was so enthused with the book I started straight away by making some improvised log cabin blocks using some hand dyed fabric I've been saving for a special project. I also tried the curved pods then used the scraps to make border strips:

I haven't pieced the blocks together yet (I got distracted this week by daughter's wedding planning) and I may add some more. I'll keep you posted on how I get on.

Anyway I can thoroughly recommend Quilting Modern and suggest you visit the author's blogs: Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio and Katie at Sew Katie Did to see more of their wonderful quilts.

Happy Stitching!

Hazel