Ryan Walsh Quilts

Split Pea, Sweet Potato & Ham Soup | Recipe Box

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:32:00 +0000

This is a recipe variation I've been working on for a few days that pays homage to one of my favorite Winter soups. Traditionally, you add carrot to split pea soup, but I decided to substitute another sweet vegetable we had left over from Thanksgiving. I love cooking sweet potatoes in savory dishes and this way was delicious! I opted not to process my soup in the blender after it was cooked to give it more texture.

Serve with sourdough rolls our croutons to give it an extra bite! You can add quick barley to enrich the nutritional value too.

Serves 6 to 8.

INGREDIENTS:

1 16 oz. package dried green split peas
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, diced
2 cups celery, diced
1 sweet potato, diced
1 medium ham steak, diced
2 32 oz. cartons low sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary*
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme*
1/4 teaspoon dried basil*
1/4 teaspoon dried citrus peel*
1 bay leaf

salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. To soften, soak split peas over night in a bowl with enough water to cover them.

2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, celery, sweet potato, salt & pepper. Cook until onions & celery are translucent and tender.

3. Add chicken broth, split peas, ham, garlic, bay leaf, & remaining herbs & spices. Simmer over low-medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes or until sweet potato and peas are tender.

4. Remove bay leaf and serve!

* I used Penzeys Mural of Flavor seasoning.

Have a great Sunday,

Curious Nature Quilt Update | More Peeks!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:23:00 +0000

The Curious Nature quilt is finished and I've got an appointment to drop it off to the long arm quilter tomorrow morning! I would love to show everyone photos of the whole quilt...

...but I can't do that right now. Sorry.

It has to be in the hands of the editors of Simple Quilts & Sewing (Quilt Magazine) by no later than the 9th! Eeek! Talk about cutting it close.

As soon as I find out when the quilt will appear in the magazine, I'll let you know.

On to the next project!

Happy quilting,

Quilting From Little Things... Blog Tour | Sarah Fielke

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

- Sarah Fielke, author Quilting From Little Things
Happy Wednesday everyone! Today we're discussing designer Sarah Fielke and her latest book, Quilting From Little Things. Newly available from Krause, this book celebrates Sarah venturing out as a solo author and discovering her own, unique style as a quilter.

Co author of the hugely popular books, Material Obsession & Material Obsession 2 (two of my absolute favorite eye candy quilt how to's) Sarah explains in her introduction that this book is a daring "journey of self discovery" and urges everyone to "find the courage to try something different." All of the projects in this book are shown in pairs: one in mini, or doll quilt size, and one full size inspired quilt. Sarah's reasoning behind this concept? It's simple, she feels that you'd be more apt to try a new technique or method if you weren't committing to a large project. Try something small, get comfortable with it, master the art before working on the larger scale.

Sounds real user friendly and encouraging, right? It is!

Here's a picture of Sarah working in her studio. She's lovely, right? She looks calm, peaceful and right at home. I'm sure all of us strive to be this relaxed and focused when working at our craft. To say that I don't have the biggest quilting crush on Sarah would be a lie. Her quilts and the way she mixes fabrics get me all hot and bothered, in a quilting sense. I love her to pieces.

I hope I can persuade you enough today to run out and buy a copy of Quilting From Little Things. If not for the awakened understanding of quilting you might obtain, but for the beautiful way this book is photographed. It's just as exciting visually as it is mentally. I may sound like a big quilt geek here, but Sarah doesn't disappoint with Little Things. The photography is right on par with the standards that were set in MO and MO2. Rich, bright quilts full of scrappy style in attractive settings. And plenty of close ups to get your mouth watering.

One of the main aspects of this book that I like so much is that it's written in first person for the majority of it. It's almost as if you're having a conversation with Sarah in her studio and she's telling you all about how she chooses fabrics. Her philosophy about using large scale prints, how she hardly uses any solids in her quilts... as each chapter progresses you get to know Sarah more and more. This book is real personal for her and gives the reader a peek into the reasoning behind her quilting process.

Ten pairs of projects ranging in difficulty from straightforward piecing to more than one complex technique required take you through different skills and descriptions like: Row by Row Construction, Strip Piecing, Deconstructed Piecing, Applique with Bias Strips, Flying Geese and Foundation Piecing, Inset Piecing, Needle-Turn Applique, Using Wedges, Step-Down Piecing, & Feathered Blocks. The instructions are clear cut and full of hand drawn diagrams.

And have I mentioned the GORGEOUS quilts?

The way she presents the material in this book is inspiring and the lessons she teaches are worth their weight in gold. This is not a straight forward, run of the mill quilting book. It's a tool to help you grow as a quilter and one, I'm sure, you'll be coming back to again and again! Sarah Fielke is a super talent in the quilting world and a wonderful teacher.

Thank you Sarah, for inviting me to participate in you blog book tour! It's an honor.

I want to leave you all with a quote from the book and one of the reasons why I believe Sarah and I would get along famously...

- Sarah Fielke, author Quilting From Little Things
... a woman after my own heart! Bless you, Sarah!

Here are several other sites talking about Quilting From Little Things...

Monday 28th November: Fat Quarterly & Amy Ellis

Tuesday 29th November: Thomas Knauer

Wednesday 30th November: Camp Follower Bags & Ryan Walsh Quilts

Thursday 1st December: The Happy Zombie & Moda Lissa

Friday 2nd December: Mrs Schmenkman Quilts & True Up

Saturday 3rd December: Pink Chalk Fabrics & Pam Kitty Morning

Sunday 4th December: Sew, Mama, Sew! & Pat Sloan

You can purchase your own copy of Quilting From Little Things at the Martha Pullen store. They're currently offering $5 off if you use the promo code QUILTLITTLE.

Happy quilting,

Pretty in Patchwork Holidays | ebook Available Now

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:26:00 +0000

I hope you are all having a restful Sunday and are on the mend to start another week at work beginning tomorrow.

Several months ago I was asked, along with my P2 design cohort Charlie, to design a project for an upcoming book to be published by Lark. My buddy John Adams was venturing out as a solo author, compiling a list of holiday themed projects. YAY John, CONGRATS DUDE!

Together, Charlie and I submitted several ideas for the book and one was accepted. A table runner featuring trees that Charlie had designed was given the go ahead with one condition...

They wanted us to make it into a tree skirt!

Our project, Trees All Around Tree Skirt appears on page 64.

Even though the softcover version of the book won't be available till Spring/Summer 2012, Lark is offering an ebook version for sale now here.

They've also officially announced the project on their blog and have a free PDF pattern for a Handmade Shopping List Holder by Terri of Sew Fantastic.

Look for more news about this book along with a personal interview with John right here on RWQ!

A Happy and Productive Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Things are getting back to normal in the Walsh household after all the activity from Thanksgiving. My wife's side of the family got together at their mother's house and we decided to make an appearance there this year. Luckily for us it is only a few blocks away, so with both kids in tow we didn't have much of a hectic travel time.

Friday was spent at home with the family and then back to Mandy's parents for dinner.

Today, however, I excused myself to the studio cave (with Mandy's permission, of course) and began sewing blocks for my Curious Nature quilt for Simple Quilts magazine. What a process! After one mistake was corrected in the quilting math, progress is being made. I hope to finish this up to send out to the quilters by the middle of next week. Photography is scheduled for the 8th of December!! Eeeep! I only received the fabrics a few days ago. Might need to quilt this myself depending on how long it takes me to finish.

I took a break during the middle of the day to make a bag from Jeni Baker's AWESOME drawstring bag tutorial for my Secret Santa Swap (#ssswap on twitter) partner. All the handmade presents I sewed and purchased fat quarters fit right inside perfectly!

Now I just need to wrap everything and send it off to my partner. Once I get a chance to take better pictures of everything I'll post an update here.

Rowan spent a little time with me in the studio too. Mandy sent him in for a "break." AKA: A time out. He was a little wound up from all the activity this weekend. We chatted a while during sewing and he settled down.

Hope you have a great Sunday!

Curious Nature by Parson Gray | Free Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:07:00 +0000

I got an exciting package in the mail a few days ago that I want to share with you all! My advance yardage of Curious Nature arrived for a project I'm working on with QUILT Magazine and Simple Quilts. The folks at QUILT and Free Spirit just recently gave me permission to begin blogging about the project. YAY! It's been in the works for a few weeks now and the design was finalized a few days ago so Westminster went ahead and shipped the fabric to me...

... and it's GORGEOUS!

I've only seen photos of this line by David Butler (Amy Butler's husband) in images of his booth from the recent Quilt Market. Thankfully, several of my friends were able to attend this year and posted photos on their blogs.

I can see myself ordering yardage of this line when it's released next year. It's printed on a great quality cotton. Something I've come to expect of all lines from Free Spirit/Westminster. I just love the colors.

I can't wait to show you photos of the project I'm working on, but nothing too revealing...

I think this last print is my favorite out of the entire line. It's called Cocoons The scale is nice and large. The individual "cocoons" are around 3.5" long.

Generation Quilt has a fun interview up with David on their website here.

Talk to you all soon!

Sew to Swap Blog Tour | Win A Copy!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Thanks for stopping by on my day for the Sew to Swap book blog tour. I was honored to be asked by author Chrissie Grace to contribute to this swap-inspired book along with 16 other amazing quilters. I'm also excited that I get to tell you a little more about the book today!

I had a great time exchanging fabric and making quilt blocks while getting to know everyone that participated a little more. Swapping at its essence is all about friendship, inspiration, trying new things, etc. and I think Chrissie did a wonderful job capturing that in Sew to Swap. I'm an avid swapper and I participate in dozens of swaps and bees every year. Whether it be embroidery pieces, fat quarters of fabric, mini quilts or simply blocks; I believe swapping is an integral part of where I am today as a quilter.

You'll see many beautiful illustrations scattered throughout the book by Ariel Eldridge along with detailed photos of the quilts we assembled. A unique aspect of the book that we all participated in is a feature called, Ask the Contributors. We were asked a series of questions by Chrissie like, "What's your favorite sewing notion or tool?" and "What's your all-time favorite swap?" Our answers to those and many other questions appear all over the book and once again establishes that "get to know you" aspect of the spirit of the book.

All the participants were asked to contribute to a certain number of swaps and I was fortunate enough to be included in:

The Diamond Block Swap

The Scrapbuster Swap

The Curvy Block Swap

As a collaboration between all of us to commemorate the swap, we exchanged signature blocks that were incorporated into this quilt.

The book is broken down into four distinct chapters: Get Ready to Swap, Super Small Swaps, Marvelous Medium Swaps, and Gorgeous Gigantic Swaps, and also discusses topics like basic sewing supplies; choosing fabrics; quilting, pressing, and piecing; backings, borders, and binding. It's an all around great read. Especially for someone who's looking to plan and get involved in quilt swapping.

If you'd like to win a copy of Sew to Swap, please leave a comment on this post letting me know you'd like to win. Feel free to let me know if you've ever participated in a swap and if you had a favorite one you were a part of.

As a bonus I'll even throw in a bag of scraps hand picked from the over flowing scrap tubs I keep in my studio.

Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted!

I will draw a winner using the Random Number Generator and announce them here in an upcoming post!

If you haven't yet, please feel free to visit the other contributors who participated in the blog tour.

November 7 Lovely Little Handmades

November 8 Stitches & Scissors

November 9 Cluck Cluck Sew

November 10 My Three Sons

November 11 Twin Fibers

November 12 Stitchy Quilt Stuff

November 13 The Creative Juices of Ariel

November 14 Texas Freckles

November 15 Quilt Dad

November 16 Artsy-Craftsy Babe

November 17 Little Miss Shabby

November 18 A Cuppa and a Catch Up

November 19 A Quilt is Nice

November 20 A Little Sweetness

November 21 House of A La Mode

November 22 Ryan Walsh Quilts

November 23 Little Bit Funky

November 27 In His Grace

You can purchase Sew to Swap now for just $14.99 ($10 off the retail price!) Visit the Martha Pullen Online Store and enter SEW2SWAP at checkout to receive the discount!

Happy quilting,

Pat Bravo Modernology Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Thanks for visiting RWQ over the past few days to read all about Pat Bravo's new line with Art Gallery Fabrics, Moderology! By all the enthusiastic comments I saw, many of you are looking forward to creating with Pat's new fabric.

As promised, 2 winners were chosen and here they are:

Winner #1 is comment #12, Chancy!

Winner #2 is comment #98, Shanon!

Thanks for playing along everyone! And thanks Pat for stopping by RWQ again! We love having you.

There's still more time to enter the Amanda Murphy pattern giveaway and read her feature here. I'll draw 2 winners on Wednesday!

Happy quilting,

Designer Spotlight | New Patterns from Amanda Murphy Design

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:13:00 +0000

On this edition of the RWQ Designer Spotlight series, fabric and pattern designer Amanda Murphy is here today to introduce her new patterns that were just released and will be available at your favorite fabric shop soon!

Amanda has added 8 new patterns to her portfolio that feature fabrics from her Swiss Chocolate and Veranda lines for Robert Kaufman. Several also include new fabrics from Laurie Wisbrun (Modern Whimsy) and Kona Solids.

I really enjoyed looking over the preview patterns Amanda sent to me. I think she has a great eye for modern design and came up with this clever poem to tell you all about her new patterns.

Be sure to click the links she included as they will take you to her blog and posts about each individual pattern!

"A big "thank you" to Ryan for inviting me to guest-blog,

Like many of you, of quilts I have a backlog.

So I thought I'd take a just minute or two,

To share some of my recent work with you.

I confess I have a crush on Kona, you see,

So designing for Robert Kaufman has been fortunate for me.

Such a wide range of colors I have in my stash -

If you came to my house we'd have a quilting bash!

That rainbow of colors covering my design wall

Inspired my new patterns debuting this fall.

First there's Bedazzled, where one block design attains

The illusion of several interlocking chains!

Make some changes and add another block in

And Beribboned arrives where Bedazzled had been.

And if you, by chance, have holiday travel plans,

Yo-yos for Bejeweled would occupy your hands,

For quilters like to stay busy, when the work involves sewing,

(Of cleaning and dusting I claim not to be knowing.)

Bejeweled features Modern Whimsy, which is colorful fun,

Make some matching yo-yos and you are almost done!

And then there are reprints - designs from the past -

Instructions for which people have repeatedly asked...

Garden Jewels features Veranda, a favorite of mine,

Flying geese and bright colors are simply divine.

Caramel and Cocoa is a modern bargello,

That is great for modern prints or your favorite fellow.

You can make Garden Sampler to display on a bed.

The big blocks are quick with fabric and thread.

Also perfect for lots of feature prints, I think,

Is Cafe Mocha - so fun to sew. (Or to drink!)

But which wins my heart? My blog friends could guess.

Beflowered is my favorite, I must confess.

Triangles, hexes, and lots of flowers,

Came together in a design that kept me busy for hours.

But it was so gratifying to see my design plans

Emerge from fabric I cut with my own hands.

And that is why I love quilters, you see.

They value their friends and their art (and they even put up with this poem from me).

There is no greater gift that a quilter can impart

Than to use someone's patterns to create their own art.

So on behalf of designers and in the spirit of celebration,

Thanks for giving life to our ideas with your creations!

Thanks again, Ryan, for inviting me to guest blog."

Thanks so much Amanda for visiting with me today. I hope everyone enjoyed your poem as much as I did.

If you'd like to win a bundle of Amanda's new patterns, please leave a comment on this post letting me know. Feel free to tell me what pattern is your favorite and what fabric you'd like to make it with!

Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted!

I will draw two winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here in an upcoming post!

For a second chance to win, please visit Amanda's blog because she'd also like to know what new pattern is your favorite!

All of Amanda's patterns will be available soon at the Fat Quarter Shop!

Happy quilting,

Designer Spotlight | Modernology by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:24:00 +0000

Designer Pat Bravo is returning to RWQ today to talk with us about her new line from Art Gallery Fabrics called Modernology!

Pat's really out done herself on so many levels for this collection; even breaking though some personal boundaries and trying out some new colors she hasn't gravitated toward in the past.

One of my favorite aspects of Modernology is the flavorful language Pat used to name the fabrics. Using words and phrases like, Contempo, A la mode, Posh, and Mod to describe her prints really give this line a flair for the dramatic. And when you see the lush colors ... let's just say it's a good thing you all are sitting down in front of your monitors.

BTW... have you visited the Art Gallery website recently? Right now, they have an awesome inspiration video highlighting Hyperial Garden.

I emailed Pat about a week ago to invite her for a visit and she quickly accepted! Here's what she had to say about Modernology:

"First of all, thank you Ryan for giving me the chance to be on your blog! It's always nice to get the opportunity to spread the word on my latest collections…

So this time, I'm introducing MODERNOLOGY (one of my personal favorites!)

Those who know me and are familiar with my designs and color palettes, probably know that I'm not that much into red and navy blue (to be honest, they used to give me the chills!) but when I first started sketching I started to sort of gravitate to those colors without really noticing… and a couple of weeks there you have it, intense cherry reds and deep navy blue mixed with uber-bright lime!

My inspiration for this collection was the Scandinavian modern lifestyle, with their clean lines and sophisticated simplicity. But of course I had to throw the big florals and intrinsicate lines in there! And as a result, this is what I got… what do you think?

I chose this collection to be featured on my showroom for Quilt Market, so we made a modern-ish quilt using the White Linen from the Pure Elements and prints from the Vogue Blue palette… along with some pillows and pillowcases to complete the look. Swear to God that bed looked so comfy we were all dying to take a nap there hahaha. Those who've been to Market know what I mean!

Oh and that's Martha wearing a caftan dress made with my new voile! (yeah, we gave the mannequin a name lol).

Isn't this dress the cutest little thing?

And the slippers? Someone actually wanted to buy them at Market! Haha! I love how the blue pops out against the white rug…

What do you guys think?? Any favorite prints already? Can you think of something you would make with Modernology?… Well you better cause I'm giving away TWO HALF YARD BUNDLES to Ryan's readers!"

WOW! Did you all hear that? Thanks so much for visiting Pat, and bringing gifts for my readers. We'd love to have you back any time!

If you'd like to win a bundle, Pat asks that you head over to Facebook and "LIKE" her Pat Bravo page. Please leave a comment on this post letting me know you "liked" her. Feel free to let me know what you'd like to make with it! Only one entry per person. All duplicate entries will be deleted!

I will draw several winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here in an upcoming post!

If you'd like to purchase Modernology yardage or precuts, it is available from the following sponsor shops:

Hawthorne Threads
Fat Quarter Shop

Happy quilting,

Craizee Corners Feature | Dresden Wedges Mug Rug

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! I'm visiting with Chef Sharon over on her blog today to celebrate Bonnie & Camille month. Please come join in all the fun.

Thanks for stopping by,

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour | X-Blox

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:29:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that today is the day Charlie and I participate in the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog tour! Our original block, X-Blox appears on page 64 of their newest edition (vol 4). You can read a little of the post and see the block by clicking on the link to the P2 website below.

Charlie and I are so excited and honored to have a block in Volume 4 of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine. We're both huge fans of the publication and love all the inspiration contained in each issue; not only for the mass of swaps we participate in every year, but for the wide range of fabrics and block styles represented. Yes, it's true, Quiltmaker's 100 is a great resource for quick and easy bee block patterns!

... to read more and win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Volume 4, please visit the P2 blog.

Have a wonderful day,

Trendy Tuesday | Houndstooth!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Reminiscent of the "jagged back teeth of a hound," houndstooth is a common example of a tessellated pattern; or a mosaic of shapes that when placed together create no overlaps or gaps. A honeycomb is an example of a tessellation as are many works by the artist M. C. Escher.

Originating in Scotland at an unrecorded time and cycling itself with comebacks every decade it seams, houndstooth has started making an appearance again in quilting fabrics and patterns. Companies like Westminster/Freespirit have released house-designed, complete lines of houndstooth in multiple colorways as shown below.

Moda/United Notions have also released at least two lines during 2011 with houndstooth. Sophie by Chez Moi in August.

And Etchings by 3 Sisters in September which features a teeny tiny, mini rendition.

My personal favorite is the larger houndstooth fabric from Paula Prass' 2009 Summer Soiree for Michael Miller.

Considered a classic and timeless design, houndstooth is spotlighted throughout the fashion world and placed on a multitude of consumables. From Swiss Army Knives, to Umbrellas and all sorts of clothing, we can expect this pattern to pop up for a long time to come.

What do you think of Houndstooth? Would you use the print in a quilt? Have you? We all want to know! Please tell us about your experiences incorporating a houndstooth print into a project.

A neat piece of trivia about houndstooth: newscasters or individuals who are often filmed are advised not to wear houndstooth patterns on air. The pattern creates problems with the sampling in the lens while filming and produces an effect known as "strobing."

Happy quilting,

Sunday Stash | Urban Chiks Jelly Rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:45:00 +0000

I was digging through my precuts this weekend and came across these jelly rolls, all by the Urban Chiks for Moda (who are incidentally two in-house designers, Alison Scully and Holly Hickman). They are quite possibly some of my all time favorite lines from Moda and I can't bear to cut into any of them. Swell being at the top of my list, followed by 1974, Hullabaloo and Blossom. The only two I don't have are Sweet and Dream On. Gotta hunt those down I guess...

It will take a special project to get me to open any of them. What are some of the fabrics in your stash you can't seem to gather the will to cut into?

Palette of the Week | Mustard, Teal & Grey

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:03:00 +0000

Inspired by Amy Butler's new line Lark Sateen and the rich colors of the collection, I gathered a group of fabrics playing off the teal in her Souvenir print.

I hope you like, because I do! A lot ...

Row 1:
Lizzy House/Outfoxed - Outfoxed in Yellow
Sandi Henderson/Meadowsweet 2 - Daisy Path in Robins Egg
Amy Butler/Lark Sateen - Souvenir in Mineral

Row 2:
Joel Dewberry/Heirloom - Opal in Jade
Jenean Morrison/Silent Cinema - Iris in Yellow
Dena Fishbein/Taza - Ribbon Damask in Neutral

Row 3:
Laura Gunn/Magnolia Lane - Geometric in Aqua
Zoe Pearn/Sweet Nothings - Sweet Dots in Blue
Creative Thursday/Meet the Gang - Friends in Yellow

Have any of these fabrics in your collection? Please feel free to upload projects you've made using this grouping in the Ryan Walsh Quilts Flickr Group.

Winners! We Like Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:17:00 +0000

This post has been many months in the making...

So, who wants some free fabric?!?

It is my pleasure to announce the winners of my recent giveaways!

Winners of a charm pack of Hometown by Sweetwater, generously donated by Kimberly of Fat Quarter Shop are:

Comment #77, Robin!

Comment #122, Erin!

Comment #228, Lindsay!

Comment #129, Mainer!

Thanks for donating prizes to those lucky winners, Kimberly!

Winners of a charm pack of Storyboek by Jay-Cyn Designs, generously donated by Cynthia of Fabric Worm are:

Comment #20, Cass!

Comment #89, Bobbi!

Thanks for donating prizes to the winners, Cynthia!

Winners of a mini charm pack of Terrain by Kate Spain, generously donated by Kate are:

Comment #114, Diane!

Comment #69, blund!

Comment #62, Linda!

Comment #212, Vera!

Thanks Kate for donating prizes to the winners!

Winner of an autographed copy of Modern Basics by Amy Ellis, generously donated by Amy of Amy's Creative Side is:

Comment #83, Jennie!

Thanks so much for donating a book to one of my readers, Amy!

CONGRATS to all the winners! Look for an email from me asking you to claim your prize.

All winners were chosen using the Random Number Generator.

Have a good weekend,

Author Interview & Review | Modern Basics by Amy Ellis

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Author and co-founder of the Sewing Summit, a sewing and blogging conference for the modern sewist, Amy Ellis has made a name for herself in the quilting stratosphere with the release of her book, Modern Basics: Easy Quilts to Fit Your Budget, Space, and Style. Published earlier this year by That Patchwork Place, an imprint of Martingale & Company, Amy's book celebrates the creative person who lives in a busy household. For those of you who tell yourselves, "I don't have the time or space to quilt," yes you do!

In her book Amy showcases 14 different quilt projects each constructed from one repeating block design. Beautifully photographed and filled with great tips, Modern Basics would make the perfect gift for a beginner or someone who's interested in quilting, but needs a little nudge to take the leap. We all know that quilting can get overwhelming sometimes, even inconvenient. To help, Amy includes several tips throughout her book about topics like design walls, choosing fabrics, organizing your projects and encourages you to enjoy the process.

Filled to the brim with 63 pages of original, contemporary quilt designs I recommend this book to non-quilters, confident beginners, all the way up to advanced quilters looking to share their love of quilting with the younger generation. I encourage you to grab a copy of Modern Basics today. You or someone you know might just be inspired to make your very first quilt!

A few months ago I had the opportunity to email Amy a few questions about her book. Here's a transcript of the interview:

RWQ: Thanks for talking with me today Amy. Modern basics is a wonderful book for people looking to fit quilting in their busy schedules. In your introduction you mention most often the people who say they don’t have time to quilt are most in need of a creative outlet. Would you say this book came about because of your own need to express yourself creatively while trying to manage a busy household?

Absolutely! My house is non-stop, like so many other moms, yet I have this deep desire, or need to create on a regular basis. I’m fortunate enough to stay home with our four kids (3 in school this year), and am so thankful, as it has afforded me opportunities I never could have dreamed of!

RWQ: How long have you been quilting Amy? What design/fabrics did you use for your first quilt?

My oldest is eleven now, and that’s how long I’ve been quilting. I used simple charms, but living in Southern California at the time, I skipped the batting, didn’t want her to overheat! Next I moved on to tiny 9-patches alternated with a white on white fabric - simple and fun! I didn’t learn about designer fabrics for a few more years, so those were made with less quality fabrics. I learned to sew garments as a girl, and love the methodical process of quilting now, as it is the only thing that stays done around our house.

RWQ: My favorite quilt in your book is the Basic Puzzle featured on page 33. Can you tell us how that design came about?

Basic Puzzle is one of my favorites too! I actually was watching Project Runway, and I saw a wall in one of the apartments that had wood in the same shape repeated. I had to pause the tv, and grab my sketch pad! From there it was just a matter of getting the proportions to a size that I liked, and sorting out the puzzle as I pieced it!

RWQ: What quilt in your book was the most fun for you to make?

Hmm, that’s tough! Modern Maze narrowly wins over a couple others. It’s a simple quilt to piece, yet it’s so dynamic! I remember staying up, even later than planned, to watch it come together into a quilt top.

RWQ: What is your most favorite part of the quilting process, what is your least favorite part?

I love finishing the binding (by hand) and watching the final product as it transforms into a quilt, finally. My least favorite is cutting, but only because my back usually hurts when I’m done! I need a taller table.

RWQ: Are you a one quilt at a time type of person or do you have multiple projects going on at once?

Both! Usually I’m working on my next deadline, while something fun is catching my eye in my fabric drawer. So I try to stay focused, and get what needs to be done, done. However, while working on the quilts in my book, I learned I was faster when I simultaneously pieced three quilts, instead of cutting one, piecing one.

RWQ: When you design a quilt do you already have the fabrics in mind that you want to use or do you select fabrics after the design is complete?

In the last year, I’ve started designing in solids first, then once I’ve found the right overall look for the pattern, I’ll add in fabrics until I have it just right. Instead of a sketch pad, I’m now designing on the computer, which makes this so much fun! I’m always designing something new, and when I see a group of fabrics I like, I look over my designs to see which I like best for it.

RWQ: Please tell us about the Bloggers’ Quilt Festival you host. I always enjoy visiting your website, more so during Quilt Festival time!

Bloggers’ Quilt Festival is my bi-annual event scheduled around Quilt Market, for bloggers to showcase their current favorite quilt! I love reading the stories behind the quilts, so often the making of a quilt is emotional, or healing in some way to the maker. And quilts are always made with love, so having that understanding, makes each quilt even more special! And that is what I always find lacking when I walk the halls full of quilts at a “live” festival - the emotional connection. Anyway, any one can join, there’s no judging, just a fun community of quilters, sharing, and connecting with one another. Oh, and I have fantastic sponsors each time, with an abundance of giveaways!

Visit Amy's Creative Side during the week of October 28th thru November 4, 2001 to see the quilts featured in this seasons festival!

The first Sewing Summit has come and gone. Amy shares with us a little insite about the included activities:

"Earlier this month a group of 200 sewists gathered in downtown Salt Lake City, for a non-stop weekend! The Sewing Summit is the brain child of myself and my partner Erin - we planned, and made decisions for an entire year before the event came to fruition. It was an amazing time - imagine a room full of your blogging friends, whom you've never met, but "know". There were lots of nervous butterfly's the first evening, but once everyone started chatting, the rest of the weekend was a blur of activity! We offered classes in garment, bag and quilt construction; with lots of inspiration in every class. I hope you will make plans to join us next year!"

Links :
Amy's Sewing Summit Recap
Official Sewing Summit Recap
Erin Singleton's Website (Co-Founder)

To learn more about Amy and her book, Modern Basics: Easy Quilts to Fit Your Budget, Space, and Style, please visit www.amyscreativeside.com. Amy has generously offered a copy of her book to one of my lucky readers! If you'd like to win, please leave a comment on this post. Only one entry per person. All duplicate entries will be deleted!

I will draw several winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here in an upcoming post!

You can purchase a copy of Modern Basics at the Fat Quarter Shop!

Happy quilting,

A Block For Amy & Sarah

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:35:00 +0000

Back in August, fellow quilting blogger and friend Sarah Fielke put a call out for anyone who would like to participate in a special project for her friend, Amy of Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts. Amy's husband Dan, a well known Rolling Stone writer and techno Journalist, passed away on August 29th.

I was compelled to make a block for Amy's quilt after reading a post she wrote the day Dan died.

Sarah's idea was to have everyone make baseline themed blocks because of Dan's influence and participation in the music industry. The block is on its way to Quilt Market with John who offered to pass it along to Sarah. Thanks John.

Amy, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time after Dans passing.

Designer Spotlight | Terrain by Kate Spain for Moda

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Designer Kate Spain is returning today to speak with us about her newest collection, Terrain, just released from Moda Fabrics. Boasting a robust palette of jewel tones, foliage, and a small hint of geometrics, this collection is quickly becoming a favorite of many and would look wonderful included in any Fall project you may have planned.

I caught up with Kate via email recently and asked her what her inspiration was for Terrain. This is what she had to say:

"Thanks for inviting me over to your blog, Ryan! I am so excited to have a chance to share some of the inspiration for Terrain with your readers.

It’s hard to believe, but it was over a year ago that the very first sketches I did for this line appeared on paper. It’s always fun to look back at them and see the progression from the very beginning to the fabric here on my shelf. You can see traces of some of these same shapes/motifs resonating in patterns such as Stonecrop, Footpath, Aster, Seedpod and Dahlia.

The color palette and theme for Terrain emerged on a hike with my husband as summer transitioned to autumn with fruits and flowers sprinkling the landscape in vibrant hues. We have a favorite trail we like to hike in northwestern Connecticut that meanders through fern-covered woods, across open fields of wildflowers, and over pebble-studded streams. The various "terrains" struck me with their unique colors, textures, foliage and blooms that i knew i wanted to incorporate some of these ideas and forms into my designs. The name for the collection came almost immediately.

I also knew Terrain was going to be a fall collection, but i really wanted to highlight that fall is a season filled with vibrant color. On our walk, and even in our garden, I noticed how some flowers fade to softer versions of themselves and others become even more saturated in their appearance as the cooler weather sets in. The colors I eventually selected were from seasonal plants/fruits such as hydrangea, dahlias, sedums, hosta, moss and apples.

These are some photos I took of the natural colors that inspired the line:

And here is how they "stacked up" when they finally made it to fabric:

The Terrain precuts (shown below) feature the Stonecrop print as the cover fabric, inspired by the intricate blooms of the sedum plant. I consider this and Forest Floor as the signature prints for the collection since many of the supporting prints were derived from these two.

Here’s a close-up of Forest Floor, Aster, and Seedpod.

Seedpod was inspired by the shape of the milkweed plant as it sends its seeds off with the wind.

One of the things I am thrilled about with this line is that there are many exciting possibilities for color combinations. You can pull the blues, teals, and greens to make something in a harmonious and cool palette, or extend the range to include a pop of orange or bright pink. No matter how you combine them, these colors sing! Here is a picture of two quilts I've made with Terrain.

For Spring Quilt Market 2011, I designed the “Stepping Stones” quilt as a project sheet for Moda to go with the collection. It's offered as a free download from here or here! I had some amazing help from Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life and Judi Madsen of Green Fairy Quilts who collaborated to make a sample of this quilt that hung in the Moda booth. These two women are so talented and I am grateful for their incredible work that brought this quilt to life.

Since the release of Terrain only a couple weeks ago, there are already a bunch of beautiful sewing projects that have popped up in my flickr group and i've had the pleasure of featuring a few on my blog recently as well. I encourage people to share what they make so we can all see (and oooh and ahhh)!

I am also really excited that Moda selected 2 combinations of prints from Terrain that will come in double-sided quilted fabric which would be perfect for quick quilts, lightweight slumber party sleeping bags, or pre-quilted totes. And there are also 3 prints that will come in coated fabric that is great for tote bags, table covers, place mats, or anything you'd like to be able to wipe clean. So many possibilities!

I really can't wait to see what people make with Terrain and hope that they are inspired, excited and have lots of fun sewing with it!

Thank you, Ryan. See you again...soon! *wink*"

All photos and images are © Kate Spain. Reproductions in any form are prohibited.

Kate, it's always a pleasure to speak with you. Thanks for allowing me to share this information with my readers.

Kate sent me several mini charm packs of Terrain to give out. If you'd like to win, please leave a comment on this post. Feel free to let us know what you'd like to make with it! Only one entry per person. All duplicate entries will be deleted!

I will draw several winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here in an upcoming post!

If you'd like to purchase Terrain yardage or precuts, it is available from the following sponsor shops:

Fat Quarter Shop
Hip Fabric

Happy quilting,

Announcing the NEW and IMPROVED Designer Spotlight Feature!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:50:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I apologize that the posts have been so sporadic as of late. It seems I'm going in many directions and a lot of my time is spent emailing and coordinating. I can't seem to find the time to actually sit and post and pass all the info along. I'm working on it...

Today, I want to announce the second of many new additions I have planned for the RWQ blog.

I've been struggling for the longest time trying to think of how to bring you MORE information about the latest and greatest fabrics. It just seems there aren't enough weeks in the year to fit in everything I want to show you. I think its not only important to show you the fabric, but to actually include a personal note from the designer to help you get a better understanding/appreciation of the line.

The Designer Spotlight series has appeared here in the past when I wanted to share an interview with a designer who's fabrics weren't carried in my main sponsor's catalog. I've decided to bring it back as a permanent fixture where I'll quickly introduce an upcoming/new line and bring you a small amount of information that the designer wishes to pass along to you guys! This format will be particularly great for returning designers who we've already featured. This way we can focus on the fabric and what inspired it.

The possibilities are endless and hopefully the posts will be many! This will also be a more sponsor friendly post as I can list which sponsors are carrying (or will carry) the featured line. I've been getting A LOT of feedback from folks with concern that I am featuring a particular sponsor more than the others. I've taken this in to consideration and am working to make the appropriate changes. So, if you are a fabric shop and want to become a sponsor, now is the time! Feel free to check out my sponsor area and give me a shout.

Did everyone enjoy the Fall Magazine Review Special last week? I had so much fun writing it. My new magazine review post will return every month and I've been working hard to get publisher participation. So please look for specials and RWQ exclusives from your favorite magazines soon!

A new book review series will debut in the next few weeks. I'm currently working with 3 authors and have signed up for several blog hops to celebrate the release of new titles.

Speaking of books, did you see that Sew to Swap by Chrissie Grace is now available on Amazon? I contributed to this great book along with many other talented bloggers. Have you ever wondered how you can go about starting your own online block swap? This book has several projects and instructions for creating and facilitating a swap. Neat, right? You can order a copy here.

I'm currently working with my graphic designer on a complete website overhaul including an all new magazine-like format. It will be easier to navigate and completely customizable.

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll share the first new Designer Spotlight post featuring Kate Spain and Terrain for Moda Fabrics! Kate was generous enough to send along a few prizes to share too!

And if you think I forgot about the last few giveaway drawings, I haven't. I'll post the winners this weekend. Promise ...

See you tomorrow morning!

Fall Magazine Review Special

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Did someone say Fall?

That's right! The Fall issues of your favorite magazines are hitting the news stands now. I've done my best to scour them all to let the RWQ readers know what's hot and what's interesting.

Welcome to the very first RWQ magazine review special!

The Fall 2011 edition of Fabric Trends was surprisingly lacking a certain male quilter's name this month. Mark, where did you go? We miss you when you're not around...

Filled with 11 projects and several well written profiles, the cover quilt this issue features Joel Dewberry's new line, Heirloom.

Included among the pages is a designer profile of Joel on page 28. In the article Joel's wife Laurie is quoted as saying, "[I will change] the entire decorating scheme in our living room just so I can make Joel's [Heirloom reupholstered] chairs work in there!" Wow, now that's what I call dedication! A pattern of the cover quilt is available on page 24.

Other items of note in this issue: A designer profile on page 64 of Mark Cesarik. Mark and his fiance Cara talk about their first trip to Spring Quilt Market 2011 in Salt Lake City, UT, and how Cara was the inspiration for him getting into fabric design. You may remember Mark was a guest on Fat Quarter Shop Friday. You can read my interview with him here.

Deborah Moebes of Whipstitch Fabrics presents an article on page 78 about the failed cotton crop in China and the importance of shopping at your local quilt shop.

Fun projects in this issue and some fabrics you may recognize: An article titled, "5 Fun Projects for a Fall Weekend" on page 14. Miscellany Organic Cotton by Cloud9 fabrics is highlighted in a quick lavender sachet project. A pattern for an e-reader cover features Mark Cesarik's Calypso Swing for Free Spirit. Indygo Junction's Tech Pocket & Portfolio pattern is shown using Geo Grand Organic by Daisy Janie.

Fabric Trends, Fall 2011 is available on news stands now until 12/13 for $6.99.

From the editors of Quilt Magazine comes a Winter 2011 special, Simple Quilts & Sewing. 36 projects are highlighted throughout and several fun crafts using modern fabrics.

The editors kick things off with the stunning and oh-so-contemporary "Gone Fishin'" cover quilt on page 8.

This quilt designed by Pamela Goecke Dinndorf makes good use of vintage shirting cotton and stripes and is definitely on my manquilter holiday wish list.

Past Fat Quarter Shop Friday Guest, Pat Bravo (interview here) has two projects included. Her "Roll With It" bolster pillows pattern appears on page 28. Featuring several of her lines from Art Gallery Fabrics, these fun pillows are a great alternative to their square cousins. Pat's second project on page 56 is called "Little Fashionsta." Utilizing her Dreaming in French line, Pat put together this cute bag pattern for a special little girl who's growing up way too fast. A kit for the bag with fabric only is available through the Fat Quarter Shop.

RWQ sponsor Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works has a quilt featured on page 36. "All Stacked Up" is the perfect quilt to use up your leftover scraps. Take a closer look at the photo and you will see Jackie used strips of fabric in the binding as well as in the body of the quilt!

Looking for something to do with old pairs of jeans? The thrifty project featured on page 40 by Jenny Wilding Cardon utilizes 3 pairs of "retired" blue jeans to create a classic "Tic-Tac-Toe" game!

Jan Di Cintio of Daisy Janie introduces her Market Fresh Tote on page 76. Her pattern features a quick way to transform a fat quarter into a reusable fruit and veggie carrier.

All in all, this issue is filled to the brim with quick gift projects you can make and give for the upcoming holidays. Well worth the spendy price they ask for the publication.

Simple Quilts & Sewing, #122 Winter 2011 is available on news stands now until 01/16 for $9.95.

Quiltmaker's Fall 2011 Small Quilts and Gifts features 13 original projects by several quilting celebrities including Jo Morton and Jennifer Chiaverini.

Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet fabric is a great addition to the background of an adorable modern Holiday table runner featuring nesting Santa's called "Nesting Nicks" by Diane Harris on page 22. I also recognize the border fabric she used in her project from Denise Schmidt's 2011 DS Quilts Collection for JoAnn Fabrics.

Fellow blogger Vickie Eapen has a neat "Sew Petite Pouch" pattern on page 51 featuring half hexagons. Her clear instructions will have you stylishly toting around your sewing projects in no time.

Make several to give as gifts this year!

On page 30 you can find a simple, modern "Tannenbaum Forest" wall hanging by Electric Quilt designer Heidi Kory. A strictly geometric triangular design with appliqued circles, this project is great for the modern quilt lover. Quiltmaker has bonus content for this pattern on their website for readers and EQ users.

Looking for a fun Spring table topper? Canadian blogger Sonja Callaghan put together this adorable paper pieced "Carrot Topper" and shares her pattern on page 46. I hear Sonja has an adorable woodland paper pieced project in the upcoming Nov/Dec 2011 issue!

All of the projects featured in the magazine would look wonderful in modern, colorful fabrics and with the large assortment of new, original projects I recommend getting a copy of this one!

Quiltmaker's Fall 2011 Small Quilts and Gifts is available on news stands now until 11/14 for $6.99.

One of my absolute favorite seasonal publications is Stitch Magazine by Interweave Press. The Fall 2011 issue just arrived and is loaded with 38 projects and a hand full of useful and informative articles.

Look for a piece on page 20 written by Alissa Haight Carlton giving you a behind the scenes peek at everything Project Runway. In her article, Alissa interviews several past winners of the reality television show, including season 7 winner, Seth Aaron Henderson, season 8 winner Gretchen Jones, and season 1 winner Jay McCarroll.

Nicole Smith shares an instructional how-to article on page 12 called "Seams Right." A really well written and photographed tutorial piece, Nicole shares instructions for how to accomplish 6 common sewing seams including traditional, corner, flat-felled, bias-bound, french, and welt. This lesson is a great addition for anyone's sewing arsenal.

A one page interview with Thomas Knauer, fabric designer for Andover appears on page 8. In this touching article by Tricia Waddell, Thomas opens up about family and his second career as a surface and textile designer due to being ill with a rare neuromuscular disorder.

Thomas' first line with Andover called Pear Tree will release later this year. The article includes a sneak peek at some of the fabrics.

Rachel Hauser who blogs at Stitched in Color, shares a fun, modern "Alphabet Soup Quilt" on page 109 that's great for gift giving. The quilt can showcase the first letter of a child's name. Rachel says the quilt was inspired by none other than what else? A bowl of alphabet soup!

Projects in this edition for friend, baby and canine include fabrics from Cloud9 (Kimono Baby Swaddle page 84, Nested Storage Boxes page 129), Ty Pennington (Double-Bolster Dog Bed page 85), Anna Maria Horner (Studio Satchel page 92), and many more!

I always think of this magazine as more of a book or mini publication. Well worth the price tag. Stitch Fall 2011 is available on news stands now for $14.99.

See you in a few days for more current issue magazine reviews and a new edition of Fat Quarter Shop Friday!

Quilt Uber-Fest Block 6 | Watch Over Me by Ryan Walsh

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Happy Thursday everyone! Today is my stop on the Quilt Uber-Fest train! Are you all having fun following along? Yesterday Amy shared a beautiful block she called Home. If you didn't yet see her block, please check in and let her know what you think.

If you're reading this and saying, "What the heck is Quilt Uber-Fest?!?", you can check out Scott's intro post here. There you will find the whole schedule. Each day, 16 different bloggers will be hosting a different block design that will eventually end up together in one quilt. Neat, right?

The fabrics used in all the blocks are selections from Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty line for Free Spirit Fabrics, Kaffe Fassett's Wovens, and a solid of our choice.

The block I chose to make includes a log cabin center and several half square triangle blocks (or HSTs) arranged around it.

Without getting into too much detail the basic premise for my block is this: In her interview with Scott here, Nel was explaining the fantasy and childhood story of Sleeping Beauty that inspired her line. Picture a princess locked away from the outside world, surrounded by beauty she can’t see, waiting for her prince to rescue her. I interpreted her interview into my block.

From one view you can see an eye peering at you watching. The world seeing sleeping beauty, if you will. From another view you can quite literally see sleeping beauty on her bed (as depicted by the log cabin center of my block), the tower walls surrounding her, and 4 squares on each corner all representing her rescuers.

I call my block, Watch Over Me. You can download a copy of the PDF instructions here.

Please be sure to post a photo of the block you make in the Quilt Uber-Fest Flickr Pool! Lots of great blocks are already appearing in the group. Great job everyone!

Thanks again, Scott for inviting me along for the ride! Please go visit Scott's blog tomorrow (October 7) where he will be posting block 7!

Happy quilting,

Ryan's French Onion Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:06:00 +0000

There's nothing better than a nice bowl of soup on a crisp fall day. Make yourself a pot of this French Onion Soup, curl up on the couch, pop in a movie and RELAX! This is my own personal recipe that I developed after testing many others.

And the best part ... It's EASY!!

Ryan's French Onion Soup

serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

5 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 sweet onions, sliced thin
2 red onions, sliced thin
1 32 oz. carton low sodium beef broth
1 32 oz. carton low sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup red wine
2 tablespoons low sodium Worcestershire sauce
3 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 whole garlic clove
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

4 slices french bread
8 slices provolone cheese
4 slices Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions and salt. Cook until onions are translucent and tender.

2. Add chicken broth, beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme, garlic and bay leaf to the onions. Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes. Reduce heat and add balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. Discard herb sprigs, garlic and bay leaf.

3. Broil the French bread slices in the oven until well toasted. Rub with discarded garlic and some olive oil if desired prior to toasting.

4. Arrange 4 oven safe bowls on a cookie sheet, fill with onion soup. In each bowl place a slice of toasted French bread and top with 1 slice of Swiss and 2 slices of provolone cheese.

5. Broil in the oven for several minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve right away, but be careful cuz it's HOT!!

I'd love to hear what you think if you give my recipe a try.

Have a great weekend!

Sewing with the Boys!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:37:00 +0000

The boys are always curious about what I'm doing while sitting behind my machine. Each of them got a turn tonight to sit in my chair and see the machine up close.

As soon as they are 8, I'll be starting them on quilting lessons!

Have a happy Friday!

Ryan's Holiday Ribbon Block - Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be hosting a block for the Quilting Gallery's Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along. Thanks for joining me today and thanks to Michele for inviting me to the group.

Fall and Winter are my two favorite seasons because some of my absolute favorite holidays occur right smack dab in the middle of them. Halloween and Christmas, respectively. I go crazy decorating the house for both holidays and occasionally have been known to keep my Halloween swag displayed year round. True story!!

When I think of Christmas, the song "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews comes to mind. I immediately picture wrapped packages tied in ribbons of different colors, snow falling outside a frosty window and entryway doors adorned in wreaths of green pine and sleigh bells. Ahhh, such a wonderful time of year.

I chose to share with you a ribbon block in honor of the aforementioned Julie Andrews song. Those of you who read my blog regularly know I LOVE to reproduce vintage quilt blocks in modern, colorful fabrics. This simple yet retro block is a quick-to-piece project and would look great in any fabric.

Make several and put them together for a one block weekend quilt project.

Ryan's Holiday Ribbon Block

Each block will consist of the following fabrics:

2 prints
1 solid

Step 1 - Cut the fabrics

From the solid fabric, cut 1 square 7 1/2" x 7 1/2".

Decide which fabric will be the top ribbon and which fabric will be the bottom ribbon.

From the bottom ribbon fabric, cut 1 square 7 1/2" x 7 1/2"

From the top ribbon fabric, cut 2 squares 7" x 7".

Step 2 - Assemble Your Block

Using a pencil or pen, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of your solid 7 1/2" square and both of your 7" x 7" squares.

Layer both your 7 1/2" fabric squares right sides together (your solid and bottom ribbon fabrics) and sew diagonally, corner to corner, a scant 1/4" from the diagonal drawn line on each side.

Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut the block apart on the diagonal line.

Press the two half square triangle blocks open and trim them to measure 7" x 7".

Layer your remaining two 7" fabric squares (your top ribbon fabric) and half square triangle blocks right sides together so the drawn line lies in the opposite direction of the seam line. Sew diagonally, corner to corner, a scant 1/4" from the diagonal drawn line on each side.

Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut the blocks apart on the diagonal line.

Press your four quarter square triangle blocks open and trim them to measure 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".

Arrange your quarter square triangle blocks to create your ribbon pattern as shown in the photo below.

Using a scant 1/4" seam, sew the blocks together as shown in the photos below.

Finished block should measure 12 1/2" square.

Use several prints of your favorite line and make multiple blocks to assemble this throw.

Quilt block and quilt images use Flurry by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics.

Don't forget to upload you block images to the Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along Flickr Group!

Happy quilting,