Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

MYSTERY QUILT STEP #9

2011-10-05T14:27:00.008-06:00

FINISHING IT UP!!

This is it! Just the last two borders and this one will be ready for quilting!

Make sure your quilt top is pressed very well!

Cut two of the 1 1/2 inch strips in half. Sew one half to each of the remaining four full strips. Lay two stripS across the center of the quilt top. Trim edges even with the quilt top. Sew to opposite sides of the quilt top, easing the quilt top into border, if necessary. Press towards border.

Repeat for the remaining two strips.

Add the four focus fabric border pieces in the same manner.

Here is a closeup...I just thought you might like to see how cute this border fabric is! I have had it in my stash for awhile, just waiting for the right project and the right baby..... I am anxious to get this one to the quilter. With white batting, the shadows of the seam allowances will disappear, and I think the contrast between the light and the light/medium fabric will show up more.

Here is another version of the quilt, with a Michael Miller Christmas fabric and Fairy Frosts. As you can see, in this quilt there is much more contrast between the light and the light/medium. This just came back from the quilter yesterday, so I haven't added binding yet.

To finish it up, layer and quilt as desired. (Or do like I do....send it off to the quilter...)

To bind it, join the seven 2 1/2 inch strips of DARK fabric, end to end, to form a long binding strip. Attach to quilt in your preferred method!

DONE!

NAME THIS QUILT CONTEST!!

2011-10-04T13:25:00.002-06:00

This beautiful new design by artist Brenda Yirsa needs a name! Do you have a suggestion? If so, please email the name (and yours!) to traci@bigforkbaycottonco.com by midnight, October 15th. You must email your name....we won't be checking comments here. After we have accumulated all of your suggestions, we will send them to Brenda and she will choose a name.

The first person to submit the winning name will receive a free fabric kit with pattern. Anyone else who submits the winning name will receive a free pattern!

You can enter as many times as you'd like!

GOOD LUCK!

MYSTERY QUILT STEP #8

2011-09-07T10:51:00.009-06:00

This is a really quick step! You will use the strips you pieced in step 3.....

Sew the two shorter strips to opposite sides of the quilt top. Press towards the quilt top.

Sew the remaining two strips to the other sides of the quilt top. Press towards the quilt top.

MYSTERY QUILT STEP #7

2011-08-12T07:17:00.013-06:00

How is everyone doing? Did you get your blocks put together? This month we're going to put them together with some simple sashing and cornerstones. It may appear that we are at the end, but we have a little more finishing up to do. I know it is a busy time of year with summer winding down and families getting ready for school. This is a quick step!

BIG OOPS on my part. Do you know how I usually take photos as I go along? Well I did do that this time. However, I didn't notice until I took the very last photo that I didn't have an SD card in my camera! So you will notice that the first two photos are cropped from the final one, which leaves a "little extra" around the edges. I think it's still clear enough what to do....

Subcut the eight 2 1/2 inch LIGHT/MEDIUM strips into 2 1/2 X 12 1/2 inch rectangles. You will get three per strip. You need a total of 24 rectangles.

Subcut the 2 1/2 inch DARK strip into 2 1/2 inch squares. You will need 16 squares.

Using twelve of the LIGHT/MEDIUM rectangles, and all of the DARK squares, make four strips as shown below. Press away from the DARK squares.

Using the remaining LIGHT/MEDIUM rectangles and the blocks, make three rows as shown below. Press towards the LIGHT/MEDIUM sashing strips.

Lay out the strips as shown and sew together. Press towards the sashing strips.

MYSTERY QUILT STEP 6

2011-07-06T12:26:00.011-06:00

I am sure that by now some of you have been playing with the components, trying to figure out the block. Let's see how many of you are correct!

Subcut the 4 1/2" strip of FOCUS fabric into 4 1/2" squares. You will need 9.

Lay out the block components as shown below:

Stitch into rows. Press the center row towards the center (FOCUS fabric). Press the other rows away from the center.

Stitch the rows together. Press either way, or press seams open...whatever makes the block lay the flattest.

Voila!!

See you next month!

DEBI HUBBS CHOOSES "ZURI" FOR HER GIRAFFE!

2011-06-22T13:14:00.007-06:00

and the winner is.....NICKI REID!!!

Here are Debi's own words regarding this contest and her choice:

"I want to thank everyone for such wonderful names. I really could not decide. And I changed my mind over and over. I hope some of you won't mind if I use some of those fantastic names for my future creations. I will give you credit of course. My biggest dilemma for choosing a name was this little giraffe's gender. I made him/her and I still cannot decide if he is a boy or she is a girl.

Here is the name I have chosen. Zuri. Which means beautiful in Swahili. I have a strong love for Africa and its amazing landscape, and spectacular animals. And most of all the beauty in the women and children there and how they persevere over challenges with such grace. Zuri represents all of the loveliness that is Africa for me."

We did receive multiple submissions of this name, but Nicki's was first! She will win a fabric kit with pattern. The others that submitted this name will receive a free pattern!

We are still probably about a month out from delivering this pattern...but we are accepting preorders now. Why order now instead of waiting until it is ready? The first 50 orders will received patterns signed by Debi Hubbs! This is the first time we have offered this! Debi is becoming very famous....this autograph is priceless!!

The pattern will cost $12 and the fabric kit will cost $46. As always, the fabric kit will include the pattern, all fabrics needed to complete the top as shown above, and the binding.

Call now (406-245-5718) or visit www.bigforkbaycottonco.com to order.

Oh yea, one more reason to order soon.....for a limited time, all Zuri orders will be 10% off!

MYSTERY QUILT STEP 5

2011-06-10T16:00:00.003-06:00

Please read all instructions through before beginning!

Subcut the remaining four LIGHT, 2 1/2" strips into 4 1/2" lengths. You will need 36. Subcut the MEDIUM/DARK #1 strips into 2 1/2" squares. You will need 72. Using the method used in Step 1, sew the squares to the rectangles to create flying geese units.

Using these units and the units from Step 1, sew pairs of geese together to create the units shown.

*Hint: When sewing the two flying geese units together, place the one from Step 1 on top. That way, you can see exactly where the point is, and stitch just up to it without cutting it off!

Press towards the flying geese from this step.

You should have 36.

MYSTERY QUILT STEP 4

2011-05-18T11:39:00.010-06:00

Please read through all instructions before beginning!

Subcut four of the 1 1/2" LIGHT strips into 1 1/2" X 4 1/2" rectangles. You will need 36 rectangles. Stitch these to the long side of the unit pieced in Step 2, opposite the side with the triangle.

Using the thirty-six 2 1/2" squares of FOCUS fabric that were set aside earlier, place a square on each unit pieced above, on the opposite corner from the light triangle. Stitch diagonally, fold open, and press.

Trim one or both inside layers to reduce bulk, if desired.

.~Name the Giraffe Contest.~

2011-05-06T10:41:00.008-06:00

Artist Debi Hubbs Pattern By Bigfork Bay Cotton Co.

Submit name suggestions to:

traci@bigforkbaycottonco.com

by Midnight June 5th, 2011

Bigfork Bay Cotton Company recently licensed this adorable giraffe design from Debi Hubbs to add to her ever growing collection of art quilt patterns.

The giraffe design didn't officially have a name, so Debi and Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. thought it would be a great idea to have YOU name the pattern! Isn't that so fun?

To submit names simply email traci@bigforkbaycottonco.com.

You can enter as many names as you like. In case of duplicate names, the first name entered will be chosen. We need to name the giraffe soon! So get your names in A.S.A.P.

The contest officially closes Midnight June 5th, 2011.

And the winning name gets?

The person who selects the winning name will receive a pattern signed by Debi Hubbs and a matching fabric kit!

The pattern will not be ready until the end of June. However we are offering pre-orders so click here to visit our website or call us toll free at: 866-245-5718.

Good Luck to all of you and we can't wait to see what name Debi picks.

MYSTERY QUILT STEP #3

2011-04-05T16:08:00.019-06:00

Please read through all the instructions before starting.....

Subcut FOUR of the remaining five strip sets of 1 1/2" LIGHT and 1 1/2" LIGHT/MEDIUM strips into 12 1/2" lengths. You will need 12. Subcut the remaining strip set into 2 1/2" lengths. You will need 16. Set these aside.

You will need 12 of these.

You will need 16 of these.

Subcut the 2 1/2" strips of FOCUS fabric into 2 1/2" squares. You will need a total of 60. Set aside 36 squares. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the remaining 24 squares. Lay a square on each end of the 12 1/2" strips cut above. Stitch on the diagonal line, fold back and press. Trim inside layers, if desired, to reduce bulk. (I trim the FOCUS fabric layer.) Make sure the diagonal lines are placed so that the long side of the triangle covers the LIGHT fabric, as shown.

From the 2 7/8" LIGHT/MEDIUM strip, cut 2 squares, 2 7/8". Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each square. Place one square of LIGHT/MEDIUM on each 2 7/8" FOCUS fabric cut earlier, right sides together. Sew a scant 1/4" on each side of the drawn line. Cut apart on the drawn line, open up, and press towards the FOCUS fabric. Trim out the inside layers, if desired, to reduce bulk. You should have four half square triangles.

Using the units pieced above, make TWO each of the following strips:

This completes step 3!

NEW SHOP SAMPLE

2011-03-23T15:18:00.003-06:00

I have been working on this new shop sample. It looked so simple, but it caused me some headaches! It is based on a free downloadable pattern from Michael Miller Fabrics called Graphic Garden. I made some changes in the sashing....the original called for some straight cuts and some bias cuts...I didn't want to do that so I made all straight cuts. I thought that would make the pattern more "user friendly". I did have some other problems, so I went to the website last weekend to see if there were any pattern corrections posted, but the pattern is no longer there! I had to make some changes in the sashing, so I will have to rewrite the instructions. I like the way it turned out....do you?

HANDY THREAD CATCHER

2011-03-17T13:15:00.022-06:00

I know many of you have seen these handy thread catchers before. I see them a lot at craft shows, as well as in shops, both for sale and in classrooms. ANYWAY, they really are easy and quick make. If you haven't tried one, now would be a good time, since I'm sharing my step by step instructions. It took longer to type the instructions than it did to make one.

There are a lot of other uses for these things besides your sewing and cutting tables. You can iron some fusible vinyl to the lining fabric and make a little garbage can for your car. Instead of filling the pin cushion, you can make longer straps, sew them together and slip over the headrest to hang behind the passenger seat. Or make the bag a little bigger to store toys and/or books in the car. You can tweak the size a little bit....perhaps lengthen the straps....., don't fill the pincushion, just tuck it into the cushion and hang it over the arm of the couch to collect remotes and TV Guides (do they still make TV guides?...probably not....). You can make one to slip in between your mattress and box spring to hold your book and booklight. The possibilites are endless!

Supplies Needed:

2 Fat Quarters

Scrap of muslin or other fabric , 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" (should be a tightly woven fabric)

18 1/2" of strapping tape (If you don't have any around the house, check with your local grocer or office supply store....they throw away tons of this stuff, or you can often buy a piece from your local shipping store)

Play sand, rice, or beans

Thread to coordinate with fabric (We recommend Aurifil thread.)

3" X 5" piece of rubber shelf liner or rug liner

Cutting Instructions:

From each FQ cut one rectangle, 18" X 10". Decide which will be the outside, and which will be the lining.

From the lining, cut one rectangle, 4" X 10".

From the outside fabric, cut one rectangle, 6" X 9"

(The muslin piece is not shown in the photo.....)

Fold muslin in half, right sides together. Using a short stitch length, stitch raw edges together, leaving an opening approximately 2" in one of the short ends. Turn right side out, if desired. (This will not show, so it's really not necessary to turn it inside out.) Set aside.

To make the straps, fold the 4" X 10" rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch along long edge. Turn right side out and scootch the seam to the center. Press. If desired, topstitch 1/4" from each long side. Cut the strip in half to yield two straps.

Lay the 6" X 9" rectangle, right side up, on the table. Lay the two straps on top of the rectangle, along one of the 6" edges, matching raw edges. Each strap shoud be approximately 1/2" from the center of the large rectangle.

Fold the rectangle in half, enveloping the straps inside. Use pins, if necessary, to keep the straps where they belong. Stitch along one short edge and the 6" edge. Trim the corner.

Turn right side out and press. Press the raw edge under 1/4".

Fold the large (18" X 10") rectangle for the outside of the bag in half along the 18" side. Stitch along each side. Open seam apart at bottom of bag and lay seam flat against the bag bottom, centering the seam. Measure in 1 1/2" from the tip and mark. Draw a line across the bottom of the bag perpedicular to the seam line. Stitch along the drawn line. Repeat for the other side. Trim, if desired.

Repeat for the other large rectange (the lining fabric), but leave a 1/4" opening in one side.

Place one bag inside the other bag, right sides together. Slip the pin cushion in between the two bags, with the pin cushion hanging down between the layers, and the raw edges of the straps matching the raw edge of the bags. The right side of the straps (the side without the seams) should face the lining fabric. Pin the straps in place along one raw edge. Try to center the straps along one of the long sides of the bags. Stitch together

Carefully turn right side out through the opening in the lining.

Slip the strapping tape in between the bag and the lining (through the opening in the lining). This will feel a little cumbersome, but it's the only way to do this. Overlap the ends of the strapping tape approximately 1/4" and tape together. Slide the tape to the top of the bag as far as it will go. (Adjust the tape if the strapping tape isn't the same size as the bag.) Place some pins around the top of the bag just underneath the strapping tape to hold the strapping tape in place. Stitch around the top of the bag, close to the tape, but take care not to stitch through the tape...your machine won't like that....

Stitch the opening in the lining of the bag closed, either by hand or machine. (I did it by machine....after all, it is inside the bag and really won't show.)

Using a funnel, fill the muslin bag with the sand, rice, or beans. Stitch the opening closed, either by hand or machine. If you are doing it by machine, be very, very careful not to spill sand on or into your machine. Slip the muslin bag inside the fabric bag. Stitch the bag closed.

Stitch a piece of shelf liner to the bottom of the pin cushion, if desired, to prevent it from scooting around on your table.

MYSTERY QUILT STEP TWO

2011-03-07T14:33:00.010-07:00

As always, please read through these instructions before beginning.

More strip sets.........

Using 1 1/2 inch LIGHT strips and 3 1/2 inch LIGHT/MEDIUM strips, make FOUR strip sets.

(Please Note: I base my calculations on 40" of usable width. If you do not preshrink your fabrics, you can probably get by with only three strip sets.)

Subcut into 3 1/2 inch lengths. You will need 36.

Subcut three of the 2 1/2 inch LIGHT strips into 2 1/2 inch squares. You will need 36.

Place the square in either of the LIGHT/MEDIUM corners of the units from step one. Stitch diagonally, fold back and press. If desired, trim out one or both inside layers to reduce bulk. Because my light is so white, and because of the black dots in my light/medium, I have chosen not to trim out the inside layers. This could create a problem if I were going to hand quilt this quilt. In that case, I would be sure to trim out both inside layers. But since this quilt will be machine quilted, I will just leave the layers in.

You will need 36. (They do not need to be all the same....the triangle corner can be on either side.)

MYSTERY QUILT STEP ONE

2011-02-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

Please read through these directions completely before you begin to cut and sew!

Using the 1 1/2" LIGHT and 1 1/2" LIGHT/MEDIUM strips, make nine strip sets. Set five strip sets aside for later. Subcut the remaining four strip sets into 4 1/2" lengths. You will need 36.

Subcut the MEDIUM/DARK #2 strips into 2 1/2" squares. You will need 72.

Lay a MEDIUM/DARK square on one side of the above rectangle. Stitch diagonally, fold open, and press. If it helps you, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the square. However, you can save time by eliminating this step and using a line marked on your sewing machine. See my previous blog post on binding for more details about this method. Whichever method you choose, it is helpful to sew at least one or two thread widths off the line, towards the edge of the rectangle. This gives you a little more room when you flip and press. It doesn't hurt to sew even further off the line....you will use the rectangle as your guide when you press.

Be sure to start stitching in the corner that covers the LIGHT/MEDIUM fabric.

See how the corner of the square just follows the line, but is just a tiny bit over?

(Oops! Blurry picture....sorry!)

Fold back the square, and line up with the corner of the rectangle and press.

Repeat for the other side of the rectangle.

If desired, trim out one or both inside layers to reduce bulk. I personally like to leave the rectangle intact....it keeps everything square and nice. Unless there is a shading issue, I do trim out the inside layer.

This is what your unit will look like. Take care to stitch so that the LIGHT/MEDIUM fabric is towards the point of the goose, and the LIGHT fabric is along the outside of the rectangle.

You will need 36 of these.

MYSTERY QUILT CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

2011-02-11T17:54:00.001-07:00

Please note: Because I like borders cut on the lengthwise grain, the focus fabric is cut along the length, that is, parallel to the selvedge. All the remaining fabrics are cut the traditional way...

FOCUS FABRIC

Cut four strips on the lengthwise grain, (parallel to selvedge), 6 1/2" X length of fabric (These are border strips.)

Cut three strips, 2 1/2" X length of fabric

Cut one strip, 4 1/2" X length of fabric, from one end of this piece cut two squares 2 7/8"

LIGHT FABRIC

Cut seventeen strips, 1 1/2" X width of fabric

Cut seven strips, 2 1/2" X width of fabric

LIGHT/MEDIUM

Cut nine strips, 1 1/2" X width of fabric

Cut eight strips, 2 1/2" X width of fabric

Cut four strips, 3 1/2" X width of fabric

Cut one strip, 2 7/8" X width of fabric

MEDIUM/DARK #1

Cut five strips, 2 1/2" X width of fabric

Cut six strips, 1 1/2" X width of fabric (These are border strips.)

MEDIUM DARK #2

Cut five strips, 2 1/2" X width of fabric

DARK

Cut eight strips, 2 1/2" X width of fabric (Seven of these are for binding.)

NEW MYSTERY QUILT BEGINS SATURDAY!

2011-02-10T17:02:00.006-07:00

Those of you that receive our newsletter already know that we are beginning a new mystery quilt on Saturday. Even if you cannot make it in to the shop, you can join us in solving this mystery! Each month, on the second Saturday, I will be posting a new step. This is a traditional, pieced quilt, finished size approximately 62" X 62".

Today, I am giving you your fabric requirements.

First, start with a Focus fabric. Just pick something you like....that's easy, right? You will need 2 yards. (This will include the outer border.)

The rest of the fabrics need to "get along with" the focus fabric, and with each other.

Light 1 1/2 yards (One and one half yards)

Light/Medium 1 3/4 yards (One and three quarter yards) This could be the same color as your light, with a value change, or a different color altogether!

Medium or Dark #1 3/4 yard (Three quarter yard) (This will include the inner border.)

Medium or Dark #2 1/2 yard (One half yard)

Medium/Dark #3 2/3 yard (Two thirds yard) (This will include binding.) Now....about this one....If you can pull a third color out of your focus fabric, great. That's what I did. But if you can't, don't worry.....you could also use your focus fabric or one of the other mediums, just be sure to add this amount to the yardage required above for the one you choose.

Although I used to be a stickler about prewashing and ironing fabric, since I've gotten busy with the business, I often bypass this step. Luckily, I have never had a problem. Certainly, if you use hand-dyed fabrics or suspect that a fabric might bleed, you will want to prewash.

I base all my yardage calculations on 40 inches of width. That allows for any shrinkage that happens when you prewash. It also means that those who don't prewash may eke out an extra cut or two out of a strip, perhaps meaning you may need a strip less than the directions indicate.... Don't worry if you have an extra strip....just throw it in your scraps!

Tomorrow I will post cutting instructions....and then on Saturday, STEP ONE!

BINDING BASICS

2011-02-01T16:10:00.026-07:00

When it was time to bind the last quilt I made, I thought I'd take some pics, step by step, and pass along to you how I do my bindings. I must have been quilting ten years before I learned how to join the ends of the binding without a struggle....

First, I will show you how to calculate how much binding fabric you need:
To calculate how much fabric you will need for your binding, you need to start by measuring the length and width of your quilt top. For this example we will calculate binding for a quilt that measures 68" X 78". You will need to add these two measurements together and multiply by two: 68 + 78=146 X 2=292 (inches of binding).

Now add 10 to this number to allow for overlap when finishing off the binding...now we are at 302. Since fabric is approximately 40 inches wide, I can guess that we are going to need 7 or 8 strips. Now, each time you seam a strip you will take up approximately 2 1/2", so multiply 2 1/2" X 8, which equals 20, and add that to your total. We are now at 322 inches. Divide this number by 40 (the approximate width of fabric) and you have the number of strips you need, in this case 8.05. Now, I rarely round down, but in this case I will, simply because I know you usually get more than 40 usable inches out of a strip of fabric. So I am going to cut 8 strips. If you cut your binding strips 2 1/4" you will simply multiply 2.25 X 8=18". If you cut your binding strips 2 1/2" X 8=20".

On to making and attaching binding:

When piecing your binding strips together, I suggest piecing on the bias to distribute the bulk. If you choose straight seams you may have a noticeable "bump" at each seam. To sew your strips together on the bias, lay two strips down at a 90 degree angle as shown.

Draw a line from corner to corner....or jump ahead to see a time-saving trick.

You will use this little time-saving trick again and again. Using a Sharpie or a piece of tape, make a line down the front of your machine even with the needle when it is centered. I started my line of tape after the little door for the bobbin. I drew on the bobbin door.

You will use this line over and over again....not just for binding strips but for half square triangles, flying geese, snowballs...any time that you used to have to draw lines.

Now, back to binding.....

If you drew a line, stitch on it. But if you decided to mark your machine, stitch as shown below. (Ignore the line....I want to show you that you don't really need it.)

Line up your fabric so that the needle is right in the intersection of the fabrics. Then line up the other intersection with the line on your sewing machine. Begin stitching, letting the intersection follow the line up to the needle.

Continue adding strips the same way.

When you have joined all your strips, head over to the ironing board. Trim off the first selvedge edge. Fold and press the strips lengthwise, wrong sides together. As you come to one of your seams, trim it to approximately 1/4" and press open, before continuing pressing.

Go back to the beginning of your binding strip, open up the strip, and press as shown. It doesn't really matter which way you make the angle, but I like it to be slanting the same direction as the bias seams I pieced. Press it back in half, keeping that little angle folded in.

Begin attaching the binding to your quilt top. Begin in the middle of a side or the bottom. Do not start close to an edge. Leave a tail of approximately 8" -10" before you start stitching.

Stop as you approach a corner and make a mark 1/4" from the edge of the quilt.
Continue stitching up to the mark and backstitch.

Rotate or pivot the quilt. Fold the binding strip up away from the quilt top as shown.

Now fold it back down, with the fold even with the edge of the quilt.

Beginning 1/4" in from the edge of the quilt, resume stitching the binding to the quilt. Backstitch when you start, but take care not to stitch closer than 1/4" from the edge.

You will turn each corner the same way. When you have turned the last corner, stop and take note of how far you are from the beginning of the first strip. You will want to stop approximately 8" or so before you come to the beginning of that strip. Backstitch and remove the quilt from under the machine.

Lay the quilt flat on the table in front of you. Smooth the beginning strip down along the quilt top edge and pin in place.

Lay the end piece of binding down over the beginning piece.

Fold this piece back, with the fold exactly lining up with the straight, raw edge of the beginning piece.

Cut on the fold.

Pick up the two ends of the binding pieces, and, without doing any fancy twisting or turning, join them together at right angles as shown:

Using several pins to keep things from shifting, stitch on the fold.

Now, before I trim the seam allowance, I lay the quilt top out flat and make sure it all lays flat.

Once I see that it does, indeed, lie flat, I trim the seam allowance and finger press it open. Then I return to the sewing machine to stitch that last bit of binding down.

It is now ready to hand finish!

NEW PATTERNS COMING SOON!

2011-01-19T16:36:00.006-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of three of our new patterns that will be introduced at Quilt Market this spring....

"Yellow Warbler" was designed by Brenda Yirsa. We're still working on adding borders.....

"Autumn Lady" is based on artwork by Carl Brenders.

"Trophy" is based on artwork by Al Agnew.

None of these patterns are ready yet, but I couldn't wait to show you! Patterns should be ready by the beginning of March, and fabric is on order for kits.

"TROPHY" TO DEBUT AT ROAD TO CALIFORNIA

2011-01-18T14:00:00.002-07:00

The newest addition to our series of wildlife patterns is "Trophy". He is making his "debut" this weekend at Road To California! This pattern is based on the artwork of Al Agnew.

We are in the final stages of creating the pattern and fabric has been ordered for kits. We anticipate beginning shipping in the beginning of March.

Stay tuned.....I'll have another beauty for you very soon!

MOOSE MEADOWS VARIATIONS

2011-01-14T14:08:00.009-07:00

Isn't this Moda fabric gorgeous? We have had it in the shop for quite a while and it just wasn't moving. I suspect that it might be the fact that it doesn't lend itself well to being cut up and many quilters just aren't sure what to do with large, overall prints.

A couple of years ago I was asked to design a pattern for Exclusively Quilters for their Moose Meadows line of fabric. I was faced with just that dilemma. I designed a simple block to use as a border and put the quilt together. Here is the pattern that resulted:

We have since come to realize that this pattern works well for any large scale print. Here is the resulting quilt with that beautiful Moda fabric. I am anxious to get it quilted...I think the brown binding will finish it off perfectly!

I fell in love with this puppy fabric when it came in and decided to try it out with this pattern. I love the results!

This quilt is the perfect size for a nap or snuggle on the couch, 60" X 66".

We offer both of these quilts as kits in the shop. Because supplies are limited, we won't be putting these up on our website. Give us a call or stop in if you would like one. (406-420-1003)

NEW YEAR'S DAY FUN AT BBCC!

2011-01-03T15:57:00.012-07:00

Several of us got together on New Year's Day to participate in the Planet Patchwork Merry Mayhem Mystery Quilt. I thought you might like to see what we were up to....

Karri finished her top up yesterday! Don't you LOVE the colors? They are extra nice considering outside conditions right now in Montana.....

Karri was the first one to put her blocks together. Can you tell how happy she is with how they turned out?

Here we all are (except for me...I'm behind the camera.)

Jane opted not to do the mystery, but she's no slacker! She brought TWO hand quilting projects to work on!

I wish you could see Sandi's fabric choices....they're wonderful! I'll be sure and get photos when she brings her finished top in.

Karri was really, really fast....

Lorraine's just chillin' for a minute. She chose beautiful batiks to work with.

Mary and Coach were very busy....

My blocks are Christmas-y. The idea is that maybe, just maybe, I might finish this by next Christmas.

PARKER'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING

2010-12-16T07:20:00.006-07:00

There's nothing like a little insomnia to help you get caught up! As for a lot of you, I imagine, the holidays have just snuck up on me and I have found myself so far behind! I always wanted to be one of those people that gets by on just four or five hours of sleep a night, but that has never been me. However, I am in one of those insomnia spells right now. Instead of opening up a book in the middle of the night, I have been getting up and doing other things. It feels good! I'm not going to fight it... I know that when it's over, I'll have some catching up on sleep to do, but in the meantime, it just feels good to be getting some things done.

One thing I really wanted to do was make my grandson a Christmas stocking. I know, it doesn't seem like a big deal. But of course, I waited too long to start it, and I started thinking it just wasn't going to get done. I kept telling myself that he really wouldn't know, and I'd be sure and get it done for next year. (I know, bad Grandma....) Anyway, here's where the insomnia comes in! In the wee hours of the morning I was able to finish this up....

The applique patterns are from a pattern by Tammy DeYoung of Plum Creek Collectibles. They had the cutest booth at Quilt Market just around the corner from us. The pattern is for a banner, door hanger, purse, and pillow. But when I saw it, I knew it was what I wanted for Parker's stocking.

I actually have never made a stocking before and didn't have a pattern, so it took a little fiddling around to get the whole lining thing right. The font is in my Microsoft Office and is called Kristen ITC.

MAYA SLING

2010-10-21T15:38:00.007-06:00

Do you need a quick-t0-make gift for a baby shower or a new arrival? Check out www.mayawrap.com for instructions on how to make this baby sling. (You can buy them on this site also.)

I made this one last weekend. It was the second one I made. It literally takes ten minutes to make. It took longer to press the fabric than it did to sew this. I didn't have a baby handy, so here it is on my newel post with a sack of potatoes in it.

Here's little Parker in the first one I made. The poor little guy had a very "immature belly", (translation: colic), and really had a hard time his first few months. Being in the sling really comforted him and helped preserve his parents' sanity.

Fast forward a couple of months and you can see that he is still very comfortable in it, and of course, it's great for momma and poppa to have both hands free for other things.

What I really love about this company (www.mayawrap.com) is that even though they sell the slings, they shared instructions on how to make them. There is a video on the site that explains different ways to wear it for different ages.

BABY BLOOMING NINE PATCH

2010-10-18T13:20:00.010-06:00

I spent some time yesterday working on this Blooming Nine Patch quilt for a very special baby that is scheduled to arrive in December. The baby is going to be a girl, but the momma didn't want anything too "girly or baby". I took that to mean no bright pink and purple, and no juvenile prints. Soooo, what to do? Well, I just love this Moda collection, Martinique. It's just plain pretty. Since the big picture isn't very clear, scroll down to get a closer view of the fabrics.

I am going to add a narrow border of the large print shown below...that's what I used for the setting triangles, so it will just carry that design out a bit. Or....now that I'm thinking about it, maybe a scalloped border....hmmm....

This is one of my all time favorite patterns from one of my favorite all time books, Tradition With A Twist by Blanche Young and Dalene Young Stone. This is one of those patterns that looks good in any type of fabrics....I have done it in Cherrywoods, batiks, and just regular cottons like here. If you visit Webshots (http://www.webshots.com/) and search for Blooming Nine Patch Quilts, you will see oodles of pictures of different BNP quilts.

It is my personal opinion that this book should be in every quilter's library. I probably make at least one Bloomin' Nine Patch a year, but there are also some other great patterns in this book, including classics like Irish Chains and Trip Around The Worlds. The instructions are so clear and concise....very well written. And some of the patterns are good stash busters! These quilts go together FAST!

If you don't have this book, BUY IT NOW!!! It's actually been out a long time....at least ten years, but it is still being reprinted, so I guess I am not the only one that feels this way.

NEW DESIGNS FOR QUILT MARKET

2010-10-12T14:42:00.007-06:00

We are so excited to introduce our newest artist, J Blake! It has been so much fun interpreting his wonderful, whimsical style in fabric.....and I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that classic cottons, batiks, and wool would play together so nicely!

Three Wise Guys

Good St. Nick

Identity Crisis

Poppy Love

Beach Baaa-be