Utah Quilt Guild's RemoteFest 2020!

Coming up TOMORROW!  September 17 ~ 19th, the Utah Quilt Guild is going to play host to their annual Quilt Fest, and this year it will be a "RemoteFest"!  

I am excited for this event.  In these times of Covid, this seems like a great solution. There will be a total of 9 virtual quilt classes offered, including one I'll be teaching, "Oh, My Stars! (& Garters!)

Anyone can sign up, since it is all online. It's not too late to Register, and the registration is all-inclusive.  You will have access to all the classes from Sept 17th through October 3rd.  There are sevem different workshops and two lectures.  Click HERE and scroll to the bottom to see the lineup and class descriptions.  My class will be available tomorrow at 11:00 am, MST.  A few of the classes have patterns associated with the class.  My pattern is available in a digital format at my Etsy shop and may be downloaded here:  Oh, My Stars! digital pattern.

The cost is $49 for guild members and $70 for nonmembers, but you also receive a subscription to the guild newsletters and one-year membership for that price.  All the classes have been pre-recorded, so I can't wait to sit back, (breathe), relax and sew together with a few hundred of my quilting friends. Virtually, of course!  Also, we have been in the process of moving, so the tv just got set up.  Hope this works!

Here is my Checklist to get ready for RemoteFest 2020!

**Machine:  Clean and oil the machine (look online for a YouTube tutorial).  Insert a brand new needle (find the tin of needles!).  Wind 3 or 4 bobbins of SoFine #504.

**Sewing Kit:  Re-pack "Snippets" bag to keep all my tools close at hand: scissors, thread nippers, pins in my favorite pincushion, small trash-stasher, Frixion pen, pencil, sewing machine brush, and a few pairs of readers.  Change the rotary blade. 

**Projects:  Get a new project bin for each class.  Assemble fabrics.  Press and cut fabrics according to Cut Lists for each project.  Label pieces or put them in baggies. 

**Sewing Space:  Prepare the sewing room like it's a retreat!  Tidy sewing area, put other projects away, sort fabrics, dust the tabletops, pick up pins and threads then vacuum the floor.  Set up sewing space with a triangle-type arrangement:  sewing machine, pressing station, tableside cutting station.  Fill a pitcher with filtered water from the fridge for the iron, fill the misting bottle.  Gather the ruler(s) I need and put the rest away.  

Make sure there is enough light, then make room for the laptop to watch the class online.  Grab favorite snacks and stock the mini-fridge.  Maybe make cookies just for the heck of it.  Get the crockpot going so I don't have to worry about dinner!  (Recipe below).

This should be fun!  Hope so - I get so nervous in front of the camera!  It's so much different than teaching actual people!!

Favorite Quilt Day Recipe:

Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas

In a crock pot, combine:

2 to 3 lbs. meat  (boneless pork ribs, loin, roast, etc.) 

1 to 2 cans beans, rinsed and drained  (black, red or pinto)

1 medium onion, about 1 c., chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. chili powder

1 T. cumin

1 T. salt

1-1/2 t. oregano

4-oz. can of green chilies (optional)

Cover with water. Simmer in a crockpot all day on low, 6 to 8 hours, until meat can be shredded with a fork, and beans are tender.  
Spread 1/4 c. shredded meat on a soft flour tortilla, cover with grated cheese.

For QUESADILLAS:
Fold tortilla in half and brown on both sides in a frying pan. Cut into triangles and serve with salsa, sour cream and/or guacamole.

For CHIMICHANGAS:
Fold ends toward each other 1 inch and roll into a tube shape.  Deep fry until golden brown.
Serve over a bed of shredded lettuce and top with guacamole and sour cream.

For BURRITOS:
Add your choice of chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, green onion, sliced olives.  Fold one end over and roll into a tube. Top with “Stokes Green Chili Sauce with Pork” for a real treat!

For TACO SOUP:
In each bowl, place: 1/2 c. shredded pork, a generous scoop of guacamole or avocado chunks, then pour in 1 to 1-1/2 c. chicken broth.  Top with Tortilla chips, grated cheese, sour cream, sliced green
onion, sprigs of cilantro, lime wedge.

Use shredded meat as a base for Tacos, Tostadas, Enchiladas, Taco Salad, Nachos. 
NOTE:  Can also be made with chicken breasts - reduce cooking time to 4 hours.  Delicious!

Give Thanks - RBD Project Tour

Just when you thought Summer would never end... all of a sudden the leaves are turning and it will soon be Fall! 

I've been wanting to make an Autumn quilt for ages!  It's the one season I'm short of quilts to decorate with.  Quilts make it easy to celebrate events or seasons with just a quick switch-out.  And starting with a cute center panel, it couldn't be easier to get ready for Fall!  

This adorable line, Give Thanks by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs is just the ticket.  Add a stack of 10" squares, a little yardage for the sashing, and you've got a quilt!  

SUPPLIES & INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Give Thanks panel.  Trim to 34-1/2" x 43"

1 Give Thanks 10-inch Stacker.       

5/8 yard sashing

5/8 yard binding

     SELECT 22 10-inch squares for the main blocks to use as a border. 
     CUT each of the 22 10-inch squares into (4) 5" squares.  Of the remaining 10-inch squares, Pair up a contrasting print with each of the 22 main prints for block centers.  CUT (4) 2-1/2" squares for the centers of each block.   CUT 4 extra 2-1/2" squares to use as sashing posts in the border. 

     DRAW a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 2-1/2" squares to be used for the border.

     LAY OUT a small square on one corner of each 5" square and STITCH on the drawn line.  

OR Line up a piece of painter's tape on the deck of your sewing machine, even with the needle.  Lay out the small square as above, then allow the corner to follow the edge of the tape as you stitch from point to point.

                                    Here's a little video demo:  

Triangle Corner Demo

    TRIM 1/4" seam allowance, then PRESS the corner triangles in alternation directions.

     LAY OUT each block with the corner triangles toward the center of the block.

     STITCH block together like a 4-patch.  Make 22 blocks.
     TRIM each block to measure 9" square, unfinished.

   

     CUT Sashing into (7)  2-1/2" x width of fabric strips. 
           SUBCUT  into (2)  43" strips

                                    (2)  34-1/2" strips
                                    (8)  9" strips

     LAY OUT your quilt as pictured.

     STITCH the two 43" sashing strips to each side of the panel.  PRESS toward sashing.  

     STITCH 5 blocks together for each side border, and add those to the sides of the sashing and PRESS toward the sashing.
     STITCH a 9" sashing strip, a 2-1/2" corner post, a 34-1/2" sashing strip, another post and another 9" sashing strip together.  PRESS toward sashing strips.  Make 2 of these and attach to the top and bottom of the quilt.

     Finally, LAY OUT a corner block, a 9" sashing strip, 4 blocks, another sashing strip and another corner block to make the top and bottom borders. STITCH, pressing seams toward the sashing.

     STITCH borders to the quilt, alternating the seam allowances. 

LAYER, QUILT as desired, BIND and ENJOY your new quilt!

I stitched in the ditch around the sashing and block centers and loosely outlined the printed motifs.  Then I doodled with "Freestyle" freemotion leaves and swirls for the background and blocks.  It seemed to suit the panel design.  I like it.

I added plush fur on the back for those chilly nights that are sure to come.  Soon it will be time to curl up on the couch and sip a mug of my favorite soup.  Autumn has got to be my favorite time of year!!

You can find these fabulous Riley Blake Designs fabrics online or at your local retail quilt shop, available now!

Here is a little "Taste of Autumn" RECIPE:

Puree of Pumpkin Soup

In a large pot sauté until clear:

1 large onion, chopped

in 4 T. butter

Stir in:  1-lb can pumpkin

4 c. chicken broth

1/2 to 1 t. curry

1/4 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. white pepper

1/4 t. ground ginger

1 bay leaf

Bring to a boil, then simmer 15 to 20 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally.  Remove bay leaf.

Pureé soup in a blender.

Return to the pot and add:  1 c. half and half cream OR 1 can evaporated non-fat milk

Bring back to heat without boiling.  Serve steaming in mugs.  Wonderful on an Autumn evening!

And for your viewing pleasure - my Windows 10 program helped me put together this little video:

More ideas for this line:
Sew Brainy - Retro Pumpkin Placemats
Jessica Dayon - FourSquare Quilt
A Bit of Scrap Stuff - Buffalo Plaid Reversible Quilt

Love to Sew ~ "Blessed Beyond Measure" Project Tour

"Love to Sew" wall hanging, 36" x 43" by Deonn Stott

Introducing Buttermilk Basin's new fabric line, "Blessed Beyond Measure" by Stacy West for Riley Blake Designs.  It includes a couple of printed panels that include sewing notions and sayings reminiscent of Stacy's experiences with the women in her family who loved to sew and embroider.

Christmas in July - Tree Skirts Then and Now

Thinking about Christmas - Snow Sweet!

Got my hands on some fun Christmas fabric!  Snow Sweet is a new line by J. Wecker Frisch for Riley Blake Designs.  

I really enjoy Janet's art, and I needed these adorable snowmen to march across my table!  Her "Sweet Snow Folk on Parade" border print was the perfect selection for a Ten-Minute Table Runner (< see tutorial).  Red gingham made a cute border.  

These runners take approximately 1/3 yard of focus print (12" x 42") and 1/2 yard of contrast for the border/backing.  I fussy-cut the snowmen bordered with a stripe on both sides, which came to about 15 inches, so I just made the backing 22 inches wide. That gives about a 1-1/2" border on the outside. I had not used batting before so I thought I'd try it on this runner.  I cut some batting to the right shape, then inserted it into the runner and stitched a few straight lines.  I like the look and it gave some shape and stability.  

These adorable placemat panels are darling too.  Each of these has a place-setting diagram, so the kids (or anyone else) can help to set up a simple or fancy table.  I added a strip of the snowflakes border print to each side, simple quilting, and more gingham print for the bias binding.

A couple of coordinating prints worked well for backing, so they're reversible!

So cute!  Leftover prints were serged around the edges for some cute coordinating napkins, so now, I guess I'm all ready for Christmas in July!  I think I need to bake some ginger cookies...

Big thanks to Riley Blake Designs for providing the fabrics for today's project tour!  Love them! Look for these fabrics in your local quilt shop or online retailer, available early next month.

Happy Sewing!


P.S.   here's another fun project idea using this line of fabric:
KreativeKymona.com
Aaaaand, a "Sweet Snow-Along" hosted by J. Wecker Frisch, coming soon! 

***

Shades of Summer

Here's a new version of one of my old favorites; Bloomin' Blossoms!  

Bloomin' Posies Lap Quilt, 68" x 68"

featuring Shades of Summer fabric by Heather Peterson for Riley Blake Designs.

These bold, pretty prints really lift my spirits.  

My Bloomin' Blossoms design really seemed to suit the range of fabrics.  These giant posies were designed to get the most out of a fat quarter and showcase the prints.  Partial-seam construction makes the petals blossom before your eyes in no time!  And these big, easy blocks make a good-sized lap quilt to wrap up in or have a picnic on the lawn.

I decided to add alternate applique' blocks to break up the super-sized fat quarter posies.  A couple of clever tools made quick work of the applique'.

A half-inch Clover bias tape maker was just the right tool to get nice, smooth curves.  A little spritz of starch and they held their shape until I could glue them to the quilt.

 Used my favorite technique for applique' -- blanket-stitch by machine.  It was nearly a disaster.

Made an emergency call to my friend Debbie to come and administer (socially distant) CPR to my machine.  Thank heaven for good friends who know stuff.

  Perfect.

Next, I decided to make yo-yos for the applique' flowers to give them a little dimension.  Plus they're a little softer than buttons for lounging around on a quilt.  Clover's Yo-Yo makers are another great tool!

Grandbaby helped.

Oh, that face!!  ♥♥

This quilt would have been a sample for a class I was to teach in a couple of weeks.  That retreat was postponed until next June, so I'll have plenty of time to get it quilted by then, I think.  Quilting my own quilts is a luxury these days, especially custom quilting, as my longarm business and my life is as busy as ever!  But, YAY for summer!  We had snow last week, and it seems like it has taken forever for summer to get here!

So, thanks to all my helpers who lent a hand to get this quilt top together!  And a big thanks to Riley Blake Designs for letting me showcase Heather Peterson's lovely Shades of Summer, released this month.  Search online or ask at your local quilt shop.  Many shops are now offering curbside pickup or delivery!  And you can find the Bloomin' Posies pattern at Quiltscapes' Etsy shop.



See more project ideas using these fabrics:
Jessica Dayon - Mama's Garden Quilt - Sunshine Pillow
Sunflower Seams:  Blakely Dress
Be Sew Inspired Etsy Shop Beach Day Doll Embroidery Pattern

This Quilt Could Be Yours!

U.Q.S.M. Fabric Challenge/Auction 2020:

"Spring in the Meadow"

This quilt features gorgeous "Painted Meadow" fabrics by Robin Pickens for Moda.  Mine is only one of twenty-seven quilts in this year's challenge.  And even though the Utah Quilting & Sewing Marketplace show has been canceled, the annual Fabric Challenge Auction is still happening!

This year's auction will send 100% of the proceeds to the amazing charity, Humanity Sews, formerly known as "Sew Much Hope".  Click the link below to view all of the quilts and place your bid or donate to this lovely cause.

MODA Virtual Charity Auction

Final bidding will end on Friday, May 1st at 7:00pm MST

UPDATE:  SOLD!  
The sale of this little quilt and a couple dozen other quilts helped to raise over $5000 for the charity, 

HUMANITY SEWS - Stitching Seams & Sewing Dreams.

Thanks to all those who contributed.  Your purchase will make a difference in people's lives!

~~~~~

I love to take part in this annual challenge and have been participating in one way or another since 2007.  This little quilt was really fun to piece (I have a thing for chickens), and the pattern, Free Range by Sandy Gervais seemed to suit the fabrics perfectly.  I used "Chicken Wire" quilting design, added little dimensional elements, and finished with a fun faux-piped binding. ♥♥

...still not sure if these look like bees or bugs... you decide.