Hard to Decide

The blob was supposed to have connections that were interesting, not necessarily well composed. That would be for another day, so the happenstance of it all took precident in yesterday's class in Within the Frame. We're aiming to cut this into bits, and it was always interesting to see what came out.
 

Home Improv Stretch

I spent today with the delightful group of quilters from Quilters' Connection near Waltham, Mass. The goal was to make a big blob, cut it into four squares, add a frame for "Within the Frame". I kept time poorly, so ended before that glorious finish. One day not enough! But much delight in improv piecing. Thank you Quilters' Connection!
 

A la Carte

I'll be showing this A la Carte when I visit the Alegre retreat next week. It'll travel on with me to Chicago and the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild the week after that. I'll use it to explain the fun of 'hiding' squares in a field, barely noticeable. This has several throughout the piece, well hidden.
 

One Last Twist Before I Go

It's hard to resist a good scrambled block. This has the elements I love -- dark and light, large 'blank' areas, and places with small textures. I love getting the parts to move across the inherent grid of the four patch. I've left it on the wall so I can return to it.
 

What Goes Around

Packing prompts for Design Camp with Australasian Quilt Convention has me finding and sorting through older montages. I can see the beginnings of the work with Within the Frame, a technique I've loved using lately, and sharing as well. This is just calendar images, or perhaps from a recipe book, but are strong.
 

A La Carte

I was tasked with selecting two quilts to send to Allegre for the week I'll be there in April. Knowing I'll be traveling directly to Chicago afterwards, I thought this work "A La Carte" would speak to printing (Allegre) as well as Within the Frame's design's workshop (Northern Suburban Needlearts Guild).
 

So Far, So Good

This piece seems to know just what to do, and seems that I'll be lead on by that. It has been amazing that I am able to use just about every inch of these four fabrics -- some that are half yards -- but with almost no waste. The rough size is about 50" x 70" wide. And the print is doing the heavy lifting.
 

Disarrangement

 

Here's the full version of 'Disarrangement' that will be part of the SAQA NJ/NY exhibition at Rochester Contemporary that opens this Saturday. Close inspection (for those who know I love to hide squares,) will reveal a few squares that are let-in to the overall large print. Something that intrigues me to no end.
 

Festival Teaching for a Day

Should you find yourself in Birmingham, England, for the Festival of Quilt, keep in mind you can find me ahead of the opening on the Tuesday before the show teaching "Within the Frame" and I'll have this little work with me as an example. And, I'm speaking English!

 

Officially Official

Here's the logo that identifies me as an tutor for the Festival of Quilts. I'm excited to bring improv piecing to Birmingham, England in "Within the Frame" on the Tuesday before the opening on Thursday. We'll go with a bit of 'however it lands'!
 

Within the Frame

I've yet to quilt this, but I already like this 'within the frame' composition. I'll go to the workshop in Birmingham, UK, as well as some here. Someone asked if it was possible to do this class using commercial (not hand-printed) and the results are just as grand. Here's a student's work from last month.

More Within the Frame

In no time I'll be on British soil at The Festival of Quilts.  They've asked me to teach an academy class ahead of the opening of the festival. So, Tuesday. I'll teach "Within the Frame" and may bring this with me. Now it needs to be quilted and finished, but it'll pack lighter undone. My dilemma, perhaps?

Within the Frame

I've freed the design wall for a center medallion style. I may stick with the left. I'll pack it for the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, where I will teach a one day class "Within the Frame" that used improv design with a familiar composition. If you are there, my class is on Tuesday, before the opening of the show.

https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/academy-programme/
 

Same Fabric, Two Works

My faithful readers know I rarely post two images, but I needed to show you how one of the piecers in my design class "Within the Frame" took on the project. She's used the same fabrics as the improv base, but finished with two distinct frames for them. It was so fun to see each one's piece finish differently.
 

The Improv Gang on Mackinac

Finishing day two of improv piecing at the Quilting Arts Seminar on Mackinac Island this week.  I wanted to thank this wonderful group of veteran quilters, but many new to techniques for improvisational quilting. Well, at least to my way of piecing. The exciting works all took on the maker's spirit.  

 

Next Up: Within the Frame

We've traded a leaf pattern for some improv piecing. Within the Frame used a set of fabrics, some simple cuts, a few tricks, and we come away with a center medallion. Tomorrow is taking the frame abstractly! All at Mission Point for the Mackinac Island Quilt Seminar, a retreat in Northern Michigan.
 

Shameless Self Promotion

Might think all I do is shameless, but there are a few wee times I'm not. This is. I'm looking forward to this Island Art Seminar, and since I'm the keynote speaker, I'll be there in a big way. And, bonus, it'll be sewing and design. I'll anticipate loads of commercial fabrics, but hey, bring along the crazies if you want. I am.
 

Digging Around

While I was getting ready for last Friday's open studio I happened on this piece. It's not large, maybe 40 square, but has the hidden squares I love to use. I'll take it with me when I teach the "Within the Frame" class in Massachusetts, and in Mackinac Island Quilting Seminar in May. Can't wait.
 

Pick and Choose

The second day of my virtual workshop Within the Frame took a look at how the surrounding design interacts with the center. These two of many tryouts struck a chord with the class. I will have toe decide which to use, or perhaps make them both!
 

Mackinac Island Retreat April 26 - May 2, 2025

I'll be teaching three sew/design classes at the Mackinac Island Retreat -- which promises to be a lovely and inspiring week. Consider "Within The Frame" there, where we'll look at what happens to the frame of a composition. Here's the info: https://www.quiltingartseminar.com/our-workshops-1