Modern Thinking

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Cathy Young, my daughter and co-worker, pieced this pretty, bright quilt from a pattern by Blue Underground, Modern Thinking (A13551). Modern Thinking PatternIt’s a beautiful quilt, and I thought I’d talk a bit about choosing quilting designs.

I love to do “custom” quilting, where I look at the quilt and try to enhance it with my quilting. I like to have a backing that will show the wonderful secondary designs created by custom quilting, too.

My favorite example of this is the back of my Star Crossed Love (59697). The pattern is by Deb Tucker, and my quilting was inspired by the original, quilted by Mara Novak – Flying Goose Custom Quilting, Chester, Vermont.

Star Cross Love FrontStar Crossed Love Quilt Back

I chose a black backing and yellow bobbin thread. I didn’t really see the full effect of that choice until I took it off the frame, and I loved it almost as much as the front!

With quilts and fabrics like Modern Thinking, however, the quilting doesn’t really show. This is a great top to quilt if you’re uncertain of your quilting skill, want to try something new, or you just want to do all-over stitching, without worrying so much about precision. For me it was a chance to use my Handi Quilter Fusion and the new update to the Pro-Stitcher, which I hadn’t had a chance to use yet. I did a computerized all-over design, and love the new Pro-Stitcher! I also like the look of the variegated Isacord thread I used. It had most of the colors of the fabrics in it. All in all, our mother-daughter team did a good job!

Modern Thinking Quilt FrontModern Thinking Quilt Back

If you go to the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington March 7 – 9, please stop by and say “hi” to the gals in our booth! You can see the finished quilt there, too.

Until Next Time,

Erica

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Patterns, Patterns Everywhere

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I had the opportunity to travel a bit recently, and while I was away, I tried to notice everything around me. I had the most fun searching for patterns to photograph as inspiration for future quilts or drawings.

Hexagon FloorOf course, one of the first I found was the ever popular hexagon. I’ve mentioned before that it’s one of my all time favorites.

Some times even a very simple pattern can seem fresh or new. It just depends upon the colors, the size (unexpectedly large or small), or perhaps the placement of the shapes, or the combination of all three.

Black floor with color squaresLarge Sidewalk SquaresBrick Sidewalk

I also love finding a familiar pattern used in a way that makes you see it in a fresh way. This next one is pretty simple, really. Hexagons and triangles. But with contrasting colors it’s a rather bold pattern. The triangles at the bottom are pretty cool, too, broken up the way they are. My reflection in the glass only makes the whole thing more fun (to me, at least).Star of David Floor

This last image isn’t as much a pattern as just a cool image. When the building next door was torn down, the wall revealed parts of two advertisements that had been applied over the years. It reminded me of old, worn quilts that people would sometimes use as batting for a new quilt. There’s a lot of history inside those quilts. (And of course we don’t recommend this as older materials can’t stand up to the quality of new materials.)Advertisements on Building

So, have you ever looked for quilt or other craft designs in the world around you? Where do you find interesting color combinations?

Until next time, enjoy your world.

Jennifer

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

They threw us this Curve!

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Quick Curve RulerThe more I see of “modern” quilts, the more I like them. I also love new tools! So this week Lacy and I decided to try the new Quick Curve Ruler (A20118), and make the table runner pattern that comes with it.

LacyShe had the proper reverence for the project, as always.

Chain PiecingShe also agrees with me that when chaining pieces, if you leave a slightly longer chain between them, it’s better than having them touch. That way, the beginning and end stitches don’t come out when you cut the connecting threads with your Gypsy Cutting Gizmo (47319).Table Runner

Table Runner Here it is, not quilted yet, but put together. It was a great project to learn the technique.

There are so many patterns from Sew Kind of Wonderful that use this cool tool, it’s hard to decide which to do next! I’m thinking about Urban Pods…Urban Pods Pattern

Until next time…

Erica

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Order from Chaos

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I’m pretty sure I’ve shared here at some point about how much I love all of the crafts that I try. I can actually only think of a handful that I’ve not yet tried.

However, it’s possible that my first love will always be cross stitch. I can remember making small Christmas ornaments, and a small teddy bear design for my cousin when he was born. Of course, those were the days before smart phones and taking pictures of e-ver-y-thing was the norm.

Cross Stitch StashSince I’ve been doing this for a while, I’ve amassed quite a collection of supplies.  At this point, my stash is a mess.

I’ve decided that today is the day I’m going to do something about it. At least one part of it. We’ll start with the floss.Loose Floss

This is where I’m at now.Floss Container

Not too bad really. Except all of those in the bag. Yeesh. I really don’t want to wind all of those around the plastic cards.

Instead I’m going to invest in the Stitch Bow system. They have floss holders (80170)  that are so simple to use. You simply place the skein of floss onto the holder, maintaining it’s original shape. The numbered paper fits right on, too, ensuring that you’ll know exactly which colors you have when you’re planning your next project.

Floss Holders The next step is to place all of your stitch holders into your binder inserts (80171), then place your inserts into binders. You could even sort them by color! Or by number! Can you tell I’m a little excited about this prospect?

And finally, for today, I’m going to put some into a Stitchbow Roll (58831).Stitchbow Roll  I think that will be a much better solution than the way I stored my last project supplies, don’t you?

Egg Crate Supplies

Maybe next time I’ll work on that pattern and fabric stash, but at least for now, I’ll be able to know which floss I have and not buy again what I already have.

Oh! And speaking of which floss I have, I have to show you my new favorite thing. We have the new floss lines from Sublime Stitching! My favorite is “Frosting” (A19654). Now, I’m off to find an embroidery project to use them for…

Sublime Stitching Floss

Happy xxx-ing,

Jennifer

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Step-By-Step

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Sew Simple Pinwheels (A16220)I took step-by-step photos as I cut some of the pieces for my Sew Simple Pinwheel wallhanging.

One can never have too many rulers!

I cut with 3 rulers, by first finding a ruler or square that has the measurement I need if possible. For the background I needed to cut 2 ½” by 5” rectangles.Lacy Step 1

So I cut 2 ½” strips.  Then I searched my ruler stash while Lacy held the strips down for me.  I found the Charm Wizard and two other convenient rulers/ squares.  (It doesn’t matter what sizes those two are.)Charming 5" Square

(The Charm Wizard is now being made by Creative Grids and called the “Charming 5″ Square (48089),” (I like Carolyn’s original name for it better.) You can see a video of it on our Product Videos page.

Step 1

1. I carefully layer several strips. I put my Charm Wizard near the right edge, where I have the selvedges. I cut them off to make a right angle. Then I nudge another ruler up against the left side of my Charm Wizard.

Step 2

2.  My Charm Wizard is measuring my 5 inches.  So I move it to the right and use the edge of the other ruler to make my cut.

Step 3

3.  After cutting, I snug my third ruler against the right edge of the one I used to cut.

Step 4

4.  I remove the one for cutting, and bump the Charm Wizard up against the left side of the third ruler, and I’m ready to repeat for the number of pieces I need to cut.

Lacy also had steps during my construction of this wallhanging.  You saw her Step 1, holding down the strips, above.

Lacy Step 2

Lacy’s Step 2.  Hold down Mama’s Steady Betty Pressing Board (40895).

Lacy Step 3

Lacy’s Step 3.  Hold down the little pieces.

Lacy Step 4

Lacy’s Step 4.  Hold down the bigger pieces.

Lacy Step 5

Lacy’s Step 5.  Hold down the quilt!

Until next time…

Erica

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Color

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IsacordI’ve been thinking about color quite a bit lately. It’s just so amazing the way all of the colors work together, the way they blend to make a harmonious whole, or how they contrast to add interest to a piece.

And no matter which department you visit at Erica’s, you’ll be visited by a riot of color. I thought I’d offer you a little color adventure today.

Bulky Yarn Sock Yarn

Through the yarn department, from bulky to sock yarn.

And on into embroidery, where every color under the sun greets us, ready to create any scene or design your heart desires.Cosmo Floss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on back to wool; this thick, rich fabric that holds its shape so well and loves to be fashioned into so many lovely items to adorn our homes.Wool

 

 

 

And of course, the fabric. So, so many colors and textures, just waiting for you to come and claim them as your own. Solids

 

 

 

 

 

Now you must know, that I would not, in a post like this, leave you without a photo of everyone’s beloved Bali fabrics.

Purple Bali fabrics

Enjoy, friends. Maybe work with a color you never have before, or pair a new combination. You just never know what might work in a given situation until you try.

Most of all, have fun with color. Maybe share your favorite color in the comments? Today, mine is red. I’ve been known to change my mind from time to time.

Until next time,

Jennifer

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

What Fun!!

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Magic 3D BlockThis is our new Magic 3D Block. Lynn from our Sewing Department made the sample.

I guess the original toy was made for children, but it seems that children of all ages enjoy playing with this fabric version! We used the bright rainbow fabric that comes in the kit. Instructions are included for using special fabrics, so full pictures show as the block is manipulated.

3D Blocks Model

On the home front, I had another “Staycation” when my husband went with Cathy to the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show in California!

Stacked Quilting

So I finally started quilting my Stacked Quilt from Quilts from the House of Tula Pink, (A18230). Angela Walters did the quilting in the book, and she did another version she showed on her blog. I’m doing a combination of Angela’s designs from her book, Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters, (A17336). I’m calling mine “My Journey through Bali.” Hopefully I’ll show you the completed quilt soon!Stacked Quilting

Bali Bed RunnerI like to have at least two projects going at once so whenever there’s time, I have something I feel like working on. Now I have the quilting and my Mystery Club quilt, but I’ve added a new one! I’m making the Bali Bed Runner, (A12347). I love paper piecing, and especially Judy Niemeyer’s designs, which this is. We’re putting together a pack for it, because it uses 60 different Bali fabrics! Not too many people are brave enough to pick that many fabrics. (Including me- I had “my Cathys” do it and I tweaked their selection.)

Lacy CatIf I always have this much help, it’ll take a little longer! Lacy has her own spot by the machine, but she always prefers to have a bigger role in things if she can.

Quilt and Print ViewerSomething really useful in deciding fabrics for a project is the Quilt and Print Viewer, (29894). I’m using it to determine the order for the rings in the Bali Bed Runner. When you look at your fabric with it, you can see value (lights and darks) and you can also see your quilt when you put the blocks on a design wall or on the floor, before sewing them together.

Until next time…

 Erica

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.