Paper piecing class: Easy as 1, 2, 3

Beginning Paper Piecing class.

If you can count and sew on a line, you can paper piece! Want to learn how?

I'll be teaching "Piece by Numbers," a beginning paper piecing class next Saturday, June 6, at a new quilt shop in north Georgia, Sew 'n So Quilt Shop.

I've designed this Twisty Star pattern specifically for this class so students can get a taste of different things they may encounter in future paper piecing patterns. Believe me, I've made plenty of paper piecing "goofs" and will be passing along all my tips for success in the class.

Here are previous students' work, so you can see the variety of outcomes this pattern and class has to offer.

Marceen's Twisty Star.

Marla's Twisty Star.

Mary's Twisty Star.

Janet's Twisty Star.

Twisty Star.

Other paper piecing possibilities and inspiration…

Paper piecing examples.

Paper pieced tree ornaments.

Paper pieced table runner.

Call Anna at Sew 'n So Quilt Shop, (706) 217-8111 to sign up for this fun class. I'll see you there.

"Pi" entices attendance at AQS show

When I entered "Pi E²" in the Chattanooga AQS QuiltWeek show last year, I received an e-mail saying they were going to use "Pi" in future promotional materials for their shows. Exciting! I came across this e-mail blast last night.

"Pi E² [Exponentially Embellished]" is featured in

this AQS QuiltWeek e-mail promotion.

Reversed out in the turquoise blue bar across the top in white print is the credit with the name of the quilt and my name, "Detail: "Pi E2 [Exponentially Embellished] by Veronica Hofman-Ortega." To see the full ad, here is the web page link.

The original story about appliquéing, piecing and quilting this quilt (including thread stats) is in this 2013 post. It was accepted in the Georgia Sewing and Quilt Expo in 2013. It was juried into and won a 3rd prize at the HMQS—Home Machine Quilting Show in 2014. Last fall, it was accepted into AQS Chattanooga and now it is promoting upcoming AQS shows in 2015.

"Pi" has been a busy little quilt.

My quilt is in "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters"

Finally, I can let the cat—or the QUILT—out of the bag.

"Guitar Strings Improv"
43" x 40.5"

Early in 2014, I was chosen to be a tester for Sherri Lynn Wood's improvisational patchwork process. She was gathering pieces for her new book, "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters: A Guide to Creating, Quilting, and Living Courageously," and invited participants to compose a piece based on one of her "scores." My quilt, "Guitar Strings Improv," was chosen to be included in the book and I received my complimentary copy of the final published book—with a sweet hand-written note from Sherri—this past weekend.

"The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters"

My quilt is on page 38.

My quilt, "Guitar Strings Improv" on p. 38 of
"The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters."

I will be participating in one of Sherri's upcoming Blog Hop to promote her book. I'll be able to share thoughts on the improv quiltmaking process at that time.

In the meantime, visit YLQS or book store and pick up a copy of the book! It has a clean layout, the typography is well done, the photos are inspiring and it is packed with information on how to create improvisational patchwork.

ATCs: Steampunk Style

The theme for the FiberAntics April ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap was based on the current "Steampunk" trend that blends technology, Victorian styling and 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery. Wickipedia's definition is here, but my favorite description of steampunk is "what the past would look like had the future happened sooner."

"Accounts Receivable Steampunk" by Marilyn League
Memphis, TN

I was somewhat hesitant about including this theme in my ATC swaps—thinking it might be a bit "out there" or too trendy and the traders might draw a blank (yeah, yeah, I can hear them saying, "so, when has that stopped you before?"). But I was mistaken once the envelopes were opened and the cards tumbled out. This month's ATC artists came through in flying—neutral and vintage—colors with beautifully crafted pieces of artwork in the fun and funky steampunk style.

This time, I've included the city and state of the artists in the photo captions. You will note the ATC swap participants come from all over the country. Here are the cards...

"Steampunk Style" by Debbie Joyner
Soddy Daisy, TN

"Steampunk" by Diane Pineschi
West Los Angeles, CA

"In the Steampunk Manner" by Elizabeth Armstrong
Arlington Heights, IL

"Steam Punk" by Karen Downer
Chattanooga, TN

 Some of Dawn's cards included a pop-up.

"Steampunk" by Dawn Spagna
Santa Monica, CA

 Here is the inside:

Inside of "Steampunk" by Dawn Spagna
Santa Monica, CA

This next ATC illustrates "a broad range of musical styles among Steampunk music acts, from industrial dance and world music to folk rock , hip-hop, and opera, to name a few."

"Steampunk" by Sharon Joyner Griffith

"Is it Steampunk or Sparklypunk?" by Bonnie Stevens
Arlington Heights, IL

"The original steampunk, The Wild Wild West"
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega
Chattanooga, TN

"Steampunk Style" by Cathy Dillon
Arlington Heights, IL

On occasion, I receive other little goodies in the envelopes along with the ATCs (which are all so appreciated and treasured!). This month I received this pretty note card with a sweet note inside from one of the traders. The artist said she really enjoyed last month's post about the Herb ATCs, and is thrilled that the FiberAntics ATC swaps give the artists options for making their ATCs. They can be one-of-a-kind (each card unique), in a series (the cards follow a theme and are similar but not exactly the same), or a limited edition (all cards are virtually identical). Thanks for the feedback and I am happy you are enjoying the trades!

My FiberAntics Swap Guidelines can be found here. Although we follow a theme each month, I like (and prefer!) that the Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) offer creative freedom with materials, techniques and interpretations. It's fun and interesting to see everyone's styles, interpretation of the theme, and the mediums in which each of us work.

Over the past 7 years, fiber artists, quilters, sewers, weavers, felters, scrapbookers, book artists, painters, watercolorists, and artists, crafters and makers of all kinds have participated in my swaps. I learn something new with every trade, am inspired by the creativity and workmanship of the cards and their makers, and best of all, these artistic little gems bring a good laugh and a smile to my day.

Leave a comment on what you like about Artist Trading Cards. I'd love to hear!