A rippin' good Art Weave workshop with the Bulloch Hall Quilters

Christie with her Art Weave piece.

I knew it. I just knew it!

The Bulloch Hall Quilters were a lively, fun, out-of-the-box bunch of quilters that embraced the Art Weave technique. I had so much fun with them in my workshop last week.

As each student introduced herself—mostly for my benefit because they knew each other from the guild—it quickly became evident that this was a group of experienced and multi-disciplined quiltmakers.

Most of the women indicated they make all kinds of quilts—traditional, contemporary and art quilts. Some liked appliqué, there were some garment sewers, and one or two relative beginner quiltmakers in the group, but overall, they were self-proclaimed "eclectic" and "multi-faceted" quilters. One even traveled from South Carolina to take the workshop.

My kind of group!

Ideas for Art Weave

Art Weave is a fun, no-fuss, liberating technique. I was able to borrow two Art Weave pillows from my sweet MIL, so along with my two samples, I had several examples at the workshop of the potential this technique has to offer.

Art Weave examples.

Beginning the process
The ripping and stripping part is my favorite step in the process to watch!

Ms. P took to it like a pro!

Ellen is making strips for the violets.

It was great to have my friend and former business associate, Karen, in the workshop.

Janet (center) is the current guild President and Holly (standing, left)
was my hostess and did a great job preparing and packaging the class kits. 

Katy was a relatively new quilter but was fearless
with the Art Weave technique.

Here is Lisa, the previous guild President.

I'm always interested in why people choose to take a particular workshop, especially one that does not employ a "typical" quiltmaking technique. Common responses are:

• I saw your sample and wanted to make this project.
• I like to learn new things. I am a workshop junkie.
• I like to work with and make things with fabric. 
• I wanted to learn how to use these large, artistic, floral prints.

Adding to this list came the following insights from the Bulloch Hall Quilters. (I love these!)

• The supply list was short!
• I didn't have to bring my sewing machine to the class.
• I didn't have to bring a rotary cutter or those large cutting mats.

Diane (left) and Ardie weaving.

Joan chose wider strips for her Art Weave iris.

Helga created her piece with multi-width strips.
I can't wait to see this one finished.

Ms. P weaving one of the iris prints.

When the workshop concluded, we were all treated to a lovely and tasty "Salad and Dessert" potluck lunch. (Great idea, Holly.) By the way, these women are talented cooks, too!

Art Weave workshop with the Bulloch Hall Quilters.

I appreciate the invitation to teach this workshop for the Bulloch Hall Quilters. I did a trunk show program for them in May, but their schedule could not accommodate a workshop at that time. Generally, this guild does not hold guild meetings or events during the summer, but they were flexible in working with my travel schedule and I am so happy they did.

A summer get-together making fabric art with friends was refreshing and energizing! I can't wait to see all their finished Art Weave pieces. Bulloch Hall Quilters: Please post pics of your projects on Facebook and Instagram with hashtags #artweave and #frondfabrics.  Follow me on IG at veronica.fiberantics.

Thanks again to Holly for coordinating the workshop and to her and her husband, Ken, for their gracious hospitality!

Art Weave with the Bulloch Hall Quilters

The wonderful quilters from the Bulloch Hall quilt guild have invited me to teach an Art Weave class for them next week. I did a trunk show for this guild in May and this time we'll be doing "hands on" rippin' and weavin' with fabric.

Art Weave class: making fabric art with large scale prints.

This is a fun and creative class and I know I'll have a blast with these quilters. I also get to hang out with my friend, Holly Anderson, a certified quilt appraiser, pattern writer and instructor. We always have great conversations about quilting and the textile industry when we're together.

100 Days 100 Blocks: 15 day progress

Anyone else doing (or following) the 100 Days 100 Blocks 2018 Sew-Along? I'm making my 6" blocks with a variety of Majestic Batiks and I'm quite pleased with the results so far.

Progress on my City Sampler blocks.
#100days100blocks2018

The process has been fun and there's wonderful daily camaraderie out on Instagram (follow #100days100blocks2018) from other quilters participating in the 100-day project. The book that the sew-along is following starts out with blocks that have crosses.

Here are my first 9 blocks.

First 9 blocks from the book, "Tula Pink's City Sampler: 100 Modern Quilt Blocks."

Getting to knooow you, getting to know all about... color

It has been great getting more familiar with the beautiful colors and designs that Majestic offers in their batiks. With each block, I challenge myself to audition different color and value options. It's been a good learning experience in working with the subtleties of color hues.

Auditioning and cutting batiks for my City Sampler quilt.

I'm seeing a colorwash quilt top in the future.

City Sampler 6" quilt blocks using Majestic batiks.

I'm veronica.fiberantics on Instagram. Be sure to follow along to see daily quilt block progress.

100 days and 100 quilt blocks—can you do it?

Sew-alongs are excellent sources for motivation, inspiration and assistance for completing a project. A little peer-pressure and daily, weekly or monthly deadlines don't hurt, either, in keeping one "on task."

"Block 1" and "Block 2" out of 100 blocks.

I've decided to take part in the #100days100blocks2018 Sew-Along hosted by blogger, Angie Wilson, of GnomeAngel.com. There are tons of quilters from around the world engaging in this daily, 6-inch block-making activity from July 7 to October 14, 2018.

100 quilt blocks in 100 days?
Not that I need another project... but a recent Instagram "reminder" post from a new quilting friend, Angie, at Stitch Morgantown said that the First Day of #100days100blocks2018 was nearly upon us. I didn't analyze it or debate it with myself... I just jumped right in.

The guidelines and materials needed to participate are outlined on Gnome Angel's blog. So, outside of downloading the Kindle version of the book, "100 Modern Quilt Blocks" by Tula Pink (you need to the book to make the blocks), I had everything to get started. You probably do, too.

"Block 1" will finish at 6 inches.

My "100 Days 100 Blocks 2018" 3-point Plan

• I'm using Majestic Batiks to make my blocks
• I can "sew ahead" (as time permits) to keep up with daily #100days#100blocks2018 Instagram posts [I'm veronica.fiberantics on IG—come and follow me]
• and... it's OK if I don't post daily... or maintain the pace... or finish all the blocks... 

The plan is to enjoy what fellow quilters post, send out supportive energy, and be inspired by everyone's creations.

Note: even though the title of the book has the word "modern" in front of the words "quilt blocks," it doesn't mean anything. Use your fabrics of choice and make a quilt that suits your tastes and speaks to your quilt-making vision. Check out the Instragram feed to see the variety!

For now, I'm having fun picking the colors to make these little 6" blocks. Cutting and sewing with the Majestic Batiks has been easy—especially with the little pieces used in these blocks. And, I have two quilt blocks more than I had yesterday.

Hey, to my blog stalker... have you ever done one of these kinds of sew-alongs?

Mindful patchwork with Bumbleberries blenders

Welcome July! It's gonna be a hot and humid Summer Sunday here. So, with a caffeine boost from my mug of Kaldi's Dog coffee [from Etcetera Coffeehouse], I'm headed to the studio for some mindful sewing today.

The disappearing 9-patch is as great pattern for mindful patchwork.
Fabrics are Bumbleberries blender [Lewis and Irene] and
a black/white print from Spices Fusion [Art Gallery Fabrics].

An assortment of colorful Bumbleberries fashion blenders from Lewis and Irene prompted a browse through their website's selection of pattern downloads where I found this one—the Sew Mindful Quilt—that uses the disappearing 9-patch technique.

Bumbleberries blenders from Lewis and Irene are the focal fabrics.
A black/white print from the Spices Fusion collection from Art Gallery
is the background.

The disappearing 9-patch is a cool technique! It's efficient, forgiving, is easy to piece and it has multiple layout possibilities. Here is an in-progress snapshot of the design wall with blocks in a straight set layout.

Disappearing 9-patch straight setting.

Or, you can set the blocks on point.

Disappearing 9-patch set on point.

My pile of fabrics earmarked for garment patterns is on the back burner while I do some mindful patchwork.

A navy pintuck from Diamond Textiles (left).
Yalke from M&S Textiles Australia (top right).
From the Aligned collection by Art Gallery Fabrics (bottom right).

On the web page for the Sew Mindful Quilt pattern are these words:

In our increasingly busy lives, full of noise and occupied thoughts, it's good to give your mind some "time out."... Time for reflection and to find a little peace.

A good idea indeed! I hope you find time today for this.