Fabric at the Farm

I'm very excited about this weekend..my friend Shannon and I are going to her parent's farm. We are having and entire weekend of nothing but "Fabric at the Farm".  Shannon's mother has just about every scrap book paper cutting machine that's on the market right now...and our plan is to use them all on fabric!

 That's right..I've have a stack of fabric all pre-washed and ready to be cut into cute little shapes, which I'll later use as appliques on quilts! I've also packed my wonder under and painter's tape.

I plan on taking lots of photos and I'll be sure to post them all once we return as there is no internet or cell phone service at the farm. Just us, cutting machines and fabric!

Hugs - Kat  :)

Quilt Blocking

A few weeks ago I learned about "blocking a quilt". I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like a great idea to me..and I think it will help solve that little problem I sometimes get where my quilts don't "look" square.

For a really nice tutorial on how to block a quilt…check out this mini-lesson by Sylvia Landman at Quilting University's website:  http://www.quiltuniversity.com/blocking.htm

My friend Shannon recently took a class with Ricky Tims, and it turns out that he blocks his quilts, twice. He blocks the quilt top..and then once it's dry and square he layers up his quilt, quilts it..and then blocks the stitched "sandwich" before finally adding the binding.

So with that knowledge in hand, I've decided that blocking is definitely something that I must do. So naturally I've been researching it on the internet and I've come across these "blocking boards". Being the "gadget girl" (as my mother calls me) I feel that I NEED a blocking board immediately. I simply must have one. But, do I have a quilt ready to be blocked…ummm no. Do I have a quilt top even close to being stitched together that I could in theory be blocking soon….again, no.
But yet I really really want one! So what do you guys think?  What are the pros and cons of the blocking board?

International Quilt Festival - IL

The International Quilt Festival is once again coming to the Chicago area!! It'll be in Rosemont, IL April 16-18, 2010. I've already signed up for a class and booked a hotel! I'm extremely excited to see all of the fabulous quilts, learn new techniques and of course SHOP!!  This year I'm only taking once class, but that will leave me with the entire day on Sat just for quilt viewing and shopping. My favorite teacher Kathy Kansier will have some of her Quilts on display. She's an amazing teacher..I highly recommend taking a class with her if you get the chance. To read more about her click on the following link to her website: http://www.kathykansier.com/
For more info on the International Quilt Festival in IL, click on the following link: http://quilts.com/home/shows/viewer.php?page=SpringFestival

I hope to see some of you there! I'll be walking around with my floral "bridie sling bag" that I made from Amy Buttler's pattern. It's my favorite bag and reserved only for quilt shows and airplane trips!

If you see me, be sure to say Hi!!

Hugs - Kat :)

Relaxation

I’m bored. I’m not one of those people that can just sit and do nothing….my mind is always racing & I’m always doing something. As I write this, my husband is napping in a lounge chair enjoying the Florida breeze. I’m sitting in the chair going crazy with nothing to do!


One of the reasons I had such an unbelievable time at Disney World is because for once my mind stopped racing…I was 100% relaxed, not worried about anything AND I was only focused on what I was doing right then and there. Just wandering around with my mind completely turned off.

I think one of the reasons I’m soo creative is because I’m constantly thinking. But, I really want to bring that sense of relaxation into my sewing room. Maybe I should start by working on only one project at a time, truly focusing on each step and only each step as I sew that step. And not thinking 2 steps ahead, or 3 projects ahead. 

One of the ways I’m trying bring relaxation into my sewing room, is by making it less hectic. I want my shelves to be organized and everything to be neat. Which is why I’m in the process of putting in cabinets – to hide the clutter! I recently transferred all of my fabric stash from plastic bins, and put it into a gorgeous vintage china cabinet with glass doors. When I walk into the room and see my fabric with one glance… I smile. Every time.

Does anyone else have any ideas for calming…or slowing down…bringing relaxation into the creative process? If so please share!



Hugs – Kat :)