Do you like Redwork?

Did you know that Redwork Embroidery has quite a history? Rissa Peace Root has a very well written article: A Redwork Embroidery Primer where she explains the history and evolution of Redwork and provides some great links too. 

Combining stitchery into quilts is quite a trend with quilters both traditional and modern. Learning the basic stitches and techniques will help you create your very own unique quilts.  

The images below are from the Redwork Winter Twitterings Block of the Month Program we had at the store. The program was so popular we had to run it twice! 

Here's another example of what you can do with Stitchery. 

Judy will be teaching a class this Monday, November 12th between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. 

Go here to sign up: Stitchery (Redwork) Basics

Sandy Quilt Block Drive

Michelle over at Quilting Gallery is organizing a Quilt Block Drive for those affected by super storm Sandy. We have all read and seen the devastation this storm has caused and many of us may even have family and friends that were in the middle of it. This is our chance to help. 

Michelle is looking for volunteers to make quilt blocks and team leaders to assemble the blocks, provide the backing and batting, quilt and bind the top, and then mail it directly to the distribution center in New York City. The quilts will be donated to Bumble Beans Basics - a quilting group in New York who are working directly with communities that have been affected.

Go to the Quilting Gallery Blog for the details and please spread the word. 

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 45

Hi Everyone:

     A lot has gone on in the last week or so.  I was in Houston last week for Quilt Market and Festival when Hurricane Sandy hit.  I am so glad that it didn't affect the Toronto area, but I feel so bad for the people that were in it's path.

     This weeks block is called Aunt Eliza's Star.  It is a very simple block, but the construction is different than what we have been doing so far.  We will join the block segments in diagonal rows.


Diagonal Block Segments

     First you will join the long side of two triangles to the small square being sure to centre them on the square.  You will be using fabric #3 triangle and fabric #1 square.
 

Placement Of Triangles And Square

     You will notice that I have folded the fabric square in half in both directions.  The crease that you get helps centre the triangle (see diagram below).


Stitch Triangles To The Square Centering The Triangle

    Make four of these.  Set two of them aside.  With the other 2 you will now join 2 more triangles using colour #1 to the triangle portion of the block.



Placement For Fabric #1 Triangles

     You will make 2 of these pieced triangle segments.   Next you will take the other 2 block segments and join them to your large square in colour #2.

Centre Portion Of Block

      This portion of your block is the centre and your triangle segments will be on either side (see 1st diagram). Join these three segments together like you would join on -point blocks in diagonal rows.




Aunt Eliza's Star Stonehenge

Aunt Eliza's Star 30's

We are so close to the finish line.  I hope you are all keeping up.  See you next week!

Do you Paper Piece?

Jeannie brought these gorgeous quilts into the Beginner Hand Quilting Class the other day. They are both paper-pieced. Aren't they beautiful? Jeannie always does such great work and she isn't afraid of colour!

 Here's a closer look.

Pineapple Block

 And here's a mini quilt.

Mini Quilt

Jeannie will be teaching a Beginner Paper Piecing class this Thursday.

Calling Canadian Quilters!

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