Common Threads Workshop

I'm looking forward to the Common Threads Workshop on Saturday, January 24, 2015.  Thanks Sue Goecker for all your work to set up the workshop and get all of the members signing up.

I have 2 options for this workshop - a table runner size or a lap quilt size. I've created samples in each size. Below are photos. Scroll down and you will find the cutting instructions for each one.  I'll have full instructions for creating the quilts at the workshop.

Here is the top for the table runner (I thought it would be fun to have a table runner for Valentine's day!).

Here is the top for the lap quilt size.

Chevron Table Runner

Finished Size:  17 X 32.5 inches

Cutting Instructions

Following are cutting measurements using one white background and 7 red fabrics

From each of the 7 red fabrics cut:

• ·      9 pieces 2  X 3 1/2 inches

    From the White fabric cut

• ·      49 pieces 2  X 3 1/2  inches
• ·      6 pieces  5 ½  square
• ·      1 piece 3 ¼ inch square

Chevron Lap Quilt

Finished Size 55 X 79 inches

Cutting Instructions

Select:

• Background fabric for the border and “floater” triangles (you will need about 1 ½ yards)
• 9 lighter tone fabrics
• 9 darker tone fabrics

(I like the effect of using 18 different fabrics – it was also a great way to use up some of my stash.)

Cutting Instructions:

From each of 8 of the lighter tone fabric cut:

• ·      13 pieces each 2 ¾ by 5 inches

From 1 of the lighter tone fabric cut:

• ·      7 pieces each 2 ¾ by 5 inches

From each of 8 of the darker tone fabric cut:

• ·      13 pieces each 2 ¾ by 5 inches

From 1 of the darker tone fabric cut:

• ·      7 pieces each 2 ¾ by 5 inches

From the Background (Border and Floater Triangle) Fabric cut

• ·      7 pieces 7 ¾ inches square
• ·      2 pieces 4 ½ inches square
• ·      6 strips 5 ½ inches by width of fabric

Merry Christmas Donald

I made this wall hanging quilt for my brother Donald for Christmas. It was fun to make with the jewel tone strips randomly pieced on the gray background. The dark blue borders finished it off nicely.

More Quilts to Share

With an invitation from my friend (and former student) Becky for Thanksgiving dinner I decided to find that Christmas table runner that I started last year and finish it.  Becky was thrilled - and quickly sent me a picture of the table runner on her table.

It was great fun to dig into my stash of batiks and make this quilt for my colleague and friend, Claudia Parliament, who retired from the applied economics department at the University of Minnesota. 

These baby quilts are headed to Alberta for Liz to share with her and Don's extended family. I know they will be loved and enjoyed.

Black and Gold Retirement Quilts

We had 3 retirements in Purdue's ag econ department in August this year. Three retirements in 2 weeks put real pressure on me to make the signature quilts. I was able to get the tops pieced in time for the retirement parties. Then we took some time this fall to collect more signatures. Over this past weekend I finally got the last of the binding finished on all three of the quilts. As always, the individuals receiving the quilts were absolutely thrilled to be getting such a wonderful memento of their time at Purdue.

This chevron pattern was made with rectangles (not the usual half-square triangles).  It made the piecing really easy and also made the quilting much easier as we avoided those bumps that occur with all the seams at the points of the half square triangles.

When I started making these strips I got the idea that it would be faster to go ahead and make the strips for 2 quilts. Well, it was faster -but I have to admit that by the time I was finished with the second top I was getting bored with the pattern. I was, however, very pleased with the final quilts - and they are going to different homes so both will be enjoyed.

Happy 50th Birthday Teri

It's been a wonderful weekend in Toronto where we have celebrated the 50th birthday for Teri (my sister-in-law).  Teri had the cake made complete with chocolate icing when I got here Friday evening. Saturday morning we had a great time with the rolled fondant.

Of course a 50th birthday is reason for a new quilt. I found these Kaffe Fassett fabrics at Rossville quilts - Teri's favorite!

Anniversary Quilt

While at the Ricky Tims Quilt Retreat in May I started the quilt for Mom and Dad for their 60th wedding anniversary. I got it finished just in time for the anniversary celebrations.

Here is what I wrote on the label:

Happy 60^th Wedding Anniversary

Mom and Dad

July 2014

Made with Love by

Joan

Norma Evans and Fred Fulton

Married: July 10, 1954

The background quilt is made from batiks and hand-dyed fabrics put together in crazy quilt style to represent the patchwork of life and especially the 60 years of the Fulton family.  The many twists and turns of the fabric pieces weave together in the quilt symbolic of the twists and turns that create the wonderful masterpiece of life.

Floating on top of the patchwork are a series of smaller quilts depicting the big sky and prairie landscape of Saskatchewan.

The iconic images of Saskatchewan include:

• ·      Wheat ready for harvest
• ·      Field of canola in bloom
• ·      Power lines that opened up life in rural Saskatchewan
• ·      Railroad and grain elevators leading into town
• ·      Hoar frost-covered tree standing alone on the prairie outlining the clear blue sky that is only found on the cold crisp prairie winter days
• ·      Ceiling of fluffy clouds overlooking a green field
• ·      Bessborough Hotel behind the Broadway Bridge in Saskatoon
• ·      Prairie sunset with the individual grain elevator standing as the sentinel of the prairie
• ·      A branch of the Evans cherry tree that produced the famous sour cherry jam for Fulton family members

Embedded within the quilting stitches on several of the quilts are the names of the family members. Norma and Fred are in the Prairie Sunset piece; Donald is in the piece with the power poles; Murray, Leona and Michael are in the piece with the two grain elevators; Glen, Teri, Lauren, Eric and Owen are in the piece with the canola field; Joan is in the piece with the three heads of wheat ready for harvest.

60th Wedding Anniversary

We had a wonderful celebration in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on July 13 for Mom and Dad's 60th Wedding Anniversary (they were married July 10, 1954). Over 130 friends and family members came from all over for a fantastic day of reconnecting and visiting. It was a perfect day.

Here is Mom and Dad. I was pleased to be able to make Mom's dress. I used to sew lots of clothes for both Mom and myself, but recently it has been more economical to buy clothes so I got away from sewing. For a special occasion it was fun to make the dress.

When I was visiting Mom and Dad in May we made 3 layers of fruit cake - for the anniversary. Teri (my sister-in-law), Lauren (my niece) and I decorated the cake before the party.

We cut up the 3rd layer ahead of time so that it was ready for people to enjoy at the party.

We had a crowd that liked fruit cake as all of these trays were emptied and we cut up another layer. So - all that is left is the top layer.