Appleton Dance

 by Linda Theil I am completely obsessed by this Christmas tree block I saw on the Shabby Fabrics YouTube channel. Using the info from the video, I made the block with basic colors from the "Grunge Seeing Stars" collection by BasicGrey for Moda. I added a very wonky star derived from the free "Easy Star" at Scissortail Quilting . My finished block with sashing measures 13 x 29-inches. Wonky tree block and wonky star sewn by L. Theil   Since I got some holiday themed, five-inch charm squares in my Christmas stocking, I wondered if I could use a five-inch square to make the wonky tree. I came up with a mini version using five-inch squares, although you will need larger cuts for making the background pieces. This mini version -- shown below -- is seven-inches square. I used the grunge fabric to make this sample. Seven-inch square mini-wonky tree adapted by L Theil How to make a mini-wonky tree: Using a 60-degree triangle ruler, cut two triangles with a five-inch base,

byLinda Theil Spencer-Ogg "Cos-pods" in Ruby Star Society's "First Light" collection Once again I have pulled out my Spencer-Ogg "Cos-pod" pattern -- this time, to make fancy  favors for a holiday luncheon. I used fabrics from Ruby Star Society's "First Light" collection. I bought the rose-gold #5 vinyl zips from Sew Hungry Hippie. Inside each pod we placed a beautiful, tissue-wrapped, holiday-scented Illume candle . 

by Linda Theil I just finished this cute reversable, quilted jacket that I hand-quilted to emulate the Japanese boro look, using fabrics from Debbie Maddy's "Yukata" collection for Moda, 2022.  The outer fabric is “Yukata Boro Neibi” from the “Yukata” collection; the lining is  “Yukata Dottie Sora” from the same collection. The pattern is a simple perfection called "A Little Somethin' Jacket" by CNT Pattern . Before construction, the five jacket pieces: two fronts, one back, and two sleeves; were hand quilted with  Sulky #12, white, cotton thread in using Hiroshima Needle's Sashiko Needles Assorted Long, and a l eather palm-thimble . I quilted the sleeves without batting. I really love my jacket! Resources A Little Somethin’ Jacket at http://cntpattern.com Outer fabric: “Yukata Boro Neibi” for “Yukata” collection by Debbie Maddy for Moda 2022. https://www.debbiemaddy.com/collections/fabrics/produ

 by Linda Theil Spencer-Ogg cospod front I reduced the Spencer-Ogg "Cosmetics Pod" pattern to 85-percent so that the fancy stripe from the Jim Shorr "Nordic Noel" collection for Benartex would fit nicely into the one-piece-pattern design.  By laying out the pattern carefully between the stripes, the fancy figures in the stripe fall neatly across the back of the little pouch. You have to layout the pattern so that the featured stripe is upright across the large section of the pattern. Everything in that section will be the back of the pouch; everything below the large section will become the front of the pouch, everything above will become the top of the front. Please see the photo below that shows the correct placement of the pattern on the "Nordic Noel" stripe. Fortunately, the bottom section of this "Nordic Noel" stripe is non-directional -- except for the little birds, that are hidden on the bottom of the bag. If the rest of the stripe was on

 by Linda Theil When I saw Jess at OklaRoots on YouTube demonstrate construction of this Sallie Tomato pattern, "Scarlett" , I thought it would be perfect for my cousin who wanted a 12 x 12 tote. I downloaded the inexpensive pattern PDF from the Sallie Tomato site, printed the file, and assembled the pattern pieces in no time. I had ordered striped yardage, panels, and coordinates from the Jim Shore "Nordic Noel" collection for Benartex last year, so I had lots of options for putting together a pretty tote. Front "Scarlett" tote Back "Scarlett" tote  I was inspired to create a bag bauble by Tania Martin at Beautiful Faux Leather and Vinyl . She posts her "Bag Bling" tutorials on her Facebook page. I used one of the "Nordic Noel" panel motifs for an inside patch pocket.  The strap had a clean and easy insertion. I used Decovil Light and Pellon fusible midweight for interfacings.  Resources OklaRoots website, https://oklaroot

 by Alisa This quilt is a project that started with an idea I had had awhile ago to make a black and white baby quilt. I had seen somewhere that babies love to look at high-contrast items: "Newborns' color perception is limited to white, black and shades of grey, because their eyes and capacity for sight are not fully developed at birth. As a result, babies loves to look at high-contrast black-and-white patterns, which stand out in their blurry worlds, attracting their attention and helping them focus." from Advantages of Black and White in Developing Newborns' Vision . Then I fell in love with a fat-quarter bundle that my mom bought -- " Linework" by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics . As soon as I saw that fabric, I knew I wanted to make a high-contrast quilt, but for who?  Luckily, I found a purpose when I realized I had a baby shower coming up for a couple who would appreciate a modern vibe. I thought that half-square triangles would be fun but wanted a p

by Linda Theil J ournalist Meg Cox discusses "Making Meaning" at GAAQG. Washtenaw Community College, Ypsilanti MI July 16, 2022. Today the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild celebrated its first in-person guild meeting since January 2020 in the newly renovated auditorium at Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I accessed the event via Zoom thanks to the GAAQG continuing virtual meetings. Meg Cox was the keynote speaker. As a journalist specializing in the quilt beat, Cox's  bonafides  are long and exemplary. In the first of two presentations, Cox spoke about her journey as a journalistic specialist in quilts and the direction of quilting today. She touted digital fabric printing and hand sewing as two seemingly divergent aspects of modern quilting.  As a quilt journalist, Cox has been there, done it all, and wrote the book. As a former Wall Street Journal reporter, she has a keen eye for trends and the financial aspects of the quilting world. In 2008 at a nat