Sewing Vs. Planting… Which Do You Prefer?

There are MANY days that what I am working on isn’t photographable.

Lots & lots & lots of time goes into the process of making a new quilt pattern,

so much so, you have no idea!

Today is a day that I actually thought (& remembered as I was doing…) to take photos.

I’m working on a new quilt idea that has lots of Mini & Tiny Dresden plates (shocker I know).

What I was working on today involved making a single tree.

Yes, a single tree, ALL DAY.

Pretty sure I could have bought & planted a tree much quicker!

Not only that, this is not the first day that I’ve lingered over said tree.

I knew the finished size,

& that it would be a tree,

but I couldn’t get this tree to materialize, LITERALLY!

Today I jumped in and decided it would have templates.

Yes, I hate having to cut templates!

I like to start out running and be able to cut everything with my rotary cutter.

Don’t you?

Not that you can’t cut this tree block out with a rotary cutter, because I did,

not only the paper version, but also the fabric version.

Unfortunately, it’s not a certain size I can relate to you to cut.

I started with a version of a tree that I incorporated into my

“Oh Christmas Tree” pattern several years ago.

These trees are rotary cut,

quickly pieced, then trimmed to size.

I decided to resize this block to make it fit into the parameters of my new design.

I made a paper block.

Then I made another…

I stapled the seam allowance, lol!

How crafty, right?

Then “trimmed” it to the finished size.

Unfortunately I wasn’t crazy about it…

So, literally back to the drawing board…

I sketched out the finished tree that I wanted,

then I added the seam allowance to each piece.

Next I made templates & printed them out to scale.

I decided to sew the paper templates!

Why not?

“Pressing” them was quite accurate!

Next I needed to assemble the sections.

Quite simple.

So far, so good.

The finished block was perfect.

So, I gathered some newly acquired “vintage” fabrics & cut the pieces.

How awesome, right???

I sewed them just like the paper prototype.

And, voilà!

Exactly what I imagined, finally!

Now, after weeks of designing,

I’m looking forward to making the actual quilt.

If only I could decide on the fabrics, lol.

I hope you’re enjoying summer!

I love waking to the sun streaming into my sewing room once again.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

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Happy 4th Of July 2019

I hope you’ll be spending the day doing something fun

with people you love!

My trays of deviled eggs were made yesterday afternoon,

so this morning I am designing/sewing

a new pattern sample

& this afternoon I will be joining family & friends

to celebrate our country’s & my niece’s birthdays!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

A Merry Christmas To You, Quilt-Along Week #22, Final Week!

Week # 22

It’s the final week &

your quilt is almost finished!

Refer to the instructions on page 8 to

“Assemble Large Quilt”

make the “Inner border”

using the half-square triangles that you made last week,

make the “Middle Sawtooth Border”

& finally make the “Outer Border”

then, sit back and admire your awesome success.

Thanks for sewing this quilt with me!!!

It means so much to me that your buy my patterns and want to sew along with me too!

Please post your progress on our “Sewing With Susan” Facebook group.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

Your Patriotic Decorating

The 4th of July always sneaks up on me

& before I know it,

I’ve forgotten to get out my awesome patriotic quilts!

Are you the same?

You’re so busy with work,

birthdays & graduations,

Father’s Day,

yard work,

kids,

housework, etc.,

that the precious time slips by?

Well, today is the day to get out those quilts & decorations!

I have so many quilts to choose from.

Two are brand new this year.

Both Star Spangled Dresdens

& Stars & Stripes Forever are quilt-as-you-go,

meaning if you start now they could be done by the 4th!

Dresden Flags has both wall & table top versions.

I especially love the table top version of Dresden Flags.

The 12″ stand makes the display of the quilt perfect!

The stands are on my website along with the pattern.

I think my all-time favorite patriotic quilt is Old Glory in Mini Applecore.

That’s probably because I used my all-time favorite fabrics,

Thimbleberries!

This quilt isn’t a pattern,

& I don’t own it, Blake does,

but I came across this pic & wanted to share it anyway.

This is the quilt that we designed together

with the star signature blocks from his college graduation party.

Look at those awesome feathers that Tamara quilted into the stripes!

Signs of Summer can be hung all summer long.

It’s an oldie but goodie &

so is this Four Little Flags pattern.

& I almost forgot a more recent pattern,

Dresden Buddies Uncle Sam!

He’s so cute & was lots of fun to make too.

We sold lots of these in Kansas City a couple of weeks ago.

We sold out of the hangers while there,

but they’re in stock now on my website.

If a little quilt is all you’re looking for

Tiny Dresden July may be the just the ticket!

I think my Tiny Dresden Seasonal Series is probably my favorite!

Again, the hangers make the quilt display perfect!

The 6 x 6 scroll hangers are available too.

I’m probably forgetting a patriotic quilt or two,

but I’ve given you lots to see & think about, right?

If you’ve already made them,

I hope you have them on display.

If not, here’s your reminder.

If you’re looking for some quilt projects

to help your home look more patriotic,

check them out on my website today!

We’re open Sundays, Lol.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

 

 

A Merry Christmas To You, Quilt-Along Week #21

Week # 21

Now that the quilt sections are all assembled,

if you’re making the 4 small quilts,

layer them with backing & batting then quilt as desired.

Bind the quilts & apply labels; you’re done!

If you’re making the 1 large quilt,

refer to page 8 to make 154 half-square triangles.

I know that seems like a BIG number,

but that’s just 22 hst’s for each of the 7 days this week!

I’m pretty sure I made them all in 1 day, plus assembled the rest of the quilt too.

(insert cracking whip sound here)

Remember, you’re going to love this quilt when it’s

quilted and hanging on your wall every Christmas!!!

Looking back at the pics I can’t believe that

not only did I make this very detailed quilt,

but I made it again so I could have the

4 individual quilts photographed for the pattern cover too!!!

That must have been temporary insanity

that came over me while I mindlessly pieced the little Dresden plates.

“This ain’t so bad”, the crazy lady said!

Please keep posting your progress on our “Sewing With Susan” Facebook group.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

 

Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival 2019 In The Rearview Mirror

Why does it seem we look forward to something for so long,

then in a blink of an eye it’s over?

Set-up went well.

I ordered a double booth on an end,

so, lots of space to show lots of quilts.

I loved the way the lighting really showed off Tamara’s quilting!

The Meet The Teachers cocktail hour was fun

& I got photos with some friendly quilters :)

Even snagged another student or two for our Thursday workshop.

The crowd was amazing!

Many quilters were able to take advantage of planned bus trips.

That’s the way to go!

Leave the driving up to a pro & enjoy the trip with your friends.

Clare was excellent help!

I couldn’t have done it without her!

She handled the booth single-handedly during my class Thursday.

(Sorry no pics! We were too busy!)

Clare also manned the booth alone while I gave a presentation Friday.

My “Name That Quilt” Quilt-as-you-go book was a hit!

Who doesn’t need to make a baby quilt every so often?

This one is quick & easy

& the entire alphabet is included & reversed for you.

I demonstrated the assembly of

little Dresden plates more times than I can count!

FUN, FUN, FUN!

We sold out of BOO pillow kits

& one of my personal favorites;

Dresden Sundaes.

Dresden Buddies Snowman was also a sell-out

as well as the Victorian hangers that I use to hang my

Dresden Buddies series quilts.

We’ll have more hangers tomorrow.

“God’s Peace” was another sell-out.

We didn’t quite sell out of them,

but more of their hangers will also be here tomorrow.

If you ordered a pattern(s) that we ran out of,

they all shipped on Monday.

You should have them soon!

While we were away,

the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup!

The rest of the family participated in the celebratory parade Saturday.

The show was over at 5:00 Saturday

& we were on the road by 6:31!

It’s always a bit of a game

to challenge ourselves

to try & beat our best pack-up time, Lol

We made it safely home

& items that were depleted have been reordered.

You can find all of the patterns & notions on my website.

If you were wanting something that we ran short of,

if we don’t already have it,

we should have it soon!

If in doubt, send me an email

SuznQuilts@aol.com

Thanks to all of you who came to see us!

If you’d like to schedule lectures or workshops for your guild

or shop you can find a listing here on my website.

Until we meet again,

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

A Merry Christmas To You, Quilt-Along Week #20

Week # 20

It’s time to assemble the last little quilt.

Refer again to page 7 to sew together the blocks to make Quilt #4.

The diagram will show you what blocks to sew together to make the vertical & horizontal sections,

& the numbers tell you what order to sew those sections to each other to complete Quilt #4.

As noted,

Quilt #4 should measure 18 1/2″ x 26″.

Please keep posting your progress on our “Sewing With Susan” Facebook group.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan