The Quilted Garden

I’ve blogged about my exhibit several times, but a solo exhibit is a big event in the life of a professional quilter! I wanted to blog about it one more time. These shows are so much work, that I’d almost prefer to be a part of a group exhibit instead.  This helps to share all the costs involved in making and shipping quilts to and from the show location. Shipping expense is a huge consideration, that 2 or 3 years ago when I agreed to have the show, was not as large a cost. Any of you considering shows now, should think about this cost long and hard!

Back to the show at the La Conner Museum.  I always make a quilt especially for my exhibitions. As you know Coneflower Fiesta is the featured quilt for this one.Why did I choose coneflowers? I’ve done so many coneflower pieces and still have some in mind.

I wanted this one to be large, showy, and have flowers that dance across the width. This carries out the theme from my book on free-motion quilting, Dancing with Thread.  The quilting is spontaneous and adds lots of interest to an otherwise boring sky-like background.  And lastly, it carries out the garden theme for the show: The Quilted Garden.

Background of Coneflower Fiesta in process

I began this project by piecing together blue and green strips to create the background. Most are 6 -10 inches wide. I was tired of making quilts with pieced squares in the background and wanted to create a simple yet striking setting.

Fused top of Coneflower Fiesta. The multi-colored cones are a favorite rainbow commercial fabric.

Eventually one ginkgo leaf and a fallen petal were added before the embroidery was started.  After the top was completed. I marked where the quilted flaming spirals were to be placed by safety pinning paper circles on the top. So if I got carried away with my dancing/quilting, the important space for the spirals would be reserved.

So the show is up, the doors are open, and my quilt is on display. You can check my website for more of the story of its making. Make sure you look at the 3 closeups to view the flowers and spirals. Or better yet, go see the exhibit.

This quilt has become a new favorite of mine.  Thanks for reading.

Ann

Patternspot.com

My newest pattern at Patternspot.com

One of my recent projects includes designing some new patterns. I am on my way.  I now have 4 on my page at http://www.patternspot.com. Just enter my name:  Ann Fahl,  in the search box. There is no paying for shipping and handling, no waiting for the mail to arrive, you simply download the pattern and print it at home.  Give it a try! They have tons of patterns by many designers.

I include pictorial instructions on how to do this fan fold.

I have already told you about my table runner pattern in an earlier post, and now I've added a $4 pattern on how and why we should make cloth table napkins. It's called No Sew Cloth Napkins: a family friendly project. This isn't a pattern like you might purchase at the quilt shop, but more like a complete magazine article that gives my personal history about why I started making them, instructions on how to make them, yardage, why I don't have to iron, and pages on how to do my favorite fan fold that will make your table look festive.  You might enjoy it. I have to say, I designed a great cover for my new product!

Thanks for reading.

Ann

A Great New Book

Joen Wolfrom recently published a new book. And it is a great one!  The title is Adventures in Design published by C & T.  Available as an e-book too.

When I am teaching a multiple day workshop that involves design, I am frequently asked how a person can learn about color and design.  I have never had a good answer for them until now. The answer is this book, it is in full color 140 pages, that's a lot! and 150 quilts. It is a real delight to just flip through the book to see all the pictures, she has included artists from all over the world, and I'm on page 119. She also includes luscious photos of all kinds of things, the colors of the closeups of flowers are unbelievable.

She goes through the design elements, one by one: line, direction, shape, color, value, texture, proportion and scale.  Before you tune out, she explains everything in a very interesting understandable manner and illustrates with quilts.

Next are the principles of design: balance and focus are the important ones for me; then she covers unity repetition; rhythm etc. She makes these rather boring principles visually exciting, and you will "get it."

This is a book to keep in your sewing area, or near your reading chair for years to come.  Study it a little now, try some of her hints and ideas; and then return to it again and again.  You will learn something new each time.

Give it a try!

Ann Fahl

Piecing with a Titanium Topstitch Needle

All this business began with a booklet I am writing called: Mastering Metallics.  I have had trouble quilting with metallic threads for years.  I like to think of myself as a thread expert, I wrote two books on the subject.  But I'm coming clean, right here and now; quilting with metallics has been my downfall!

Thankfully the problems have been solved, after hours and hours of trial, error, tears, and emailing other experts on quilting and thread.  The booklet is almost ready to be published, it has a great cover!  Anyhow, I'm kind of off topic.

The other day the e-newsletter came from thequiltshow.com and it featured a video with Bob from Superior Threads, talking about "using the correct needle."  So I watched it, thinking I might find some new information of interest for my booklet. Well, I did.

Size 70/10 Titanium Coated Topstitch Needles

Just in passing Bob mentioned that the size 70/10 titanium topstitch needle could be used in piecing. I'm the lazy type, and if I have to do just a little piecing, I'll use what is in the machine. That's usually a 80/12 topstitch needle. But I don't like the larger holes that it creates when I'm sewing a seam.  But like I said, I'm lazy.

I sell these needles when I'm on the road, and I have a pack of the 70/10 size sitting near my machine. Oh yes, they piece beautifully. They have a longer eye, which gives the thread plenty of space to move around while the stitch is being created. Because the eye isn't too big, it doesn't make that big hole on either end of the stitch. Wow, what an eye opener. I now promise, with right hand raised, to "always change the needle to a topstitch 70/10 when I sew a seam or piece." 

In this picture, Ann is piecing with a new 70/10 titanium topstitch needle.  This picture just proves that you should always look in the mirror and comb your hair before taking a picture of yourself sewing!

 OK, now raise your right hand, say it with me:  "I promise to always change the needle to a topstitch 70/10 when I sew a seam or piece."  You will learn that the titanium needles last much longer, so you will actually save money on needles when you do this! This will make your world a better place.

It goes to show you that one never knows when some little piece of news will change the way you do things.

Have a great day.

Ann

For October 3 2011 only

I just learned that my quilt Celebration of Life is on the quiltindex for today. I consider this to be one of my top 10 best!  Thank you quiltindex!

http://www.quiltindex.org/news/

Celebrate the day!

Ann Fahl