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February 2013
| February 12, 2013 Quilter's Challenge/Spring 2013 Hello folks! Announcing our latest "Quilter's Challenge" for Spring, 2013. This challenge will be based on a free "ebook" from Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting called Build Your Best Log Cabin. I was invited to review this book here on my blog by the publishers. Soooo...I thought, why not turn this opportunity into a challenge for our quilting friends Click Download LogCabin_DECebook_7890 to download your free copy. The image below is from the book. Believe it or not, this is in the "Log Cabin Style"!  Careful color placement of every log in every block makes this quilt designed by Shon McMain, a stand out, even tho it is basically a traditional "Log Cabin" block! After downloading the ebook, you can use it as inspiration as well as for instruction in "building" your own Log Cabin quilt for the challenge. At first, I believed that the ebook would feature the same old, tired log cabin type quilts. But, after I started to peruse the pages, I realized that, "Hey, this is pretty cool!" Of course for me, lover of all quilts bright and off beat, I was drawn to several of the variations offered that were based primarily on color placement to create special effects. The authors feature the three most popular Log Cabin styles: Traditional, Courthouse Steps and Chevron. It just so happens that the quilt we designed for Quilt Sampler Magazine was a Courthouse Steps pattern and our Shop Hop Project for this year is a Chevron style. Both of these quilts feature Kaffe Fassett woven striped fabric. What a coincidence! Here is "Stripe It Rich" the quilt in Quilt Sampler Fall/Winter 2012  And here is our Shop Hop quilt..."Yikes Stripes"  Putting these blocks on point really changes the look of this pattern! The book is nicely illustrated and well organized. Included are antique examples and a bit of log cabin history that go along with each style. Best of all are the helpful cutting charts to make blocks in different sizes. Every conceivable setting option is illustrated for each style of log cabin block as well. Brand new projects are included by several well known designers such as Ricky Tims and Marti Michell. Organizing and sewing tips are sprinkled throughout the book. There are clear diagrams for both block and quilt top assembly. The projects range from "Challenging" to "Easy" and are basically fat eighth friendly. A successful Log Cabin style quilt depends primarily on alternating dark and light values. But color placement is also an important factor. There are two tutorials at the end of the book, one is how to "Bind with Piping" and the other illustrates Liz Porter's method of binding that creates a diagonal seam that looks like the other seams in your binding. Both techniques are well illustrated and explained in a straight forward, easy to understand manner. Now for the rules of the Challenge. There are not many. You are to create a "Log Cabin" style of quilt. The minimum size is wall hanging and the maximum size is Queen. The "Log Cabin" style must be incorporated in your design...however you may add other styles of blocks as well, (Look at Ricky Tims' design in the ebook, "Bears In Bertie's Log Cabin". Your quilt must be quilted or tied. You must be able to attend the Challenge Luncheon on Saturday, May 18th. Best of all, the winners may have their quilts published in a Fon's and Porter magazine! To enter the challenge, please call 802-824-5700 or email Shelley at waterwheelhouse@aol.com Oh, and by the way...we now have a shopping cart on our website. Yippee! You can now order online! We are so excited about this new addition to the site. To check it out go to Waterwheelhouse.com. Last, but not least. Perhaps you have noticed the "Craftsy" links on my sidebar. Did you know that if you click "Learn More" and actually sign up to take a class on the web, Waterwheel House Quilt Shop will get a small commission from "Craftsy". I am taking a class online from "Craftsy" called "Big Techniques From Small Scraps" with Sara Fielke. What an opportunity! I can take the classes any time on my own schedule and watch them as many times as I wish. Not to mentions that Sara is one of my quilting idols! I have also added some links to "Free" classes on Craftsy, if you would like to try one of those first. Being that so many of our out of town customers are not able to take our classes, we think that "Craftsy" is a good way to learn new skills and techniques from real "celebrity teachers"! Try a class and let me know what you think. And remember to register thru the link on my sidebar! As always, Happy Sewing! Shelley February 04, 2013 February Snippets Happy February everyone! We had a fabulous Nature Scape series of classes taught by Susan Damone Balch in January. Here are the students intent on piecing their projects.   Here is Ruth's piece in progress...  And here is Claire's Tulip...  Truddie's work in progress...love these fabrics!  Joyce's hummingbird... This series of 4 classes will be repeated this Spring. The dates are April 13th, 20th, 27th and Saturday May 4th. We can only accomodate 6 students so call soon if you want to participate. Susan is a genius with color and design. Don't miss this opportunity to work with Susan! To check out our schedule of classes go to our website. Or call 802-824-5700 This month Susan is teaching "Intuitive Quilting" and Saturday was the first session. Wow...these sewists are amazing! Here is Susan's sample for the class.  Pretty Amazing! Stay tuned for more pics from this workshop. Thought I would share another photo of the Maple Leaf King quilt, a custom order.  Looks better on the bed, huh?  If only I had the time, I would make one for myself!  Quilting detail... Here is a Shop sample quilt using Sweet Jane's pattern "Flowers In The Sunshine" and the "Roughing It" line of fabric set on "Stone" kona solid...  The bears are from a line by David Walker for Free Spirit Fabrics as are the squirrels on the back.  A closer look. Call if you would like a kit. 802-824-5700 This Martha Negley sample below has been a big hit. The "PDQ" pattern by Swirly Girls is perfect for a beginner and these fabrics are lovely. This is the smallest size, the pattern has instructions for up to a king size quilt.  Another popular kit is "City Park" by Cheri House. Here is a detail of our sample...  Don't forget our large array of Kona solids from Kaufman are waiting for your next "Modern" quilt project. Sunday, February 10th at 12:30 pm, Laura Bittle will be teaching from her own pattern....Happee Tree  This is a great beginner class in applique, Laura's way. A few spots left in the class, we can only take 6 students so call ASAP! 802-824-5700 Shop Hop is just around the corner! Our Shop Hop Project is complete and hanging in the shop.  "Yikes Stripes" Designed and pieced by Judith Ackerman, inspired by a quilt by Kaffe Fassett and quilted by Andrew Sas. Here is a detail...  Way to quilt Andrew!  An even closer look! A free pattern for this quilt will be available for Shop Hoppers during the Vermont Shop Hop, March 15th thru March 24th. Are you going to "hop around" the state of Vermont this year? It is a "not to be missed" event! For more info on the Hop visit http://www.shophop.com/ Guess what? Our website now has a "Shopping Cart". Yes, you can buy kits, finished quilts, patterns , books and fabric bundles online! Yippee! We will continue to update our products! Take a look...Here Our Block of the Month "Swoon Along" begins this week. We have 86 participants from all over the US! We are very excited! Our next Quilter's Challenge will be announced this month. We have decided on the concept and rules so stay tuned. You will get an email regarding the details of our 2013 Challenge so watch your inbox. More later... Happy Sewing! Shelley |
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- Phone: 802-824-5700
- 6795 Vermont Route 100
- Londonderry, VT 05148