Cozy Quilt Chatter

Building Blocks Month #1: Hammer & Nails

Post by Andrea Paden

Today I'm talking about a new program here at Cozy Quilt Shop. It's called "Building Blocks with Sharyn Craig"! Building Blocks is a monthly program designed by the one and only Sharyn Craig. But is isn’t just a matter of making one block each month (which is a wonderful, minimal obligation plan anyway), it’s about challenging yourself to make a block the way you want to make it - branching out, and seeing what happens.  Join me in making these fun, easy to piece blocks and follow along as I share some of my experiences.

I have been so excited about making my own Building Blocks! I enjoy Sharyn's teaching and design style so much and I knew that this would be a really fun project to do throughout the year. Her patterns are written well, very organized and easy to understand. And whether you are a beginner like me, or an experienced quilter, that is a good thing.

Getting Ready to Build

Building Blocks kits come in 5 different colorways - Black & White, Red, White & Blue, Red & Green, Brights, and Pastels. I chose to use the Brights as I haven't done any projects in bold colors yet and I thought it would be good for me to branch out. Before I even opened my kit bag, I flipped through Sharyn's Welcome Handout (you should ask for one when you buy your first block - we include them with your 1st Building Block web order) and was relieved to read that I didn't have to make my block with templates. That was not my favorite part of my Intro. to Quilting class - I'd rather just use my rotary cutter.

I picked a white-on-white fabric to use as my background fabric. Following Sharyn's advice, I went ahead and got 2 yards (you can always find use for a white-on-white!) to use for the background and any borders I might want to add later.

Before I started cutting, I made a few copies of the block from the cover image on my Hammer & Nails pattern from my desktop printer at home to make some sample designs.

When I was ready to pick which colored fabric would go into the block design in each place, I got a glass of iced tea and turned on Oprah, got out my kid's colored pencils and went to work on some making some different color options.

  
 
Once I got a block design that I was happy with, I went to work cutting, then piecing. I've noticed I can get very frustrated when I am piecing - I might be a little bit of a perfectionist. But once that block starts to take shape, I get a wonderful feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment! And it even ended up being the right size! Here's what I ended up with:

 
Sharyn mentioned a great organization tip in her Handout: making a special box to keep all of your Building Blocks stuff throughout the year. It reminded me of those cool organization shows where they dump all your stuff on the driveway, go through it and put it all back neat and tidy. I love it! So I found a clear storage box I bought at Target and that is my new Building Blocks Box! I put my tip sheet, Month 1 kit and leftover fabric, and my completed block inside for storage until I get my next kit. I even put the leftover fabric right in the plastic bag for the Month 1 pattern to keep the box from becoming a mess.

 

Designing my own block was a lot of fun. I like being able to pick which fabric and/or colors to emphasize and what shapes to create. That's not something you get to do much in an everyday pattern. I'm already looking forward to February 1 when I can get my next kit! I wonder what those fabrics will look like? 

If you haven't gotten your own Building Blocks kit or pattern for Month 1, there's still time! Come in to the shop, call or go online to CozyQuilt.com Kits Page. You can also buy the Building Block Patterns alone if you want to use your own fabric for these blocks. And we offer Building Blocks in an Auto-Ship system! Just call the shop to be added to the list and we'll ship your kit or pattern after the 1st of each month - no need to order everytime!

My Introduction to Quilting

Post by Andrea Paden

Working at a quilt shop and being surrounded by bolt after fabulous bolt of fabric can really give a person the itch to stitch! Up until this year, I had never sewn a thing. Except during junior high home economics class, and since I don’t remember a thing, I don’t think that counts. I really am a novice. I didn’t know how to thread a sewing machine needle, where to put a bobbin, or where you keep your feed dogs. But I really do love all the different lines of fabric with so many fun patterns and prints in every style that you can imagine. I had to have some. And then, I needed something to do with it. I just needed to sew something! 

So, after getting some sewing basics and learning my way around a machine, I signed myself up to take Sandy Thompson’s Introduction to Quilting class (*see below for more information on this class). What a great place to start, right? I got my class supply list, borrowed a sewing machine (since I didn’t have one of my own yet), and went wandering the rows of fabric in the shop for inspiration to make my first quilt.

First thing’s first. I had to get my supplies. Mechanical pencil – I knew what that was. Glue stick – I couldn’t imagine what we would need one for but I knew what that was. Rotary cutter – yep, seen those in the shop. Pins – okay. Monofiliment thread – huh? Had to ask about that one, but I am now the proud owner of both clear and smoke. Walking foot – well, yeah. I have two but I didn’t think that my left and right feet were actually what Sandy meant so I had to ask about that one too. I honestly didn’t even know there were different feet for a sewing machine, let alone an entire wall of feet to choose from. And, ouch! That was not an inexpensive item. But now that I know a little bit more, I realize that it is a complete necessity for quilting and worth every penny. After making only this one small quilt in class, I already understand the need for this special foot.

I was so excited to take my first class. Sandy is a wonderful teacher, as so many of you already know. She is patient and understanding – just what every nervous needleworker needs! The class is in five parts, so not only do you get to complete an entire small quilt, but you get some great knowledge for quilting, tips and even a little history of quilting. The Intro class quilt is based on four 12 ½” traditional blocks. One is Log Cabin and the other three were of our choosing from a list Sandy provided. For the block we made to learn the template method, I choose Cry of the Loon, then Mosaic #8 and Sunflower.

I choose fabrics from the shop that reminded me of my daughter and would compliment her bedroom. This quilt is a small size and I thought it would be great for her since she is small sized, too. She is three and loves all bright colors, soft things and flowers. So the Boutique line by Chez Moi for Moda was just perfect.I think that choosing fabrics with the right color, compliment, and contrast can be one of the hardest parts of quilting. Luckily, Sandy helped me choose some of my fabric so I wouldn’t end up with a quilt I didn’t like. I was originally choosing everything in the same tone and I wouldn’t have had enough contrast in my quilt top.

 
Once we got to sewing, I started to get anxious. I lean toward “perfectionism” (although I am trying to give myself a break as I get older), so I was frustrated that my points weren’t lining up as nicely as I wanted. They weren’t perfect! When we had to square up our blocks I really got frustrated. To make them all equal sizes, I had to trim some down. Of course the ones that had to be trimmed were the ones with lovely triangle points on the edges, and those were all cut off to measure up with the other blocks. Urggg! I matched up my seams carefully, pinned and could sew a straight line, but I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. I thought I was doing it right. But, no. The Sewing Gods were not with me on this one. This was a learning quilt and I was meant to learn and that means making at least a few mistakes. So I gave myself a break and trudged forward on my quilt.

When I finished connecting all four blocks with lattice and cornerstones (not the kind you find in the garden, I learned!), I stretched out my kinked neck and fingers and thought, “Wow! This looks like a quilt. A real quilt. And I am doing it.” That’s a pretty proud moment for someone who didn’t even know how to sew a few weeks prior!

Next it was time to attach the backing and do some quilting. Sandy teaches “In-the-ditch” quilting for the Intro quilt. After getting a sore neck and forgetting to breathe for what I’m sure were full minutes at a time, I learned I do not love “In-the-ditch” quilting**. Uughh! I agree completely with Maureen who describes it as “barbaric!” It is definitely not something that comes naturally for this novice quilter. It makes me so tense! For me, it’s kind of along the lines of learning to balance a checkbook. Something you have to learn how to do, but probably won’t want to very often.

With my quilting done, it was time to add the binding. That’s the last step! What a thrilling thought. I was about to finish the last step in making my first quilt! I was almost done! I had to do a little dance in the middle of my sewing room, but don’t worry, no one saw my embarrassing display.
  
 
The best part about this class and project was that when I was done and looked at my quilt as a whole, I didn’t notice all the little imperfections. I was so proud to have actually made my own quilt that all I saw was all my hard work, all the things I had learned, and all the love I put into this project because I was making it for my daughter. In making my first quilt, I have rarely felt such a feeling of accomplishment. Like all things that are really worth doing, it took time, effort, and patience. I learned what I needed to feel confident in myself, and I earned the right to call myself a Quilter!

Here's my happy girl with her new blankie. She says she loves it sooo much!

So, now the only thing that is left to do is to figure out what to make next!

*If you would like to take one of Sandy's Intro. to Quilting classes at Cozy Quilt Shop, check our Class Schedule on our website for the next installment.

**Skill Update:  I am proud to say that I have now Mastered "In-the-Ditch" stitching, and although I don't think I would quilt an entire project this way, it is a good skill to have in your pocket! I even used it on a Professional Tote bag that I am currently making in a "Bags for Friends and Fun" (BFF) class.

Fresh Flower Art Class

Post by Andrea Paden

You’ve gotta love a class with a Supply List that includes fresh flowers and a hammer, but no sewing machine! Oh yeah, ear plugs are optional. I am talking, of course, about a Fresh Flower art class I took at Cozy.  Or, as we like to call it, a Flower Pounding class. What I liked best about this class is that anyone can do it! You don’t have to be a quilter. You don’t even have to know how to sew at all. As long as you can swing a hammer, you can make something beautiful and have a blast doing it. I think it would be especially refreshing, say, for Mom’s with misbehaving children, disgruntled employees, irritated housewives, and anyone who may just be having a bad day. All that pounding with a hammer really gets those frustrations out! When I first saw the examples for our Fresh Flower Art Quilt class, I was ready to sign up immediately. These small sized art quilts looked so beautiful and different from anything else I have seen and my artsy-fartsy background kicked into high gear! I was also attracted to the fact that these are smaller sized projects and so not as intimidating to me as a full-sized quilt. In fact, you can make Fresh Flower Art Quilts in any size you like. You have full control. You really don’t even have to make them into a quilt. You can frame or display your finished piece without adding a backing or binding. You can make pictures to hang on the wall, cards to give away, pillows, or, if you choose, use these unique creations for various blocks to be sewn into a special quilt.Our class had people from all different walks of life and all different skill and experience levels. Just a sampling of our group included Jolene, a stay-at-home-Mom and former teacher new to quilting; Loretta, an experienced quilter; and Mary, an artist who does not quilt at all.
Our teacher was Peggy Caballero, a lovely and charming lady who gets you going with the basics and then just lets you go for it! Because the class can get a little loud, she suggests ear plugs or cotton balls to block the sound. And to get your attention after all that pounding begins, she just waves a “white flag” of fabric. The whole process is really very simple, but it was great to be in a group setting to learn this technique and see the results that everyone gets from their flowers. Everyone including Peggy brought different kinds of flowers from their yard or from a store and we all just shared around. It was so interesting to see how different flowers stained the fabric. Some that we all thought would work great just didn’t, and some we were sure wouldn’t give off much color turned out to produce the brightest results.

  
I don’t know if it was the fact that this class is just plain noisy or that there’s no pressure to sew a straight line…  but everybody in this class had a great time! It was so enjoyable to hammer away at these delicate flowers and end up with such pretty little images.

 
This technique would be a great one to learn and share with kids of all ages. How much fun would it be to spend a summer day outside with the kids pounding flowers? They would love it! You could make tote bags for the beach, park or school, custom t-shirts or bandanas. It would make a great project to include Dad in on as well. After all, it does require a hammer!If you aren’t using a pretreated fabric off the bolt for your project (we carry some in the shop), then you might want to investigate this terrific resource, Flower Pounding by Ann Frischkorn & Amy Sandrin to learn how to treat your own fabric so it holds the color and stands up to delicate washing better. This book is also our teacher’s favorite resource – she still refers to it even after 9 years of pounding! My favorite image is of the skateboarder. See, you can make colorful images with flowers and they don’t have to be just for girls!

Towards the end of class, we got instructions on how to add a few finishing touches to our art to create detail and enhance the colors we have created, and Voila! You have a Fresh Flower Art Quilt! What a unique item to decorate your home with or give to a friend. It takes a fraction of the time and expense that making an entire quilt takes, but is so elegant that it would be treasured by any recipient.

You can use flowers to create various shapes with templates. Peggy has made lots of different shapes including vases, cats, and even a seahorse. Fresh Flower Art Quilts, 2 will be given here at the shop in July for any students who have already taken the first class and want to create a larger project from start to finish while learning more advanced Flower Art techniques.

If you are interested in the Fresh Flower Art Class, Level 1, you can find information and class times on our website. Fresh Flower Art Quilts, 2 is best taken after attending the Level 1 class. 

Friday Night Fever on March 5, 2010

by Andrea Paden

Friday Night Fever is Cozy Quilt Shop's monthly sit and sew with a Disco theme. Once a month from 5pm to 10pm we offer great music, good food, and lots of fun sewing in the Cozy Classroom, all for only $20! If you would like to get in on the action, check our website for the Friday Night Fever schedule. It's a great way to complete unfinished projects and have a blast at the same time!

This month’s Friday Night Fever was a fun-filled evening for all of us! The music was crankin’, the disco ball was spinin’, and sewing machines were smokin’!

It was a very productive night for pillowcases. Diane got lots of them ready to go for our 1 Million Pillowcase challenge. I’m sure we’ll make our goal of 3,000 pillowcases at this rate!

 

Mary started and completed all 12 Dutch Treat blocks – she’s a Super Sewer! If you didn’t see it before, Dutch Treat was the block designed by Cozy Quilt Shop for the Spring Fling Row Quilt Run. Take a look at Mary’s work.

 
Are you inspired to make your own row of tulips? You can find everything you need to complete the entire row in our  Dutch Treat Kit, available on CozyQuilt.com.

As the evening wore on, the ladies got a little wild and crazy singing and dancing to Y-M-C-A, I Will Survive, and a few Michael Jackson tunes.

And after we worked up an appetite, Kathy served us her fabulous homemade lasagna. Of course there was room for chocolate cake!

Here is an adorable project. This sewer used the Love U Charm Squares in a patchwork quilt with a twist (or a tuck, I should say). She just added one tuck in the center of each seam to make squares puff up in this quilt top. Using a plush poly-batting will fill in each square to maintain the shape. A unique idea, so simple to do!

I even got a little work done on my first quilt, trying to complete my “in the ditch” quilting.

Everyone had a great time and left with a smile on their face! It’s so much fun to sew in such great company. Hope to see you next time!

Store Tour of Cozy Quilt Shop

I thought you might like a photo-tour of Cozy Quilt Shop.  We are located outside San Diego, CA in an area called Rancho San Diego.  Our mailing address says El Cajon but we are (happily) outside the city limits. I love our area... it's got everything we need, including hills, fresh air and a feeling of calm and quiet.