Moda Sampler Blocks from Week Six

These blocks were so much fun to make and they went really fast, even the little appliqué block.

Georgia's Batiks

Chris' Kaffe Fassetts

January - February 2016 Class Schedule

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Oh, it is wonderful to still be learning how to do new tricks and with that, allow me to introduce to you our new calendar of classes.

This is "behind the scenes baseball" information but as maybe you can tell, the file above looks a little different from the past calendars and this is because some people were not able to see the PDF file. As such, we were having to include jpegs or photographs of the individual pages. I am hoping, fingers crossed, that this issue has been resolved with new technology.

However, having said that, if you DO have a problem seeing the PDF, let us know and I will go back to adding the individual jpegs for you.

You will find some great new classes this year and the return of old favorites for those of you who have been waiting to get a seat. 

We DO have a Beginning Quilting class in February for anyone who is interested in learning this skill. 

Build-a-Block continues apace with NEW BLOCKS! for those of you who have been attending the classes in the past and still want to learn new ones. This is a really fun way to make a sampler quilt without stress. You can pick and choose the blocks YOU want to make. Just stop by and see the list of blocks and sign up for that one as you see them displayed on the side-bar of our weekly newsletter.

If you are not receiving our newsletter and wish to join the list, just click on the yellow button-link at the upper left side of this blog post. 

 Don't Forget to come join us as we celebrate Love Your Local Quilt Shop Day on Saturday, Jan. 23. We're going to have demonstrations, door prizes and great information to share.

If you'd like, you can join us in the Pantie Raid, too!

We are teaming up with Row By Row Experience to deliver packages of new underwear to the out local women's shelter, Safe Harbor. If you drop off a package or a single new pair of undies to the shop, we will give you a fat quarter as a way of saying thank you. 

We will be collecting the undies between Jan. 15 - 23.

Speaking of Row By Row Experience...

YES!! we are participating in this year's Experience. The theme for 2016 is Home Sweet Home and we are designing our row as I write this post.

Moda Sampler Block Shuffle Week 5 Blocks

 Here we are with the Week Five blocks........

We understand that the next few weeks are going to be busy for everyone. The last month of year is always packed with events and other important things to prepare for so, do not stress yourselves. When you print or download these patterns, you will have them when you are ready to make them.

So, think of the next 3 or 4 weeks as a Stress-Free Zone and just do what you want. There are no prizes to be in competition for and no reason to make yourselves unhappy.

  In the meantime, here are some blocks to give you ideas. When you look at the patterns themselves, check out the ideas for colorizing at the bottom of each pattern.

Chris' Kaffe Fassett

Georgia's Batiks

Block of the Month Programs at Bright Hopes Quilting

We have a new selection of Block of the Month Programs for you and a couple have already begun. Never fear, you can always pick up and catch up so let's take a look at the different projects.

Short Sands

This is an 7-month program featuring saline from our local environment. There is a nice mix of appliqué which can be done in any technique you prefer and piecing. All the fabrics in this BOM are batiks.  $22.99 each month

 Riverrock

Here is a Block of the month with the gorgeous Marcus batik fabrics and these make great use of 10" layer cakes. This is a 9-month BOM and will begin in January 2016. Each month is $29.99

Amish with a Twist III

One more time, these bold beautiful solids are in great display in this huge quilt (98" x 107"). You can choose between a completely pieced center or the appliqued one you see below. This is a 10 Month program. $24.99 each month

Monthly Table Runners with PatchAbilities

These cute table runners can be made as individuals or joined together as a seasonal row quilt for a sofa throw. Each month is $22.99 and each kit will also include embellishing devices such as buttons and/or fusible crystals.

We have no registration fee and are happy to mail you your kits so if you would like to begin any of these Block of the Month projects, give us a call at 985-845-9554

Moda Sampler Block Shuffle Week Four Blocks

Mona's Blocks

Linda Kay's Blocks

Chris' Kaffe Fassett Blocks

Georgia's Batiks

Moda Sampler Block Shuffle Week Three

Here are three sets of blocks from Week Three

Georgia's Batiks

Mona's Blocks

Linda Kay's Blocks

Pearl's Batiks

Chris Fassett blocks

Moda Sampler Block Shuffle Week Two Blocks

Here are new sets from Week Two!

Mona's Blocks

Linda Kay's Blocks

Pearl's Batiks

Georgia's Batiks

Chris' Kaffe Fassett



Now I have to mention that none us are seeing what the others are doing until the blocks are completed... so it's interesting to see some vague similarities this week!

If you are starting to work on your flying geese, check out the last post's tutorial on the Flying Geese No Math Ruler. Get those geese knocked out fast and easy.

Flying Geese and the No Math Ruler

TOOL U(niversity)

Have you tried the No Math Flying Geese Ruler, a wonderful acrylic ruler to have in your arsenal of quilting gadgets?

 Why do I ask, you ask? Because it takes the waste of time and more importantly, FABRIC, out of making Flying Geese.

In the past, to make a FG, you had two methods:

 1. cut a large triangle out of one fabric and two smaller ones out a contrasting fabric and sew along the diagonal. This was problematic in that you were sewing on the bias, which always allows a stretch to occur. I don't care how great a sewer you are, or how awesome your machine is, you're gonna get misshapen rectangles. And that brings us to

Method 2. Take a large RECTANGLE and two smaller SQUARES, and sew along the bias. Then cut away the other half of the square. This is a very much safer method to avoid that bias stretch but what a waste of fabric. I don't like wasting fabric. And a waste of time.

All that grrr is gone with the Flying Geese Ruler.

So, to start, you will need the No Math Flying Geese Ruler and 1 large square and 4 smaller squares. 

Keep in mind that larger square ends up being the goose and the smaller squares are the backgrounds.

To determine what size to cut, look at the ruler (above)  and you will see a list of finished sizes and corresponding squares. (Remember, this is the FINISHED size so your geese will all be 1/2" larger when you make them) For this demonstration, I used "G" (2 1/4" x 4 1/2" finished) and cut one large "G".

If you flip the ruler over, you will see the corresponding smaller dimension. You need to cut 4 of these.

Now, position two smaller squares thusly....

:

The yellow thing you see is my 1/2" Seams Easy ruler and the blue marking tool leaves a thin line of chalk. I lay the ruler down the diagonal and mark a line on either side of the centerline. I don't bother marking the center at all. The two blue lines are now my sewing lines and I sew just a scant in (towards the center) so that once I have ironed the seam allowance to one side, I won't lose any 'acreage' in the seam. I want a true measurement when I am finished.

I DO pin the smaller squares....

because I don't want them to shift around as I sew
and here's what it looks like when I have sewn down both lines.

Now you can cut the square in half but before you do, I recommend "setting the seam" which means iron the block as it is right now, before you cut it apart, then iron to the dark side.

You will have two heart-shaped blocks.

Place the remaining 2 smaller squares as shown and make the sew-lines, as you did before and sew the scant seams.
Set the seams again and cut down the two center-lines and you will be left with four separate flying geese. Iron to the dark side and you will have something that looks like this:

These geese should (and do) now measure 2.75" x 5" I trim the little ears off the blocks before I use them in a quilt block.

HINT!!!! 

Lately, I have taken to making my Flying Geese one size larger and trimming them down to the absolutely correct size because i am striving for complete accuracy. It takes a little longer and a little more fabric but the precision can't be beat!

This is a super fast way to make flying geese. And if you are making the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle quilt, you already know the outer border is packed with geese.

You can find the No Math Flying Geese ruler at Bright Hopes Quilting.

Week One Shuffle Blocks

Okay, you've had a couple of days to look at the three patterns we posted from the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle project and today I am adding some blocks being made by the staff here at Bright Hopes.....

Linda Kay's Blocks

Georgia's Batiks

Mona's Blocks

Pearl's Batiks

We'll keeping adding them as they are shared.

The Misadventures of Pearl and Company in their quest to find exciting new products at Quilt Market.

It began as usual with our 7:30 a.m. departure Thursday morning.  We did not experience ANY traffic delays, and filled the hours with excited conversations as to what we hoped to find at Market and our visit to some "new" to us quilt shops on the way. The first indication that our so far blissful day may be changing was when we exited I-59 at the George R. Brown exit and found that the ENTIRE front of the convention center was blocked off and that the street on which we usually made our way to the parking garage was no longer usable!  But, we are resourceful, so we wound our way around and were successful in entering the parking garage.  We then had to find HOW to enter the convention center.  Hmmmm. A friendly workman told us to use the Hilton's skyway, so off we went to the Hilton.  We made our way to the line to pick up our credentials only to be told that they did not have any paperwork for us.  Not good, but, the friendly person pointed out the new line we needed to go to, so off we went.  This lovely lady looked us up on the computer and informed us that only Pearl's credentials were still good for this year. Luckily for us, she was the "in charge" person and asked Pearl our names.  Mona and Georgia were the magically correct names from last year and we were then directed to yet another line, so off we went.  At this line we were informed that we had to fill out all of the forms that we had submitted again.  Finally, we had crossed all the T's and dotted all the I's and were awarded with our badges!! So off  we went to check into the hotel.  The street in front of the hotel was being demolished, but, with Pearl's dexterous driving skill at weaving around barrels, we entered the parking lot.  The welcoming desk person informed us that our room was still not ready, but assured us that it would be by the time we returned from dinner, so off we went.  Hours later we return to the hotel and are given our room key.  Our room was lovely, except for the fact that there was NO BEDDING for the sofa bed.  Not to worry, we will just call down to the desk...... but neither of the two room phones worked.  After a cellphone call, bedding was brought up to us, no pillow and no blanket just two sheets.  Half an hour later, a blanket was found and brought to our room.  Now to sleep, however, the door to our room kept bumping like someone was coming into the room every 5 minutes.  And, Pearl's iPad was frozen and would not allow us to shut it off, but kept flashing bright light every so often throughout the night until she got out of bed and turned it over.  Not a very restful night.

Pearl had first call on the shower in the morning because she had an early class. Mona and I were going to leisurely take our showers, have breakfast and walk to the Convention Center.  However, the shower only had scalding hot water and it just trickled out.  Another call to the desk.  Pearl has to leave, so off goes our intrepid leader.  A repairman appears as Mona and I are leaving an hour later.  Not to worry, all will be well upon our return that evening so off we went.  Still nothing but trickling scalding hot water at 10:30 p.m.  We are beginning to get cranky.  Another repairman is sent up to our room, and then a manager arrives with a new room key to a room a floor below.  So off we went dragging ourselves through the halls like thieves in the night.   Thankfully, this room had all the correct bedding, working phones, and hot and cold water with plenty of pressure for the shower and no banging door. Sheer Bliss!!!

Sunday dawns with lots of rain, but we are well rested, and freshly showered, so no problems.  We should have known better.  The valet parking men were unable to locate our car keys.  Really? After a half hour search, they were located so off we went to get in a few more hours of market.

The reason for this post is to let you know the lengths we go to provide our loyal shoppers with the newest and the best!!

Nov. - Dec. 2015 Class Calendar

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Row By Row Experience 2015 and 2016

We Have a Winner!!!!

We are so excited to (finally!) have a winning quilt come in for the Row By Row Experience! We have seen so many quilts posted to different shops and were, frankly,  getting edgy with anticipation but Valerie Burgess swept in with her lovely quilt using (mostly) Louisiana Rows and wowed us.

The following information is for folks outside of our area, (in case you were curious): In order from top to bottom, you see rows by the following shops....

Mama's Quilt Shop, Independence

Our Row, Bright Hopes Quilting, Mandeville

Sew This!, Abita Springs

All Stitched Up By Angela, Slidell

Mes Amis, New Orleans

The Quilt Corner, Baton Rouge

Coastal Sew n Vac, Gulfport, MS

The Quilted Owl, Metairie

By sheer coincidence, another quilt top was emailed to us the same week...

This one was made by Marti H. and commemorates her relocation from Louisiana to Florida. We are sad to see Marti go and hope her settling in to the new home is the beginning of many happy years.

From the title of this post, you know we have news about Row By Row Experience 2016.... next year's theme was announced last week!

Home Sweet Home

So many ways to take this! Whatever will we come up with?

Well, we are already spinning out ideas and designs at the shop and really look forward to the big reveal next year. 

Stay Tuned!

Houston Quilt Festival Info

We are less than a month away now from the annual spree, Houston Quilt Show, and I would imagine by now your plans are certainly in the hopper about heading that direction. But, in the event you are still on the fence or are unable to attend this year, take comfort knowing you can still visit Festival in the virtual world of the internet!

Quilts.com is headquarters and point of entry of all things quilting. Here you will find links taking you to separate exhibits on display in Houston. Take a tour of the Festival Gallery of Quilt Art: Home for a real treat. These quilts come from around the world and depict 'home' for the artists.

You can read columns by Mary Fons which explore the world of quilt-making from a young perspective. Being raised by a fairly well-known quilter, Ms. Fons brings a unique perspective to news and happenings in this particular art form.

If you've been to "Houston", you've earned your merit badge and know when to arrive, where to park and what shoes to wear. But, if you are attending for the first time and want a few tips, here is a good read from Quilter's Newsletter. And YES, you can bring and use a camera but be certain to read all signs which prohibit the use in any particular display.

One small piece of advice I can offer: The doors WILL NOT OPEN one minute earlier than 10:00 am and you will find quite a crowd gathered in front of the Center. I recommend arriving 5 minutes AFTER 10:00 and you'll sashay right in. You can purchase your tickets online and avoid staying in line at the box-office, too.

While taking classes is mentioned in that article (above), it's probably too late to sign up for any at this time so that will leave you all the time in the world to browse the Shop aisles on the left side of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Show side on the right side.  The Convention Center is too massive to even describe. There are quilts hanging everywhere; your eyes are not going to be able to take it all in.

The catalogue is a very good way of keeping track of what you find appealing.  Write in the columns and you stand a better chance of finding it later in the day. Tip: If you find something you really really like, get it there and then. You'll tell yourself, "Oh, I'll come back and get it later. I don't want to carry all that around all day long." You may never find it again. You may never find the booth again! I'm talking BIG. This space is enormous. You should also know that there are baggage-checks where you can leave your purchases safely. There are NO carts or wheelie-bags allowed at Festival.

Food: There's a food court to one side of the Festival. You can buy nachos, hotdogs, cheese-steak sandwiches and drinks but you are also welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks. The trick is to stay hydrated and well-nourished because you will be doing a LOT of walking. However, if walking is an issue, the Convention Center has scooters and wheelchairs available for rent.

 Wear a pair of shoes you've already broken in. This is no place to be fashionable.

Bring a friend, for sure, because it's fun to talk about what you find or see. If you are traveling in a herd, separate. It's better for you and it's better for the other participants because trying to stay together means someone is going to lag behind and someone else is definitely going to sprint ahead which means you're going to get separated anyway. There are places you can meet up at an appointed time and regroup.

Relax; If you get tired, there are places to sit down along the back wall. Head on over and take a break. They hide the bathrooms back there as well.

Enjoy: Quilts on display here are the best of the best and you will be astounded at the work that has gone into each one. They are inspiring and amazing.

If you find yourself thoroughly exhausted when you leave, you did it right. Your head may be swimming, your arches aching and you wonder how you'll make it home again or to the hotel. You may even be telling yourself, "I'll never do this again!" But, after a good night's sleep, you'll wake up and think, "Man, was that FUN!"

Sept. & Oct. 2015 Class Schedule

Hello! It's almost fall again and we have our roster of classes up for your inspection.

Check it out and sign up early to ensure you get a seat.  There is plenty of time between now and Christmas to get some handmade gifts all wrapped up and ready to place under the tree.

Remember, we have the "Best Deal In Town"; a coupon for 6 consecutive months of unlimited classes for only $60.00. Just sign up and show up to 2 or three classes in the first month and you've already saved! Now you have 5 months more to sign up and enjoy learning new techniques, make projects you might have wanted to make for years and met new friends.

We also have unstructured "sit n sew" sessions..... Sit 'n Sew Friday, the Mini's, Farm Girl Vintage, Dear Jane, Applique Group...... these are ALL open to everyone who wants to share in the camaraderie of quilters as we stitch the quilts.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 985-845-9554.