Peppermint Place Quilt and Kaffe Fassett

 Here we are, Saturday at the Houston Quilt Market, all fresh and bright, raring to go.

Here we are 10 hours later, pack mules every one. It was a terrific day filled with great ideas and new things to bring back to the shop!

If you know me, (and I think you do!) you know what a fan I am of the fabrics from Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. We have been stocking our shelves from Day One with a great selection of their colorful designs and add to them with every new release. Nothing changes this year either!

We have carried most of his quilt books as well and this year, Pearl brought back a limited number of signed books from the new publication, "Dreaming in Color". This is an autobiography of the man himself. It's a trip through the decades and eyes of the master of saturated color. If you have ever been curious to know from where Fassett drew his inspiration, you should check out this book. It is a steal at $40.00

 You may recall our cute Halloween "Sew Spooky" quilt and the "Little Red Barn" quilt patterns we have had for a few months from The Quilt Company. This is their new "Peppermint Place" Christmas quilt and we brought back these patterns from Market. This 6-part pattern makes a 64" square quilt, embellished with a printed panel and adorable buttons.  Everything included in our pattern bundle for $55.00.

Here you can see Pearl with the quilt itself to give you a good idea of the actual size.

Kathy Brown and More Take 5 Quilts

Kathy Brown at The Teacher's Pet has been designing some really beautiful fabrics lately and we have quite a collection on the shelves here at Bright Hopes Quilting. She is a very busy woman, creating new quilt patterns and books & touring the country. Her most recent book is "More Take 5 Quilts".

Linda Kay just brought in her striking version of the Buzz Cut quilt from this book and she used Brown's newest fabric collection, Maddie, in the sample.

This is a very large bed quilt and Linda Kay will teaching it on Friday, Sept 21. Give us a call to sign up for the class.
985-845-9554

Drop by to see more of Kathy Brown's fabrics and pattern as well.

So Where Are We?

I have been remiss in posting due to the demands that summer puts on our shoulders and wanted to get another post up before August!

Which is our Shop Hop month; Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Can you believe it's now our eighth? Well, which ever number it is, it's always looked forward to with great anticipation from all of us who work at Bright Hopes. We love the excitement the quilters bring in with them, seeing old friends and enjoy meeting new people.

In the years past, each shop made individual quilts using the same theme; for example one year it was "Christmas!" and last year, Black and White with Crayons.

 This year, the participating shops have decided to create unique quilts with no unifying theme. Look for each on display and see what we came up with. Pearl's quilt is finished and beautiful! We'll be hanging it shortly and when that happens, I'll post a photo of it here on the blog.

Meanwhile, if you get our newsletters, you know the weekly happenings at the shop. You know we have shelves n bolts of Christmas fabric and some wonderful new books. We are focusing in on the Modern quilt and are seeing some fine examples come through the doors. While traditional quilts will remain a strong force, it cannot be denied that fabrics and quilt designs have been wandering off the reservation recently.

Additionally, more and more people are investing in their own quilting machine. No, not necessarily the huge Gammills but what I refer to as a modified long-arm. It's not impossible to quilt a large top with a standard sewing machine but it is far easier on one that is made especially for quilting.

However, once the machine is home and sitting there, the question comes up, "What design should I use?"

You've probably mastered the meandering line and loop-d-loops. Are you tentative about trying feathers and shapes?
Obviously, the answer is "One that complements the quilt itself." but then what? If you are stumped by this question, here are two books that might provide some answers.

Okay, simple feathers really are a lot of fun to quilt but starting off is beyond daunting. Once you get the hang of it, they are down-right addicting but eventually you will want to move to the next level and here is where this book by Peggy Holt comes in. She shows you how to look at the space which will be filled with a design and then create the feather-shapes that will live there. The feathers in this book are complicated and intriguing but very do-able, when you know how!

 She shows you how to fill borders and create mirror-images. As you can see from the cover above, she combines open airy feathers with dense filler to create a very sophisticated finish... a very good book for your collection.

~___________________~  

Next, we have Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters. This is a terrific book filled with quilting lines with the modern quilt in mind but don't let that dissuade you from checking it out. The designs inside this book are universal and, more importantly, actually do-able.

I can't tell you how many times I have stood in amazement staring at a quilt and wondering how the quilter made such straight lines or where she hid the thread and what inspired that particular motif. I get lots of ideas from quilt shows and am not ashamed to ask if I can steal this or that for my own future use.

But then, I struggle with the idea that each line must be perfect and not knowing how they do it. I guess I always will but this book helps me understand the how and then brings out the maverick in me.  It also inspires me to practice a new line and with each quilt behind me, I grow more confident in my ability.

 It kills me to see on Page 40 how she took the meandering motif to a whole new exciting look and I marvel at why I didn't think of that!! And the way she mixes up two totally separate designs to make a new one is eye-opening.

It is brilliant. If you have to choose only one book to reach for, give this one a flip-through and see for yourself. I can't wait to see what Ms. Walters comes up with next.

Modern Patch Work - Reduction Quilting

It was busy at the Bright Hopes Quilting shop yesterday and it started with Pearl ordering new fabric and me looking over a shipment of new books for the shelf. Elizabeth Hartman (Oh Fransson!) has a terrific new book, Modern Patch Work, that I snapped up, tout de suite, (more copies available, naturally.)

I was immediately drawn to the cover quilt because of the Y-seams (really, y'all; just try them! They can be so addictive) but upon opening the book, I could not help but be sucked into the entirety of the collection inside. It is remarkable in it's variety.

Flip through the pages and the first thing I notice is how each quilt is photographed in such simplicity and yet absolutely perfect for the environment.

The instructions for piecing are easy to follow and Hartman offers color suggestions that differ from the large samples. I don't know which one I want to make first!

Well, what is a 'modern quilt', then? I ask myself. Clearly, it doesn't look like a traditional quilt one might have found on grandma's feather bed. Clean lines, simple repetitively design, bold color combinations. Of course, that could also be said of the Amish quilts. They certainly don't hide in a room! 

But these quilts, these 'modern' quilts, are still removed from the traditional quilts by stripping away anything that seems a flourish. 

Have you ever really looked at type fonts? The one I use right here, Times,  has what is called a serif. It is that extra flick or embellishment on the tips of each letter.  

Hello!

Now, compare that with Helvetica

Hello!

That is what they refer to as 'sans-serif'', or without that projection. They are unnecessary, obviously, and leaving them off makes the word look, well, modern and uncluttered.

So, now when I look at quilts, I see more and more that people are taking patterns and whittling it down to the essential elements, like a creative chef who takes his ingredients, sautes them just so and evaporates the liquids to a more intense final flavor. I understand they call that a"reduction."

And that is why I titled this post, "Reduction Quilting". I can see I am going to be doing a lot of this in my future.

Pearl has quite a nice collection of books of this style in stock. These include Transparency Quilts by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, Modern Minimal by Alyssa H Carlton and Modern Mix by Jessica Levitt. 

And we are bulking up our inventory to include more of these fabrics that support the whole 'modern' look. If you are starting to move in this direction yourself, stop by and see what we're up to.

Farmer's Wife Information

A lot of you out there are picking up on the Farmer's Wife Quilt and I hope you are enjoying it as much as we are at Bright Hopes Quilting. Pearl has set aside two days each month for us to meet for a few hours with or without our sewing machines to work on this fun project.

The book includes a CD with all the templates and you pop it into your computer. There,you can print out whichever template you need; however, each template prints out on a separate page which is rather wasteful of paper. So Martha Pullen has consolidated all the templates used for EACH block onto one sheet as downloadable PDFs and you can find that here.

Keep in mind that many blocks use the same templates so you don't have to print out every block repeatedly......

Now, the blocks are all 6.5" but take on a large variety of designs; some are four patch, some 9 patch, and some are very easy while others rather complicated. They are scattered throughout the book, not done in any specific order and this is where Marti Michell steps into the picture!

She has organized all the various blocks into categories that use the same templates repeatedly. This way, you can make all of them at one time and move on to another set that uses a different selection of the templates.

By now, you probably are familiar with the Marti Michell templates that make the cutting and piecing of these blocks easier but are confused as to how to go about the whole process. She has made it possible to sign up for 10 bi-weekly newsletters delivered to your email box that break down all the blocks in the book that are similar. Here is from the Marti Michell website:

If you are not on our current mailing list and would like to receive the PDFs, send an email to cservice@frommarti.com and tell us you would like to sign up for our next round of mailings.

It may take several weeks or longer for your emails to begin arriving because they do it in batches... not one at a time. I sent in my request on Nov 15 and received my first post about four weeks ago. SO be patient.

Now, which set do you need to have on hand? Well, the short answer is NONE because you can print them out from the CD but having the MM templates on hand makes it easier. So theses are the "Sets" we are using: A, B, D, N and S.

Linda Kay has made this list that shows the "sets" used in each of Marti Michell's groupings:

FARMER’S WIFE – Marti Michell templates

CHART 1 Set B & N

CHART 2 Set A

CHART 3 Set B, D or N

CHART 4 Set A

CHART 5 Set B, A, Log Cabin Ruler #8038

CHART 6 Set B, A, C, N or D

CHART 7 Set A, B, N

CHART 8 Set B, N, D

CHART 9 Set A, B, C, N, O

CHART 10 Set M & S

We carry them all in the shop and can order any of the Marti Michell templates for other quilt designs, such as Storm at Sea.

Those templates will make a complicated design come out flawless.

If you are interested in joining us with the Farmer's Wife sit n sew, our next meeting is Monday, February 20, at 1:00pm. Some of us, are sewing, some of us are cutting out out next blocks and some of us are dithering over fabric selection. As for me, I find my stash of batiks make for a contemporary take on old favorite blocks. But, somehow, I never seem to have enough! Oh well, I know a place that has shelves of beautiful batiks!!!!

Oh yeah! Right HERE! at Bright Hopes!

Also, keep in mind that entering the GSQA show is about to end. If you are going to enter your quilt, you can download the forms here

And for all the good information, spider over to this link.

All entries must be received postmarked by Feb. 24 and must include a photograph. See you there!!

Sprinting to the New Year!

Oh man, I can't believe how quickly this month is passing me by without posting!

Thanksgiving Day usually leaves me breathless as we enter the Holiday Month. This is the case as well at Bright Hopes where packages come pouring in with products that were ordered at Market and items that make good gift-giving.

But that doesn't mean we abandon quilt-making; oh no..... in fact, we have several new samples of patterns and fabrics that are so fresh, they are practically dewy!

Jane Sassaman has her new line out and Georgia was immediately inspired to make this Grand Central pattern. If you look closely, you'll see the center panel is one piece of fabric with spinning pinwheels and solid blocks surrounding the middle

Georgia is making a new one using the panel and softer "baby" yellow for the background so I'll post a follow-up post when I get the shot.

Paula Nadelstern's new kaleidoscope fabric is in and this is the "main feature". While at "Market" the gals found this fabulous ball made with the fabric and many pins and sequins.

Pearl is organizing another Demo Days nest month and Celeste will be demonstrating how this is made. We have so much to show & tell and it's great fun to be able to do a lot in short time-frame.

Here's a new item straight outta the box that arrived Thursday afternoon, Poke A Dots!

You've probably had your own issues with thimbles that don't fit well, or fall off or perhaps your favorite has finally worn it's own hole through. If this sounds familiar, you might want to check these little guys out. 18 to a box and made in the USA, these are sticky grippers that are reusable several times and are placed exactly where your "strike zone" is to give your fingers protection while stitching. And the tin is a great keeper for needles. By Jillily Studios.

As for me, what am I up to? I joined in the Farmer's Wife club here at the shop. I'm making mine out of my scrap-bag(s) of batiks (naturally) and will put a board up today showing some of the blocks from various fabric schemes that others are making.

We will host several free Sit n Sew's each month for anyone interesting in hanging out while making the squares. Our next meeting is Monday afternoon, Dec. 19.

Also, we got in a book by Cozy Quilt Designer, Strip Six, of six blocks using jellyroll strips (2.5" WOF) and background fabrics. I liked it and the information inside so much, I bought one

(I know I know! I swore I was going to finish the one's I started before I go off in another direction! But you know me....)

and am using my fruits and veggies left-over strips to make a sample for the shop.

(I figure like this... as long as I am using the stash, a new book doesn't hurt, right?)

It's fun to make complicated-looking patterns quickly.......

__________________________________________

Pearl put all the Christmas Fabric on SALE!!!

$6.99 a yard.

_______________________

Farmer's Wife Quilt

You may have noticed in the newsletter that we are hosting a Farmer's Wife Quilt Sit Sew one day each month. Our first day is next Monday, Nov. 21 and I wanted to show you four of the blocks done in an assortment of batiks.

The Farmer's Wife Quilt was compiled by Laurie Aaron Hird from letters written by wives of farmers answering a question posed by the editor of a magazine from 1922, "The Farmer's Wife, A Magazine for Farm Women".

Do You Want Your Daughter to Marry A Farmer?

Each block is accompanied with a response from a farm wife and the insights are as down to earth as you can imagine, but it is refreshing none-the-less to read. The book is very popular at the moment with many websites sharing photos of the quilters' progress. It is a super quilt for stash-busting which is what I attempt to do here with my batik collection.

The book has 111 blocks, all 6.5" square and a CD with every pattern included. Now, Marti Michell has acyrlic templates in 6 sets to make the cutting easier and you probably already have some of the sets in your tool-kit. We have used them in several BOMs over the years.

These are fabrics Linda Kay is using in one of her two quilts.

This is going to be an on-going monthly event and everyone is invited to join along and share tips. It is totally informal and free. We look forward to seeing the fabrics you choose along the way.

________________________________

Linda Kay held her two-day Duffle Bag class last week and here is Dixie J showing her small bag.
The pattern has multiple sizes to make and here are 5 more:

They are so professional-looking! I love the fabric selections here....

Kathy Brown's Strip-Smart Quilts

It was a packed space last Saturday here at Bright Hopes Quilting, when Kathy Brown brought her new book and accompanying trunk show.

Oh to be so up-close to the quilts and feel the fabric, linger over the quilting designs..... and be able to ask Kathy, what is this fabric!? Case in point: The Twist

Okay?

Now check out the back!

And now the quilting.

When I saw this one in the book, it's softness was apparent but in person, the subtlety of color and simplicity of quilting just took my breath away! And the fabric was so soft and alluring. It was everything I love in a quilt! I wanted to curl up in it in some corner immediately and just just keep going over the rest of the book.

Here's Carlyn and Meliss, two of the Wednesday quilters, in front of Merry-Go-Round, one of the many bright quilts you'll find in the book.

So, when this whacky-looking ruler showed up, we were all asking each other, "What do you make with that!?" The answer is: "A lot more than you think!" and so much so, Kathy is in the process of designing new quilts for a second book.

She had even more exciting news to reveal! She showed us photos of her new fabric line that should be hitting "market" in the fall. And let me tell you, they are beautiful. What a talented woman we have living just down the road from us in Baton Rouge.

I enjoyed seeing the actual quilts, watching Kathy demonstrate and reveal the tips she has to make make these vibrant quilts. It's always fun to compare the photographs to the originals; in this case is proof to the pudding that this quality is at a high standard indeed with "Strip-Smart Quilts."

Someone at the demo said (I'm paraphrasing here), "You speak like you write in the book. Your personality comes through." and she truly does. She has pulled from her life and weaved anecdotes to the patterns.

Now, I wonder if she'll share the recipe for those good-looking brownies on page 26!

Kathy Brown's Strip-Smart Quilts

Kathy Brown + Creative Grids =

You have to take a look at this new book and cast a glance at your stash of Jelly Rolls. Here are 16 wonderfully different takes on an easy technique that uses strips. It's all in the knowing how, right?

My personal favorite is "Family Vacation" and that might be because batiks were used. Or it might be because of the intricacies of the overall design. Or it might be because of the secondary design that sneaks up on you.

Kathy is going to be here at Bright Hopes Quilting on Saturday, June 4 for a Trunk Show and book signing. If you had the great fortune to be here last year for her Take Five book release, you surely remember a good time was had by all.

Strip-Smart Quilts: $24.99

The Modern Quilting Bee and Bake Shop Goodies

Fresh Fabric Treats by Moda Bake Shop designers 16 projects using jelly rolls, layer cakes and more.... pouches, techno bags, travel jewelry rollup, baby quilts (I squealed!) (this one is too sweet!)

so many fun ways to use your pastry collection. $21.95

The Modern Quilting Bee block party (The Journey of 12 Women, 1 Blog & 12 Improvisional Projects. Now quilting has come along way since the rotary cutter was bestowed upon us and next to that must surely be the internet phenomenon. You are here reading this blog and I bet you spend a fair amount of time cruising the 'tubes' in search of information on this shared passion of ours.

Well, perhaps our not-so-distant foremothers were meeting for those rare social visits while catching up on news and stitching. However, they are not unlike some of us today. Far-flung to say the least and eager to share our knowledge with friendly souls. But instead of the monthly or seasonal "bee", today we can visit each other daily or even hourly on-line in this "virtual" quilting bee world.

The women in this book, The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party came together on the internet and have created a looser, artistic approach to quilt-making. Rather than "strict" rules for cutting and piecing with precision, they cheerful abandon the norm and break new ground. This is quite the opposite to what I have grown accustomed to and rather refreshing! $21.95

Just One Star

Well, maybe a few more than one!

I popped into the shop yesterday and was greeted by this fabulous display of the Moda's Just One Star donations. Don't they look awesome! What you can't tell from the photo is some of others stars in plastic baggies containing several blocks so we are going to be sending quite a handsome package to the project in a couple of weeks. If you want to make one or some and join in, here is the pattern and information. They are fast and easy to make.

At the door, I saw this new sample by Linda Kay of the Let's Twist book & tool and the RED WHITE & BLUES fabric line. It is such a cool way to spinning stars.

Now, ya'll who know me, know I have this thing for chickens.... and so do a few others of us at the shop. Celeste is the designer of this quilt, using our newest panel of artistic roosters and a crazy patch. We have since received more fabrics that fall into that French Provencal look that remains classic and popular throughout the years.

I'm Watching You!

Six Halves Makes a Whole Starburst

and now it's made two! Linda Kay has brought in her beautiful sample of this quilt (and class) using the William Morris fabrics and we have it hanging at the shop. Stop by to see it.

Here is a close-up of the center

"medallion".

This is the batik version, so you can really see a comparison......

The class begins next Friday and takes you through the cutting, the piecing, (yes, the ripping when something goes awry) and the completion of a really beautiful design.

This is a five-part class and a good one for someone who has taken the introductory class of quilting and wants to practice her skills. There are a lot of familiar half-squares and 9-patches and this quilt brings it altogether.

Bed Runners and Tea Leaf Totes

This is our latest pattern for totes, the Tea Leaf Tote and Mona made this sample. I love that Cathedral Windows look

I remember the first time I saw a bed runner on a bed in a hotel, I thought "why didn't I think of that!"....... well, here we have a terrific new project book, Bed Runners and a sample of one of them for a kid's room made by Celeste. It has pockets on both ends to hold a favorite book of bedtime stories.

What really gets me excited is this book is written by Baton Rouge quilter, Kathy Brown! She uses "pre-cut" fabrics to make the projects fast and fun.

These are the new mini-quilts with purpose!

Six Halves Makes a Whole Starburst

I wanted to show you the lagniappe you get after making this quilt, Six Halves Makes a Whole Starburst.

This tabletopper is a great use of "left-over" fabric from those alternating squares. I had enough of the outer border fabric as well. I only needed a little extra of the dark blue for the cross-sashing. This one measures 30" x 40". Pretty sweet!

Pssstttt Part Two

and here are 3 of the block elements......

It's gonna be pretty.......

They're Back From Market!

Oh Boy, did Pearl and Mona bring back the goods!

But first, I am please to announce the winners of our Kaffee Fassett Challenge and the October $25.00 Gift Certificate:

$25.00 to Linda Lawrence!

Marge Sandy and Cathy O'Flynn, you two are the winners of the FKC and, I don't mean scrambled chicken! Now, I know, I know, I was so certain I was going to be the winner..... but I really mean it when I say, Congratulations! To all 3 of you. (And I can't wait to see what you do to with your squares.)

Okay, in store now are two fun fresh patterns for baby bibs by Little Quilt Company. They are so sweet and come 12 designs to a pattern. You will recogize the look; Kim Shaefer did the calendar quilts!

Speaking of which, they also have a Calendar Table Runners pattern booklet with 12 runner patterns.

Moonlight Design has 2 wearable "art" sweatshirt patterns that are terrifically stylish and once assembled, ready for embellishments.

Are you an avid appliquer and love the "Baltimore albums"? P3 Designs has the Baltimore Liberty DIY BOM and it is all about the patriot in you. The Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, Fireworks and Star, Bald Eagle..... it's gorgeous.

Staying with the Americana theme, we have a pattern by Mountain Patchwork called "Liberty Banner" for use with your red, white and blues.

Brenda Henning and the Bear Paw Productions has a new workbook, Strip Therapy 6 for those Bali Pops

We just received our shipment of the Strip Stick, an ironing impliment to help give you crisp, straight ironed seams. 2 lengths come in one package, 18" and 45". $24.99

If you are one of those quilters whose family asks, "What do you want for Christmas? You seem to have everything....", now you can answer "That rotating cutting board on the heavy acrylic base over at Bright Hopes!". It's 14" square, rotates smoothly and when you go to cut the fabric it won't shift and mess up your line.

September Goodies

Here are some luscious new fabrics we just got in! I am crazy about this:

They are by Westminster Fabrics and a new designer from Brighton, England, Dan Bennett. So cool!

And these cheerful flowers from Lakehouse. They remind me of a candy from my childhood.

These fabrics would be perfect for a school tote for girls, a throw quilt or how about this!:

Honey Bun Poufs! (floor pillows.) Don't let the name throw you; you don't use "honey buns" (those thinner jelly rolls) ........ these "poufs" are 24" and 30" wide.

Now when you have had enough with (well, can we really ever have enough?) sewing for the day, here's a good read that keeps giving chuckles.
And when you're finished, pass it over to your spouse so he/she can know there is someone out there who walks in their crocs. I have read the author, Mark Hyland, is giving a portion of his proceeds to the Linus Project! What a good man!

Linda Kay held her third Biscuit Basket class, this time with 6 students. Here are the results:

Pretty snazzy!