For a couple of years I made scrap blocks whenever I was between projects. The method was to combine any bright scraps of whatever size/shape, then trim the block to 6.5″ unfinished. When I had 88 blocks I decided it was time to quit playing around and make them into a quilt, so here it is.
Quilt Stats
Name: 616 Scraps
Designed and made by: me
Finished size; 48″ x 66″
Quilted by: Linda Nichols
Of course the scrap pile has only grown larger, so I’m off to start another round of scrap blocks.
Last weekend we had the opportunity to see some of the Orange County Artists Guild open studio tour. Our first stop was at the studio of Susan Brubaker Knapp, who makes really remarkable quilts. She also hosts a quilting art TV show, which is how most people know her.
Susan in her studio
Susan is a gracious hostess, and answered many questions for both me and the non-quilter friends who were with me. Her work is absolutely amazing!
One of Susan’s beautiful quilts
She discussed her methods, which you can read more about on her website. She also hosts Quilting Arts TV, so that’s another useful resource if you’re looking for information on how to make art quilts. A lot of her quilts are whole cloth works, painted with textile paint and then extensively quilted on one of her Bernina machines. The quilts are based on her own photographs, and she often begins by tracing a photo on white fabric.
The sheep quilt is amazing, and Susan loves chickens so she has them in a lot of quilts
The body on this butterfly is 3-dimensional
Here are more photos Susan allowed me to take during our visit. Please note, however, that she copyrights her designs.
I am in awe of Susan’s detailed work, and it was lovely to get to visit with her. You can find her teaching schedule on her website if you’re interested. When I expressed amazement at her free motion quilting, Susan pointed out that she has thousands of hours of experience with it! Nevertheless, her skill is amazing.
Poke weed is a native plant and is well represented in this quilt
This is my favorite! I’m happy to say that pitcher plants can grow in the yard here given the right conditions.
Here’s the back of one of the quilts so you can see Susan’s amazing free motion quilting
Of course every quilter needs a vintage machine on display in her studio
You can see much more extensive pictures of her studio on her website, here. Additionally, she has several tutorials on her techniques. You can also visit her blog and subscribe to keep up with what she’s doing. That’s how I learned about the tour. And if you have questions about her techniques, look at both the tutorials and the blog in detail.
While travelling in New England recently, we were happy to see an exhibit of works by Maria Shell at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont.
Although it appears rustic, this building has a high-tech interior to protect the quilts stored there
Here are a few of her fun art quilts from the show.
AHOY! by Maria Shell
Tiny Bubbles by Maria Shell. Sorry to say my camera was crooked!
Liminal Lines by Maria Shell
Jokulhaup, by Maria Shell. The title is an Iclandic word for “a type of glacial outburst flood”
Plaidtastic by Maria Shell
LITE BRITE by Maria Shell
The Shelburne Museum is one of our favorite places in Vermont, and having Maria’s exhibit there was the icing on the cake!
You can learn more about Maria on her website.
Quilt building at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont
Now that Halloween is over, I will be teaching three Christmas crafts.
But first, C&T reached out to offer a discount to my readers who want to take the Handmade Holiday Bazaar class online. It caught my interest because one of the presenters is Laura Wasilowski, and I’ve very much enjoyed her classes in the past. Also, I recently took another class on C&T’s Creative Spark platform and was pleased with it.
So I accepted the discount code for you, but declined the commission for me since I don’t want to “monetize” my blog. Here’s a link to the info on the class, which will also apply your discount: Handmade Holiday Bazaar.
NOTE: When you click on the link, you will see the regular price, but the coupon is at the top of the page, and when you click through to buy the class the discount will be shown before checkout.
And now on to the classes I’m teaching locally! You can get the schedule for these and other classes on the Studio Stitch website, here.
Christmas Cactus Block
I made a pillow from a single block, but if you don’t need any more pillows you could make multiple blocks for a quilt–I think it would be beautiful! The class will be held November 10.
Pincushion
This is a quick-and-easy (and inexpensive) class for something that would make a great gift for quilty friends.
Pincushion made in a vintage cup with saucer
This class will be on December 1.
Christmas Tree Napkins
This is another fun (and inexpensive) class. We use these napkins every Christmas, and they would make a great hostess gift as well.
The class is December 8.
Let the crafting and sewing fun begin for whatever holidays you celebrate!
Zippy Quilts 