Book Review: Improvising Tradition...

{Improvising Tradition: 18 Quilted Projects Using Stripes, Slices, and Strata(Interweave/F+W; $27.99; available now.}

I received this book for review at the end of last year. I remember thinking "Improv quilting?? I dunno. That's too 'art quilt' for me, but I'll try it." I guess I think crazy-weird arm flinging, stage leaping, mime faced expressive dance when I think of improv quilting. For example...

{Caterham Dance School, photo by Elliott Scott Photography} 

Graceful, lovely, unique but totally not my thing. I appreciate it, I admire those dancers for being brave and gutsy and free, but that style is not for me. Improv quilting is not for me, I need rhyme and reason. I can only express myself by refusing to make quilts entirely out of one line of fabric. Mixing fabrics, designers, prints and colors is my expressive dance in quilting! I am not a stage galloper, an arm waver, an improv quilter. No way no how. 

Or so I thought...

Well then this book landed in my mailbox and I was all "Eeewww, Improv Quilting, what the heck?" I turned the pages hoping to find that one quilt in the book that proved me to be right, that one quilt that screamed out "I am EXPRESSIVE! And FREE! I AM IMPROOOOOOV!" but they all just sat there in the book, quietly, waiting for me to realize that I was letting my preconceived notions of this form of quilting get the best of me. 

These quilts were free, yes:

{morse code quilt}

These quilts were artsy:

{mirrored sunset wall hanging}

These quilts were modern:

These quilts were adorable:

{guppies in the middle baby quilt}

And these quilts were definitely inspiring:

Oh yes, this whole book was inspiring. All  17 projects are inspiring, in fact. I found myself flipping through the pages because I wanted to see how they did that funky awesome herringbone thing again, or re-read the instructions on needle-turned appliqué once more. I especially kept finding myself looking again, over and over, at the XOXO Baby Quilt. That one...THAT one was going to be the one that kicks off my improv quilting love affair. I had to make it, so one afternoon, I did. 

{fabric selection}

If you've read my "About Me", you know I make lists. I'm never without a to-do list and for the last two years, making a mini quilt for my friend Katherine has been on that list. I decided to turn the XOXO Baby Quilt  into a mini quilt for her.

Can I just tell you how much fun the improv process is? There are no rules, no one is looking over your shoulder and saying "You're doing that wrong." because you get to create as you go. The beauty of it is that you get to make something with guidelines, you have the general idea for the end result in your head, and if you're good at being a one-step ahead thinker, you will love this process.

I haven't done the quilting on it yet, but I have a plan for it. (Weird, right? Planning on an improv piece.)

I know my perception of this type of quilting has permanently changed. I think they should stop calling it "Improv Quilting" and they should call it instead, "Choose Your Own Adventure Quilting", don't you? 

You can find this book in the InterWeave online store by clicking here.

Visit the author, Alexandra Ledgerwood, on her website here.

Happy quilting!

Kristi

The Betsy SewAlong!

Fun, fun, super fun. I get to have a sew-along with my publisher/co-hosts Rebel Craft Media for The Betsy Travel Bag. 

{Angela Pingel's Betsy}

Here's the funny thing...I'm co-hosting this Sew Along, meaning I have to be responsible and organized and punctual (insert "Huh, Wha??" Face here) I'm still kind of in disbelief that I made up that pattern. I mean, I keep seeing it on Instagram, I've seen the test-sewn versions in person and every time I look at it I think "Wow, that's a cool bag. I should make one!" And then I remember that I did make one. In fact, I made the pattern. How'd that happen, I mean really...how did it go from an idea to all of this? 

{inside, sorta}

Somebody pinch me, this is pretty cool. The best part is, now I get to see what you guys make. It's pretty neat to see other people so excited about creating a bag from something I made up. I can't describe the feeling, but it's very humbling and it makes me giddy. 

{side view}

I'll be working on three Betsy's during this #BetsySewAlong. I'll be on Instagram to help answer questions, give advice, encouragement or explanations. There's nothing to silly to ask, so don't worry about that. I'd love it if you joined us! 

{fabric pull for a raffle Betsy/SewAlong 1}

The Betsy SewAlong has a weekly plan, giving you plenty of time to tackle the items on the list for that week. The pattern is available through rebelcraftmedia.com, zippers can be purchased through Zip-It on Etsy and the hardware kit, in three different price/style options, can be found at SnugglyMonkey.com.

Check out the details below, and join us for a fun month-long sewing event. 

Show us your progress on Instagram using #BetsySewAlong and #TheBetsyTravelBag!

***** 

The Betsy Travel Bag Sew Along Schedule

Posts will go live on the below dates (Thursday of each week for 5 weeks).

April 2: Sew Along Week 1—Cut, interface, make handles/tabs/etc., make exterior quilted panels (pattern steps 1–10)

April 9: Sew Along Week 2—Add exterior corners, accordion pocket, zippered back pocket (pattern steps 11–29)

April 16: Sew Along Week 3—Make end panels (pattern steps 30–50)

April 23: Sew Along Week 4—Make interior pocket, assemble bag and lining (pattern steps 51–69)

April 30: Sew Along Week 5—Finishing steps: add top zip, binding, handles, strap (pattern steps 70–82)

May 8: Deadline to submit finished photos.

Enter to Win!

Share a photo of your finished bag on Instagram on or before May 8 at 11:59pm EST. Tag your bag photo with #BetsySewAlong and @rebelcraftmedia to enter. The bag must be completed in full to be eligible to win.

Not on Instagram? Email us a photo of your completed bag to peaches@rebelcraftmedia.com by the deadline to enter.

One winner will be selected at random from all submitted and eligible photos of The Betsy Travel Bag.

The winner will receive a fat quarter bundle of “Biology”, designed by Sarah Watson for Cloud9 Fabrics—courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop!

Happy Sewing!

-Kristi 

The Betsy Travel Bag Blog Hop

HOLY COW YOU GUYS GUESS WHAT???

TODAY IS THE DAY!

The long-awaited Betsy Travel Bag is finally here!  You can buy your presale copy TODAY!  I can't even begin to tell you how exciting this is for me.  This bag is about 8 or 9 months in the making and it really does feel like I'm having a baby!  What will all of your Betsy's look like?  How will people like the pattern?  What if no one likes it?  Will it get along with everyone's sewing abilities?  I'm so nervous and excited and downright giddy!

{the original Betsy Travel Bag, made by me for Elizabeth Dackson/Don't Call Me Betsy}

Do you remember how this bag came to be?  If not, click here for the full story (and here for the details not covered in the story).  Check out Elizabeth's post on her bag, the original bag, here.

Since that fateful day (hardy har), I have made three other BTB's and have at least five more in the works.  One is a two bag order, and I'm not entirely sure I can reveal the details of that one just yet, but I will tell you this: these two bags are going to be insanely spectacular, out of this world.  This person is a very popular fabric designer and you are going to LOVE the line I'll be using for them!

{Betsy Travel Bag number two, my own personal bag}

For my bag, I used one of my all-time favorite fabrics by Echino.  I dream of living in England someday, so anything that has the Union Jack, London, Double Busses etc on it has me written all over it.  This is the bag on the pattern cover.  OMG I SAID PATTERN COVER!  Seriously, I am so excited about this pattern, can you tell??

{finished measurements are 20" wide x 12.5" high x 6.5" wide}

{the inside of the bag, nice and roomy with two pockets and a key fob that is sorta camouflaged by the lining}

The third bag was a very special bag.  I got to make it for one of my very best friend's out of her first fabric line.  She's a little bit rock 'n roll (don't tell her I said that because she's really just as goofy and dorky as me, SH!) so I decided to add some metal studs and use all gold hardware.

{the dynamic duo!  Katy and Me at QuiltCon 2015}

  

{Betsy Travel Bag number three for Katy Jones/I'm A Ginger Monkey}

{those studs gave it an edgy flair}

{Betsy, as seen in Katy's Priory Square/Art Gallery Fabrics booth at Fall Quilt Market 2014}

The fourth bag isn't quite finished yet, although it's almost there.  I only need to finish the binding and the lucky recipient will soon have it in her crazy talented hands!  I'm really loving how this one is turning out, and I know she's excited about it, too.  

I love that you can use big or unusual prints (hello Kokka, Tula Pink, Echino!) with this bag.  It has tons of pockets, lots of space, an easy space for stuffing and then accessing your book, wallet, airplane tickets etc.  You don't have to set your bag down every time you need to get into it, you just unhook a zipper binding and reach in.  Easy peasy. 

I purposely designed this bag to be floppy and squishable instead of stiff.  I didn't need it to stand up on it's own.  I DID need it to be easily stuffed under the seat in front of me on an airplane, or squashed into the last available space in the trunk of my car on a long road trip.  I wanted it to open up wide so it was easy to pack and unpack.  I also needed to make sure there was an inside zippered pocket to store my laptop, magazines, flip flops or even my dirty laundry.

{bonus key fob (in blue) so you won't lose your house keys while you're out of town!}

Most of all, I wanted this pattern to be easy enough for a confident beginner or an intermediate level sewist to be able to accomplish.  If you can sew a straight line, you can make this bag.  Even if your lines are a little bit wavy, don't worry about it!  The big prints will hide that!  (I've tried to think of it all, haha!) Even if you're not sure you can sew this bag confidently, don't worry too much about it.  We are hosting a Betsy Travel Bag sew-along on Rebel Craft Media's blog starting April 2.  There will be tons of participants (oh geez, I mean I hope there will be!) lots of helpful hints and inspirational pictures to browse and we'll be giving away two copies of the pattern! Use the hashtag "#thebetsytravelbag" on Instagram to play along.

You can purchase the presale pattern starting March 17, 2015 by clicking here. Presale purchasers will receive the supplies list which will give you two weeks to gather your hardware, fabrics, notions etc.  Speaking of hardware, we've made that pretty easy for you.  Claudia, of Snuggly Monkey, has put together a Betsy Bag Hardware Kit just for you. Click here to view/order one.

We have a pretty spectacular blog hop lined up for you.  You'll get to see Betsy through the eyes of the makers, pattern testers, owners and supporters! 

Happy Reading, Sewing, Supplies Gathering etc!

-Kristi

The Betsy Travel Bag Blog Hop Tour

March 17

Day One:

*Rebel Craft Media*

www.rebelcraftmedia.com/blog

*schnitzel & boo*

www.schnitzelandboo.com

*Snuggly Monkey*

www.blog.snugglymonkey.com

March 19

Day Two:

*Daisy & Jack*

www.daisyandjack.blogspot.com

March 21

Day Three:

*I'm A Ginger Monkey*

www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com

March 23

Day Four:

*Stitchy Quilt Stuff*

www.stitchyquiltstuff.com

March 25

Day Five:

*Libby Dibby*

 www.libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com

March 27

Day Six:

*Euphoria Jessica*

www.euphoriajessica.blogspot.com

March 29

Day Seven:

*Karri of Berries*

www.karriofberries.com

March 31

Day Eight:

*Rebel Craft Media*

(photo round up)

www.rebelcraftmedia.com/blog

Review: BurdaStyle modern sewing Wardrobe Essentials

Congrats to "PurduePam" for being drawn as the winner! Send me an email with your address so I can ship your book. Schnitzelboo@yahoo.com

*****UPDATE*****
I need to draw a name for the book still, I have had some unexpected things happen and I just haven't had the time to do it.  Hang tight!  I thin I'm doing it tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience!

-Kristi
*****

If you are a seamstress, you probably know about Burda, makers of sewing patterns for the non-conformist, host of an amazing online sewing community, producers of a gorgeous magazine, and recently...books! Let's take a look at the newest one, shall we?

{BurdaStyle Modern Sewing: Wardrobe Essentials (Interweave/F+W; $29.99; On sale now!)}

The thing I LOVE about Burda is that their sewing patterns are designed for what's on trend today and they're always up-to-date. You're not going to flip through this book and see yet another "same ol' same ol', I've seen this a thousand times" kind of sewing pattern. Even the fabrics they use are different. I love that. I LOVE finding an unique brand out there. 

Inside this book, you'll find several beautiful projects from skirts to dresses:

{I can't wait for summer! Look at those!}

Pants:

{I want pants that make my legs look this long!}

Blouses:

{and another cute skirt to go with it!}

Wardrobe Essentials is full of helpful hints and tips so you can get the fit just right. 

They've even got three sizing charts for regular, petite and tall sizes. They really are trying to help you create a beautiful custom, properly fitted wardrobe.

All of the patterns are printed on a nice, heavy-weight paper (way better than tissue paper patterns, and so much easier to fold and put back!) and have their own little envelope in the back of the book. Organization is the key to a successful project, right?

If I had my serger here (and not in my storage unit in Seattle, sigh!) I would totally hog this book all to my selfish self. But, my sob story is your gain and I'm going to give this copy away! If you'd like to win, simply leave a comment here, telling me what one garment sewing skill you'd let to learn or enhance. Bonus entry if you follow my blog via Bloglovin' (clickable sidebar ad on the right). Just let me know, in your comment, that you've followed. 

I will do a good, old-fashioned drawing on March 12. Winner to be announced right here so stay tuned!

Happy reading!

-Kristi

Tutorial: This Way That Way Quilt {a half rectangle triangle pattern}

Good afternoon from Austin, Texas! It's only fitting that here at QuiltCon writing this tutorial, isn't it? 

Last week, I made this quilt top from an Oakshott 10" square pack of colors 31-57 and 2 1/2 yards of background fabric, color number 32 Amalfi ) which has a grey warp and a white weft.) I LOVE shot cottons, they have such a nice weight and feel to them, almost like linen but with crisp softness that doesn't wrinkle quite as much. They also have a really lovely vibrant, subtle color shift in them. This is because they're woven one direction (warp) in one color and the other direction (weft) in a second color. The result is a fabric that blends beautifully with other fabrics in a way that an ordinary solid fabric wouldn't. 

As you can see in the above photo, I was given plenty to work with. I wanted to create a quilt that was not only a challenge for me, but also something that would showcase just how incredibly colorful and gorgeous this fabric is.

I didn't really have a plan, I almost never do when it comes to my quilts. Instead, I laid the fabrics out on my design wall and let them speak to me. 

I loved how each color complimented the others, so I knew I needed to keep the quilt simple. I also wanted to use every last bit of fabric that I was given. So, I decided to try something new, and I set about figuring out how to make a half rectangle triangle (HRT). I've done plenty of half square triangles, but this was new territory. I'm actually kind of shocked that I got it right on the first try! 

Are you ready to try something new? Ok then, let's jump in head-first!

What you will need:

27 precut 10" squares

2 1/2 yards 54" background fabric

Fabric pen

Acrylic Grid ruler

Rotary cutter/mat

Iron/ironing board

Sewing machine etc

Start by pressing each 10" square, then cutting them in half to create 54 5" x 10" rectangles.

From the pressed background fabric, cut 5" strips, then subcut into 10" pieces. 

On the wrong side of the background fabric, align your grid ruler with the upper left corner to the bottom right corner and draw a line.

With right sides together, match the corners of the background rectangle with the opposite corners of the solid. (Technically, it's the same corners, but because they're laid out right sides together, it'll look like the opposite corners.)

Sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides.

Using a rotary cutter, cut on the drawn line to separate.

Press the HRT's open, with the seam facing the solid, or darker color.

Make sure that the diagonal line is always going from upper left to bottom right, until you get to the halfway mark. Switch corners for the second half so the HRT's face the other direction-hence the name "This Way That Way". 

I'm afraid I don't have any graphic design skills, so you'll have to use the following photo as a layout guide for your quilt top.

Keep in mind that there should be four HRT's of each color, but you can't see all of them on the top row because of the way it's draped against the wall.

I finished the quilt by stitching one long 5" strip on either side. You will probably have to piece the strips together. I used 5" x WOF (width of fold) and a 15" piece for each side, then trimmed after stitching.

I plan to finish this quilt when I get back home from QuiltCon. I think I'm going to do a whole lot of matchstick quilting to finish it off, won't that look amazing? 

I'll post a finished quilt photo once it's completed, so be on the look out for that! 

Happy quilting!

-Kristi