Sassy Squares in the new Pluses and Crosses collection

After completing the layout and production of the Spring 2020 LookBook for Diamond Textiles, I was able to get some of the props we used in the photo shoots. These are cuts from the new Pluses & Crosses yarn-dyed collection from Diamond Textiles that were featured in the LookBook. Aren't they gorgeous???

Several cuts from the Pluses and Crosses collection from Diamond Textiles.

These fabrics are yarn-dyed wovens. They have texture and pattern woven (not printed) into them. The brighter color palette is new this season. We need some bright, happy, fun colors in the world these days, don't you think?

Pluses and Crosses (top) with Nikko III (bottom) from Diamond Textiles.

I'm pairing Pluses and Crosses with the new brights from Nikko III to make Sassy Squares [pattern from the Franklin Quilt Company.]

Sassy Squares pattern by the Franklin Quilt Company.

I'm contemplating the possibility of hand stitching or kantha stitching for this project since these yarn-dyed cottons are soooo lovely for hand stitching. Can you say "hot knife through butter"?

Three Sassy Squares with Pluses and Crosses and Nikko III.

Tips for making quilt blocks with yarn-dyed textured wovens

The #100Days100Blocks2019 Kinship sew-along that I'm participating in began July 1. The fabrics I chose for this project are yarn-dyed textured cottons from Diamond Textiles. Momentum hit and with less than a week into the project, I've got 28 blocks pieced... and 4 more cut and ready to be sewn. In the process of making my blocks, I've learned some things about working with yarn-dyed wovens.

Block #15 from the Kinship sampler made with yarn-dyed cotton fabrics from Diamond Textiles. 

Characteristics of yarn-dyed cottons
Yarn-dyed wovens are cotton fabrics that can be used for patchwork, quiltmaking, accessories (bags, pouches, pillows, etc.) and garment sewing. Some unique characteristics of these fabrics are:

• a yarn-dyed fabric has color on both sides of the fabric. So, when you purchase and use a yarn-dyed woven, you get the "right side" and the "other right side." Use whichever you prefer!
• some yarn-dyed woven fabrics might have a softer drape and feel compared to printed quilting cottons—this makes them so lovely for sewing garments as well as in quilts.
• the patterns, or textures, in the fabrics are created during the weaving process. You can see the "floats" in the photo below that create the pattern designs in the cloth. Some designs are created with a contrasting colored yarn or even a thicker/heavier weight yarn. 
• some yarn-dyed cottons use one color of yarn for the warp and a contrasting color for the weft. These are often referred to as "shot cottons." The combination of two colored yarns woven together creates a new, rich and more complex color with more depth than a plain solid fabric.

Examples of various yarn-dyed cottons (by Diamond Textiles).
Textures and patterns are created in the weaving process.

The yarn-dyed fabrics I'm using for the Kinship sampler are Diamond Textiles' Tweed Thicket and Nikko III. Tweed Thicket has a flatter surface while Nikko III has a raised diamond pattern and a slight more drape.

Tweed Thicket (top) and Nikko III yarn-dyed cottons.

After piecing several blocks, I've become more familiar with working with yarn-dyed wovens and learned some tips for easier and more accurate patchwork.

Blocks for the Kinship sampler quilt made with yarn-dyed wovens.

Tips and Tools for better patchwork
As with any patchwork—especially small blocks or those with many small pieces—good workmanship is paramount to accuracy and success. The blocks in the Kinship sampler quilt finish at 8" square and 4" x 8". Some of the units within the blocks are cut 1", 1.5" and 2.5". The tools and processes I've discovered to improve success when working with these fabrics are:

• starch the fabric before cutting. I use spray sizing (it's what I keep on hand).
• put a new cutting blade in the rotary cutter. (A good practice for any project!)
• account for the "turn of cloth" [the amount of fabric taken up when fabric is folded]. The turn of cloth seems to be 1-2 mm larger for these yarn-dyed wovens.
• spin the seam allowances when possible to minimize bulk. (A good practice for any patchwork.)
• and, as with any patchwork and small pieces, a consistent and accurate 1/4" seam allowance is important.

Block #10 (front).

Block #10 (back) showing spinning the seam allowances at the intersections.

The Bloc_Loc ruler has expedited the trimming and improved accuracy of HST [half-square triangles]. Many of the Kinship blocks incorporate 1.5" and 2" triangle units. 

Bloc_Loc ruler is helpful for trimming half-square triangle units.

I'm also finding that I like the blocks that have a mixture of Tweed Thicket and Nikko III. The variations in texture make them more interesting to me.

Block #7 (left) and Block #5 of the Kinship sampler quilt.

Design principles: variety and texture.

Collins Top: my first Make Nine Challenge finish

One of the items on my Make Nine 2019 Challenge list—the Collins Top, a pattern by In the Folds—is finished!

Collins Top from In the Folds.
Fabric is Nikko Geo by Diamond Textiles.

With a pre-washed piece of Nikko Geo—a lovely yarn-dyed stripe from Diamond Textiles—from my stash in hand, I pulled the pattern from the envelope earlier this month and began the making process.

Ready to start my Collins Top.

With a yarn-dyed fabric, lining up the pattern pieces on the straight of grain is a cinch!

Laying out the pattern pieces.

This pattern has opportunities for changing the directions of the stripes for a more interesting top. The pattern instructions actually encouraged it!

Collins Top front view.

 I like the wedge at the bottom of the back center panel. Nice detail!

Collins Top back view.

My Pattern Modifications
I set an objective to document my projects for the Make Nine Challenge, so these are the modifications I made to this pattern. They were minimal.

Neckline bias binding on my Collins Top.

• added 3/4" length to front and back.
• took in about 1/8" at each seam at the neck. The neck was too open for my liking.
• eliminated the back opening and button closure. This was an option in the pattern instructions and the neck opening was still large enough to pull the top on over my head.
• made the bias neck binding visible. The pattern instructions were to roll the binding completely to the inside of the top. Since I had other details featuring the striped fabric, I thought a "pepperminty" stripe at the neckline added to these details.

I finished the neck, sleeve and bodice hems by hand. Voila! My new Collins Top is finished! One project down and 8 to go for Make Nine 2019.

Collins Top back view.

Make Nine Challenge 2019: progress check

About a month ago, I pledged the Make Nine Challenge. This is the progress on two of my projects—a knitted vest and a jacket.

Lolita Vest. Make Nine Challenge 2019.

Lolita Knitted Vest
After a setback on the Lolita Vest (I was photographing it and found a mistake; decided to frog 3-4 inches), I've gotten past the second armhole, and the neck and shoulder shaping. Knitting the left front remains.

Yarn-dyed woven Jacket
Another Make Nine project is a jacket made with yarn-dyed wovens from Diamond Textiles. I'm incorporating leftover bits (the 4-patch diamonds) into this piece to fulfill the recycle and repurpose goal I've set.

Yarn-dyed woven Jacket back. Make Nine Challenge 2019.

These are the two jacket fronts. For the pockets, I'm thinking side seam pockets is a better option over patch pockets.

Yarn-dyed woven Jacket front. Make Nine Challenge 2019.

I've seen a few beautiful finishes from others participating in the Make Nine Challenge and was feeling behind. But stepping back and evaluating these two projects, I feel good about my progress. These pieces were both UFOs [unfinished objects] and they've been revitalized and are now back on track.

Fabric inspiration at YLQS

With the start of a new year and the cold winter weather encouraging more indoor activities, quilt shops and sewing centers have been busy creating fabulous things with fabric! In my recent travels, I saw many inspiring projects that shops have in the works for upcoming classes, kits and samples.

Art Gallery's Color Masters bundle combined with a background fabric
at Stitcher's Playhouse.

The classic Jacob's Ladder block with Art Gallery fabrics
Jeanne at Stitcher's Playhouse paired a box of Art Gallery Color Masters fat quarters with a background fabric. She used the classic Jacob's Ladder quilt block—a combo or 4-patches and half-square triangles—in a solid setting. An interesting positive/negative effect.

Jacob's Ladder block made with Art Gallery fabrics.

Mixing yarn-dyed textured wovens with printed cottons
Go ahead... mix yarn-dyed wovens, printed cottons and even batiks... in the same quilt block! Margaret at Quilt Connection is assembling 14" sampler quilt blocks with Diamond Textiles' yarn-dyed wovens and printed cottons. One block even combines a yarn-dyed plaid and a batik!

Combining yarn-dyed wovens from Diamond Textiles with printed quilting cottons
at Quilt Connection.

The randomness of the stripes in this yarn-dyed woven keeps your eye bouncing around this block.

14" sampler block at Quilt Connection.

In this block, the Primitive Stars fabric in the sashing complements the Ohio Star units.

14" Ohio Star sampler block.

This is probably my fav. It combines Primitive Stars (the sashing) and a black striped woven. The rotation of the 'butterfly' units cause the stripe to go in vertical and horizontal directions.

This block features two yarn-dyed wovens from Diamond Textiles.

Australian aboriginal designs are perfect for an Expedition
Debbie at Calico Rose is making the Swoon Expedition Travel Tote using M&S Textiles Australia. It's got at least two zippers and a bunch of pockets. This is going to be a stunning bag when she finishes!

Swoon Expedition Travel Tote with M&S Textiles Australia fabrics
at Calico Rose Fabrics.

Calico Rose has a great selection of M&S Textiles fabrics and pre-cuts—with many more on the way. Debbie chose this M&S Textiles print—Bush Plum—for the lining. Bright, colorful and exciting!

Bush Plum design from M&S Textiles Australia.

Love Letters for a SignAge Quilt
I caught one of the Sew Special sessions at Sew Many Ideas where Juls announced the shop is offering fabrics, kits and a class on this SignAge quilt from Art Gallery Fabrics. The XOXOXO fabric on the back is an Art Gallery fabric from the Letters Capsule collection. Perfect for Valentine's Day—or any day when you need to spread a little LOVE.

Sign Age Quilt at Sew Many Ideas.

Coordinating fabrics in the quilt from the Art Gallery Denim Studio are also available at Sew Many Ideas.

Letters Capsule collection from Art Gallery Fabrics at Sew Many Ideas.

What's inspiring you? 
As for me and my projects... I'm plugging along on my Make Nine 2019 list and the Farmer's Wife sampler blocks. And the inspiration I saw at these quilt shops gets me excited and charged up about making!

What project are you excited about today??? Contact any of these quilt shops or visit YLQS [your local quilt shop] and take a class, pick out a new project, and get excited about creating something beautiful and fun with fabric.

2018 year-end review

Sometimes you feel time gets away from you and you didn't accomplish nearly what you wanted. Looking back through my photos of 2018, I found I accomplished quite a lot—much more than I thought... or remembered. Although I know I have numerous WIPs [work-in-progress]—note: I'm not calling them UFOs, unfinished objects—I'm pleased to say I had quite a few good finishes in 2018!

My 2018 finishes: garments and quilts.

Top Row (left to right):

• Ikat jacket: fabrics are yarn-dyed wovens and beautiful ikat from Diamond Textiles. The jacket is quilted and lined.
• Using the Scrap Crazy ruler, I made this little quilt from Lewis & Irene fabrics in time for a visit from Ben Taphouse back in March.
• My "Oh My Stars" Choo Choo Quilters Challenge quilt. English paper pieced stars using Australian Aboriginal fabrics from M&S Textiles Australia. Free-motion quilted.

Middle Row:

• Long-sleeve knit tops: I made two this year with knits from Art Gallery Fabrics.
• This is my intro photo for the September Textile Love program. I met a lot of fabulous and talented textile artists through this participation on Instagram.
• Cuddle Quilts: I made 3 for the Choo Choo Quilters community service project. This one is an improv quilt. I also quilted one for a fellow member.

Bottom Row:

• Patchwork T-shirt: Tried patchwork using knit fabrics. Much fun!
• Siena Shirt: I've made two tops from this pattern from The Sewing Workshop. Also two pairs of the Valencia pants with a pattern hack of adding lined patch pockets.
• 9 Lives top: another great pattern from The Sewing Workshop and and a fast make. I've made two tops from this pattern. Fabric shown here is a navy pintuck from Diamond Textiles with a batik collar from Majestic Batiks.

I hope your 2018 was productive and you enjoyed every stitch!

Giving pintuck fabric a go with the 9 Lives Top

I've had this lovely, drapey, indigo blue piece of pintuck fabric [PT-70225 from Diamond Textiles] for quite a while and finally got it made into something I can wear! 

Nine Lives Vest pattern from The Sewing Workshop
made with pintuck cotton from Diamond Textiles.

Pintuck fabric + Nine Lives pattern = Easy make
I used the Nine Lives Vest pattern from The Sewing Workshop. There are only four pattern pieces to this pattern—two fronts, a back and a collar. It's a fast and easy make.

Nine Lives Vest: a Shapes pattern by Linda Lee and Louise Cutting.

My pattern mods
The Nine Lives top is airy, flowy, comfy and casual. The oversized bodice drops over the shoulders to create a short, cap-like sleeve. The original pattern has a slanted, asymmetrical hemline. However, I decided to modify my version with a straight, symmetrical hem—shorter in the front and a little longer in the back.

Nine Lives top, side view.

The collar on my version is a batik from Majestic Batiks. This was a serendipitous addition during the construction process. I think the print and the color of this batik works nicely with the decorative stitching and the indigo color of the pintuck fabric. The pintucks, decorative stitching and the contrasting collar are the stars of the show in my version.

Nine Lives top, back view.

The most difficult part of constructing this top was deciding the placement of the pintucks... and picking out the buttons from my button stash.

I tape-baste the buttons in place for hand sewing. 

Give pintuck fabric a try with the Nine Lives Vest pattern. It's minimal work with a big impact.

Threadwork and bobbin drawing with heavy weight threads

Free-motion bobbin work with Eleganza pearl cotton
by WonderFil Specialty Threads on a yarn-dyed
textured cotton fabric from Diamond Textiles. 

My mom's favorite color was blue.
My grandma's favorite color was yellow.
My mother-in-law's favorite color is green.

Me? I like all the colors.

Sometimes, when I'm immersed in a particular color palette in my work, it reminds me of a special person in my life. Does the same happen to you?

If color and stitch tickles your fancy, feeds your creativity or elicits a special memory, there is an abundance of new threads on the market these days in colors that span the rainbow. The heavier weight threads are the ones catching my eye and I enjoy using them for both hand and machine stitching.

Experiments with bobbinwork
Here are some experiments with decorative stitches and free-motion bobbin work using Eleganza perle cotton from WonderFil Specialty Threads. Eleganza comes in weights: #3, #5 and #8.

The perle cotton thread is loaded in the bobbin and I use a 50 wt. cotton thread in a coordinating color for the top thread. Try stitching with the feed dogs up... or down.

Free-motion bobbin work with perle cotton threads.

French knots and a few lazy daisy stitches were added by hand.

French knots were added by hand.

Decorative machine stitching
Next up are 4-patch quilt blocks highlighted with decorative machine stitches in a 12 wt. cotton thread [Spaghetti from WonderFil]. The fabrics I am stitching with are yarn-dyed cottons from Diamond Textiles. These fabrics are easy to stitch with and serve as the perfect canvas to show off these fat, colorful threads.

Decorative stitching with 12 wt. cotton threads.

Remember to use a larger needle to accommodate a 12 wt. thread.

Yarn-dyed woven fabrics are a perfect partner for decorative stitching.

Heavier threads beg to be the center of attention... and I indulge them. They challenge me to draw with them—by machine and by hand.

About a month ago, I decided to gather up my threadwork experiments and combine them into a quilt top. The alternate squares, setting triangles and the outer border are from the Indie Folk fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. The inside narrow border are more textured yarn-dyed fabrics from Diamond Textiles.

Threadwork experiments quilt top.

I think my Gram would like this quilt because it has a lot of yellow in it. A Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmoms, moms-in-law and anyone else that cares, nurtures, loves and encourages us to do and be the best we can.

Talking "Fabric" with the Madison Station Quilters

The room was filled with nearly 70 guild members and visitors that attended my “From Field to Fabric” lecture and a trunk show at the Madison Station Quilters guild meeting last week. It was a lively evening! An enthusiastic and inquisitve group of quiltmakers and several garment sewers asked thoughtful questions about the fabric manufacturing processes as well as the fabric samples that I brought for Show and Tell.

English paper pieced hexagons with aboriginal fabrics from M&S Textiles Australia.

A Trunk Show of WIPs
What’s fun about presenting to a group of "quilty" kindred spirits is that they “get it” if you show a WIP (work in progress). I passed around a handful of English paper pieced hexagon blocks (above), two in-progress kantha embroidery pieces ...

Kantha hand emboirdery on yarn-dyed textured woven from Diamond Textiles.

and did a show and tell of four unquilted quilt tops.

Charm square quilt top combining Australian aboriginal designs from
M&S Textiles and batiks from Majestic Batiks.

Q and A
After the presentation, the Q&A part of the evening covered discussion about:

Ikat sample.

• The differences between yarn-dyed and printed fabrics,
• Ikat fabrics [from Diamond Textiles],
• Keeping a print design on grain,
• Using the “right side” or the “other right side” of a yarn-dyed fabric,
• Sewing patterns for my jackets,
• Digital fabric printing,
• Machine trapunto.

More info about my projects that illustrate these topics can be found in these blog posts:

• Australian aboriginal fabrics and EPP
• Kantha stitching
• Primitive Stars jacket with ikat: Part 1, and Part 2
• White jacket: mixing vintage and yarn-dyed fabrics 
• Decorative stitching on yarn-dyed wovens
• Travels with Ben Taphouse from Lewis and Irene

I did have two completed quilts that featured fabrics from Lewis and Irene, a UK fabric company that just established its USA division in October 2017. This little quilt has machine trapunto and mixes fabrics from Lewis and Irene, Art Gallery, and the border is an aboriginal print from M&S Textiles.

Machine trapunto "Enchanted" quilt featuring Lewis and Irene fabrics.

Fabric Samples and Feedback
Attendees were kind enough to provide feedback on their favorite fabrics from the samples that were on display. Favorites included:

• From Diamond Textiles: Woven Elements, Primitive Rustic, and Primitive Stars were the top vote-getters followed by Embossed Cottons, Kalamkari, Nikko Earth, Picket Fence. The wildly popular ikat fabrics got write-in votes!
• From M&S Textiles Australia: all the prints were well received with specific requests for Spiritual Woman, Kingfisher, Wild Bush Flower, Spirit Place, Rebirth Butterfly Spirits and Dancing Flowers.
• From Lewis and Irene: Bumbleberries, Geometrix, Lindos, and Celtic Reflections were top favorites followed closely by Water Meadow, Fairy Lights (glow-in-the-dark), and City Nights.

Thank you!
Thanks again to Susan Yell, the guild's current President for the invitation, the two lovely volunteers that modeled my jackets, the quilt angels that held up the quilts and tops, the leadership team members that swooped in to help set up and then pack up my sample bags at the end of the evening, and to everyone who came out to spend the evening talking about quilting fabrics with me. Your excitement and overwhelmingly positive reception to the yarn-dyed textured wovens and hand printed kalamkari fabrics from Diamond Textiles, the bold colorful aboriginal designs from M&S Textiles Australia, and the contemporary “sophisticated cute” fabric collections from Lewis and Irene is contagious! I am pumped with a renewed interest in creating more quilts, garments and other projects with these fabrics and I hope you are, too.

Cast your Votes
Please tell your local quilt shops [YLQS] that you are interested in these fabrics! You are the fabric influencers for the quilt shops and independent sewing centers that you support.

2017 year-end review

So long, 2017! It was a busy year with ups and downs and lots of miles in between. My pile of "finishes" is not as extensive as in previous years (or as I would like), but there are a few completed projects for which I am proud and several wonderful experiences in which I'm happy to have taken part. Here's a photo montage and a recap.

2017 accomplishments (from top left): Ikat Jacket, knit top, vintage and yarn-dyed mix jacket,
Art Weave class, free-motion embroidery, Blue Violets Art Weave sample,
Cargo Duffle, improv pieced mug rug, Cargo Duffle briefcase.

A jacket inspired by vintage textiles.

Garments and Artwear
My enthusiasm for garment sewing and creating artwear pieces has been renewed—due in large part to the fabric companies I represent that offer fabulous, high quality woven and knit fabrics that are great for sewing clothing as well as quiltmaking. When ya work with "the good stuff," you're more inspired, the projects come out so much better, they wash and wear well, and the "making process" is waaaay more enjoyable.

Oh... and you don't look like the run-of-the-mill chain store Jo (or Joe). We're all different and unique! Let's not dress like twinsies.

I made two jackets this year that I am pleased with the results. I get lots of compliments on them, too. Each one coincided with an industry trade show (Spring and Fall Quilt Markets) and feature the luscious yarn-dyed wovens from Diamond Textiles. No doubt it was a firm deadline that facilitated these projects into the "completed" column. "There's nothing like a deadline to get one motivated," as the saying goes. I also have a selection of knit tops—short and long sleeves—made with Art Gallery knits.

Ikat jacket with Primitive Stars fabric.

Vintage Inspiration and Collaboration with Anonymous
In the Spring of 2017, my quilt guilds brought author and award-winning quiltmaker, Mary Kerr, to Chattanooga for workshops and a lecture. Mary has written books about incorporating vintage textiles and antique quilt blocks into new quilts. The collar on the white jacket (shown above) and this Vintage Wonky Star quilt top (below) were the results of Mary's visit. It was fun to collaborate with the anonymous quilters who made and left behind the original quilt blocks.

Vintage Churn Dash quilt blocks made into A Wonky Star.
An unquilted quilt top made in a workshop with Mary Kerr.

Machine quilting and stitching
I expanded my free-motion quilting to include a new substrate—canvas. I used the Cargo Duffle pattern (with mods) from Noodlehead to construct two zippered bags. I rep two companies—Alexander Henry and Art Gallery Fabrics—that offer cotton canvas fabrics.

Variation of Cargo Duffle with canvas fabric from Alexander Henry Fabrics.
Stripe fabric from Diamond Textiles.

The variegated 50 wt. cotton thread [Tutti from WonderFil Specialty Threads] is still one of my favorites. The contrast striped fabric is one of the World Fabrics from Diamond Textiles.

Free-motion machine quilting on canvas with variegated thread.
Canvas: Alexander Henry fabrics, Thread: WonderFil Tutti 50 wt.

WonderFil's 12wt. cotton thread [Spaghetti] prompted experimentation with machine decorative stitches. The 4-patch blocks are made with the versatile yarn-dyed wovens from Diamond Textiles that were also used in my jackets.  

Decorative machine stitching with 12 wt. thread [WonderFil Threads]
on yarn-dyed textured wovens by Diamond Textiles.

Hand Stitching
Inspired by a studio intensive workshop with Dorothy Caldwell, my take-along travel projects now involve hand stitching.

Kantha stitched cover for Mark Making book from Dorothy Caldwell workshop.

Although the stitching on my patriotic girl is now complete, I haven't decided if this piece will become a pillow or a small quilt.

Hand embroidery with ArtPlay Stitcheries from ADORNit. 

The background of the embroidery is filled with kantha stitching.
The base fabric: yarn-dyed woven from Diamond Textiles.

Quilting for Charity

I was able to make a few kitty quilts for the kitties at The Cat Clinic. Making these and bringing them to the Clinic warms my heart. The quilts are always appreciated—by the staff and the cats.

Jesse inspects the kitty quilts donated to the kitties at the Cat Clinic. 

Both of my quilt guilds were generous with their time and resources in 2017. I don't think I completed any cuddle quilts all myself, but I donated a bag of fabric swatches to my quilt guild for a year of "Make Do" and improvisational patchwork. The swatches found their way into quilt blocks I pieced and several charity quilts our guild members worked on together. 

Cuddle quilts quilted at the Choo Choo Quilters annual workshop.

At our annual Cuddle Quilt workshop, I was able to free-motion quilt 5 cuddle quilts, so I was part of the team effort. I supported the other guild with a quilt top for a Re-mix Exercise. This quilt will be donated to Chattanooga's Habitat for Humanity organization. The finished quilt can be seen here.

Inspiration, Encouragement and Support

As makers and artists, we don't do our craft alone. We're influenced by the art and artists of both the past and present. And... if we're lucky enough, we can meet, learn from and work with today's talented artists and entrepreneurs that strive to bring their best work into the world... so we can make and do our best work. Here are just a few of them...

From top left, Row 1: Larry, my personal cheerleader and indefatigable supporter;
Leesa Chandler from The Textile Pantry; Rohni Sandu from Diamond Textiles.
Row 2: Me and Mary W. Kerr; representing all shop owners is Donna Sandidge (right); Patrick Lose and I.
Row 3: woodblock printing artist Hiroki Moriroue; fiber artist Dorothy Caldwell and I;
friends from my quilt guild at our Cuddle Quilt workshop.

I have also had the pleasure of being inspired by the students who attend my classes and my fellow classmates who have been in workshops alongside me. And, it's a pleasure to work with owners and associates of numerous quilt shops and independent sewing centers this past year. These shop owners are some of the hardest working, dedicated, small business people around. Please support them!

From the road.

Follow your passion and work at your craft. Wishing you much creativity and inspiration in 2018. It could be right over the next hill or around the next bend in the road.