May Mester #3 alternative

So, you really want to join us for May Mester, but, you don't want to commit to such a big project? You want to learn the 'Judy Niemeyer' way to paper piece, but, you don't want to make a 72" quilt? You know that One Loose Thread puts on top notch events, but, you just can't think about a full quilt at this time.

No Problem:

We thought about that and we have the solution. Make some placemats:

Karen will walk you through these over the weekend. Aren't they beautiful? I love these small projects that Judy has come up with.

OR
Make a table runner:

Learn her technique, but, you don't have to commit to a big quilt.

Register Now for May Mester #3.

The information about the retreat can be found just by clicking on the link in the address bar above. I would love to introduce you to the 'Frayed Knots' and get you comfortable with the Judy Niemeyer method of paper piecing.........the easiest way EVER to paper piece.

Our Certified Instructor, Karen Conley will walk you through these patterns over the weekend and you will leave with the confidence to tackle any of Judy's patterns.

Just thought you would like to know............there is space available.
Have a great day

May Mester #3 'Fire Island Hosta' Class

May Mester #3

Thursday April 30 – Sunday May 3, 2015

Camp Gravatt Conference Center

Aiken, S. C.

4 days and 3 nights of quilting fun with the Frayed Knots of One Loose Thread.

Karen Conley, Certified Judy Neimeyer Instructor

‘Fire Island Hosta’ and others!!!

Class will begin after supper on Thursday night with 2 hours of prep and instruction. We will continue with 6 hours on Friday and 6 hours on Saturday. Class instruction will conclude on Sunday morning with 2 hours of ‘wrap up’ between breakfast and lunch. That’s 16 hours of professional instruction!! Where else would you find that except at a One Loose Thread event!! In between class times it will be ‘free time’ for working on your class project, a ufo, or reading or walking around the beautiful retreat site or just taking naps, as you choose.

Lodging will be provided on site. You may choose from a quaint cottage room that shares a bathroom with the room next door or a lodge room with 2 double beds and its own bathroom. I have set aside just a few single rooms for this event and they will be first come first served. All other rooms will be doubles. If you can’t find a roommate, I will be glad to try to pair you with someone that will be compatible for you. With very few exceptions, all rooms are on the ground level.

Yes, we do have a special rate for day students!! See the registration form for additional information.

All meals, 9 of them, are included in your registration fee and will be prepared and served by the fantastic kitchen staff at Gravatt. If you have special diets or food restrictions please note that on your registration forms so that we can address those. I promise that you won’t go hungry during your stay with us.

All classroom space will be close to lodging and the dining hall. I usually tell everyone the longest distance to the dinner table is 100 yards. Classroom space is on the ground level, so no steps to climb.

Class Information:

Karen Conley, Certified Instructor for Judy Neimeyer, is returning for another weekend with the Frayed Knots. This time she will be teaching ‘Fire Island Hosta’ and Hosta Queen. No, you don’t have to work on the Hosta’s, as a plus, Karen will be available to help with other Judy Neimeyer patterns that you have already started and might be causing you problems. Judy has published 2 ‘leaf’ patterns that would work really well for you if you don’t want to start something really big. However, these other patterns must be cleared through Karen so that she can make sure she is familiar with them. Please understand that the primary focus is the Hosta. Patterns can be ordered from Karen at a discount. She will also kit this for you if you would like it done like that. She just needs ample notice…..like immediately.

This quilt was done by Dyna Hall

This Quilt was done by Certified Instructor, Tammy Doane

 Check out the top of this page to go to the registration page.

Register as soon as you can since the class is limited to 24 and is filling. I look to hear from you soon.

                                                                  

Look around!!!

Yes, please look around the blog. There have been some changes made. Let's see who find them first!!
No prizes will be awarded. However, you might find something that you have been looking for.
Have fun!

What Happened During My Christmas Break?

Well, Christmas is over. All of the customer quilts made it out of the studio in time for Santa delivery. I even finished my own quilt gifts well ahead of the special day.
Austin's quilt was special in that I used fleece on the back. He thought that was pretty great.

AJ's quilt was the result of a class taught by Anita Bowen for Devine Quilt Guild. Great quilt.

Unfortunately, I have just discovered that I didn't get a picture of Piper's quilt. It was black, white,gray, and turquoise. She seemed to be really impressed that I knew her 'new' favorite color. Grandmommie's a mind reader??? Who knew!
***** I found a picture, deep in the photo file of my phone. Doesn't show the whole quilt, but, at least some of it.

Christmas Eve was wonderful as Mr. OLT and I hosted my siblings and their spouses. The eight of us had not had any private time together in years. The evening was awesome and this is the only picture:

It was a great evening and memories were made and some were put to bed. It was fun.

I spent the week between Christmas and New Years working on the 'Devine Charity Blitz'. Once I get the pictures together, I will tell you about that.

That's it for now. I am back to work. Penelope Statler has completed her first assignment of the year and I have just started loading a custom job on Olivia. It's going to be a great year..............Quilt Camp is in 6 weeks!!!!

Stay warm and keep your seams straight.

What a Day!!!!

Today has been fantastic. I was up at 5:30 and working with Olivia (my hand guided Gammill Classic Plus) and this quilt by 6:00 this morning.

Before I left for a much needed quilting retreat last week, I had ditched the first row and had quilted 3 of the blocks. So, this morning I was really ready to rock and roll. I finished the first row:

I was very pleased at how this row turned out. I am trying to mix the traditional with some of the modern quilting to bring this top up to date.

Sorry about the pictures being off color, but, the weather here has been very gray.

Next up, row 2. I was amazed at how quickly this row quilted. Of course, I had chosen several designs to be repeated over the entire quilt, so that made things much easier. I actually finished quilting Row 2 in time to meet a friend for lunch around 1:00.


This is row 2:

Amazing how the whole face of the quilt changes with the quilting added to each block. As I am working, I can actually see and feel that happening.

Finally around 3:30 this afternoon, I started on Row 3:

I'm not showing the quilting on that row, yet. We will look at that tomorrow. However, row 3 is at least half done. This quilt is moving right along. All the while I am thinking what to do in the sashing and the border. I have seen so much in the way of piano keys that I really want something different, but, the border is a print and only with a 3" quiltable area. So, I'll keep thinking. I'll come up with something by the time I get to that point.

Tomorrow, I will also be loading a new quilt on Penelope Statler for her to work with while I am working with Olivia. I have one 'Frayed Knot' that is suppose to be dropping off a quilt for quilting and a new customer who will be bringing in a t-shirt quilt that she needs before Christmas. My usual customers have finished all of their tops with plenty of time for binding before Christmas, so, I am free to do 'emergency' quilting for others..........that's a lot of fun too.

After Christmas, we start the 'Charity Blitz' for the Devine quilt guild. More on that later, because that will be a LOT of tops quilted within a week.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to keep your seams straight.

Beverly's Sweet Sixteen

The Story of Beverly's Sweet Sixteen Quilt.

I don't have these in any particular order.

Hope you enjoy the journey.

This free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

This Quilt is Talking

I started working on this quilt WEEKS ago. It has been really slow going due to other things happening. I spent 3 days with the Quilters of South Carolina at Fall Retreat. There have been numerous Guild meetings to attend. Planning and preparation for One Loose Threads Fall Quilt Camp. Then there is Fall Quilt Camp: 4 days of constant laughter and loads of fun. After which there is the time to recover from 4 days of constant laughter and loads of fun............

Back to the quilt. I put it on Olivia's frame and basted it down. Then I spent several days 'ditching' around all of the applique with Superior's mono-poly thread. (not one thread break!!) I did experience 4 broken needles until I finally figured out that I had the backing---a beautiful batik---cranked to tight and that was causing so much needle deflection that even titanium would not stay together.

The entire time that I am 'ditching' this top I am thinking what else it will need. I have decided to do my own 'McTavashing' as the background filler, so constant practice on paper is going on. However, the quilt sort of whispers............"What about my border? I think I want you to stitch something special there." So, once the applique is ditched, I started work on the border. It comes together one element at the time.

I got this much done and something told me that wasn't enough so I added additional lines above it.

So now the border is pretty much finished---except----I will need to stitch something into this diamond and will have to stitch something into the corners because currently they look like this:

While I was in the process of doing these things I thought about this:

So that has now been added at the intersections of all of the blocks.
I have reached a point that I have to start working with the background fill. This can be absolutely, the most terrifying thing to me. I am much more comfortable with templates, but, here we go.

I'll let you see later how things are working out.
Have a great day and stay warm